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Tragic Accident
Author: Jolyon
Date: 08-12-12 18:56
Jolyon was in his quarters enjoying a quiet meal with his mother, who had started visiting him regularly, when they were interrupted by a frantic tapping at his door.
"Excuse me," Jolyon said to his mum, before getting up to answer it.
On the other side stood Illyria, who looked extremely out of sorts. Worry lines creased her forehead.
"Jolyon, I'm sorry to interrupt," she said, spying his mother through the open doorway, "but something serious has happened and Dumbledore has been looking for you."
Jolyon glanced back at his mother, who was leaning forward to hear their conversation better. "Mum, I need to step out for a while."
Bridget Kent frowned. "All right. If you aren't back soon, I'll put everything away and tidy up."
Jolyon smiled at her. "Thanks." He then stepped into the hall and shut the door to his quarters behind him. "What happened?" he asked Illyria, as they set off down the hallway.
Illyria filled him in, though there was very little she could tell him since so much of what had happened remained unknown. With every word she spoke, the heavier Jolyon's footsteps felt until he simply stopped in the hall and stared at an invisible point in the distance.
"Jolyon?" Illyria asked, her voice full of concern.
He rubbed his face with his hands and asked, "How could this happen?"
Illyria shook her head sadly. "I don't know."
They continued on to Ravenclaw Tower. The students had already been gathered together to get an accurate head count, so that the identity of the Ravenclaw student involved in the accident––pinpointed only by the scrap of uniform left behind––could be determined. Now they all waited around to find out what was going on.
When Jolyon and Illyria entered the common room, all voices hushed.
Jolyon looked at the sea of faces, from the youngest to the oldest, and cleared his throat. "I'm afraid I have some bad news," he began.
He's Totally Into You
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-12-12 19:46
Bronwyn read the note from Driver eagerly and quickly.
"Desi! It's so obvious he likes you!" she exclaimed, after she'd finished it.
"Yeah?" Desi asked, a little heavy on the sarcasm. "What gave it away?"
Bronwyn didn't seem to notice. She deconstructed the letter phrase by phrase. "Well, he said you 'kicked ass', which is a positive comment right up your alley. He also said he would be glad to beat up Reed with you the next time, which totally shows that he is interested in couples activities."
Toby nearly choked on his beer and had to pound his chest a few times to clear his throat. He couldn't stop laughing.
"Let's see," Bronwyn said, ignoring her husband. "He said it was good to see you again and implied that he wished you two could have had time to talk. I bet he's totally been thinking about you since that family dinner way back when and couldn't believe it when you walked in the door to his bar. Did you even know he worked at that one?"
"No," Desi said. "It was purely a coincidence."
Bronwyn narrowed her eyes but ultimately decided she believed Desi. She turned back to the letter. "Okay, well, this says it all. He wants to hang out sometime, and he finds you fascinating." Bronwyn sighed and stared dreamily into space.
Toby shared a sympathetic look with Desi. "You know you brought this on yourself."
Desi nodded. "I know, but look at how happy it's making her."
Bronwyn blinked and then pointed at the last line on the letter. "He wants to practice fighting techniques with you. Do you know what that entails?"
"Having a sparring partner?"
Bronwyn rolled her eyes. "No, it means a totally romantic, hands-on experience just waiting to happen. Have you written him back yet?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I haven't decided what I want to do yet."
"Why not?????"
Desi gently extricated the letter from Bron's fingers. "Because I need to think about it some more."
Bronwyn's shoulders slumped. "Suit yourself." She picked up her fork and stabbed at the remaining food on her plate. "Just don't break his heart, okay? Driver seems like a nice guy and he's really into you…"
Don't Panic
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 08-12-12 19:57
In the two weeks or so since Bellatrix had presented her jailbreak from Azkaban scheme only to have Lucius point out a few minor problems to be overcome, she has been in such a horrid mood that Barty has taken up residence with Lucius in Saint Tropez and both men have refused to visit her in Venice. This, of course, put her into an even worse mood. Lucius does not even want to imagine how bad things would be if she knew that twice they've pretended not to be home when she showed up. Hearing her arrive, they'd quickly left, letting her think they'd simply not told the house elves they were going out for awhile.
