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Already Friday
Author: Linnea Rose
Date: 08-28-10 09:12
Already Friday, it was something Linnea had thought for the whole day now, maybe it was a suprise, because the school started on Wensday, so Linnea had only been at the school for two days.
Even if she had missed the school during the holiday since it was not the same thing being home with the family for so long as the holiday was. Linnea liked being home but mostly the holidays was only for a week or alittle longer, but now the holiday has been to long, so she really had missed the school.
Linnea left the class room and was on the steps to the school and was on her way out to the Greenhouse for Herbology lesson, which Linnea thought was one of her favourite subjects, since she loved learning about plants.
Linnea was very eager to see what Professor Ravenscroft had put up for their first lesson, she was so excited that she was really eager to get into the Greenhouse when the door opened and she placed herself on a stool closes to the black board.
She picked up her quill and ink together with some parchment if she was needs to write something down during the lesson.
Hate & Forgiveness
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 08-28-10 20:10
While Kissy's student roster has changed her course schedule has not. As a result, she chose to keep the same posted office hours as she'd had for the 2003-2004 term. On Mondays and Wednesdays that means being available in her office, classroom, or obstacle course and dueling rooms from 2:30 to 5 for any student in need of her. On Tuesdays and Thurssays it means being available from 9-11:30 and then again 1:30-3:30. Fridays are open unless someone sets an appointment. Or unless Kissy sets one as she's done today.
The knowledge that Zabrynna Ravensdale is convinced that Kissy hates her has weighed heavily on her mind. Such a thought on Zabrynna's part was to be expected at first she supposed given that Kissy knew what had taken place and had made her feelings for what Zabrynna had done known to the girl. She had now, however, at any time shown those feelings to anyone not in the know and had never treated Zabrynna any differently than she'd done before. Kissy had not let her feelings cloud her professionalism. She also certainly did not now or ever hate Zabrynna.
Kissy had put a message on Zabrynna's syllabus to come by this afternoon. It wasn't hard to ensure that the charmed parchment went to the intended student and based on the way Zabrynna's eyes opened wider before making looking at Kissy in unspoken unacknowledgement that the message was read, she has no doubt that Zabrynna will show at the appointed time. Sure enough, at the time Kissy had given in the note, Zabrynna is standing in Kissy's office doorway.
Kissy had been reading over a letter with information about a dueling meet later in the term, making a note to be sure and give Ethan a copy when she sensed someone there. At the same time Kissy raises her head from the letter, Zabrynna clears her throat, one had poised to knock on the door jamb. Kissy puts the letter aside and motions for the Zabrynna to come in while saying, "Zabrynna, come in. Pull the door closed behind you, please."
The door now shut and Zabrynna sitting literally on the edge of her seat, back as straight as if she had a board lashed to it, her attitude wary and her expression guarded. She says nothing as she waits for Kissy to elucidate why exactly she's here in Kissy's office on just the second day of term and on the first day of her Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Kissy moves around to the other side of the desk and sits down in the empty chair beside Zabrynna. She's not exactly sure what to say or how to say it so she decides to get to the crux of the matter and be done with it while still trying ot be diplomatic and tactful. "I know you have the impression that I hate you. I also know that at least one person has told you I do not. I thought it high time that I tell you myself. I do not hate you, Zabrynna, nor have I ever."
Zabrynna had shifted in her seat slightly to better face Kissy. At Kissy's words she shifts again, knees going the other direction and her gaze moving away from Kissy who read this as body language indicating Zabrynna doesn't truly believe her. When the girl isn't forthcoming verbally, Kissy asks her, "Do I single you out in class? If I pass you in the corridor, do I glared?"
"No," comes the simple reply. After a half second Zabrynna somewhat dispassionately states, "You've been very professional in your mannerisms."
"Nothing overt then?"
"No, professor."
"Then why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you have the notion that I hate you?"
Zabrynna says nothing. Kissy doesn't speak immediately either hoping that if she stays silent for a moment, Zabrynna might elaborate. A full minute passes and then another. A third is nearly gone when Zabrynna says, "Because you know what I did. He's a friend of yours but even if he were only just a co-worker ," Zabrynna ends there, unfinished, with a shrug.
"I can disapprove of someone's actions. I can disagree. I can hate an event or a ideology or any number of things without hating the person."
