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Secrets To Tell
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 02-21-11 19:51
Kissy reaches for the tea cup within easy reach only to find thatit's down to the dregs. Turning slightly to eye the teapot nearby, Kissy debates refilling her cup or waiting a few minutes until she finishes recording grades. She could just go on to the Great Hall once she's done, get more tea there or something else and grab a bite to eat. That thought is put on hold there's a knock on the door followed by it opening. AJ walks in, pulling the door shut behind him.
"Okay, so what's going on?" he asks without preamble, crossing the space from the door to unceremoniously sink down into a chair.
"I'm recording homework grades then going for something to eat. What's going on with you?"
"You know that's not what I mean."
"I do?"
"You've been secretive lately then yesterday you didn't come to the apparition lesson and were gone all day."
"I don't always attend the apparition lessons," Kissy points out.
"No, but every other time you've mentioned to me you wouldn't be there," AJ counters. "Actually, as far as the secretive thing goes, you've acted that way pretty much since returning from that family reunion in Japan."
"I have?"
"You were all smiley and giggly and cryptic. You met someone didn't you?"
"I did and at the time I thought it was really something."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I don't know. I think I didn't want to ruin it somehow or burst the bubble by sharing with anyone."
"And recently?"
Kissy chews her lower lip while turning her quill over and over. For a few seconds she mulls over just what to say. AJ studies her then asks another question. "It's something to do with Akina staying with you again. Something beyond her again thinking Zen's having an affair."
Kissy puts the quill down and rubs her eyes. "Yes. It's Traditions related."
This gets AJ's attention and he sits up straighter leaning towards her desk.
"The night Akina showed up again, she and I got to talking and during the course of the conversation I learned something I hadn't been aware of. When joining Traditions each member is given a piece of jewelry, usually a ring but sometimes a bracelet, necklace, earrings, even wrist watches. Some members have more than one piece and almost all of them wear at least one every single day."
Kissy pauses, deciding that if she needs a little more tea afterall. She summons the teapot to her and pours a little into her cup then holds up the teapot in silent question to AJ. He shakes his head. "Thanks, but no."
Teapot set aside she takes a few sips from her cup before continuing. "The night Akina came she wasn't wearing any of her rings. She'd taken them off because her fingers have been swelling badly with this pregnancy. She'd been meaning to wear them on a necklace chain as she did when pregnant with Kazuki but hadn't gotten around to it. When I learned about the Traditions ring, I asked a few questions and started formulating a theory."
"What sort of theory?"
"About the changes in personality I saw in my parents after they joined Traditions and then Zen. About their inability to see just how wrong things they did in the name of Traditions were and how they acted as though they were blameless in all things. I didn't really know Akina before she was in Traditions so I can't speak of any changes I would have noticed in her personality but that first time she came and stayed and now, she is different."
"Are you saying you believe the jewelry to be charmed or cursed?"
"That's the theory I formulated, yes, and starting the next day I began looking into it."
"And?"
"And I'm right."
"But what about when they were all in prison? If the effects wore off Akina after a short time of not wearing her ring, how do you explain their mindsets while at Azkaban?"
"They all were allowed to keep their Traditions rings."
"You're joking?"
"I only wish."
"How is that possible?"
"Some Traditions members working at Azkaban. One of them is a maternal cousin of Finnegan Fudge and another is related to Fudge's wife Katherine."
Kissy goes quiet again, trying not to think about the day she accidently killed Finnegan Fudge here at Hogwarts slightly more than four year ago. AJ gives her a moment before asking, "What sort of magic was it on the jewelry?"
"Three, or so that's what shown up so far with testing, very strong charms of the sort that takes a good many years before weakening and needing to be renewed. Charms so strong that under normal circumstances if a person goes two or even three days without wearing the jewelry there's no discernable change in the person."
"So are you saying that because Akina's pregnant that changed how effective the charms are?"
"That's partly it but my brother and parents haven't felt as strong a connection to the group since Azkaban. It's looking as though the many spells and charms in and around the prison acted on the rings as well. For those group members who worked there, since they were only there for a few hours a day and geneerally only five days a week, to see the same amount of weakening in their own jewelry would take far, far longer."
