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First Day Of A New Term
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 03-26-12 15:53
As he's done at the start of each term since he came on staff at St. Emrys, Charlie took the full week off from the McFusty preserve to be at the university. He's kept his classes to only Tuesdays and Thursdays but with last minutes changes to schedules that might require his signature, people needing to speak with him, meetings that often accompany the start of a new term, and wanting to make sure the classroom he's using - which is conveniently the same one for each section he's teaching - is in order, and other things, Charlie likes to be on campus as much as possible the first few days. He'd spent all day last Thursday here and had a departmental meeting on Friday that ended up only being ten minutes long because several people were out for various reasons such as flu.
At the moment he's looking over the first rosters for each class so he can get a count on the minimum number of each syllabus to have copies of tomorrow. Charlie's got a roll book but he won't copy the rosters into it until each class has met two or three times. There's less crossing out names of those who dropped and adding names in of those late to register for a class or who've made changes to their schedules. He's pleased with the initial numbers this go around, enough so that he doesn't feel as if he's giving a one on one lecture but not so many as to make it difficult to get to know his students or give individual attention as needed.
He looks up at the rap on his open door. "Professor Weasley, I need some private tutoring."
Chuckling Charlie drops his quill and replies with a waggle of his eyebrows, "Trying to earn an Outstanding already are you?"
"A girl does what she must even when not enrolled in certain classes," Hendrika grins in return.
Charlie comes around the desk, meeting Hend halfway. After a hello kiss he asks, "How's your day going?"
"Really well. I rather liked the history professor and I think the Muggle Studies course I decided to take is going to be interesting."
Hendrika is primarily taking classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays this term. The History course she signed up for is a survey course Eastern Civilization with the emphasis being on Muggle events, not Wizarding ones. The Muggle Studies course is a computer course with a lab located a few blocks from the universities main entrance but which is connected to the school by a special Floo conduit.
"Want to go to lunch at that sandwich shoppe just opened near the Wyrding Way? You can tell me more about your morning."
Leaving her bookbag in his office, Hendrika and Charlie walk hand in hand the short distance off campus to the new sandwich place, talking about the classes he's teaching this term and the ones she's taking, and also debating the short list of choices on what to get Blossom for her upcoming birthday. After a pleasant lunch, the new restaurant making excellent sandwiches and having a wide selection, Hendrika is looking forward to meeting her afternoon classes and Charlie is ready to return to work to finish making sure he's prepared for tomorrow.
Almost Like Old Times
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 03-26-12 18:03
The start of Hilary Term at St. Emrys University also meant the start of Hermione's very last clinical rotation at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. She had had the option of working in her preferred field of specialization or in spell research. Hermione had liked every aspect of her healer training thus far and would have found it very difficult choosing just one field out of the different options. She supposed she could just be a general healer, but there was something to be said about being an expert in one field or another.
As it happened, what interested Hermione most was spell research. Years ago, she had worked in a similar division at the Ministry of Magic and there at the hospital as well. She enjoyed the challenge of developing spells and looked forward to doing so within the realm of healing.
Her mentor was someone she knew well, Alistair Mickle, who had hired her after she'd lost her position at the Ministry of Magic. Alistair had lost hair since she'd seen him last, but he was still the tall, broad, and booming wizard she remembered. He was Head of Research in the Spell Research Laboratory at St. Mungo's.
One of the first things he'd asked Hermione upon getting reacquainted with her was whether or not she had seen Henry Waltham lately. Hermione had not and cared not what her ex might be up to these days. They'd first met in the library at St. Emrys. Hermione had found him smug and selfish at first, but eventually she'd come to like him very well. But that hadn't lasted very long. They'd broken up after her involvement with the battle under Hogsmeade, in which Voldemort and Harry had both died.
If she hadn't been involved in that "insane affair", then Harry would still be dead. So, it had absolutely been worth it for her. It was only Henry who hadn't cared for the "black mark" on her record.
Henry had eventually become Assistant Head of Research to Alistair and had effectively been Hermione's supervisor. Hermione remembered the shock she'd felt at seeing him again, and he'd been as irritating as ever. Eventually he'd tried getting her back, but by then she'd gotten back together with Ron, whom Henry found lacking. He'd felt that Hermione should be with someone who shared her intelligence, someone who was her equal in every way.
Intelligent though he was, Henry had still done something as oafish as to start a fist fight with Ron in a public place. Hermione would never forget how she'd felt in witnessing that moment.
In quite succession, Henry had found himself a new girlfriend and then moved to New Zealand to pursue a new position at another hospital. Hermione hadn't seen or heard from him since.