"That's what others have said. Professor Douglass. My parents. The therapist."
"Do you believe that?"
"Yes and no."
"How so?"
"Yes, because I've experienced things of hating something that was done but didn't hate the person doing it. No...," Zabrynna sighs, "no, because some things just aren't forgiveable."
"That's true of some things."
"Aren't there people you hate for what they've done?"
"Yes, but you aren't one of them." Kissy can't help but think of her family members. There are days she's certain she's forgiven them but others she questions herself on those feelings, particularly those days when she's been faced again with the fact that they don't take responsiblity for their actions.
Zabrynna's response pulls Kissy back to the here and now. "You say that and I want to believe you but when I hate myself over it, it's hard to accept that others don't either."
"You've discussed this with your therapist?"
"In-depth. I'm not sure if I feel any differently from when I first started the therapy," Zabrynna admits with surprising candor.
"It can be a slow process. I think that's why some give up on it. They want more immediate results but there are some issues that simply cannot be resolved after a few sessions." After a pause Kissy says, "I wish there was some way to convince you that I don't hate you, Zabrynna."
"I'm trying to accept what you've said and others. No matter what though I won't be a problem for you in or out of class."
"I hadn't thought you would be."
"Is there anything else?"
Kissy looks appraisingly at Zabrynna for a long second before shaking her head. "No, I don't suppose there is."
Zabrynna rises to leave, nodding once as Kissy says, "Have a good weeekend."
Once she's alone in her office once more, Kissy is left with the feeling that there's more going on with Zabrynna than she'd realized and she's also left with thoughts of her family and whether she's truly forgiven them deep down.
Hectic Friday
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 08-28-10 20:15
Charisma slid a hand through her hair and closed her eyes as she gave the password to the Fat Lady’s portrait that concealed the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. “Vive hodie.” She heard the portrait swing back into place after she’d stepped into the hallway. Eric and Blake were behind her, they’d been talking Quidditch until they’d gotten into the common room of the tower. She went up to her room and they went to theirs, with promise that they were going to meet up for dinner.
Today had been kinda hectic, she’d had four classes today, and it wasn’t even her busiest day of the week. Plus, she was considering adding on Quidditch to her already busy schedule. Was she absolutely insane? Apparently she was a glutton for punishment. For now, all she wanted to do was put her books away and take a quick shower before she headed down to dinner with Eric and Blake.
She’d meant to invite Sonya to dinner with them, but she knew that her roommate was currently heading to her Muggle Studies course with Professor Miller. Besides, she and the guys were eating dinner early, and then Isma was going to curl up in the Common Commons with a book and also send an owl to her parents to let them know her course schedule and how things were going so far and about the changes for Quidditch this school year, which is something that they would find interesting.
After her shower, she changed and slipped her robes back on, and headed down to the Common Room to wait for Eric and Blake to come down. About ten to fifteen minutes later they joined her in the Common Room and they headed down to the Great Hall about ten minutes to five. She was quite glad that it was Friday – however, she was not enjoying the fact that she had some homework for her classes already. She had nothing immediately pressing that was due on Monday, but she’d probably end up getting that done tomorrow, and getting the stuff that is due on Tuesday done on Sunday.
Everyone was already gearing up for the second weekend of school, because the trials for Quidditch would be happening on Saturday, September 11th. However, that was the farthest thing from her mind this very, very moment, she was focusing on ensuring that her grades are kept up, and she did not loose any house points at all. That, she knew for most of them, would be the hardest thing because any individual who loses house points and is on the Quidditch team will not be allowed to go on any of the trips.
Once they finished dinner, the three of them parted ways, Isma heading to the Common Commons for a little while. She sank down on to one of the couches, briefly remembering the sole purpose that this room had been created and shuddering at the thought, and quite thankful that the world had returned to rights and normalcy. She much preferred learning at Hogwarts over the supposed “coursework” at Happy Haven, even if it meant that she was nearly fourteen and still a third year student at Hogwarts. However, she was happy that this year she was free to go to the Village on Hogsmeade weekends – which meant trips to Briar’s Bakery, and playing games at Blossom’s. She also needed to buy a new broom, and she’d wanted to see what was available at Krum's Completely Quidditch, if not she’d have her mum send the new broom that they’d seen in the store in Diagon Alley when they were shopping for school supplies.