"So what's all this have to do with you being gone all day yesterday, or is that something totally unrelated?"
Kissy shakes her head. "Akina and I went to Mum and Dad's. We'd asked Zen and her mother to meet us there. I'm sure they all thought we were wanting to discuss patching up things between Akina and Zen, which did get discussed, but our main purpose for going was to get them to let us have their Traditions jewelry for a few days. We tried explaining why but after hours and hours of them defending Traditions and those who took over after Finnegan, including his wife, we finally just had to settle with getting them to agree to let Akina have the jewelry for four days. If after that time they still don't want to believe us, she will return the jewelry."
"Did they agree?"
"They did but very reluctently. We put the jewelry in a special box Ron Weasley's father gave me for that purpose." Kissy then explains, "After I did my own testing on Akina's ring I asked Ron to test it through the Ministry though didn't tell him any specifics about why. Because of the work his father does, he got Arthur involved."
"Did you touch any of the jewelry, like when testing Akina's ring?"
"No and I didn't touch any of theirs either. Even if the charms aren't as strong as they had been, I didn't want to chance. I definitely would not touch a piece that's working at full strength. I think that's how Zen got turned to their way of thinking so fast after being as against it as I've been. I don't know that for sure yet but it's something I plan to ask in a few days."
"I wish you'd told me what's been going on. I could have helped or at the very least given you some backup yesterday just in case."
"I did want to say something but thought it best if I didn't in case I was very wrong about the jewelry. That's why I didn't give Ron too many specifics when getting him involved, which I only did because I wanted to have Akina's ring tested by the Ministry to see if the results matched mine. I suppose I could have gotten Professor Dumbledore to do it, or Ethan Somerset, but my first thought was get an Auror and the one I know best is Ron. On a change of topic, are you hungry? I'm getting that way."
"Starving."
The two rise and start for the office door but when AJ snaps his fingers and stops, Kissy halts as well.
"I meant to ask, what about that first time Akina stayed with you?"
"She'd been cleaning her rings in a potion and was letting them soak for a few hours."
"And her sudden change of mind that had her running back to Zen?"
"Mum found the rings soaking and wanted to bring Akina her wedding ring in a not so subtle hint that Akina needed go home to her husband."
AJ moves around Kissy to open the door and as she goes through the doorway into the hall, he says, "Now, about this person in Japan you thought you had something with, what's his name? "
Kissy laughs. "My, my. Aren't we nosy this evening."
"You're avoiding the question."
"You don't have to know everything you know."
"I don't have to but I want to."
Kissy laughs again then purposely changes the topic simply because it can be fun to annoy AJ like that.
Madam Puddifoot's
Author: Travis
Date: 02-22-11 16:46
"You do realize that by having us meet here for our regular natter, word's going to get back to your mum and she'll jump to conclusions."
Travis looks over the top of her menu at Julian Valentine as he settles in the chair opposite her at the somewhat small table that she's sure Madam Puddifoot would describe as cozy. "She would have gotten around to you eventually anyway," is her somewhat dry reply.
Julian makes a sort of amused snorting sound and opens his own menu. "When you first came to Hogsmeade, that would have been my invitation to make some remark about how we could really get Morticia wondering."
"Something along the lines of me being seen ocming out of your flat at some early morning hour wearing the same clothes I'd had on the night before."
"Something like that." Having decided what he wants Julian sets the menu to one side. "You know, one problem with living in the Wizarding World is that as my place is on the Floo, you wouldn't have to leave by the stairs."
"There's also apparating," Travis points out.
"Yes, but a polite person such as yourself would step out to do that."
"Stepping out at your place can simply mean stepping into the hallway or onto the inside landing, but just for the sake of sending Mum into a dither, I'd do walk home."
"Hopefully not a Walk of Shame after you'd been with me."
Travis smirks. "From what I've heard, the only shame would be in being another notch on your bedpost."
