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Working On The Masterwort Assignment, Sort Of (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 07-25-11 19:03
Sitting side by side as they do the in class Herbology assignment involving Masterwort Bianca whispers, "What's the plan for tomorrow?"
"Still not sure," Catriona replies in an equally hushed voice. "Christopher is thinking he'll get in a little OWL study after breakfast then come to Hogsmeade but he's not sure yet."
"Just tell him we'll meet him for lunch. That's easiest."
"Yeah, I told him that already but he's really wanting to spend all day in the village and said he'd walk down with us if he does that, even if we don't stick together once there."
"Getting your work done, girls?"
"Yes, professor!" they chorus, giving studious attention to their work, which they'd never stopped doing. They'd simply been slower about it.
They go quiet for several minutes then Cat says, "Did you ask Zuberi if he'd like to have lunch with?"
"No, I started to several times but can't ever seem to talk around him."
"Want me to do it?"
"NO!" Bianca says a little too loudly, drawing looks from around them. She ducks her head, bright spots on her cheeks.
They go silent again for several more minutes before Bianca says much more quietly, "He'd say no even if I did manage."
"You don't know that. You don't know unless you ask. I could get Christopher to invite him."
"No. Well, maybe. No. Definitely no. Do you think he would?"
"If I ask, I bet he would now that Zuberi's nice to be around."
"Let me think about it."
"Okay."
With enough left of the assignment to do and time in class running out, Bianca and Cat stop talking about distracting topics, working diligently to get finished. At class end they both make sure they have the homework assignment information written down - sketching and labeling the masterwort plant and a quiz to study for - then walk heads together to the castle talking, though not about Zuberi or Christopher, the next two hours free to goof off, have lunch, or start on homework assignments from the morning's classes before their afternoon classes begin, Charms for Bianca and Transfiguration for Cat.
Good News (Zuberi)
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 07-26-11 10:16
As he carefully dices an ingredient to add to the potion bubbling in front of him, Zuberi thinks it's a very good thing that Severus Snape is not in charge of putting together the Potions OWL. He shudders to think what the written and practical portions of the exam would be like if Snape were overseeing it.
Despite this cringe worthy line of thought Zuberi is in an excellent mood. Just after leaving Defense Against the Dark Arts, on his way to the Great Hall, Professor Dumbledore stopped Zuberi and asked to speak with him. The headmaster had motioned to a room where they might speak without students jostling past heading to lunch or other areas of the castle.
"I have been making inquiries as you asked regarding Zaria and Lambri Musa," Professor Dumbledore began.
It had been long enough back that Zuberi had asked Dumbledore for help in gathering information on the fates of his friend Karamoh's sisters that Zuberi had started to wonder if there was nothing to be learned. He kept telling himself that information might take time to get because Karamoh's sisters disappeared in the middle of a civil war in Sierra Leone. It has, though, been very difficult to be patient.
At Dumbledore's words he excitedly asks, "You have news?" even as a little voice tells him that if there is news, it might not be good.
"I received an owl from an American charitable organization that works to find homes for children displaced due to war and natural distasters. It has a record of two girls of those names and ages from Sierra Leone. The record indicates the girls are living in the United States. Someone from the organization is going to contact them to verify they are the girls we are seeking information on."
Zuberi had wanted to hug Dumbledore out of joy but managed to restrain himself, thrusting out a hand to shake instead. "Thank you, sir, thank you! I just know they are Karamoh's sisters."
"If they indeed are, we shall have to determine how best to give Karamoh the news and what steps will be necessary to reunite them if that is what they wish."
"I'm sure they will, why wouldn't they? And wouldn't it just be a matter of them joining Karamoh in Sierra Leone or him going to America?"
"That would seem the simple solution but let's not forget that they have been separated for several years. These two girls have a life in America they might not want to leave and it might be one that Karamoh is welcome to visit but not to stay. Also, Karamoh may not wish to leave Africa."
Zuberi hadn't thought about what might happen if Karamoh's sisters could be found. He'd only thought of finding out if they were dead or alive and if alive where they were. He frowned at what the professor was saying but did understand it and could see the professor's reasoning so he'd replied, "Yes, sir, I understand, it's just that I'm so excited they could be reunited."
