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Possible Headline
Author: Declan
Date: 02-06-13 20:30
Foregoing supper in the Great Hall for leftovers from a German restaurant Declan has just put the warmed up food on the table and is in the process of filling his glass when there's a knock on the door. He's surprised to find AJ Hodfuffer standing there, fist clenched as if debating whether to knock again.
"Hi, thought you'd gone home," Declan says, ushering his friend in.
"Mariposa had a late class then was meeting her dad and Zabrynna for dinner. I thought about eating at the Great Hall but decided to go out. I wondered if you'd be interested. When you were in the Great Hall, your office or classroom, I thought I'd check here. But," AJ gestures to the table, "I see you're all set."
"Nothing fancy, just leftovers. What did you have in mind?"
"Crown & Cauldron or Brews & Stews, though I'm open to somewhere else."
"The Crown & Cauldron's fine but let me change first." Declan had shed nice work clothes and staff robe for a pair of frayed, faded jeans with a large hole at one knee and a brown pullover so old it's gone more dark beige. Through the open bedroom door he asks, "Do you think that Skeeter woman will still be hanging around the village?"
"With her, it's highly possible though if she's got any sense she'll be home and warm by now." AJ pauses a second then says, "She has no sense so, yes, I'm sure she's still hovering around. Not planning on talking to her are you?"
Returning to the living area, shoes in hand, Declan sits to put on fresh socks and then his shoes. "I hope never to have to talk to that low life. I'm starting to get concerned that she may come asking me about, you know."
"How would she find out? No one who knows is going to talk."
"She's searching for dirt on all the staff. I can't rule out the possibility she'll discover something and keep digging until she's got enough to throw some short innuendo together."
"You were the victim."
"Skeeter would find a way to spin it; but, even if she didn't, she could hurt Zabrynna."
"Which would be just as bad because she'd make it look like Professor Dumbledore and others covered up a crime."
"Exactly. Worse, she'd put the spin on it and make me look like a pedophile and Zabrynna a teen nympho whose crime was covered up."
"None of us are going to say anything and there is nothing connected to it for her to find. Is there anything else you'd prefer her not to report for all the Daily Prophet reading audience?"
"Well, when I was fourteen some of us were caught skinny dipping on private property."
AJ holds one hand up to highlight each word of the headline he envisions, "Hogswarts Professor Frolicks Nude!"
Shoes on and coat also now donned the two men head out the door lightly chuckling, Declan asking AJ, "What would your headline read?"
Chocolate Cake
Author: Plum
Date: 02-07-13 18:42
After taking a long pull on his strawberry milkshake Alex informs Plum, "I want a pony for my birfday. Or Christmas. Just not for both."
"You do, do you? Tell me, where would we keep this pony?"
"The roof wif my swing."
"And where on the roof would he stay if it's raining or snowing?"
"Get a pony house."
"A pony house?"
"Like a really big dog house."
"And how would we get the pony up and down from the roof whenever you wanted to ride him?"
Alex rolls his eyes at Plum as if it's the silliest question he's ever heard. "Your wand or Anthony's."
"You would ride this pony up and down Diagon Alley?"
Sucking on his milkshake again, Alex simply nods.
"You don't think the people working and shopping along Diagon Alley and the other people who live there would mind you galloping up and down on a horse?"
"No, 'cus ever'body loves ponies and would want to ride Chocolate Cake."
"Chocolate Cake? So this is a brown pony?"
"Maybe, but ever'body loves chocolate cake so ever'body would love my pony called Chocolate. Or maybe I'd call him Sugar Biscuit 'cus ever'body loves sugar biscuits."
The logic of children.
"It's not very practical for us to have a pony living on our roof in Diagon Alley, no matter how much everyone would love it."
"So no pony for birfday or Christmas?" Alex asks, wilting a little.
"Probably not but I bet we can go ride ponies every now and then."
"My own would be better." Alex pouts, his lower lips pusing out a tiny bit .
"I know and maybe someday we will live somewhere we can have a pony. Now, finish that last bite. We need to get you back to school and I need to get to the office." Alex had had a check-up after having been ill all weekend and Monday. He'd felt better Tuesday but still wasn't 100%.
