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Interview and Lunch
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 04-30-11 17:55
I'd gotten up relatively early, and spent the morning fussing, primping, deciding that nothing in my closet was interview worthy enough, and then finally realizing that I would be fine. I had no idea why I was nervous, never mind that I would be interviewing at one of the most well known, and the oldest wizarding school in Great Britain and most likely the entire Wizarding World. Finally deciding on a navy blue colored cashmere sweater over a cream colored sleeveless silk top and paring it with a navy blue colored pencil skirt over a pair of thigh-highs and my favorite navy blue heels.
I put my hair up in a loose updo and curled some of the remaining strands that hung down around my features. Breakfast was a cinnamon roll from Briar's in the village, and I wandered a bit along High Street until I had to go through the gates and into the Castle for my scheduled interview with Professor Dumbledore.
I was escorted to his office, was not surprised at the fact that there was a password associated with gaining access to the office. I offered Professor Dumbledore a warm smile.
"Good afternoon Professor, and I thank you for taking this time to meet with me." I said after shaking his hand and settling myself in the preoffered chair across from his larger one, with his desk between us.
"A spot of tea Miss Davyd?" He asked, as he summoned a house elf who quickly returned with a tea tray complete with a few lemon biscuits to go with the tea.
"Please, just a couple of sugars." I said, accepting the steaming cup of tea from him.
"From your letter you seem quite interesting Miss Davyd, why is it you chose to study history?" He asked.
"Pleas, call me Karma." I said after finishing a sip of tea and then sliding the saucer upon the edge of the desk so I could answer him. "History, what has happened in the past is always something that has intrigued me. I am addicted to all things muggle and wizarding as far as history goes, and the ability for cultures to turn a blind eye to some of the atrocities that befall past generations."
He seemed to ponder my answer for a few moments, sipping his tea in a thoughtful manner before speaking again. "Every culture it would seem has their own skeletons in the closet. Wizarding and Muggle alike. There are always things in history that we are not proud of. What course, aside from history was your favorite when you were in school as a child?"
This question briefly caught me off guard, but I pondered a few moments as I savored the sweet and tart taste of the lemon biscuit before finally formulating my answer. "Aside from history, my favorite course was in the early years of my schooling art, and in the later years it was linguistics. Ancient and modern languages. I can speak five languages, Russian, English, Sanskrit, Japanese and Hindi."
"Then why did you not apply to be a professor of Ancient Runes?" He asked, sipping his tea.
"Because while languages are a passion of mine, my true love rests in history, rests with the past and how it shapes the events of the future." I said offering him a bright smile.
We talked for several more moments and the interview came to an end. He walked me out of his office and toward the large doors that lead out to the grounds and ultimately the gate that would let me out into the village beyond. "I will contact you by the end of the day, or by the middle of next week with our decision on your position. Have a wonderful day Miss Davyd."
I was quite pleased with how things went with the interview as I headed down the path toward the village. Once in the village I headed toward the Crown and Cauldron for a quick bite before I would head home.
Cousins Having Lunch
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-30-11 19:46
Emerging from the gloomy depths of Knockturn Alley, it amazes Harry as it always does that the lane behind him always feels so dark and closed in while Diagon Alley feels so open and airy. Once fully onto Diagon Alley he stops, waging a mental debate on whether to eat somewhere here, go elsewhere, or go home to grab a quick bite there. As he's trying to decide what he's even hungry for a woman who'd been standing looking in the window of Narcissa's turns to continue on her way only to stop again when she sees Harry standing there.
"I was just thinking about you, Harry," Adriana tells him.
"I hope it was about something good."
"Were you just in Knockturn Alley?" This is asked with a frown.
"Was on business. Had someone to question. Were you thinking about me for any particular reason?" Harry prompts, bringing his cousin back around to what she's intially said.
"Yes, for the very particular reason of asking you for dinner. I know it's Friday and short notice but please say yes. If you've plans with Ginny, come by for dinner first. I'd love to see her as well."
Harry shakes his head. "I'm sorry but tonight is no good. I've a bachelor party I can't miss and Ginny's got a surprise hen party she must attend as well."
"You two aren't getting married and no one told me are you?"
Harry thinks he detects an underlying hurt in Adriana's tone. He hastens to assure, "No, not us. Ron and Hermione. You remember them?"