"I have no notches in my bedpost," Julian innocently denies before his dimpled grin turns devilish. "Where's the fun in that when other men cannot see those notches and be envious? The notches are, naturally, on my wand."
Travis sniggers a bit loudly at that, causing a couple at another table to shoot her a cross between inquisitiveness at what's so funny and a glare for her disturbing their tranquil environment. When she can speak again she says, "On your wand. Of course. How very male of you."
Julian smiles that charmingly dimpled smile and motions for the waitress to come take their order. The waitress comes running, looking positively weak in the knees at having that smile bestowed upon her. Travis rolls her eyes and snickers, though much, much more softly then gives her order. The conversation after that turns more serious as Travis talks about the continuing frustration of dealing with Morticia's match making attempts and Julian about how he's not dealing really all that well still about the return of Adriana Fairchild, someone Travis hadn't known as a child as Julian had and never knew in school because Adriana had not attended Hogwarts. She has yet to meet Adriana. The woman has been in the shoppe a few times apparently but Travis has not been there any of those times. Hearing Julian go on about Adriana since the woman showed up after going years with allowing everyone to believe her dead had got Travis extremely curious about meeting her. Maybe she'll get to meet Adriana soon and form her own opinion of the woman.
Surprises
Author: Jolyon
Date: 02-23-11 09:10
Jolyon stood just within the barn doors and looked out over the Hogwarts grounds. The landscape was rather barren, thanks to the hard winter, but hopefully soon, everything would turn green again. He shivered and slid the door shut, and immediately felt warmer from the coziness of the barn. A few of the magical creatures shifted in their stalls, but all were more or less content.
This afternoon, Jolyon had one class, his third year students. Today's lecture would be a rather simple one. He would teach them about rats, a common pet in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds.
He had a number of rats to show off to his students. Presently, the ran around in their cages or nibbled on their food. All of those rats were domesticated and would be easy to handle, even by the more timid students. Jolyon was well-aware that some people were fearful of rats, but hopefully, everyone would be okay with the ones he had selected for class.
He stepped up to the small blackboard in the corner and started to write some notes, when the barn door opened. Jolyon turned, expecting to see a student, but instead he saw his father. He was carrying a small canvas bag.
"Have a minute?" Emanuel asked, shutting the door behind him and closing out the cold.
"Sure. What's up?" Jolyon cautiously asked. He hadn't seen his dad in over a month.
Emanuel stepped further into the barn and gave it a quick once over. His eyes lingered on the rat cages for a moment until they found Jolyon's face once more.
"I have your money," Emanuel said, holding up the canvas bag.
That was the last thing Jolyon expected to hear, and he blinked in surprise.
"It's all there, plus interest," Emanuel went on. He opened the bag and pulled out several small money pouches. "Count it if you want to be sure."
Jolyon took a couple of the money pouches and said, "That won't be necessary."
Emanuel handed him the whole canvas bag and said, "Your mother was very happy with her gift. Thank you for allowing me to give it to her."
Jolyon couldn't remember a single time his father had genuinely thanked him for something. He was in total shock.
"You're welcome."
Emanuel put his hands in his pockets and said, "Well, I suppose I ought to leave you to your work."
Jolyon nodded and watched as his father went to the barn doors. Before opening them, Emanuel paused and looked over his shoulder.
"By the way, your mother wants you to come over for supper sometime soon."
"I'll do that then," Jolyon said.
Emanuel nodded, turned back to the doors, slid one open, and stepped out into the winter cold.
Jolyon, meanwhile, looked at the money in his hands. He had enough time to go down to Gringotts in Hogsmeade before his class would start. Stuffing the pouches back into the bag, Jolyon grabbed his coat and set off on the errand.
(Anthony) New Auror
Author: Beck
Date: 02-23-11 11:59
Although it had been an unofficial assignment, Anthony had found himself showing Hudson Hayes the ropes ever since that first day when Jaiden Peters had introduced them. Together, they'd gone over report writing and everything else aurors did when they weren't out in the field. New aurors were always surprised by how much paperwork they faced and over the fact that they weren't always out and about pursuing criminals.
