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First Day of School
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 06-08-11 17:31
I had arrived early to attend a brief orientation for new students, I found it informative, though it repeated much of what had been in my paperwork that I'd been given upon my accpetance into the program. At the moment I was curled in the library looking through my textbook for Advanced Ancient History which was scheduled to begin in about an hour. I'd spent time touring the campus since I'd gotten accepted into the program so I could find Orange, Yellow, Brown, and most of my classes, as well as the library. Most of my classes were being held in Black, with the exception of the lab course which was in Grey.
I shifted slightly and flipped a page in my book for a few moments and looked up when I heard footfalls coming my way. "Wow that book is intimidating, and I thought my textbooks were bad." Said the voice of a rather pretty woman with hair the color of straw, who looked older than her age, and was also quite pregnant.
"Advanced Ancient History, and yeah, it is kind of intimidating. This is also my first day back to any type of schooling in about a year and a half. My name is Karma." I said, shifting my bag out of the chair next to me so the other woman had a place to sit.
"I'm working on my Tertiary order courses, am studying Linguistics. I'm Oreileah, but most people call me Orei." She said with a light smile as she gratefully accepted the seat I'd cleared for her.
"That was my secondary focus when I was in St. Petersburg getting my tertiary order. My main focus was in history which has always been something that I've adored." I said, tucking the now closed book beside me while we talked. However, before Orei could speak again, a young man came close and rested his hand upon her shoulder.
"There you are. Everything alright?" He asked, bending to press a kiss to the top of her head.
"Fine. Jim, this is Karma, she's in the advanced order program, focusing on History. Karma, this is my fiance Jim, and he's studying to be a healer." Orei said, leaning her head back against Jim's form behind her.
"Pleasure to meet you Jim and congrats on the upcoming wedding." I said offering them both a smile.
Orei shifted so she could check the time and muttered. "Sorry to cut this short, maybe we can meet up at Orange for a quick bite of lunch later or no, Karma are you free tonight?" Orei asked.
"I am actually, what do you have in mind?" I inquired.
"Meet Jim and I tonight at seven-thirty at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron for dinner. We can commiserate on first day of term woes and highlights." Orei said with a bright smile.
"Sounds like a plan. See you at seven-thirty then."
Jim helped Orei up and I watched them following the line out of the library toward Black where one of them had class, more than likely Orei.
I returned to my textbook for a little bit before gathering my things and heading out of the library, following the arrow toward Orange to grab a quick snack before heading to my first class.
News
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 06-08-11 20:12
Spotting his step-sister, Phin rises and waves a hand until she sees him as well. He's not seen Jewel since a birthday party held for him on the Friday after his April 7th birthday so he drops a kiss on her upturned cheek then accepts one from her as well before they both sit.
"How are you? How's Bailey?"
"We're both doing great. And you?"
"I'm good. Wish I got to see more of Emerald."
Jewel nods in understanding. "With us both working I sometimes feel as though I hardly see Bailey and with term starting here and us both enrolled, it's only going to get worse."
"Yeah, same here. With working for Mum, Dynamic Duo trying to keep some semblance of a practice schedule, Emerald working her arse off to do well on that test she's got to take for American university, us both taking courses here... I wish we had gone on and gotten married just so I could at least see a lump in the bed on her side."
Jewel laughs, "I swear that's how it is sometimes. Bailey will get home late and I'll already be in bed then I'll get up early and there under snuggled under the covers is the mound that is my husband."
"I get why Emerald didn't want to get married straight off out of Hogwarts and so I have been patiently waiting; at the same time, I want to pout and whine about how I'm tired of waiting and am ready to move forward."
"The fact that you don't do that is something I'm sure has Emerald appreciating you for and loving you all the more. Quick change of topic. Have you talked to Virgil or my mum lately or has Furnie?"
"I saw Dad and Vivien about a week ago. I'd gone for a couple of days to visit with them and Cassandra and to see some old friends. I don't know if Mum's talked to either of them since I have."
"Then you haven't heard yet," she grins.
"Heard what?" Phin asks, his mind making a leap and before Jewel can reply he asks with a grin as big as her own, "Are you preggars?"
"No, not pregnat, or at least that I know." Jewel chuckles, "We've bought a house in Hogsmeade. It's on the West Lane, towards the end on the right."
"Wow! Congratulations, but I thought you two really liked your flat."