She would quickly pen the letter home, and tuck it in an envelope and make certain to head to the owlry in the morning first thing to get the letter sent off. Once the letter was tucked in her bag she went and got herself a glass of pumpkin juice and a handful of sugar quills before she headed to settle back down at one of the WWN listening stations and pulled out her Herbology text and the notes she’d gotten from the library earlier when she’d gone in there during her lunch break between classes. She began writing her essay on comparing and contrasting the American and English varieties of adder’s tongue.
That was the simplest, because she’d already done a little bit of research on it, she would once that essay was done, turn her attention to get through her reading for Charms from earlier. She’d just finished the last paragraph in the required reading, and realized that it was time she headed back to Gryffindor Tower before she got busted for being out after curfew. She gave the password to the Fat Lady once more, and the moment the portrait had swung shut, she realized that she’d left her Charms textbook in the Common Common Room.
“Damn it.” She muttered and headed up to her room – she’d have to go grab it in the morning. It had her name on it, and was in a Gryffindor House book cover, so it would be obvious who it belonged to, maybe someone would find it and bring it to the House in the morning if she didn’t get down there early enough – or bring it to her at breakfast.
First Course
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 08-28-10 20:53
Two o’clock came rather quickly, which meant that Lawrence’s only class was slated to begin. He met with his fifth year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students, and after a quick roll call of the six students in the course, they got down to business.
“Alright, now that we have roll out of the way, it is time to get down to the heart of the matter. A pop quiz to start off the year right…” He waited for the collective groan that would ensue, and sure enough it came.
“Alright, alright, its only three questions, they are simple enough, and rest assured it will be relatively painless.” He said, waiting for them to quiet and settle down. “Now, first question, Marjani, tell me with what the herb asphodel is most commonly associated with and what it is used in.” He asked, giving them an idea of how things were going to go for this simple, four question quiz.
Marjani took a moment before answering the question given. “Asphodel is most commonly associated with the afterlife and the underworld, and is most commonly used in a powdered form in the Draught of Living Death.”
“Very good, five points to Gryffindor. Now, Milo, tell me four herbs two common to the muggle world and two common to the Wizarding world.” Lawrence said, making notes on the parchment on his desk as he waited for the answer to his question, already knowing what the other question and which student would be called on next for the final question.
“In the Muggle World there is rosemary and yew. In the Wizarding World there is yew and Honking Daffodils.” He said and sat back down in his seat after giving the answer to the question, knowing he got it right, because his wand was made of yew, and he knew that yew was also used in the Muggle World.
“Correct. Five points to Hufflepuff. Jenny, give me two other names for the herb monkshood, and explain why it has been given the name monkshood.”
Jenny shifted and gave her answer quickly, she remembered this from the reading she’d already done before the class had started. “Aconite and wolfsbane. This herb received the name monkshood because the leaves are shaped like the cowl that a monk wears.”
“Very good Jenny, another five to Hufflepuff. Very good on your first little pop quiz, this is not going to be the format for all of them, however, it will be for some. Now as you can see we will be covering herbs both in the Wizarding World and the Muggle World, and some of the differences in those herbs. Not all of them are as obvious as looking at a vine of morning glory and a vine of fire ivy.”
Lawrence went through his initial lecture, and soon enough lifted the cloth off the table and posed a question. “Now, who can tell me what each of these herbs and plants are and if they are muggle or wizarding?” Four hands went up, and Lawrence looked over the students and called on the first hand he’d actually seen in the air.
“Julietta.” She stood and moved forward a bit to inspect the herbs and plants, before moving back to her seat and finally giving her answer.
“Gillyweed – Wizarding; Ginger – Muggle; Flitterbloom – Wizarding; Devil’s snare – Wizarding…” She paused a moment, before she would finally give an answer for the final one. “I believe the last one is Bougainvillea, and Muggle.”
Several moments of silence past before Lawrence nodded. “Very well done Julietta. Your homework assignment will be two fourteen inch scrolls on two herbs, sketches included, that are either muggle or Wizarding in origin. As much information as you can gather on each of the herbs.”