Her voice rings out from the manor's main entrance. Bellatrix does not sound overly furious but sometimes her more quiet anger is scarier than her loud, boisterous fits. Barty is truly out, gone for a walk along the beach. Lucius looks longingly out the French doors to patio and the well manicured gardens beyond. He would leave. Should leave. Wants to leave. If Carina weren't under the weather today and Lucius doesn't want to be far from her in case he's needed.
Perhaps it's time to install one of those panic type rooms. He could duck in such a room when needed and Bellatrix would be none the wiser. Hell, at times he could sleep in there when she's truly on the warpath. Lucius gets up and begins inspecting the room for the best place to magically insert such a room. As he looks at the small space at the end of the built in bar, he wonders if it would be prudent to have several such rooms spread throughout the manor.
"What are you doing, Lucius?"
At the sound of Bellatrix's voice, he turns, offering a benign, innocent smile. "I was thinking of having the panelling on here redone. A warmer, more honeyed wood."
"Yes, that might do well. It would certainly brighten up the room. I do like this dark wood but this isn't an overly large room. Something with a more honeyed tone as you suggest might even make the room seem larger."
"I agree. I do believe I will have some samples brought in tomorrow. Tea?"
"Yes, thank you."
Bellatrix settles into the chair she favors, accepting a cup of tea. "Lucius, I must admit you are correct. The plan as I first imagined simply will not work under current security conditions. After a great deal of thought I have formulated another plan."
Almost afraid to ask, Lucius forces himself to interestedly ask, "Yes?"
"Rodolphus and Rabastan both fake heart attacks, get rushed to St. Mungo's and from there, we secure their freedom."
Biting his lower lip to keep from saying anything negative, Lucius nods and murmurs noncommittally, a forced smile on his lips as Bellatrix launches into a detailed description of her new plan. Looking longingly past her chair to the spot he believes the panic room will go, he wonders why in bloody hell he did not think of installing one months ago.
Morning Gossip
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 08-13-12 07:10
Celeste drank her morning tea at the school staff table as she observed the students with interest. They were all talking about Abdul Hazart AlGunud and Mrs. Norris' deaths and many were the rumors told at the four houses' tables. Since she was not Head of any house or their assistance Celeste had not be in any common rooms when the situation had been reported. Only now she could see how the students were reacting to it. She had been warned about the events last night by Illyria and like the rest of the castle's inhabitants she got preoccupied.
Dumbledore had given a word to the staff first thing in the morning, explaining the situation was being investigated and he recommended the staff to act as normal as possible in order not to disturb the students even more. If the Headmaster had any ideas or theories about how the events of last night occurred he did not share them with anyone during the meeting.
"Poor boy, I used to give him classes. He was a good student. I wonder how his family will react to this tragedy, not to mention the other student's families. I have the feeling many students might not return next year, unless there is a good explanation for this."
"I think I am going to miss the cat the most. Mrs. Norris was very useful to the school. Perhaps I should offer Argus a hunting dog. That will be even more effective when it comes to chase the students who break the rules."
"For Merlin's sake Severus!" she lectured him. "Couldn't you be a bit more sensitive?"
He ignored her, as he finished his breakfast. His eyes studied the Great Hall for a moment and then he whispered: "Tragic accidents always happen when magic is involved, Celeste. Parents should be more concerned with hungover professors instead…"
"Don't be ridiculous. That was just a rumor made up by some student."
"If you say so…" and then he stood up, his black figure leaving the table into the dungeon's direction.
Celeste picked up her tea cup and this time her head turned to the other teachers who were having breakfast, wondering who might have drank too much the other day. Since she couldn't find an answer as she observed her colleagues, who were all talking about Mrs. Norris and Abdul, she decided to later invite Severus for a cup of tea for what she liked to call a work reunion but it was in fact a gossip session.
