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You, Dog, You (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 05-03-12 16:21
Though he should be reviewing for his Friday classes and finishing up homework and, at the time it is, thinking about going to the Great Hall soon to eat, Caerwyn has spent the last hour staring down at one hand, deep in concentration. He's making progress on becoming an animagus, last night getting a few fingers to fully turn. While working, he got to thinking about his success again and just knew he could get his whole hand, if not his entire arm, to change. Since then, Caerwyn's been looking at his hand and arm, wondering why the hell it's taken so long to make what little progress he has. It's certainly not been from lack of trying.
Why, oh, why hadn't he inherited his mother's natural gift as a metamorphmagus? Would he care about being an animagus if he had? Would he still want to be one but find it easier?
"Are you using that book?"
Caerwyn had been so deep in thought and concentration he'd never heard anyone come up to his back table. He jumps, knocking two books and a bottle of ink into the table. Grabbing his wand, Caerwyn drops to the floor, reaching to upright the ink bottle. A small puddle of ink looking much like a giant indigo tear stains the floor. Wand pointed Caerwyn opens his mouth for a spell he knows will clean up the ink only to draw a blank.
"Let me. It's my fault coming up behind you like that."
She uses a different spell, one Caerwyn's never heard before. Caerwyn plans to write it down with a sketch of the wand movement she used, thinking it might be handy to know, especially as it worked better than his did.
"Thanks for helping; and, it wasn't your fault. You didn't know I hadn't heard you walking over here."
She tilts her head slightly, taking in Caerwyn. "You're in my house, on the Quidditch team, one of the beaters. Caerwyn."
"Yeah, and you're Adelaide."
"You know who I am?"
"Don't a lot of kids know the names of students older than they are, especially those in the same house?"
"I've never given it much thought; but, yes, you're probably right. Is your hand okay?"
"Huh?"
"You hand? When I walked up, you were holding your hand like this and seemed to be staring hard at it."
Caerwyn feels warmth in his cheeks and knows he's blushing slightly. "Oh, yeah, my arm is fine."
He can tell she doesn't quite believe him even before she asks, "You're sure?"
"Yeah, I was just trying something."
Adelaide's mouth turns up and her eyes crinkles at the corners with the smile. "Were you trying that x-ray vision spell that makes the rounds every year? That's just a joke, you know, passed down year after year to boys who are more than willing to believe if they master that spell, they can see through clothes, through walls, into the girls' showers."
Caerwyn hasn't ever heard of such a spell and is intrigued. "I don't know anything about an x-ray spell. Is there really such a thing?"
Both of Adelaide's shoulders lift, her open, pleasant face shifting to a very clear, I have no idea expression. "There might be but if there is one that works, it's not the one you might hear about from some of the older lads. It could even be that one does work but not in the way that you'd hear about from one of the other boys."
"You have me wondering now. I may have to go look it up."
Adelaide's smile returns. "What were you doing then."
"It's sort of embarrassing to admit."
"Promise I won't laugh if you share."
As he practices often in his room where anyone coming in may see, it's not really a secret. It's more that Caerwyn's only ever verbalized this with Augustus and his father. He chews on his lower lip for several seconds before telling her. "I'm trying to be an animagus."
"Are you really?"
"Yeah."
"That's pretty cool and not at all easy. What made you decide to try?"
"My mum was a metamorphmagus. I sort of always knew that but not what it was called or how she did it. When I learned about metamorphamgi and animagi, I got to remembering some things about Mum, so one day asked my dad about it. After that, I kept hoping I'd be able to do what she did, but so far haven't managed anything. I also thought why not give being an animagus a try."
"Having any success?"
"Some. Last night some of my fingers transfigured fully."
"To what?" Adelaide sounds as excited as she does curious.
"Looks like a paw of some sort, maybe like a dog's, but I'm not exactly sure."
She does that head tilt thing again. "Yeah, I can see that. Some sort of dog breed that's friendly and loyal but also has a bit of a bite when needed."
"You think a dog is good?"
Adelaide suddenly ruffles his hair. "Oh, yes. A dog like that would be very good. Trust me."
"I guess I was hoping more for like a lion or panther." His thoughtful expression turns to a frown. "I hope Velvet doesn't mind if a dog if that's what my animagus form turns out to be."
"Velvet your girlfriend?"
"No, my cat."
Adelaide erupts into laughter and ruffles Caerwyn's hair again. "You're just too cute, you know that?" She reaches for the book she first asked about, one having to do with Care of Magical Creatures. "Are you done with this? I need to look up something for an assignment."
"Yeah, sure, take it."
Smiling, Adelaide leaves Caerwyn thinking about how he feels at the prospect of his animagus form possibly being that of a dog.
