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(Aralyn & Kristos) The Arrangement
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 05-29-12 17:35
"What if we get caught?" Aralyn whispered, not for the first time since Kristos had suggested the endeavor they were about to undertake.
"Since when did you become such a wimp, Aralyn?" Kristos hissed back. "If you're going to be a baby about it, then go home."
"No, I want to help," Aralyn protested, actually stamping her foot like a petulant child.
"Fine, but don't say or do anything unless I tell you to, okay?"
"Fine."
Kristos gave his sister a long, hard look and then approached the door of the tavern, The Rotting Flesh. The interior of the pub was dark and dank, and there was a distinct, smokey haze at an even level around the entire room. Kristos gave a nonchalant look around and then stepped up to the bar.
The bartender, a young man hardly old enough to have graduated from Hogwarts in Kristos' opinion, asked him what he would have.
"Quintin Black, if you have it."
"Bottle or tap?"
"Tap."
"And for the lady?"
Aralyn sidled up to the bar, giving the young wizard a particularly lascivious gaze. Kristos fought the urge to pull Aralyn forcefully down onto the stool she was presently leaning over, the better to give the bartender a view of her chest. "You pick," she purred.
"Aralyn," Kristos said warningly.
She pouted and sat.
A tall glass of smooth ale and a smaller, stouter glass of whiskey soon slid their way. Kristos took a sample taste and then licked the foam from his lips.
When the bartender moved away to refill another customer's glass, Aralyn leaned into her brother and asked, "Who are we waiting on?"
"He should already be here," Kristos murmured back, eyeing the entire room. When his eyes locked onto those of a hooded wizard seated in a corner of the hazy room, he felt a sudden jolt of excitement.
The wizard waved Kristos over with a lazy flick of his hand.
"Come," Kristos commanded to Aralyn.
She obediently followed him to the corner of the room, no longer as sure of herself as she had been when she flirted with the young bartender. Kristos could feel her vibrating beside him out of nervousness. He tried to ignore her and sat down in one of the empty chairs by the hooded wizard. Aralyn sat down next to Kristos, though she stuck so close to him she was practically in his lap.
"You seek the truth?" the wizard asked so quietly, Kristos had to strain to hear him over the noise in the pub.
"Yes," Kristos answered. "Can you help me?"
"For a price," the wizard said. "It was not easily procured."
Kristos handed his drink to Aralyn and dug into the pocket of his coat. He removed a leather coin purse and tossed it at the wizard. "The exact amount you requested," Kristos added.
"I would be a fool not to count it." The wizard loosened the drawstring and peered into the dark purse. It didn't look like much from the outside, but it was a wizarding purse with wizard space. It held much more than its outward appearance should have allowed. At last satisfied with his payment, the wizard tightened the purse's drawstring and put the whole sack into a pocket inside his robes.
With a sleight of hand, he removed a small, thin vial and passed it to Kristos. The fact that an exchange of some sort had been made was obvious by the payment the wizard had received, but what Kristos had paid for remained unknown and unseen to any would-be observer. Kristos stuck the vial in his pocket, where the money had been only moments ago and took his drink back from Aralyn.
"Thanks," he told the wizard.
The wizard waved his hand disinterestedly and sank back into the shadows of his corner.
Kristos and Aralyn, meanwhile, went back to the bar to finish their drinks. Aralyn couldn't sit still, though, and found it difficult to flirt with the young bartender again. Kristos also felt distracted, but he remained cool and collected and finished his drink without remarkable leisure. Once that was done and the drinks paid for, he gripped the jittery Aralyn by the elbow and led her from The Rotting Flesh.
Bombshells For Lunch
Author: Fionna
Date: 05-30-12 14:14
Leslie Amherst sashays into the Terrortours office, pausing only to drop a dripping umbrella into a stand near the front door. Because Fionna is busy with a customer, Leslie makes herself at home, lounging on a wide leather chair, a book pulled from her purse open on her lap. Ten minutes later the customer, clutching signed parchmentwork for a Sasquatch Sightings Hike in the United States's Pacific Northwest package, thanks Fionna with a smile that quickly turns to a frown at the thought of going back into the bad weather. Fionna sees him out, makes sure no one else is waiting to see her then goes to sit opposite Leslie in an identical leather chair.
"You're earlier than I thought you'd be."
Leslie closes the book and shoves it back into her purse. "A few people had questions for the professor but she had no formal plan for the hour. When the questions stopped, she let us go."
"I need to do a couple of things, then we can go eat."
"Is Basilia coming?"
