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Gifty Delivery (Isma, Blake and Eric)
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 01-01-11 19:16
Isma, Blake and Eric headed into the Common Commons between classes to drop off their chrismtas gifts for the Secret Santa. Isma had gotten Catriona Amherst and picked her up a cute little bag from Brazil that she could use as a satchel for her books because it was big enough. The strap was made of braided leather, and the bag itself was all hand made.
Eric had gotten Hadrian Rabnott, and hadn't known what to get him, so he'd gotten him a new set of quidditch gloves and a box of chocolate coins that he'd had his mum owl over last week. Once he'd put the golden wrapped package beneath the tree, he scanned for his own present, however, he didn't see it just yet. He didn't see Isma or Blake's box either.
Blake had gotten someone easy to shop for, and that was Deak Bennett. He had gotten Deak a poster of the Brazillian Quidditch Team, a jersey from the Brazillian football team, and had a photograph that Blake's Mum had taken of both the Hogwarts team and the Escola Mágica de Brasil when they'd played them in the last IQT match.
With the three gifts placed under the tree, the trio headed out of the Common Commons. They headed to the Great Hall for lunch, discussing along the way what they would doing for their Transfiguration final at two, and then they had Care of Magical Creatures at three. Then they just had a final day in Potions, Herbology, Charms and DADA tomorrow, and they would be done with the term by three pm. Isma was staying at the Castle over winter break, while Blake and Eric would be heading home for the holiday.
Wrapping Gifts and Studying
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 01-01-11 19:36
Adina had come back to her room after dinner, because she had presents she wanted to wrap and get under the tree for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Plus, she would be going out on the grounds tonight to run before holiday, which she would hopefully, if all went well, be spending in Greece without her mother throwing a fit like she had over summer break. She would be getting Christmas gifts from her Mother and Aunt before heading to Greece two days after she got home on the Hogwarts Express. For now, she had gifts to wrap for Professor Black.
Adina had four gifts to wrap, because she'd also selected something for each of Professor Black's children and for his wife. For Professor Black she'd gotten him a leather belt, with his name engraved in it as well as a paw print on either side of the name. Also included with his gift was a gold chain bearing the Greek symbol for eternity. For Professor Black's wife, Drucilla, Adina had gotten a matching necklace. Each of the Black's children had gotten a copy of D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths, a wonderful Muggle Children's book, and a gold chain bearing the same symbol as their parents.
After wrapping and adding gift tags to the gifts she carried the parcels out of her room and through the Slytherin Common room and out into the corridor, she was now headed to the Common Commons to place the gifts beneath the Christmas tree there. Once the gifts were in place, she slid a hand through her hair and scanned the gift boxes for one that had her name on it - pouting slightly when she didn't see one she turned and plucked a sweet from one of the trays before heading back to the common room. She had studying to do for her end of term examinations that still remained, and she also had to pack. She was starting to think that she wouldn't have time to run today, which was sad because it has been a week or so since she'd gone out - it had been too cold.
"Forget it. I will just run for a day when I get home." She murmured to herself as she began packing a few things that she did not need for tomorrow, and then set to going through her Charms notes, as that was the first examination she had in the morning.
Once she was adequately pleased with her knowledge of Charms for the examination tomorrow, she moved onto DADA. Both courses so far had required her to practice particular wand motions, without actually casting the spells - because she has no desire to actually cast the spells until tomorrow when she had the exams.
She was more than ready for Herbology, which would be her third examination tomorrow, she'd already finished Fitness and Athletics, Astronomy, Potions and Transfiguration. Her eighth and final examination before the End of Term would be in History of Magic - again, another course she was fairly certain with her knowledge in. Studying for History of Magic just required her to double check certain dates and names of various Witches, Wizards and other creatures that had made an impact on the Wizarding World throughout time.
(Mark) Easily Distracted
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-02-11 13:56
Despite the fact that Mark still had nearly two full days of term to get through, he found it immensely difficult to concentrate on his school work. It was especially unfortunate because most of his classes were testing this week. All he could think about was how he would get a break from it all come Friday afternoon. That evening, he would pack his trunk and then set off for home the following morning.
"Is there a problem Mr. Farnon?"
The question posed by Professor Weasley pulled him from another one of his daydreams. He had to stop doing that!
"Yes, professor. Sorry, professor," Mark answered.
Majandra raised an eyebrow. "Yes, there is a problem?"