Fidelius Charm
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 08-13-12 11:22
Ethan leaned against his desk and gave his fourth year students a moment to get settled. Everyone seemed a little on edge after the events from last night, though the news had affected each person differently. Most of the fourth years didn't know the student involved in the accident, but some of the Ravenclaws probably knew of him. Everyone, on the other hand, remembered Mrs. Norris––in some cases less than fondly, since she had managed to get a number of students in trouble over the years.
When the last fourth year took his seat, Ethan got up and went around his desk to the blackboard. He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote Prevention & Protection, which he underlined.
"Since term resumed, we've discussed several preventative and protective spells, like anti-apparition/anti-disapparition jinxes, the caterwauling charm, and Cave Inimicum. Today we're going to discuss the Fidelius Charm." He wrote Fidelius Charm on the blackboard, dropped the chalk back onto the tray, and turned around to face his students.
"Who can tell me what the Fidelius Charm is?"
Ramona Mickle raised her hand.
"Yes, Ramona?"
"It involves keeping a secret, doesn't it?"
"That's right," Ethan said, nodding his head. "Specifically, the Fidelius Charm is used to hide a location. It won't just prevent someone from revealing the location or a person from guessing where it might be. The Fidelius Charm makes the place totally invisible, intangible, unplottable and sound-proof."
There were murmurs of appreciation at the thought of making a particular place so secretive no one could ever find it.
"This is how it works," Ethan began explaining. His students listened raptly, no doubt hoping to try it out themselves, although the spellwork involved would in most cases be too difficult.
While Ethan talked, he couldn't help but think about how Hattie Harsnip and her cohorts may very well be utilizing the Fidelius Charm to stay hidden. Their discovery and capture was long overdue. What would it take to find them and put them in Azkaban where they belonged?
(Adriana) Too Much Garlic
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 08-13-12 12:59
The charms classroom reeked of garlic, causing Professor Fairchild to call into question why she had put a garlic conjuring charm onto the first year syllabus. The odor penetrated her hair and the fibers in her clothing.
The first year Hufflepuff and Slytherin students made faces, no doubt due to the overpowering smell, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Some of them were able to create full strings of garlic bulbs. Others were slightly less successful, but everyone seemed capable of at least conjuring up the scent of garlic. More than once, Adriana witnessed the wave of a wand and the production of cloying, green smoke.
When 10:30 finally rolled around, Adriana clapped her hands together and announced, "All right, class. That's enough. We'll continue practicing Garlico next time."
Her students wasted no time putting away their wands and grabbing their school books, parchments, ink and quills. They rushed from the classroom, but unfortunately, the stench did not leave with them. Adriana hastily waved her wand around the room, using the air-freshening charm the first years had practiced earlier this month. The classroom smelled infinitely better, but Adriana couldn't help but notice a lingering garlic smell on her person. Perhaps she would take a shower during her lunch hour.
In the brief respite between classes, she thought about the book she had filched from Nathaniel Ross. She still had it in her possession and knew full-well that she had held onto it for far too long. Adriana simply wanted to be sure that she knew all of its secrets before returning it to Nate. She had already copied down the information given in the book and had researched many of the names individually in an effort to determine what place they had in it. She hadn't gotten through the entire list yet, however, but would soon, assuming more recorded information existed on everyone in the book.
"Professor? Why do I smell garlic?"
Adriana jumped and then noticed Madoc McGonagall standing next to her. His nose was wrinkled.
Adriana patted her hair. "We were practicing a charm involving garlic in the previous class, Madoc," she said. "Please take your seat now."
Madoc went to his desk and sat down. He probably assumed she was jumpy because of the fatal accident that had happened in the castle yesterday evening. Truth be told, Adriana had hardly given the incident much thought.
She went to her own desk and picked up a thick book which she opened to the middle. She set it down on her desk and waited for the rest of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw second years to sit down before starting her lesson on page-turning charms.