"Well, it is good to have you back here again, Hermione," Alistair said. "It will be almost like old times."
"Yes, almost," Hermione agreed.
Hot, Hot, Hot (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 03-26-12 18:16
Spotting Polly and Bianca sitting together at the Slytherin table, Catriona joins them, dropping into the space on Bianca's left. "Is it just me or is the day going slowly?"
"It's not just you." Bianca offers Cat the pitcher of spiced pumpkin juice she'd just been using. "I think for me part of it is having six classes today."
Polly giggles, "But you get to end it with cute Professor Hodfuffer."
"So true, and much more preferable to having Professor Snape just after lunch."
"I don't know what's worse, having him before lunch or you having him just after," Cat laughs.
Polly pretends to pout, "At least you get to start your day off with having to look at Professor Knight, Cat, and end it with Professor Douglass. All the juicy looking professors teach you upper years. It's hardly fair."
Bianca counters, "Do not forget you have the ever adorable Professor Somerset for Defense Against the Dark Arts and the oh so much nicer on her worst day than Snape on his best day Professor Weasley."
At Polly's gesture, Cat passes her a vegetable casserole saying as she does, "The likes of Hodfuffer, Douglass, and Knight, and even Masterson, serve to counter having Professor Snape for Potions."
"Also, do not forget you have Muggle Studies with Professor Miller. He is not difficult to look at," Bianca reminds.
"Still, I would not mind having Professor Knight for Charms. I do like Professor Fairchild but," Polly blushes a little, "Professor Knight is hot. Also speaking of hot, have you heard anything more on Errol Anderson, Cat? Did you think he did what the gossip says?"
"Nothing new, no, and I'm not sure. Megara thinks he's innocent and so do Christopher and Alistair."
Polly sighs, "I hope so. He's sooooo cute."
Bianca nods in agreement, "That he is."
Cat grins, "I might have a boyfriend but I am not blind so I have to agree with you both on that count. Polly, pass that salad there, please?"
What If?
Author: Carys
Date: 03-27-12 11:49
The security staff at St. Emrys had taken possession of all of the pictures Carys had taken at the international festival, when she'd inadvertently photographed what appeared to be a witch getting kidnapped. She'd submitted them before the end of Michaelmas Term after showing the one photograph to the other staff members at Emrys Everyday.
Like her, they'd all been intrigued by the picture. It certainly looked like a kidnapping in progress, though the individuals in question were in the background and weren't in focus at all. Knowing that one of the missing persons from the university, Dacia Osterberg, had last been seen alive at the International Festival, had everybody thinking that the witch in the photograph was her. They knew what she looked like from another photograph and though Carys's picture was quite blurry, it looked like she could be a match.
Security had questioned why Carys had waited so long to submit the photograph, which had made her feel quite badly about everything. What if by keeping the photo to herself, the kidnapper and killer had been allowed to roam free and to kidnap and kill his other victims? Assuming, of course, that all the missing persons cases were linked. Carys tried not to feel guilty, because even if she had turned in the photograph, there was no guarantee that the kidnapper could be identified.
No other students or staff had gone missing, as far as anyone knew. Hopefully, it would stay that way.
Carys was again enrolled in the N.E.W.T. review program, this time focusing on Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic and Transfiguration. DADA and Transfiguration had theoretical and practical components.
It was only the first day of term and Carys could already tell that she would have her work cut out for her, but she was ready for the challenge.
Gravel Root
Author: Marzipan
Date: 03-27-12 12:39
Professor Ravenscroft was in the middle of lecturing her second group of second years on gravel root, a flowering herb native to North and South America and also New Zealand. The herb typically grew 5-10 feet tall and could be found in moist, rich soil alongside ditches and marshes or in wet forests. In the wild, it bloomed mid-summer until first frost, and tended to attract butterflies, bees and other nectar-feeding insects.
It being the middle of winter, the specimens Professor Ravenscroft displayed in class were specially cultivated to bloom in January. The plants consisted of thick stems, whorls of leaves at each node, and pink or purple clusters of small flowers.
"Pretty, aren't they?" Marzi asked her Gryffindor and Hufflepuff second years. She had posed the same question to the Ravenclaws and Slytherins she had taught the previous hour.
"When it draws nearer to spring, we will try to plant out some of these and see how they do in our climate. I don't know about you, but I love butterfly gardens and would be thrilled to see one here on the grounds at Hogwarts. But first," she said, pulling one of the purple varieties towards her, "we will repot these."
She grabbed a spade and gently worked her plant loose from its pot. "While you are repotting your gravel roots, I want you to consider why the plant has that name. We've only seen what grows above ground so far."