"Erm, no. Sorry, professor." Mark shook his head and tried to focus on the potion he was brewing. He was pretty sure he'd stirred a few times too many already, for the bubbling liquid in the cauldron had taken on a far darker hue than expected.
He wondered if he could correct his error. Mark thought about what to do next, but inevitably, his mind wandered elsewhere. He thought about Christmas presents and hoped that his parents would get him everything he wanted.
He himself had submitted his name for the Hogwarts Secret Santa again. Mark didn't care so much about getting a gift for somebody. He just wanted to see what he might get. Last year, he'd been disappointed about getting the portable writing desk from Kate, but he had put it to good use.
He had drawn Professor Isuki's name and promptly owled his mother to pick out a gift for the DADA professor. A package had arrived this morning at breakfast, which Mark had promptly brought up to the staff table and delivered to Kissy. It contained a butterfly-shaped candle holder for the wall.
Secret Santa x 4
Author: Griet
Date: 01-02-11 14:51
Griet, Oberon and Gervaise lounged in the Slytherin common room, idly passing the time before they had to go to History of Magic class. All three were planning on going home for Christmas and rather looked forward to time away from Hogwarts. Of the three, only Griet participated in this year's Secret Santa gift exchange.
She had received Wiggy Hodfuffer's name. Although they weren't in the same year or the same house, Griet felt like she knew Wiggy reasonably well since they were both on the IQT team together and had played against each other in previous years. Griet also knew Wiggy to be an exceptional Quidditch player, who could probably go professional if he wanted.
While in Hogsmeade last weekend, Griet had spent ages at Krum's Completely Quidditch in search for the perfect gift for Wiggy. In the end, she'd gotten him a book on the history of the British and Irish Quidditch League, which included detailed histories on all of the teams. It had a fairly recent publication date, so much of the current information would be in it as well.
---
Cornelia, meanwhile, sat through an exam in Ancient Runes class. She was very nearly finished and had a cramp in her hand from all the writing she'd been doing. Thankfully, class was nearly over, but next she had Herbology and yet another exam to write. Maybe the walk from the castle to the greenhouse would numb her hand so that it didn't ache so much.
Like Griet, she had signed up for Secret Santa. She had gotten Liannah MacDougal's name. Cornelia had NO IDEA who Liannah MacDougal was. She'd asked all her friends but no one else seemed to know. It wasn't until Cornelia mentioned it to her sister Beatrix that she finally got an answer. Beatrix and Liannah were roommates.
With that knowledge fresh in her mind, Cornelia had gone to Hogsmeade with her friends and purchased a sweets jar from Honeydukes. At first, she was only going to put a ribbon on the lid, but Griet convinced her to put it in a gift bag so that there would be some element of surprise for when Liannah received her gift.
--
While Cornelia was wrapping up her Ancient Runes exam, Aleydis was getting ready to leave Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Somerset made some end of term announcements and then bid them all "Happy Christmas!" and "See you next year!"
She slipped from the classroom and made her way to the castle entrance, where she paused to put on her cloak. Like Cornelia, Aleydis had Herbology next, but they had different teachers. After her cloak was fastened, Aleydis picked up her books from where she'd set them by her feet. Among them was also a small, square package for Hunter Green. Aleydis had drawn his name this year and had gotten him a gift she hoped he'd find useful, a sneakoscope. She was going to try to give it to him at lunchtime.
---
Beatrix entered the Charms classroom and sat down at her desk in the corner. She wasn't sure what Professor Croghan had in store for them today. She suspected an exam of some sort, since that was what most of the other teachers were doing this week, but Professor Croghan was very much an enigma and didn't always share his plans until the day of class.
She had just come from the Common Common Room, where she'd placed a gift under the tree for Professor Douglass. Beatrix had been stumped what to get the professor. Something history-related seemed obvious, but Beatrix really wanted something else for him. What, she hadn't known until she'd sent Griet into Hogsmeade for her with a few ideas.
The gift was a leather-bound journal with an eagle-feathered quill. Beatrix didn't know if Declan did any sort of writing, but hopefully he could make some use of her gift.
Wrapping Gifts
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 01-02-11 14:55
"Nic, no. Don't touch."
Niccola, who turned two only last month, juts out her lower lip, fingers hovering over the large green bow on a gift for Drake.
"No," I firmly repeat, reaching for a bow not already on a gift. "Here's one you may have."
Nic suddenly grins, lurching around gifts to come over to grab it, prompting me to say, "Watch out. Don't fall on the presents."