After a few days of not wanting anything substantial to eat, Alex at a hearty breakfast this morning and now gobbles the last of his Burger Wizard cheeseburger and sucks down the last of his strawberry milkshake. As they walk out into the cold air, turning left to walk down the lane to school, Alex says, "I have to think of a new birfday present to ask for and Christmas presents."
Born on Christmas day, Alex is already all too aware of how some people try to lump Christmas and birthday gifts together. Hiding an amused grin Plum replies, "I can't wait to hear what you'd like other than a pony."
(Luke, Edgar & Evelyn) Jealous
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 02-08-13 01:39
Water was Luke's element. Due to his father's work with marine magical creatures, Luke had always lived next to water and he had learned to swim when he was very young. So today at Fitness & Athletics, he felt like he was one of the best in class. He rather be at the school's swimming pool than running an obstacle course outside, at the pitch. Luke still didn't forget about that little episode of his, where he had panicked and his legs frozen and Alcmene had to assist him.
Now it seemed that the roles had inverted and Luke was the one helping her. Alcmene knew how to swim, however, she still wasn't very comfortable in the water and Coach Krum had told Luke to help her.
"Come on, you can do better than that! Stretch your arms like this and use your mouth to breath, instead of your nose. That's the key to swim well," he instructed her and Alcmene did what he told, giving him a thankful smile for his infinite patience.
At the edge of the pool, at small distant from where Luke and Alcmene were, there was Edgar who was watching them as he adjusted his swimming cap.
"Someone is jealous…" Evelyn said coming from behind him.
"Jealous?"
"Didn't she used to be your girlfriend? Weren't you two inseparable?"
"Alcmene is just a friend and I don't mind if she spends time with Luke. I'm not like you, who thinks that your friends are like objects and they can't share their attention with anyone else."
"If you say so…but don't you see how she giggles next to him? You might have to start searching for another girlfriend, because I think our cousin had just stolen you this one, Ed."
Edgar was going to tell his sister that she was wrong, but Evelyn had already entered the swimming pool, joining the rest of the class. She couldn't help to grin, satisfied with herself for teasing Edgar. She wished Dinah and Evinrude were here with her, so they could tease Luke and Alcmene even more but her two friends didn't chose to take Fitness & Athletics class. So instead she spotted Baron Marchbanks and she swam in his direction, hoping they could chat between the swimming exercises proposed by Coach Krum.
Meanwhile Edgar had also joined the rest of the class, as the last group of students was leaving the locker rooms. His eyes were fixated again on Alcmene and Luke and for a moment he wondered if Evelyn was right and Luke was stealing Alcmene from him. Not that they dated, or Edgar liked her in that way, but they were close friends and they used to spend a lot of time together, always sitting next to each other in class and during meals.
But lately it seemed that she preferred Luke's company to his and now that Evelyn had pointed out that fact he was starting to become annoyed with that. Trying to ignore these new feelings Luke decided to just focus on class for now.
Lack of Concentration
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 02-09-13 09:56
Although she normally found Professor Somerset's lessons engaging, Rowan could hardly concentrate on the potions and antidotes relative to DADA he discussed. Perhaps it was the lecture format of the lesson that made it more difficult for Rowan to stay focused, or maybe it was the fact that the end of Fall Term was a mere weeks away. More likely it was the conversation she and Beatrix had had over breakfast that morning.
Ever since Rowan had confessed the truth about herself to Beatrix, she had fielded the occasional question about her life. For the most part, Beatrix didn't push too much, and Rowan found that she really didn't mind talking about her past––at least to Beatrix.
The submission of her personal timeline in History of Magic class had not produced the results (and anxieties) Rowan had expected. Professor Morgan probably already knew about Rowan's situation, and since the extra credit assignment was never discussed in class, none of Rowan's classmates ever learned about her unusual life. It seemed that all her worries had been for nothing, but a small part of Rowan was disappointed that the truth hadn't come out after all.
There was a small comfort in knowing that she didn't appear to be the only person (aside from Willow) with a big secret. The Daily Prophet seemed ripe with gossip about various Hogwarts professors, Professor Somerset included.
