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(Alanna) Distracted
Author: Beck
Date: 05-10-13 17:34
Alanna sat at her desk and attempted to read through a file, but even though her eyes moved across the page, she had no idea what she read. She scanned the same paragraph five times before calling it quits, feeling far too distracted to get any work done.
She lacked concentration and failed at productivity because Jared was in Ministry of Magic custody on sexual assault charges. Alanna had learned he'd been taken into custody yesterday afternoon but had only learned of the charges this morning. She didn't believe them for one minute––couldn't believe them, but she also didn't know what to think.
Surely there had been some sort of mistake––a case of mistaken identity or Jared being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe the accusations were entirely false, but why would someone go to the trouble of accusing him of something he didn't do? Alanna could not imagine a motive for hurting Jared.
She got up from her desk and trudged to the break room, where she fixed herself coffee Desdemona Diamond-style. Alanna preferred sweet coffee drinks, but she was in a dark, bitter sort of mood. This was supposed to be their day. It was Valentine's Day.
Her feet carried her back to her desk, where her gaze fell upon the potted blue butterfly bush on the corner. She loved it, of course, but she could hardly enjoy it when she knew that the wizard who had given it to her was being interrogated by law enforcement, perhaps even at that very moment.
She frowned and turned away from the plant, only to find herself face to face with Reed Wycombe. He wore his ever-present smug expression on his face and held a file folder to his chest.
"Heard about your sweetheart," Reed drawled. "Pity, that."
"What do you want, Reed?" Alanna snapped.
"Actually, I came to discuss business with you," he said, moving around her to spread out the contents of the folder onto her desk. "I've been looking into your little Petals problem and am fairly confident I can take care of those old biddies, one way or another. After all," he said, flashing her a conceited smile, "I recently closed a high-profile case to great success."
Alanna didn't have to ask to know which case he meant. He was a celebrity of sorts, because he got the Carrows out of Azkaban. Some worshipped him for doing the impossible, but a great many more hated him for what he'd done.
"Word on the street is, that pesky private firm in Hogsmeade is looking into the case themselves. Can't let them take our business, now can we?"
Alanna had tuned out at some point and hadn't registered Reed's question.
"Beck? Are you in there?" Reed asked, waving his hand in front of her face.
Alanna blinked and took a step back from him. "What?"
"I said, that solicitor who jumped ship. Evans, is it? He's not going to usurp one of our cases, especially since he's likely to botch the job. Never liked him, personally."
"Is there anyone you do like?" Alanna couldn't help herself from asking. "Besides yourself, and Bruno? Where is Bruno anyway?"
Reed folded his arms over his chest. "He no longer works for me."
"That's too bad. I kind of liked him," Alanna said. She glanced at her butterfly bush again, thought of Jared, and wondered if she could find out more about what was going on with him. She turned and walked away, unaware that Reed had started talking again.
He fell silent when he realized he'd lost her attention and watched her drift away. He thought about Jared Wynbourne and allowed a small smile to spread across his face.
You Ask, I'll Ask (Wiggy)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 05-10-13 20:19
Reaching the Gryffindor table Wiggy sits down, Jack Emerson taking the seat next to him rather than going to the Ravenclaw table. Studying the selection of food comprising today's lunch he reaches for what looks like some sort of beef stew. He asks Jack to pass a basket with slices of thick, crusty, buttery bread. As he accepts he tells his friend, "I don't think I mentioned but I don't have practice tonight."
Taking a slice of the bread for himself Jack asks, "Why is that?"
"Too many were wanting to make plans for this evening."
"Wh.. Right. Valentine's." Jack starts adding runner beans to his plate.
Wiggy grins. "With all the hearts, cupids, and flowers everywhere, were you going to ask why?"
Jack nods, returning Wiggy's grin. "I was. For a Ravenclaw I can be pretty thick at times."
"You said it, not me." Wiggy eats a few spoonfuls of food then reaches to pour himself something to drink. "Much as I love Quidditch, I'm glad for the break from practice, even if only one night. I can get in some extra study time."
