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Somewhere Doing Something Or Whatever
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 04-03-13 17:38
Stretched out on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, I idly wonder if a short, barely visible crack should be added to Mum's list. Isabella Hastings returns to the sitting room from looking over a large study. She stops at head, bemusedly looking down. "You certainly appear busy."
"I needed a break."
"Because doing a walk through check list for your mother is ever so draining."
"Exactly."
"Did Georgia faint from overwork?" Catherine Scott inquires, walking in from... somewhere.
"Yes, yes, that is exactly what happened."
Edith Parr moves to join Izzy staring down at me. "More like passed out from a combination of sheer boredom and laziness."
Bending to pick up the clipboard near one of my hands Izzy makes a disapproving tsking noise. "An hour here and only one item on the list. At this rate you won't be done until sometime in February."
From the sounds of the footsteps Catherine has wandered over to the bay window. "Isn't she paying you?" Catherine asks.
"Yes."
"Then shouldn't you get it done?"
"I will."
Edith sighs, "Yes, well, I am getting hungry. You said you'd be nearly finished by the time we got here yet you've hardly begun."
"Go without me."
Izzy drops the clipboard and kneels beside me, grabbing my clothes at the collar. "Come on, up with you. Things won't be pretty if you make me use my wand."
"I like the floor, thanks."
Edith joins Izzy in hauling me upright. "This is beyond old and tiresome, Georgia."
"I have no idea what you mean."
Catherine, now shoving me from behind, orders, "Stop playing ragdoll."
"How is that old and tiresome when I've only just begun it?"
Edith threatens, "Don't make me slap sense into you."
"I am quite sensical without your resorting to violence, Edith."
Izzy stops pulling to announce. "This is worse than we thought. Georgia's been talking normally for days now."
Edith actually lets go of my clothes at this statement from Isabella. "How have I not noticed?"
"Because she's been more annoying than usual since her break-up with Sage," Catherine suggests.
"Do not mention that sex god's name."
Catherine shoves harder, the three of them finally getting me on my feet. "Seriously, Georgia. You've been uncoupled for weeks now and you're still referring to him as a sex god?"
"Only because he is."
Izzy lets go of my clothes to retrieve the clipboard, shoving it into my hands. "We're helping you with the list but you are splitting the pittance with us that your mother is paying you. Edith, Catherine, you know what to look for?"
Edith nods. "Anything that might be in need of a repair or spiffying up so that Mrs. Copperpot has the place ready for the scheduled open house."
"Right. You take the master suite, Edith. Catherine, the first bedroom. I'll stick with Georgia in here. When you're done, come report so we can list anything and then get another room to do."
A short time later, list completed, Izzy sends the clipboard through the Floo to Mum's office then drags me by side-along apparition to some restaurant - Thai, tapas bar, something with a T - she and the other two had already decided upon, where they proceed to discuss what to do with me as if I'm not there. Fine by me. Talking requires too much energy and I'm already somewhat lethargic as it is.
Starting Over
Author: Illyria
Date: 04-03-13 18:48
It was the start of a new year, and as far as Illyria was concerned, a chance to start over with her personal life too. True to the word she had given her parents last December, she had kept her distance from Urania while the youngest Jones daughter sorted out her family troubles. Although they had seen each other at Christmas, they'd had very little contact otherwise. At least they were no longer at odds with each other.
Illyria had heard from other family members that Urania's divorce wasn't yet finalized. She considered the news a mixed blessing. On the one hand, she wanted to see Nathan, who had done as promised and kept his distance from Illyria while still legally wed to Urania. Illyria had also done her part and avoided contact with him, though it hadn't always been easy.
On the other hand, Illyria felt like she needed a long break from men, and especially from Nathan, who had been a major player in the drama between the two Jones sisters. Illyria couldn't well make a fresh start with her life if she was still hung up on him, could she?
Her only hope was for the divorce proceedings to take a long time so that she either gained enough control of her life to start over with Nathan somewhere down the road or got over him altogether.
She had gotten up rather late, partially because of last night's late night classes, but also because her bed had been comfortably warm and her bedroom dark due to the blackout curtains covering her windows. It had not been her intention to sleep in; Illyria had actually planned on rising early and getting in a workout in the exercise room. It was part of her plan to become a newer, better witch, but it seemed to be unraveling already like New Year's resolutions often did so soon after the first of the year.
