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(Evelyn) The Questionnaire
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 04-21-12 10:35
Evelyn joined Johanna at the Slytherin table. Dinah and Evinrude were still finishing dressing in the dorm and she decided to go ahead to the Great Hall to see if she would catch her cousin. She put some pancakes in her plate and served her glass with pumpkin juice. Johanna was reading one of her boring History of Magic books. There was no sign of any of her friends, specially no sign of Gus Van Tassel.
Evelyn had thought on asking him to the Valentine's banquet. Not because she liked him in a special way but because everyone would be jealous if she went in the company of such a hot and popular Quidditch player. Evinrude had given it a try first and Gus told her he was going with someone else. And so Evelyn didn't even bother trying herself. She didn't want to hear a 'no' for an answer and sooner or later Edgar and Luke would find out about it and laugh in her face. However she wanted to know who Gus was going to take to the banquet and who better than Johanna to tell her that?
"Good morning," she greeted. Johanna raised her eyes from her book and wished her cousin a good morning and then returned to her reading. But Evelyn placed her hand over the page making Johanna to pay attention to her.
"What is it?"
"Who is Van Tassel taking to the banquet?"
"What?"
Evelyn repeated the question.
"How should I know? Why don't you ask him?"
"Like we talk all time. He doesn't really know who I am. And you? Are you going with someone?"
"I don't know yet…"
The questionnaire ended there because Evelyn's friends arrived and she joined them. They were trying to figure out with whom they would go to the banquet if they were older. Dinah mentioned her cousin Luke and then she added she would even go out with Evelyn's twin brother Edgar. Evelyn wondered what the matter with Dinah was. There were plenty of attractive Slytherin boys, why would she want to date a Gryffindor?
Her thoughts then went to her birthday gift. Her mother had inquired her about it and Evelyn hadn't come up with an answer yet. Edgar had asked for a pet but Evelyn wanted something more expensive. She wanted a new broomstick. But she was sure her mother wouldn't get her one, unless she was in the Quidditch team. Besides if she had a new broom Edgar probably would want one as well. She decided to think in another options during today's classes. Evelyn finished her pancakes and went with her friends to their first class of the day, Charms.
One Must Have Confidence
Author: Rylee
Date: 04-21-12 11:06
Sliding a hand through dark tresses I sat upon the stairs leading up to the Great Hall. I'd been in earlier and had breakfast and already done a bit of meditation this morning, I had a travel mug filled with tea that I intended on sipping on during my first class this morning. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day, and I had no one to call my Valentine, but that's quite alright, and I also had no intention of hiding myself away in my room and moping over this fact.
"I wonder if she's going to try and do something outrageous for Valentine's Day..."
"I've heard she doesn't have a Valentine, because no one wants to be seen with her without everyone thinking that she bought the date."
The words echoed behind me as I flicked a glance over my shoulder at the pair of fourth year girls that stood at the top of the steps. One was Slytherin and the other Ravenclaw and the catty behavior, while expected from the Slytherin was almost a surprise from the Ravenclaw. Then again, very little could surprise me right now.
Pushing myself upward, I turned to face the pair of fourth years. The older girls having gotten on my last nerve rather quickly.
"You are right, I don't have a valentine, and I was considering having something special done for Valentines day for the student population. But, you know what, i think I will just end up celebrating myself since none of you seem to be worth it. Considering you have very little to do but gossip and trash-talk behind my back."
Turning, I left the pair of girls staring at the top of the steps. Plucking up my bag and travel mug I headed toward Transfiguration that was slated to begin in about fifteen minutes. I was tired of being trampled on and treated like I was a horrible person for the confidence that I had. I'd come to a conclusion over the past couple of weeks and I knew that people weren't going to like me, they weren't going to be my number one fan or anything of that nature. I was who I was, and if they could not accept me, then truthfully they were not worth my time or my energy.
Transfiguration passed quickly and then I headed to the dungeon for Potions. I pondered slipping out of my Donna Karen pumps before heading to History of Magic later and probably changing into something a bit more relaxed than the pencil skirt and cashmere sweater that I was in at the moment beneath my school robes.
Quick check of my make-up as I sat down in my seat in the potions classroom and got some looks from some of the others in the classroom before I simply shrugged and put them from my mind. Drawing out a small stack of sapphire colored parchment, my eagle feather quill and a container of silver hued ink I waited for the lecture to begin.