"We did, still do actually, but we want a yard and we are thinking about a family. The flat is just the single bedroom. The house is three bedrooms and there's room to add on if we ever wanted."
"Add on? Just how many children are we talking here?"
Jewel shrugs. "Bailey's an only child. I was a teenager when I got you for a brother and much as I love Cassandra, there's a huge age gap. Bailey and I would both love to have at least two and have them within two or three years of each other. We are also both open to having more than that."
"I understand what you mean about being an only child. Now that Aunt Glyn and Uncle Basil have had another kid, Gus and I are the only Hodffufer first cousins with a full blood sibling. And, I do at least have you and Cassandra. I have sometimes envied Mum coming from a large family but she says much as she loves them and their craziness, she wouldn't have minded having about half the number of siblings."
Jewel snickers. "Which half?"
"Which ones depend on the day and time asked," Phin replies, joining the snickering.
Jewel nods at a large pendulum clock across the room. "About time for me to go. Walk me to class?"
"Where is it?"
Jewel pulls out her new schedule to double check before telling him. Phin nods, "That's not far from where I need to be soon so yes, I will be happy to walk with you. You can tell me more about the house."
"I will bore you to death with the details and of course am going to make you come see it today or tomorrow."
"If you bore me to death, then I have a valid excuse for skivving off class. I've had the professor before. He's somewhat of a wanker and is dull enough that he makes boring look exciting in comparison."
Jewel starts snickering again as she gathers up her things. Phin grabs his own belongins and starting with a description of the front yard, Jewel begins filling Phin in on the house.
Schedules
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 06-09-11 17:25
Until Fritz's obligatory community service ends, he is forced to schedule the rest of his life around the Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning hours he spends in Germany. This especially includes the classes he is taking at St. Emrys this term. He's scheduled several back-to-back in the afternoons on the days he has his community service. Tuesdays and Thursdays are filled with a potions course and accompanying lab.
He allots the rest of his time between his family and Coco. It's a good thing he doesn't currently have a job, or he probably wouldn't even have time to eat or sleep.
He's sitting in his last class at the moment, Survey of Wizarding Literature, but his eyes invariably travel to the clock hanging on the wall. It's not that Fritz is bored. He doesn't know the first thing about wizarding literature since most of it wasn't covered in any of the classes he took at Hogwarts. He's rather looking forward to the readings.
It's just that he ate an early breakfast before going to Trier and then ate a small, quick lunch at home before spending all afternoon at St. Emrys. He's absolutely starving and is surprised his stomach hasn't loudly growled yet.
He wishes he knew Coco's schedule. They haven't gotten the chance to compare theirs yet. Unlike him, she has a job at the pet shoppe in Hogsmeade and helps out at her family's store, too. Her schedule is probably as full as Fritz's, if not more.
Still, Fritz wonders if she's free for supper tonight. He's hungry enough that he doesn't want to have to wait for much longer, but he can probably stand to wait for a little while. He watches the minutes tick by on the clock and keeps his ears tuned to the professor, who has long finished discussing the syllabus and is in the midst of his introductory lecture on wizarding literature.
New Friends and Relaxing Time
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 06-09-11 17:48
Jim, Karma and I had spent about an hour at the Crown before we had to part ways. Jim had work in the morning and I had work as well and then class later in the afternoon. Jim and I walked home from the restaraunt enjoying the rain free evening and the slight chill in the air that lingered after the last rain storm had moved through. I cuddled into Jim as we walked.
"Karma seems rather nice, and I think that next term at Hogwarts will definitely be one that the rest of us that have already had Binns will be jealous of." Jim said as we wandered along the main street turning to head North toward the private dwellings in the village. We were, thankfully not too far from the main crossroads.
It was just gone full dark as Jim and I wandered up to the pathway that lead to the house. "Evening Bill, Fleur." I said as the couple was heading in to the house, no doubt herding Victoire in as well. Fleur was much, much more pregant than I was at this point in time, however, it wouldn't be too much longer and I would be quite a bit larger myself.
"Evening to you both." Bill said as he finished aiding his wife and young daughter into the house. Jim and I settled on the quaint little porch swing once the silence settled again, I rested my head on his shoulder and we rocked for a little while. It was still somewhat early, however, I knew that we would both be turning in soon.
