Back | Home | Next

Wandering in the Village
Author: Karma Davyd 
Date:   04-28-11 19:32

I am quite glad that Bronwyn and I had come to the village yesterday, it allowed me to get a close glimpse of Hogwarts, where I would be interviewing tomorrow with Professor Dumbledore. I'd gotten a few tips from Bronwyn, about the houses and such that I hadn't found in any reading that I'd done concerning the school considering she is an Alum of the school.

Right now, I was meandering down High Street, debating on where I would end up to tuck away a small portion of lunch. Bronwyn and I had eaten at The Imperial Crown & Cauldron yesterday when we'd been shopping, and I'd gone home with a lovely variety of freshly baked scones from Briar's which I still had a few left and would a couple of them would end up being a bedtime snack with my mug of tea.

I still wasn't quite sure where I intended on eating lunch, though I was leaning back toward the Crown & Cauldron, however, there were a few other places that I could eat while I was milling about the village, or I could go to the wonderful Indian place that was near my flat and reminded me of home and just grab something small while I was here. I wandered down High Street, not really paying all that much attention when I accidentally ran into a rather pretty woman between The Imperial Crown & Cauldron and Botanicals & Beyond.

I shifted slightly, before looking over the woman briefly. "Are you alright?" I asked, worried that I might have harmed the woman in some way, but she seemed well enough.

"I'm fine. Are you alright?" She inquired of me.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you. I do apologize for jostling you, I was a bit preoccupied, getting myself mentally ready for an interview at Hogwarts tomorrow." I said, only a touch nervous about the whole thing despite Bronwyn's assurance that it would be simple and I had little to worry about.

"It is best not to wander aimlessly when you've got your mind on other things." She said politely, before offering me her name. "I'm Furnella Hodfuffer."

"Karma Davyd. Pleasure to meet you. You seem to be in a bit of a hurry, so I won't monopolize any more of your time Furnella. Have a wonderful day."

With that I altered my course and moved toward Twice Told Tales. I needed something new to read, perhaps I'd find some literary treasure mingled within the stacks of the shop.

New Arrival
Author: Ethan Somerset 
Date:   04-29-11 10:07

An urgent owl from St. Mungo's had arrived for Ethan during the middle of his last class. He'd been in one of the training rooms with his first year Gryffindor and Slytherin students, giving them the opportunity to practice everything they'd learned since Winter Term began. Upon receiving the owl, Ethan could hardly contain his excitement. Rosamond had gone into labor.

Quickly, Ethan had gotten word to Professor Dumbledore, who had fetched Professor Grubbly-Plank to substitute the remainder of the first year class and to fill in for Ethan's afternoon class as well. Without further delay, Ethan had gone to St. Mungo's to the maternity ward.

He'd made it with enough time to witness the birth of his daughter, whom he and Rosamond had named Lilly. Lilly had sapphire blue eyes like her father and a tuft of chestnut hair to match Rosamond's much longer locks. She was absolutely perfect in every way.

She slept in Rosamond's arms with her little fingers wrapped around one of Rosamond's own. Ethan sat up against the pillows in the hospital bed with an arm around Rosamond and gazed down in wonder at the newborn baby.

"You should owl your family," Rosamond murmured without taking her eyes off of Lilly.

"I thought about it, but an owl delivering mail would seem odd to any Muggle who happened to notice it. I think I might go to Bristol later this afternoon to give the news in person."

"You ought to bring your parents here so that they can meet their new grandchild."

"I will." Ethan gave Rosamond's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Do you want me to notify Aveline?"

"Please."

Other than Ethan and Lilly, Aveline was the only family Rosamond had––and they weren't even biologically related. Rosamond's adoptive parents were on the run for their part in Project 25 and she had never attempted to find her real parents.

She laughed suddenly. "Libby and her daughter Lilly. I never think of myself by that name and didn't even notice the similarities until now."

Ethan smiled. "If we have a son, maybe we can name him Flynn. Or Quinn."

"Or Guinn. Perhaps Wynne?" Rosamond grinned. "Finn Towneley and his daughter Lynn."

"Or Brinn. Gwynn, maybe?"

The happy couple laughed. Like Rosamond, Ethan didn't think of his real name very often, but since he had found his birth family, the name wasn't easily forgotten. Perhaps it helped that he'd gone to great lengths to find out the truth about his past.

He kissed Rosamond's cheek and said, "Let me owl Aveline before I forget." He climbed out of bed, but paused to gently run his fingers over Lilly's dark hair.

