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The Princess Sits Outside
Author: Rylee
Date: 06-26-12 17:01
"Stop the presses. Write to the Daily Prophet. Rylee Marks is sitting outside on a blanket and risking getting dirty!"
Rylee flicked her gaze up from her Charms textbook and rolled her eyes as a couple of girls walked by. She ignored the girls and wasn't going to rise to the bait to get into an argument and risk losing house points if things got too catty. Besides, she more importantly wasn't up for having a scathing letter written from home or worse a howler delivered when her parents found out she'd been in an altercation with another student.
She at least hadn't been the source of so much chatter and rumors lately, but there were still those that chose to needle her in an attempt to get a rise out of her but she wouldn't let them. After a few moments she turned her attention back to her Charms text and continued to work on taking notes for class tomorrow.
"Still being taunted for being a princess?" Wesley said as he looked down at Rylee, before claiming a corner of her blanket and offering her a light smile.
"Of course, because some have little else to do but torment me." Rylee said with a light smile and shifted to pull her charms book to her, letting it rest on her lap.
Wesley smiled and shook his head. "Well, if it makes you feel any better I like you just the way you are. Now, what are you working on?"
"The charms assignment that's due tomorrow. Almost done with it and then going to work on trying to get something done on my History of Magic or maybe even work on the essay for potions." She said lightly shrugging her shoulders.
"If you want I can help you with the History of Magic assignment. I need to figure it out too. I just have to go in and get my things..."
Rylee smiled and nodded a bit. "Sure, do you think you could get a couple of pumpkin juices as well on your way back out? I forgot to bring a drink out with me."
Wesley nodded. "Sure, I'll swing by the common commons after I grab my books and be back in a few minutes."
Wesley headed into the castle to grab his books and soon enough was back with some pumpkin juice for them both as well as a couple of baked goods from the Common Common room and they set about getting the History of Magic assignment done, and Rylee had finished the charms assignment while Wesley had been gone.
Surrogate In Labor
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 06-27-12 18:34
Staring at the assorted produce he's spread over one of the kitchen counters Sage contemplates what exactly to do with it for lunch. Easiest would be to throw together a salad and heat up some soup, maybe toast a thick slice of French bread from a loaf bought last night. He's just pointed his wand at a knife to start chopping the head of lettuce when a male voice draws his attention to the fireplace shared by the kitchen and dining area.
"Sage!"
"Right here, Da."
"The surrogate's in labor! By the end of the day you may have a little brother."
Leaving the lettuce for the time being, Sage walks over to where Lohengrin Porter's head is coming through the Floo. "Isn't it a little early?"
"A tiny bit but we're past the 36th week mark so everything should be fine. I'm letting Sassy know but would you go to Hogwarts and tell Saffron. After that, come to St. Mungo's if you'd like."
"Yes, sir, I'll let Saffron know."
Lohengrin hardly waits for Sage's reply before pulling his head back, most likely to get word to Sasafrass. Sage looks longingly at the produce, wanting to eat, but he did tell Da he'd go speak with Saffron and in Lohengrin's mind that means right this second. He'll grab something in Hogsmeade after he's been to Hogwarts, unless Saffron asks him to stay for lunch that is. After that, he'll check in at St. Mungo's.
Before disapparating, he moves to the stairs leading down to shout at his step-brother Ezra. "I'm off again."
"You just got back."
"Yeah, but my da just let me know the surrogate's in labor. He wants me to go to Hogwarts to tell Saffron and then come to St. Mungo's."
Ezra appears at the bottom of the stairs. "You know, I'm very confused by the surrogate pregnancy."
"How so?"
"Did you tell me about a year ago, give or take, that they had a surrogate who was pregnant?"
"Yeah, that's right. She miscarried early on. This is the second surrogate. They tried the procedure again but this time waited to say anything. The woman was pregnant in July but Da didn't say anything until September I guess it was."
"Okay, I'm with you now. Want company while you wait at the hospital?"
"Only if you want to come. It could be a long wait."
"I'll come by later then and see what's what. I'll tell Savannah when she gets in. She might want to come too."
"See you later."
Grabbing an handful of grapes to munch on while he walks from the gates to Hogwarts castle, Sage disapparates for Hogwarts. If he recalls Saffron's schedule correctly, she's not got any classes today, just office hours so it's possible she'll want to leave with him for St. Mungo's, but only after some lunch.