Unfocused and Emotional
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 05-04-12 08:09
Friday had dawned with a new layer of snow flurries, and unfortunately for me I was stuck listening to my tutor ramble on about History of Magic, which is so not my favorite subject. What I wanted to be doing was shuttering myself into a Muggle theater and watching a movie sipping a soda and munching on popcorn until I had the urge for actual food. The theater near The Leaky Cauldron is where I usually shutter myself when I need time to think or just not think.
"Araxie…"
I blinked, and turned my attention back to my tutor. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
My tutor, a young witch by the name of Emily Sheridan rolled her eyes. "What century brought us the illuminated manuscripts concerning the transportation of witches and wizards on broomsticks?" the question now repeated, I had to struggle to come up with an answer.
I flicked through my notes, and sighed, today's notes were pretty much doodles, nothing substantial within them that could even show promise in being the answer to the question. "Ummm…eighth century?"
Emily shook her head. "No, Araxie. What is with you today? You are half a world away."
"Sorry, just don't feel like being shut up in the house today. I've got a lot on my mind, and still trying to figure out a memorial gift for Mum. The anniversary is tomorrow." I said, sliding a hand through my hair before pushing up and moving to look out onto the snow covered backyard before I curled on the window seat in front of the bay window, legs curled beneath me.
"This is the first time you won't be seeing your father for the memorial isn't it?" she said, moving to stand next to me, leaning on the wall opposite.
"My father is the reason I don't have a mother, and he can rot in Azkaban for all I care. No, this is the last year I will not be allowed to visit her gravesite, because starting in September I will be away at Hogwarts, stuck there for the next seven years. That is SEVEN years I will not be able to stand at her gravesite and tell her that I miss her, that I wish she could be standing with me at King's Cross when I board the Hogwarts Express, be with me when I go shopping for my supplies each year. She won't be with me when I get my O.W.L results or when two years later I get my N.E.W.T results and decide what path I want to take my life," I barely manage the expulsion of emotions without breaking down, but I sink into the cushions and pillows and turn my gaze out the bay window, dragging my favorite stuffed elephant into my lap. Charlotte, my Siamese cat, hopped up on the window seat and nuzzled herself against my side before curling up and turning intelligent blue eyes upon Emily.
A frown marred Emily's pretty features as she looked at me. "I'm sorry Araxie, I didn't mean…"
"Just go away Emily, I don't think it would be a good idea to finish the rest of today's lessons," I said, shoving off the window seat and pushing my way past her and running up the stairs and into my room, slamming the door behind me giving everyone downstairs a good idea that I had no intention of coming out anytime soon.
A Break From Report Writing
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 05-04-12 13:10
When the tip of his quill breaks for the fourth time in as many minutes Griff flings it into the dust bin with a mutter curse.
From her vantage point just outside his cubicle, Amity DeBlieux asks, "Bad morning?"
Griff exhales heavily. "You've no idea. That low life Toomy Donovan arrested Wednesday not only has recanted his confession but is now claiming Donovan coerced, intimated, and physically harmed him into making the confession. I was a witness to the arrest and some of the questioning leading up to the confession so I'm needed to write up my version of events a.s.a.p."
Griff motions for Amity to come in and sit if she wants before he continues. "I was up all night on a stakeout, so I'm tired enough that writing this report is taking longer than it should. On top of all that, I've just been informed I'm one of the ones taking part in the new brothel operation."
Amity looks appropriately sympathetic only to ruin it with a grin. "If there was a male brothel servicing female clients, I'd volunteer." She quickly turns serious again. "I know I shouldn't joke. I'm sure few men in such a place would be fine specimens of male flesh."
"Probably not, though some of the women and girls in brothels are very pretty. Almost all the Muggle ones we've rescued in past operations are, but that's not surprising. They're taken because they are pretty or have some other appeal. You know, Amity, if you're serious about wanting to be part of this one, a brothels on the list for the new op has been known to cater to rich women who prefer female company."
"Hmmm. Connor MacRoth is coordinating this time around?"
"Correct."
"I might ask him about that, thanks. I'll leave you to finish your report so you can get home."
Amity gets up to go only to sit right back down. "I nearly forgot why I came over here. Some of the other girls and I the department would like to give Carys and you a couples shower or cocktail party or something along those lines once you two have set a date. Would you pass that along to Carys, please?"
"Yes, absolutely. Thank you."
Amity gets up again. "I'll come by in another hour if I'm still in the building to make sure you've not fallen asleep, drooling on top of your half written report."
"Thanks, much appreciated, "Griff chuckles.
Alone once more Griff takes out a new quill, hoping it's of better quality than the last, and puts his focus once more on a report that shouldn't be even be necessary.