Instead, she decided to run a bath and used some of the bubble bath Daniel Gelson had given her as his Secret Santa gift. She had not yet used the spa day that had generously come with the gift, but Illyria certainly planned on it.
She stripped off her clothes and sank into the warm water, lying back with her arms stretched along the rims of the tub. It felt good, doing nothing while soaking in the bathtub, but it wasn't doing anything to help her wake up and get moving. She dawdled for quite a bit until finally forcing herself out of the comfort of the tub. She dried off quickly to avoid the cold and then dressed in a set of shimmering gray robes.
Illyria was just about to venture out of her quarters when her sister Arsinoe's voice called out from the fireplace. "Illyria, are you there?"
Illyria knelt on the rug on the floor and answered, "Yes, I'm here. What is it? Is something wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Arsinoe replied, exhaling deeply so that a few sparks flew out of the hearth and landed dangerously close to where Illyria knelt on the floor. "I just wanted to talk to a grown up."
Arsinoe now had three young children at home. Her newest daughter, Aurora, was born just before Christmas. "Quin is back at work, Mum and Dad went home. The most intelligent conversation I've had all morning has been with a four year old."
"I'm not sure I'd be any help," Illyria replied with a laugh. "Apparently I'm not always that mature. Just look at the last year or so of my life."
Arsinoe offered Ilyria a sympathetic glance and then asked, "How are you holding up?"
"Just great," Illyria replied, trying to put extra enthusiasm into the words.
Arsinoe seemed to buy it, then turned to talk to somebody in the room with her, before turning back to Illyria. "I better go. I'm sure you are busy with school anyway."
"Give the girls kisses for me," Illyria said.
"I will. Talk to you later."
Arsinoe's image sank into the bottom of the fireplace before disappearing altogether. Illyria climbed back to her feet and headed for the door, determined to finally start her day on the right foot.
Study Hard
Author: Mildred
Date: 04-04-13 03:26
It was good to be back at Hogwarts. Mildred still didn't know very well how it happened but somehow she was back to her beloved school and reunited with her friends. The old castle was the same and yet a lot had changed.
For a start Professor McGonagall was now the Headmistress and when Mildred was called to what had been Dumbledore's office it was as if she finally realized that he was dead for real and he was not coming back.
McGonagall had told Mildred she had a lot to study if she wanted to keep up with her peers, since what she had learned at Salem's the past term was not enough compared to what had been taught at Hogwarts. They had reached to a compromise where Mildred would have to spend some extra hours with her professors until they were sure she was again at the accepted level for a second year. Mildred, who did not want to fail any year, was determinate to study hard and she promised the Headmistress to do so.
Since Professor McGonagall was now the school's Headmistress, Professor Sirius Black had replaced her as the Head of the Gryffindor House. The Charms subject was now taught by the kind and funny Professor Flitwick, whose Mildred had met today, and who was in charge of Transfiguration was teacher named Cyprian Flint that according to her friends no one seemed to particularly like.
Mildred had understood the aversion towards the Transfiguration teacher the moment he started to question her in class. Her face had turned red and she was not able to speak. She didn't know any of the answers the professor was looking for. Professor Flint had probably thought she hadn't a single knowledge of Transfiguration because at the end of the class he felt the need the double Mildred's extra lesson hours with him.
According to Queenie the school's Quidditch teams had also suffered some alterations and with the help of Amelia they told Mildred about Gryffindor's victory against Slytherin. Mildred wished she could have been on the pitch with the rest of her friends that day. Maybe this year Gryffindor would be able to win the Quidditch Cup and also the House Cup.
There was not a single thing Mildred missed about America expect her aunt and uncle and Joseph, of course. She had already written him a letter and she was hoping the caretaker would reply.
"We have no more classes today and few homework," Achilles said as they sat at the Great Hall, having lunch. "What do you say we play some chess Mildred?"
"She can't. She has to study," Melpomene replied, before Mildred could finish chewing a piece of roasted potatoes. "And we are all going to help her."
Achilles didn't seem thrilled with the idea of spending his afternoon surrounded by books and practicing spells, especially not on his second day of classes. However Melpomene had a type of authority that shouldn't be contested. And so after lunch, Mildred, Melpomene, Achilles, Queenie and Amelia went to the Gryffindor common room in order to do their homework and help Mildred to study.