Over breakfast in the Great Hall, Beatrix had posed the question of whether Rowan thought she would ever see her brother and parents again. It was something Rowan still thought about from time to time, but admittedly with less frequency since returning to Hogwarts. Keeping up with classes and extracurricular activities made the mind less idle and less prone to certain thoughts. Today, however, it was all Rowan seemed capable of thinking.
Would she ever see Ash and her parents again? Where were they now? Did they even still exist?
Rowan felt a hand on her arm and saw Beatrix looking at her questioningly. Looking around, Rowan noticed that the class had begun to empty. DADA had ended. Professor Somerset busied himself with something at his desk but observed Rowan with curiosity evident on his face.
"Sorry. I was thinking about something," Rowan told Beatrix. She collected her supplies and stuffed them into her book satchel.
Beatrix told Professor Somerset goodbye and walked out of the classroom with Rowan. "Is something wrong?"
Rowan didn't really know how to answer. No, not really, but also yes. She sighed and forced herself to come up with a response. "I was just thinking about how I hope I don't forget my lines. I'm nervous about the play."
"You only have five lines," Beatrix said, grinning. "If you can't remember five lines, then maybe acting isn't for you."
"You're the one who convinced me to audition," Rowan reminded her with a playful grin of her own.
"Well, when I saw the character of Brunhilda, I immediately thought of you," Beatrix replied. "I think you were probably a Brunhilda in another life."
Rowan shook her head. "I'm pretty sure I was Rowan in my other life." She had gone serious again, but lightened the mood with the comment, "But maybe Brunhilda is my middle name."
"Is it?"
"No!" Rowan laughed.
They took the long way to the greenhouses but arrived with plenty of time to spare.
Warning
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 02-09-13 11:17
After the last fourth year students left his classroom, Ethan rearranged the furniture, moving the desks and chairs to the edges of the classroom and leaving an open space in the middle. His first years began entering the classroom as soon as he finished. The Gryffindors and Slytherins stuck together, the former taking the far side of the room, while the latter situated themselves in the desks nearest to the classroom door. The stragglers who entered at the very last moment were forced to occupy the desks in the middle, which appeared to be the least desirable.
"Good morning, class," Ethan greeted, and earned mumbled 'good mornings' in reply.
"We are going to begin by discussing spells used as signals or warnings, and then we're going to practice what we've discussed."
He went on to talk about shooting sparks from one's wand; the history behind, manner of, and the various colors used and their meanings in certain situations.
Then it was time to practice, starting with green sparks.
"Everyone come to the middle. Bring only you wands and stand apart from each other," Ethan instructed.
The students did as told, with the Gryffindors and Slytherin still keeping to themselves for the most part.
"Wands must be held aloft," Ethan said, and he demonstrated by holding his arm up in the air. "Do not aim low or at each other," he added.
"Now, watch me, and then I will have you all give it a try."
He shot a brilliant flash of bright green sparks over his head. It went nearly as high as the ceiling and faded to nothing well before it hit the floor.
"Now––" he began, but a frantic rapping at the window drew his attention. An owl, a small, dark creature, clicked at the glass with its sharp beak. In its talons it held a small, rolled up piece of parchment.
Ethan said, "Wait a moment," to his students and walked to the window. He opened it, allowing the little owl and a gust of cold air to enter the classroom. The owl circled around him, dropped the parchment roll into his hand, and then zipped back out of the window before he could close it.
The note was tied with a short piece of twine. Ethan unraveled it, and then unfurled the letter.
There's much darkness in this world, Ethan. Are you afraid? I would be, if I were you.
N.N.
Ethan stiffened. Was the note a threat, or a supposition that he could lose control of himself again? Ever since the business with Adriana Fairchild, Ethan couldn't help but worry that he would get sucked back in again. They weren't quite so different, after all.
Ethan looked at the initials on the letter. Why, after all these years, did Nero Noir have any interest in contacting him?
"Professor?"
Ethan turned, suddenly remembering where he was. He rolled up the letter and stuffed it and the piece of twine into his pocket.
"Sorry. Where were we? Ah, yes. Let's all give the green sparks a try. Remember, wands high. And… go!"
