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Busy Night
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 01-02-10 20:17
Covering her mouth during a yawn so huge her eyes water, Coco plods on with the sentence she's in the midst of writing. Tired as she is, she's stubbornly determined to get this paper finished tonight and with only another few more lines needed, she's not about to give up now. It's well past the time the library closed and past curfew for most but as a prefect, Coco's got more time before having to be back at Ravenclaw House. She'd be there now if not for Miss Bramble allowing a few of the study carrels across the hall from the library to remain in use after the library itself closes.
Coco only had four classes today, with the last of the four over at two. Since then she's been doing homework, including the last bit of research needed for this paper, and studying for the NEWTs. With this paper done tonight and with only two classes during the day on Thursdays, as she doesn't have Astonomy until midight tomorrow, Coco plans on getting even more NEWT prep work done on Thursday. She's got much of her Friday work out of the way, with only a few things left for Charms. She'd have done that already but tracking down one tidbit of information Professor Snape specifically wanted for this paper took longer than Coco had anticipated. Each student has a slightly different topic but much of the information is in the same set of books. Not realizing there is only one copy of each book, a couple of people had them all checked out for hours while doing their own research, forcing the others to scramble for the information the second the books were brought back.
A knock on the study carrel door startles Coco as well as Pea, causing the small dog to let out a tiny yip. Thinking it's Fritz come to check on her, Coco doesn't ask who's there but instead simply says loudly enough to be heard, "Door's not locked."
The door opens but Coco's got her head bent down to finish the last sentence of her paper so she's startled a second time when a male voice that is not Fritz's and is several years younger tentatively asks, "Can you help our cat, Coco?"
Turning from the small desk-like table found in all the carrels the size of this one, Coco finds herself looking at two very worried second years, Caerwyn Valentine and Augustus Hodfuffer. It was Caerwyn who spoke and she sees that Gus has their cat cradled to his chest. Coco had first met their cat, whom they named Velvet because of the feel of her soft fur, when they'd found the Cornish Rex after she'd been abused and abandoned. They'd brought her into Indigo McFusty's on a day that Coco was working there.
"What's the matter with her?" Coco asks, already on her feet and across the very small space of the carrel.
"She was her usual energetic self a little while ago then she suddenly started acting weird," Gus says, handing Velvet over to Coco when she gently reaches for the cat.
"She threw up really hard two times that we saw then just sort of went lip," Caerwyn further explains.
Coco nods at the desk, "Move my things to the side, please. Thanks." She eases Velvet onto the desktop and gives her a cursory exam. "It sounds as though she ate something she shouldn't have."
Velvet faintly stirs and Coco leans in very close to the cat to try and speak with her. After a minute she straightens. "I'm not sure very certain what it was but she was chewing on a plant. Let's send her to Indigo McFusty."
Gus says "My uncle will take her."
Coco quickly directs, "If one of you will take Velvet, Oi'll gather me things and scarper after ya." In her haste and tiredness, Coco doesn't even notice that she has easily lapsed back into her idiomatic speech pattern.
As they make their way from the study carrels on the fourth floor to Professor Hodfuffer's quarters on the sixth floor, Coco asks, "Were you two jes lucky ter not 'ave Mr. Filch spot yer hafter yer curfew?"
Gus shakes his head. "He saw us but when we explained about Velvet, he said to go on."
"An' 'ow did yer know where ter find me?"
"He told us that too." Caerwyn shrugs as he says this then adds, "I don't know how he knew where you were but I guess he let us come get you because he's such a cat lover himself."
"Yeah, 'spect so," Coco agrees.
When they reach Professor Hodfuffer's, Gus has to knock several times before AJ Hodfuffer comes to the door, clearly awoken from sleep. "Gus! What are you doing here? Caerwyn? Coco?"
"Velvet's sick, Uncle AJ. Coco says she needs Mr. McFusty."
Professor Hodfuffer takes one look at the limp cat and ushers them all in. "Let me change. I'll be fast. Flooing into the village is probably quicker than me walking to the school gates then apparating. Wouldn't you know that the first night I am in bed, asleep before midnight, there's an emergency," he says as he walks across the room to what Coco takes to be his bedroom, and then continues talking through the door once he's gone in to change.
