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Monday Morning Madness
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 11-27-12 01:32
"Jim!"
For the third time I cast a spell to clean the puke off my suit jacket as Meagan continued to scream her displeasure at being sick and unable to keep down much of anything.
"Coming. What's..." he asked and stopped when he fully realized just how much I'd had my hands full with our fourteen month old daughter.
"I have a meeting in twenty minutes that I cannot miss. We can't afford not to get this client. Can you please take Meagan to the healer?"
Within a moment I had shoved the squirming, screaming toddler at him. Leaving him little to no room to complain. "You have the day off and I will be home after the meeting for a little while."
"Got it. However, you are not wearing that suit to the meeting. Go change and I will take it to the dry cleaner's on teh way to the healer." Jim said, shifting Meg on his hip as she continued to cry but without the hysterical screaming that had come earlier.
I dropped a quick kiss on my daughter's head before kissing my husband and slipped into the bedroom to change. Once satisfied with my appearance (again) I left the suit jacket for Jim to take with him when he left and grabbed my bag and headed to the office.
"Good morning, Charlotte. Please tell me that the Thompsons haven't arrived yet." I said as I pushed into my second floor office and started getting things together for the meeting.
"No, they haven't arrived yet. In fact, there was an owl waiting when I got here that said they would be an hour or so late. They do apologize for any inconvenience that it might cause to your schedule today but they've been dealing with a bit of a family emergency."
Charlotte quickly handed me my mail, and left my cup of tea on my desk.
"Thank Merlin for small favors. Meagan is sick, threw up three times on the blue suit jacket that I wanted to wear today. He's taking it to the cleaners and taking Meg to the healers."
Charlotte smiled lightly. "It's been a little hectic here as well. Christian and Michael have a pre-trial meeting and they've had Melinda running around like crazy. Nicole is working on the translations of the statements for those non-human parties involved."
"I forgot that that case starts soon. Okay, give me a little bit to get through a few things and notify me the moment the Thompsons get here. Also, should an owl come from Jim I want it brought to me immediately, even if I am in the middle of the meeting with the Thompsons."
"Yes Mrs. Raynor." With that Charlotte slipped out and left me to my work.
(Anton) Dungeons and Duels
Author: Roger Bexley
Date: 11-27-12 01:43
Anton Avery leaned back on the bench, gazing around him with satisfaction. The Slytherin table was lined with faces old, and new; the scions of Wizarding lineages great and noble. Beside him, the other new Slytherins were animatedly bartering chocolate frog cards between them – a second year, Gideon Coy, was trying to convince the younger and more naïve Bruno that his Cornelius Agrippa was rarer (and more valuable) than his Paracelsus. Anton watched them with a thin smile – he'd just traded a common Albus Dumbledore for one of his favourite wizards, Merwyn the Malicious. He rotated the card idly in his fingers, watching the tiny, painted face of the dark wizard glowering at him. He sighed, almost contented – he was eager to leave the Great Hall and descend to the Slytherin Dungeon.
As he gazed around distractedly, he noted the two girls leaned close to each other on opposite end of the table, whispering to each other cautiously. Their gazes quickly flitted away and they giggled annoyingly – as girls always did. One of them was the young Mockridge whom he'd encountered time and again at her grandmother Cloris' incessant parties.
"Hello, Valeria," he greeted her casually. He didn't fancy the thought of the girl writing back to her family, noting that Anton Avery had ignored her on their first day at school. Besides, he thought, her parents had been the right sort, as his father would have said, and they'd been killed tragically, fighting for the cause, and all that.
"Anton. It's been a while. Have you met my cousin, Petula Parkinson?" Valeria replied, studying the dark-haired boy. He'd been her tormentor in childhood, and yet, she'd always understood him. They'd never had to pretend, or play nicely, either to each other or about anyone else. In some ways, she'd been as honest with him as she was with Petula.
"I think so. If I recall, Petula was not one of those…'shrieking banshees', as you put it?" Anton smirked. "Nice to see you again, Pet."
"You have to admit, the name fit," Valeria said with a shrug.
Petula nodded. "An. Been a while. But then, the parties have been a bit different lately, even Great-Aunt Cloris has been courting Ministry favor."
