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(Weston) Magic Morels
Author: Marzipan
Date: 05-18-11 10:51
Weston Ravenscroft had been teaching lower years Herbology for a month now. Prior to taking over for his wife while she was on maternity leave, Weston had logged quite a few hours in the greenhouses. Several years ago, he'd served as Marzi's Ministry Monitor, when Dolores Umbridge had launched a study against foreign-born teachers at Hogwarts.
So much had happened between Weston and Marzi since they'd first met. They'd discovered that they were stepsiblings, both their fathers had died, and they'd been separated when Marzi had gotten snatched by the Relocation Assistance Committee.
They'd also fallen in love, gotten married, and become parents in short order to not one but two baby boys.
It was raining when the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff third years trickled into the greenhouse. They shed their cloaks and rain jackets on the stand by the door and took their places at the center work table.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning," the class responded as one.
Weston hoped that the good morning would progress into a good afternoon and a good evening. The incident from Friday had affected everyone at Hogwarts in one way or another. Weston couldn't imagine what Ethan was going through––and didn't want to either. He'd almost lost Marzi once. He hoped never to be in that position again.
"Today we're going to discuss magic morels," Weston said. Samples of the mushrooms were already on the table for his students to study.
Morels didn't look like typical mushrooms with smooth caps. They looked almost like bulb-shaped honeycombs on stalks. There were two main types, true morels and false morels. The third years' homework assignment would be to write a comparison essay on them.
Choosing a Gravesite
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 05-18-11 12:00
Ethan and Aveline walked through the small cemetery adjacent to the wizarding neighborhood where Ethan lived. It also bordered a Muggle neighborhood and therefore contained Muggle graves as well. It was drizzling a little bit, so both carried umbrellas to keep themselves and Lilly dry. Lilly slept in a sling strapped to Ethan's chest.
"It's not very full," Aveline said, referring to the wizarding half.
"No," Ethan agreed. "I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing."
"Too many options?" Aveline asked.
Ethan sighed. "What if I can't choose the perfect plot?"
"Let's figure out which ones we like best and then eliminate from there," Aveline suggested. She carried a copy of the cemetery plot map they'd gotten from the caretaker. She pulled a quill from her purse to mark the spaces Ethan thought suitable for Rosamond's grave.
This week, Professor Grubbly-Plank would be teaching Ethan's classes at Hogwarts. Ethan hadn't wanted to leave his students with a substitute all week, but everything that had happened over the weekend still weighed heavily on his shoulders. He knew he wouldn't be able to teach without feeling severely distracted or even lackluster about it. He also needed to handle Rosamond's funeral arrangements and everything else that came with the death of a loved one.
At least he had Aveline to help him.
His family was also being very supportive. Ethan had broken the news to them on Saturday after Harry Potter had taken Penn-Hattie away. Although they knew magic was real, it still seemed like something out of a fable to the Towneleys. Wrapping their minds over something as serious as death by an unforgiveable curse was difficult.
It shouldn't be as simple as waving a wand and saying the magic words, no pun intended.
It made the wizarding world all the more scary for them.
That afternoon in Bristol, Ethan's mother Marigold had cooked him a meal and sent him home with a week's worth of leftovers. Callum had stopped by Sunday around lunchtime after another night out on the town. He'd stayed all afternoon and well into the evening, drinking the beers Ethan had in stock and keeping him company.
Ethan slowed to a stop in front of an empty space between a willow tree and the low stone wall that encircled the cemetery.
"What about this one?" he asked. It was a bit isolated from all the others, and the wall when dry served as a good seat for any visitor.
"I like it."
Aveline marked it on the map. "Should we keep going?"
Ethan hesitated but then nodded. "Yes, maybe there's something better."
They moved on and marked a few other sights, but ultimately they chose the one between the willow and the wall for Rosamond's final resting place.
Working The Front
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 05-18-11 20:37
Phlagmelina at least waits for me to finish chewing and swallow before asking, "Well?"