"Rylee..."
I flicked my gaze to the male voice coming from my left and offered Wesley Varnum a charming smile, "Yes Wesley?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Valentine's Day banquet with me?"
He looked so cute and so nervous, but also his asking me would perhaps prove that I did not have to buy a date. "I'd love to Wesley. I will meet you in front of the Great Hall before dinner tomorrow." With that he returned to his seat, and within moments Professor Weasley began her lecture.
Eleventh Birthday - Mockridge Dower
Author: Valeria Mockridge
Date: 04-21-12 13:59
Morning on February 13th was just like any other morning in the Mockridge house, at least to everyone other than Valeria. She was up and dressed for breakfast, as expected, in the dining room with her Grandmother Cloris Mockridge, Aunt Nephele and Uncle Kirley. After breakfast, it would be time for lessons, which were the one thing her grandmother trusted her aunt with.
"Valeria, you mustn't crunch your toast so," Cloris scolded.
"Yes, Grandmother," the girl answered, chastened. She wondered, if her parents hadn't been killed so many years ago, if things might have been different.
"Kirley, have the owls come yet?" the matriarch asked.
"Let me check, Mother," he answered, sliding his chair back silently and heading out to the hall. Valeria perked up at the mention of the Owl Post. She knew that her letter should be coming that day, it was her Eleventh Birthday, after all. In her mind, those two words always seemed to be capitalized. If she wasn't accepted at Hogwarts, she would be a Disgrace to the family and that simply would not do.
After all, being a disgrace like Aunt Nephele or Uncle Kirley, who had never married and stubbornly refused to help continue the Mockridge line, would be much less an offense than not attending Hogwarts. The only other thing that could come close would be being sorted into Hufflepuff. Valeria had been told from her earliest childhood that no Mockridge was ever Sorted anywhere but Slytherin. It simply wasn't done.
Kirley returned, holding in his hand a packet of parchment letters. "Here we are, Mother. A few for Miss Valeria and some others for you. It appears Jibby was holding them until after breakfast," he said, handing the packet to Cloris. She took the pile, sorted out Valeria's few and sat them at the top of her plate.
"Once you are finished, Child, you may have your letters," the older woman said. Valeria sighed and continued to eat, knowing that if she rushed, she would have to wait until lunch to see if her Hogwarts letter was there. "But surely Grandmother would have said something if it wasn't, wouldn't she?" she thought to herself. Finally, she finished what she had been given and the letters were handed to her Aunt Nephele and then to her.
With eager fingers, she flipped past the few birthday greetings until she saw it, the bright green ink standing out against the heavy parchment. She opened it carefully, noting the school crest stamped into the wax and read eagerly.
"Good news, I trust?" Cloris asked archly.
"Yes, Grandmother. I have been accepted at Hogwarts for the term starting in September. This contains my list of supplies as well as my ticket for the train which leaves on September First, from Kings Cross Station," Valeria replied.
"Good. Nephele, you and Kirley will take Valeria to Diagon Alley today. I know it is early, but Madame Malkin will need time to make her robes to our exacting standards. And with the extra time, Valeria can start to read through her books so she is better prepared when September comes."
"Yes, Mother," Nephele answered. She would take the chance to buy the child a pet, perhaps an owl of her own for school. It would be good for them to bond before the term started, and it would be something she knew her mother would not think necessary.
Nocte Visionem
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 04-21-12 15:17
Just inside the entrance of Obstacle #2, the last of the seventh years straggle in, most likely having gone first to the Upper Years Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and only then remembering they were to meet here instead. As the classroom and Obstacle Course #2 are that far apart, none of them are tardy. Kissy finishing ticking everyone off her roll, simultaneously addressing the assembled students.
"Good morning! Today's objective is twofold. You will continue practicing camouflage and concealment and your first practical application of Nocte Visionem. Half of you will be given time to hide. The lights will be extinguished then the other half of you will locate your respective targets. You will have a maximum of 20 minutes. At the end of that time, you will switch, hiders become seekers and seekers become hiders. You are teamed up with your dueling partner from last week. Any questions?"