"As well you should be but we mustn't get ahead of ourselves before we know more. Now, I believe I am keeping you from lunch as as you have afternoon classes I do not want to detain you from your meal any longer."
Zuberi has thanked the headmaster again then hurried to get to the Great Hall, hardly able to contain his excitement at possibly having wonderful news to share with the person he's come to consider as his best friend.
In the Office
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-26-11 17:48
"But Professor, what if my mind blanks out and I can't remember what to do?"
The speaker was Artemis Fitzgerald, seventh year Gryffindor student. She had come to Minerva's office hours promptly after her Charms class had ended and now, nearly three hours later, didn't feel any more confident about mastering the Transfiguration N.E.W.T. exam.
Professor McGonagall tried her best to remain patient, but after hours of questions that were mostly what ifs and not regarding Transfiguration at all, even she felt wearied.
She certainly didn't want to kick Artemis out in her time of need, but Minerva really needed an interruption.
As if on cue, it arrived in the form of Professor Dumbledore.
"Greetings, Professor McGonagall, Miss Fitzgerald. Am I interrupting something?"
"No, Professor," Artemis said, seeming to relax in his presence. "Professor McGonagall was simply offering me advice regarding the Transfiguration N.E.W.T. examination."
"Wonderful. I'm pleased you took the initiative to seek out her advice."
"Thank you, Professor," Artemis replied. She immediately started gathering her things together, noting the time for the first time since she entered Professor McGonagall's office.
"And thank you, Professor," she said to Minerva. "You've been a big help."
Minerva didn't really think so, since everything she said hadn't seemed to reassure Artemis at all. Nevertheless, she nodded once in the girl's direction and said, "You're quite welcome."
Artemis shot both professors a smile and then exited the office.
Professor McGonagall did her very best to shield the relief she felt. She looked up at Albus and offered him the seat recently vacated by Artemis. "What can I do for you, Albus?"
"I came by to discuss two matters. First, how are you and your brother getting along?"
Minerva sank back into her chair. She hadn't seen Menelaus since the Spring Social. Though it had been somewhat awkward, the afternoon had passed entirely without incident or ordeal.
"I only saw him the one time, Albus. We were cordial, certainly, but I wouldn't say that our families have been reunited."
Albus took the liberty of conjuring two cups of tea. One floated over McGonagall's desk. She took it gratefully.
"I only ask because I know he has been a source of contention for you for decades. I'm sure it was quite a shock seeing him that day."
"It was, and to be perfectly honest, in all the years we've been apart, I've never thought about him until Madoc's arrival here."
Glad though she was for Dumbledore's interest in her well-being, McGonagall didn't want to talk about her brother anymore. "What else did you wish to discuss?" she asked him, and then sipped her tea.
"The open Charms position. Has Miss Gates contacted you regarding rescheduling her interview?"
"No, Albus."
"Perhaps we should inquire if she is still interested."
"I will write her a letter," Professor McGonagall said. She put down her teacup to take up her quill in order to write herself a note.
"Excellent." Albus finished his tea and banished the cup. Then he got up and strode to the door. "I have a few other visits to make. Perhaps I will see you at supper?"
"Indeed, Albus."
"Very well. Until then."
Professor McGonagall decided now was as good a time as ever to write to Miss Gates. If she was no longer interested in a position at Hogwarts, then they would simply have to fill the vacancy with someone else.
Not A Date
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 07-26-11 18:16
"You're coming to the carnival Monday, aren't you?" Gavin Adams asks.
"I don't know much about it."
"You've been doing your exam tutor with Mr. Liddel for how long and you don't know about the Luton carnival?" Gavin is incredulous.
"No, not really. Joseph and Tia said something about it in passing a time or two but I didn't ask what they were talking about."
"Still, how have you not heard about it? Everyone in the area knows about it. There are signs all over."
Emerald can't very well admit that her family doesn't live in the area and the she apparates to the Liddels each time she comes. "I guess the people I'm around most just haven't thought to mention it," she honestly says. "I haven't see much of Luton. I tend to go straight to the Liddels, but now that you've mentioned it," Emerald sweeps her hand out, "I can't help but notice all the signs."
"You have to come. It's smashing. One of the biggest carnival. There's one in Notting Hill that's bigger but ours is better. It's Monday."
"Why Monday and not, say, tomorrow?"
