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At Lunch
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 06-24-12 12:30
Less than an hour after reaching Hogsmeade with Declan, Zabrynna finds herself sitting across from him at a small garden terrace table at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron. His business at Gringotts hadn't taken long. From there they'd begun the search for a wedding present for a friend of his. Menus open before them, Declan looks from his to the shopping bag visible on one of the empty chairs.
"You're sure she'll like it?" he asks not for the first time since they first saw the item at Botanicals & Beyond.
"I don't know her so no, I'm not sure but I think there's a very high probability she will." Zabrynna starts ticking her fingers. "You said she loves entertaining. You have no idea if she's got a china pattern registered somewhere, which you could easily have asked after, you know. That tray is pewter. That means it won't, or shouldn't anyway, clash with any dishes she may currently own or have in the future. It's very well made pewter so it's suitable for putting out at any party. Unlike silver, pewter does not require the same special maintenance. Lastly, if she does not like it, she can easily return it. Theobald Thruston said so and as he's assistant manager, I should hope he knows the shoppe's return policy."
Almost as an afterthought Zabrynna adds, "Or, you can give it to me. It's a lovely pewter tray and I quite like it."
"If I give it to you instead of her, then we are back at the start in need of a wedding gift." Declan chuckles as he says this, the sound of his laugh making Zabrynna wish she could easily and readily think of things to say that would have him laughing more.
"Thank you again, by the way. I was picturing hours spent over the course of a few weeks trying to find something. I think I owe you several lunches for the enormous help you've been."
At his words a warmth creeps into her cheeks. Zabrynna drops her head to look at the menu, wishing her hair weren't braided so that she could use some of it as a shield to cover her face in case her cheeks had gone red enough to have Declan think she's blushing. Zabrynna almost wishes she could splash water from her glass into her face though how she'd explain away that she has no idea.
She finds her voice and, looking up through her lashes, tells him, "I was happy to help. With everything I did I'm the one who owes you, not the other way around."
"That has nothing to do with now. What you did was still wrong but knowing your mother somewhat now I have a better understanding of why you might have made some poor decisions."
"I still feel I owe you so much, like I can't do enough to make it up to you."
"How about we consider that slate clean?"
"That sounds so easy but you know it's not; but, I can try."
"That's a start."
Their waitress approaches to take their orders and once she's gone Declan changes the subject by saying, "The visible bruises are gone but how are you really?"
"I admit to getting a little jumpy if I'm somewhere alone and can't see anyone else around." She moves a hand to cup a spot over her ribs, "The cracks were mended straightaway thanks to the Skele-Gro but I think whatever he did irritated a nerve. I sometimes get twinges."
"Any word on whether they know yet who it is?"
"No, nothing. A lot of us are worried about when the new term starts. The uni is giving lots of safety tips and advice and Mariposa, Philippa, Anne, and I are signed up for a hand to hand type self defense class."
"That's a good idea though I know everyone will breathe easier once that bastard is caught."
"I know I'll be thinking twice about studying at the library alone from now on, which is horrible because it's not easly trying to coordinate studying with others every single time one of us has a research or an exam." Zabrynna goes quiet for a second before smiling across at Declan. "Enough talk about dark, angry subjects. How long have you known this friend who's getting married?"
"Since our first year in school. Oluwunmi's family is from Nigeria but moved to South Africa about a year and a half before we both started school. We became fast friends that first day of school. She was always such a tomboy I we were around fourteen before it truly sunk in that she's a girl and that was only because she was going on a date with another friend of ours."
Listening to Declan speak of such a good friend with whom he has many fond memories, Zabrynna can't help but be a little envious. She would dearly love such a friendship with him but, then again, Zabrynna still wants so much more. Becoming friends with Indigo McFusty has made her all the more aware of how differently she views males such as Indigo and AJ from Declan Douglass.
Smiling at something Declan has said, Zabrynna encourages him to tell her more, wanting to hear more of his childhood and loving the sound of his voice. She cannot think of a better way to have spent lunch today than sitting here listening to Declan, glad that she accepted his invitation when she so very nearly turned him down, thinking that sharing a lunch just the two of them would be torture for her.
No Afternoon Run
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 06-24-12 16:43
Now that he's teaching Dante's been reading tips and hints in some of the professional publications. One tip that he's seen a few times is the suggestion not to mark students' papers in red ink. The students begin to equate the red marks with negativity even if what's there is constructive or positive. Seeing red markings is stressful. Marking in a less stressful color such as green or blue should be done instead.