End Of The Work Day
Author: Majandra
Date: 06-28-12 16:33
As is often the case during the Tuesday and Thursday office hours that begin after the second year Gryffindor and Slytherin class a note on her office door directs anyone looking for Majandra Weasley to make the short walk to the Lower Years Potions classroom. At present, Maj is checking and testing each of the vials of potions turned in by her classes today. All the vials for the 9 o'clock class of fourth year Gryffindors and Slytherins are completed as are the ones for the first year Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw section that meets are 10:30 a.m. Halfway done with the second year Gryffindor and Slytherin vials from the 2 o'clock class, she makes a few notations about the potions along with a grade on the parchment she'll give to Madoc McGonagall on Tuesday when she also returns his now empty vial.
A quill makes a copy of the notations for Maj's files as she records the grade then reaches for the next vial. She knows right away that it's wrong. The potion should be a deep, rich ruby red. This potion is such a shockingly bright pink that Maj is fairly sure if she put out the lights, the potion would still be visible, almost as if it glowed. She has an idea of why this is the resultant color, one that can be tested.
Pouring the contents of the vial into a small cauldron, Maj brings it to a simmer, throws in a pinch of powdered billywig wings, and without stirring brings the potion to a full boil. The shockingly bright pink shade washes out to a subdued pearlescent yellow. After making note for the student that she went wrong in the very last step by mistakenly using knotgrass instead of rye grass, Maj deliberates on whether to award an Acceptable or a Poor, wavering because the potion was correct to the very last step. After due consideration, greatly taking into account that this particular student has a history of not paying attention to the ingredients used, she marks down a P.
Maj cleans the cauldron as the second quill makes a copy of the notes. Ready to move on, Maj grabs the next vial in the holder. The colors look fairly correct on those few that remain so she thinks she should easily breeze through them. Less than ten minutes later she's got her work space clean and tidy, her copy of notes in one file and the ones to hand to students in another. She spends the rest of the time prepping the blackboards for tomorrows lessons and fills out an end of the month inventory form to give to Severus.
As she works, she thinks about supper. George is gone with Fred to a convention. It starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday but there was some sort of dinner tonight they wanted to attend. Maj's options are to fix dinner at home, get take out, or eat here. There had been some leftovers but those were part of supper last night. Miranda and Georgie adore getting to eat in the Great Hall when the students are there so would most likely have no objection to it. Another plus is that she won't have to figure out what to do for take out and get it ordered nor will she have a mess to create at home that would then need to be cleaned up. Dinner in the Great Hall it is. Georgie is in the day care here but Miranda had wanted to go with Larkin to Blossom's this morning.
Putting out the lights and locking the classroom door, Maj walks over to her office to put the files and grade book away. From there she goes to see if Georgie wants to go with her to get Miranda or stay and play longer. It comes as no surprise when he says, "Play more."
Maj drops a kiss on his head, "See you in a bit, poppet," before making the walk into Hogsmeade to fetch her daughter. A short while later the trio head for the Great Hall, Maj hungry enough that she's glad to have decided to eat here than wait for take out to be ready or go home and make something.
Another Bad Date
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 06-28-12 18:50
Currently I was sitting at the bar waiting for a gentleman to show up, considering heading home because this was probably going to end up just like the rest of the other blind dates that came from Magical Match thanks to my mother. She seriously couldn't stay out of the expanse of my love life, and why I continue to go on the dates I have no idea. Maybe part of me is hoping that she may actually set me up with someone decent.
I'd actually wished I'd been able to help Bron on her list of names for potential guys for Desi, but with the guys that I'd been seeing lately I wouldn't even wish half of them on my worst enemy. They were that bad. I'm seriously tired of dating duds. I am however glad that the last term of St. Emrys was over and I had some time before the next one began.
"Karma?"
I turned my attention to the gentleman that said my name, and flicked my gaze over the expanse of the handsome man that was coming up to me at the bar.
"Yes? How can I help you?"
He offered me a dazzling smile, as he moved to lay claim to the stool next to me. "I'm Asim, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"A pleasure Asim, and here is to a good evening," I said with a light smile finishing off my drink and allowing him to lead me to our table.
"Indeed," he responded and soon enough we were seated across the expanse of an intimate table sharing a delicious appetizer of scallops waiting for the main course to be served. I'd gotten a Mediterranean inspired chicken dish with vegetables and a curried rice, while he'd chosen the fish of the day which was a snapper grilled with seasonal vegetables.
There was wine in plenty and for that I was thankful, but Asim was not exactly the best company to have tonight considering he was showing signs of some of the other wonderful individuals that I've dated in the past few months. I'm done and over it truth be told, but I'm not about to pass up a wonderful meal. I can deal with it for right now.
