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Quiet Evening at Home
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-17-12 18:19
Hermione sat in the library Ron had designed for their home and polished her wand. One of the babies in the maternity ward had spit up on her, and though the mess had been simple to clean, Hermione had been reminded how a thorough polish of her wand was long overdue.
The first thing she did upon coming home was feed Crookshanks and Hero. Then she took a shower and pulled on comfortable clothing: pajama bottoms, a T-shirt, soft socks and a long cardigan.
She debated preparing something for supper, but she wasn't sure when Ron would turn up. Some days he came home at the normal time, but other days he stayed late at the office because of a breakthrough in a case or a deadline. Since Hermione wasn't very hungry, she grabbed a bottle of wand polish, a cloth, and sat down in the library with her wand.
"Hermione?"
"In here."
Ron came into view, holding a sack of takeout from The Bamboo Forest, as well as a six-pack of butterbeer.
"You brought dinner," Hermione said, setting down her wand and polish cloth. She got up to give her husband a hug and a kiss.
"Yeah, I would have asked but I wasn't sure if you were home yet."
Like Ron, Hermione sometimes stayed late at the hospital. She was required to stay until the next shift arrived in order to give her successors a detailed report on her patients, so that they could continue to give the patients the best possible care.
"Looks like you've been home for a while, though," Ron commented, taking in her clean and comfortable appearance. "Hungry?"
"I can eat," she said. She followed him to the kitchen table, where they both sat down and unpacked the to-go bag.
"How was work?" Ron asked.
"It was fine," Hermione replied, opening up one of the boxes of Chinese food. "The most exciting happened on another floor. Apparently a man was taken into emergency, where it was determined that he ingested exploding potion."
Ron winced. "Ouch."
"How was your day?" Hermione asked.
"Relatively uneventful," Ron said, shrugging his shoulders. "Oh, but I do have some news. Harry and Ginny have set their wedding date."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, for Christmas Eve."
"That'll be here before we all know it," Hermione said.
"You're telling me," Ron remarked.
The discussion stayed on Harry and Ginny's upcoming nuptials for a while, but then Hero jumped onto the kitchen table to score some human food, distracting Hermione and Ron from their topic of conversation.
Easy Sell
Author: Jet
Date: 01-17-12 21:25
Emerson helps herself to a bite of Jet's sticky toffee pudding. "This is sinfully good."
She dives her spoon in for another bite but Jet deflects with his own spoon. "You didn't want any, remember?"
"I didn't want any of my own. I never said I didn't want some of yours," Emerson counters.
"If you want some, why did you say you didn't?"
"Tastes better from your plate plus it doesn't count if it's yours and not mine."
"Doesn't count?"
Emerson pats her waist. "You know, it doesn't count."
"Riiiiiight."
Emerson's response is to grin and go in for another bite. She chews, a blissful expression on her face, spoon dipping down for a third helping. Jet rolls his eyes but grins, reaching for the sticky toffee pudding to put more on his plate.
Emerson waits until he's getting his own bite of the flavorful dessert to ask, "Have you thought about it?"
"Thought about , oh, you practicing hypnosis on me."
"Yes. Have you?"
"Why again are you learning hypnosis?"
"It's an excellent relaxation technique for one."
"You won't bring friends in after you've got me hypnotized and have me do embarrassing things?"
Emerson laughs. "I hadn't planned on it but now that you've given me the idea, I'm not sure I can promise I won't."
"I'm not sure I want you eating off my plate if that's how it's going to be."
"I'll make it worth your while."
"How about I give you a little preview?"
"But you're in the middle of eating my afters."
Emerson dips a finger in some of the toffee and slowly licks it off. "We can do both."
"I'm going to end up agreeing to the hypnosis, aren't I?"
Emerson has moved to Jet's lap by this time. "Was there ever any real question of that?" she asks with amusement.
(Ariella) News & a Request
Author: Beck
Date: 01-18-12 18:19
Ariella walked into The Wyrding Way and moved to the counter to study the menu board. The coffee house was fairly busy. Groups of people congregated at the tables and sofas, sipping coffee or tea and chatting with each other. Ariella wasn't really listening to anybody, but she heard bits and pieces of conversation. Some people discussed a lecture recently attended. Others talked about the body found on campus.
When Ariella had first heard the news about a professor's death, she'd been suitably shocked. It had been all the more horrifying to hear that the body had been found wedged between two walls in a storage closet at the university. Ariella hadn't known the professor's name at first. Upon learning it she'd felt an even bigger shock.
Berenice Maidstone had been her professor last term. Ariella couldn't say that she'd known her professor very well, but she'd liked her well enough.