Professor Hodfuffer is true to his word about being fast to change close. The boys and Coco and Pea see the professor and Velvet off then Coco escorts Gus and Caerwyn down to the entrace of Hufflepuff House before Pea and she go all the way back up to Ravenclaw House.
Focus Group
Author: Carys
Date: 01-03-10 15:39
After her French class let out, Carys flooed to the Ministry of Magic. She'd received a notice by owl that she had been randomly selected to attend a focus group having to do with a possible compensation plan for those who'd been imprisoned in one of the community for nons under former Minister of Magic Euphemia Smythe-Jones' leadership.
Carys couldn't imagine any sort of compensation that could make up for the suffering and loss she endured during that time, though she supposed it was nice that the Ministry of Magic was considering making an effort to do something for those who'd been victimized. It was her understanding that the focus group was one of many in which ideas were thrown about on what might suffice as compensation, but that nothing was set in stone yet. Perhaps it wouldn't even be feasible for the Ministry of Magic to do anything at all for people like Carys. After all, more wizards had suffered than not, and something like monetary compensation to make up for lost wages and confiscated property would likely bankrupt the Ministry.
Carys came out of one of the many fireplaces in the Atrium at the Ministry and went to the Security Desk to get a pass, since she hadn't come through the Visitors' Entrance and been issued one that way. Once properly identified, she made her way to the lifts. One arrived on her floor as soon as she reached them, and after several people got out, she got in. She went from the eighth floor to the first floor, and emerged looking a little lost. Thankfully, a reception desk was nearby, and the friendly witch seated there directed her to a large conference room down the hall.
Carys stepped in and found a couple of others wizards there, including the Minister of Magic himself. She hadn't expected to see him, but then she hadn't been sure who might lead the meeting. As it turned out, though he was there in an official capacity, he'd also been a victim of the former administration, having been snatched and sent to a community for nons too.
After a few others trickled into the room, the focus group officially began.
"I want to thank you all for coming," Minister Shacklebolt said. "Your presence here is by no means required, but we are certainly pleased you have joined our discussion group. Let me give you a little synopsis of what this focus group is and why you were selected to participate.
"This is the third such meeting and will not be last. Each group so far and in the future has been comprised of a random group of witches and wizards who were wrongfully incarcerated during the former Minister's administration. During each session we have talked about our past experiences and what might help improve our lives today."
Kingsley leaned forward in is chair. "Please note that you are not required to talk about anything you experienced during that awful time if you are not comfortable doing so. If our discussion becomes too upsetting, you are free to leave at any time. You need not ask. Just go. I understand what you all went through, because I went through it myself and it is something that will stay with me––that will haunt me––for the rest of my life."
He relaxed into his chair again, just as the receptionist from outside the lift came in, wheeling a refreshments cart.
"A complimentary lunch is available to you all while we talk," the Minister said. "Just sandwiches, mainly, but I assure you that they are very good sandwiches." He smiled.
Carys could feel her stomach getting ready to growl, so she was thankful for the meal.
The receptionist passed out the food and drinks and left the cart in the corner of the room, for anyone who wanted seconds. When she left, the Minister of Magic started things off by asking the question, "What does the Ministry of Magic owe you for what happened to you and your family?"
Carys wasn't sure how to answer that, since nothing really could make up for the fact that she'd been raped over and over again and that she'd seen her grandmother waste away and die. She didn't even think money could remedy what she'd experienced, though she had lost much-needed income during that time. What else had she lost? Time with her son. Again, something that couldn't be rectified. Perhaps the Ministry owed her many things, but however could she truly get back what she lost?
(Anthony) Kidnapping Case
Author: Beck
Date: 01-03-10 16:14
Anthony stood in the office at Gringotts in Hogsmeade and studied a security device that had been installed to track who entered the bank at any given day and time. It consisted of a quill poised over a scroll and was kept in a cabinet behind lock and key. One of the most recent names written down was Anthony Jarrett Beck.
"Fascinating," he murmured.