After that, he settled into his lecture on the herbs in front of him, giving them key points on each of the herbs to put in their notes. “I will see you all on Monday, have a great weekend.” He said when the bell finally tolled for the end of class.
New Job
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 08-29-10 15:09
The office building of Farnsworth & Wallingford in Brentwood near London stood two stories tall and had the look of an old factory building. In fact, the lower floor consisted of a parchment manufacturer and warehouse, whereas the upper floor consisted of the sales team and had the look of a modern office.
Ronan, dressed in his best robes, stepped inside the building and read the plaques on the wall in the foyer. A staircase in front of him led up to the office building, where he was to start his new job as an intern for the parchment company. A door to his left led into the warehouse. He could see through a window in the door that wizards were busy boxing up newly made parchment. Ronan thought it might be noisy in the warehouse, but he couldn't hear a thing from inside the foyer.
He went up the stairs and entered the office through a door marked Farnsworth & Wallingford, Parchment Supply Co.. The first thing he saw upon entering the office was a reception desk, behind which sat a young witch. She smiled and asked, "Can I help you?"
Ronan felt a bit nervous. He had already gotten the job and didn't have to worry about having a bad interview or making the wrong impression, at least not on his new boss. However, it was his very first day and he didn't know what he was doing and if any of his new coworkers would like him.
He had decided to go out and get a job after determining that while he did have money in his Gringotts vault, it wasn't very much since it only consisted of the allowances he'd gotten as a child and he'd never held any kind of job before. He also couldn't rely on his mother's finances. Although he knew she would likely grant him access to her vault, as a prisoner of Azkaban she didn't have any income. If Ronan used her money to finance his education and for everyday things like maintaining his mother's house in London, it would one day run out.
He knew that Illyria would be more than happy to help him, since she considered him family, but Ronan didn't want her to give him anything he couldn't earn for himself. That was how, after returning home from basketball camp, he'd gone job hunting. The paid internship position had come up in The Daily Prophet. Ronan didn't know the first thing about sales and he didn't know anything about parchment other than it was something that everybody used. Although he hadn't been sure he would have any interest in selling parchment, he thought he could give it a try and see how he liked it.
"Did you need some help?" the pretty receptionist asked, gazing at Ronan with some amusion. He looked lost in his thoughts.
Ronan colored and said, "Yes. My name is Ronan Eastwick. I'm the new intern."
"Oh, hello." She stood up and held out her hand. "My name is Solange. Welcome to Farnwall."
"Farnwall?"
"Farnsworth & Wallingford is such a mouthful isn't it?"
"Oh, yeah, I get it."
"Let me tell Rocco that you're here."
Rocco Epperson was the manager of the parchment company. Besides Solange now, Rocco was the only other wizard Ronan had met at the office.
Solange had left for a back office and returned a moment later with her boss in tow.
"Welcome, Ronan!" Rocco exclaimed, extending his hand to his new employee. "Let me show you around."
He proceeded to the main floor, where several cubicles had been arranged. Rocco introduced Ronan to all of his new coworkers and then showed him to his very own cubicle. In those few minutes of walking around and meeting wizards, Ronan had slowly gotten over being nervous and now felt very excited to get started with his new job.
My Own Group
Author: Melchior
Date: 08-29-10 16:00
I've only been in this place a few days and I've learned many things.
1. Common rooms are bottled perfection. When I was first lead into the Ravenclaw Common Room with the rest of the first years, I couldn't believe my eyes. The comfy chairs surrounding the fireplace, the bookcases filled with books on the most fascinating and unimaginable topics, the view of the lush and vast mountainside from the window. It was all so beautiful. From the moment I stepped into the room, I knew that I wouldn't regret my stay here.
2. There are groups within groups. I was accepted into the Ravenclaw house with hearty cheers and toasts, but so were all the other first years. It wasn't long after the first day that all the grand and welcoming gestures wore off, and all the other first years and I were condemned to the bottom of the food chain. I also found out that most first years seemed to think that they were better off alone. Leaving me outside of the group, within the group. (Pronounced: Alone)
3. Magic is complicated. I've been to so many classes that I'm surprised I'm able to keep track of every subject I'm taking. I was a huge nerd at my old school, if a little awkward and clumsy, but there's just something about having a whole new reality being dumped on top of you that makes you feel like your drowning in a sea of knowledge and confusion. But there is the plus of Max not being here so I had time to work on the homework that I understood.