A few heads shake, a few give verbal responses. Satisfied everyone knows what to do, Kissy directs, "Things in the usual place," before rattling off the names of those who are hiders first. To them she says, "You have two and a half minutes. Hustle, spread out, and do your best to blend in. Go!"
The first group of hiders take off through the maze of obstacles and items as Kissy turns to the first group of seekers. "You are to remain behind the barrier. You may remain here at this entrance or spread out to another entry point. When the lights go out, you may then enter the course itself. If I see you entering before then or catch you trying to peak onto the course, you will sit the 20 minutes out, you will get half credit at most for the hiding portion, and you will owe me a five hundred word essay by curfew tonight."
After a pause to let that sink in, Kissy smiles, "Make your way to another entry point if you are going to do so. I will be observing from the catwalk."
Up top, whether those hiding or not, Kissy announces, "Hiders, whether you are ready or not, it's light's out in three... two... one. Seekers, you may go!"
With a swish of her wand, Kissy extinguishes all the lights in the large room. From various points beyond the barrier that runs the perimeter of the room, voices of the seventh years comprising the first group of seekers can be heard intoning, "Nocte Visionem!" giving them each night vision to better search the darkened maze of an obstacle course for their camouflaged and concealed targets.
Seriously, No
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 04-21-12 19:01
Philippa's tray drops onto the table with an almost metallic sounding clang, which is odd given the trays appear to Zabrynna to be some sort of wood laminate or, maybe a plastic that's meant to look like wood. Either way, it's an unexpected sound and from the volume the force of the drop produced, it's also not a happy one.
"Is it that today's Monday or is it something else?"
Ripping open a packet of sugar to stir into the steaming tea that miraculously did not slosh everywhere when she oh so gently put the tray down, Philippa gives a none too ladylike grunt. "Both but more the something else. Make that someone else."
"Same person?"
The already vigorous stirring of her tea increases enough that it's a good thing thing Philippa is using one of those plastic stirs and not a metal spoon. Zabrynna can easily picture the mug breaking otherwise. Still, perhaps she should get Philippa a to go cup.
"Yes! He's so . He's . Ooooh, he makes me so . Ug!" Philippa's face is flushing a shade of red that puts Zabrynna's hair color to shame.
"What's ug?" Anne asks, sliding her tray on the table and pulling out a chair.
"Not what, who. A bloke in Philippa's Herbology lecture. Feeling better?"
"Mostly though John is still flat on his back, swearing he's going to die any second. Why are men such wimps when it comes to a stomach bug? Why is this person ug, Pip?"
"He's an arrogant, know it all jerk and what's worse is he knows he acts a complete prat, which makes him even more an an arse in my opinion."
"Is he cute?"
"He's nice looking enough I suppose but his attitude is so ugly that's all I see when I have to look at him."
"Maybe he's got a crush on you and is like a little boy when it comes to expressing it," Anne suggests, spearing slices of fruit with her fork.
"He's like that like with everyone as far as I can tell, besides even if he is crushing on me, his behavior is a complete turn off; plus, I like someone else."
This is news to Zabrynna. Last Philippa and she discussed someone Philippa was somewhat hot for was when Zabrynna offered to find out if Indigo McFusty would be interested in taking Philippa on a date. She'd replied, "Indigo is insanely hot but no, thank you. I'm rooting for you to two to get over this 'we're just friends' phase."
She asks her friend, "Who is this someone else?"
"You will meet him tomorrow night if you come to the dance."
"I'm not I'm going. I don't have a date and attending a Valentine's themed dance without a date isn't very appealing."
"John and I will be there even if I have to dose John up on potions and prop him against a wall." Anne's eyes dart from Philippa to Zabrynna back to Philippa. "I know who we can set Zabrynna up with if she's not bringing Indigo. He'd be perfect."
Zabrynna's, "I don't want a set up," is drowned out by Philippa's, "Tell me all about him."
"He's very sweet, has blue eyes "
"You two, stop! I don't want a fix up."
Anne waves a hand in Zabrynna's face. "Stay out of this."
"I will not when you are discussing me."
Philippa gives Zabrynna a pointed look. "We are NOT discussion you. We are discussing Anne's friend."
"Whatever. I need to go anyway. As I probably won't see either of you again today, I shall see you tomorrow. I will not, however, be attending the Valentine's dance with someone you've picked out for me."