Dante wonders if that's just a load of bull. If he did all his markings in green every single time then wouldn't his students come to dread seeing green marks as much as they would if the marks were red? Some think along the same lines as he does but apparently, at least in some Muggle schools, the use of red ink by teachers is banned.
Dante simply uses a different ink colors. The one he's currently using is an almost Ravenclaw bronze that he'd only been using on certain colored parchment until he realized it shows up just as well on the white to cream colored parchment the students use for their assignments and exams. Finishing a comment directing Isabella Hastings to a book that might be helpful in expanding the thought she began but didn't really flesh out, he goes through the stack of rough drafts the seventh years turned in to make sure he didn't overlook someone's work. He'll hand the rough drafts back tomorrow afternoon when the class meets so they may get to work on the final drafts due in another week's time.
Having made productive use of his office hours this afternoon, Dante is ready to do something else; namely, go running. After tidying up his desk, he gets up, ready to shed the professor's robe he's been wearing. With shorts, t-shirt, and running shoes on under the robe, all he lacks is getting out of the castle. Dante's hands are on the robe to pull it off when there's a knock on the door. Letting go of the robe, Dante crosses to small space to the door. A man, early to mid forty-ish, with dark brown hair with a few light streaks of gray stands there. He's not familiar to him but Dante has yet to meet all the family of his students.
"Yes? May I help you?"
"I'm sorry to bother you so late in the day, Professor Knight, when I don't have an appointment. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Yes, of course, Mr. ?"
The man walks in, looking over his shoulder at the door in a way that Dante gets the impression he'd prefer it closed. As any parent or guardian has the right to a private conference Dante has no problem with that so he shuts the door then gestures to a chair. "Please, have a seat."
The man doesn't move as Dante comes around to his desk. He's also still not identified himself and is closely scrutinizing Dante through slightly narrowed eyes.
Stopping in front of his desk and leaning against it, Dante studies the man back for a second or two before pursing his mouth. "Of course."
The man finally moves, lowering himself into the chair Dante had indicated. When it's obvious he's not going to say anything else just yet Dante asks, "Why are you here, Dad?"
"How do you know I'm not Rocky?"
"Because Rocky has never quite mastered that cross between disdain and disappointment you're so fond of giving me." Dante shifts from leaning against his desk to the other guest chair. "Come to let me know yet again what a huge mistake I'm making?"
"It's crossed my mind but there's a more pressing matter first. Your mum's sick, bad sick, and she's asking for you."
"Merlin's balls, Dad, you couldn't say that straightaway?"
"Told you soon enough so don't go taking that tone with me."
"What's wrong with her? When did she get sick?"
"Her heart. Was a few days back."
"You couldn't have owled or sent Rocky or Sunshine?"
"Were hoping it would pass. Had her in a Muggle place but idiots all of'em. Took her to a proper hospital."
"Where?"
"Nova Scotia. Halifax. I've a portkey. You'll come?"
"You know I will. I need to change though."
"Meet you down by those gates into Hogsmeade."
"Yes, I won't be long."
His father leaves, to all outward appearances a parent leaving a conference with one his child's professors. As his father takes the stairs down to the main entrance hall to exit the castle, Dante hurries up two more floors to his living quarters. The professor's robe would have been fine to wear except he knows his family well enough that they will not want to be seen with someone wearing clothing marking him as staff at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The running clothes underneath are would be passable but Dane doesn't feel right showing up to visit his mum in hospital dressed to work out. As quick as he's able, Dante is changed and heading down the path to the gates.
25
Author: Isolde
Date: 06-24-12 18:05
To celebrate her twenty-fifth birthday, Isolde had decided that she wanted to eat out with family and friends at The Bamboo Forest. Pyrrhus had made reservations to ensure a large enough table for all of Isolde's well-wishers. Upon arrival at the restaurant, isolde and Pyrrhus discovered that they had the entire second floor to themselves.
The Bamboo Forest wasn't a large establishment. Tables and chairs were crammed in every available space and made it entirely possible to accidentally elbow a neighbor or unintentionally prod someone with a pair of chopsticks.
Upstairs was even smaller than down below. There was just enough room for one long table and a dozen chairs.
