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Not Guilty (Etta & Basil)
Author: Jared
Date: 04-03-12 15:55
On her way to her desk in Potions, Etta had passed right by her cousin Basil who'd practically hissed her at, "I know you're behind it."
By now long used to Basil's persnickety attitude when it comes to her, Etta doesn't even bother looking his way once nor does she give him a single thought during Potions. Even if Basil was worth a second though, Professor Snape's lessons are hard enough as it is without getting side tracked thinking about something else. After Potions ends, all those also taking NEWT level Charms with the lovely Professor Knight make the trek from the dungeons to the third floor.
Halfway there, Basil comes right up beside Etta, keeping pace with her despite his longer stride, all the while casting dark looks her way. Halting without warning, she watches half bemused, half confused as Basil continues on, jerkily stops, then backs up to where she is.
"If you have something to say, just say it and be quick. I won't be late to Charms because of you."
"You did it, didn't you?" Venom drips from the vague accusation.
"Did what?"
"The pool."
Etta shakes her head, returning his granite glare with a blank stare. "Pool?"
"Don't pretend you don't know. What I don't get is why anyone would even care, other than you enjoying jabbing the knife in, when there is an American running around here who killed someone and attack some girl."
Somewhat irritably, Etta expels a loud breath. "No one knows if any of that is true plus, some do care. There are some who won't go anywhere near him unless they have to. As for you, are you talking about your crush on one of the Vanderbilts?""
"Don't know what I'm talking about, huh?" He snaps.
"It took me a minute."
"Don't give me that. You knew exactly what I was talking about."
"No, I did not. Not that you'd believe me, but I am not behind it, Basil."
"You're right, I don't believe you," he snarls.
"Look to whomever might have let your little secret out and go from there." Tired of this conversation and with little time left to get to Charms, Etta walks away.
Basil grabs her arm to say one more thing. "I'll find a way to get you back for the pool."
Shaking his arm off, not deigning to bother with a reply, Etta hurries away, with Basil following a second later, his longer legs quickly overtaking her, bumping hard enough into her that she stumbles, twisting her ankle. With everyone else already gone on, Etta is left alone to hobble to Charms, somehow managing to be just a couple of minutes late. As Professor Knight assesses her ankle then gets someone to help her to the hospital wing, Basil maliciously grins at Etta. With that attitude, those betting against him in the pool are going to win, though since that is everyone betting, the pool split will simply return to them what they paid in.
Let Me Eat Cake
Author: Saffron
Date: 04-03-12 20:40
"Niccola Erin Miller."
Nic eyes Saffron, hearing the warning in her mum's voice, her three year old mind debating just how much further she can push it because she's truly in trouble. Seeing Saffron's expression and having had her full name used in that warning has Nic slowly pulling her hand back instead of inching it further forward.
"Now, put your bottom on your chair."
Nic's lower lip pooches out but she settles her rear fully on the booster chair. She looks out at all the older children, hoping one will see her poor pitiful me face and come offer to have her sit with them. Big brother should come rescue her but Deak hasn't even looked this way. The bottom lip sticks out a tiny bit more.
Saffron pats down some fly away curls on the back of her daughter's head. "Someone needs her nap early."
"No."
"You don't think you need a nap?"
"No."
"Then what do you think you need?"
Nic points to the thing that she'd been trying to get. "That."
"You have to eat first. Mummy's already told you that."
"Want to eat that."
"I know you do, but you have to eat your chicken and potatoes first."
Nic's head droops, eyes cast upward to watch her mother through her lashes, lip still sticking out, little arms handing down giving her a defeated, woeful appearance. A tantrum threatens to spill forth if the bid for sympathetic capitulation doesn't work.
Saffron taps the plate in front of Nic. "Chicken and potatoes first then you may have some cake. If you have a tantrum, you get no cake at all and Mummy will take you back to the day care."
Nic folds her arms, face scrunching up. She really, really wants some of that cake and she wants it now. Past experience tells her that Mummy will stick to what she said and take Nic out of there without any cake at all. At the same time, her young mind wonders if this time will be the first that Mummy will change her mind and give in, letting her have the cake if she pitches a fit.