Anthony did take Hudson out on a few routine investigations. Although perhaps disappointed that he wasn't getting involved in the most serious cases just yet, Hudson seemed to take everything in stride.
And everyone who met him seemed to like him. He had a very friendly personality and could talk about anything with anyone.
On Tuesday afternoon, Anthony walked into the office after taking a late lunch in the canteen. He passed by Desi's empty desk and went to his own cubicle, where he sat down to catch up on his own investigation of the Summer Solstice Murders.
It was a case he hadn't discussed with Hudson at all. There wasn't any reason for it other than the fact that it had simply never come up in conversation. Anthony had mentioned that besides the routine investigations that came up everyday, many aurors had longterm cases that took up the rest of their time.
Unfortunately for Anthony, his case had stalled long ago. Some of the people on Enid Eastwick's list were dead or presumed so, since they hadn't been heard from in years. Others, like Sylvester Gudgeon, were still very much alive but hadn't done anything to point Anthony in the right direction.
A sigh escaped his lips.
"Something wrong?"
Anthony looked up and saw Hudson standing over the wall of his cubicle.
"Just another dead end, is all," Anthony said. "What have they got you working on right now?"
"I just spent the last two hours filing. It's been riveting!" Hudson grinned, showing off his dimples.
Anthony chuckled. "Been there, done that. I'm glad I'm not the new kid on the block anymore."
"What are you working on?" Hudson asked, eyeing the paperwork on Anthony's desk.
"A seemingly unsolveable case."
"Want a second pair of eyes to go over what you have? Maybe I can see something you've missed."
Anthony nodded and waved for Hudson to come around. "Definitely. I think I'm definitely missing something here."
Hudson came around, conjured a chair, and sat down next to Anthony at his desk. Anthony started by giving Hudson some background. He listened, intrigued and sometimes surprised, but never interrupted Anthony while the more veteran auror spoke. When Anthony finished, Hudson asked a few questions and then started to read Anthony's work so far.
Maybe having a partner with fresh eyes would help, thought Anthony, while Hudson buried himself in the paperwork.
An Apology And News
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 02-23-11 15:11
Zabrynna likes Tuesdays this term though not as much as Thursdays. Tuesdays and Thursdays are History of Magic and Herbology. Tuesdays she's also got Ancient Runes while on Thursdays there's Astronomy. Fridays would probably tie for second with Thursday if she were having to make a list. She's done with classes by noon on Fridays. Mondays and Wednesdays Zabrynna has class first thing in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, with very little down time in between and with one of breaks being for lunch. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are when Zabrynna gets most of her studying for NEWTs done and when she gets in working time for Professor Hodfuffer.
Working for Professor Hodfuffer is what Zabrynna was doing until a few moments ago but now she's working on filling out some scholarship forms for St. Emrys. As she does not want to have to take a huge loan from her half-sister's parents, she has to have financial assistance to attend university and will have to find some sort of job as well after leaving Hogwarts.
All the scholarship forms are very similar in some ways, asking for the same basic information but beyond that each has different requirements. The one she's currently filling in, for example, requires four letters of recommendation and has two essay questions. Zabrynna has three letters so far with permission to make copies. Mariposa's mother and step-father had jointly written one, a former professor of Zabrynna's from Durmstrang had done another, and despite everything Professor Dumbledore was kind enough to write the third. Zabrynna isn't sure who to ask for the fourth that this application requires but she's thinking to perhaps approach one of her professors here who does not know about what happened. Not Professor Snape but of her other current instructors there are six to choose from.
Zabrynna looks to the first of the essay questions and is thinking about what to write for it when there's a knock on the door with a simultaneous, "Zabrynna? Are you there?"
Zabrynna's so surprised at the voice that she forgets to answer. It takes another knock and, "Zabrynna?" for her to say, "It's open, Dad."
She rises and moves to stand beside the table Professor Hodfuffer had provided her as Nolan Ravensdale opens the door and walks in. Zabrynna hasn't seen her father in quite some time and his physical appearance comes as much of a shock to her as his unannounced visit to Hogwarts. He looks thinner to her and a little haggard. Thinking he might be ill, Zabrynna hastily asks, "Are you all right, Dad?"