"It's excellent."
"You're not just saying that?"
"You always ask that when you know I give you an honest evaluation."
When it comes to the restuarant, Lars, Phlagmelina and I rotate things like expediting the kitchen, being on the front, overseeing catering, etc. On days when I'm on mornings I'm the one out bright and early to pick the freshest fish and the best vegetables. We actually grow some things ourselves but we do daily shopping to get the best and the freshest. Lars and Phlagmelina do that as well on their mornings. We all take turns doing the many other tasks that go with owning and running a restaurant. That said, Phlagmelina is truly the star head chef here and she is forever creating new dishes and taking old dishes and putting new spins on them, many as potential additions to the Crown & Cauldron menu or the catering menu, and some are creative efforts simply because she enjoy it. Those dishes she might serve at a family dinner or when having friends over.
The dish she's having me sample now is one such just for fun recipe. It's an odd, unexpected Greek-Thai fusion that's exceptional. We spend the next ten minutes with Phlagmelina quizzing me, asking very specific questions until she's satisfied that my overall critique isn't me simply being nice so as not to hurt her feelings.
We're open for lunch now but it's early so we've only got one three top, businessmen from the looks of them, but unless we have fallen out of favor with diners overnight before long we will have a sizeable crowd. Before then, I've a feeling Lars is going to go through Phlagmelina's taste test and grilling.
Heading to the front, I stop to speak to the three businessmen then move on. I hadn't been going to hostess today but we've some people out due to illness, one who's brother was in an accident this morning, and another on maternity leave. I reach the front just as four people come in. For the next while there's a steady stream into the restaurant so I'm fairly busy.
About halfway through lunch service I stumbled. Literally. Forest's near doppleganger comes in on his own and I nearly trip over my own feet. He catches me by the elbow. "You okay?"
"Yes, fine, thank you. Table for one?"
"No, I'm meeting someone but I don't know if he's here yet. About so tall. Dirty blonde hair that's likely pulled back into a ponytail."
"I don't remember seating anyone of that description but feel free to look around."
"I'll do that, thanks. Say, you're the lady from Knockturn Alley. You thought I was someone else."
"Yes, and again, I'm so sorry about that."
"As I said that day, no harm done. Here's Dave now," he says turning at the sound of the door.
I seat them both then and the entire time they are here every time I walk by them to seat someone else or have an excuse to look that direction I categorize his features that are exactly as I remember Forest's versus those that are similar but clearly not twin to Forest's features. I also start wondering again what business he had in Knockturn Alley and whether he really is who I had been seeing all those times.
I chicken out asking for his name like I'd vowed that day at Diagon Alley-Knockturn Alley.
Next time though.
Definitely.
A Place I've Never Been
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-19-11 17:34
"What do you see, Bronwyn?"
Bronwyn sat in the exam chair at St. Mungo's for another one of her memory recovery sessions. She'd been reluctant to learn more, but at the same time she felt that she needed to know the truth. Deep down, she knew there was some significance to her lost memories. Otherwise, why would someone have gone to the troube of erasing them from her mind?
"I see..." she focused on the blurry images that had begun to form in her mind. "...a wedding dress?"
She had a moment of panic. Had she gotten married to somebody during the handful of days she couldn't remember? Was she still married to that somebody and committing bigamy by having married Toby also?
But then the image broadened. She saw the dress on a mannequin in a shop window. Painted on the glass at the top of the window were the words Borgin & Burkes.
"Borgin & Burkes?" Bronwyn wondered aloud.
"In Knockturn Alley," the healer stated.
Bronwyn blinked in confusion. "But I've never been to Knockturn Alley."
"Did it seem as if you were looking at a photograph, or were you really there?" the healer queried.
Bronwyn thought about it. "I think I was really there."
"What do you think you were doing in Knockturn Alley?" the healer asked.
Bronwyn shook her head. "I have no idea."
She tried to go back into the memory to see more, but her mind was too busy wondering why she'd been in Knockturn Alley in the first place. After fifteen minutes of fruitless attempts, the healer decided to call it a day.