Isolde's parents were already at the restaurant when she and Py arrived. They were soon joined by Mark's parents, Isolde's uncle Rivalen, and Azaelia and Robert. Aveline Boggs and Romanus Crowheart, who used to be Isolde's teammates with the Salisbury Snakes, were last but not late to the party.
A waitress in a lovely Emerald green Chinese dress came upstairs and passed out menus. She took drink orders and then climbed downstairs.
"So, how does it feel to be a quarter of a century old?" Azaelia asked Isolde.
Isolde stuck her tongue out at her cousin. "You'll find out soon enough."
"Hey, it's only the end of March. I don't hit that milestone until August. Py isn't even there yet."
"I like older women," he commented cheekily.
Isolde gave him a playful punch in the arm.
"When will you give me grandchildren?" Isolde's mother called out across the table. "You're not getting any younger."
"Mum," Isolde complained. "I'm not too old to have children."
"Yes, but I don't want to be dead before you have them," Iseult stated.
Isolde rolled her eyes. "This is what I get for being an only child. They should have given me brothers and sisters so that the burden to continue the family line doesn't rest with me alone."
"Well, look at it this way. Your branch of the Farnon name is going to die with your dad," Azaelia pointed out. "It's not like your kid will be a Farnon, except by blood. Though, I guess if you have a son you could name him Farnon Fine. Haha."
"Funny. I guess we'll leave the Farnon legacy with Mark," Isolde said.
Azaelia didn't comment, fully aware that if Mark married his current girlfriend, he'd likely get blasted off the Farnon family tree.
The drinks arrived and Uncle Rivalen immediately stood up to give a toast, even though the waitress wanted to take everyone's orders.
"Isolde, Isolde, Isolde. I remember when you were born. Back then, I was working as a farmhand in Leicestershire. I remember learning about your birth as clearly as if it had only just happened because that was also the day I single-handedly delivered a pair of conjoined Granians and expertly performed the Severing Charm to give the foals a chance at the lives they deserved. The owner of the farm, one Mister Ezekiel Plodkins, was so impressed by my work that he named the colt Rivalen after yours truly. As it turned out, he also named the filly after me, for he called her Rivalena. Charming, isn't it? Well, that was the day you were born, my dear and only niece.
"I remember the occasion of your first birthday. At that time I was making Chinese cauldrons in the Fujian province of China. I'd met a man who had begun experimenting with a new method for smelting ore. I of course told him a better way to smelt…"
He continued his oration, while the waitress hovered near the table uncertainly.
Pyrrhus leaned over to his wife. "Leave it to your uncle to make your big day all about him."
Isolde snickered. "That's my Uncle Rivalen."
Unwanted Guests
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 06-24-12 19:40
It had been a rather long and boring day. I had spent the whole day in the archives looking for something or another. My mind was too numb to remember what it was. They were probably upset about that guy I drop kicked. Or it could have been the arm I broke. Didn't matter that I admitted also dislocating the arm may have been just a little excessive.
But oh well, another day done, and it was home time. The stairs once again made for a long climb up to my apartment. However, something wasn't right when I reached my door. It smelled like food. I wasn't expecting company, but Bron has been known to drop in unexpectedly before. Although, I don't remember her ever cooking before.
I opened the door and was hit with the powerful smell of something good. I took a few steps in and closed the door behind me. "Hello?" I didn't get an immediate response. So, I walked over to the kitchen.
"Hi Dee."
"What, are you, doing here?" I asked my doppelganger. Granted, she didn't look exactly like me but she was still the last person I expected to see.
"I came here to talk. Since you weren't home, I figured I'd make something to eat. I know how much you don't like…"
"Why are you really here?"
"To talk. I'm not trying to hide anything, or lie, or anything like that."
"Did Mom put you up to this?"
"No. She didn't. She has suggested it, but no one forced me to come."
"Nor asked…"
"No… no one has done that either," She paused for a moment, looking around awkwardly, "Well, food's getting cold."
I walked over to the kitchen table, and slowly sat down. I never took my eyes off my sister. She moved carefully, bringing a couple of plates over to the table setting one down in front of me, and placing one down across the table before sitting in front of it.
"Ok, what is it you want to talk about?" I asked her rather coldly.
"Well, I came to say… I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what I did."
"That's it?"