Lunch with Fallon
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-04-12 18:11
Bronwyn eyed the clock on the wall. She had made plans to leave work early today, since she'd arranged to have lunch with Fallon Montgomery (Fallon Morgan, now?). The letter from Fallon had come as a bit of a shock. Bronwyn certainly knew Arley's sister but only by association. They didn't see each other very often, if at all, really.
She had known that Arley had been worrying about Fallon lately, but since he and Seb had moved out of the duplex, she'd not really heard much about his pursuit to find out what was going on with his sister. From what Fallon wrote, he obviously hadn't figured it out yet.
Surprise elopements weren't anything new, but Bronwyn supposed she could understand why Fallon was finding it difficult breaking the news to her brother. It would certainly shock him, but Bronwyn didn't expect him to act negatively towards the news––unless Fletcher Morgan wasn't the ideal husband.
She didn't know Fletcher and had asked Toby his opinion. Toby knew Fletcher through Quidditch, but they didn't know each other well either. Still, Toby knew enough to assure Bronwyn that "Etch", as Fletcher's friends and colleagues called him, was a good guy.
Finally free to leave the building, Bronwyn quickly gathered her coat and purse and left before somebody could stop her with a question or an assignment. She and Fallon had decided to meet at Brews and Stews Café. Hot soup on a cold day sounded just perfect.
She took her time navigating High Street. Bronwyn was wearing high heels and the cobblestones were slick from the snow. It was still snowing now, but even lighter than it had been when Bronwyn had left Greenwich for work. She guessed that by the time she and Fallon finished lunch, it wouldn't be snowing anymore.
Fallon was already waiting at the restaurant when Bronwyn arrived. She'd picked out a table close to the fireplace and was perusing the menu while she waited.
"Hi, Fallon," Bronwyn said, after arriving at the table.
"Bron! I'm so glad you could make it," Fallon exclaimed. She got up and gave Bronwyn a quick hug.
Bronwyn smiled. "Sure. Anything to help out a friend."
Fallon sat down, and Bronwyn sat opposite her and picked up the menu. She went straight to the soups to see what she wanted for lunch. The girls chitchatted lightly about pleasantries while they decided what to order.
Once they'd reached their decisions and the waitress had taken their menus, Bronwyn decided it was time to get down to business.
"Okay, Fallon," she said. "Spill it."
Truth Be Told
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 05-04-12 18:35
Fallon quirked an eyebrow when Bronwyn wanted to jump right into the conversation.
"Okay, Fallon," Bron said. "Spill it."
"Arley said you always liked to ask questions." Fal smiled and propped her elbows up on the table.
"Well, like I wrote ya. I haven't been talking to Arley, or Seb for that matter. I dunno why, I just don't feel like I can talk to him about my new life. You remember when Arley first transferred to Hogwarts? I had gotten into a little…tiff…with the Stormers?"
Bronwyn nodded, and Fallon continued. "Well, there was a big fuss. 'Cause Etch and I had just started dating. The coaches didn't want us to lose focus, ya know? Well I kinda got angry, and did some stuff I ain't supposed to talk about."
Fallon hung her head a little, and ran a hand through her long brown hair. "I got suspended. Which worked out okay, 'cause Etch and I bought a house down in Hogsmeade, and I couldn't play for awhile due to physical, um, restrictions anyways."
Fal paused for a moment before continuing. "There's so much more I need to say, before I start ramblin' again, you have any questions Bron?" Fal smiled and asked her friend another question. "Do you ever baby sit?"
Haven't Seen Him (Emerson Reed)
Author: Jet
Date: 05-04-12 19:37
Checking herself in the mirror to make sure she appears adequately watery eyed and red nosed, Emerson Reed turns her head left then right. The critical appraisal ends with the conclusion that her hair does not look lank enough. That's easily remedied. Before opening the door to Petra Karathanasis's insistent knocking, she uses her wand to make her hair slightly greasier, a little more lying-on-the-couch-for-days frazzledness.
Fixing a wan smile on her lips, Emerson opens the door. Couching her voice in a hoarse whisper, she feigns surprise, a crumpled tissue wiping at her nose. "Petra."
"I looked for you at work. They said you were taking the day off." Accusatory. A little angry.
"I've been sick."
Petra takes in the faded t-shirt, flannel pajama bottoms, and dark pink fuzzy slippers. Her eyes go to Emerson's face, the sore, red nose once more being dabbed with a tissue. "I didn't know. Sorry. Jet's missing."
"What? What do you mean missing?" Emerson pitches her voice slightly higher but with the strain that one might expect of someone with a sore, hoarse throat.
