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Of Olives and Baklava
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 01-14-12 18:21
Mom had bought me some baklava Saturday when we'd had the fall fair thing, I'd also won a delightful dark purple pygmy puff who was currently perched on my head humming contentedly after nibbling on the last little bit of baklava that I'd had been nibbling on while I was penning the last of my Potions essay due at one.
I'd gotten a package yesterday morning from my dad, and it had the best olives that I'd been snacking on throughout the day. I'd even shared some of them with Arthur and a few others, I'd even had a house elf deliver some to Marlow and her sister because I was more than likely not going to be able to eat all of them before the spoiled.
"Really, you are going to have olives and baklava for lunch, again?"
I looked up and couldn't help but chuckle as I looked up at Arthur who had just come in from his dorm room where he'd been changing out his text books for our next two classes.
"Yes, olives and baklava is what I'm having for lunch. Unless you think that my potions essay will finish itself." I said with a smirk. Shifting the purple pygmy puff off my head and cuddling the ball of fluffiness before pushing up from the sofa.
"Your essay was fine, I don't know why you are fretting over it..." He said with a smirk, before gathering my papers and putting them in my bag. "Now, you are coming to lunch with me because you need something more than olives and baklava."
Sighing, and knowing that he was only trying to look out for me, I hooked my arm in his after shouldering my messenger bag and we headed out of the Slytherin Commons and up to the Great Hall before we had to come back down to the dungeons for Potions at one.
Two Weeks Notice
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 01-15-12 14:29
"What's this?" Rocco Epperson asked, when Ronan handed him a sheet of Farnsworth & Wallingford brand parchment on which he'd neatly quilled an important notice.
"My resignation letter," Ronan replied. He had considered quitting his job for some time now, growing increasing unable to bear the eccentricities of his boss and of his coworker, Dashiell Tickhill. It certainly didn't help that that majority of his coworkers were rather lazy.
"You're quitting? You can't quit!" Rocco exclaimed, shocked that Ronan would even consider leaving the parchment supply company.
Ronan didn't bother responding. He simply stood there, hands clasped behind his back, and waited for Rocco to get the outburst out of his system.
"Did you find a new job? Is that it?" Rocco demanded to know. "Because I don't think you can just quit. How are you going to pay for university? What about that house you live in? Is it even paid off? I know your mum isn't helping you out, her being in prison and all."
That finally got a reaction out of Ronan, but only a facial expression. While it was certainly no secret that his mother was in prison for murder, Ronan had never once discussed it with Rocco. The only coworker he'd mentioned it to was Solange, and he knew that she would never discuss his personal business with anybody else.
"You don't think I did a background check on you before I hired you?" Rocco asked, seeing the shock register across Ronan's face. "Yeah, I know all about your murdering mother."
Ronan wasn't sure if Rocco was trying to get a rise out of him or not. He was generally a really nice, if not absurd sort of wizard. But he was never callous and cold.
He decided to change the subject. "I'm with you for two more weeks. That should give you time to find a replacement."
"You're really quitting, Ronan?" Rocco asked, suddenly looking greatly disappointed.
Ronan nodded curtly. "Yes. In two weeks."
Rocco said nothing for a long moment and then covered his face with his hands. He sniffled quietly to himself. Feeling very awkward by this development, Ronan debated handing Rocco a handkerchief, but he didn't have one on him. Rocco put his head down on his desk and continued to sniffle.
"I'm sorry, Rocco," Ronan finally said, and then he hastily backed out of the office.
The truth of it was, he had found a new job, but it would likely only be temporary. He'd gotten a job at Amanuensis Quills in Diagon Alley. It involved a slight pay cut, but Ronan didn't mind. His happiness was far more important than making decent money.
The reason the job would likely only be temporary was because he'd applied for several internships. Getting any one of those would help him advance his future career. Staying behind at Farnsworth & Wallingford seemed liable to hurt him in the long run.
He sat down at his desk and glanced over at the window to Rocco's office. Through the blinds, he could see that Rocco still had his head down on his desk and that his shoulders were shaking. He looked away, refusing to let Rocco make him feel guilty about submitting his two weeks notice.
Breaking News
Author: Carys
Date: 01-15-12 15:05
"Aguamenti!"
A jet of clear water burst from the tip of Carys' wand and rained down onto a large potted sunflower. When it was sufficiently watered, Carys ended the charm and took a step back to admire her handiwork.
Around her, a few other students also practiced the charm on various house plants. Her professor, an old wizard with a bent back and a long beard, hobbled around the classroom and provided instruction whenever necessary.