They are never put with the wrong end in front - Blackguard Offices
Author: Peregrinus Hartcrofte
Date: 04-04-13 10:11
History has a way of repeating itself. Once again, Pip found himself in his office, staring at an array of blackboards, covered with scribbled notes and photographic evidence of the crime scene. It would be more accurate to say scenes in this case, as the crime in question seemed to simultaneously hit four different vaults at Gringott's. Roger Bexley had joined him, and next to the auror's "shabby chic," Pip was looking positively dapper.
"According to the goblins, the vaults that were hit belonged to Percival Lieveling, Phineus Grimshaw-Spore, Horace Slughorn, and Sir William Barley. Curiously, Grimshaw-Spore's vault, which has been seized by the Ministry, does not show anything being removed. We only know that it was compromised because of the graffiti that the culprit left behind."
Pip had been jotting the four names onto an open space of blackboard as Roger spoke, and then moved to the photographs at the mention of the graffiti. "And of course the thieves … or would-be thieves, in Grimshaw-Spore's case, set off wards the goblins had placed to detect non-approved meddling in the vaults. I wasn't aware they had such measures, Bex."
Bexley dropped his sheaf of parchment on Pip's desk as he crossed to the blackboard containing the names of the four – or three – victims. "It's a premium service they sell to those with a healthy supply of gold, and an unhealthy paranoia. Although that paranoia would seem to be justified, in this case. I've done some digging since you and I visited the crime scenes, and I learned that both Messrs. Lieveling and Barley have died recently, under mysterious circumstances."
"Sounds like official-Ministry-talk for 'we're not sure who killed them, but it was definitely murder.'"
"Murder most foul, Pip. Lieveling was mummified, and the organs were removed from the scene. At this point, we're assuming they were taken for ritualistic purposes. Sir William was killed by a massive blow to the back of his head, and then decapitated after he was dead."
To his credit, Pip blanched slightly at the description. "So it's entirely possible that their deaths and the robberies are connected. Has the Ministry placed a security detail on Grimshaw-Spore and Slughorn?"
"We don't have the personnel at the moment. We should have some agents freed up soon, I'll see if we can re-assign them. In the meantime, I'll see if the Minister will approve the funding to hire Blackguard for the job."
Movement from the vault photographs pulled his attention back, as they cycled to the graffiti once again. 10/6 was scrawled into each wall, with Grimshaw-Spore's vault bearing the additional inscription "How is a raven like a writing desk?" More Lewis Carroll, which is why we're working this case. First the Jabberwocky, and now the Mad Hatter.
"Alright, Bex. Time for some more legwork. If you'll join me at my Library, I think we need to research if the stolen items have any connection.
Conversely, we'll need to discover if the victims have a connection. I doubt this was just a robbery since only specific items were taken, with the rest untouched."
Pip looked again at the list of names, with the prominent "X" marked next to the departed. Horace Slughorn. Oh, Neph, I do hope you're not getting yourself involved in some dangerous business.
(Edgar) A Terrible Person
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 04-05-13 02:46
Edgar finished dressing and left the dorms into the Gryffindor common room. Most of the students were gone, probably already at the Great Hall having breakfast. In a cozy corner, by the fireplace, his cousin Luke was seated in a sofa next to Alcmene. They were talking and laughing. Alcmene was smiling and her hand moved towards Luke's arm and she gave it a friendly path. Edgar knew he was about to explode. Enough is enough.
Since last term that Alcmene's attention seemed to have shifted from Edgar to Luke and he was starting to get tired of being ignored by her. He had no idea what he had done but he was determinate to figure it out. He had delayed this for a long time now and it was time to know the truth. Maybe Alcmene had a crush on Luke, maybe they even dated. Or perhaps she was just offended with Edgar.
"Good morning," Edgar greeted the pair, moving in their direction.
"Hey Ed!" Luke replied with a smile. Alcmene nodded her head in recognition.
"Alcmene can I speak with you for a moment?"
Understanding the line Luke stood up and he said he was downstairs to have breakfast. Alcmene asked him to save her a seat at the Gryffindor table and he promised to do so. Once they found themselves alone, Edgar started to play with the tip of his tie, trying to measure his words. He didn't want to sound too harsh, but he was feeling offended with all this. Finally he said:
"What's up between you and Luke?"