"I'm not asking for forgiveness Dee. I don't even expect it. I just came to apologize. That's all," I just gave her a rather cold look, "I… You're the last one. I even apologized to him. I know I screwed up, and I screwed up things for you really bad."
"Understatement of the year."
"I know… but Dee, I'm sorry."
"Therapy?"
"Partly. I needed to apologize, to you especially, for me. And you. It'll help us both heal, I hope."
"Aren't you in violation of court orders or something?"
"Well, some things are more important."
Why Is It Icy Blue? (Eden & Marlow)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 06-25-12 16:12
Marlow MacDougal peers doubtfully at the concoction swirling in the cauldron. "I don't think icy blue and turquoise are the same thing, Eden."
Bending over her Potions book, Eden Jenkins goes down the instructions line by line, lifting her head from time to time to compare what's on the page with the recipe Professor Weasley has written on the blackboard. She finally straightens, nose crinkled and mouth pursed oddly to one side. "I don't know where the mistake would be. We've done everything right."
At the next cauldron, working with Penny Puckett, Heather Rabnott takes a step over to see what has Eden and Marlow concerned. "Yeah, that's not right. Look at ours."
Marlow does just that, her nose crinkling up even more at the color in Heather's and Penny's cauldron. "I don't get it. Why doesn't ours look like yours?"
Penny asks, "You were careful dicing?"
"Yes, we even measured the size of the cubes." Eden picks up a leftover piece to show them.
Heather glances over the recipe. "Stirred twice counter clockwise in step two, one tap of a wand, then stirred four times clockwise?"
"Yes, yes, and yes," Marlow nods.
Just then Professor Weasley comes over for a progress inspection. At Heather's and Penny's cauldron she smiles. "Good work so far. Do watch your heat once that blue darkens to almost black."
At Marlow's and Eden's she sees the pale ice blue color, frowns slightly then asks, "Whose cauldron are you using?"
Eden raises a finger. "Mine, professor."
"What you are seeing is due to contamination with a bit of Monday's potion."
"But I cleaned my cauldron, really I did," Eden insists.
"Even a tiny spot overlooked would do it. You've plenty of time start over. You might lose five or ten minutes of lunch to get the new potion completely brewed but I'm willing to let you have that time if you prefer missing a little of your lunch break over turning in an incomplete."
Marlow rapidly bobs her head up and down a couple of times. "Thank you, professor" as Eden echoes the thanks.
Marlow gets her cauldron, inspecting its level of cleanliness as Eden starts measuring out the ingredients needed for the first step, both of them happy they'll be able to do this right and both silently vowing to be far more diligent in scrubbing their cauldrons from now on.
Meeting More Morgans
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 06-25-12 16:42
Arley and Seb had adjusted to their newly formed family. It was nice to have Fallon back in their lives, and Fletcher was a perfect match for her. It fascinated Arley how similar Etch and his sister were.
"What are you thinking about Arlington?"
"Just about Fallon and the boys."
Sebastian smiled; he and Arley had been together since they were teenagers, and they always seemed to know how the other was feeling. "I love being an uncle too. I think we are very lucky for the family we have, close friends included."
"I agree." He replied and wrapped an arm around Seb's waist. The boys had been through trying times with each of their parents. Sebastian had been cut off from his family after he ran away due to an accident with his cousin.
Arley had witnessed his mother's murder, and the nightmares still haunted him. He had learned to suppress the memory, but it sill sprang up on occasion. Then there was his father. James Montgomery still sat in prison for the kidnapping and torture of his children.
Arley never did regain his amputated hand. He usually kept his arm hidden under long robes or sweatshirts. The incident as the Montgomery siblings came to call it, had deeply affected them. Arley had a hard time with the knowledge that Sebastian had also been traumatized.
They were strong, and even stronger as a couple now.
Sebastian kissed Arley softly before he asked something he had been wanting too for weeks now. "Would you like to have children someday, Arlington?"
"What?" Arley looked up; his head cocked slightly like a curious puppy.
"I just…I love watching you with Crew and Mase. I think you would be an excellent father."
"You know…I think we would be pretty great parents. Why don't we talk about it more later? We need to get to Hogsmeade."
Sebastian's eyes lit up at the thought of he and Arley having children someday.
"Yes, we need to meet the rest of Fletcher's family."
The boys apparated to outside of the Morgan residence. Fallon had lived in this house since the boys attended Hogwarts. Back then the house wasn't in the best shape and Arley called it "the shack".