All too soon, class ended. Carys felt reluctant to leave, if only because she enjoyed her practical lessons far more than her theoretical ones. She was also starting to feel nervous about taking her N.E.W.T. exams.
She stuck her wand into an embroidered Chinese style bag, which she slung over her shoulder, and tucked her Charms textbook and notebook under her arm. Carys was done with classes for the day, but she wanted to pop by Emrys Everyday to make sure all was ready for tomorrow's edition and to see whether she had any new assignments lined up.
A short while later, she entered the office and found a flurry of activity.
"What's going on?" she asked the nearest person.
Ava Owen looked relieved at the sight of Carys. "Oh good, you're here."
"What happened?" Carys asked again.
"A body was found on campus."
"What?"
"Yeah, a professor. History of Magic. Professor Maidstone," Ava continued, consulting her notes. "Berenice Maidstone."
"What happened?"
"Nobody really knows, but she's been dead a while," Ava explained. "Janitorial staff entered a storage closet that isn't used all that much, apparently, and discovered a strong stench."
"They found her body?" Carys asked.
"Well, not right away," Ava said. "Apparently somebody hid her between the walls."
Carys gaped. "How?"
"No idea, and that's all I really know. Grab your camera. We need pictures of the closet."
Carys nodded, though she felt a bit numb. She'd not heard of a single murder happening at St. Emrys since the university had opened its doors in the late 90s. She crossed the office to access the dark room, where she grabbed some spare film for her camera. In the short time she was in the dark room, she thought about the photograph she'd taken ages ago, in which a girl had seemingly gotten kidnapped. She didn't think the girl was Professor Maidstone, but she couldn't help but wonder if there was a connection.
Busy Day and a Date
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 01-15-12 19:03
After the Fall Fair on Saturday, I'd managed to get most of my homework done for the week, I still had to go over my essays to make sure they were ready to be turned into my professors on Thursday and Friday, but beyond that I could focus on working getting things ready for the month of November for my History of Magic students.
Briefly, would we be delving into the muggle battle of Hastings in Britain because it fell in the time period we were discussing. We would also be working on a few other little odds and ends, and I had a couple of special things planned for each year that would make the experience all the more memorable before their exams at the end of the month. Staring at the lesson plans I pondered for a few moments, before smiling brightly and deciding yes, I was prepared for tomorrow's class.
After my fifth and final class of the day, I'd spent time setting or rather resetting the classroom for tomorrow's three. Checking the time and seeing that it was only three thirty and I knew that the F&A room was currently being used considering it was about frigid out and Viktor had the students inside for coursework I decided that I would just do a bit of yoga in my quarters before heading into Hogsmeade to meet up with one of the gentlemen in my Advanced Gobbledigook class who had asked me out and I'd readily agreed because he was completely the opposite of every other man my mother has been trying to set me up with.
Yoga, a shower, and then about an hour debating in front of my closet trying to figure something out to wear. I'd decided to pull my hair into a french braid, or rather a partial, leaving the remainder to trail down my back. Then I'd grabbed my favorite Anne Taylor skirt and matching cashmere sweater, slipping on a pair of tights beneath the skirt would make it easier to keep warm and then my favorite platform heels.
Figuring I was ready, I headed out to meet him for our dinner reservations at the Crown & Cauldron.
Finishing Up
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 01-15-12 19:20
The library was where I'd currently holed myself up, flicking through books on different runes, working on getting my presentation ready for the end of the week. The rest of my group was crowded around the table that was filled to capacity with books, parchment and quills. We were taking notes and getting things in order for our presentation that we would need to do on Friday when class met again.
"Seriously, I do not think we could have gotten an easier topic. I mean, we actually have the most recent set of runes to explain, and I've been translating them for nearly ten years." Catharine Mickleson said with a grin.
"I know what you mean. The Latinised Futhark is so simple." Daniel Newsome said with a chuckle.
"Right, I think we only have about another five to ten minutes before we are done and have everything in order and that way we can be done for the week for the class. Still have language lab, and I mean things are falling into place so easily." I said with a sigh.
"So, how is Meagan?" Catharine asked with a smile.
"She's doing fantastic, getting so big and I think she might be starting teething." I said with a smile. "She's got Jim wrapped around her little finger, not to mention my parents and his parents. Spoiled absolutely rotten, and not to mention that she has some of the older children at Briar's doting on her and asking to help as they can."
"Sounds like she's gonna be a handful when she gets a bit bigger." Daniel said.
"Don't I know it."
"Alright, lets get this finished..." Nicholette said.
