|
|
Down Time Between Classes
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 03-24-12 06:53
Fridays were busy days, much like the rest of the week, but at least I enjoyed it. I wasn't playing Quidditch this year, so I didn't have to worry about practices and the stress of games on top of everything else - maybe next year, but I wasn't sure yet. At the moment, I was enjoying a sticky bun from a fresh delivery from Briar's that had come in just before I'd gotten out of Transfiguration at noon. I didn't feel like going into the Great Hall for lunch, because I wasn't all that hungry, and I wanted to look over my notes for Potions before heading back down to the dungeon for class.
I'd made a brief stop in my dorm room to change out books from my morning classes for the afternoon classes which consisted of Potions, DADA and Muggle Studies. Arthur had opted to go to the Great Hall for something to eat and he said he'd meet me here before we had to head to class. For now, I had my potions book open on my lap and was reading ahead for today's lesson. For DADA we were, I think, going to be going over Dementors or one of the other creatures I think before getting into the potions and curses and jinxes but I wasn't entirely sure anymore.
For Muggle Studies, I wasn't sure if we were going to be in the Castle or over at Cloud's Kiss for the lesson there, guess I would find out when I got there at 330 and Professor Miller would tell us.
Diverting my attention from my potions book I saw the letter that had come from Mum while I'd been eating breakfast. I'd not had a moment to open it, thanks to classes and very rarely got to my mail before noon - not even the copy of the Daily Prophet that was sitting in my bag got read before I finished my first set of classes. I went to reach for the letter to open it, but before I could Arthur plopped down next to me, jarring my bag off the edge of the couch where it had been sitting next to me.
"Hi!" He said, planting a kiss on my cheek before getting up and fixing my bag and then gently settling himself down next to me.
"Bout time you got here, it is almost time to leave for Potions." I said, only mildly annoyed that he'd spent all his time in the Great Hall instead of coming here as soon as he was done eating.
"Sorry, had been talking with Boris about Quidditch." He said with a light shrug before slipping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her to him.
"Its okay, just thought we'd have a bit more time before we are stuck in classes and I won't see you again until dinner." I said resting my head on his shoulder.
"No worries. I've nothing planned after dinner tonight so we can cuddle and snog all we like." He said with an impish grin and I gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Come on Romeo....we need to head to Potions, don't need to loose points because we are tardy." I grabbed my bag, finished off the last of my sticky bun and butterbeer and headed out with Arthur following. He caught up and we walked the rest of the way to Potions holding hands.
After A Morning Practice
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 03-24-12 09:52
Emerging from a much welcome hot shower after a morning practice in preparation for a match tomorrow afternoon, Pyrrhus sits in front of his locker to finish toweling off and get dressed. Further down on the bench Brent Gorper is doing much the same. After vigorously rubbing excess water from his hair with a towel Py looks over at Brent. "I meant to ask earlier, how's Clarissa? She's not been around all week."
"Other than still have the occasional bout of morning sickness, she's good. Her mum's visiting so Clarissa thought it best not to freak her out by coming to practices."
"Even though Clarissa isn't doing anything but stretching exercises and watching the rest of us?"
"Even though. Her mother has visions of every bludger going astray to hit Clarissa full in the belly no matter where Clarissa happens to be sitting or standing during a practice. It's just easier to appease her this week than to have her hovering and harping constantly."
"That's understandable."
"You and Isolde ever think more about having one of your own?"
"Yeah, but like I once told Clarissa, with some of the things Isolde's had to deal with healthwise, having kids hasn't been a top priority. That, and the more I look back on things and accept what a monstrous prick I was in school, I'm not sure I'd be a good parent."
Brent chuckles, "A lot of us were monstrous pricks in school. You do really well with your little brother and with your sister's kids."
"Yeah, but I get to give them back. They aren't around me daily. I was a pureblood snob of the worst sort, even when I didn't know I was adopted and therefore not a pureblood. When I found out I actually am one," Py rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
"That bad, huh? You don't come off as a blood biased bastard. What changed?"
