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(Aleydis) Back to School
Author: Griet
Date: 04-01-13 10:20
Aleydis slipped into the Commons and gave the room a glance over to see if Basil had beaten her there. When it was obvious she had arrived first, she made her way to the bar and sat down, setting her school books on the empty stool next to hers. From the house-elf manning the counter, she ordered a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows and a white chocolate and raspberry muffin.
It was the first day of term following the holiday break. Aleydis had gone home and spent the time away from Hogwarts with her family. Only once had she met up with Basil, on a planned visit to Diagon Alley between Christmas and the New Year. They had spent all day together, visiting the different shoppes and taking advantage of after-Christmas sales. And when not shopping, they kissed as if they hadn't seen each other in an eternity.
Their reunion on the Hogwarts Express would have been just as amorous, had they not been forced to share a compartment with Sadie and Hunter, and Ivan, who left the compartment for long periods of times to allegedly rendezvous with different girls.
Basil arrived after a few minutes of waiting and added his books to the stack next to Aleydis, before moving the whole pile over to the next stool. He sat down on the newly vacated stool and leaned over for a kiss. Since they were in a very public place, they kept it chaste, though Aleydis still felt an electric charge race up and down her spine.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a photograph of herself. It had been taken on New Year's Eve and showed her executing a slow turn to show off the dress she wore. On her head was the vintage headband she had gotten from Hadrian as his Secret Santa gift.
"As promised," she said to him. She had meant to give him the photograph on the train yesterday, but she'd misplaced it. She found it this morning between breakfast and Charms class.
Basil took the photograph and simply said, "Gorgeous."
Aleydis felt her cheeks turn a bit pink. "Thanks. Griet picked out the dress."
"She has good taste," Basil said. "I wish I could have been there to see you in it."
"Well, I did bring it with me," Aleydis said with a smile.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. Maybe I'll wear it on Valentine's Day."
"That's nearly a month away," Basil replied, looking playfully downcast. "Are you really going to make me wait that long?"
Aleydis teased, "We'll see. So, how was Transfiguration?"
Basil took the change in topic and tone in stride. He signaled to the house-elf that he was ready to order something and replied, "Getting increasingly more difficult and time-consuming. It's only the first day back and I already have an essay due and practice N.E.W.T. questions to answer. How was Charms?"
"Same, though as a sixth year I'm not quite as under pressure to study, study, study and work, work, work as you are."
Basil shot her a playful look. "Lucky you."
"I think so," she replied, laughing.
The house-elf came over and took Basil's order, which arrived promptly. The couple sat together and talked, eventually moving to two overstuffed arm chairs, which were infinitely more comfortable than the stools at the bar.
(Azaelia) A Proposal and a Request
Author: Isolde
Date: 04-01-13 12:35
Traditionally, the first day of Winter Term didn't bring too many students into the library. Only those in desperate need of source material for an upper-level course or the handful already panicking about the end of year exams still a half year away tended to visit the library on the first day after the holidays.
Azaelia pushed a cart around the library, but there wasn't anything to collect off the tables. She stopped to right a book leaning on one of the shelves and thought for a moment how grateful she felt that Peeves hadn't made the library his target so far this school year. He had really made a mess when he'd knocked over the bookshelves last year and later turned part of the collection upside-down.
She resumed pushing the cart and moved back to the front of the library, when she saw a familiar figure enter and stop in front of the desk. He looked a little thinner than usual and had dark circles under his eyes.
Azaelia abandoned the cart and moved to greet the visitor. "Lysander, welcome," she said. A long time ago, she had known him as Mr. Stratford, and while she knew to call him by his first name these days, she sometimes still thought of him as the grown up she had first met during her teenage years.
"You got my letter?" Lysander asked, instead of offering her some sort of greeting in return.
"Yes, it arrived at breakfast this morning. Do you want to sit down and tell me what you had in mind?"
She led him to the small office behind the front counter. She left the door wide open and opened the blinds on the windows so that she could see if any students needed help.
"Coffee? Tea?" she offered, as she sat down behind her desk.
Lysander shook his head and sank into the leather seat on the other side. "No, thank you. Did you, erm, did you have a nice Christmas?" He seemed to realize that he wasn't being very sociable, and since he liked and respected Azaelia, he didn't want to be rude and simply cut to the chase.