"Not too late to get a Valentine's date."
Wiggy rolls his eyes. "You really think a girl is going to be happy with being asked last minute?"
"When the invite is from the famous Wiggy Hodfuffer, I think they'd be lining up to be asked if they knew."
Jack's slight sarcasm earns him a light punch on the arm. "You aren't going with anyone so how about I'll ask last minute if you will."
Jack rolls his eyes. "It really would be fairly easy for you to get a last minute date. Not so much for me."
"Don't sell yourself short."
Jack's napkin falls. Bending to retrieve it he spots an pink envelope with red hearts on it. Pulling it out he sits back up. He waggles it at Wiggy, the lipstick outline of lips visible where the envelope had been sealed. "Obviously a Valentine's card so how about you start with the sender?"
Wiggy snatches it from Jack and shoves it back into his bag. "Slight problem there. I have no idea who it's from. All I know is it's not from anyone here. It somehow got through so I figure it's a from a fan."
What Wiggy is referring to is the fact that any mail for him not from family and friends on a list or something he's ordered and has put the shoppe on the list is diverted to a collection point. He picks it up at the Puddlemere offices, usually after arriving at the stadium, before getting ready for practice. It saves the school from being inundated with fan mail, the amount of which increased a great deal after Wiggy made the British National team and then the team went on to win the World Cup. Wiggy hates the special effort gone to just for him but does appreciate not having to deal with a constant stream of letters and parcels throughout the day here at school.
Jack looks disappointed at the news that it's just another piece of fan mail and one not with a signed name. The card is signed in sparkly dark pink ink Hugs and Kisses, Your biggest fan. He can't help but grin again and makes a small gesture taking in the whole room. "Was there someone you thought it might be from?"
Jack goes for sarcasm again, quipping, "Just wanted to know who to be jealous of."
Wiggy gives him another light punch so Jack shakes his head. "I was just curious who here might have sent you a card because, as I said, I bet she'd be happy for a last minute invitation."
Aware that not everyone was taking lunch at the moment, Jack glances around the room. He ends up nodding in the direction of two sitting at this table. "There's Marjani and Jill."
"You could very well ask either one yourself. Or there's Carlotta or Megara," indicating two girls from Jack's house, both sitting at the Ravenclaw table.
"I think Carlotta's already got a date for tonight. As for Megara, I heard she's got a thing for Deak."
Around a bite of his second piece of crusty bread Wiggy grunts, "I heard that too."
They spend the rest of lunch looking around the Great Hall, trying to decide which girls would be most likely to accept a last minute invitation if not already committed to a date for Valentine's though neither is very serious about actually taking the chance of asking someone. Just before 1:15, Jack and Wiggy take their last bites of food, both of them having some cobbler, grab up their things and head for the dungeons for the dreaded Potions with Snape, Jack's last class of the day and Wiggy's next to the last.
Your Call
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 05-11-13 14:58
"How do I look?" Felicia asked Johanna. She was wearing a violet dress with silver sandals and ,to match, she was also adorned with silver jewelry. Johanna smiled and she told Felicia she looked wonderful and that Baltus would for sure think the same. They had started to date a year ago, during last year's Valentine's dinner and Felicia wanted to be at her best for tonight.
The two girls left their dormitory. Baltus was already waiting for Felicia with a box of chocolates in his hands. Johanna watched the two of them together for a while but then she turned around giving them some privacy.
"Are you sure you will be all right on your own?" Gus asked appearing in the Slytherin common room probably coming from his own dorms. Unlike Baltus he wasn't wearing any special robes, but it was clear that he had made an effort to comb his hair. He was going to have dinner with Joanna Porter.
Last year Johanna and Gus had gone together to the Valentine's event that was held at the Great Hall. Back then she wasn't very glad with such idea but now she would give anything to have a date. But no one had asked her and she was too proud to ask any boy out.
"I am sure I will be pretty safe having dinner at the Great Hall like everyone else."