The plant lifted easily from the pot. Marzi held it high so that everyone could see its roots.
"It looks like bits of gravel!" Hunter Green exclaimed.
"Indeed it does," Professor Ravenscroft replied. "Now consider this. In areas where soil is gravelly, plant life tends to be more sparse. That's because gravel doesn't really retain moisture and gravel also doesn't have enough mineral nutrients for plant life to thrive. So, how do you explain this plant?"
She set it into a bigger pot and started shoveling soil onto it.
"Because it's magical," Marlow MacDougal said.
Marzi smiled at her. "That's right. This plant doesn't follow mundane botanical rules. Now, I want everybody to grab a spade, a big pot, and a plant."
Her students got to work repotting their gravel roots. All of them studied the roots of the plant with interest. Depending on the variety, some of the gravel looked more like crushed rock, while some was very fine, and some looked like pea gravel used in aquariums.
Class ended all too quickly. Marzi dismissed them with the announcement of no homework and was soon left to her own devices. Technically, she had office hours now but she doubted she would have many visitors, since it was still so close to the start of Winter Term. She put a sign up on the greenhouse door, which said that she would be back soon. Marzi wanted to run up to the castle for a pit stop and to check on her boys.
She did both within thirty minutes and also stopped by her quarters to change shoes. The ones she'd been wearing had started to wear and had rubbed blisters into the backs of her heels. She'd either see if she could get them repaired or just throw them out and find replacements.
Before leaving her quarters, she cast a quick glance at a new set of photographs that were hanging on the living room wall. The frames had been a Christmas gift from Jasper Jenkins. Marzi had filled them with a photograph from the joint wedding she and Weston had had with Carolina and Caleb, and then photos of Carter and Vallon.
Every time she looked at the photographs, she felt both happy and sad. Happy, because she had a wonderful family. Sad, because she wished Carolina and Caleb hadn't died.
She slipped from her quarters and hurried back to the greenhouses, hoping that she'd left no student waiting for office hours.
Long First Day
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 03-27-12 19:04
Walking into the house shared with step-siblings Savannah and Ezra, Sage drops his backpack near the door then makes his way to the back of the house. He enters the room they tend to refer to as the sitting room or the den, finding both the others there. Through the open arch into the kitchen he sees Ezra bent over parchment and an open text book. Savannah is sitting on the floor, her back against a chair, textbook open on her lap. The sofa free, Sage falls onto it.
"I am so knackered."
Savannah gives a small empathetic smile. "Same here. What's that phrase you people sometimes use? Shattered?"
"Yeah, shattered."
"I am that. The only reason I've not crawled into bed yet is because several have told me that Everson somehow expects everyone to know to read the first three chapters for the first day of class, which is tomorrow at 8."
"What class is that?"
"An Accounting one. What had you home so late? Night class?"
"Not a usual one. There was a clerical error for that Potions lab I signed up for. Three times as many showed up for it then expected and the room didn't have the capacity for everyone even if the professor was willing to have a section that large. Professor Toothill was so irritated, she had all of us traipsing around to clear up the error."
Coming in from the kitchen Ezra asks, "Toothill? Any relation to the Wizarding card Toothill?"
"Her husband is," Sage nods before getting back to his story. "Some were siphoned off to other lab sections that meet later in the week. Some were put in a newly created lab section that also meets later in the week. I ended up in the one I'd signed up for that was to meet today from 1 to 5. Toothill was so put out at the thought of now being a week behind her lesson plans, she had us meet the lab anyway. By that time it nearly 5. A couple of people had night classes from 5 to 7, so she decided they at least could sit in on another section just this week. By the time we actually got the lab underway, it was around 5:30. The potion she'd planned for today took almost the full four hours. I wanted to come home straight away but needed to go to the library to get some books for a paper due Friday."
"And I thought I had a bad day," Savannah says, shutting her textbook. "I guess I can't say it was bad. Just seemed long and a little tedious. The instructor I ended up with for Herbology is a real ass. Another is nice but has already piled on the work."
Sage looks over to Ezra, who's now sitting in a chair that matches the one Savannah is propped against. "What were you working on?"
"Geometry. There are a lot of assigned problems to have done for Wednesday and though I haven't found any difficult so far, they do take a little time to solve and write out neatly, and there's reading up on what's next. At least I've only got two classes tomorrow, though one is a two hour lab. Did you get any supper? There's some leftover pizza."
"I'd forgotten about supper. You're sure you don't mind on the pizza?"
"No, go ahead."
"I'm going to go commune with my bed, I do believe," Savannah says, getting up from the floor. "Night, you two."