"Of course I do. And I did know they were getting married. I suppose I hadn't realized it was so soon even though I've been told the dates. It slipped up on me and here I've meant to get them a present."
"I know what you mean about it slipping up. When they first set the date it seemed ages away then I blinked and here it is."
"Why Easter Sunday?"
"Not sure other than perhaps they were thinking that it would be easier for most family and friends to schedule being there."
"I'm sure it will be a wonderful ceremony. It is hard for me sometimes to think of all of you as grown up."
"We were hardly children when you left."
"I know but ," Adriana waves her hand, "Never mind. Are you free for lunch then?"
"I was actually standing here trying to decide where to go for lunch. Delia's Deli has a good selection. Would you be interested in that?"
"Yes, let's do."
"It's this way," Harry says, leading Adriana back past Narcissa's.
They chit chat along the way, mainly Adriana asking details about Ron's and Hermione's wedding. Once at Delia's Deli they get in their order and take a table at the window where they can have the warmth of what sun there is without the chill of this early spring day they'd get if at an outside table. Once seated Adriana tells Harry, "I've applied for a teaching position at Hogwarts. I want to work and I loved the time I was on staff there."
"That's great. Have you heard anything back?"
"Not yet but Professor Dumbledore assured me he'd let me know soon. I hope he means that."
"Why wouldn't he?"
"Oh, you know how he is sometimes. He can be enigmatic and vague and secretive. Soon is somewhat vague, don't you think, and a way to appease someone?"
"Those are all basically true, at times, about Professor Dumbledore, and yeah, some people do use vaguaries as a means of putting someone off or appeasing them with some sort of an answer. Wow, our food is ready. That was fast."
They go silent as they for a moment to take bites. Adriana breaks that silence when just before taking another bite she says, "Does - did - all the secrecy and vagueness ever bother you when... ... Voldemort was still alive?"
"Drove me batty. It wasn't just Dumbledore either. Remus, Sirius, Snape, well hell, practically everyone who'd know my parents and even those who hadn't really but who did know things, like Arthur and Molly Weasley. Do you know how long Remus had been teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts before he said one word to me about having known Mum and Dad? Or that there were all these posters up about an escaped criminal called Sirius Black that same year Remus taughter at Hogwarts - I was a third year - but I had to overhear others talking to find out he's my godfather? I could go on and on."
Adriana nods, eyes full of empathy. "I wasn't exactly raised in the most truthful of enviroments. I clearly remember stumbling quite by accident across Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. I quite understand, Harry."
Not really knowing why other than it's so nice to have someone who seems to truly understand what a struggle it was having others parse out information tidbit by tidbit and not always willing and often only after some incident occurred, Harry finds himself talking even more on the subject. Adriana gently encourages Harry to speak more on the topic as they finish off their lunch. Before he knows it, their plates are empty. Harry grimaces at how full he suddenly feels. Patting his stomach he says, "I can't believe I ate two sandwiches and all those chips."
"The chips were very good. I ate too many of them myself. The sandwich was excellent as well. I'm glad we did this, Harry."
"Yeah, me too."
"The few times we've gotten together since I've been back hardly seem enough. We'll have to do this regularly."
"I'd like that. How about dinner on Tuesday? I'll see if Ginny's free."
"Tuesday is great and if Ginny can't make it there's no reason for us not to get together still."
"I need to get back to the office and write up the notes for that interview I was conducting in Knockturn Alley."
Adriana gets up as Harry does and offers him a hug. When they part, Harry says, "I'll owl you tomorrow about Tuesday night, let you know if Ginny can make it."
"Pick a place and time too, or how about I cook? You know where my place is in Hogsmeade?"
"Yes, but let me take you out and treat you."
"All right, but only if next time it's my place and I cook."
"Agreed. Now I really should dash back to the Ministry."
"Bye, Harry, take care."
"You too."
Harry pushes through the nearest exit and hurries back along Diagon Alley, wondering why he's always putting off seeing his cousin. He'd regretted not knowing her better when she disappeared and here she's been back for weeks, months even, and he not only put off seeing her the first time but hasn't bothered making much time for her since. He can't imagine why. She's family and he's got so little of it. Thinking of family puts Harry in mind of Dudley and Mei and that Ginny and he are to lunch with them either Wednesday or Thursday of next week. Harry needs to find out which it is and where they're to meet. He needs to do that right away before he forgets and gets busy again at work and then with the bachelor party tonight and everything else wedding related this weekend.