"Ugh, don't remind me. You two lucked out and missed her last one," Valeria interjected. "She was trying to ensure I would have the right sort of friends here, since we didn't know if you'd be here, Anton, and we thought Petula was going to Beauxbatons. One of the guests was sorted into Hufflepuff! Nice girl, but Hufflepuff!"
Anton shrugged. "Father said we couldn't go, with the Ministry involved – he hates mixing with them if he can avoid it. And with your uncle as assistant to Shacklebolt…" The name was said with a mixture of derision and pity. "Mother thinks it was a good idea, keeping ties with the new regime and all."
"It's all about survival. With my parents passing, and Grandmother's ties being fairly well known, it was up to Uncle Kirley and Aunt Nephele to keep us out of disgrace," Valeria said with a bored shrug.
Petula nodded. "Survival at any cost, it's certainly a Parkinson trait."
Anton grinned. "And I suppose the Avery one is pride, above all." His gaze was drawn towards the end of the table, where the Slytherin prefect had begun to round up students. "Looks like the Feast's over."
"Most likely, though we've our share of that as well," Petula agreed.
"It does appear that way. Are you rejoining the boys or shall you risk walking with us?" Valeria asked as she got to her feet. She was excited to see the Common Room.
"I'll stick with you two…at whatever cost to my dignity." He grinned. They filed past the emptying tables, behind a large group of Slytherins.
"Please, there shouldn't be any cost to your dignity, we're not Gryffindors." Valeria said with a slight smirk.
"Or Muggleborns," Petula added, barely stopping herself from using the term more commonly heard in their homes.
They'd mingled with a group of Gryffindor second-years by chance – Anton returned their mistrusting gazes with a bland smile. He could almost hear the thoughts running behind their suspicious eyes. When one of them spoke up, though, it was a different matter.
"Surprised to see you here, Mockridge," said a snide Gryffindor girl. "If Dumbledore had been alive, I doubt he would have let a confirmed Death Eater brat like you in."
Valeria and Petula's wands were drawn and sparks flew before the Gryffindors could get another word out. The blonde wasn't surprised to see a third wand pulled either, Slytherins were known to stick together, taking the adage that their house was their family to heart in a way the other houses couldn't comprehend.
Petula glared at the second years. "I suggest you think about how you should speak to your betters, filthy Half-blood," she muttered, brown eyes flashing as she stared down the second years.
A number of them had their wands drawn, too. Anton saw a boy pointing his wand at Valeria, and disarmed him quickly himself. After that, jinxes flew in both directions – most missing due to inexperience, though Valeria's jelly-legs had caught the unarmed boy. Anton had been about to send another one at the snide girl, when a dark, tall shadow fell across the scene.
"Put your wands down," uttered a voice in emphatic staccato. "Students will not duel in the corridor," spoke the pale, dark-haired professor. "Ten points from each of you."
Valeria froze when Professor Snape spoke, though she didn't take her eyes off the Gryffindors. Instead, she was ready in case any of them thought it smart to be sneaky in front of the Head of Slytherin House. Petula, on the other hand, stole a glance at the sallow-faced professor. He had been her Aunt Pansy's favorite, as well as a favorite with Valeria's Aunt Nephele and knowing both of their fathers. There was no doubt in her mind he knew exactly which of his newest students he'd caught dueling.
Professor Snape dispersed the Gryffindors before he rounded on the guilty threesome. Unsmiling, he looked at them seriously, and, in a quieter voice, "Twenty points to Mr Avery and Miss Parkinson for defending Miss Mockridge's honor, and fifteen to Miss Mockridge for inventive spellcasting."
"Thank you, Professor," Petula said with a nod.
Valeria smiled and was actually tempted to hug the man, but she refrained, not wanting to look like a Hufflepuff. "Thank you, Professor Snape. I knew there was a reason Aunt Nephele and Cousin Pansy said you were their favourite besides teaching Potions."
The Potions professor arched a brow. "That may be, Miss Mockridge, but I do not encourage violent behaviour amongst students under normal circumstances. Good judgement is absolutely essential. You may continue to the Dungeon, but I do not particularly care to break up another duel tonight, is that clear?"