"He hasn't been at work since Tuesday. I was gone on Wednesday so didn't know he hadn't been in. Yesterday, I was involved in the planning stages of a new project. I was cloistered away all day. I didn't know until I went by a short time ago to ask if he was free to grab lunch that he's not been in. Jet didn't notify anyone that he's sick. I went by his place. He's not there. At first I thought you two were having an extended Valentine's but then I thought, no. Jet would have at least let the department know he was taking some personal days."
Emerson gives a worried shake of her head. "I've not seen Jet since Tuesday night. We had dinner together but I was already feeling ill so after he saw me home, Jet left. I've been surprised he hasn't checked on me. I've been a little out of it with this flu about all I've wondered was if he'd caught it too."
Agitated, Petra shifts from foot to foot. Emerson can practically hear the wheels turning on the other woman's head. "I should speak with his parents. See what they know. If they haven't heard from him either, I'm going straight to file a missing persons with the Ministry."
Opening the door wider, Emerson motions to Petra even as she starts walking away. "I'm going with you. Give me a few minutes to clean up and change."
Petra follows behind the shuffling, weak walking Emerson. "If you aren't feeling up to it, I'll go and keep you apprised of the situation."
Emerson glares over her shoulder. "I'm going. Excuse the mess," she says of the lived in look of the sofa, a waste bin brimming over with used tissue, and a coffee table cluttered with half-filled vials of potions and several tea cups.
She continues on to the bedroom and the sounds of the shower soon filter out to Petra's ears. A quarter hour later Emerson emerges from the bedroom, pale and sniffling. She takes several fresh tissues from the box then picks up the whole thing. Tucking it under her arm she says to Petra, "Ready when you are."
She follows Petra to the door, and as she pulls it closed behind her, Emerson sincerely hopes Petra Karathanasis is not going to prove to be a problem that must be removed.
Party?
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 05-05-12 14:27
Coco tallies the bill for the check-up of and several new toys for an adorable Scottish terrier named Sparkles. Seeing Sparkles and her owner off, she then seeks out Indigo. "After I clean the exam room I just used, I'll be going unless you have something else you need done."
"Nothing I can think of, thanks, Coco. You have a great evening."
"You too!"
She makes short work of putting the exam room back in order, making sure she's marked down on a chart they keep what supplies, such as the anti-rabies potion, had been used in Sparkles's check-up. After signing out, Coco gathers the few things she has and walks just across the lane to the nearby Rosa Lee Teabag. There's some tea Mitzi Bolt enjoys that can only be found at Rosa Lee. Coco doesn't linger, wanting to also get down to Botanticals & Beyond for a tea blend only Travis carries and to buy a few items for the indoor herb garden Mitzi Bolt and she have decided to start.
Botanticals & Beyond has just what Coco's looking for so when she leaves there a short time later, she's carrying several bags. One last stop and then she's going home to clean up and get supper started for Papa Wal and Mitzi. Fritz had said he'd come by and they might go out but they may also just spend a quiet evening in, sitting with a movie or the telly on. Having a telly and dvd player are definitely perks of living in a Muggle house.
Coco's last stop is The Three Broomsticks to buy several bottles of butterbeer. Papa Wal's been asking for it and after doing rather well with his physiotherapy the last few weeks and doing more walking on his own around the neighborhood, he deserves a treat. While standing at the bar waiting for the bottles to be sacked for her, there's a tap on her shoulder.
Coco turns, grinning at who she sees. "Dad! How are you?"
"I'm great. How are you?" Chadwick Yeates asks, stepping in for a hug.
"I'm good. What's up?"
"I just finished a meeting with a client who prefers somewhere like here over sitting in an office. Looks like you've been shopping."
"A few things. Tea and the beginnings of an indoor herb garden." Coco taps the bag that's just been placed in front of her. "Some butterbeer for Papa Wal."
"I'm always glad to see you but I'm especially glad I ran into you as I was going to try and catch up with you this weekend. I've been so selfish keeping you to myself, getting to know you but you've got relatives who want to meet you. With your birthday next month I was thinking I could throw you a party and invite them. What do you think?"
"I want to meet everyone and a party would be nice."
"Your birthday is on a Monday, I believe. Talks things over with Fritz and Walter, let me know if the Saturday before or the Saturday after would be better. Also, would you prefer something during the day or something at night?"
"If the party is mainly family, then some sort of casual lunch might be good."
"That's what I was thinking but wanted to get your opinion first."
"I'll see what Fritz, Papa Wal, and Mitzi Bolt think. Do you want to have lunch tomorrow or Sunday to talk things over more?"
"Tomorrow would be great. Come to my place around noon. Bring Fritz if he's free. We can cook something there or I'll treat if we go out."
Chad and Coco talk a little more as they walk through the pub to the exit. Out on High Street, they hug and bid each other goodnight before each disapparates, Coco for a well hidden spot in the backyard and Chad to his office to file the paperwork from his meeting.