"Yeah, it is pretty cool," said his colleague, Desi Diamond.
Both had been assigned to the case of Bill Weasley's mysterious disappearance. Although it wasn't clear that he'd been kidnapped, it was one avenue Magical Law Enforcement was keeping open right now.
"So, tell me again when you think that wizard came by the bank, the one who cryptically asked about Mr. Weasley?" Desi asked Mrs. Davies, a woman who worked at Gringotts with Bill.
The older witch looked a little flummoxed because she hadn't even known about the security device that tracked who came into the bank.
"I don't know," she answered. "I've been trying to remember ever since Fleur asked me to, but I really can't pinpont it."
"Can you give us any sort of time frame?" Anthony questioned, turning to the woman.
"Well, if I had to guess, I would say from anytime after Christmas. Probably even after the new year. It was fairly recently, but it could have been more than a month ago."
Anthony nodded. "It's a start then. Mr. Weasley kept records of everything the quill wrote down." He pulled out a drawer located under the cabinet with the scroll and quill, which revealed a number of scrolls tightly wound and all neatly labeled with dates. There was only one he needed from the drawer, as well as the one still hooked up to the security device.
"We'll take these back to the office and do searches on the names. If we can find out who this mystery guy is, maybe we can figure out if he has anything to do with Mr. Weasley's disappearance," Anthony told Desi.
"Let's hope it's that easy," Desi commented. She turned to Mrs. Davies. "Okay. Keep trying to remember everything you can about this guy and let us know if you have any information that might be helpful to our investigation."
"Yes, of course," Mrs. Davies said. "Do you really think that man might have had something to do with Bill's disappearance?"
"We don't know for sure, ma'am, but it's the only lead we've got right now," Anthony replied. He tucked the two scrolls into a brief case and prepared to leave the bank with his coworker. Hopefully the name of the mystery guy would stick out like a sore thumb!
Attempting to Study
Author: Ella
Date: 01-04-10 07:47
Since Ella didn't have any more classes that day, she decided she might as well go to the library and get some homework done. Perhaps she'd even do a little preparation for the OWLs, which were just months away. She knew that Francis did have a couple more classes and wouldn't be able to join her, so she didn't bother asking him if he wanted to come along. Ella herself wasn't sure how long she'd stay in the library, since her attention span when it came to studying didn't always last very long, so she didn't even tell him that he could find her there after his last class of the day ended.
She grabbed the books she thought she needed and left the Gryffindor common room for the library. All the carrels were occupied, so she found a table somewhere in the middle of the room and set her things down. Ella decided she might as well begin on the Ancient Runes assignment that very morning.
She didn't get very far into the assignment when her mind drifted to the Valentine's Day Dance from last weekend. Ella hadn't gone with anybody, though she had ended up spending the evening in the company of Francis. They'd dance together only once, to a lively Weird Sisters song. Mostly, they'd talked at the dinner table or jumped up and down next to each other during the concert.
Surprisingly, Ella hadn't thought about Zane once during that evening, though he'd occupied her thoughts for most of the day, and was once again creeping into her mind. It had been months since they'd last seen each other. She hadn't heard from him either, not that she'd written him. They were broken up, after all, or at least she thought they were. Although their last argument hadn't ended with them formally ceasing their relationship, it had had a sort of finality to it.
Ella sort of missed him, but only when she actually thought about him, which wasn't really too often. She wondered if he ever thought about her, or if he'd moved on to someone new. Ella knew that she wasn't the right person for him, and that their relationship had more or less been based on a lie. He'd never known her true age. She wondered what he would do, or what he might have done, if he'd have known the truth about her.
At least now that they were broken up, she wouldn't have to figure out how to explain to him why she still had two years left at Hogwarts. How many times could a person fail seventh year? She'd already used that excuse once.
Ella shook her head, realizing her thoughts were carrying her away from the task at hand. She focused on her Ancient Runes homework, trying hard not to think about Zane again as long as she was in the library.
When?
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 01-05-10 18:07
Ginny looks up from the menu she's perusing as Charlie slides into the booth seat opposite her. "Sorry I'm late."