Eyes turn longingly on the cake then back to Saffron. Still pouting, she reaches for a bite of the chicken, hoping that Mummy turns her back long enough for Nic to stand up in her chair again to finally reach that cake.
Of Fridays and Stomach Bugs
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 04-04-12 01:32
She'd taken the luxury of sleeping in, despite the restlessness. She'd spent some time talking with Professor Black after classes yesterday before he'd gone home to his wife and children. She was not entirely a fan of burning off the excess energy in the snow, but still made use of some of the sanctioned time she'd been allowed in the evenings.
Shower, and quick snagging of a blueberry muffin had her heading to History of Magic. She had classes until five today with only a break for lunch, and then thirty minutes between DADA and Muggle Studies. Tomorrow was also Career Day, and she was looking forward to some much needed time with Arthur.
Kida and Whitney were waiting for her outside HoM and the trio slipped into the classroom and found their seats while waiting for Professor Davyd to come in and begin class. By the time she showed up, Arthur wasn't in class, which was odd, because he was usually a few minutes early like the rest of them.
She looked over at Whitney and mouthed "Where's Arthur?"
Whitney mouthed back, "Hospital wing. He is sick."
A frown marred her features, but she turned her attention to Professor Davyd's lecture, knowing it would probably be information on the exam that would eventually show itself.
The break between History of Magic and Transfiguration found her in the Hospital Wing, but Madame Pomfrey said that she could not see Arthur just yet, the stomach bug that he had was still in the contagious level of things and she did not want her to be exposed to it.
"Tell him I will have his assignments from today, and if I can, I will try and come back after dinner. Otherwise, I will come see him tomorrow?"
She looked hopeful and Madame Pomfrey nodded her head. "You should be able to see him tomorrow morning. Have a good day Miss Blackwood."
With that she turned and left the hospital wing heading to Transfiguration, making certain to tell Professor Black that Arthur was in the hospital wing with some sort of stomach bug. She also passed on the message to the other professors that they shared, knowing that Madame Pomfrey would probably alert them all anyway.
She met Whitney and Kida for lunch and desperately wanted to go check on Arthur again, but she refrained. She did however send an owl to her mum letting her know that Arthur was sick and requesting a get well soon balloon and card be sent to him since she couldn't deliver it personally. Knowing her mum there would be one sent out the moment after she read the note her daughter had sent home.
That done, still nibbling on the last bit of her sandwich she headed to the first of her three afternoon classes, Potions in the dungeon, then up to DADA, and then finishing off with Muggle Studies, and then meeting up with Kida and Whitney and a couple others for dinner.
Too Exhausted To Argue
Author: Errol
Date: 04-04-12 15:48
After History of Magic ends Errol clumped to the tower housing Ravenclaw beyond happy for a respite from classes, assignments and studying. With regular assignments, all the make-up work from having missed classes for several days, and staying on top of OWL preparation, Uncle Ross and Madam Pomfrey are crazy if they think Errol can take it easy, get more rest, and eat like he's supposed to. That reminded him he'd not gone to lunch, busy in the library with researching information for one assignment. More tired than hungry, he'd continued the shorter distance to his bed than turning around and trekking all the way back to the Great Hall or the Common Commons. Reaching his room, his book bag thudding on the floor, Errol flopped face down on his bed thinking that supper would be along soon enough. He'd eat then.
He's barely shut his eyes when a hand grabs his arm, giving it an insistent shake. "Up. Now is not the time to take a depression fueled nap."
Face still planted on the bed, Errol's voice is muffled by the bedspread. "Go away, Megara."
"Nope. Not going to happen."
"Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
"It's over."
"Not History, that other one. Divination."
"Arithmancy and Divination ended a good fifteen minutes ago. You know, I really thought this room would have more of a locker room smell. If you don't get up, I'm going to start tickling you."
"Why are you in my room? I'm not ticklish."