I lofted a hand to wave to Professor Black, Sirius as he had a child dangling from either hand and a bag of toys slung over one shoulder. I pushed myself up and moved toward him as he stopped at the foot of the pathway that lead up to the house. I leaned on the smooth rail of the fence and watched as the children clung to their last bouts of energy, no doubt it was getting dangerously close to their bedtimes.
"Evening." I offered to the trio, and all waved, though Sirius only allowed his hand to stray from Mira's for but a moment. I turned after a few moments and wandered back to Jim.
"I think I'm going to go start on my reading, after I change into my pjs. Gonna stay out here a bit longer?" I asked, bending to press a light kiss to his cheek before rising again.
"I'll be in after a few minutes." He said and I nodded, before slipping into the house and changing into my favorite nightie. I curled in my favorite extremely cushioned chair with my potions text open on my lap because I have to figure out what I need for my lab on wednesday evening. I also snag a bit of parchment and write down what changes need to be made in my schedule until I am put on bed rest or deliver the baby.
Floo Floo Floo
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 06-09-11 19:54
Apparating into the front yard of Wildwood, Harry sees where he is and frowns. He must be more tired and distracted than he realized and it's damn lucky he didn't splinch. Harry's destination was home, just the back yard and not the front. As some of the plants along one side of the house could stand to be watered, instead of going up the walk to the front door, he goes around to the side. The eave of the house along here creates enough of an overhang that some of the plants don't get as much water as the more exposed ones, even on days with rain.
After using his wand with the Aguamenti charm, Harry continues on around to the back. He's got some treats for Hedwig, which is why he had planned in apparating into the back and not the front. After spending fifteen or so minutes with her and a promise to spend even more time with her tomorrow, he leaves Hedwig with the treats and walks to the house, going to the kitchen door. Usually, this time of evening/night unless Pinky's told him of other plans, there are either mouth watering aromas filling the kitchen or something Pinky's made earlier in the day sitting on the counter top awaiting Harry.
Even though it's now been a few months since that last attack, the one that was meant for Harry but nearly killed Pinky instead, Harry's mind immediately goes back to it. Telling himself not to jump to conclusions, even though he's standing there with wand at the ready, Harry calls out, "Pinky?"
"Pinky, I'm home!"
Harry eases across the kitchen to the small room just off it that Pinky has transformed into a very nice bedroom. The door is slightly ajar so before opening it further, Harry stands where he can spy into the room, looking for any sign of Pinky or anything that strikes him out of place. The door opens to the right and since he's right handed, Harry uses his foot to slide the door open further. Cautiously entering the room, he does a quick sweep, not finding anything out of place.
From there Harry checks the rest of the house but doesn't find anything that suggests something bad has happened. If Pinky left him a note, he's not found that either. As the House Elf is free, attempting to summon Pinky wouldn't do any good. Before he goes into full blown worry mode though, Harry decides to see if Pinky is at Janine's visiting Rocko. Picking up some Floor powder, he goes to the fireplace, gets on his knees and tosses the powder in.
"Hello? Janine?"
"Who's there?" a masculine voice calls from another room, footsteps coming near.
"Harry Potter."
Janine's fiancé comes into view, his head turned to look over his shoulder. "Honey, it's Harry Potter." Simon Beauchamps then turns to look at the fireplace. "Hello, Harry. How are you?"
"Hi, Simon. I'm good, thanks. And you?"
"Couldn't be better."
"Harry!" Janine exclaims, sweeping into the room.
"Hi, Janine. I'm really sorry to be bothering you, but would Pinky happen to be here?"
"Yes but he's, well, "
Janine looks momentarily at a loss for words. Simon steps in to help. "Pinky's upset and seems inconsolable."
"What's wrong? Rocko's all right?"
"Rocko's fine," Janine assures. "It's that, well, you see, we're moving."
"That shouldn't upset Pinky. You didn't make him think he's not welcome did you?"
"Harry! Of course not! That would break Rocko's heart as much as it would Pinky's. You remember how distraught Rocko was when Pinky couldn't visit. I had to get that girl Coco Nutt to calm him down."
Simon speaks up again. "It's where we're moving. I've gotten a great opportunity if I take a promotion to Honolulu. Pinky's gotten it into his head that the distance will mean he won't get to see Rocko every day."
"But he could if he wanted. A House Elf could apparate that in no time, even with that distance. It will just take a tiny bit longer than his current popoever."