"Night," they chorus, both going into the kitchen, Ezra to gather up his Geometry work before also going to bed and Sage to get a slice or two of pizza before also turning in.
Good Nature
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 03-28-12 12:54
Today's Divination class was about Tessomancy. Nate recalled reading tea leaves at his third year at Hogwarts but Professor Sacheverelle wanted them to try again, knowing this time as 7th years they would make more serious and mature readings. Somehow he ended up paired up with Phyllida. In silence he served her pink cup with tea and then he served his own as well. While waiting for the tea to cool down Phyllida's eyes fell on his face.
"They are gone," she commented referring to the pimples. Nate nodded, and then he looked to his cup of tea as if it was the most interesting thing in the classroom. "I hope you can forgive me eventually," Phyllida added.
"I wasn't attacking you or harming you back then. But instead of just pushing me back or ask me to stop you jinxed me, in front of everyone. That's a very low thing to do."
"I over reacted, I know. But you didn't have a good behavior as well."
"I admit that. But what will happen if I forgive you and you over react again? Will you use the killing curse on me next time?"
Instead of replying Phyllida drank her tea and Nate ended up doing the same. Once she was done she handed her cup to Nate. He observed it with attention and used his text book trying to find a meaning to what he had just seen.
Impatiently, Phyllida tried to take a sneak peak into her cup but he didn't let her.
"I see the sun. It means 'great happiness', so I guess that's a good thing. And I also see a plant. Maybe it means your family is going to have some happy times or maybe you have a plant and it needs more sun…"
Quickly he pushed his cup to her, before she could refute his reading. He had actually seen the sun there but the plant part was pure invention. But he guessed since Herbology was part of who she was, plants would probably be in her future one way or another.
"Your turn."
She nodded and studied his cup.
"Hmm...I see an arrow and a wasp. The arrow is spearing through the wasp," she smiled and placed the cup down.
"And what does that mean?"
"Isn't it obvious? The Appleby Arrows are going to be victorious against the Wimbourne Wasps."
"That has nothing to do with my future."
"You're just annoyed because your Quidditch team is going to lose against mine."
Nate wanted to explain to Phyllida that although there was nothing wrong with her reading, except the fact that the Wasps might lose against the Arrows, the propose of this class was about to glimpse onto each other's future and not about trivialities like Quidditch.
Unfortunately Professor Sacheverelle went to their table and she asked Phyllida what she had just seen in Nate's cup. He noticed how apprehensive she was as she picked up his cup and she knew the Arithmancy and Divination teacher was going to be a bit disappointed with Phyllida's interpretation. And so he acted:
"That's not my cup. You mixed them." And he swapped cups with her.
Phyllida was able to identify the sun correctly and Professor Sacheverelle seemed pleased with that. She told Phyllida to keep working on her reading and left the table. Once she was gone, Phyllida put down the cup looked Nate in the eyes.
"I thought you haven't forgiven me…"
"And I didn't."
"Then why were you nice to me?" she seemed truly surprised.
"I guess it's the Hufflepuff good nature," he shrugged his shoulders.
"Er...thanks."
"You're welcome."
(Maggie) Definitely a Good Day
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 03-28-12 16:49
Tuesdays weren't that bad of a day as far as my schedule went, and as I'd settled into a fairly decent routine that even included sometime for socializing as well as dealing with clubs that I had found out about and started participating in - as well as hanging out with my brother and sister-in-law. Though hanging out with Lawrence was kinda weird while he was my professor, and I didn't do it all that often because I didn't need rumors spread around that I was getting help or getting special treatment because I was related to my Herbology Professor.
I'd witnessed, though only paid little mind to, the brief exchange between Nanthaniel and Phyllida - I'd also seen Nathaniel's face after the incident in Hogsmeade which had made me shake my head in disbelief how anyone could be so cruel to someone so nice, but then again it happens. I turned my attention back to my tea leaves, something I'd never been good at reading in the first place, and right now I was reading leaves for William Reade (who I kinda, sorta had a little bit of a crush on, but not telling anyone that - except maybe Ariella).
"Alright, so it looks like you are going to have either a very prosperous future or a very catastrophic future because I can't decide if that looks like a raven or something else completely different that has wings." I said, offering William a smile before sliding him my cup to analyze. While he was studying my tea leaves, I took a moment to go over his again, shifting the cup to get a better angle.
"You were correct in analyzing the raven Maggie. That is what it closely resembles and you should always go with your initial prediction when reading." Professor Sacheverelle said as she came over to check our progress. "What is it you see in Maggie's leaves William?"