We turned our attention back to our project and soon enough everything was done, and we got things together and all headed out of the library, "I'm going to see if I can grab another copy of Emrys Everyday because Meagan decided to tear mine up before I could actually read it. I will catch all of you later."
There was a mass amount of obstruction heading toward the newspaper office, blinking I waited a few moments before I could see what was going on. I stopped another individual and asked what was going on.
"What happened?"
"Body was found on campus, one of the professors. History of Magic I think..." He said and I nodded my head a bit, before I would head away from the craziness. I'd find out about it later, but I wanted to get home to Meagan and Jim right now. I needed to hold my baby.
I disapparated quickly and headed to the house, knowing that today was an early day for Jim and he would be home with Meagan. I pushed into the door, and immediately pulled Meagan up from her playpen and hugged her tightly to me before giving her a kiss and setting her down again.
Save The Date
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 01-15-12 20:08
"So we're agreed?"
Ginny asks this of Harry, sitting next to him on her couch, a calendar and several lists on the coffee table before them.
"Just so long as when your mother freaks you make it clear this is your idea."
"Coward."
"When it comes to Molly Weasley, absolutely."
Ginny leans back, Harry copying her, his arm going around her shoulder. She settles into the curve of his arm. "How do you think everyone else will take it?"
"Most will be fine I think, though they'll wonder why we took so long to pick a date only to pick one so close."
"In other words, we should expect questions of whether I'm pregnant."
"Let's just say I won't be at all surprised."
"You think Sirius will come?"
"I hope so, even if only to avoid questions about why he didn't come to his godson's wedding."
"You really need to go talk with him again."
"Yeah, but I have no idea what else to say. I can't explain, can't put into words why."
"Have you spoken to Remus recently?"
"No, but I should do that too."
"Tomorrow, both of them, if you're able. I want as much of this tension resolved before our wedding and you don't have much time to do that."
"Tomorrow or Wednesday, I promise I'll try with both of them."
Ginny gives Harry a peck on the cheek then scoots off the couch, picking up the calendar and the lists. "Come on."
"Come on where at this hour?"
"To the Burrow. If we're getting married Christmas Eve we need to tell Mum ten minutes ago. You are going with me to break the news."
"If I must," he says, thrusting out a hand for Ginny to pull him up.
"You must."
Corkwood Tree
Author: Marzipan
Date: 01-16-12 12:34
After a quick breakfast, Marzi arrived at the greenhouses in anticipation of her first class of the day. She only had three today: Ravenclaw and Slytherin third years, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff fourth years, and Ravenclaw and Slytherin first years.
Twenty minutes after her arrival in greenhouse one, the third years entered, shedding cloaks at the door. Many had windswept hair because it was very gusty outside. It looked like it might rain.
Packed with plants of all types, the greenhouse was quite cozy, even though the sun wasn't out to heat up the glass windows.
At the very front of the classroom, Marzi had set up a large ceramic pot. Growing in it was a tree with very porous-looking bark. Green leaves crowned the top, along with off-white flowers that almost looked as if they were made of latex.
"Good morning, class," Professor Ravenscroft greeted, once her third years had gotten comfortable. "Today we are going to discuss two varieties of trees, the corkwood tree and the cypress. We will begin with the corkwood tree." She indicated with her hand to the potted tree behind her.
"Who can tell me something about the corkwood tree?" she asked.
Adina Blackwood raised her hand. "The corkwood tree is native to Australia, and there are four different varieties that grow there."
"That is correct. Two points to Slytherin."
She picked up a branch from the main table. It looked like one of the tree branches from the corkwood tree growing behind her, but its flowers were dark pink.
"Corkwood tree leaves are narrow and elliptical, and its flowers grown in clusters. The botanical word for a grouping of flowers is inflorescence. Remember that word, because I suspect you will be tested on it in the future!"
Immediately, all of her students picked up their quills and scribbled down the word.
"The inflorescence typically consists of white blooms, but you will occasionally find them in shades of pink or mauve. The corkwood tree also has a fruit in the form of a globular black berry."
She put the branch down. "One variety of corkwood tree has a property similar to nicotine and can be smoked or chewed. Corkwood tree has other uses as well. It is used as a sedative, a hallucinogen and for treating eye ailments. Although it is not poisonous, there are antidotes to its side-effects: coffee and lemon-juice.
"The indigenous peoples of Central Australia burn corkwood tree leaves during ritualistic ceremonies. During these rituals, the smoke from the burning leaves is inhaled for its anesthetic properties and to induce an altered state of consciousness."
