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Late night treats
Author: Lilac Middleton
Date: 12-12-10 07:13
Lil sat on the cold grown with a blanket underneath her getting wet from the snow in the courtyard. She wore her cloak over her pajamas and had a hot, warm cup of coco in her hands. Next to her, with about a dozen or so little treats in a basket was Nate and in-between them all snuggled in a cute little sweater she made her, was Rose.
“This is nice, the courtyard is so quiet.” Nate said putting his arms around her, to keep her warm. Lil smiled innocently at him.
“Probably because we aren’t supposed to be here.”
“If Filche found us---“
“And if he does, oh well.” Lil said giggling. “Oh Nate, are you afraid of old Filche?”
“Nah. But Mrs. Norris now she’s a wicked one.” Nate said laughing.
“She’s a cat.”
“She’s a magical cat.” Nate said with his eyes wide. Lil giggled again.
“She is a Hogwarts cat.” Lil said. “Nate?”
“Yep.”
“ I want a chocolate---“
“I FOUND YOU!” Cyril said suddenly jumping out of nowhere in front of the two sitting on the snow.
“Oh go away Cryil.”
“Nope. I want a Chocolate Frog. Then I’ll think about going away.” Nate rolled his eyes.
“Lil, I forgot how annoying your cousins can be.”
“Thank you, I take that as a great compliment. Give me a chocolate frog and I won’t tell Fliche.”
“Cryil, I’m your cousin.”
“So?”
“Nate was right, you are annoying. Here” Lil said handing Cryil a chocolate frog of which he unwrapped instantly. The frog, jumped out of his hands, but he caught it, and stuffed it in his mouth. Getting chocolate over his mouth.
“How is it, that Thomas is more mature than you?” Lil asked shaking her head and leaning back into Nate. Cryil shrugged.
“Alright, alright, I’ll leave you two alone.” Cryil said walking away from the pair. “Don’t get caught.” He sang leaving the courtyard.
“Don’t get caught.” Lil mimicked and sighed.” Cousins are annoying. It’s like having siblings.”
Meeting Siegfried
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-12-10 11:17
Bronwyn got up from her desk at the WWN station where she worked and grabbed her coat off a nearby stand. The advantage of working early in the morning meant that she could leave in the early afternoon everyday. After going off the air earlier that morning, she'd been confined to her desk, working on stories for tomorrow's sportscast. Now, she was finally free to do whatever she wanted for the rest of the day.
But first, she had a lunch date with her brother at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Siegfried still worked for Quidditch Illustrated, whose home offices were in Diagon Alley. Why he wanted to meet in Hogsmeade was beyond Bronwyn's comprehension, but perhaps he had grown tired of eating out in Diagon Alley everyday.
When she arrived in Hogsmeade and pushed open the door to the cozy pub, she found Siegfried sitting at a booth against the frosted windows. He held a menu in his hands.
"Hey," Bron said, sliding into the seat opposite him. She slipped off her coat but left it behind her on the seat.
"Hey. How was work?"
"It was good. I got to talk about the upcoming Hogwarts match against Brazil. Are you going?"
"Yeah. The magazine is sending me. I assume you're going too?"
"Definitely. Toby doesn't have a game that day, so he's going with me. How's your day going so far?"
"So far, so good." Siegfried loved his job at the magazine and had been sorry to have been let go back when many businesses were following former Minister Smythe-Jones' ideals considering halfbloods like the younger Dewhurst generation. Although he hadn't forgotten the past, he'd happily moved on with his life.
"Working on a spread regarding team mascots."
"Sounds exciting," Bron responded dryly.
"It's not as lame as you think," Siegfried shot back, sticking out his tongue. "There's really history there."
"I'm sure there is," Bronwyn asked. She picked up a menu and debated what to have for lunch. She ultimately decided to go with cornish pasties and a garden salad, while Siegfried ordered for himself smoked chicken with roasted corn and roasted potatoes.
While they waited for their food, Bronwyn asked, "So, what else is new with you?"