Fourth Years Friday Class & Thoughts Of A Second Year
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 05-01-11 10:23
The night before Sirius had received an owl at home from one of his second year students, Adina Blackwood. She'd asked for an appointment with him this afternoon. As she's in this Tuesday-Thursday class Sirius couldn't be sure of seeing her this morning so he had sent an immediate reply back that yes, of course, Friday afternoon would be fine. That should still leave him plenty of time to get home, fix dinner (as it's his night to cook), spend some time with the twins and get them settled. Drucilla's going to Hermione's surprise bachelorette party and Sirius to Ron's bachelor party, with Dru needing to leave before he does. They've engaged a sitter since their usual go to sources to watch the children are either involved in the parties for Hermoine and Ron or they are involved in other events or are out of town.
There are some things going on tomorrow that Dru and he are part of then Sunday is both Easter and the big Granger-Weasley event. Tuesday there's a wedding in Australia they've been invited to, Hogwarts co-worker Aaron Miller's adopted son Drake to one of Aaron's distant cousins. After some discussion Dru and Sirius decided they would go and give the children a nice holiday in the process. Even though it's fall in Australis, the beaches there are nice and both Mira and James adore playing in surf and sand. Drucilla's really looking forward to relaxing in a beach chair with a good book while Sirius is simply happy to have some quality family time. They already have a great deal of quality family time but in Sirius's opinion, with his family's background, one can never have too much.
Standing now just outside the doorway of his classroom, Sirius greets the incoming fourth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, handing each a clear bag decorated with pictures of egg filled Easter baskets and filled with Easter sweets. He's also repeated several times, "Exam questions are on the board. Go ahead and get started."
Part of the exam is also involves showing off their transfiguration skills. Sirius will call them up in small groups for that while the rest of the class continues writing the exam.
It's not long before each student in the class has arrived and is busy working, the sound of quills scribbling across paper filling the room. Sirius lets them work undisturbed for a short while before calling the first set of students to the area he's set up for the practical portion of the test. In that little while that he gives before starting the practicals Sirius's thoughts go to something Adina had written in her letter.
... you are the only teacher on staff to adequately aid me in what I am currently dealing with.
Sirius isn't sure what to make of that. Does Adina not know that Minerva McGonagall is an animagus? Or is it that Adina feels as though that not being one of Minerva's students that Minerva is unapproachable?
He had known Adina is an animagus. It's part of her Hogwarts school file and Minerva had told him herself as well. It was just a matter of form since he's the girl's Transfiguration professor. Minerva had told him of the arrangement Albus had made with the girl to allow her to run around some in her animagus form. Sirius is certain that all the other staff has been told as well in the event of seeing a wolf in close proximity to the castle. Adina probably wasn't aware of him or any other staff being informed as it was done in confidence, as is all information about students, and it's not something that's come up in regular conversation.
Adina's case is not at all like that of his, James's and Peter's when they were students who, though none of them natural animagi as for some people, worked hard to become ones for Remus's sake. And unlike most animagi, they were none of them registered with the Ministry as such. Sirius is now but only because his being one became common knowledge to far too many people, including a number of Ministry employees, for him to remain unregistered. He'd probably not have this job if he were still unregistered but then again, perhaps he might. If he ever thinks about it, he will ask Albus, but it's not a burning question that Sirius requires an answer to so if he never thinks to ask, not having that information won't make any difference.
Time to begin the practicals so Sirius clears his thoughts and picking up his grade book calls out, "Cat and Alan, please join me over here for your practical."
(Mark) Exam Cram
Author: Isolde
Date: 05-01-11 13:48
The only remaining class Mark had before Winter Term officially ended was Care of Magical Creatures. Usually, Mark liked Professor Kent's class very much because learning about fantastic beasts was far more entertaining than learning about some dead wizard who did something significant a hundred years ago. Unfortunately, Mark had to write a comprehensive exam in Care of Magical Creatures this afternoon.