"Yes, Professor," Valeria said, though she kept her smile. "I'll be sure to wait next time until they won't see it coming."
Petula shook her head, incredulous at her cousin's behavior. The girl really was incorrigible, and far too used to charming her way out of trouble.
The Book of the Dark Mirror (Sirr Souq, the Hidden Bazaar, Cairo)
Author: Cassandra Catesby
Date: 11-27-12 05:25
Sirr Souq, the Hidden Bazaar, lay in the heart of old Cairo. Concealed amongst the labyrinth of narrow back alleys and protected by every anti-Muggle charm imaginable, it was a hive of wizarding activity.
Cassandra threaded her way through the open-air bazaar, her hooded cloak rendering her anonymous amongst the throng. She picked her way around a family haggling over the price of a flying carpet. Everywhere was noise and colour. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and spices. Stalls sold exotic potion ingredients: hair from the tail of a sphinx, griffin feathers and streeler venom. At another stall, caged occamy added their own raucous calls to the hubbub.
A small crowd gathered about a snake-charmer, gasping as the viper weaved about, hypnotised by the rhythmic melody of the charmer's pipe. Cassandra edged around them and ducked down a gap between two cloth-covered stalls.
It was quieter down here. She pushed aside a tent flap. Inside it was shadowy, illuminated only by a brazier that crackled with ruby flames. The scent of incense hung in the air like a pall.
"Omar?"
"I am he. You seek knowledge of the ancient texts?" An old Egyptian wizard with a face like a hawk shuffled into the light of the ruby flames.
"I seek the whereabouts of one particular ancient text," Cassandra replied.
"Then sit," he said. She sank down on to the rug, tucking her legs to the side mermaid-style. He settled himself cross-legged. There was a regal air to him that made her think of the statues of ancient pharaohs.
"Tell me of this text you seek," he commanded.
"It is a divination text. Ancient Egyptian..." Cassandra began, providing him with all the details Xiomara Serano had supplied, but omitting her client's name. As she spoke, Omar's expression darkened.
"You see the Book of the Dark Mirror," he said. His brows snapped together over his sharp beak of a nose.
"You know it?"
"I know of it. I know it contains dark arts," he said. "Dark methods of foretelling that have long been lost. This book is dangerous."
"All books are dangerous in some way, Knowledge can be dangerous," Cassandra said. "Do you know where the book is now?"
He shook his head. "I do not," he said. "The Book of the Dark Mirror does not surface on the open market. In the past it has passed from hand to hand, but rumours circulate."
"Rumours?" she prompted.
His dark eyes met hers in a piercing stare. "Rumours of bloodshed and even death. Blood has been spilled as it passes from hand to hand."
"They are killed for it?"
"Blood has been spilled," he repeated firmly.
First Class of the Year
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 11-27-12 07:15
The corridors were filled with students. No one wanted to be late for their first class of the year but it seemed that most of the first years were having a hard time to find their right classroom. Wendy and her new friend, Andrina Fricks, had followed what it seemed to be a shortcut to the third floor, where they would have a Charms class alongside with the Gryffindors. However, after consulting with an older student that was passing nearby, they realized the shortcut they had taken was leading them to the Astronomy tower.
This time the two girls opted to just use the stairs instead of any shortcut or secret passages and they had to consult with two other students before finally arriving to the right classroom. With relief they noticed the class hasn't started yet and there were still many empty seats.
Wendy seated next to Andrina in one of the front rows. Both the girls were eager to start learning magic and the first thing they set on the desk was their wands. Wendy then took her book, quill and ink out of her bag. However she also took a pencil case that she brought from home. She was afraid she wouldn't adapt well using a quill so she had a pen and a pencil just in case.
"Which of these spells do you think we will learn first?" Andrina asked to Wendy.
Wendy had no idea, however she found the Lumos charm very interesting. She wasn't still used to the use of candles at the school and in the middle of last night, when she wanted to go to the bathroom, she kept trying to find the switch to light the inexistent lamp from her bedside table until she realized there was none. The Lumos charm would be very useful in this situation.