"Yes, it was lovely. Robert and I spent the holidays with his family this year. What about you?"
Lysander's whole expression seemed to darken, but he only said, "It was the worst in recent memory." He shook his hand to wave away whatever apologetic or comforting words Azaelia wanted to say and said, "Let's say nothing more about it. I'm glad you had a nice holiday."
Azaelia pulled her lips into a thin line. She wanted to cheer Lysander up somehow but she understood that he didn't want to discuss it any further. She cleared her throat and said, "Your note mentioned a project you worked on here at the library some years ago."
"That's right," Lysander said, seeming to brighten, if only a tiny bit. "It was when Harriet Snider was Headmistress." He paused and seemed to relief some memory Azaelia wasn't sure he cared to recall, but then it passed and he continued, "I conducted an assessment of the collection. Given who she was and the time, she was not fond of material that shed a positive light on Muggles. I'm afraid the collection might need reevaluating, if you haven't already done so yourself. I realize you have been the librarian here for a few years now and may have already performed your own collection check."
"Actually, I haven't done a serious assessment. I've only done a bit of ordering here and there. I would be glad if you would assist me in that area and anything else, if you are interested."
"I was hoping you would say that," Lysander said. "The truth is, I'm also working on a bit of a research project, and I would like to see if any of the books here might help me. I know I haven't been a student here for many, many years now but hopefully you will make an exception for a former student?" He offered her the smallest of smiles.
Azaelia couldn't help but smiled back. She had always liked Lysander. "Of course. If you want to take anything home, do tell me which volumes so I know they are out, in case a student should ask. If someone does ask for one of the books you take out, I would request that you return it immediately, since a current student's need takes precedence over a former student's."
"Of course."
"May I ask what you are researching?" Azaelia questioned. Her fingers found the ornate perfume bottle Duncan Dippet had gotten her for Christmas. It was like a piece of art and looked good on her desk.
Lysander opened his mouth, shut it, and then opened it again, seemingly indecisive on how to answer. At last he said, "I'd rather not share it with anybody right now. I'm sorry."
"No, it's not my business," Azaelia replied. "I'm sorry I asked."
"No, don't be. I'm just grateful you've agreed to let me get my hands on your books. Should we work out a time when I should come? I trust Professor McGonagall will want to be apprised of my schedule."
Azaelia nodded. "Yes." She got out a calendar and picked up a Slytherin-green quill, a legacy from her years as a student at Hogwarts. "What works good for you?"
They worked out a schedule and then got up to tour the library. Lysander told her what he had done in the past for Professor Snider and gave her some ideas about what he had in mind for the current collection. All the while, Azaelia wondered about Lysander's research project, but she kept her curious thoughts entirely to herself.
Berthold and Hans
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 04-01-13 15:02
"Why do you delay in taking your revenge?" asks Hans of Berthold. The two men are in the formal living room, perusing different sections of The Daily Prophet. There is a chill in the room, even though a fire is blazing in the hearth.
Hans looks up from the sports page and fixes his gaze on the older wizard. He never planned on becoming one of Adriana Fairchild's followers. When Berthold had first come to his home, Hans had only intended on helping his father's old friend seek the information he needed. It was Johann Freitag who had proposed to his son that he attempt to join Adriana, if only to support Berthold's efforts further.
Hans is a supporter of the dark arts and had little difficulty showing his allegiance to Adriana at their first meeting, even though he knows that Berthold will eventually take her out of the world, just as she did to Gellert Grindelwald, Berthold's one true master. A small part of him finds the eventuality a great shame, because Adriana is quite pretty.
"I am biding my time," Berthold replies, lowering his portion of the newspaper. Visible to Hans is a large advertisement for Madame Glossy's Self-Polishing Shoe Polish, over another advertisement for McBloom & McMuck, the shoe store in Hogsmeade.
"I could have destroyed her where she stood," Berthold acknowledges, "but that would have been my last act, for the others would no doubt have seen to it that I pay for killing their beloved leader." He grimaces. "And why do they love her? What has she done to deserve their devotion?"