"You know what I mean. None of us will be there. It's a bit…"
"What? Lonely? Sad? Pathetic? It's just a meal, Gus. I don't even have to speak with anyone, I will be too busy chewing. Now go and don't make her wait."
Gus shrugged his shoulders and he left the common room. There were a few girls there who seemed desolated when they saw him walking away. Johanna then spotted Evelyn also dressed up. She was surprised when she saw her cousin with a dress and Evelyn could not help to be admired as well to notice Johanna without one, only wearing her regular school robes.
"You're not going to the dinner at the Common Commons?" Ev asked.
"No. You are? With who?"
"None of your business. I thought you were going with Gus, like last year."
"He's going with someone else. Who are you going with?"
But Evelyn had already walked away because one of her friends had called her back into the dorms. Johanna thought about going back to her own dormitory and just spend the evening there, but as if guessing her intentions her stomach growled in a protest. She was hungry. With a sigh she gained courage and went to the Great Hall on her own.
The place wasn't very crowded but it wasn't empty like she had predicted. There were many students who didn't seem to get a date either. Johanna joined Taran Tremaine at the Slytherin table. She wasn't friends with him but he was the only one she had recognized from her year and so she decided to sit at his side.
"Didn't get a date?" he asked her, as he served himself with some carrots.
Johanna shook her head, picking up a jar with pumpkin juice and filling her cup with it.
"You?"
"Well, I wouldn't be here alone if I had one, right?"
"You could always choose not to attend the special dinner at the Common Commons," she replied. "Like that couple over there."
Taran turned his head to the direction she was pointing at. At the Gryffindor table, a couple was having their dinner quietly. It was clear they dated because after looking around making sure none of the teachers was looking, the boy kissed the girl's lips.
"Get a room!" Taran said in a loud tone, which made some students look at him. "Isn't it enough not having anyone and we still have to be reminded of that when we are having dinner?"
His sudden explosion surprised her. Taran used to be a quiet boy, who kept to himself. As far as Johanna recalled he didn't have many friends. She remembered he used to be friends with Mark on their first year at Hogwarts, but that was before he was also considered a Non and sent to Happy Haven as the rest of them.
Johanna started to eat her lamb chops.
"First I invited Sonya Silver from Gryffindor. She refused saying she already had a date. The I tried Anita Tuck from Hufflepuff. Same answer. Merlin, I was so desperate that my next move was to ask Polly Potts out. I thought that due to her reputation no one really wanted to go to the dinner with her. So I stepped up. She looked at me and laughed, walking away. I was completely rejected. "
Taran used his fork to stab with violence one of the carrots from his place, probably imagining it was Polly. He chewed with fury.
"I know I am not good looking like your friend Van Tassel. But it's not like I am that ugly. Even Donald Li from Ravenclaw got a date and you have seen his face, right? Those pimples! I heard he was using some Muggle cream for it. "
Suddenly Johanna started to realize what the source of Taran's irritation was: he had been rejected not once but three times. He must be feeling really frustrated, she thought to herself.
"Well I think Valentine's day it's just some silly date. Seriously. By tomorrow everything will go back to the way it was," Johanna said, trying to give Taran some sort of consolation.
"I guess so," he shrugged his shoulders not really convinced. "You know what I am going to do? After eating I am going to lock myself in the dorm and drink some fire whiskey. I have a bottle I brought from home. "
"You really shouldn't have told me that. Now I will have to confiscate it."
He looked at her prefect badge with disdain.
"You wouldn't dare. I was about to ask you if you wanted to have a glass with me. I was being nice."
"I don't think drinking would be a good idea, Taran."
He finished his meal in silence and then stood up.
"I am leaving now. You know where to find me. If you want to confiscate by bottle and give me a detention, fine. Or we can just hang out together. Or you can even choose not to show up at all. Your call, Steele."
Johanna watched him walking away with large steps. Then she looked at the rest of her lamb chops that were getting cold in her plate. Suddenly she had lost all her appetite and for a moment she didn't know what to do.