Ethan couldn't stop smiling. He was a dad to a beautiful little girl!

Lazy Thursday Afternoon
Author: Ella 
Date:   04-29-11 12:22

"Where are you going?"

Ella was lounging on the sofa in the Gryffindor Common Room and sat up to get a better look at Francis. He had a couple of books under his arm.

"Class, remember? Some of us are taking more than the minimum required, you know."

Ella stuck her tongue out at him. She wasn't a bad student but she definitely wasn't a very motivated one. She did what was expected of her but little more.

"Enjoy History of Magic," she said.

"So you did remember," Francis replied with a smile. He offered her a little wave and then disappeared through the portal.

Ella sank back against the cushion beneath her and sighed. In just two days, she'd been on her way home again. Last Easter holiday, she'd gone to Capri with her father and then-girlfriend Delilah. Her mum had sent her on the trip to bring back information about the relationship as well as Ella's thoughts on the new woman in Dunstan's life.

This Easter, Ella had no desire to be with her dad and new stepmother. She still hadn't forgiven Dunstan for the unpleasant things he'd said at Career Day, and she really, really didn't care for Delilah at all. It was bad enough that she was carrying Ella's unborn brother or sister.

All Ella wanted was time alone with her mum, though she hoped that Rosemary would be in better spirits. The last time Ella had seen Rosemary had been on Parents Weekend, when she'd left in a rush after being unable to bear anymore time in the company of her ex-husband and his second wife. Ella fervently wished that Rosemary wouldn't spend all week crying.

She wanted to have a happy Easter break, like Francis purportedly would. Francis had plans to spend the whole week with Ashleigh. Since making the plans, he'd been unable to talk about anything else. Ella was very much reminded about the time when he and Ashleigh had first gotten together. Back then, all he could talk about was how great Ashleigh was. It had annoyed Ella then, but she did her best to feel happy for him now.

She didn't have any more classes today and only had four more to get through tomorrow before Easter hols could officially begin.

On Maternity Leave
Author: Marzipan 
Date:   04-29-11 14:57

Sometime after Marzi adopted her sister's child, she had a small room in her quarters converted into a nursery. The room previously held a small desk and a set of bookshelves, which now resided in a corner of the living room.

Now the room had two cribs, one for Carter and one for Vallon.

Marzi sat in a rocking chair in the new nursery and held onto her baby son, who had just starting nodding off for a nap. Since coming home from the hospital, the pair had been inseparable. Marzi was glad that she had Weston to take over teaching her classes because she definitely wasn't ready to spend a significant amount of time away from Vallon just yet.

The earliest she would go back to teaching would be the beginning of May, but Weston had already made arrangements with his work at the Ministry of Magic to go beyond that if Marzi needed him to continue substituting for her. Perhaps by then, she would be ready to go back, but for now she was content spending all her time with her baby.

Not being in class all day also meant that Marzi had more time for Carter. He was usually well-looked after by one of the castle house-elves, but there was nothing better than bonding with the aunt who was essentially his mother.

He was asleep in his own crib, completely unaware of the other two people in the room.

There was a soft knock on the door. Marzi carefully got up without disturbing Vallon and set him into his crib. When she was satisfied that he was still sleeping and that Carter hadn't woken up either, she tiptoed out of the room and answered the door.

"Hi, Illyria. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Not at all. I'd guessed I might need to give you a little time to come to the door. How is Vallon liking his new home?"

"Well enough, I suppose. Would you like to see him?"

Marzi led the way into the nursery, and for a while, both women looked over the baby as he slept. They also peered into Carter's crib. Eventually, they went back to the living room and sat on the sofa. Marzi summoned a tea pot and two cups and saucers and served first Illyria and then herself.

"Oh, did you hear the news?"

"I've not left my quarters all day and haven't seen Weston since he stopped by for lunch. What happened?"

Illyria smiled reassuringly. "Nothing bad. It would appear the next Hogwarts baby is about to be born. Or perhaps he or she has already arrived. That I don't yet know."

"You can only mean Ethan or Saffron and Aaron, but it's much too early for the latter."

"Ethan it is."

"Sounds like there is something in the water at Hogwarts. Beware Illyria. You might be next!"

Illyria laughed. "I don't even have a boyfriend, so unless there's divine intervention, I think I'm safe for the moment."

Marzi smiled. "For the moment."

"Is Weston in class?" Illyria asked.

"Yes. I wonder how the students like him."