"No. Malcolm and she had the opportunity to extend their honeymoon so instead of getting back Wednesday, they won't be back until this Monday."
"Nice," Leslie remarks, reaching to draw the book back from her purse.
Ten minutes later, the cousins floo to a great little Italian place that has a wide selection of lunch specials at decent prices. They decide to share a Caprese salad and Fionna orders a cheesy semolina gnocchi with tomatoes, peppers, and slightly spicy, slightly smokey sausage while Leslie goes for a dish of ravioli filled with creamy cheese, chicken, and a pesto sauce.
As the waiter walks away Leslie sighs, "I am going to regret so much cheese and pesto later. I'll have to add time to my exercise routine for the next few days."
"You're hardly going to get fat from eating the occasional fattening dish." Fionna says this with a roll of her eyes.
"It's easy to put on weight if not being careful."
"For someone who hotly defended herself, her sister, and her mother against Willem's snide comments, you sure have let him get to you about your weight."
"Have not."
"Yes, Leslie, you have. Ever since he started in on you about needing to watch your figure, you've been obsessed."
"I know I'm more conscious about it but I hadn't thought I was that bad."
"You are. Ask anyone who knows you."
"I just might do that. If this weather keeps up, will you have to change your weekend plans?"
"No, I don't think so. Most of what Jericho and I were thinking about doing is indoors and he's filling in for a friend with a band tomorrow night at a club. Have lots of studying to do?"
"Some and I'm working in the shoppe tomorrow morning. Aunt Moira is off to some sale that she says has some excellent pieces she'd like to add to inventory. I've a date tomorrow night to study with someone but I'm thinking of begging off. It doesn't matter whether I pass the exam for that class or not."
"Why's that?"
"The professor and I have an understanding."
Fionna gapes at her cousin. "Tell me you did not sleep with the professor."
"No, not the one for this class, but I did witness him doing something he doesn't want made public. He told me that since I have a good mark in the course, if I kept the information to myself I don't need to take the final exam."
"What's this information?"
"I'll tell you after next week."
Fionna starts to point out that since she's not with the university and won't go blabbing about whatever it is but then the way Leslie phrased something jumps out at her. "You said you didn't sleep with the professor from this class. Does that mean you've slept with one from another?"
Leslie's mouth scrunches up, working right and left several times before admitting, "Yes, I've slept with a professor, but not one from any of my classes; or, at least not any I've taken yet."
"Who is it?"
"I'm not sure I want to say."
"Because you don't want to risk anyone at St. Emrys finding out a professor and a student have shagged?"
"It is frowned upon but as I've never been his student, it's not technically breaking a rule. It's more that he's married still."
"Married?"
"Married, but in the process of a divorce."
"Are you certain he didn't just say that to get you into bed?"
"I'm sure. I know his wife in passing and there is definitely a divorce in process. You have to swear not to tell my parents. He and I still see each other some but until the divorce is finalized, I don't want it getting out that he and I have sort of been dating. It probably won't be a good idea even after that simply because people will pass judgement that he's a professor and I'm a student. Maybe I should just quit and go full time into business with Aunt Moira. That's the long term plan anyway."
"The whole point of you taking classes is to learn more about accounting, business, marketing, finance, and so forth."
"I know, but it's not as if I can't learn it on the job the old fashioned way."
"Is that what you want though? In fact, now that you aren't dating someone with an interest in antiques, do you even really want to keep on with the arrangement Mum's made with you?"
"I quite like it, actually. Antiques can be rather fascinating."
"If you say so." Fionna laughs a little.
"I say so. I think that's our food."
"Good, because I'm somewhat famished after spending half the morning with an upset stomach."
"Not coming down with something, are you?" Leslie asks with concern.
"No, I don't think so. I think maybe I'm pregnant."
Slow Morning, Fast Lunch (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 05-30-12 17:17
After spending morning office hours looking through art images and photos of runes worked into architectural elements, AJ was more than ready for a break. Taking leave of his office for lunch and perhaps a relaxing brief lounge afterwards before his afternoon hours was put on hold when Matilda Flanders' mother dropped by wanting to consult with him on additional Ancient Runes NEWT study material for her daughter. With other professors to try and catch and most likely with a mind of getting her own lunch, Mrs. Flanders kept it brief.
Though only a few minutes later to the Great Hall for a Friday, AJ is feeling cooped up enough that it seems that it's more like an hour past the time he'd normally be taking his seat at the main table. Glancing up at the darkened ceiling reflecting the clouds and rain going on outside he wonders if the gloom is part of why it feels an hour or two past noon even though it's not quite twelve yet. Sighing at the thought of what will probably be a long, draggy afternoon, AJ surveys the variety of dishes already on the table and tries to decide what he wants.