"Pwesents," she parrots back. "Cookies?" she then asks, using my word over her mother's word of biscuits, looking hopefully in the direction of the kitchen.
"You may have one cookie while I finish up here and then we are delivering Cornelia's gift then going to the Great Hall for lunch."
Nic's eyes light up. "Gwapes. Carrots." she states.
"Yes, you may have grapes and if there aren't any carrots, we'll get you some." Saffron and I are happy beyond words that Nic adores fruits and vegetables. We hope she never grows out of it like some kids do.
I put the finishing touches on gift with icy blue paper that has a lacey snowflake pattern on which I've put a bow that's in a matching ice blue shade. I carefully write Cornelia Vanderbilt's name on it while reminding myself to once again thank Alexa for getting me size information for the purple dress Saffron and I picked out for Cornelia.
Once I'm done with the tag, I pick up a suddenly giggling Nic and scoop up Cornelia's gift then head out the door to deliver the gift to the tree in the Common Commons. After that we'll swing by Saffron's office and all go to the Great Hall together for lunch.
(Sadie) Between Class
Author: Griet
Date: 01-02-11 15:08
"Aleydis! Aleydis, wait!" Sadie called out to her cousin as she trudged across the frozen ground to the greenhouses.
Aleydis stopped and waited for Sadie to catch up before she resumed walking. It was far too cold to linger, and the best method for warming up was to keep moving.
"You left DADA in a hurry!" Sadie commented.
"Sorry for leaving you behind," Aleydis said. "I was thinking about various things and forgot all about you."
"It's all right. I had to ask Professor Somerset a few questions."
"Like his home address?" Aleydis teased.
"Ha, ha. Very funny." Sadie noticed the small cubbed parcel Aleydis carried with her books. "Who's that for?"
"Hunter Green."
"Are you doing Secret Santa this year?"
"I am. I got Professor Miller."
"What did you get him?"
"A box of different kinds of teas from Botanicals & Beyond," Sadie replied. "I'd heard that some people who have gotten staff members have also gotten gifts for their family members, like spouses and children. I didn't, though. Do you think that's bad?"
"No," Aleydis replied. "You drew Professor Miller's name, not theirs, and besides, I bet he'll share that tea with Professor Sacheverelle."
Sadie looked relieved. "Good. I just don't want to be the only cheapskate."
"You're not a cheapskate," Aleydis replied.
By then, they'd reached the greenhouse. They took off their cloaks and hung them on a coat rack by the door, then took their seats at the center table. Professor Ravenscroft stood up front with a stack of test parchments in her arms.
Since class hadn't begun yet, Aleydis asked, "What about Ramona? Is she participating in Secret Santa this year?"
"Yes," Sadie said, lowering her voice in case it mattered whether she kept it a secret. "She drew Jill Prewitt's name. I helped her pick out something in Hogsmeade last weekend, a pale pink lace top with a black camisole. I think it'll look cute on her."
"Sounds cute."
Just then, Professor Ravenscroft welcomed her class and then handed out the exams. Aleydis and Sadie stopped chit chatting and got down to business.
Similar Gift (Daniel)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 01-02-11 15:31
At the very moment Aaron is on his way to the Commons with a gift for Cornelia Vanderbilt, Daniel Gelson is already there, having just put gift under the tree as well. It's in candy cane covered red paper with a striped white and red ribbon wound around it then made into a bow. Two small wrapped candy canes are attached to the bow for the recipient to eat. Daniel thinks his mum outdid herself wrapping it. If he'd done it, the paper would look wrinkled and crooked, he doubts he could have gotten the ribbon around it so decoratively, and the bow wouldn't look half as nice even if he'd used a ready made one. The candy canes most likely would have been eaten during his frustration of attempting to do a decent wrapping job.
Sitting now with Christopher Chant and Jack Emerson, drinking hot chocolate and talking about Christmas holiday plans, Daniel has no idea that Aaron and he are giving similar gifts to two of the Vanderbilt sisters. Where Aaron has Cornelia's name, Daniel drew Griet's. He had had no idea what to get her so asked his girl cousins Jill and Alexa. They'd given him some ideas and he'd looked in Hogsmeade the last Saturday the students were allowed to go into the village, he'd not seen anything that shouted Griet Vanderbilt to him. He'd written his parents asking for help, telling them whose name he had and some of the ideas the girls had given. His mum Bonnie promptly owled back that she knew just what to get. Daniel figured it helped that with Griet such a promiment member of the Quidditch team, his mum could easily picture the older girl. Also, with her only child a son, Bonnie Blackstone Gelson loves having a reason to buy something for a girl.