"What do you mean?"
"You hang out a lot with him, which is fine. The problem is lately you have been ignoring me. Have I done something wrong?"
Alcmene looked at Edgar with a look that made him feel like a dumb troll. She stood up from the sofa. She was still smaller than him however she raised her head and their eyes met. He saw the fury in them.
"Of course you have done something wrong! Are you blind, Edgar? Since you have been selected for the Quidditch team all you can talk about is your practices, how you get along with the other teams members. You, Hunter and Madoc are all in the team and it's more than natural that you spend a lot of time talking about Quidditch and so on. But didn't you thought just for a second how Luke might have felt excluded from all this? Do you think he likes to sit next to the three of you and listen you talk about the fantastic move Marjani and Julietta had done with the quaffle? Or how Cai was brilliant catching the snitch? Or the defense Hunter performed while the other Hunter was trying to score? Do you think it's funny for him when he hasn't been there with all of you?"
"Well he didn't try out did he? Luke never really cared about playing Quidditch," Edgar said in his defense. Although, he was already feeling guilt starting to invade him. He did spent a lot of his time talking about Quidditch and telling Luke about his practice sessions.
"Yes. He rather practice other sports, like swimming. Did you know that he is on the Athletics Club? He is one of the best members of the swim group and he is trying to break one of the school's records. Coach Krum is sure Luke is going to do so with some effort and practice. But did you bother to ask him about it or watch him during his practices? He always needs someone to record his times and a word or two of encouragement."
"I didn't know. I had no idea he was in the school's swimming group at all." Edgar sat on the sofa.
"Of course you didn't. You are too focused on yourself to notice everything around you. Sometimes you are just like your sister."
Being compared to Evelyn made him feel hurt and furious. Alcmene continued to speak:
"Anyway, I thought Luke needed a friend: someone to support him and who wouldn't make him feel excluded. So he and I are getting along, and to be honest he is very sweet and kind. I don't plan to stop hanging around with him, whether you like it or not. Now excuse me, I need to have breakfast, I don't want to be late for History of Magic."
Alcmene walked away from the Gryffindor common room, leaving Edgar alone. He really had no idea this was how his cousin felt. He wished Luke had come to speak with him. But he also thought it wasn't fair Alcmene treated him like he was the most terrible being on earth. And she had exaggerated: he was not like Evelyn at all. Or was he?
(Madeline) Back to School
Author: Sy Tremont
Date: 04-05-13 09:21
Wednesday meant that I had three classes, and I would be done with lessons by three this afternoon which would leave time for homework and dealing with whatever else I wished to deal with as my time was my own for the remainder of the day.
Blonde tresses pulled back in a delicate french braid, I made my way down to the Great Hall and found a quiet place to settle myself at the Gryffindor table to enjoy a simple breakfast. I was still trying to shake off the laziness that had been inspired by the winter holidays - but I'd spent some time getting to know Sylvain, my half-brother and now guardian. Beyond that, things had settled quite nicely into a routine while I was home, and we'd even celebrated the New Year together before I'd returned to Hogwarts.
I looked up at the hoot of an owl coming in my direction with my post, it dropped it neatly on the table next to me, and within moments was up and out the window again - off to fetch more post more likely or to dine on a field mouse or whatever small prey it could catch.
I flicked through the small bundle of letters - one from Sylvain, and a few others from friends who attended various boarding schools throughout Europe. I also had today's issue of the Daily Prophet, and I would most likely spend more time reading that later today once my classes were done, and now it seemed I had post to respond to.
I double checked my bag to ensure that I had my things for Charms and for Potions, as I finished the last of my breakfast which had included scrambled eggs, sausage, buttered toast, and fried potatoes. I'd paired it with a mug of herbal tea to chase off some of the chill, and I was quite thankful that I would not have to venture outside for my classes today, as winter's chill still held tightly to grounds.
(Angharad Carter-Cadin) Lost in Thought - Late to Class
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 04-05-13 09:36
Two classes down, and I still had Ancient Runes to go at quarter past one, and I was seriously considering skipping it - not that I had a valid reason for doing so, other than the fact that I didn't want to go. Besides, I didn't want to be the cause of lost points, nor did I fancy spending time in detention simply because I did not feel like attending one of my classes.