"Lots of things, big and small. A niece who I fell in love with almost instantly but whose blood status is a huge question mark. Joining a Quidditch team where I made some very close friends whose blood status never came up in conversation, some of whom got put into camps and never came back. Realizing that my sister is actually not such a bad sort and that I do actually care about my dad. My dad who raised me not the one whose blood I share. Seeing the horrendous results of a purge conducted by people who would murder babies simply because of what they deem tainted blood. Having a little brother I care about a great deal who would have been one of those eventually purged. I am probably still a snob, just not in quite the same way."
"I don't think you have to have any worries about being a good parent. Unless you're one of those who's going to spoil the kid endlessly and never discipline. I'm starving. Clarissa and her mum were doing some shopping today so I was thinking of eating out. Want to come?"
"Food sounds good. Where too?"
"Chinese? Want to see if Isolde wants to join us?"
"Chinese works and yeah, I'll pop home and see if she's there. Which restaurant?"
Brent suggests a place they both know well, then Py apparates home to see if Isolde's there.
Friday Night is Couple Time
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 03-25-12 07:16
Friday was not her busiest day per se, but it was bloody close. It was shorter than Wednesday only by one class and that was her latest class, Astronomy which met at midnight. Monday was shorter than Wednesday and Friday by a total of two classes, as she only had four that day. Six on Wednesday and five on Friday. Not to mention Quidditch practice thrown in there on Monday and Wednesday. One at the earlier time slot of five to seven (that was Monday) and one at the later time slot of seven to nine (that was Wednesday). She also had various club responsibilities that she'd joined and all in all she cherished when five in the evening rolled around because it meant that she had absolutely no obligations until Monday morning. (Well, there was always homework, but that really didn't count in her mind.)
Friday evening was usually reserved for time with Blake, and tonight was no exception. The only time that changed was when Saturday was a Hogsmeade trip and they would be spending most of the day together in the village. She and Blake had headed to the Great Hall right after Care of Magical Creatures and had split only when they'd gotten to the Gryffindor common room after that. Isma went to go shower and change into something a bit less formal than what she wore for school - opting for her favorite pair of jeans and a Ramones T-shirt that she'd gotten at a vintage shop over Christmas hols. Trainers on she slipped her robe back on and headed toward the Common Commons to meet with Blake.
She slipped off her school robe and plopped down on one of the love seats, knowing that Blake wouldn't be too far behind. She'd taken only a moment to grab a fairy cake from those offered and a butterbeer before settling herself, flick of her wand activated the WWN listening station in the little alcove she and Blake usually claimed for their Friday night cuddle session. He arrived promptly on time and after claiming a couple of biscuits and a fairy cake for himself as well as a butterbeer he settled down next to her and she cuddled into him listening to the sounds of the others gathered in the room and the song playing at the moment.
"Hi." He said dropping a light peck on the top of her head. "Glad the day is over?" He asked, sliding an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him.
"Very much so. I didn't think Care of Magical Creatures would ever end. It is only going to get crazier next year when we have to take the O.W.Ls and then we start N.E.W.T level course work the year after that." There was a faint trace of melancholy as if the purge and whole issue under Minister Smythe-Jones hadn't occurred they'd already be feeling the pressure of O.W.L exams at the end of this term. However, since they'd both been shipped off to Happy Haven School for Nons (which really wasn't a school, more like hell on earth, but not as bad as some went through) they were fourth years instead of fifth years when they returned to Hogwarts.
"Its crazy, but honestly, look how far we've come since that time." He said gently and tilted her head up to look at him. "It has made what we have that much stronger, because we have suffered the same hell." He gave her lips a gentle brush with his own before they settled once more into the silence of their time together.