She remembered how Professor Maidstone hadn't shown up for class one day. It had been towards the end of term, but there'd been several class meetings left. Professor Maidstone had made those, though, so obviously she hadn't been dead then. Ariella wondered if Professor Maidstone had been teaching any classes this term. She didn't remember if the article from yesterday's Emrys Everyday had made mention of that or not.
Ariella ordered herself a latte and moved to an empty table. She opened up her Experimental Charms textbook and started to read. A few minutes later, a shadow fell over her page.
"Ariella?"
She looked up. "Gillian. Hi." She indicated to the chair opposite hers. "Have a seat."
"Thanks."
It still surprised Ariella how much Gillian looked like her. Anybody seeing them together might think they were sisters.
"Did you ever find your dad?" Ariella asked. "What was his name again? Freddie something?"
"Fredegar Fiske," Gillian replied. "Yes, I did find him, but I haven't met with him yet. I haven't even contacted him."
"Why not?" Ariella asked. She remembered how eager Gillian had been to meet her birth father. After all, Gillian had crossed the world to find him.
Gillian shrugged. "I don't know. I'm afraid he won't want to meet me. Or maybe he won't live up to my expectations. Maybe I won't even live up to his."
"You came all this way. I think you should at least try," Ariella said.
Gillian nodded. "I know. I just have to talk myself into it again. Say, would you come with me? Please?"
Ariella was taken by surprise. She and Gillian hardly knew each other. Nevertheless, she nodded and said, "Sure. I can do that if you want."
"Thanks, Ariella. That would be really great. I'll let you know when and where, okay?"
"Sure."
Gillian got up. "I've got to run. I've got class in about five minutes. Just wanted a quick coffee." She smiled suddenly. "I'm glad I bumped into you here."
"Me too," Ariella replied, smiling. She still had plenty of time to kill before her first class, Experimental Charms, which didn't start till 2.
"Bye, Ariella."
"Bye, Gillian."
Ariella watched Gillian disappear out the door and then turned back to her latte and her reading.
Tired
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 01-18-12 18:56
Charlie tips his cup up only to realize it's empty. Still, he stares bleary eyed at the moisture clinging to the bottom, swearing that he'd just refilled it a minute or two ago. Expelling air loudly he makes the short walk to the small kitchen where there's always at least one pot of coffee going and always hot water for tea. After refilling his mug Charlie takes a drink, ignoring the scalding heat, retops the cup off then starts back for back to his desk, stopping near the door to allow Ian Bisbee to enter.
Ian nods, taking in Charlie's look of fatigue. "You all right?"
"Yeah, just tired. Ava's been cranky for three nights now, the boys both seem to be coming down with something, and Hendrika's got two big exams and a major paper due this week."
"Things are quiet right now. Grab a nap."
"I might but it would be after I finish some parchmentwork for Kellan. I'm also supposed to go with Blythe to check on Fido."
Fido is their name for a young, male dragon veterinarian healer Blythe Mumps has been giving regular check-ups to as part of some research she's conducting. As if on cue Kellan McFusty walks in to say, "Charlie, instead of going with Blythe in a bit, you and I are going to Norway."
"What's up, Kellan?"
"You were part of the investigation on that Opaleye mystery. Bergljot Fjelstad just contacted me. They have a dead Opaleye. Young, no obvious injuries, no blood around the body, no signs of fighting, no trampling. They're starting an autopsy and tests for signs of disease."
"But if like our Opaleye theirs will have died perfectly healthy," Charlie finishes.
"Can you be ready to leave in ten minutes? The sooner we go the more likely we'll be back home in time for supper."
"Yeah, as long as I continue to be fortified with coffee."
Ian asks, "Anything I can do to help? I can go with Blythe for you, Charlie."
"Yeah, thanks, that would be great."
Kellan nods in agreement. "Excellent. Thanks, Ian."
Charlie gulps down more coffee walking to his desk. If he works for the next few minutes uninterrupted he's pretty sure he can just about wrap the paperwork up before leaving for Norway; if he can focus instead of taking a five minute power nap that is.
Lunch with Christian
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 01-19-12 17:15
"Is it wrong that Jim and I have already started looking at Christmas gifts for Meagan?" I asked Christian over lunch at a little muggle Curry place, specializing in Indian Curry, in the heart of muggle London. It was where he wanted to go for lunch and since my early afternoon class had been canceled I figured I would join him for lunch. I was also going to be heading back to the Ministry with him to begin paperwork to see about returning to work after the new year.