"I like this one," Andrina said, pointing out a spell that was on one of the last pages of their textbook. Wendy doubted they would learn anything like that in the next class. She didn't know much about magic yet, but making a pineapple to dance didn't seem something for a beginner.
Andrina and Wendy kept chatting in a very animated tone. They had bounded right away at the start of the term feast and Wendy had the feeling she could already consider Andrina has a true friend. They had been inseparable the whole weekend and by now they knew pretty much everything about each other.
"Is this seat taken?" A Gryffindor boy asked Wendy.
"No," she told him and he sat on the desk behind her.
Wendy noticed the classroom was almost full and then she recognized the small funny looking wizard named Professor Flitwick who was entering the room. He seemed to be in a very good mood and he waited until the last of the students to be installed in order to start his lesson. Everyone looked at him with full attention not wanting to miss any bit of their first lesson at Hogwarts.
MacDougal Sisters
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 11-27-12 12:47
As her first class, Charms, came to an end, Lauren looked over her schedule even though she knows Potions is next. The schedule looks more complicated somehow than the ones belonging to Marlow and Liannah that she remembers seeing. She's not sure if it actually is or if it just seems that way because it's hers and she's a little nervous. Lauren's not so much nervous about meeting new people as she is about meeting professors and doing well in classes. Her sisters are decent students, Liannah in particular as a Ravenclaw, so the last thing Lauren wants is to bring home disappointing marks. There would also be the grounding that would go with low scores. The thought of spending her holidays from Hogwarts stuck at home doing extra studying is not want she wants to contemplate.
Being sorted into Gryffindor was fine with Lauren. With family members in each of the Houses she has no particular like or dislike of any of the four. If pressed, she would probably have said she wasn't sure about Ravenclaw simply because of Liannah who can make this difficult for Marlow and Lauren when she wants. Going along that same line of thinking, Hufflepuff might have been her second least favorite choice if she'd had to pick, because that's Marlow's house. Marlow can be easier to get along with than Liannah but she can still be a right pain in the arse when she sets her mind to it.
As she gathers her belongings to go to Potions Leo Marchbanks, another Gryffindor, tells her, "I'll wait in the hall for you."
"Okay, be right there."
Savannah Applewhite, one of Lauren's roommates, giggles a little asking, "Is he your boyfriend?"
Hitching her bookbag to her shoulder Lauren gives a shake of her head. "Leo? No, we've just known each other for a few years and his sister Hydrangea is good friends with my sister Liannah."
"It's nice knowing others already, isn't it? I wish Lilith had been sorted into Gryffindor too," Savannah says of another first year, Lilith Balfour. "I also wish I could have started last year with our other friends."
The girls pause their steps to the door to ask another roommate, Arielle Kent, "You ready?"
Picking up a quill that had dropped and putting it in her bag Arielle nods, "Yes, who knows how to get there?"
"I think I do. I walked the routes for each day over the weekend," Lauren says. "I made a map but with the way things move around here it's not always right."
By this time they are in the hall where Leo awaits. He falls into step with the three girls as does another of the Gryffindor first years, Mickey Moon, a discussion starting up about Flying Lessons on Friday.
While Lauren is on her way to Potions, Marlow MacDougal, along with cousin and roommate Eden Jenkins, is on her way from History of Magic to Care of Magical Creatures, glad that a fifteen minute pad has been built into the schedule so she had plenty of time to get out to the stable area. The schedule this year seems odd but at the same time she thinks it's going to be better because of the breaks between classes. Her first and second year she always seemed to be in a rush to get from one class to another without being tardy and if she had to stop at the loo then she always felt the need to run from the loo to class so as not to have points docked for being late even though if caught running in the halls would mean points taken.
The only real drawback Marlow can see to her schedule this term is she has two extra classes thanks to having to pick two elective courses. In addition to Care of Magical Creatures she's signed up for Arithmany & Divination. That had been a difficult choice. Ancient Runes, and Professor Hodfuffer, seem so interesting. Muggle Studies is most likely quite fun based on what she knows of cousin Aaron's Cloud Kiss set up and having been part of the Muggle Studies Club. In the end she decided upon Arithmancy & Divination because cousin Saffron told her that there is a runes unit if she sticks with the course, which means she can find out about other things like crystal ball reading, and because she can still be in Muggle Studies Club and learn a few things that way while having fun in the process.