"Girls can come into boys' rooms, just not the other way around. Old rule. Sort of stupid but then maybe it's so that boys don't try to spy on us girls when we're dressing and undressing."
"But you can come spy on us while we do? Hardly fair."
"Oh, like girls are generally guilty of that sort of thing. Hmmmm, but now that I think about it, I wouldn't mind seeing whether Deak wears boxers or briefs. I'm going to start tickling in five, four "
"Not ticklish."
"Three, two,"
"Hey! Stop!" Errol squirms as Megara's fingers start brushing the side of his stomach. "What happened to one?"
"What happened to not being ticklish? Interesting how you've got your school uniform robe on, a jumper underneath that and a shirt under that but you are fidgeting, and giggling, like I've touched bare skin."
Errol rolls away, out of her reach, face red now from the laughing and from being face down on the bed.
"Not up but at least you've moved," she comments. Cocking her head to one side, eyes shrewdly narrowing, "You didn't eat lunch, did you?"
"I was busy."
"You aren't supposed to be skipping meals."
"I also wasn't hungry."
"That's the depression talking."
"I'm not depressed."
"You aren't depressed like you aren't ticklish."
Errol mulishly insists, "I am not depressed." Propping himself up on his elbows he asks again, "Why are you here? You never actually said."
"Veritaserum."
"I told you I'm still not sure about it."
"No, you said yes then you said no, then you said maybe. I don't understand why you keep changing your mind."
Pushing off the bed, Errol sheds the uniform robe, moving to hang it up. Next off comes the tie striped in Ravenclaw colors.
"You're stalling."
"What's Errol stalling about?" Alastor Jenkins asks, moving to put his book bag on his bed. With Alastor is his cousin Daniel. Or is that one Hadrian?
Megara waggles the vial of potion she's retrieved from a purse Errol hadn't noticed her having until now. "Veritaserum."
"Why are you stalling?" the cousin asks. "I'd think you'd want everyone to know you're in the clear."
Errol slumps back against his armoire. His tone carries the shrug he doesn't physically give. "I'm not sure at will matter in the big picture. All of you are going to believe what you want."
Megara's mouth twists as she points out, "Your uncle."
"What about him? I used to think he cared about me but now I think all he cares about is his image and me not getting into more trouble. It's not like he insisted I be given it when I was blamed for everything."
"And I think he believes in you more than this depression of yours thinks," Megara insists.
"I told you, I'm not depressed."
Alastor humorlessly laughs, "Ha. You aren't depressed about as much as Slytherin is the best house at Hogwarts."
Turning the vial over and over in her hand, Megara pins Errol with her frank, serious stare. "Look, I get that you're worried that maybe you did actually do it but just don't remember."
"If that's the case, I would really like to know," Alastor tells him. "I've a little sister here at school and Daniel and I have several girl cousins at Hogwarts, including two here in Ravenclaw."
So very tired, Errol runs a hand down his face, wishing they'd all leave him be and let him crawl back in bed. Much as he'd like nothing more he's also too exhausted to argue, the weight of not knowing if he really did it or not a crushing weight that's getting harder and harder to bear.
"Okay."
Megara jumps up, nearly clapping her hands together but remembering she's got the vial of truth potion in one hand. She points to the beat up leather chair near the window. "Sit there. Here, Alastor, take this."
Alastor accepts the vial from her, leaving Megara free to root around in her purse. "I wrote out a list of questions."
"Do I take all of it?" Errol somewhat nervously asks.
"No, just a drop or two should do. Three a strong dose according to my neighbor."
Daniel's eyes go to the door. "This use of this stuff is highly regulated by the Ministry. What if we get caught? You're a prefect, Alastor."
"I don't think anyone will tattle and I doubt any of the other prefects are going to turn me in because I'm pretty sure they want to know as much as we do." As he replies to his cousin Alastor is carefully measuring out drops in a cup with water Megara handed him. "What else you have in that purse, Megara?"
"So I came prepared." Megara flashes a grin, but Errol can tell she's starting to feel a little nervous about all this too.