Bronwyn wandered outside St. Mungo's a short time later. She debated getting coffee or tea but ultimately decided to go home. Before she could disapparate, however, she spotted Kristos coming around the corner. He wore a leather jacket with the collar turned up. He looked very shifty.
Bronwyn knew it would have been wiser to leave before he could approach, but something kept her rooted to the sidewalk. He'd spotted her soon after turning the corner but continued to look over his shoulder as he approached.
"Somebody following you?" Bronwyn asked, when he finally came to a stop in front of her.
"Not today, but I'd rather not keep my guard down."
"Do you always schedule your appointments after mine?"
Kristos grinned lopsidedly. "No. I come here often. I don't see you as much. A shame, too."
Bronwyn ignored the last comment and asked, "What are you doing here anyway?"
The grin on his face faded and he looked over his shoulder again. "Trying to recover some lost memories. Isn't that what you're doing?"
Bronwyn frowned. "How do you know that?"
Kristos shook his head. "I don't. It's only a hunch. Look, I'm running late as it is. It's really important I make a breakthrough today. Maybe we can talk later?"
"I don't think that's such a good idea."
The grin spread across his face again. "Fine. Go home to your husband."
Bronwyn felt herself growing angry, but she didn't want to splinch herself. She waited until he'd stepped into the building and disappeared entirely from view before exhaling deeply a few times and then apparating for Greenwich.
Toby was already home when she walked in through the back door. She slammed it shut behind her and threw her purse on the sofa.
"What's wrong?" Toby pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.
Bronwyn told him about the new memory she'd uncovered and then filled him in about her encounter with Kristos. Toby knew about their past and though he didn't know Kristos at all, he didn't particularly like the sound of him.
"You should have just left."
"I know. It's my fault I let him get me so agitated."
Toby rubbed her back. "Listen. You've got a birthday dinner planned for Thursday night, but you haven't sent out all the invites yet. Put your head in the floo and start contacting people.
Bronwyn got herself together and nodded. "You're right." She kissed her husband and then went to the fireplace. Bronwyn got down on her knees and started with Karma Davyd.
Back to School - Student not Teacher This Time
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 05-20-11 09:33
Yesterday had been a fairly routine day for me, shopping, and planning out a few lesson plan ideas for History of Magic next term at Hogwarts. I'd planned a new shopping trip when I heard that Bronwyn's birthday was this coming thursday, she and I had talked briefly via fireplace last night when she'd invited me to her birthday dinner. Shopping would have to wait, for now I had a meeting with Lavinia Newmarch, Head of Admissions for St. Emry's.
"Good morning Miss Davyd, a pleasure to finally meet you. I am sorry we could not offer you a teaching position here at the University when you applied." She said she met me just outside her office door. "Come on in and we will talk about the owl you sent me the other day."
"Thank you, I ended up getting accepted to teach the lower years History of Magic at Hogwarts starting next term. I will be setting up some simple quarters there over the summer holiday. However, I wish to advance my degree standing in history as I stated in my letter." I said, settling in the cushioned chair opposite her desk and letting my clutch rest across my lap.
"So you mentioned, and I've pulled your transcripts from St. Petersburg and you are quite a wonderful student. Top of your class, exceeds expectation on all of your examinations. Did you intend on keeping the focus on linguistics as well Miss Davyd?" She asked, before summoning a house elf for a pot of tea and biscuits.
"I am considering it, but I have not yet decided if I wish to keep the focus on linguistics just yet. History has always been my passion." I said shifting lightly in the chair, before accepting the steaming porcelin cup of tea from her.
"Very well, I think we can get your enrollment handled so that you can start at the beginning of term on the twenty-fifth of this month. Is that acceptable?" She asked, sipping her tea.
"Very much acceptable, and I should be able to manage the class load here while teaching the students at Hogwarts." I said smiling brightly.