"Monday's the spring bank holiday. Say you'll come. I'll show you around."
"That sounds somewhat like a date."
"Back to that again are we? You've made it clear you have a boyfriend. He's why you resisted coming for a drink with me for so long. I've not suddenly forgetten now that you've finally agreed and I have you sitting across from me with a drink in hand and a plate of starters shared between us."
Gavin doesn't know that Emerald finally made the break with Phin. It was difficult to do and she feels guilty about it. She also misses Phin greatly. Emerald still felt as though she needed to do it. Even with the ability to travel much more quickly and easily between the UK and USA, once she starts taking classes at Duke, Phin would have to go on the back burner anyway. He's been that way somewhat as it is because of taking courses at St. Emrys and all the time she's been putting into the SAT prep, the exam for which she took earlier in the week.
It was the relief of getting the exam out of the way finally, the stress of having waiting to find out if Duke has indeed accepted her, the break up with Phin - which Emerald also admits is as much because she felt so guilty wanting to accept Gavin's invitation for coffee when dating someone who wants to marry her - and just the need to do something not related to studyingi of any sort, she'd finally said yes to one of Gavin's invitations. She'd come by the Liddels to bring Joseph a thank you gift for all the help he's been and once more ran into Gavin. He did what he always does when seeing her, he asked her out, strictly as friends in the making, for a drink. To Gavin's immense surprise, this time she accepted.
Emerald simply hasn't brought up the fact yet that she and her boyfriend broke up. Why add that complication to matters when she's not even sure she actually wants to date Gavin? For all she knows, it was just the thought of being free to see someone else if she wanted that had her longing to accept his invitation.
Emerald studies the wet rings her glass has left, tracing a finger in the moisture to expand on the pattern. After a moment she says, "Okay, I'll meet you Monday for the carnival but it's not a date."
"Right. Not a date. Two chums getting together. I'll be your tour guide, nothing more."
"Where should I meet you and what time?"
"How about I come get you?"
"No, that's not the easiest thing to do. There's a commute."
"Then my house? You can meet the family. They'll be going too though we don't have to all go together."
"Your house, okay."
"Have something for me to give you the address on?"
Emerald has a small notepad in her purse so grabs it then while rooting around for a pen Gavin mulls over what time she should be there. He accepts the notepad and pen she's found, jotting down the information. "If you have any problems, ring me at this number, all right?"
"Yes, okay."
"Give me your number in case I have to ring you."
Emerald jots it down for him, glad that with spending more time in the Muggle world, especially at the Liddels, she's gotten a cell phone so she can call them if needed. She has no idea what she would have said to Gavin otherwise since Aunt Blythe and Uncle Woody don't have any phone at all Gavin could call her on and it's not as if she could tell him, "Oh, just owl me."
The business of Luton carnival arranged, Gavin starts telling Emerald all about what to expect. Listening to him talk, she has to admit it does sound like fun and though she could have come on her own, having someone to go around with who knows the ins and outs of what's what will be much better. It's just not a date.
Weekend Plans
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 07-26-11 23:48
Friday, and I didn’t have to work. Three months of vacation actually. Ok, it wasn’t a vacation, but a punishment. Still, I was determined to make the best of it. A little sight seeing was expected. I would run off by myself and see the country.
Or at least that’s what I started to do. However, a stopover at Stonehenge, and scaring everyone near me when I unexpectedly ate some dirt, told me that I had something else to do first. And some habits I had to change. So, in less then a week, I had completed all the preparations for a good weekend.
It started Friday, after Toby and Bronwyn had both left for the day. I left a note in their house, in Bron’s handwriting, that she wouldn’t be back until Sunday night. How I got in not being important. Then I returned home, and grabbed the prepared bag of clothes.
Once I changed into something a little more… fashionable, I apparated to Bronwyn’s office. I went inside and walked right up to Bronwyn’s cubical.
“So, know any good beaches or malls in England?”
Bron turned around and about burst into laughter.
“So, got any plans?” I asked, taking off the large hat and sunglasses.
“No, it’s past lunch, it’s 2:30 in the afternoon.”
“Not talking about lunch today, talking about this weekend.”
“No… why?”
“Cause you do now! Let’s go.”
“I don’t get off for a couple hours!”
“You’re getting off early today!”