Errol accepts the cup from Alastor staring down at the contents, not sure he's going to be able to make himself actually drink it.
Megara helpfully says, "I can pour it down your throat if you want."
"I really wouldn't mind finishing my nap, then maybe going to supper."
"You were probably going to sleep through supper," Megara dryly replies.
Grimacing even before the liquid crosses his lips, expecting some horribly foul, bitter taste, Errol downs the contents without further offers of assistance from Megara.
"How long till it takes effect?" Daniel asks.
"My neighbor said it's fairly quick. Let's do a test question. Errol, if I didn't like someone else, would you ask me out?"
"Maybe."
"It's working," she tells them.
Alastor asks, "How do you know?"
"He's not blushing or stammering trying to explain why he didn't flat out say yes."
Alastor and Daniel are peering over Megara's shoulders at her list of questions. Daniel points to two of them, "Might as well ask that one of these first."
With a nod, Megara asks, "Did you attack and try to rape your girlfriend Dayna?"
Without hesitation Errol very firmly states, "No."
Megara moves to the other question Daniel had pointed out. "At the party did you go off alone with Sarah Johanson?"
"No."
"This one next," Alastor says just as they hear footsteps nearing the still open doorway.
Busted
Author: Jolyon
Date: 04-04-12 18:55
Last Friday, Jolyon had taken his fourth year students to Ayr Aquarium to study ramoras, protected silver fish native to the Indian Ocean. The ramora expert on hand, Vera Lutterworth, had spoken at length on the intensely magical fish, which had left today's continuing lecture on the topic almost unnecessary. Jolyon had spent a rough half hour explaining the homework assignment and answering a few questions and then had dismissed class quite early, allowing everyone to return to the castle before nightfall.
He'd followed soon after with a small parcel tucked under his arm. It had been mistakenly delivered to the stables by a very confused, elderly owl. It was Jolyon's opinion that the owl should probably retire from delivering mail, but it wasn't his pet or his choice to make. At any rate, the package wasn't for him but for fifth year Ravenclaw William Henshaw.
Jolyon carried it up, up, and up through the castle until he reached the Ravenclaw portal. He went through it and glanced around the common room to see whether William was in sight. He wasn't, and none of the gathered Ravenclaws he'd questioned had seen him recently. Jolyon supposed he ought to have checked the Great Hall first, but rather than carry the parcel back downstairs he decided to leave it in William's dormitory room.
He came up the winding staircase and stepped onto the landing, then taking the few steps needed to enter the room––
––where he came upon four startled individuals.
Errol Anderson was sitting in a chair by the window, with Megara Flynn, Alastor Jenkins and Daniel Gelson standing in front of him. Megara stood stiffly, holding a piece of parchment down by her side, while Alastor appeared to be holding something against his own leg, though Jolyon couldn't tell what because Alastor's hand was shielding it from view.
Daniel took a small step back and did not appear to be hiding anything other than what they were doing up until the moment Jolyon had walked in on them. Errol remained seated with his lips pressed together in a thin, white line.
Jolyon entered the room fully and set the parcel down onto William's bed. The four didn't move. The guilty looks on each of their faces was enough reason for Jolyon to want to investigate what they'd been up to.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked them as a group.
"We were just––" Megara began, but an answer other than the truth didn't come to mind quick enough.
"Just?" Jolyon asked. His gaze slid to the parchment in her hand. He wordlessly held out his own hand.
Megara reluctantly stepped forward and handed it over. Jolyon read it quickly. Then, he looked at Errol. "What is the meaning of this?"
Errol, unable to lie, gave a complete answer. When he finished, Jolyon glanced at Alastor and held out his hand. "The vial, if you please."
Like Megara before him, Alastor stepped forward and reluctantly handed over the vial.
Jolyon gave it a cursory glance and then looked at everyone. "I think we all need to take a walk to the Headmaster's office," he said.
Errol got to his feet and led the way out of the dorm room when nobody else moved first. Daniel was next to go, followed by Alastor, Megara and then Jolyon himself.