"She has the blessing of the Dark Lord," Hans replies. "She might as well be him reincarnated." He got up and went to the crystal decanter on the sideboard. "I see them all as lost sheep, reunited after all these years by a shepherdess."
"Careful," Berthold muses, aware that Adriana's beauty has not escaped the younger wizard. "Do not allow yourself to grow too attached. You have agreed to help me. You have promised your father that you will."
Hans turns, a quarter-full glass in his hand, and says, "And I gave you both my word. You have my unwavering support."
"And I am most grateful to you and your father for assisting me––", but Berthold never finishes his thought because two nearly identical objects begin to glow. One is on the side table near where Hans was sitting; the other on a leather strap tied around Berthold's wrist. They are both New York City Subway tokens that Adriana had had on her when she had first returned to Britain after her father's death.
Because neither Berthold nor Hans have Dark Marks, Adriana charmed the tokens to activate anytime she summoned them into her presence. She does the same to all those who are new to the fold and not yet formally inducted into the Death Eaters. The two wizards waste no time answering her call. Hans pockets his coin and disapparates.
Berthold is already just outside the abbey walls when Hans appears in a column of dark smoke. They enter the building together and make their way to where they are sure to find their leader, in the cloister she seems to favor. Why she prefers the cold of the outdoors to the slightly less cold interior of the abbey is beyond either of them.
They find her standing before her stark rose bushes, a figure in red amongst white and gray.
"You summoned us?" asks Berthold.
Adriana turns and assesses her two newest acolytes. "Yes. I thought it was time you both did me a service."
She looks first to Hans. "It is my understanding you deal in furniture and other antiques."
"Yes, my Lady," Hans replies.
"The others have done much to make this place feel more like home, but it is still lacking. I charge you to find the right pieces and to arrange them using your expertise."
"Yes, my Lady. It will be an honor," Hans humbly says, bowing his head slightly.
Adriana turns to Berthold next. "I have a different task for you, Beatenberg."
"And how may I serve you?" Berthold asks.
Adriana produces her wand and conjures up an image obviously taken from a copy of The Daily Prophet. The caption reads Berwick Oldridge, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"I think it's time the Department of Magical Law Enforcement gets reorganized. I want you to kill this wizard, and I want you to do it in public."
Another Day…
Author: Christina Sorcha
Date: 04-01-13 17:14
The last two and a half weeks had been hard on Sorcha. Since the birth of her son, she hadn't missed a Christmas or New Years with him. Until now. This year there was no tree, no lights, no decorations, no getting wakened at 5 am by an excited little boy. There was just this horrible emptiness. Every day, like today, waking up mid-morning, a small meal, and getting ready to clean the MoM.
She had managed to slip off to South America for a few hours one weekend. Just long enough to make it to Peru to buy a little souvenir and send it to Theo. He hopefully had it by Christmas. There was no way of knowing though. A short letter was included with the package, but it was only a short personal message.
Sorcha had been surprised by how empty the last few weeks had been. No excited little boy running around, asking for all the shiny new toys in the store. It was just her, and this task she had been given. Finding someone to do Adriana's bidding had been the high point of the last few weeks; not that finding an evil-doer is a true high point.
Reed had asked that two of his scores were settled. It was decided that in order to make sure he would hold up his end of the bargain, he was given a test. The day after Christmas, Sorcha had given him two names, he was to get one released. If he could do that simple task, then they'll work on settling his scores.
One of the names, Desdemona, sounded familiar at the time he said it, but it had taken a while before it hit her. That had been the name of one of her students when she had taught at Hogwarts. A colorful but typically quiet American girl. It hadn't taken long after that for Sorcha to realize that Desdemona, or Desi as she seemed to prefer being called, actually worked at the Ministry.
Maybe Reed's request was larger than it looked on the surface. Doing something to an Auror would be hard. Without getting caught would be very difficult. It would be best that Adriana figure that one out, let her send someone who wasn't working inside the MoM.
Sorcha picked up one of the pictures Adriana had given her of her son, kissed it before placing it back on the table. With a hefty sigh, she walked out of her flat to go to work.
(Sydney, Australia) Much Needed Vacation
Author: Maggie Hawthorne
Date: 04-02-13 06:31
Having been home and working most of the holidays, I'd decided to take a week off and go to Sydney. Wish I'd been here with a friend, or with William of all people. Nate would have been perfect to come with too, but I'm not sure if he's still in Hospital, and it isn't fun traveling with an injury.