As it was, I was still thinking about winter break, when there had been a fight between Cai's mum and my mum. To the point that on Christmas Eve, my mum had left and no one had heard from her since, not even me, and that hurt most of all.
Evan and Aderyn had tried to cheer me up but with out mum being there for the holidays it kinda stopped being enjoyable. I'd still gotten a lot of gifts, but it was like I had no one to talk to about anything any more and that was starting to get to me. Made me wish the Cai or Broderick could actually stand me, and weren't taking their mum's side of things in the argument - neither of them were talking to me at all.
I'd grabbed a blueberry muffin from the Common Commons after coming in from Herbology because I simply didn't want to deal with the Great Hall, and potentially having to face Cai, who was glaring at me whenever she got the chance or simply ignoring me as was Broderick, I just retreated to my room and worked on the final touches of my essay due today in Ancient Runes, and picked at the muffin which now looked like it had been blown up instead of eaten.
Was there something wrong with me? Hell, I couldn't even hold Gus van Tassel's interest long enough for him to like me or even be friends with me - he'd already moved on to Johanna Porter - who I'd seen wearing his scarf earlier like it was her most prized possession or something. I couldn't even keep a real friend and no, my youngest sibling didn't count.
I'd spent so much time moping and attempting to sort things out in my head that I hadn't realized that it was nearly time for the start of Ancient Runes. Looking at the clock I nearly had a panic attack.
"Bloody hell! Now I'm going to be late."
I grabbed my bag and made sure that I had my essay, books and various other required items I bolted from my dorm room, raced through the commons and quickly made my way to the classroom. Slipping in, it was clear that I'd obviously interrupted the lecture.
I quietly slipped to my desk, murmuring an apology to Professor Hodfuffer, and quickly got out quill, ink and parchment to take notes. I hated being late.
"Miss Cadin, see me after class please."
I sighed when Professor Hodfuffer said that, but nodded my head and soon enough he was back into lecture mode for the rest of the class period.
BREAKING NEWS: Teacher Seduces Student
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 04-05-13 18:27
Ariella had left early this morning for work at the Ministry and I had class at nine, so we'd grabbed breakfast in our quarters before she'd gone off to work. I was heading to the greenhouse when someone caught my attention, I turned and saw Bianca Bonfamille heading toward me clutching an issue of The Daily Prophet.
"Professor, is it true?!"
Bianca thrust the issue at him, opened to the article in question. I stared at the headline and was it with a wave of nausea and anger all at once.
TEACHER SEDUCES STUDENT!
The current upper years herbology teacher, Lawrence Masterson, apparently has a taste for young girls. Even his current wife, Ariella Masterson (formerly Beck) was one of his students. When they'd met this reporter is not entirely certain, but my source confirms that they had been secretly carrying on their illicit relations during the school term.
Are your daughters safe from this teacher? Will he soon lose his interest in his wife and turn to one of his current students in hopes that she'll be the next Mrs. Masterson?
I took the paper from her and let my gaze roam the article. It was no secret that Ariella and I had met while she was still a student at Hogwarts, but only a select few knew that I'd initially been sacked when it had been found out that I was still dating her even after she turned out to be one of my students. True, not my brightest moment, but I wouldn't change my decision to marry her ever.
There were damaging things said in the article as well, both against my character and Dumbledore's for choosing a professor that would date his students. Today was going to be one hell of a day.
"So, is it true?" Bianca repeated again, and a few other students in my nine o'clock sixth year NEWT class had gathered around her waiting to hear the answer.
"Yes, I did meet my wife while she was still a student here, and yes, I did continue to date her after I found out she was one of my students. But, what the article does not mention was that I was sacked after we were found out, and she was expelled from Hogwarts. But, neither of us would change our decisions at all, when we met it was a dark time for Hogwarts and most of you still suffer from the cruelty dealt by Harriet Snider and Minster Smythe-Jones."
Some of them nodded, but I didn't linger around to answer any further questions. I turned and headed into the greenhouse. "That article will not be discussed in this class, nor will I be answering any further questions about it. Those who are not seated in the next five minutes will lose points and serve a detention this afternoon."
Everyone moved quickly, and found their seats within the five minute time limit and thankfully I was not asked another question about that article. I would head over to the ministry after my last class and talk to Ariella - leave it to that horrid woman to ruin what had started out as a good day.