Giving a slight shake of her head Ginny tells her brother, "No need to be. You're what? All of a minute after the time we said?"
"Is that all? I thought it was more when I saw you already at a table and looking over the menu."
"There was a table available when I arrived so they went ahead and seated me and took a drink order. I got a pot of tea for us to share but told the waiter you might want something else as well."
"No, tea's great. I'm so cold right now anything hot would be wonderful, even if it were only just heated distilled water."
"Had to go out a great deal today?"
"I had hoped to do paperwork and some observations from a nicely heated blind of one of the watering spots but this weather has brought some big trees down. We were worried about some of the younger dragons getting injuried, even pinned."
"Sounds like you've had a chilling day so far. Do you want something strong than tea?"
Charlie, in the process of flexing his fingers after removing his gloves, replies, "More like frostbite inducing, and no, tea is excellent. Ah, here it is now."
The waiter sets a coaster on the table then puts the teapot on the coaster. After placing cups in front of each of them and pouring their first cups he asks, "Are you ready to order?"
"I need a moment, thanks," Charlie says.
The waiter mutely nods and walks away to see to another table. Flexing his fingers again before reaching for the steaming cup in front of him, Charlie states, "I don't know how Muggles who have to work outside a great deal in conditions like this don't all end up losing fingers and toes from frostbite."
"Don't they have little pocket heaters and insulated gloves?"
"Yes, though I don't know how those heaters work. I've never actually seen one. You know, we should get some and give to Dad."
"He'd love that. More Muggle gadgets to ooh and aah over while trying to figure out how they work."
"I think I'm going with this beef stew and the lunch special of shepherd's pie," Charlie says putting his menu aside.
Ginny, who'd pretty much decided what she wanted about the time Charlie arrived, signals the waiter. After he's taken their orders and walked away, Ginny's a little flustered when Charlie asks without preamble, "So, when are you breaking up with Declan to persue something with Harry?"
Of all her family and friends, only Charlie knows for certain how Ginny's felt about Harry for a long time now. She thinks others suspect that her feelings for Harry once again returned to those of a romantic nature but as yet, only Charlie's ever said anything to her about the situation. With the bluntness of the question coming without any warning, Ginny is very glad she'd not been in the midst of taking a drink of the steamingly hot tea.
A number of replies flit through Ginny's head, almost all of them sarcatic or biting in nature. She quickly discards them all. Charlie means well enough and is asking not out of nosiness she doesn't think but purely out of big brotherly concern for his sister's happiness. Sighing, she ends up shrugging and says, "I don't know. I don't want to hurt Declan. He's a really great guy."
"But you don't care for him like you do Harry."
"No, true, but I don't even know if Harry feels anything for me other than something brotherly. That's why we broke up, you know. We started feeling nothing more than sisterly-brotherly affection. I have had nothing to indicate Harry's had a change of heart."
"Nothing at all, especially with Janine and he officially over?"
"Nothing. Besides, I don't want to be the rebound. Those rarely go well and hardly ever last."
"Understable, but you've got a history. What if Harry starts dating again before you make a break of it with Declan? Then you're right back to where you were, pining away for him and dating nice blokes you are better off as friends with."
"You don't think that's not always on my mind?"
"Even if you and Harry don't get together, do you care enough about Declan to let things there go further?"
"I do care about Declan. That's why I worry about hurting him badly if I break up with him then turn around and start dating Harry, if Harry's even interested that is."
"You don't want to be Harry's rebound, so don't be, but you shouldn't string Declan along if you don't see any real, longterm potential there. Plus, if you break if off now, you will be available when Harry's past the rebound stage."
"That's just it. There is longterm potential with Declan."
"Oh?"
"I really like him. I could maybe even love him. I just"
"Most definitely love Harry and prefer something lasting with him."
Ginny nods, "Exactly, but I can't keep pinning hopes on Harry ever wanting to be anything more than a very good friend who's more like a brother."
"We'll have to feel him out."
"Don't you dare!"
Charlie just shoots Ginny an impish grin then smiles broadly, "Here's our food. Excellent! I'm famished and still a little chilled."