4. Hogwarts is huge. I don't know how people can keep track of where to go. I had to tag along with people who were going to my classes the first two days; and the sad part is that on the weekend, I tried to find my way back to those classes and couldn't. Part of it was due to the moving staircases, but another part of it was due to me just getting lost. The castle is a lot bigger then it looks on the outside, and that's saying something. It seems like every time I turn a corner, I have to flag someone down and ask if I'm going the right way. Most of the time, I'm not.
But, all in all, I'm having a great time. The subjects are fascinating, the food is delicious, and at least a few of the people here are friendly. Johanna, for one. She's the one who would actually stop and take time to walk me to my class, not just give me directions. Also, one Adina Blackwood, the Slytherin who I was accidentally staring at during the Start of Term Feast. She seemed to like me even if we were in different houses. We had only bumped into each other about twice since a brief talk in the Great Hall, and even then, it was us rushing to get to separate classes, but I stilled hoped that we would become good friends. Then there was Charisma Stone, a Gryffindor who had forgotten her Charms book in the Common Commons. She seemed nice when I found it and returned it to her the following morning. Not to mention that she thanking me endlessly.
I smiled as I looked down at my breakfast for that Monday, running today's schedule through my head. I felt a small brush across my shoulder. I looked up to find Johanna give me a small wave before heading off towards the Slytherin table. I returned the wave, then scanned though the sea of green and black until I found Adina. We made contact for a second, smiling at each other before she returned to talking to her friends. I turned around and looked until I saw Charisma. She had just walked through the door, her Charms book held to her chest. I waved, and she waved back, mouthing a small 'Thank you,' and a smile before heading to the Gryffindor table. I turned back to my plate of food, thinking that there was a small hope. A hope that I might be able to find my own group. It may be makeshift, unstable, and it might never happen; but it would be my group. And, at the moment, that was all that mattered.
(Alanna) End of the Day
Author: Beck
Date: 08-30-10 17:35
"See you at home for supper?" Tobias asked his granddaughter, as he passed her in the legal office at the Ministry of Magic. He held a well-loved briefcase in his hand that had his named engraved on it in gold lettering. It had been a gift from his wife many, many years ago.
"Actually," Alanna said, looking up from the pile of paperwork she needed to file for one of the other solicitors, "Jared invited me out for a bite. I might be home late."
Tobias smiled. "Tell him I said hello, and don't stay out too late. You have to be at work in the morning!" He winked at her and set off towards the lifts.
Alanna, smiling to herself, continued working on the parchment stack that didn't really seem to be getting any smaller despite the fact that she kept putting individual sheets and sometimes batches of them in file folders. It was almost as if there was a charm on them to make her task seem never ending.
Alanna had kept up with her position at the Ministry of Magic all summer long and would continue to work as many hours as she could until term started at St. Emrys in October. Even though she mostly did menial work, she liked being in close contact with the solicitors and sometimes she got to observe court proceedings, which interested her very much.
When at last she managed to plough through the pile of paperwork, Alanna said goodbye to some of her remaining coworkers and clocked out. She grabbed her purse and made her way for the lifts.
Sometime later she found herself in wizarding SoHo, where a number of restaurants had cropped up over the years. Jared was sitting on a bench with a worn out paperback book in his hand. He looked up when Alanna came near and smiled.
"You made it," he said, as he got up and leaned in to kiss her.
Alanna said, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting long. I was up to my elbows in paperwork and couldn't seem to find an end to it. What are you reading?"
Jared held up Hufflepuff Heroine by AJ Hundle, also known as Professor Hodfuffer at Hogwarts who had written a Student Sleuth series in which he'd picked a real student from each Hogwarts house and written a mystery novel about them. Alanna was the Hufflepuff heroine in the story.
Alanna laughed. "That looks like a well-loved book."
"It's about you."
Alanna seized his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Where are we going to eat?"
"You pick."
"Hmm, let's see," she said, as she and Jared started to walk down the street. "There's The Bamboo Forest if we're hungry for Chinese food, A Little Pizza Heaven... Actually, pizza sounds really really good right now. Let's go there."
"As you wish," Jared said as he led Alanna to the pizza place.