"Well," Siegfried began, unfolding and folding his napkin nervously. "There's something I wanted to tell you. I was thinking about telling everyone all at once, but then I thought that maybe I should start with you."
Bronwyn looked both intrigued and concerned. "What's the matter?"
"Well, nothing really. I just want you to know something about me."
"What is it?" Bronwyn asked, impatient to hear what he had to say.
"Well... the thing is..." Siegfried let out a deep sigh. "I'm gay."
Bronwyn blinked. "Really?"
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure."
"Huh." She thought about her brother and couldn't ever recall wondering about his sexual orientation. "I never would have guessed," she finally said. Then she smiled. "I'm glad you told me. So... do you have a boyfriend?"
"Not exactly. There's someone I've been talking to at the magazine, but we're not a couple or anything." Siegfried started to relax. "So, how do you think mum and dad will handle the news?"
"They might be surprised but I don't think they'll have a problem with it. I think they are still trying to work out their own relationship to worry about any of yours."
"They've had a rough time. I don't want to give them anything else to worry over."
"If you want, I can be with you when you tell them."
Siegfried nodded. "I would like that."
They talked about when they might all get together so that Siegfried could share his big news with his parents and with Bronwyn present. Not long thereafter, their food arrived and they dug in, hungrier than either of them realized being.
Christmas Decorations
Author: Marzipan
Date: 12-12-10 12:10
The Great Hall already had its twelve Christmas trees, which Hagrid had personally carried in from the grounds over the last few days. Professor Flitwick had decorated them with festive ornaments, making each one different from the last but all of them more or less complimentary to each other.
Not only was the Great Hall decorated for Christmas, but much of the rest of the castle was as well. Professor Ravenscroft had had a hand in some of the decorating, namely with some of her Herbology students as well as those in the Herbology club.
Last week, her second years had hung mistletoe in some of the doorways. The young students didn't necessarily appreciate the custom of kissing underneath mistletoe, but some of the older students certainly did. Professor Ravenscroft feared that she may have given Professor McGonagall extra work, for more than once already had the Deputy-Headmistress separated overly amorous couples.
Earlier this morning, her third years had learned about holly and then set about decorating the castle with holly wreaths. Now Marzi's second years were doing the same with poinsettias. Just a short while ago, they'd left the greenhouses with armfuls of the plants. The ones they carried were small and came not only in red but also pink and white.
A few larger poinsettias were already in the castle, two notably flanking either side of the Great Hall doors. For the most part, Professor Ravenscroft let her students choose where they wanted to arrange the plants, but occasionally she gave them her opinion. While they worked (and this was the sort of in-class assignment they rather enjoyed), Marzi kept an eye on the time. As soon as this class ended, she would have to go back to the greenhouse to meet the other second years, who would also learn about poinsettias and then decorate the castle with the remaining plants waiting behind in the greenhouse.
Ready and Waiting
Author: Ella
Date: 12-12-10 12:35
After Transfiguration ended, Ella and Francis walked to the Gryffindor common room together. For Ella, she was finished for the day, but Francis still had Muggle Studies later in the afternoon. His Astronomy class had gotten canceled, however, since Professor Jones would be traveling with the Quidditch team to Brazil tonight.
Ella couldn't wait for the trip, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Zane might show up at the match and taunt her the way he had in Australia. It shouldn't be allowed to happen, of course. At Francis' insistence, Ella had gone to Professor McGonagall and told her about what had happened in Sydney. She, in turn, had told Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape, who knew what Zane looked like and could identify him on sight if necessary.
All three professors had a vague recollection of Zane from when he'd attended Hogwarts, but only Snape had seen the wizard recently and as a grown man.
Hopefully he wouldn't think of showing up in Brazil on Saturday, but if he did, then Ella could probably rest easy knowing her professors were looking out for her.
"Don't you have to pack?" Francis asked Ella, after she sank down onto the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table.
"I did it last night," she replied, "and besides, I'm only going to be gone a few days. Most of what I'm bringing is Quidditch equipment, anyway."
"Think Hogwarts will win?"