"It's the time difference," Janine explains.
"Hang on. Let me just come there instead of staying on my knees as I am," Harry says. Second laters he's stepping into the room, hand going out to shake Simon's and then to give Janine a polite peck on the cheek. "Okay, now what about the time difference?"
"Pinky thinks it will be too difficult to adjust to the huge time difference. Honolulu is eleven hours behind. To visit us at a decent time during the day, it will be the middle of the night or wee morning hours here. He's concerned he'd be tired all the time and would let you down as your cook and house keeper. I keep trying to tell him we'll work something out but he just sits there hugging Rocko and crying."
Harry can see how upset this has also made Janine. Simon puts an arm around her shoulders and gives her a hug. Harry knows what needs to be said. He hates to do it but it's best. "I'll speak with him."
"Through there, down the hall, second door on the left."
"Thanks."
Well before he makes it down the hall to the second door on the left Harry can hear Pinky's sobs. The door is shut and though he taps on it while saying, "Pinky?" Harry opens it without waiting for a reply.
Rocko woofs, his large tail thumping in pleasure at seeing Harry. "Hallo, Rocko," he says to the large dog, crouching to scratch Rocko under the chin.
Pinky, still crying but not quite so loudly lifts his head from where he's got it mashed into Rocko's side. "Janine told Harry the goo good news?" The question is asked in that shakey, hard to speak breath that goes with a hard crying spell and the House Elf's voice cracks on the word good.
"Yes, Simon and she did. I hear Honolulu's beautiful. Hermione and Ron had part of their honeymoon there, you know."
"But it's so far!" Pinky wails.
"It's far, yes, but you know, you can come back to visit me any time you wish."
"Janine would not like for Rocko to stay here and Rocko would miss Janine but Pinky is going to miss Rocko," Pinky babbles.
"There's no reason for you to miss Rocko. I will miss you though, but like I said, you can come for visits."
"What is Harry saying?" Pinky asks, sitting up straight and turning from Rocko to look Harry square in the face.
"I'm saying I'll miss you."
"Harry doesn't want Pinky anymore?"
"No, that's not what I said. You're free to do as you please, Pinky. I know you love me and I love you but you belong with Rocko. I'm sure that Janine and Simon would love to have you around, especially as good a cook as you are. I will have to settle for visits with you when you have time."
"Pinky would move with Rocko?"
"Yes."
From the doorway, Simon says, "We'd love to have you, Pinky."
Janine nods then adds, "It will be good for Rocko to have someone around while we get adjusted to living somewhere new and so far from everything and everyone we know. Rocko won't be alone during the day in a strange new place while Simon and I are at work."
The steady stream of tears finally trickles to a stop. Pinky continues to take shuddering breaths for for awhile longer. Janine, Simon, and Harry wait him out, an unspoken agreement between them to give Pinky time to think about what's been said. At last the House Elf says, "Pinky very much wants to move with Rocko but I will miss you, Harry."
Harry wraps his arms around the small figure. "I will miss you too, but how about we save the goodbyes until you actually leave?"
A few minutes later Harry is back at the fireplace, ready to go home. Before going though he asks Simon, "You're really okay with him coming with you?"
"Absolutely. I'm grown fond of him myself and there's no question about how Janine and Rocko feel. Besides that, he's a great cook and a much better housekeeper than either of us."
Janine laughs and lightly punches Simon on the shoulder. "Hey!"
Harry grins at them both then says, "Thanks, you two. Let me know when you have a firm date for the move."
After another quick peck for Janine and once more shaking Simon's hand, Harry returns to Wildwood. Now standing in front of his fireplace his stomach rumbling to remind him he's starving, Harry grabs a bit more floo powder, kneels down again, and seconds later he's asking, "Ginny, are you home?"
"Coming, Harry!"
Ginny steps into the room a few seconds later. "Hi!"
"Have you eaten?"
"No, not yet. I've not been home long."
"Want to go out or get some take away?"
"Sure. We can go out."
Harry pulls back out of his fireplace so he can fully step through to Ginny's. After a proper hello, he takes a step back to ask, "Where would you like to eat?"
"Let's see, how about that Italian place we went to last month with Luna and Rolf?"
"Works for me."
The place has a floo so once more, Harry is stepping through the floo, but at least this time he's getting food out of it and the pleasure of Ginny's company.