The meal was done soon enough and then Asim and I bid each other good night, and I didn't think that there would be another date with him. Chalking another one up to Magical Match, I headed back to the Castle and debated on if I wanted to spend the remainder of the evening grading papers. A shower and changing into yoga pants and tank top before settling down to work on grading the essays that had been turned in over the past couple of weeks.
Setup
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 06-28-12 23:50
The work on my desk didn't seem to be that important all day. I had other things on my mind. I had been setup. By Bronwyn, and Arley, and Fletcher too, I think. Something sneaky was happening behind my back. Something that required retaliation, but what could I do to them…
The biggest problem I had was Bronwyn. How much had she told her co-conspirators? If they knew nothing of the discussion between Bron and myself a couple weeks ago then I could ignore their part, for they would be doing nothing but a favor for her. However, if they knew everything… Well… I couldn't kill them…
There was also the other matter at hand, the Morgan boys. I couldn't very well be rude by just dismissing them because I was set up by my friends. Well, I suppose I could, but that would just be mean.
I didn't consider Dexter very long, after all, I did not like people who used their charm and good looks to get what they wanted. Besides, no job was not a good sign. There was also Driver. Wasn't bad looking, but I would have to figure out why he didn't take the auror job offered to him.
It's not like bartending is a bad job, but if someone who is offered an auror position doesn't take it, then there has to be a reason. Someone has to have some real talents to be offered a position that most people couldn't even earn. I know being an auror isn't for everyone, but why wouldn't he be even trying to challenge himself.
Maybe Dexter does deserve another look. Now, before or after I deal with Bronwyn and the others…
Conspiracy
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-29-12 17:49
Bronwyn glanced at the calendar that nearly covered the expanse of her desk. Notes were scribbled all over it, mentioning various Quidditch matches or other sports-related events she wanted or needed to follow, interviews she would or had already conducted, and other important occurrences pertaining to her work. March had been a very busy month.
She looked at the time next and frowned, since she still had a couple more hours of work before her weekend officially started. Bronwyn couldn't complain, however, since she got off work earlier than the average worker. She also had a few tasks to work on, most notably rounding up the contact information for next summer's Emrys Fest. Although Bronwyn wasn't officially connected with the university's WWN station anymore, she still helped organize the annual music festival.
She pulled up one corner of her desk calendar and started to flip ahead a few months, when a pair of hands landed on her desk and a shadow fell over the calendar.
"I know what last night was all about," said the unexpected visitor.
Bronwyn looked up, dropping the corner of the calendar, and asked, "What are you doing here, Desi?"
Desi, back to her old self again in combat gear and multi-colored hair, stood up straight and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm on my lunch break."
"So you came to visit me? That's so nice, but I already ate. You know I eat early when I'm working," Bronwyn reminded her.
Desi hadn't come to eat. She'd come to get answers. "So whose idea was it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"About last night. The special meet and greet you and the others arranged."
Bronwyn got up from her chair and grabbed her cup. She was wearing the skirt she'd taken from Desi's closet. It was paired with a blouse Desi had given her more recently, when she'd shown up at Bronwyn's house with nearly every piece of new clothing she'd purchased during her brief period of "normalcy".
There was so much clothes that most of it didn't fit in Bronwyn's closet, and much had encroached onto Toby's side and into his dresser drawers. Desi called the massive gift Bronwyn's early birthday present. Toby called it his nightmare.
"Don't forget," Bronwyn said, stepped away from her desk to refill her cup with some fruit tea, "you're the one who dragged me to the Morgan family gathering. I didn't even know it was happening until last night."
Desi had fallen into step beside Bronwyn and leaned against the wall while Bronwyn poured the red tea into her cup. "I know that, but I also know that you've been conspiring behind my back."
"Conspiring is such a harsh word."
"So you admit it!"
Bronwyn shot Desi a look. "I only want you to be happy."
"By setting me up with Etch's brothers?"
"That Driver does have potential, doesn't he?" Bronwyn smiled.
Desi did not smile back.
"Well," Bronwyn went on, heading back to her desk, "I've drawn up a list and solicited input from various pe––"
"From who?"
"––ople," Bronwyn finished. She furrowed her brow. "Um, you know. Arley, Seb. Etch and Fallon. Toby. Plum. Ariella, Alanna. Katherine. Even Gillian, but you haven't met her yet, have you? Um… Oh, Karma."
"You're kidding," Desi said flatly.
"No. Do you want to see the list? I have it in my purse." She reached her desk, put down her cup, and ducked down to retrieve her bag from the bottom drawer.