"I hope so," Ella said. "I don't know anything about the Brazilian team, though. They might be really good."
"Sydney was really good, and you still beat them."
"I guess we'll just have to see what happens."
And that was true not only for the outcome of the match, but also for any appearance Zane might or might not make at the game.
Landboredreeknee (Deak & Jack)
Author: Kody
Date: 12-12-10 16:07
Because he's got a light Tuesday-Thursday class schedule, Deak had packed yesterday for the Brazil trip. With an hour and a half to kill between Transfiguration and Muggle Studies, he'd even take his bag to the RV already. Deak had offered to take Jack's and Wiggy's bags but neither were done packing. Etta's wasn't ready either but she'd told Deak he could carry it for her when they go to the RV tonight in preparation of leaving.
With his mind on the trip and the match this Saturday against Escola Mágica de Brasil, Deak had found it more and more difficult to concentrate in class as the day wore on. Except in Potions, which was his second class this morning. He wasn't about to let Snape catch him unfocused. Still, by the time Muggle Studies rolled around at 3:30, Deak found his mind wandering more and more and Aaron noticed. He came over to Deak and very quietly told him, "Get your head back to my class or I will see to it that you don't make it to Brazil."
Deak eyes had widened and he'd silently nodded at Aaron, physically gulping. As a parent or a professor, Aaron doesn't make threats lightly. He's usually pretty laid back so Deak guesses he must have really been off in his own little world for Aaron to get all professorial parental on him like that. Aaron's quietly stern reprimand was like having cold water thrown on him, bringing Deak instantly to attention. He didn't let his mind stray again for the rest of Muggle Studies class. Before returning to Hogwarts from Cloud's Kiss after class ended, Deak had lingered long enough to apologize to Aaron. It's what he would have done with another professor so Deak thought it doubly important to apologize to Aaron given that Aaron in his adoptive father.
Sitting now in the Ravenclaw common room, Deak is waiting on Jack to go down for supper. He thought Jack would be done with packing by now since Jack was done with classes by 3 this afternoon but apparently his friend got so busy flirting in the common commons that he forgot to come finish packing until a few minutes ago. While waiting, Deak is thinking not about the match for once but about Etta's Christmas present. Presents really. He's gotten her a couple of little things so far, including one of those doggy coats for tiny Star. When Jack appears with bag in hand a few minutes later, Deak gets up from the recliner he'd been sprawled in and asks, "Did you put your name in for Secret Santa this year?"
"Yeah, why?"
"If I get Etta's name, would you switch with me?"
"As many people that put their names it, it's doubtful you'd get hers, but yeah, I don't see why not. Unless I get your name that is. But maybe if I get your name, I'll get Wiggy to switch with me."
"And if Wiggy gets yours?"
"Then he can switch with Glori. Unless she gets his," Jack snorts amusedly at the thought of them each getting the name of the person wanting they'd be switching with.
Deak grins, "If you do get my name, I want a new broom."
"Like I'm going to buy you a new broom. You're one of my best friends but I don't like you quite that much."
"Your family's rich."
"So's yours."
"What's that got to do with you giving me a broom for Christmas?"
"Fine. I'll get you a new broom if I get your name for Secret Santa."
"What about my regular gift? You are getting me one, right?"
"Maybe I have it already."
"Do you?"
"Like I'd tell. If I don't, I'll get you a new broom. But for my Christmas present from you, I want one of those fancy Muggle sports cars Professor Miller was showing us pictures of the other day."
"The lambygeenie?"
"Landboredreeknee. That doesn't sound right either. But you know what I mean. A Ravenclaw blue one with bronze leather interior."
"You got it. Now, let's go eat. I'm about to keel over from hunger."
The boys go through the Ravenclaw portal, debating again the name of the fancy Muggle cars Aaron had shown them pictures of.
This Is Not A Dictatorship
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 12-12-10 23:42
Harry uses the poker to adjust logs on the fire before turning to Ginny and shrugging. "I just don't see what the problem is."
Ginny grabs the back of the couch and leans forward slightly, her eyes narrowing. "You aren't the one who's had twenty-four hour babysitters for weeks even though you are the target."