(Evan Carter) Valentine's Day
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 05-11-13 16:22
The day had gone well enough, classes at St. Emrys earlier this morning and then a handful of hours at the Ministry working before I was free to return home for the evening, to prepare for my date with Jasmine, who was my current flame, and so far showing signs that she might actually be around for a little while.
I'd sent her roses earlier today, with information about where we were going for dinner. I was keeping things classical as far as the evening went: formal dinner, dancing, and all in all a fantastic night out with wining and dining and if I was lucky a good night kiss.
I'd made reservations at one of the more upscale places in London, and was going to be taking her dancing at one of my favorite little places that allowed for us to spend some quality time together. Then perhaps we'd take a moonlit stroll along the Thames, though I could have technically taken her just about anywhere, even somewhere exotic if I'd wanted to, but I wasn't going to put that much effort into Valentine's Day if she wasn't going to be around longer than a few months.
If she lasts longer than six months, I'll begin putting more effort into the relationship, but honestly I don't see the point of spending an excess of galleons on someone who isn't going to be around on a long term basis - if that makes me shallow, oh well.
I currently spent the time between my shift at the Ministry and the time when I was going to pick up Jasmine, going over my homework from St. Emry's and figuring out what I was going to wear, ultimately settling on my favorite Armani suit and silk tie in the classic black and red, that worked well with my skin tone, and I wore a pair of black dress shoes and added my red and black cuff links and tie tack.
Once I was ready to go, I headed out for a night of romance for my current romantic interest.
(Angharad Carter-Cadin) Stolen Kisses
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 05-11-13 17:52
Between getting Cai's birthday gift, which I'd given her this morning at breakfast, I'd contemplated getting something special for someone who had caught my attention. I'd been considering several things and had been more than happy with the fact that I'd found both a friend and possibly something more in this particular individual.
The past few weeks had been spending some time together, under the pretense that she needed help with some of her course work, and no one had known any better, and we'd even had a few late night discussions and we had a lot in common. As it was, we'd made plans for Valentine's day, not to do anything major or whatever, but we'd meet up after dinner and just hang out.
Hidden in one of alcoves we currently talked and shared an occasional stolen kiss as we tried to figure out just what had been happening between the pair of us. She was a year behind, but my age, and just as confused about what we were both feeling at the moment but that didn't mean anything - we were just trying to make sense of everything that we were feeling.
"It was a nightmare being in that place, and I'm seriously wishing that I should be stressing about my OWLs instead of puttering around like some clueless fourth year." Perla said as she leaned against the wall behind her and sighed, pulling another chocolate from the box we were sharing.
"I can't even imagine the things you've been through, but I'm just glad that things are back to normal, well as normal as they can be anyway."
She sighed, and shifted so that she could lean against me and rest her head against my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
"You don't have to talk about in any more, tonight is just us." I said softly, not wanting her to be depressed any more or stress about what had happened when she'd been forced to be at Happy Haven School for Nons.
We talked and enjoyed a few more stolen kisses, before the pair of us headed back to the Hufflepuff common room. I doubted anyone knew that we were seeing each other, but, even if they did, I wasn't sure if we'd be made fun of or not.
At Dinner (Duncan Dippet)
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 05-11-13 18:21
Batting away a fluttering cupid, his hand now sparkly where it had touched the leg, Hiram Young says to no one in particular, "If the Great Hall is this decorated imagine what the commons looks like."
"Wish you were there instead of here?" Duncan Dippet asks.
"Only if the food were better than here and only if the music isn't going to be lots of sickly sweet love songs." Hiram looks down at the forkful of steak and kidney pudding. "On second thought, the food here is pretty good so it would depend on the music."
"We'll have to ask Ollie how the music was."
Duncan still can't believe that Ollie Choate was not only asked to the Valentine's in the commons but asked by a second year.
Hiram nods at the suggestion before asking, "Want to play some chess later?"