Reaching the places where other third years are gathering for their first ever Care of Magical Creatures class, Marlow and Eden stand talking while looking around to see who else of their classmates are taking the course.
Liannah MacDougal slides into a seat in History of Magic, sighing as she does, prompting Sarah Edwards to ask, "Something wrong?"
"Not really other than I hope this class goes by fast. It's not my favorite."
"You don't like History or you don't care for Professor Davyd, I mean Morgan?"
"A little of both maybe. She makes history seem sort of dull and," Liannah sighs again, debating for all of one second whether she should finish the thought. "And she is the one who showed up to for classes one day last term hung-over. It's a little harder to respect her after that, you know?"
"I guess," Sarah says, though not sounding overly convinced, before gushing, "Isn't it romantic how she got married over the summer? And Professor Isuki too."
"Weatherby."
"Right, that's what I meant, Professor Weatherby. What's that you have?"
Liannah holds up Hufflepuff House crest of the sort sewn on clothing. "I think it's Gus Hodfuffer's. I tried catching him as he left the Great Hall from breakfast cut couldn't. I need to remember to look for him at lunch."
"I thought you two were dating."
"We went to Emrys Fest together and we've seen each other a few times over the summer since but I wouldn't call it dating."
"You don't like him that way or you do but prefer keeping options open?"
"I do like him but we're more friends than anything else."
One corner of Sarah's mouth quirks up. "Keeping options open then. I wouldn't mind snogging Gus Hodfuffer or Caerwyn Valentine for that matter. I'd give you my full snog wish list but there's Professor Davyd, I mean Professor Morgan."
Sarah and Liannah fall silent, Liannah sticking the Hufflepuff crest back away, not really sure why she'd pulled it out in the first place.
Potions with Gryffindor?
Author: Valeria Mockridge
Date: 11-27-12 14:33
Valeria made a face as soon as she was out of sight of Professor Flint. Transfiguration had seemed so interesting in her aunt and uncle's texts, but the reading they had been given, and the class lecture, had been quite dull.
"Please tell me at least one of you have the old first year texts?" Petula asked, glancing at both Valeria and Anton. The three had stuck close together, with some of the other Slytherin boys, after the duel in the hallway after the Start of Term Feast.
Valeria nodded. "I have one, and I can ask Aunt Nephele and Uncle Kirley to send more texts, if you think we'll need them?" she offered.
"It might not be a bad idea," Anton suggested somewhat sarcastically, "for each of us to write home and request extra texts from our families. Not only on Transfiguration, but possibly others they may think it wise we have. Especially since we've all told them about Friday evening."
"We could build our own version of the library in Slytherin House," Valeria said thoughtfully. The idea might have started as a joke, but it sounded like even Anton saw the sense in it. "It could be useful, especially as I'm sure that Gryffindor bint won't be the only one to judge us based on our parents." The idea had merit, and there were a number of books that they would all have access to in their home libraries that weren't available here in the school. And for those that might be objected to, well, none of their relatives would be too fussed about disguising books through charms. If Kirley and Nephele balked, Valeria knew her grandmother would be too happy to oblige.
"We should see about doing that after Herbology, perhaps," Petula agreed as they continued toward Professor Weasley's classroom, Valeria's step getting bouncier by the minute. "Really, Val, so excited for Professor Weasley's class?"
"It's Potions, Pet," Valeria replied, looking at her cousin as if she'd gone suddenly daft.
"Most of which you've been brewing for years with Nephele."
"And most of the summer on my own," the blonde admitted. "It was a wonderful excuse to avoid tea at Grandmother's."
"What, not up for more finger sandwiches and overly sweet cakes?"
"More that while Grandmother has her uses, spending ridiculous amounts of time over tea while she reminds me of my duty to the family is not one of them. She is, however, quite accommodating about providing certain things when Aunt Nephele or Uncle Kirley are being silly." The three stepped into the classroom with the others, Petula joining Valeria at a table while Anton went with one of the boys in front of them and two other first year Slytherin boys took the table behind them. They had the wall to one side, taking the seats farthest from the door. Having this class with the Gryffindors, Valeria was unsurprised by the boys' actions. It was all about house loyalty, and the story of what had happened after the Feast had quickly circulated through Slytherin house. As well as some admiration that the three caught dueling had wound up gaining points in the long run while Gryffindor had started out in the negative. It was bound to make for a tense class, even if it was Valeria's favorite subject.