Bronwyn found the list easily and handed it to Desi. "I added in notations for things like attractiveness, personality, net worth…"
"Net worth? You're seriously unbelievable."
"Are you mad?"
"What did you tell the others?"
Bronwyn shook her head. "Nothing. I just said I wanted to find you a good guy and asked if they had any suggestions. Do you seriously think I would blab about something you confided in me?"
Desi folded the list into a small square and then stuffed it into her back pocket. "No, I know you wouldn't do that. For someone who likes to talk, you are the best secret keepers I know."
"So you're not mad?"
"Well, maybe a little…" Desi grinned. "You're not off the hook, but I need lunch, so I'll catch you later."
"I guess now you have some reading material," Bronwyn said with a wink. "Let me know who makes the cut."
Desi had already started walking away.
"My money's on Driver!" Bronwyn shouted after her.
A Talk With Tracey
Author: Blossom
Date: 06-30-12 19:20
As Blossom bids goodbye to adorable 3 and 5 year old siblings wishing them, and their mother, "Have a great weekend," her sister-in-law Tracey Davis Matthews comes in carrying a take-out bag from the Imperial Crown & Caudron.
Tracey smiles at the two cuties then turns the smile to Blossom. "Hi, is the poppet ready to go?"
"He should be by now. Euan was in need of a diaper change but Azaria was seeing to it and should be done by now. In the last half hour, he's been a little fussy and tugging on his right ear."
"He may be coming down with what Parker's had the past few days," Tracey sighs. "Just what we need on top of everything else."
"What's wrong?"
"My mother has been making new excuses for running out on the family. I would like Euan to have both grandmothers in his life but every time we've bought into Mum's story she has proven herself to be every bit the pureblood snob she was then."
Much of Tracey's family had been in Slytherin while at Hogwarts. Her parents and brother had been extremely elitist. When Tracey and Parker began seeing each other after they'd graduated Hogwarts, her family did not approve of Parker's views and associations to the point that her brother Thomas waylaid Parker one night to drive the point home. This only served to bring Tracey and Parker closer together.
During the Ministry administration of Euphemia Smythe-Jones laws were passed specifically detailing what constituted a pureblood. Tracey's father Rupert did not make the cut nor did Tracey or Thomas. The moment that Margaret Hawthorne Davis learned of this, she quickly distanced herself from them. In the time since she's made apologies and a few excuses but once the annulment of marriage under Smythe-Jones's regime was reversed, Margaret filed for divorce. Around she children, she became standoffish and has remained somewhat distant emotionally from them ever since.
Rupert and Thomas, on the other hand, found the experience of being labeled nons most humbling. They have both changed their attitudes. During Smythe-Jones's tenure as Minister of Magic and in the aftermath of her fall, the two Davis men worked to help others. Thomas gave a heartfelt speech begging forgiveness for the things he'd said and done to Parker and Rupert has embraced him as another son.
This flashes through Blossom's mind in about the time it takes her to blink. Her tone concerned she asks, "Do you think Margaret is after something?"
"With Mum, it's possible. I absolutely hate thinking the worst of her and being suspicious of her motives but her actions over the last few years make it difficult not to."
Further conversation on the subject right then has to be put on hold as other parents arrive to pick up their children and Azaria Matthews comes into the entryway carrying Euan Garrett Matthews. The ten month old has his face screwed up as if going to fuss again but upon seeing his mum he grins.
Tracey holds out her arms. "Hello, my little man."
He nuzzles against her happily for a few seconds before turning grumpy again. Switching the take-out bag to the hand holding him, she runs her free hand in soothing circles over his back. "Mummy's got some potion at home that should make you feel better, my sweet. Tell Gran and Aunt Blossom goodbye."
Euan raises one hand in a wave but keeps his face buried against Tracey. Azaria says, "Let me know if you need help with him tomorrow."
"Yes, thank you, I definitely will, especially if Parker isn't feeling any better. Thanks, you two."
"Bye," Blossom says, holding the door before going to speak with the father of one child about the girl's proclivity for biting when not getting her way. If it keeps up, Blossom cannot allow her to return. The girl's parents and she need to have a sit down to decide what course of action to take and how long the child's probationary period will last.
As she goes to talk with the father about setting the appointment, Blossom glances around, noting that most of the children have gone home. Good. She's a little tired and is looking forward to getting her own brood home to spend time with just them. If Fred weren't out of town with George to a conference, she'd be looking forward to a snuggle with him once the kids are in bed. As it is, she'll make due with a long soat in the tub followed by curling up with a book.