"Yeah, but I need to work some on Transfiguration. Stupid Flint still so bloody clueless that most of us are barely keeping up."
"I think that's overstating how well most are doing." Hiram says it with a smirk but he's actually more than a little serious.
Duncan stabs at his plate, spearing several glazed carrots. "I hope he's not here in the fall."
"You, me, and pretty much everyone else who has him. Put the work off for now. We don't have that class again until Monday. Why ruin the evening on it?"
"Good point. Chess it is then." Duncan ducks to avoid the glitter spewing from an arrow shot by that cupid Hiram had shoved away a few minutes. Deciding he's ready for something sweet, he looks to see what dessert options are already on the table. Selecting a lemony looking slice of cake he decides he'll see who wants to do a study group Sunday to work on the Transfiguration.
Not Unspeakable
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 05-11-13 19:36
I had to work Valentine's Day, not that it was a big deal. I never gave the holiday much thought, seemed like a generally bad idea. Granted outside of a handful I had no reason to celebrate the holiday. Besides, pink hearts and other stuff like that was just not my thing.
The day passed smoothly, and thankfully I wasn't annoyed to death by questions about my evening plans. One of the few nights I actually had solid plans. Going to Orion's. Yes, they were simple, but that was fine. Simple is good. Complicated had a greater tendency to break.
Well, as soon as I was off, I went to Orion's flat. He greeted me warmly at the door before letting me inside.
"You're here early," he observed as he closed the door.
"I made sure to get out ahead of the girls in the office," I told him, "I didn't want to try and answer a bunch of stupid questions."
"I understand," he said, "Well, are you ready to go out?"
"Go where?"
"Someplace nice," He answered cryptically, with one of his charming smiles. I smiled back as we left his flat. He led me to a nice looking restaurant. The place was bursting to the seams with people, but we were quickly led to a small table. Even with so many other guests, our order was taken quickly.
"It's incredible how many people are out tonight," I mused aloud.
"Desi, I need to tell you something," Orion said in a solemn tone, "A couple of weeks ago my bosses asked me to go on a mission that crossed certain lines. I refused to take it. They asked me to think about it and I have. I'm leaving the Ministry, Friday is my last day. I've already been accepted at St. Emrys as a professor."
I sat there a moment taking in what he revealed to me. Finally his brooding mood made sense. "What lines did it cross?" I asked, hoping that I wasn't digging too much.
"I felt the mission carried too many risks. It should be done by someone with absolutely no ties to anyone."
"So…" I started slowly, "You quit to protect me from harm?"
"Not just that…"
"That has to be the most romantic thing, ever."
Spending the Night in
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 05-11-13 19:41
Sebastian slipped behind Arley in the kitchen and snaked his arms around his partner's waist. "That smells fantastic, Arley."
"Thanks, Sebby. I made your favorite!"
"You have been well trained." Seb responded with a sly grin.
Arley couldn't help but laugh as he turned around in Seb's arms to kiss him. "Well, yeah babe. I know you."
"You sure do… I'm glad we decided to stay home this year. Valentine's Day is to be celebrated in the arms of the one you love, and I like the quiet of home this year."
"Seb, we stayed home last year too." Arley pulled Sebastian off to cuddle on the couch while dinner finished cooking.
"No, we didn't. We were going to, but ended up going out fir dinner after ours got ruined." He teased his partner with that memory. "You weren't watching the grill."
"Oh. Right. I forgot about that."
"It's alright, Arley, we still had a nice night."
"Tonight is going to be even better though."
The boys eventually sat down to eat, and Sebastian summoned his favorite bottle of wine and two glasses. The wine poured itself and the couple each took a glass.
"Here's to us, and another year together,"
"Here's to many many more. I love you Sebastian. I still can't believe we've been together for like eight years."
Seb looked up at Arley, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "I know, and I love you too. More than anything, now…let's relax and enjoy our night."
"I very much like that idea." The pair cuddled close, and relaxed for awhile after dinner. The night was far from over, and they planned to enjoy every single minute of it.