Anne smiles, giving her best oh so sweet innocent expression. "You'll be there."
Philippa is nodding. "I'll help you pick out something."
"No. Seriously, you two, no."
Now the one wanting to scream, Zabrynna snatches up her tray, marching over to a dust bin to deposit the tray's content, shooting one last look of warning over her shoulder to the two schemers formerly known as her best friends. By the time Zabrynna reaches her destination and is settled into a seat, pulling out parchment, quill, and ink in preparation for class to begin, she can't stop thinking about what method those two will use to get her to the dance, how if she does end up there she'll have to be polite to this friend of Anne's since he would be a total innocent in the matter, and fervently wishing she could spend tomorrow night in the company of the one person with whom Valentine's would actually have meaning. Fingers flutter to the cheek he kissed at her sister's Christmas party, the ghost of his lips still felt after more than two and a half months, distracting her thoughts enough she misses the first few sentences of the professor's lecture.
Damn those two.
Color Charms
Author: Lilac Middleton
Date: 04-21-12 20:58
There was a china teacup sitting in front of Lilac. It was a dark blue color with tiny Chinese designs in it. Her great grandmother had been a collector of teacups and anything to do with tea. Of course this was the grandmother on her mother's side, and Lilac had inherited a few items from her. The teacup being one of them.
She was attempting to turn the teacup pink instead of blue. However, just like the apparition lesson, she couldn't seem to do it. Instead her thoughts turned into a million different places. Lilac touched her strawberry necklace and then attempted it again. Holding up her wand. But the cup just turned to gray.
"It'll be alright." Cecila said. She had managed to turn her tiny kitten pink. Lilac glared at her. "What?" She asked.
"It's not fair. How come you managed to do that? But I cant seem to get it to turn pink at all?"
"It's because you aren't concentrating hard enough." Cee said very sensibly.
Lilac frowned. She knew that her concentration was a little in the lacking part today. She had five classes, loads of homework to turn in and probably even more to do. On top of Valentine's Day. She peeped over at Will who was looking right at her. Lilac smiled.
"See?" Cecila giggled. "That's why you cant concentrate. But if you do, I bet you might be able to turn the cup pink. Think about the pink flowers I bet Will, will give you." Cecila suggested.
"You really think he'll bring me pink flowers?" Lilac asked.
"Yep."
Lilac looked back over to Will and then tried again. The cup turned from blue to gray and then a light red that was almost pink. She tried again and finally, but all she could think about was the flowers that Will may bring for her. She also realized that she had not gotten Will a gift. Lilac shook her head. None of this mattered. She had school work to do.
Lil tried again. pink, pink, pink. She thought staring at the cup. It couldn't be that hard. Not if her cousin managed it. She pointed her wand at the cup and thought of the color pink as hard as she could. She tapped the cup and suddenly, it turned pink. Lilac squealed a little. She finally managed something. She finally managed to turn the cup pink.
Lilac glanced over at Will who was still staring at her. He smiled at her and pointed to the cup. Gave her a thumbs up and then ducked his head.
"Boy, I think he likes you more than Nate ever did." Cecila said smirking a little.
"Maybe." Lilac said with a shrug. She knew that it was a rare thing for school sweethearts to last after school. But she could always hope for she really did like Will. She liked him enough to maybe one day even marry him. That day however was a long way off.
Day Before Valentine's Day
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 04-22-12 11:47
"Please tell me you got a reservation into McGonagall for one of the two person tables..." I said to Arthur as I plopped down upon the expanse of the Slytherin table next to him. A light sigh sliding from my lips. I hated Mondays with a passion along with Wednesdays and Fridays because these were some of my busiest days as far as schoolwork goes. Homework was done, thankfully and everything was ready to turn in as soon as class times came.
Morning classes were done, and I had three more to go with the largest gap being between DADA and Astronomy. At least tomorrow was Valentine's Day (even if there were classes to get in the way of snogging time with sweethearts).
"Yes, I made sure to get in a reservation with McGonagall." He said with a light smile as he brushed a kiss to my cheek and slid a glass of pumpkin juice over for me to sip at. "Don't worry about it."