She smiled, nuzzling into him, fighting the urge to doze listening to the lull of people around them and the slow song playing on the WWN at the moment. "This is something I am thankful for each and every day." She said softly, curling into him as they just sat in silence.
"Me too." He said with a soft smile and let his fingers lightly play through her still damp hair while he nibbled on one of the biscuits he'd snagged.
Taking A Day Off
Author: Blossom
Date: 03-25-12 14:36
Stretched out on the sofa in the family room, a book propped open beside her, the WWN turned to an interesting debate on the pros and cons of starting a school for children ages 5 to 10 and whether such a school if established in the UK should be a boarding school, a day school, or have the option of both, Blossom sips from a cup of spiced tea, half expecting this moment of peace and relaxation to be broken any second now by one or more of the children. As they are all in Hogsmeade that does not happen but the front door bell does ring followed by several knocks. Thought it might be her mother-in-law Molly at the door, Blossom doesn't think so. Molly generally uses the kitchen door.
Blossom reluctantly gets up from her comfy position to pad in feet clad with socks in a bright pink and blue striped pattern picked out by Fabian and Freddie as one of her Christmas gifts. She peers through the peephole, surprised at who she sees stomping feet against the chill. Throwing open the door she greets Dexter Bishop, "Granddad! What are you doing here?"
She moves to allow him past as he sweeps her with a critical eye. "Unexpected business in London. I did a firechat a to the day care to invite you all to dinner but they told me you didn't come in today. Are you ill? It's not contagious is it?"
"I'm fine, just taking a day off," Blossom says, lips quirking up.
Assured now that he's not going to catch something from her, Dexter opens his arms for a hug. Stepping back from the embrace, Blossom takes the coat he sheds and hands it up then offers, "Would you like some coffee or tea?"
"Coffee would be nice."
He follows Blossom into the kitchen where she puts a pot on to percolate. He waits until she's settled with her own tea across from him at the table to ask, "Are you sure nothing's wrong?"
"I'm sure. I just need a day off now and again that don't also include the kids. With three six year olds and a pair of two year olds, even when Fred is here, it's hard to find a minute or two during the day to just sit down for a moment of peace. Most weeks I work five very full days but since November because of staff illnesses in both the day care and the gaming center, I've often worked six or seven days in a given week. Every now and then I will take a half day or, like today, a full day, to be lazy."
"Do you need to work? Are you over extended? You've got money of your mother's and from me if you need it."
"Dexter. Granddad. Fred and I are doing more than all right. I work because I love the day care and the gaming center and I love helping Fred and George at their shoppes now and again. If I wanted to only work part time or only around the house, I could. I simply choose not to."
"You're happy?"
"Extremely. Are you?"
"I have my moment," he grumbles, not liking having the question turned back on him. "If you aren't sick, then would you want to go to dinner tonight? The children could come along if you wanted or it could be adults only."
"Fred and I had promised we'd take them out for dinner so I don't want to go back on that if it's avoidable."
"Then we pick somewhere child friendly."
Blossom starts naming some of the restaurants she knows her kids like, glad her grandfather is showing an interest in spending time with her and her children but unable to stop herself from wondering if he has an ulterior motive. With Dexter, one can never be sure.
Checking on Albus
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-25-12 15:46
"You weren't at supper. Is everything all right?" Professor McGonagall asked Professor Dumbledore.
They were in his office. The portraits on the walls were all asleep, a few of them snoring softly. Fawkes, on his golden perch, also appeared to be dozing.
The entire room was dark, but for a small lamp on Professor Dumbledore's desk and the bright, nearly full moon shining in through the windows. Professor McGonagall would have thought Dumbledore was also asleep, except that his eyes were very much open. He appeared to be a million miles away, however.
"Albus?"
Dumbledore blinked and focused on his guest. "I'm sorry, Minerva. That was quite rude of me. Please, sit down. Would you like some cognac? Coffee liqueur? Irish creme?"