I'd asked my friend Jessica to look after my flat while I was gone, since I knew Lawrence would be busy back at Hogwarts and Ariella would be working at the Ministry - though I did ask her to stop by and check on Nate if he was back at work if she could. Was worried about him.
Currently I was sitting on the balcony of my hotel room, enjoying the night view of the Opera house. I had a few things planned, now that I was here, including going to visit my mum and I'd picked out a bouquet of roses to put on her grave.
Tomorrow morning would be fantastic - because I'd be spending the day down at the beach in the warm, summer weather and even parasailing, which would be absolutely fantastic. I'd even gotten a new swimsuit for the trip - though I'd bought it when I'd gotten here, as finding a swimsuit in London this time of year is unheard of considering that it is still frigid. But, on the bright side, at least I'd have a tan in the winter - which is more than most can say.
After a few minutes, I finished my drink and headed back inside. I wanted to catch a nap before I headed out to shop and enjoy the sunshine for a little while. I might even pick up a few things for my friends while I'm here. It would suck that I'd be back for less than a day before I'd have to start back at St. Emrys, but ultimately I'd still have a week of vacation before I'd go back to work since I don't work the first week of term.
Paranoid or Jumpy?
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 04-02-13 12:02
In the middle of the afternoon I walked up to Anthony's cubical. He didn't see me approach since he was working on several sheets of parchment. I just came up next to him and leaned on his desk arms crossed. I didn't look down at him, I was watching the maintenance witch cleaning a few rows over.
"Hi Des," Anthony said to me, "Oh, how did the pink ink fly?"
"Purple," I answered, "Oldridge told me to never use it again or else."
Anthony laughed before saying, "I told you he wouldn't like it."
"Yeah… Have you noticed that maintenance witch before?"
"Huh?" Out of the corner of my eye I saw Anthony turn and look the same direction I was. "Oh, not really," he answered, "She must be new or something."
"She's been watching at me almost since she got here today."
"Desi, everyone looks at you. You're a little hard to miss." When I didn't answer right away he added, "You're just being paranoid."
"Hmm…"
"Desi, you are staring at her. You're going to make her nervous."
"Good. Then whatever she's thinking she'll think twice about," I said pushing away from the desk. Anthony sighed as I moved away, back towards my desk.
He could be right, I thought, I could just be a little jumpy after that university thing. Or Orion is rubbing off on me.
I sat down at my desk and started working. After a few minutes, I couldn't help it, I looked over to where the maintenance witch worked. I caught her looking at someone again, but it wasn't me this time, it was Anthony, or someone in that direction.
Something with this woman was weird. Or maybe it was because there was nothing weird about her. She could also want to do our job, who knows. Just as long as she's stopped watching me.
Cured Now, All Better
Author: Nana Minuet
Date: 04-03-13 07:32
Nana hadn't seen or heard from her neighbor, Bren, since leaving his house on New Years morning. Her choice, really, as she had felt discomfort with how much he knew about her and her perceived problems. She had even avoided her favorite smoke spot in the yard, instead finding the football field behind Arundel Community a more suitable location from the prying eyes of Chell or Bren himself. It was a shame really. She had left her brown, leather oxfords with hand stitching and satin interior at his place. They were prized, a gift from Francois' parents on her final release from St. Mungo's. It had been nice to know they cared at the time, or that they still did despite the blot on their prestigious name - not that Francois' squib status hadn't blotted that name already. His was just a more acceptable blot.
She would get her oxfords back eventually. It wasn't like Nana needed them at Hogwarts anyway as uniforms were required on most days and she had other shoes for those days where uniforms were optional. There was definitely time for the rescue of the oxfords later. As for the tree in the yard though - Nana still wasn't sure she would climb its limbs and grasp at the relaxation it carried in its heights again. That was probably the biggest shame of all. The one place Nana felt comfortable, the most free to be herself, possibly removed from her forever thanks to a nosy neighbor.