"I'm sure they like him just fine, especially the girls. They won't want you to come back."

Marzi laughed. "There does seem to be an abundance of good-looking male teachers at Hogwarts. Maybe you can get a date. I think Severus is available."

Illyria nearly choked on her tea. "Funny."

The two friends and colleagues continued to talk until Illyria had to attend her office hours. She had only one more class before term ended, and she was giving an exam. She expected students to stop by with last minute questions.

Marzi saw Illyria to the door and then went back to the nursery to sit by Vallon and Carter while they slept.

2 Down 4 to Go
Author: Charisma Stone 
Date:   04-29-11 18:23

Isma plopped down on her bed, and peered down at the notes spread out in front of her, they were for each of her four examinations tomorrow, and the last before Easter hols. She wasn't doing anything for the hol, in fact she was going to be staying on campus and may get in some extra flying practice - even see if Coach Batuti would let her practice with the snitch on a day or two of hols.

Neither Blake or Eric were staying around, they had plans with their families. Blake had even attempted to give Isma something to do over hols, by inviting her on his family's trip to St. Barts, but ultimately her parents said she couldn't go - no matter how much supervision that his parents were going to provide on the cruise. That, in and of itself had irritated Isma to no end. She'd come dangerously close to getting grounded for her first month home on Summer hols when she'd fought the point of going on the cruise with Blake and his family.

Eric was going to be visiting family in Chicago, Illinois and promised that he'd bring Isma back something from Chicago.

After a few more moments of pouting, she turned her attention to her first examination, which was going to be given by Professor Ravenscroft's husband, who was quite a hottie - something that Hogwarts teaching staff did not seem to be in short supply of. Isma liked Weston, however, she did miss Marzipan and was looking forward to their professor returning to her classes after her maternity leave was over. After herbology, she had an exam in Charms, then Potions, and then DADA, and it seemed that there would be another stand in professor as Professor Somerset (yet another male teacher on the hottie list) had to leave during his class earlier when his bundle of joy arrived.

"Tomorrow is going to be interesting, at least it is just examinations and not actual lectures." Isma muttered to herself as she began going through her herbology study guide to ensure that she could answer the questions without looking through her notes. It took one of her roommate's coming into the room and all but dragging her down to the Great Hall for dinner at five.

Intent on Improving and Letter to Professor Black
Author: Adina Blackwood 
Date:   04-29-11 18:36

Adina had claimed one of the private study areas in the Library and was looking over her study guides for her examinations tomorrow. She needed to improve her grades, she needed to get back on the Quidditch team next year, and that would only happen if she came home with higher marks than she'd had at winter break.

"I know I can do this. I've never had this much trouble before." She muttered to herself, sliding a hand through her hair. It was true, in Athens she'd not had this much trouble, but then again she had an easier time of dealing with the restlessness that she felt when she couldn't go out running when she needed to. "I need to run. I need to talk to Professor Black."

Adina sighed and pushed a hand through her hair, it was nearly dinner time, and she had missed Professor Black's office hours, perhaps she could set up some time to meet with him during the Easter hols. She wasn't going to Greece during the short break, she was staying on campus and so was Arthur which was a plus. She quickly grabbed a piece of parchment, and penned a quick note. Professor Black was more than likely already back in Hogsmeade, so she would see if he would meet with her tomorrow afternoon after her History of Magic examination.

Dear Professor Black,

I'm writing to see if I can schedule an appointment with you for tomorrow afternoon, around three-thirty or four. I know you do not hold office hours on Fridays, which is why I am asking for the appointment. There is something that I need to gain your advice on, and you are the only teacher on staff to adequately aid me in what I am currently dealing with.

I am an Animagus, and I there are several questions that I have, that have never been a problem before but now that I am at Hogwarts it has proven a bit difficult to manage.

Forgive me if this does not make sense, I can perhaps explain more when we meet. If you are unavailable tomorrow, I will be staying at Hogwarts during the Easter holiday.

Thank you,

Adina Blackwood

She sealed the parchment, and would head up to the owlry before she headed down to Slytherin house, when she was done. She would maybe only be another hour or so, hit the owlry, grab a quick bite from the Common Commons and then head to her dorm for the night. She had a busy day of examinations in the morning.

Office Hours Thursday Afternoon
Author: Lawrence Masterson 
Date:   04-29-11 18:48

After his seventh year NEWT students exited the greenhouse after taking their examinations, office hours started and would go until five when he would head to the Great Hall and meet Ariella for dinner.