"Scotch if you have any," Professor McGonagall said, taking the proffered seat.
Dumbledore nodded and conjured a crystal decanter, which he opened and tilted into a pair of glasses. Professor McGonagall murmured her thanks and took a sip from her glass.
"Ah, yes, supper," Albus finally said, in response to some of the first words Minerva had said upon entering his office. "I've asked Londy to bring up a plate from the kitchens. I'm afraid I distracted myself with work and lost track of time. I trust I didn't miss anything of importance or interest?"
"No, Albus." Professor McGonagall studied him hard through her spectacles. "Are you sure you're all right?" A cursory glance over his desk showed some evidence of school-related work but there were a number of scribbles on scraps of parchment here and there and a stack of old Daily Prophets, many of them creased, dog-eared and marked upon.
"Oh, yes. Perfectly well, all things considered."
Londy popped into the room, bearing a tray with a covered platter and what looked like a slice of lemon meringue pie.
"Thank you, Londy," Albus said to the elf, accepting the tray and immediately starting to eat.
Londy started tidying up the room.
"Would you say, Minerva, that Winter Term has come off to a good start?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, I would say so," Professor McGonagall replied. "I am in the process of finalizing the Career Day participants, and the notices for the apparition lessons have all been posted as of this morning."
"Excellent. No, Londy, those are not due for the rubbish bin just yet," Dumbledore told the house-elf, who had been reaching for the old newspapers on his desk.
Londy took her small hands away and busied herself with cleaning the glass windows on all the cabinets.
"I would be interested to know who all have confirmed their appearances for Career Day," Dumbledore told McGonagall.
She told him what she could remember off the top of her head, which included a mix of participants old and new. Eventually, the conversation shifted to Wilkie Twycross's annual return to Hogwarts for the apparition lessons and which age-appropriate students they thought would most likely succeed at apparating early on in the lessons and who might struggle the most. By the time Dumbledore had finished his dessert, the topic of discussion had come to McGonagall's great nephew Madoc and the progress he'd been making in school.
Dumbledore's faraway expression and all-consuming thoughts seemed a distant memory for Professor McGonagall for the moment.
And perhaps that was his intention.
Between Work And A Date
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 03-25-12 16:22
The only light in the kitchen is from the open refrigerator door as Coco checks its contents. From halfway down the back stairs Mitzi Bolt asks, "Not seeing your young man tonight, dear?"
Tired, Coco lets her well practiced diction slip a somewhat. "Soon. Tha clinic were busy today. 'ardly 'ad time for me lunch so was thinkin' tah grab a snack."
Mitzi slowly descends the rest of the stairs, reaching to flip on the overhead light when she reaches the bottom. With her children pressuring her to sell her house, the profits going to them of course, and move into a retirement village or assisted living facility, Mitzi has moved in with Walter and Coco. "Let me fix you something."
"Nah, but thank you. Fritz and I were thinkin' the cinema and something after. Oi'll just 'ave some fruit ter tide me ho-ver." Coco grabs a container with fruit salad then turns to a cabinet to get a small bowl before grabbing a fork from a drawer.
Before sitting she carefully removes Pea from her pocket, setting him on a pillow that she places on the seat next to her. The miniscule dog looks even tinier than normal. His health continues to decline but given his advanced age for not just a dog of his breed but for dogs in general, that's to be expected. He tells her he's not in any pain to speak of and seems content to doze the day away in her pocket. Still, the thought of losing him sooner rather than later greatly upsets the usually unflappable Coco.
Mitzi asks Coco about what went on at the clinic, in between making comments about increases in the costs of fresh produce and milk. Snack eaten, Coco washes the bowl and leaves Pea with Mitzi while she hurries to freshen up with a shower and change clothes. Back downstairs she collects Pea, this time putting him in one of her purses designed for the comfort of a small dog, kisses Papa Wal and Mitzi goodnight then disapparates from the kitchen to go meet up with Fritz.