She brought up a few more important points about the corkwood tree and then assigned her students homework: to sketch and label the parts of the corkwood tree.
After that, the class switched gears and launched into a discussion about the cypress tree.
Sparks Fly
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-16-12 15:23
Several dummies lay on the floor in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Ethan's Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw fourth years had been studying healing spells for the last several weeks and had been practicing Ferula on the arms and legs of the dummies. Ethan didn't expect anybody to become an expert on healing spells, but he thought it was important that everybody get a basic knowledge of how to tend to battle wounds.
"Nice work, everyone," Ethan said, "but I see that our time is up. We will continue with binding and splinting charms next class."
A short while later, the class had emptied out, but not for long. Ethan had just sent the dummies off into a cupboard when the Gryffindor and Slytherin first years entered the classroom. They took their seats at the desks that Ethan had just arranged into their normal places and waited for class to start.
They didn't have to wait long. "There are times when you find yourself in a situation where you need to signal for help. Maybe you've been injured and can't move anything but your wand arm. Perhaps you're surrounded by enemies and need to call for backup. It might even be a case of simply being lost. There are spells that can aid you. We're going to practice one today."
Ethan produced his wand. He'd gotten it in France after Dierna ni Ciaran had rescued him and the other prisoners from Brecqhou. It was his third wand. The first and second had been destroyed after his stints in Azkaban.
"Green sparks," he intoned, moving his wand in a slight arc from left to right and then curving it back towards the ceiling. Sparks shot out from the tip and burst just under the rafters in a shower of emerald.
"Fireworks!" Gideon Coy exclaimed eagerly.
Ethan smiled. "It's very similar, yes. Now, I want you all to try. Point you wands straight up in the air, not at each other. Say 'green sparks' and see what happens."
All of the first years got out their wands and raised them over their heads.
"Green sparks!" they exclaimed. A few managed to produce a little bit of smoke, but other didn't have any sort of result. Everybody looked a little bit disappointed.
"The key is to picture the sparks in your mind. Rylee, let's have you demonstrate for us."
Even in her school uniform, the young first year looked fashionable. She looked a bit startled at being singled out, but stood up and moved her wand through the air. She concentrated on the spell and said, "Green sparks."
A few green sparks did emit from the tip of her wand, but they didn't shoot very high.
"That's certainly progress. Thank you, Rylee. Amorica. Let's have you give it a go."
Rylee sat down and Amorica stood up, raising her wand in the air. She managed a few sparks of her own, but they glowed red, like embers in a fire.
"It's not as easy as it looks, is it?" Ethan asked. "You have to think about a lot of different things. The color. The effect you wish to achieve. How high, how big."
He spent the rest of the class period calling on students to demonstrate the spell.
Quick Chat With Daria
Author: Blossom
Date: 01-16-12 19:08
The children old enough are sitting enthralled by a visiting storyteller. Those who aren't are being fed bottles, rice or barley cereal, or age appropriate preparations of vegetables and fruits. Blossom is sitting in the back of the room where the storyteller is entertaining, both watching the performance and working on an art supply reorder form. Her eyes glance to the side when someone sits down beside her.
Eyes already back on the slightly elevated stage, Blossom asks soto voice, "How did it go?"
"I think it went well."
Daria's tone does not match her words. Blossom shifts attention again back to her sister. Daria is running fingers through her hair, plaiting it into two braids.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Blossom gets up, taking Daria by the arm. Daria could either protest and risk interrupting the storyteller's performance or she can go with Blossom. She goes. At the office, Blossom stands to the side, so that Daria may enter first. Following her in, she shuts the door, puts the art supply order form on top of a table within arm's reach then leans against the door.
"So how did it really go?"
"It was okay."
"But?"
"The bloke was a bit of a jerk."
"In what way?"
"He was a trifle condescending and a little snide."
"But you think things went all right?"
"I interviewed well. I have the skills required, good references. I didn't show that his attitude and tone bothered me. I guess I'll find out for sure in a few days when all the interviews have been done." Daria gestures to the door. "I should go help with getting lunches ready. Doris will be done with her performance soon and the kids will be ready to eat."
Blossom moves to allow Daria to pass, patting her sister on the arm as she goes by. "I'll be there to help in a minute. I need to get this order finished and owled off. We go through enough finger paint in a month to fill a museum."
Daria grins at that, leaving Blossom to read through the art supply reorder. Less than a minute later Blossom has it read to dispatch by owl. That task done, she peeks in on Doris's storytelling then walks on to the kitchen to see what needs to be done to finish with lunch preparation.