He intended on spending his office hours grading exams, and what he didn't get finished by five would be finished before his only class tomorrow, which would be his last before the holiday began.

He'd just started grading the exams from his fifth year Ravenclaw and Slytherin class from Wednesday morning when he heard someone enter the greenhouse. "Professor Masterson?"

"Come in Arista, what can I do for you?" He asked, shifting the exam papers a bit, looking up at her.

"Well, I am still having trouble with the identification of the poisonous plants that we've discussed during this past month. Can you give me some pointers for the exam tomorrow?" She asked, chewing lightly on her bottom lip for a moment.

"Of course. Come over here, and we will go through a practice practical examination." He lead her over to a table set up with a variety of the poisonous plants that they'd discussed during the course of the last few weeks.

They spent about an hour going through the paces and Arista was soon confident enough in her ability to identify most of the plants that were presented to her in the final challenge that Lawrence had set up for her.

"Thank you Professor Masterson, I will see you tomorrow afternoon." She said as she grabbed her bag and headed out of the greenhouse. Lawrence checked the time, it was nearly five now, and he saw little point in continuing grading the papers when he'd just have to stop in about fifteen minutes anyway to head up to meet Ariella for dinner.

With a light shrug he bundled up the papers, remembering where he'd left off before Alista had come in, and after slipping them into his briefcase, headed to the castle. He made a brief stop in his quarters before heading down to meet Ariella in the Great Hall for dinner.

Ready To Go Home
Author: Travis 
Date:   04-29-11 21:24

Feeling as though she's about to nod off Travis rises from the loveseat upon which she's been sitting the past quarter of an hour, deposits her still nearly full champagne glass on a passing tray, and threads her way through the surprisingly large crowd of party goers to find her mother. She finds Morticia at a story a friend of hers has just told and waits for that slight break when the laughter is dying off but no one else has spoken yet.

"Excuse me for interrupting." Travis politely smiles at the small circle of woman. "Mum, I'm off now. Thanks for having me. It's been quite lovely."

Morticia cups Travis's elbow and a look that begs her friends' pardons steers her eldest daughter away. Once out earshot of others Morticia quietly hisses, "You can't go now. The party is just really getting started."

"I'm shattered, Mum. It was a very busy day at the shoppe and I was up early to get to market for some fresh items I don't grow and this was after a long day yesterday that involved going to India to look over a new strain of tea, a really interesting hybrid I'm wanting to get involved with for the shoppe. I have work tomorrow."

"You, darling, are the boss. You have employees you pay. Take the morning off. Take the whole day. You deserve time away from the trenches now and again, Fifi. Oh, I know, come to the spa with me. We'll get Lisianthus to come as well."

"That would be smashing, Mum, but this is a very busy time at the shoppe. We're buried under Easter orders, all of which MUST be ready tomorrow and Saturday. Thank you for the offer but not tomorrow."

Morticia gives that exasperated sigh that Travis knows all to well. "Honestly, I did not raise you to work. None of you have to work and I don't understand why you insist on it. Your sister I can better understand. All those years having to be away. She's making it up for it by wanting to be out and about now that she's got control over her," Morticia pauses here then somewhat brittlely says, "gift. But to have you and Indigo as shoppekeepers, well, it's simply beneath you both. It's bad enough when your brother wants to consort with his father's people at that awful dragon preserve but to then go into trade "

"Being a veterinary healer is not exactly being in trade, Mother, but so what if it were? So what if I'm a shoppekeeper? We're doing something we like, no make that love. Isn't that far better than sitting around all day talking about other people or flitting aimlessly from one hobby to another?"

"Is that what you think my life is all about?" Morticia hotly demands.

"I'm not getting into an argument. I just wanted to tell you goodnight. I have done so and now I am leaving. If I don't see you tomorrow or Saturday, I shall see you for Easter dinner."

Travis drops a peck on Morticia's cheek even as her mother's eyes flash with anger. They are near a powder room door, which Travis now walks through, moving quickly before Morticia can grab her again to carry on the argument she's wanting to start. Travis apparates from the powder room instead of Flooing because though that would be the better way to get home tired as she is, the time it would have taken to go to a fireplace on the Floo in a room not occupied by guests to the Munchs' party would also have meant Morticia would have had more time to have additional words with Travis.

Arriving at her destination intact, Travis does not dawdle getting ready for bed and is soon tucked in and asleep in her cozy flat above Botanicals & Beyond in Hogsmeade.

Back | Home | Next