For now (having been already sorted previously in the morning and ready for anything upon her father's pushing), Nana adjusted her loose navy stockings as they attempted to once again meet her new black flats. Her thighs were covered by black nylons for warmth and protection while her uniform altogether was masked by a navy sweater, a grey coat, and her school robes. A scarf and gloves decorated the ensemble, giving Nana the feeling of a child whose mother had bundled their pride and joy up for a blizzard when there really wasn't much of one. Her height of nearly 145 centimeters didn't exactly help her perceived childlike appearance and already Nana had been approached by students asking if she needed help finding her commons. "It was rough returning after the holidays my first year too," one girl had even added when Nana's opiate-induced stare seemed unable to focus on the girl's blonde tendrils. "You'll get the hang of it."
There was never any answer on Nana's part. She had thought about speaking English to some of her supposed helpers once, but she couldn't figure out how. Well, that wasn't exactly correct. Nana knew how to speak English. The words weren't the hard part of the language for Nana; it was where they went. How would one make a coherent sentence? How did verbs work in comparison to those in French? And adverbs? Adjectives? Nouns? It was definitely easier to read, Nana thought to herself. English was fluid with a flow that envied the calmest stream when read, but choppy like river rapids when Nana attempted to put the words together herself. Instead, Nana watched her future classmates with their generous hearts as they milled around, alternatively opting to wait for her Ministry appointed babysitter to show up and show her around her new prison as she had been told would happen by multiple personnel upon her arrival onto the school grounds. It seemed rather important to keep an eye on the new student whose track record included two different mental wards, didn't it?
"There you are, Nana," a voice reached out and shook the teenager's attention. In immediate reaction, the small 5th year Ravenclaw felt the urge to drop her eyes to her feet while her brain reminded her to be polite to the voice it obviously recognized. 'You're cured now,' it told her. 'All better.'
Nana knew how to act around this voice in order to prove that she was cured. She had been around the voice almost every day for a year. It wasn't exactly hard for her, especially not with Nana's 'help', and Nana knew that. Still, nerves threatened to push themselves through her internal defenses. In an effort to keep herself calm, Nana put on a seemingly convincing smile and pivoted on the balls of her feet to meet the source of the voice. "Mademoiselle Lindy," Nana said in the most cheerful tone she could muster. "Ees suprise, oui? You are here for to help?"
It didn't take long for a stout - yet tall when compared to Nana – redheaded woman to obscure Nana's view. Nana's mind took notice of the woman's healer uniform even though Nana herself seemed much more interested in making eye contact, as she knew the woman would have preferred. The woman, seemingly not phased by the chattering children in her own surroundings or the whispers now sparking up in small groups about the mysterious healer on campus, folded plump hands in front of her as if taking in a precious sight. Her lips even pursed as if to coo at the teenage girl, but it didn't help Nana feel any better about her reunion with her old counselor. Nana couldn't let that be known though. To keep up the act, Nana beamed and spread her arms to make a point of her new uniform – a symbol of her release and subsequent freedom. "Well, look at you. You look great, Nanette, just wonderful. You seem to blend right in here."
"Merci," Nana said through her still present smile. She even let her head bob slightly in a most effeminate manner to make herself seem as joyous and perky as possible to the woman standing before her. "Ees exciting, oui? I talk that right? Ecks-eye-ting? My nerf ees all jompy though. Ees très new for me."
The woman looked at her young ward with a patient smile as the girl struggled through her words. The effort, despite the language barrier Nana had, was greatly appreciated and Nana knew it. Language had always been her sweet spot with her handlers at St. Mungo's. They viewed it as an effort to change and change in the mental ward was always welcome. Nana, however, was already counting the minutes until she could revert back to her native French without worry. Even now, her tongue felt foreign and strange without the fluidity of French pouring from it.
Once she was done speaking, Nana watched Miss Lindy's smile grow from patience to pride as she clasped her hands together in front of her as if to clap, though no clapping ensued. A glowing did - it seemed to come radiating from her eyes and Nana knew a hug wanted to peak out for a visit. The woman was controlling herself well. "It's normal to feel nervous, Nanette. I'm here to help you for today though, okay? This is a big step for everyone who comes here for the first time, but together we'll get through this. You'll be just fine here, I know it."