Tuesdays are better than Mondays
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 08-13-12 14:36
Last night had been exceptional, and it would most definitely be repeated. Things were going well with Dex and honestly there were more times than I could count that I thought about the future between us. If nights like last night were anything to go by, this had some exceptional potential – and would only get better once he was employed. After I'd gotten the box of potions, and consumed one, I absolutely felt much better and had enough energy so that I didn't have to skip out on my late class at St. Emry's last night before heading over to the apartment.
Sitting through my Advanced Muggle History I – Victorian Era class last night had been much more enjoyable knowing that from St. Emry's I'd be apparating from the uni and straight to the apartment to spend the night again with Dexter, and when I'd gotten to the apartment there was a meal waiting for me and it was absolutely delicious and he'd made one of my favorite meals. We'd then spent the night just hanging out and it was something that I could really see us doing often.
Thankfully Tuesdays weren't as heavy as Mondays and I didn't have a class at St. Emry's to go through tonight, so that meant that I'd have a bit more free time after my office hours. I'd also been in need of one of those fantastic hangover cure potions before I'd left the apartment and come back to the Castle for my first class, though I was once more sorely tempted to cuddle myself back up to Dexter and just spend the day with him, the term was almost over and I'd soon enough be able to spend as much time with him as I wanted (when neither of us had work or whatever). I'd probably get a part-time job while I was not teaching, because it would give me a bit more income and probably drive my mother crazy yet again.
During my lunch office hours, I quickly penned a note to Dexter and sent it off when I headed to the Great Hall to grab a quick bite to eat amazed at my energy level despite the late night I'd had again last night. I'd probably spend the rest of the week at the castle and just see Dex this weekend – to ensure that I didn't have need to constantly depend on that hangover potion – though she still had the box that Dex had sent her.
Dex,
That hangover cure is amazing, and I love you for sending me a box (and yes Driver should start selling it at the bar), but hopefully I won't need it again until after this weekend. I'm hoping you'll meet me in the village Friday afternoon and spend the weekend with me here at the Castle. I've even got a fantastic meal planned for you on Friday.
My days always start so much better when they start next to you.
See you soon.
Love,
Karma
Yes, she signed it love, she was kinda falling for him and honestly even in this short period of time she was starting to think that the "L" word could readily come into play, but was she ready to say it out loud? She wasn't sure yet – to say it in a letter was different, at least she thought so.
I'd also heard the rumors circulating and I muttered lightly, knowing that I would definitely have to be more cautious when spending the night with Dex during the week and decidedly cut back on the alcohol on school nights and he'll definitely have to keep me stocked in that hangover cure potion. Either that or she'd have to resort on only seeing him Friday and Saturday or earlier on Sundays.
Running a hand through my hair, I decided that after dinner I'd spend some time in the Fitness Room to work out some frustrations since I won't be seeing Dex tonight and probably not until Friday unless he comes to pick me up after any of my other classes this week at St. Emry's given the fact that there is still a murderer on the loose and targeting St. Emry's students.
Looks And Questions
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 08-13-12 15:38
The nice thing about Tuesday mornings is that Christopher has no 9 am class. He often gets up to go to breakfast though from time to time he has slept in. After breakfast he has the option of returning to his room to get in a little more sleep before time go head out to the greenhouses for Herbology or he uses the free time for extra studying, finishing up homework, or just plain goofing off.
This particular Tuesday morning with Abdul Hazrat AlGunud's glaringly empty and devoid of any sign that Abdul had turned up during the wee hours, lounging around the dorm had no great appeal for Christopher. The others sharing this sixth years boys dorm room must have been feeling much the same as he because Daniel Gelson who has no Tuesday classes until two in the afternoon was already gone when Christopher was dressing. Hadrian Rabnott was in the process of getting his shoes on and leave and Jack Emerson was coming in from having a shower, half dressed and wasting no time to finish. Like Christopher, Hadrian and Jack don't have anything Tuesday mornings until Herbology.