He's just opted to start with a thick, chunky stew that seems perfect for a day like today when Mariposa and Declan Douglass arrive together at the table. Standing, he gives Mariposa a very chaste hello kiss, mindful of all the students in the vast room. After holding a chair for her and returning to his own seat AJ nods at Declan. "How's your morning been?"
In the process of pouring himself some tea Declan replies, "Slow but productive. Yours?"
"The same. I was more than ready for lunch. How did classes go this morning, Mariposa?"
"Both went well. I did get drawn second to give my project overview in the one next week. At least I didn't get drawn first and though second isn't the best spot, at least I can sit back and pay attention to the other overviews because in addition to the project itself and the oral overview, part of the grade is based on writing evaluations of everyone else. Being able to pay attention enough to do that without having my own overview to give will be nice."
"Did you see Zabrynna? How is she?"
"Shaken still. Sore. The one eye is completely swollen shut and that whole side of her face is one big bruise. One rib had broken and another cracked but the Skele-gro fixed those but there's residual tenderness with a little pain, and she's extremely stiff."
Declan leans far forward to look at both AJ and Mariposa. "Zabrynna? Was she in an accident?"
Mariposa is shaking her head but it's AJ who responds. "Sorry, I thought I'd said something at breakfast. Zabrynna was attacked yesterday at St. Emrys."
"By who?"
Mariposa's hands go up in a shrug. "They think it's whomever is behind those women who've disappeared but no one's sure. He could have been a random guy who thought he saw an opportunity. She was using a study carrel and had left to get more reference books. The door to the carrel was supposed to be charmed only to the person reserving it so either when Zabrynna left, either he slipped in before the door fully shut or something was wrong with the charm."
"Did he Was he able "
"No," AJ answers, thinking he knows where Declan's going is going. "Zabrynna fought, getting in some blows to one knee and she's fairly sure she broke his wand."
"What's being done to catch this guy?"
Mariposa launches into the various security measures in place at St. Emrys and how the Ministry is helping and the things the students and staff are doing to stay safe, such as professors not leaving a classroom before all students have exited and how male students are making sure their female professors get to their next destinations unmolested even if it means being late for their own next classes.
Even though the topic of conversation is less than pleasant, lunch speeds by too quickly for AJ. He's hardly blinked before walking Mariposa to the castle doors for a return to her last regular class of term at St. Emrys. With no one around to see, he gives her a longer, lingering kiss before saying, "Promise you'll be careful. I can take off long enough to see you there and then come back and get you."
"No, I'll be fine. I'm meeting a couple of others at The Wyrding Way and we're walking to class together and plan on leaving together."
"I know I don't ask this of you usually, but check in with me when you're home?"
"Under the circumstances, I don't mind you asking one bit. I'll shouldn't be any later than 3:30 but give me till 4 o'clock before you start worrying."
"Yes, ma'am."
A grin and another kiss then Mariposa is off, pulling her rain hood up as fresh drops spill down from an iron dark sky. Moving to allow some students past on their way out, AJ shuts the door and returns to the Great Hall for coffee and possibly a slice of strawberry cake.
Animation
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 05-30-12 17:51
For the second time that morning, Professor McGonagall lectured on the theory and practice of animating figurines. She had already done it once for her Hufflepuff and Slytherin fifth years, and now repeated the lecture for the rest of the fifth year student body. On her desk she kept a sturdy box in which various figurines awaited their turn at the transfiguration exercise. Professor McGonagall had protected them with a cushioning charm, as some were made of glass or porcelain and could easily chip when rattled together.
"The idea is much the same as everything we have animated thus far," Professor McGonagall explained. Since the start of Winter Term, the fifth years had practiced animating two-dimensional objects like drawings and paper dolls, eventually moving on to three-dimensional objects like chess pieces and even books.
"I want each of you to choose an item from the box. Quickly now," she said to the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students in her class.
They got up and formed a line behind the box, no student taking too long in selecting one of the figurines. All of them were different. Cat Amherst had chosen a porcelain figurine of a Dutch girl carrying a pair of pails over her shoulders. Errol Anderson picked a terracotta statuette of a Chinese soldier. Alastor Jenkins chose an idol of Merlin.
"I want you to think about your figurines," Professor McGonagall went on, once everyone had selected an object from the box and seated themselves once more at their desks. "How might your figurine move? What might it do? Concentrate for a moment on your object and then use the spell we've been practicing all term to animate it."