The smile that had now crawled onto Nana's face was not bright, nor shining. It was not an act either. Her lips had moved into a nervous line with Mademoiselle Lindy's encouraging words and had curled at the last few moments into something of an uncomfortable smile. A shadow began to seep into Nana's mind, leaving her confidence teetering on the edge of insecurity. Was Nana going to be just fine here, at Hogwarts, in Ravenclaw? Would she be able to handle the unknown changes that were to come? Would she end up in a hospital again? The uncertainty of the future for once seemed to stiffen Nana's bones, making her long again for the comfort and safety of her tree in the yard despite her neighbor's prying eyes.
Mademoiselle Lindy must have noticed the discomfort in the new student before her as she went to place an arm around Nana's shoulders and attempt to bring her closer. Casually, she let her face draw near to Nana's ear as if to mimic some of the still gossiping groups around them. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered before backing up a bit and smiling a smile so warm that Nana could feel it without even looking. Nana, reminded once more where she was and who she was with, picked up her act where she had accidentally dropped it by attempting to give the woman a grateful smile. Inside though, the uncertainty was still present. Sure, it had diminished in size and found a perch in a dark corner of Nana's mind, but it was still there – a distraction from other thoughts for the time being.
A few moments later, Mademoiselle Lindy signaled that the day should probably begin. After all, there was a lot to do and her assistance would only be available for the day. The next day, the 5th year would be alone. Well, Nana wouldn't be completely alone. She still had 'help'.
Dangerous Plants
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 04-03-13 14:12
"Why is Joanna Porter wearing a Slytherin scarf?" Johanna asked as she put on her dragon-hide gloves, taking a glance at the Ravenclaw girl a few tables away.
Today at Herbology they were working with Fanged Geraniums and she was not looking forward to be bitten by any of those pretty but lethal flowers with their sharp little teeth. Felicia seemed reluctant to put on her gloves and start working. She had never been a fan of Herbology since the first day they had to work with dragon's dung.
"She was cold and forgot her scarf so I borrowed mine to her," Gus explained, moving his finger from one side to the other as one of the geraniums tried to bite him but without success.
"Since when are you such a gentleman?"
"Since he started to have a thing for Joanna Porter," Felicia replied.
"Don't you have better things to worry about? How many times have you kissed Baltus' today? Probably not many enough. You are seeing things where they don't exist. Joanna and I just started to get along and that's it. It's the same as you two or Kate. I would also borrow her my scarf if she was cold."
"She doesn't need you for that. She has Mark. Besides, you don't simply offer scarves to random girls. No. What you do is…"
Johanna wasn't able to finish her sentence because Professor Masterson was passing by, evaluating his students' progress. Felicia finally put on her gloves, not wanting the professor to give her a sermon and remove points to their house. Once Professor Masterson was gone Gus continued to move his finger in front of one of the plants, dodging its teeth.
"You are a stupid little thing aren't you?" he teased, obviously ignoring Johanna and Felicia's questions as he opted to speak with the plant. "AUCH! "
The geranium had bitten Gus' finger harder. He removed the glove and put his finger on his mouth, to suck the blood. He then looked at the plant in full hate and with his other hand he picked his wand and pointed at it. Johanna was pretty sure he had no idea which of the fanged geraniums displayed on the table was the one that bit him in the first place, but his rage made him blind to everything.
"Let's see if you like it once I set you on fire."
"Gus, you can't! You are destroying something that belongs to the school. Professor Masterson will get you a detention."
"This thing bit me! What if it was poisonous?"
However he knew Johanna was right and so he dropped his wand, looking with hate to all the plants.
Johanna had the impression she did all the work during class, while Gus kept on and on complaining about the dangerous plants they had to deal with at Herbology and Felicia just let go loud sighs, probably agonizing because Baltus wasn't around to kiss her.
After class they went to the Slytherin common room before their next class, Potions so they could rest for 15 minutes. Gus was telling for those who wanted to hear him how the Fanged Geranium did not rip three of his fingers by chance. Johanna couldn't help to roll her eyes as he assured his audience of girls and younger impressionable students that he would end up with a scar of the bite for the rest of his life.
"Oh you know what's funny?" Felicia asked Johanna.
"What?"
"Joanna Porter still has Gus' scarf."
"Do you think she will give it back to him?"
That was a question whose answer both girls would like to know.