"It looks much nicer now." Seb looked up at the house that was very clean and well maintained.
"Yeah, I still call it the shack though. Here we go again…" Arley reached out and laced his fingers with Seb's as he knocked on the door. He smiled and the memories he and Seb shared as teenagers in the Hogsmeade village.
"Hey guys!" The door swung open and they were ushered inside by Fletcher.
"Thanks for having us Etch, we seem to be havin' all kinds of dinner parties lately." Arley reached out to shake Fletcher's hand as he and Seb moved towards the living room. Out of nowhere Crew jumped into Arley's arms. "Whoa! Hey wild man!"
"Hi Uncle Arley! Hi uncle Sebastian!" The young boy grinned and hugged his uncle tight. Sebastian smiled over at them.
"Good evening Crew, where is your brother?" Sebastian glanced around the room, noting the three new faces on the couch and chairs scattered around the room.
Crew shrugged his shoulders and jumped out of Arley's arms. "I dunno, sleepin' or doing something babies do."
Fallon stepped in from the kitchen. "Crew, speak nice of your brother. Mase is down for a nap right now, dinner will be ready in a few." She hugged them both before snuggling up against her husband.
Fletcher nodded. "Yeah, the boys have been wild today; their other uncles like to get them wound up."
"Oh, speaking of others. Arley, Seb, I'd like you to meet my little brothers and sister." He pointed each of them out.
"That's Driver, he's your age. Works in a bar or something right now. Then we have Dexter, he's 23. And he's…well he's Dexter. Then we have the baby of the family, my little sister Ember. She's going to St. Emry's right now; we always said she was the smart one in the family."
Arley laughed, Fletcher's siblings all looked like him, and they all seemed pretty cool.
"I am NOT a baby anymore Etch! I am 19 you know." Ember stood up. "You need any help in the kitchen, Fal?"
Fallon nodded and led her sister-in-law to the kitchen. "Yeah, let's let the boys have time to themselves."
Sebastian lightly nudged Arley and whispered to him "What is it?
"Oh, just thinkin' how responsible Fallon is, it's still weird."
Sebastian nodded and kissed him. "Yes, but relax and enjoy meeting everyone else." The boys took a seat across from Driver and Dexter while Fletcher sat in a recliner to their left.
Fletcher went on to describe his family, they all grew up in Canada, but kept a house in England to visit other family members and friends during the winter months. "Our parents are great, you couldn't ask for more understanding people. They can't wait to meet you guys." Easton and Fia Morgan were currently visiting friends out of the country, and planned to meet Arley and Seb upon their return.
In turn Driver and Dexter shared about their personal lives. They both shared a flat downtown wizarding London, and Driver was currently working as a bartender. He enjoyed getting to talk to people, and his current job was perfect for that. Dexter on the other hand was the youngest of the Morgan boys, and was a bit of a wild man. He enjoyed being free to do what he wanted and lived in the moment, which drove Driver crazy when he had to basically support his little brother between jobs.
From what Arley and Seb had learned of Ember, she was a good kid and very observant. She was quiet at times, but very forthright when there was something she was passionate about. She was attending St. Emrys hoping to become a healer, she loved helping people in need, especially children.
Fletcher turned the conversation back to him again. "So I still play for the Stormers back in Canada. It's nice to be able to travel back and forth so quickly. I like being home with the boys." Fallon and Ember made their way back into the living room and Fal quirked an eyebrow at her husband's last comment.
"I like being home with the boys and my loving, beautiful, amazing wife." He grinned and pulled Fallon down on the chair with him so she was lying across her lap.
"Much better, Fletcher." Fallon grinned back and snuggled into his arms.
Crew looked up, his feet tapping impatiently. "May I go play outside?"
"Yes, but make sure to stay in the back yard a…" Crew was already running out the door.
"I know Mommy! Don't fly too high or do crazy stuff on the broom when you guys aren't out there!"
Fal and Etch exchanged knowing glances "Crew is a brilliant flyer, I've never seen a kid his age be so comfortable on a broom."
"Yeah, he seems like a cool kid." Arley smiled, still amazed that Crew was so talented.
Driver looked up "Hey Arley, didn't you say a friend of yours was coming to dinner tonight?"
"Oh yeah, Desi should be here as soon as she gets off of work. I told her to hurry."