He had studied, but probably not as much as he should have. Regrettably, Mark only had a 30 minute window between the end of Transfiguration and the start of Care of Magical Creatures. He'd wasted no time rushing to the Slytherin common room to exchange his books. Mark knew it wouldn't do to go all the way to the library since it wouldn't give him much time to cram. Instead, he found a corner in the common room and swiftly reviewed his notes.
His attempt turned out to be fully unsuccessful because Felicia, Johanna and Gus arrived a few minutes later. They had just come from Defense Against the Dark Arts and didn't have anymore classes. Gus threw his books onto Mark's table and sat backwards in a chair.
Johanna and Felicia were a little more polite. They went up to their room first to deposit their things and use the facilities.
"Why are you studying? Term is officially over!" Gus exclaimed.
Mark shot Gus a dark look over his notebook. "For you, maybe. I still have another class and damn, I need to be going already."
Mark cursed under his breath as he gathered his things and got up from the table. Just then, Johanna and Felicia returned.
"Leaving so soon?" Johanna asked.
"I have an exam."
"That's a pity!" she exclaimed. "Well, good luck."
"Thanks," Mark said. He booked it out of the common room and hoped that he'd reviewed enough to earn a decent mark on his Care of Magical Creatures exam.
Vacation Woes
Author: Griet
Date: 05-01-11 15:00
Griet, Oberon, Gervaise and Cornelia lounged in the common room. All had finished with their classes for the day, which meant that Easter hols had started for them already. None of them felt particularly enthused about their vacation plans, however.
The Vanderbilt parents had announced to their children that they would spend part of the break at home in Canterbury, which suited them all well enough, and part of the break on the beach in Brighton. Neither Griet nor Cornelia were opposed to a holiday on the beach. Both liked the water, though Cornelia didn't care for too much sun.
The problem was the location. Brighton was the hometown of Griet's ex-best friend Clover. As far as Griet knew, the Blakely family still resided there. Clover didn't, since she was in Azkaban, but the rest of them probably did.
At one time, the Vanderbilts and Blakelys had been quite close. All that had changed the day Clover had slit Cornelia's throat. Finding Cornelia in her own pool of blood was a memory that Griet would never forget. Cornelia couldn't forget it either, since she'd suffered through the entire ordeal.
It was something that hadn't sat very well with the Vanderbilt parents either. As far as either girl knew, their parents didn't even talk to Mr. and Mrs. Blakely anymore.
So why Brighton, they both wondered. Maybe because it had been years since they'd gone as a family. Maybe because Uncle Dale had suggested the trip. Uncle Dale, Aunt Pearl and cousins Sadie and Ramona were also going to Brighton for Easter hols.
Maybe it was simply because Brighton was a very nice beach town. It also had a few wizarding establishments, like the inn the Vanderbilts stayed at when they visited as a family. When Griet had gone alone, she'd stayed with Clover, but that arrangement was very much in the past.
Meanwhile, Oberon had plans to attend a massive family reunion in Bedfordshire. He wasn't looking forward to it since it involved extended family members he'd never met or even heard of before. He didn't fancy spending his holiday making small talk with some third cousin two times removed.
Gervaise, on the other hand, had an appointment at St. Mungo's to see whether his bone marrow matched that of his cousin, who had recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Griet and Cornelia had to admit that his Easter plans definitely ranked the worst, but they still didn't feel very good about their own.
What if they ran into someone from the Blakely family, after all?
Cousin Jordan Drops By
Author: Plum
Date: 05-01-11 15:46
Plum reads over the page of translation she's just done, going line by line comparing it to the original Gobbledegook. The Devi Linguistic Services client Plum is working with recently found her paternal grandfather's diary. As he was a Goblin, it's written entirely in Gobbledegook, a language Plum's client never learned despited her heritage. Her father is deceased and as she's hoping the contents of the diary will reveal where her grandfather cached his horde of Goblin treasure, she's been reluctant to turn to relatives on her father's side of the family. There would be the possibility they'd want a cut of the treasure and for whatever the reasons, she's not wanting to share. As Mina Graphorn's only other close living relatives are from her mother's side of the family, she doesn't feel they should have any of the treasure either even if, as Mina told Plum, two of them speak and read Gobbledegook. So, it was to Devi's she turned and there is now a contract in place that would not allow anyone from the firm to use knowledge gained from the diary to go treasure hunting themselves.