"Do you not like the people assigned to you?"
"I like them well enough, particularly Isreal McWilliams but that's beside the point."
"Your safety is important so what is the point?"
Ginny makes a low sound at the back of her throat, almost like a growl. She throws up her hands and turns her back on Harry telling herself to be patient, explain things again. The temper that Ginny is known for flairs and it takes every ounce of energy not to pick up something, whirl around, and fling it at Harry right then. She slowly turns back around, her hands spasmodically clenching into fists. She thinks it's probably a good thing that she doesn't have her wand in hand.
Speaking through gritted teeth she hotly replies, "The point? You still don't get the point? You don't see what the problem is? Honestly, Harry, you can be more obtuse than Ron at times."
Harry turns to put the poker back in its place then looking back at Ginny he has the gall to shrug at her again. "We still don't know who's behind the attacks. The last time we let down our guards there was a third attack and Pinky nearly died because we were lax."
"I'm not a target."
"We don't know that."
"Don't we?"
"No, we don't. You know how frustrating it's been piecing clues together. We've hardly got anything."
"Ohm let's see. The first attack was on you at the Ministry. The second attack was on Ron, again at the Ministry. The third attack was here at your highly protected house and most surely aimed at you again, not at Pinky."
"Don't fall into that trap, Ginny. Just because you were more easily gotten to but weren't doesn't mean you aren't a target too. There's a certain sense to going after people in the more difficult locations first. Security was increased after each attack at the Ministry and increased here after the bomb. If you or Hermione or someone else easier to get to had been hit first, security would have been increased here and the Ministry, making it harder to get to Ron and me."
"If someone attacked Hermione, all of you would automatically think Ron or you were also intended victims and increase security around you instead of thinking that maybe the person behind such an attack was a disgruntled patient of hers or something like that? Because that line of thinking is such a logical one."
Harry rolls his eyes. Ginny narrows hers more. She stalks from behind the couch to stand in front of it though she doesn't sit. Harry moves as well, sitting down on the bricks near the fireplace. "The guard detail remains for the time being. I know you don't like that but for your safety that's how it's going to be."
"Excuse me?" Ginny's voice is low, which should have served as a warning to Harry.
"You stay under guard. It's not convenient "
"How would you know?" Ginny cuts in. "Other than immediately after each attack, you haven't been under constant guard."
"I'm an Auror."
"An Auror who has twice been attacked. What are you personally doing to ensure your continued safety? Huh, Harry? Pinky's almost always away now for his safety but you come home to the same place that was breached once before. You are out of the office much of your time working. If there is another attack, you can be damn sure it's not going to be on me. It will be either you or Ron since he's been almost as arrogent as you about how everyone else needs protection."
"Did you ever think that maybe we planned it this way on purpose in hopes of drawing out the attacker again?"
"Yet you each still go about the private aspects of your lives as you normally would even though you're hoping the attacker will strike again. You stand there telling me I have to have bodyguards for my safety but when I came over tonight you told the one on duty to stay on at my flat. So, doesn't that mean I am now in greater danger?"
"It's not like that. We do have a plan in place, I just can't go into the details with you. Look, as annoying as it is having the bodyguards, they stay for now and that's that."
Ginny's lips form thin, tight lines. "I wasn't asking your permission to have the bodyguards dismissed. I was telling you I won't be having them any longer."
"And I'm telling you that yes, you are."
"You are allowed to discuss things with me. You are allowed to disagree with me. What you are not allowed to do, Harry James Potter, is dictate to me and no matter where this relationship goes, if it goes anywhere, you will never be allowed." Ginny, who's been taking a couple of classes this term at St. Emrys, half turns and grabs up her coat from the couch. "I've a final examination to write tomorrow and a Quidditch match tomorrow night. It's late, I'm leaving."
Harry opens his mouth though whether in protest or apology Ginny doesn't know. She disapparates on the spot, too angry at him to take the time to walk past him to the door and really not wanting to go out into cold just to apparate anyway.