Lunch Break (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 11-27-12 17:24
Walking from class to the Great Hall with Megara Flynn, Catriona asks, "What else do you have today?"
"I am done. I had a class at nine, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy & Divination just now. I don't have anything more until Transfiguration tomorrow at ten. What about you?"
"Two more today. Defense Against the Dark Arts and that new course, Alchemy."
"I thought about both of those but I wanted a little bit of a break this year after OWLs last year and NEWTs next year. Of course, if all was as it should be, this would be my NEWT year."
"Did you ever think about just going on to St. Emrys and getting what you need there or going on and getting a job?"
"I have, yes. The drawback to trying for a job is that if I want a decent one that could become a career, I would need to have NEWT scores. If going on and starting at university, that would make me a Hogwarts dropout and I would prefer not to have that title hanging over me."
"I can't say I blame you."
Reaching the Ravenclaw table, Cat drops her bag to the floor before dropping onto a seat. Megara sits as well but is obviously looking for someone. She shakes her head once as she reaches for a pitcher to fill her glass. "He had class with us but still isn't here. He's still avoiding me."
"Who is?"
"Errol. He won't tell me what happened and knowing I'll get it out of him eventually, he's avoiding me as much as possible."
Accepting the pitcher from Megara Cat comments, "Maybe what caused those injuries is too traumatic for him to talk about."
Megara frowns and nods. "I know. It's just I can't stand not knowing. I suppose I should be patient."
"That might be a wise and good thing."
Megara frowns again. "Do you know how bloody hard it is to be patient when waiting to find out something? It's like a wrapped gift just begging to be ripped open." She turns her head a little to watch as Errol takes a seat further down the table. After a second or two she looks at Cat. "It doesn't help the not knowing part when I consider him my special needs baby brother."
Cat nearly chokes on the bite of salad she'd just taken, which in turn brings on a coughing fit. When she can speak again she parrots, "Special needs baby brother?"
"Yes, exactly. You should consider finding yourself one too for entertainment."
"Entertainment?"
"I find great amusement in teasing and tormenting Errol. He turns such a nice shade of red sometimes."
"Has anyone ever mentioned that you might belong in Slytherin?"
"Several actually but, personally, I don't see it myself."
Megara shoots Cat a brilliant smile, attempting to look the picture of innocence. The result has Cat laughing to the point of bringing on another coughing fit.
A Time To Wake
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 11-27-12 23:11
Everything started to fade in, slowly at first. Faint sounds, colors, feelings. I felt like I was floating, not on air but on water. Slowly spinning as things started to come into focus. After what seemed like forever, the spinning started to slow, and finally stop. The water solidified into a bed.
I finally found the ability to move, just a little. I was sore whenever I did so, so I didn't want to a lot. It took what seemed like forever before I could open my eyes. They fought me until they were open. Things were blurry at first, but quickly came into focus. Someone had thankfully placed a glass of water in arms reach, so I drank it.
I became aware that there was someone else in the room. I couldn't see them, but I could feel them in the room. There was some movement near the door, but I didn't see what made it. However, the feeling of someone watching me went away. It had to be Orion. He's the only person I know with the skills to be in an open room without me seeing him.
I tried to sit up, but my body protested, so I stayed lying down. As I put the glass back on the table, I couldn't help but notice, I have pink fingernails. Only person with the gall to do that is Bronwyn. I sighed as a couple of people walked into the room.
The healers were certainly thorough. Making sure that I was recovering, and wasn't missing any marbles. They did not really tell me much about what happened. However, I didn't have to wait long for answers, sort of.
Bronwyn walked into the room, "Orion, I couldn't get off work any earlier but…" She paused when she looked up. She dropped everything and reached an ear splitting octave saying, "OHMYGODYOUAREOK!" She ran over, pushing a healer a little too slow in moving, before trying to squeeze the breath out of me.