Bonnie took a picture of the dress she'd gotten Griet so that Daniel would know what specifically he is giving the seventh year then she'd wrapped the gift and sent the present and picture this morning. Daniel had had Herbology this morning and once done there, had come with the gift to the Commons where he put it under the tree. He'd had one hot chocolate to warm up from the chilling walk back from the greenhouses and since then has sat here with his two friends, drinking more of the delicious hot chocolate, mainly talking but also getting in a little study for this afternoon's Care of Magical Creatures, and killing time until lunch.
Just before leaving for the Great Hall, Daniel glances once more to the tree, wondering who drew his name and hoping that Griet likes the dress.
Eden & Marlow in Potions
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 01-02-11 16:06
Eden stirs the potion in her cauldron, starting intently down in the murky depths, wondering if it will ever take on the pretty pink hue she knows it's supposed to have. Working next to her, Marlow snickers ever so lightly. Eden looks up asking quietly, "What?"
"You were sticking your tongue out again."
"I was?"
"Yeah."
"How can I do that and not know I do it?"
Marlow shrugs. "Same way I chew on my lower lip and don't realize I'm doing it until someone says or I cause it to be irritated."
"Yeah, guess so. Oh, good, there it goes." Eden's potion has turned the desired pink color, which means she can now add the next two ingredients. "Did you deliver your gift yet?" she asks, referring to Secret Santa.
"No. I'm going to do that after this class. Who'd you say you got?"
"Johanna Steele."
"Oh, right." Marlow, already whispering, lowers her voice even more. "That snooty Evelyn's cousin. She's so stuck up. Edgar is at least decent. What did you get her? Johanna I mean."
"A green blouse with some embroidery. The embroidery is more white but against the green looks sort of silver."
"Sort of Slytherin colors then."
"Yeah, exactly. What about you? Someone called Cecelia?"
"Yes," Marlow tilts her head in the direction where their cousin Heather works next to a Ravenclaw boy. "Thomas Middleton's cousin or sister. Something like that. Jill told me a little about her." Marlow is speaking of their cousin Jill who is in the same year as Cecilia. She could have asked Eden's brother Alastor but figured Jill would be of more help. "I ended up getting her some earrings that sort of look like little pink roses. They're pierced but I've put in a note that if she doesn't wear pierced I'll exchange them for something else."
"Cool."
Professor Weasley informs the class, "Ten more minutes. Your potions should be about done. I'd like two vials from each of you and be sure to label them. Points off for anyone not cleaning up their stations properly."
Eden and Marlow take that as their cue to stop whispering and pay attention to finishing up their potions. Both looking forward to delivering their gifts then grabbing lunch before looking over their History of Magic for an exam at two this afternoon.
Wishing That It's Naptime (Alastor)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 01-02-11 18:06
His elbow sliding off the desk jerks Alastor out of the stupor he's been in. He blinks then wipes at his eyes before looking down at his History of Magic exam. Sighing at the sight of two more questions to answer, he picks up the quill he'd dropped a few minutes ago when nodding off. Alastor wears a wrist watch and a quick glance at the time lets him know he's not got much time left to finish the exam. He should have just gone on and finished before letting the mind numbing boredom lull him to sleep. At least Binns isn't droning on and on today. Alastor would have been face down on his desk nearly an hour ago if that had been the case.
Alastor finishes the History of Magic exam with half a minute to spare. After making sure he put his name on it he sends it to the front along with everyone else, wondering not for the first time how a ghost grades exams. Where does Binns even go when not in the classroom? If he floats around the castle like the other ghosts do, Alastor's never seen him.
Shoving his quill and stoppered ink bottle down into his bookbag, Alastor feels the Secret Santa gift there. He really needs to deliver it. Given that he drew Basil Wynbourne's name, Alastor hasn't felt in any rush to get the gift to that wanker. Sure, they are on the IQT team together but that doesn't negate the fact that Basil is an arse. Alastor took the easy way out when it came to getting Basil a gift and just bought up a bunch of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean and Chocolate Frogs while at Honeydukes last weekend.
Stifling a yawn as he walks out of history class, Alastor supposes he should just dump the gift off and be done with it. With no other classes today until Astronomy at midnight he doesn't have to hurry getting lunch so Alastor swings by the Common commons before walking to the Great Hall for lunch.