William studied the leaves for a moment more. "I see..." he paused for a moment, consulting his book for a moment, before speaking once more. "A person, someone beneficial appearing in her future, someone that will be a good fit or something along those lines for her."
Professor Sacheverelle nodded, peering down at the leaves as well. "Very well done William." She said, before moving through the classroom to check on other pairs. While I did my best not to flush a light scarlet at William's reading - could it have anything to do with the fact that I was considering getting up enough nerve to ask him...I shoved that thought to the back of my mind at the moment.
"Alright, want to try another?" I asked, wondering if we had time before class ended and we had to head down to the second floor and History of Magic.
We had time to do one more reading each, and got somewhat similar readings for each of us, involving some mystery person appearing in each other's future - when that was going to happen neither of us could predict, but we both found that it was beneficial to the individual.
William walked on ahead with Nathaniel to History of Magic, I unfortunately was going to be a few minutes late to Professor Douglass' class because I'd forgotten my assignment on my bed back in my room. I told William to let Professor Douglass know that I would be a few minutes late as I rushed off toward my room.
Thankfully I was only a handful of minutes late to History of Magic, taking my seat next to Sophia I flashed Professor Douglass (one of the many hotties teaching the upper years courses) an apologetic smile before pulling out quill, parchment and my books. "Good timing." Sophia whispered just before class began.
About half-way through History of Magic a slip of parchment found itself unseen on to the pages of my history book. Quickly tucking the note beneath the table I unfolded it and dared a look only when Professor Douglass' back was turned. I grinned and looked up to see William looking at me, nodding my head I gave an affirmative answer - I would meet him after class.
(Kristos) On Bended Knee
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 03-28-12 17:47
"Please don't turn me away again. I can't go on with this… this gap in my memory. I need closure."
The neurological healer, a very pretty witch, looked sympathetic as she addressed the handsome wizard begging for her assistance.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Fox," she began, "but we've run out of funding. This was only supposed to be a temporary study, a trial period. I can tell you that we had a very high success rate and that the likelihood of us furthering our research is high. You may very well get another chance to recover your memories, but I'm afraid it can't be today or tomorrow."
Kristos slammed his fist down on her desk. "I can't accept that. I had my memories back. I know I did because you told me as much, you and the others who worked with me during the trial. The only reason I can't remember anything now is because of the blasted amnesia associated with my accident."
Healer Maricela Weymouth suddenly looked encouragingly. "Most people who suffer amnesia as a result of an accident recover their memories eventually. You'll get them back whenever you brain and body are ready for you to cope with whatever you've got stored away in there," she said, pointing at her own head.
"It's been nearly eight months since my fall," Kristos spat. "Surely I'd have recovered my memories by now if that were true."
Maricela's express grew serious again.
Kristos leaned over the desk and clasped both of her hands in his. "Please, I'm begging you," he pleaded. "It's not like I'm a new patient or that there's anything new for me to recover. I just need a little help remembering what I've already remembered."
"That's true," Maricela said. "I suppose I could help you..."
"Thank you. Thank you, thank you. When can we start?"
"I've got an open block of time directly after lunch."
"I'll be here. Thanks again!" Kristos swept to his feet and would have kissed the healer, but he checked that impulse and left her office whistling a cheery tune.
Are You Sure?
Author: Majandra
Date: 03-28-12 18:32
Hubert MacBadger starts to pour excess dandelion juice back into the container but stops when Majandra puts her hand over the mouth of the bottle. "Are you sure you want to do that, Hubert?"
Hubert looks from the beaker into which he'd poured the dandelion juice to the bottle and Maj's hand then back to the beaker again. "Ummm, no?"
"You don't have much conviction behind your words."
"Ma'am?"
Maj glances to Paton Shrewsbury, who's just reaching for the container of hickory bark shavings. "Mr. Shrewsbury, would you happen to know if Mr. MacBadger wishes to pour his extra dandelion juice back into the main bottle?"
"No, professor."
"No, you don't know or no, he doesn't want to do that?"
"No, Hubert doesn't want to do that."
"And why would that be?"
"So that he doesn't accidentally pollute what's in the bottle."
"Yes, exactly. Three points, Paton."
Hubert looks sheepish. "Contamination. I forgot. Sorry, Professor Weasley."
"No harm done, but try to remember for next time, all right?"
"Yes, professor."
"Best hurry back to your cauldron. You don't want to ruin your potion this close to the end of the period."
Hubert nods, taking his beaker with the excess dandelion juice with him. Maj checks the time and announces to the class, "Fifteen minutes and then I expect stoppered vials in the racks on my desk. Do not forget to mark your name on your vials."