"Very well. There is some paperwork that needs to be done, and you'll need to take the admissions examination. Once the application and admissions examination are done, we will get you set up with a financial adviser and then see about getting your courses set up for the term." She said as if she had little doubt that there would be any snag in the plan to continue my degree.
I was nervous, however, I knew that I would have no issue passing the admissions examination. I had the funds to cover the tuition and the like. It was nearly twelve thirty before I finished with all the admissions process, and Mrs. Newmarch told me she would contact me in a couple of days and owl me an outline of my schedule.
Being Friendly
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 05-20-11 17:49
Bill had just returned to the Hogsmeade branch of Gringotts after a meeting at headquarters in Diagon Alley, when Adriana dropped by his office.
"Are you busy?" she asked him from the doorway.
Bill unloaded his briefcase on his desk and shrugged off the gray sport coat he'd been wearing. He folded it over the back of his chair and replied, "Not yet. What's up?"
"I was thinking about grabbing a bite to eat for lunch. Something quick. Burger Wizard, maybe? Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to come along."
Bill hesitated. He knew Fleur would be upset if she knew he'd gone out to lunch with Adriana. On the other hand, Dumbledore's words echoed in his mind: Be her friend.
Bill wanted things to be as they once were––well, not exactly as they'd been, but he wanted very much to be on friendly terms with Adriana. It bothered him that every time he looked at her, he couldn't help but see a darker version of the witch he knew. Bill had known what Adriana was going through at the time they were dating. He knew what she could become and feared it had happened while she'd been thought dead.
Although Bill doubted the darkness was still fully within her––if she'd even gone dark at all––he worried that some residual trace remained. Dumbledore's concerns lay more with providing her with positive support so that she could recover completely from whatever she'd gone through while she'd been away.
Bill checked the time on the small desktop clock on the back corner of his desk. He didn't have any other appointments or meetings today, and it was around lunchtime.
"Sure. A burger sounds good."
He reached for his umbrella in case he needed it, but it wasn't raining at the moment.
"Great!" Adriana exclaimed.
They walked out of the bank and went to the fast food restaurant. Bill ordered a cheeseburger with crisps and a butterbeer. Adriana ordered a burger with the works and requested it cooked extra rare. She also got crisps and a butterbeer.
They took their orders to a windowseat and sat down opposite each other.
"So, I haven't told you my big news yet, and if someone else blabbed about it, I'm going to be mad." Adriana grinned and took a bite out of her burger, which leaked all over its wrapping and her tray.
Bill dipped three equal-sized crisps into the dollop of ketchup he'd squeezed onto his cheeseburger's wrapper and asked, "What's your big news?"
Adriana swallowed the big bite she'd taken and washed it down with a swig of butterbeer before replying, "Dumbledore offered me a job at Hogwarts!"
No, Bill hadn't heard that news. When he'd spoken to Dumbledore last about Adriana, he'd heard that she'd been interested in a position, but there hadn't been any availabilities.
"That's fantastic. Muggles Studies?"
"Oh, no! That's so 1995! God, can you believe it? It'll be ten years since I first started teaching at Hogwarts. I just realized that." Adriana grinned happily, but then her grin turned lopsided. "Now I feel old."
Bill chuckled. "So if not Muggle Studies, what then?"
"Charms. Apparently this new teacher they have is leaving already. Just my luck!"
"Indeed."
"It's not all years though like it used to be. Hogwarts has really changed since I was there last," Adriana commented. "I've got lower years, I think."
"I guess that will give you more time to work on things," Bill replied, "if you have less classes to teach, I mean."
A glint appeared in Adriana's eyes. She nodded and said, "You're absolutely right, Bill."
Bill tried to tell himself that the expression on her face was simply determination to do her new job well and not something more sinister. He really had to stop thinking about her connection to Voldemort, who was very much dead and had been for five whole years now.
He bit into her cheeseburger.
Adriana's expression relaxed and she looked cheerful again. "So, what's new with you?" she asked him.
Bill swallowed his bite and then told her about his life lately.