"Absolutely not. Daniel and I have already started getting Christmas gifts for her, you, Jim and various other family and friends. Get the easier ones to shop for done first and then agonize over the others until Christmas." He said with a grin before taking a bite a bite of his dhansak and savoring the mingled hot, sweet, and sour flavours of the dish.
"Good to know, because she's going to make out like a bandit this year." I said with a laugh before taking a bite of my own pasanda, I'd had them add a bit more spice to the dish than was custom because I loved my curry with quite a bit of heat.
"So, you are considering coming back to work then after the new year?" He asked, reclining and sipping his tea with a thoughtful smile.
"Indeed. School is good, I can juggle school and being a mother. I am completely thankful for daycare, and while I know I'm afforded an entire year, I do not think that I can stay idle like this for another seven and a half months." I said with a sigh. "I might come back only part time to start, and then work my way back up to full time. I'm nearly done with courses at St. Emrys and they've already told me that my position would be negotiated when I finished. I've got two more terms left and I'm done."
We talked a bit more as we finished lunch, and headed toward one of the Ministry entrances. I spent about an hour or so going through paperwork, and dealing with things at my desk even though I wasn't officially working yet, and by the time I left it was time to pick up Meagan from day care and drop her off at my parents house for an extended adults only weekend at the house.
New Patient Right At Close (Indigo)
Author: Travis
Date: 01-19-12 20:04
Shortly before closing Indigo is giving Matt some instructions for administering potion during the middle of a night to a sick cat. Matt's been looking to make a little extra money so he's been taking three of the late night shifts each week. That involves checking on any animals in the pet shoppe once or twice, checking on any pets being boarded, and administering any medication to sick animals. Matt's shift doesn't start until midnight but he'd just gotten home from some classes at St. Emrys and since he and his wife are renting the upstairs flat from Indy, it wasn't out of his way to check in with Indi before Indi goes home. If Indi had already left Coco, who's staying until 12 because of there being sick animals in the clinic, would have filled Matt in on their new patient, a Tonkinese called Doodles.
Indi ends with what he always says, "If you need me for anything, no matter what time it is, let me know."
"Sure thing," Matt agreeably replies before taking his leave to head upstairs to eat dinner with his wife Sasha, who also attends St. Emrys as well as works though Sasha is studying to become a solicitor.
Indi goes over to the pet shoppe part of the building to make sure everything's in order before going home. Returning to the clinic side he's about to call out a goodbye to Coco when the clinic door opens. It's the Ravensdale sister with the older one holding a towel wrapped bundle close to her chest. Zabrynna speaks before Indi is able.
"Indigo! We need your help. We found a puppy."
"Poor thing is hurt," Mariposa tells him.
"Come this way," Indi motions them forward to an exam cubicle. He flashes a smile as he carefully takes the tiny bundle from Mariposa. "Let's have a look."
Mariposa explains, "Zabrynna and I were having dinner together. The place has a heated terrace and we kept hearing an odd sound so got to looking."
"The sound turned out to be this little guy. Very faint." Zabrynna finishes.
The very small puppy is filthy and covered in oozing cuts. He weakly struggles, making a low, pityful whimper.
"I'm going to sedate him so I can better examine him and get him cleaned up. This is going to take awhile. Why don't you both go and check back in the morning?"
"Thanks, Indigo. We really appreciate this."
He grins at Zabrynna. "Just doing my job."
With the puppy sedated, Indi walks them to the door while making a mental list of some things to grab from one of the supply cabinets. As he bids them goodnight, Indi surprises himself and Zabrynna too by asking, "Zabrynna, would you like to get coffee sometime or maybe even lunch?"
She hestitates a second, Indi thinking it's because the question is so unexpected. "Yes, sure, that would be nice. We can make plans in the morning."
"Great. See you then."
For a second or two Indi watches them walking away then he starts gathering what he'll need, calling out as he does, "Coco, I may need your help with a new patient."
They find that the muddy brown puppy once clean is a snowy white. Indi is fairly certain the dog is at least half Maltese if not purebred. Tomorrow, Coco's going to see if the little guy can tell her what happened to him. He's so young though and whatever happened has to have been extremely traumatic so neither Coco nor he will be surprised if they can't learn anything.
Much later than he had planned on, Indi finally makes the short walk home to have his own dinner.
Meeting Menelaus
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 01-20-12 13:34
Professor McGonagall did not have any classes on Thursday, but she wasn't any less busy on Thursdays than she was on days when she had lessons to teach. She filled her day by marking the homework assignments her students had turned in just yesterday, mentoring her students and Gryffindor charges as needed, and accomplishing various administrative tasks.