Nolan crosses the small space in a couple of long strides, coming to a stop in front of her. His arms open as if to hug Zabrynna but then realizing she not be receptive he relaxes them slightly with the result being almost comical as it is uncomfortable. Zabrynna, though angry with Nolan, has very much missed parental contact and big hugs like only her father can give, steps into the embrace, putting her arms around him, thinking that yes, he definitely has lost some weight.
The hug lasts for several long seconds before both step back from it. Zabrynna, realizing her father hasn't answered her question asks it again. "Are you all right?" This is quickly followed by, "Are you sick? Is Mum? How did you know where to find me?"
Nolan steps in for another very quick hug before saying, "I'm not sick nor is your mother. Mariposa told me you might be here. I was coming to see you, if not today, then tomorrow or Thursday. Mariposa was coming today to see AJ Hodfuffer so I thought I might as well make the visit today. She pointed this room out to me. If you hadn't been here, I would have gotten the help of a house elf to find you."
Zabrynna's half sitting on her work table now, not really sure if she wants to continue fully standing or move around to sit in her chair or just what. Now that the initial surprise at seeing her dad has passed and now that she knows neither he nor her mother are ill, the anger and annoyance she has towards Nolan is beginning to surface. Zabrynna tries not to let any of that show though because she wants to find out why Nolan has decided to not only contact her but come visit in person.
The silence stretches out uncomfortably between them with Nolan fidgeting where he stands and with Zabrynna shifting back and forth from partially sitting on the table to standing then back again. Finally, just to move things along Zabrynna says, "I'm very sorry for what I "
Nolan cuts her off. "You've apologized so many times for that already, Zabrynna. I didn't come to hear you apologize again."
"What is it you want then?"
"I want to apologize to you and..." Nolan heaves a sighs, "And there is news that I thought you should be told in person. The apology and the news go hand in hand so bear with me while I explain."
Not really sure how she should respond Zabrynna settles on the very simple, "Okay."
"Magretta's family has always been all about appearances. Ever since learning about the, um, let's call it the incident. Every since learning of it, Margetta has had tunnel vision about what she perceives as a personal slight against her as a mother and how she appears to those who know. At first I was so angry and disappointed at what had happened that I went along with Margretta in punishing you. That first Christmas holiday when you were to have come home but your mother decided you should stay here and she and I take a trip is one example of that. I did think it a fitting part of your punishment then not to get to do something you'd been looking forward to. As time went by and it was obvious how contrite you were and upset with yourself over everything that you'd learned a lesson. That you were continuing therapy was also a mark in your favor. Margretta though just would not let up. While we did seem to present a united front, what you don't know is that I was at odds with Margretta over her own behavior and attitude. I started slipping money to Mariposa to give you and when I learned that she had already loaned you some money and that her step-father had helped you as well, I payed them both back. I asked Mariposa not to tell you though now that seems silly to me."
"Does Mum know?"
"Not until yesterday. I'd been trying to get through to Margretta, reminding her how much we're missing out by not doing things like seeing you in your last play, and how we'd be missing another opportunity if we were to skip the upcoming Parent's Weekend. I don't have to tell you just how stubborn your mother can be. She's become more blinded, continues to spout off about how we appear to everyone. Yesterday, I had had enough. She and I had a major row. I ended up making very clear my position and that I've been sending you money through Mariposa. Things ended badly. I've moved out and your mum was going to see a divorce attorney this morning."
"What? No! Seriously?"
"I'm afraid so. I had wanted Margretta to come with me to deliver the new that we're splitting but she refused. Your mother may want to continue being a fool and shutting you out but I miss having my younger daughter in my life. Can you forgive me for not having found my spine sooner?"
Zabrynna, who feels very close to tears now, answers the question by moving forward to give her father another hug. Though learning her parents are divorcing is upsetting, there is a sense of relief at having her father wanting to be back in her life and finding out that he had not been seeing eye to eye on all this with her mother this entire time.