Satisfied with the one page, Plum moves on to begin translating the next one. She's halfway through reading the diary page, jotting notes as she reads, when she hears Clementine Whitehorn talking to someone just outside her office. Plum's door is open but they are out of sight. She doesn't give it much thought though until she hears Clementine say, "Plum, someone to see you."
Clementine is now standing at Plum's door with a man younger than Plum by a couple of years. It takes Plum a second to recognize him. "Jordon! This is a pleasant surprise."
Uncle Malachi's oldest offers Clementine a smile and a, "Thanks," before he takes a step into Plum's office. "Hi, I hope I'm not being too much of a bother."
"No, not at all. I didn't know you were in the area. Come sit." Plum's risen and come around the desk, pointing to one of the chairs there. "Would you like something? Tea? Water? We even has a selection of Muggle soft drinks."
"I've not had one of those," Jordan says, clearly interested.
"Give me a tick then."
Plum is genuinely happy to see Jordan but she can't imagine why he's come by the office. He doesn't look worried or upset so she has to think this visit isn't because of some family emergency. In the short time it takes her to grab two Muggle sodas from the kitchenette and return to her office, Plum is no closer to an idea for his visit. Handing him the soda can Plum supposes Jordan will tell her soon enough.
Jordan opens the can and takes an experimental sip. This is followed by a much longer one, which is in turn followed by a burp. As he apologizes Plum grins. "It's the carbonation used to make the soda. You won't burp every time but the large the drink the more like you are to."
"It's quite good. I might have to try other flavors. There are other flavors, right?"
"There are many, many flavors. That one is an American brand and one of the more popular ones in the world if I understand correctly."
Jordon nods around his upturned soda can then when he's swallowed tells her, "I would have let you know a few days in advance that I was coming but this was a last minute thing. Grandmother's been on me to attend university and as she's with St. Emrys she thinks that's where I should go. I hadn't given it much thought, especially now that there's a new uni near Canberra, but then my job situation changed a couple of days ago and I thought why not? I've been trying to get paperwork and everything done before the limited between term staff takes days off for the holiday."
"If you're going to be at St. Emrys, Anthony, Alex, and I would love to see you more. Well, we'd love to see you more even if you weren't but you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Look, I know you and Grandmother have some sort of tiff going," Plum's eyebrows raise at the word tiff but she doesn't interrupt, "but are you coming to Sunday brunch? Mum, Dad, and the girls will be in. I thought maybe they'd said something to you."
"Both Malachi and Ava mentioned it. I'm not sure though. I told them we might come by for a short visit with your family but I wasn't going to promise."
"What's exactly the deal between Grandmother and you?"
"In a nutshell? She was going to try and take Alex from me and justified it by saying she was doing me a favor by relieving me of the burden of raising a young child at my age."
"No? She didn't? Really? She was your age when she had kids."
"I tried any number of counter arguments but she didn't want to hear any of it. You parents and I ultimately decided she feels horribly guilty for things that happened with my mother and with me when I was small."
Jordan takes another big drink of the soda, eliciting another burp. He colors slightly and grins apologetically. "Can you forgive her? Come over anyway. The girls want to see you."
"We'll try. We already had plans before your parents mentioned anything to me, plans that include a huge family gathering at Anthony's grandparents'. We're also going out of town. Tuesday night Anthony and I are members of a wedding party. We're expected to be there Monday for rehearsal and there's a dinner after. It's in Australia actually but then i found out your family was going to be here for those same days." This is said with amusement.
"It's brunch Sunday. Come early and you can leave early. Put in an appearance."
"We'll try. I promise."
"I know where you live," Jordan threateningly teases. "Okay, right. I've taken up too much of your work time so I'd best be off. Thanks for the soda. I might just be addicted now."
Plum laughs, "You wouldn't be the first." She gives Jordan a hug. "Thanks for ocming to see me. I'd invite you over for dinner to see Alex but we've got plans though if you're going to be at Stratford-Upon-Avon next term, then we can make a regular dinner or lunch date to see you."
"Yeah, that would be great."
Plum walks Jordan out of Devi's then returning to her office gets back to work translating the Goblin's diary.