She plucked one of the remaining items from the box. It was a cat made of obsidian.
Professor McGonagall very gently set it onto her desk and then tapped it with the tip of her wand, giving the proper incantation as she did so. All at once, the cat raised its front paw, licked it and began rubbing one of its ears. When it seemingly finished grooming, it arched its back in a long, shuddering stretch and then started to weave around the box, rubbing against it and purring.
Impressed by Professor McGonagall's example, her students tried their hand at animating their figurines. Lilac Middleton had selected a piggy bank from the box. She managed to get it to snort and wag its curly tail a little bit. Jill Prewitt's figurine of Gwenog Jones started strutting back and forth across her desk with a broomstick slung over her shoulder.
"Nicely done, all," Professor McGonagall said. "Keep practicing, and see what else you can make your figurine do."
She roved the classroom for a bit and then sat down at her desk to leave the students to their own devices. No one seemed to require her assistance at the moment. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the assignment, which wasn't always the case in Transfiguration class.
Minerva's cat figurine stretched out on her desk and flicked its tail lazily.
She turned her attention some of the parchments on her desk but quickly found that her mind had wandered to something else entirely. Minerva had noticed time and time again recently that Albus seemed preoccupied with something or many somethings, perhaps. Often he confided in her on certain matters, but he had also kept her in the dark plenty of times. Minerva didn't want to pry, but she wished that he would tell her what was on his mind.
He was always pleasant whenever they talked and gave her his utmost attention when she visited him in his office or spoke with him in the Great Hall. But she had often observed him appearing to be deep in thought. There was something going on in that great mind of his, and Minerva doubted anyone had any clue what it might be.
She realized she was frowning, and that the cat, whose eyes were as obsidian as its coat, was watching her with lazy interest. Minerva picked up her wand and tapped the cat, reverting it to its previous, unmoving state. Then she got up and roved the classroom some more, giving pointers to her students and praising them for their good effort.
Sometime later, after continuing a unit on conjuring fire with her seventh year N.E.W.T. students, Professor McGonagall wandered into the Great Hall for lunch. As usual around this time of day, the grand chamber was crowded. She greeted many of her fellow staff but noted the absence of Dumbledore, who was no doubt holed up in his office. She frowned and took her seat next to his empty chair.
TGIF - 2 Classes Down, 3 to Go
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 05-31-12 14:18
Fridays were among the busiest days for the third year Slytherin and she was glad for it because she needed the distraction. Her Dad had written her the other day saying that his mum had taken ill and they were doing what the y could for her, but there was little chance she'd survive the balance of the month. She'd spent time crying and making her goodbyes via post to her Grandmother through letters back and forth to her Dad in Greece and was determined to not let the upsetting news throw her for a loop when her marks were at an all time high.
At the moment she was on her way to the Great Hall, after switching out her books from her morning classes (History of Magic and Transfiguration) and got the items that she needed for her afternoon classes, including Muggle Studies because she wasn't going to waste an extra trip to the dorm rooms in the scant thirty minutes between DADA and Muggle Studies.
Arthur was waiting for her just outside the Great Hall.
"I see you managed to not get sucked into a game of wizarding chess and forget our lunch date," she said with a smirk and gave him a light kiss.
"How could I forget lunch with the prettiest Slytherin girl in our year?"
She rolled her eyes and shook her head as they headed into the Great Hall, and settled herself next to Whitney and Kida at the Slytherin table.
"Three more classes and Friday is over," Kida said before tucking into her bowl of chunky, thick beef stew that she'd paired with a large hunk of buttered crusty bread.
"I know it, but don't forget we still have homework to work on," Whitney said with a laugh.
"Way to be a buzz-kill Whitney," Adina shook her head and tossed a grape at her friend.
"You love me and you know it Adina," Whitney said with a laugh and tucked herself into her own bowl of baked potato soup.
"I'm just seriously, seriously pleased that I do not have to go outside for herbology in this hideously horrible rain." Arthur said, flicking his gaze up to the cloud heavy skyscape that made up the Great Hall's enchanted ceiling.
"Me too." Adina said leaning into Arthur for a few moments as she debated on what she wanted to eat, though she knew that her time was even more limited since the four of them had class at one.
Finally she settled on a bowl of the beef stew and a hunk of crusty bread, pumpkin juice and ultimately a triple chocolate fudge cupcake with cherry vanilla frosting for dessert before the quad headed from the Great Hall and to the Dungeon for Potions.