The three of them had gone down for breakfast, finding Daniel there, food on his plate that he seemed to be more interested in moving around than actually eating. Once seated and starting to serve himself, Christopher quickly realized he also hadn't much of an appetite. He also realized that others in the Great Hall kept shooting the four of them glances. None came over just then, though all around them they could hear people talking, wondering aloud what happened. Theories were being bandied about, rumors were already rampant, and concerns over security for the remainder of term were buzzing all around.
Unable to stand it for long, Christopher had grabbed up his bookbag, shooting Catriona a small smile in the process, and headed out. Though he had loads of time to kill before Herbology, he decided to go out on the ground, find somewhere to sit and kill time until Herbology. Finding a good place to plop down that provided some semblance of shelter from the light, slow, steady rain, he'd pulled out his Herbology text to read again today's assignment, though he ended up doing more staring out at the lake than he did reading.
When time arrives to start for the greenhouses, Christopher shoves the textbook back in his bag, experiencing a sudden reluctance to go to class. Not just Herbology, but any class. With no real excuse to skiv off other than just because, he heaves a huge sigh, slings his bookbag to his shoulder and trudges off in the direction of the greenhouse.
Halfway there he becomes aware of someone coming up from behind and to his right. A look back lets him know it's fellow sixth year Angus McLeach. Angus usually gets on well enough with Christopher though they are not great friends. He's often wondered if it's because Angus is in Slytherin and some Slytherins seem to think members of other houses aren't good enough to pal around with.
Angus comes even with Christopher. "Hey, Chant. Any word on AlGunud?"
"No, or at least not that I've heard."
"You were his roommate. What was he up to?"
"No idea. Abdul wasn't much of a talker and he wasn't exactly chummy with anyone. You've known him as long as I have. Can you say you ever had an actual conversation with him? Anything that wasn't directly related to something from a class?"
Angus thinks for a moment then shrugs, shaking his head no. "Nothing, but he was in a different house so I just thought maybe since you and he were roomies, you might know more about the chap."
"Sorry, I wish I did because then I might know something useful to pass on to Professor Dumbledore. As it is, he and I were roommates for nearly two years and all I can tell you is he was quiet, kept to himself most of the time, seemed studious, and he lived with a foster family because one of his parents had died. I can't even tell you where specifically he's originally from. I only know generalities on that."
By that time they are at the greenhouse Professor Master is using for today's sixth year NEWT class. With a mute nod of understanding at Christopher's comments, Angus peels off to go stand near his own roommate Christopher Tweed. Seeing neither Hadrian nor Jack there yet, Christopher moves to stand near Carlotta Calloway, thinking that in the short time until class starts, another Ravenclaw is not likely to start quizzing him about Abdul.
Feeling of Unease - No Known Cause
Author: Rylee
Date: 08-13-12 17:55
I'd spent the morning going for a run despite the drizzle, showered, had breakfast and ultimately gone to all of my classes. It was a decent enough day and there was an air of melancholy around the entire castle at the disappearance and possible death of a student and the death of Mrs. Norris, Mister Filch's cat that had patrolled the halls as often as he did helping to bust troublemaking students.
Dinner had been simple enough and she'd even spent time in the fitness room working out a little bit - starting simple, she knew that there would of course be people talking when they were done discussing possibilities of what had happened in that blocked off section of the seventh floor.
After dinner she'd gone briefly down to the dungeons and grabbed her textbooks for Transfiguration, Potions and History of Magic and headed into the library. Settling herself at one of the tables, her legs curled beneath her as she pulled her Transfiguration out of her bag and began working on her essay that was due in the next couple of days. There were a few other things that she had to get done as well as check out a few of the catalogues that she'd gotten and send away her orders.
Quill tapping against the parchment she attempted to focus her attentions on her work, but she kept getting distracted and seriously couldn't pin point what kept demanding her attention. Seriously, this was driving her crazy, and she needed to get things going because she had no intention of spending all weekend shuttered in the library working on homework. Finally unable to concentrate for over an hour, she pushed herself up and put things away before heading back down to the Slytherin common room and ended up playing a game of wizarding chess with Gideon before calling it an early night.