She had just started reading a fifth year assignment on vanishing vertebrates, when an owl appeared at her office window. It rapped its small, sharp beak against the glass and fluttered its wings to keep itself airborne, as there wasn't a ledge on which it could perch. It clutched a small envelope in its beak.
Professor McGonagall stood up and opened the window. The owl, a spotted, little bird with large yellow eyes, flew into the office and landed on her desk. It dropped the envelope onto the homework assignment she had been reading and then helped itself to a half-eaten biscuit on a saucer.
Minerva sat down again and picked up the envelope. It had her name on it, her first name only, quilled in a familiar handwriting. Dread filling her stomach, she flipped the envelope over and opened it with her finger. Inside was a small slip of parchment that simply read:
I'm at The Three Broomsticks, should you be willing to meet. Respond by this owl.
Menelaus
Minerva set the note down and gazed at the little owl, who by now had devoured nearly all of the biscuit. Since reuniting with her brother, she had hardly spoken with him. One might think they would have a lot to talk about after all these years, but what was there to say when they had absolutely nothing in common?
Professor McGonagall briefly debated ignoring the note or sending her decline with the little owl, but for reasons unknown, she changed her mind. She wrote her response on the back of her brother's note, stuffed it back into its small envelope, and handed it to the owl, who'd left only crumbs on the saucer.
---
A short while later Professor McGonagall entered The Three Broomsticks. She looked around and found Menelaus seated at a corner table near the hearth.
The pub wasn't very busy, and Menelaus saw her almost instantly. He beckoned her over with a wave of his hand.
"Greetings," Minerva said guardedly, as she sat down in the chair adjacent to his. This was the first time they'd been alone together in decades.
"I apologize, but I've ordered already," Menelaus replied. In fact, he already had a tall glass of warm butterbeer and a plate of fish and chips.
"It's early yet for lunch," Minerva replied.
"Normally I would agree with you," Menelaus answered, "but I skipped breakfast this morning."
Madam Rosmerta bustled over. "What can I do for you, Minerva?" she asked.
"Just some tea, if you please."
"One tea coming right up."
Minerva thanked Rosmerta and then turned back to Menelaus. "What brings you to Hogsmeade?"
"In my quest to satisfy my hunger, I thought of this place. And then I thought of you."
Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"
"Yes. There's no point in ignoring the fact that you've found out about my family. Myron is just as stubborn as you are. I should have realized that our paths would reconnect one day."
Minerva did not like being called stubborn, especially by her estranged older brother. "It pleases me that Madoc seems to have inherited nothing from you but your surname," she retorted coolly.
Menelaus actually smiled. "He's a good lad, isn't he? He's earning good marks?"
"He's doing quite well." Professor McGonagall was very proud of that fact, too.
"Good." Menelaus took a few bites of his meal. In the meantime, Rosmerta returned with Minerva's tea.
"Are you sure I can't get you anything else?"
"Yes, thank you, Rosmerta," Minerva replied.
"Very well, but if you change your mind, just flag me down."
"I will." She thanked Madam Rosmerta again, who returned to the bar to help another customer.
"Do you ever talk to Malcolm and Robert?" Menelaus asked. "I understand they've both been living abroad for quite some time."
Minerva was surprised that Menelaus would even bring up their names. Malcolm and Robert were the youngest McGonagalls and were also estranged from Menelaus. At one time, Minerva, Malcolm and Robert had seen each other quite regularly, even after Menelaus had gone, but they had all grown apart eventually.
"Every now and then," she replied, not wishing to elaborate since she knew how her younger brothers felt about Menelaus. Menelaus was certainly capable of finding them on his own if he wanted to, but Minerva wasn't going to give him any information.
"I think it would be nice if we had a family reunion," Menelaus said. "Don't you?"
"They would never agree to it," she replied. Minerva would love to see everyone back together again, and she rather looked forward to showing off Madoc to the others, but she knew it would only work out if Menelaus were excluded from the family reunion.
Menelaus sighed. "You're probably right. Have you… mentioned me to the others?"
Minerva was honest when she replied, "No." She hadn't actually written to either Malcolm or Robert in quite some time, always meaning to but never quite getting around to it.
"I suppose I understand why. Still, you might broach the subject sometime."
"Perhaps."
"Well, tell me more about Madoc. I only hear so much from Myron and Cate, and they are just his parents. I would much rather hear about him from you."
Minerva pursed her lips together. She really didn't feel like engaging in pleasantries with Menelaus all morning, but she hadn't finished her tea yet. She might as well talk to him.
"He's a very bright, outgoing boy…"