A Moment Of Forgetfulness (Duncan)
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 02-09-13 14:35
Duncan Dippett frowns down at his cauldron. Has he added the chopped, poached Arion distinctus, better known as the common garden slug, or not? Scanning over the potion recipe to see if adding the slug causes a change in the liquid. Beside him roommate Ollie Choate asks, "Problem, Duncan?"
"I don't know if I added the garden slug."
"You don't remember something you may have just done?"
"I got distracted."
"If passing notes with a girl is going to make you forget what step you're on, then stop passing notes," suggests Ollie who has all the girls in love with him so gets his fair share of notes during many of their classes.
"She needed to know something about play rehearsal."
"Which is why all her i's, and o's are heart shaped."
"She does that even in her notes."
"And you would know this how?"
"She missed taking down something in Transfiguration one day so was comparing notes with several of us."
"It's easy to do that in Professor Flint's class. I barely understand a word the chap says."
"Me too." Having decided he has added the garden slugs to the potion Duncan stirs in the carefully measured amount of powdered kelp. He heaves a sigh of relief when the potion shifts from a deep orange to a pale purple as that means he definitely had added the garden slugs. Adjusting the heat under his cauldron he asks Ollie, "Can you hear my stomach rumbling? I am so hungry but I ate a lot at breakfast so I don't know why I can hardly wait to get to lunch."
Ollie grins. "I haven't heard yours because mine is rumbling too. Do you have any extra chicory? I need a little more but if you have extra there's no reason for me to go over and get more."
Having just added the pickled chicory buds to his cauldron Duncan points with the spoon he's using to stir his potion. "I have three extra."
"Great, thanks. I only need two."
With no further bouts of forgetfulness or problems with ingredients, the rest of Potions goes smoothly. When the class ends Duncan, with Ollie close behind, hurries from the dungeons, eager to get to the Great Hall for lunch.
(Ariella) Internship and a Late Lunch
Author: Beck
Date: 02-10-13 09:00
For the last month and a half, Ariella spent her mornings at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, where she worked as an intern and performed whatever tasks were asked of her. Mostly, her assignments included filing, fetching drinks and the occasional boxed lunch, and delivering messages. Sometimes she was tasked with pulling a particular record, which she preferred over other assignments because it felt slightly less menial. Ariella's goal was to one day make international policy or work as a diplomat; she didn't want to be a clerk forever.
Her internship ended at 1 PM everyday, giving her an hour to grab lunch and get to St. Emrys for her afternoon classes. Today she clocked out a few minutes late, having been in the middle of alphabetizing files. She left everything in place, hoping to resume where she left off tomorrow morning, and made her way through the Ministry of Magic to the row of fireplaces in the Atrium.
Ariella had decided beforehand that she would eat at The Leaky Cauldron today, though upon arrival she saw that the pub was quite crowded. She kept her eye on the time but didn't have to worry about being late for class. Business at the wizarding pub moved efficiently, and she was seated and served within a short amount of time.
She was halfway finished with her plate of fish and chips when someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Gillian.
"Hi there!" she said. There wasn't a chair for her to sit in, so she hovered next to Ariella's chair.
"Hi, Gillian! What are you doing here?"
"I had to run a few errands and thought I would grab a bite to eat, but I might need to go some place else," she said, looking around at the crowded pub.
"Don't let the crowd fool you," Ariella said. "The service is quick."
"That's good to know."
"In fact, you can have my table. I'll need to leave soon for St. Emrys."
"I have another class this afternoon too, but not for a while yet."
"Go make your order at the bar, and by the time your food is ready, I'll be finished," Ariella said.
"Good idea."
Gillian navigated the densely crowded path to the bar, and Ariella worked on finishing her plate. She grew full before she could polish everything off and allowed a passing barmaid to take her plate. Ariella washed everything down with a mug of spiced cider and then gave up her seat to Gillian.
"Perfect timing," Gillian said with a grin.
"For you, definitely." Ariella checked the time again. "I better be off. My Muggle history class can't wait."
The half-sisters said their goodbyes, and then Ariella flooed to St. Emrys with a few minutes to spare before the start of her first class of the afternoon.