I leaned into him and sighed lightly before pulling myself away from the thoughts of snogging, and turning them to lunch. I filled a bowl with steaming cheese and broccoli soup and added a half a ham and swiss sandwich to a plate as well as a couple of strawberries.
"Can this day please, pretty, pretty please be over with? I don't want to sit through Astronomy tonight nor do I really want to go to the rest of my classes for the day." I said with a slightly petulant little whine to my voice.
"No, the day isn't going to go any faster if you whine about it love. Now, Potions and DADA won't be that bad, and it wasn't like we have an examination in either of them. Besides, astronomy won't be that bad." Arthur said with a light smile and shook his head. "You just want it to be tomorrow so you can find out what I got you for Valentine's Day." He said with an impish grin.
I stuck my tongue out at him and focused my attention on my lunch, only having an hour between Transfiguration and Potions to eat lunch and double check that I had all my supplies ready for the beginning of Potions as well as for DADA after it.
"Yeah, well. Can you blame me?" I asked with an impish grin, and truth be told I was curious as to see just what he'd gotten me for Valentine's Day.
Is This A Joke?
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 04-22-12 12:07
Having felt directionless for some time now, Phin's been making more of an effort to pick a path and stick to it. Part of that effort includes figuring out a career instead of changing his mind every other term about what he wants to do. Before the introduction of wizarding universities, he'd have had to commit to something long before now or he'd have been unhappy in some low paying job, thinking he really should look into doing something with further ranging goals than simply wondering if it's time to punch out yet and meet his mates for a drink. Or, he'd be working at his mother's restaurant, where he'd still be wondering if it was time to leave yet.
Phin does not dislike working at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron. Some of the people he meets are nice and the staff there is great but at the end of the day, it's still just a paycheck. Though he knows how to cook, Phin doesn't have the passion for it that his mother, Aunt Phlagmelina, and Uncle Lars do. He also does not have the passion for the business end of it. At least from that he knows he does not want to run a business or be an accountant.
He enjoys being in a band but Phin can't see himself being a professional musician. The time spent with the others practicing and performing as Dynamic Duo is enough. Sure, having groupies can be great fun but he does not think he'd want that existence day in and day out. He loves Quidditch and while he's good, he's not professional level great. He also has no interest in becoming a referee or a coach.
What he's found himself interested in more and more of late are international relations and politics. Even a little bit of law. So, at a time when he should be nearing an end to his time at St. Emrys University, Phin has officially become part of Merlin College, with its programs in International Affairs and Political Science.
Entering the library and finding a table he pulls out a list of reference books to study, trying to decide where to start. The research paper was only assigned today but it's due mid-week next week so he doesn't want to put off starting on it till the weekend. Others will be scrambling to get theirs done then and it's a sure bet that whatever books he'd need would not be available because his classmates would be hogging them.
He picks two promising titles from the list and after finding both returns to the table to work. He's done with one and nearly so with the other when someone else drops items on the table. As these tables are large enough for four people to work somewhat comfortably and as he was the only one at the table until now, Phin thinks nothing of it, not even looking up from his work.
Four minutes later he snaps the second book shut, consults the list again for a couple more titles, gathers up both books to return to the shelves, and only then looks up,, noticing who is sharing the table with him. She's been watching him but not in a way that gave him the feeling of being watched.
He means to play it cool but still blurts in surprise, "Emerald."
One corner of her mouth turns up. "I was wondering if you'd ever notice me here."
"You should have said something."
"I didn't want to interrupt your work."
"I wouldn't have minded. How are you?"
"Good, but tired. I'm not sure how much longer I can split time between two schools when one of those schools is in the States."
"Don't work so hard doing both you make yourself sick."
"I won't. What about you? How are you?"
"I'm great. I've changed over to Merlin College, International Affairs and Political Science."
"That's great! You're happy?"
"Yeah, and excited about school, which I've not been in awhile."
"Did you ever start seeing anyone?"
"A date here and there but those hardly qualify as seeing someone."
"So no Valentine for tomorrow?"
Phin would very much like to assert that there is only one Valentine for him and she's right here at this table but as he had promised to leave her be on that subject, with great restraint he refrains. He sticks with a simple, "Not this year."
"Does that mean if I asked you to the dance here tomorrow night, you're available?"
Totally gobsmacked, Phin ends up staring in disbelief, finally stammering out, "You're joking, right?"