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Self-Imposed Overworking
Author: Maggie Hawthorne
Date: 06-29-13 17:30
The last few weeks had been somewhat nightmarish, I'd been working almost non-stop since the end of term at St. Emrys, and I'd been trying to find some time to hang out with Nathaniel, and so far we'd still managed to hang out as friends at least once a week.
Right now, I was trying to figure out if I could afford to work my fourth double shift this week or if I should go home and face plant into my pillow.
"What are you saving for Mags?" Carmen asked as she dropped down next to me while I was on break.
"Another trip, but I haven't figured out where." I said, finishing the last bite of my burger and working on the seasoned crisps that went along with it.
"Awesome, but you really don't need to kill yourself to save up for this trip. Take the rest of the night off. I'll cover your tables."
I looked over at Carmen.
"Seriously? Did Nick tell you to send me home?"
"No, he didn't, but I'm suggesting that you take the rest of the night off and rest Mags. You've been working double shifts three times already this week and don't need to work another double."
I sighed, pushing a hand through my hair, which I'd let down from it's usual pony tail while I'd been on break.
"I just need two more paychecks and I'll have enough for the trip. That's all. Two more outstanding paychecks."
"I know what it's like to be so close to a goal like that Mags. It was phenomenal being that close to the final payments for the wedding and honeymoon arrangements that I'd had when Matthew and I got married a couple years ago."
I nodded, I remember seeing pictures from her and Matt's honeymoon one of the nights that I'd been over at their house for dinner.
"Alright. I'll take the rest of the night off."
I finished my meal, and headed over to talk to Nick, who readily approved the fact that I needed a couple of nights to myself and gave me the next two days off.
"Go home, rest and I don't want to see you here before dinner service on Sunday, got me?"
Practically Glowing Goop (Bellatrix & Barty)
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 06-29-13 19:41
The first step of the potion is one that takes a rather long time to brew. Next comes an evaporative process that leaves behind a fine, very deep blue powder. That powder is reconstituted then brewed for several more days. This is followed by another drying out, the resultant powder being a pale orange. The last step before use is reconstituting the pale orange powder to brew a number of more days until it forms a thick, gloopy, practically glow in the dark pink gel.
During the entire brewing process a series of complex spells must be performed. The initial spell is the simplest but does require blood of the human sort. Actually, blood is required for several steps but not in as great a quantity. Several pints are needed for that initial step. Bellatrix did for Gudrun Landvik what she'd done for Barty. She made use of some homeless Muggles, though only after she'd subjected them to a thorough cleaning. Bad enough to have Muggles in her home without the accompanying homeless stench. That they leave her home as corpses is beside the point. They are at least clean corpses who did not befoul her nest.
Barty of course had to spoil one aspect of the fun by asking, "Why don't you just steal from one of those blood banks?"
Bellatrix pretended she didn't hear him but then he had to go and repeat the question. Point of her wand dripping with blood as she prepared to use her wand to inscribe a symbol over Gudrun as part of that initial, simple spell, Bellatrix hedged with, "Warm and fresh is best."
Barty, who'd been looking over the intricate process Bellatrix has deciphered from an ancient tome, the process that had taken her several years to get just right in order to resoul Barty, crinkled his brow. "I don't see that here."
"Just take my word for it and why do you care about two homeless Muggles who did not have a complete set of teeth between them?"
"A full set of teeth are important?"
"Are you being deliberately irritating and obtuse?"
Barty had simply smiled at that, leading Bellatrix to believe he either didn't want to admit to a moment of stupidity or he was doing it on purpose.
Now, weeks later, Bellatrix is once again having an urge to smack Barty into next week. "This will be quick work if you help."
"You can just do it with a spell or something? Have a house elf do it?"
"No. It must be done by the hand of the witch or wizard who brewed the potion and who has been casting the series of spells. In this case that would be both of us."
Barty dips a finger in the practically glowing pink gloop. "It feels like snot."
"Then pretend you are picking your nose and dig right in for a big blob."
Face distorted with disgust, he scoops a large handful only to hesitate. Posed over Gudrun's nude, Dementor kissed body, hands cupped with a large mound of the gel, Bellatrix exasperatedly asks, "What?"
"She's unconscious and naked. Doesn't seem right me touching her all over."
"You are smearing the potion on her. If that gets you excited then you're more kinky and perverted than I ever gave you credit for, Barty."
He colors at her words. "You know that's not what I meant." He colors even more as something occurs to him. "You did this to me?"
"Yes, all by myself."
"And I hadn't a stitch on?"
"No."
"Don't you think that's something you should have mentioned at some point?"
"As I did not ravish your body when you were unable to respond to my caresses, I never gave it another thought."
Bellatrix reaches a hand to the cauldron to scoop more of the gel. She makes a show of smearing it on Gudrun, slathering it on thickly, leaving no spot uncovered. Knowing he can't put off helping any longer, Barty moves to Gudrun's feet and starts smearing theh gel on each foot and starts up her legs, thinking he may stop short of her pelvis to work on an arm or her head.
When Gudrun is fully slathered with the goop, Bellatrix and Barty clean their hands and Barty asking, "What next?"
"More spells and then we wait."
"Wait?"
"For her soul to return and do whatever it does once back."
"Does that take long?"
"It took several days with you but from what I was able to discern from that book, it just depends on the person, where the soul has gone, how long it was gone from the body, and other factors. There was also the fact that I was still feeling my way through the process. Doing it straight through as it was meant to be done may have Gudrun back to us much sooner. Now, prick your finger and let exactly two drops fall into her forehead."
Barty starts to ask why does he have to give up blood but Bellatrix is pricking hers as well. He decides the spell must call for blood from each person participating so without interrupting with more questions, he does as bid then waits for Bellatrix's next instruction.
Wanted
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 06-30-13 17:32
Fritz ducks out of the potions shoppe to grab a quick bite to eat. Although he doesn't need the junk food, he opts to visit Burger Wizard, since the service is fast and he only has half an hour for his dinner break. Since term ended at St. Emrys, Fritz has been working full-time at J. Pippin's, but his shifts vary depending on whether he is needed at opening or closing, or on weekends.
As expected, he is in and out of the restaurant in a matter of minutes. He ordered to-go and will eat once he gets back to the potions shoppe. On the way, Fritz stops to read a notice board with various community postings. There are advertisements for sales at the different stores in the village, flyers for events at the library, and a few wanted posters. It is no surprise that Fritz finds himself looking at an image of Adriana Fairchild. She seems to be public enemy number one at the moment.
And then there is Berthold Beatenberg. The moving photograph must be old, but it depicts a face Fritz recognizes very well. Seeing the wanted wizard's dark eyes staring at him, Fritz shudders involuntarily. He has a terrible conscience about what he did to contribute to Berthold being on the wanted poster, even after going to the authorities to admit to what he had done. Fritz described every conversation he had had with Berthold when the wizard had been stuck inside the book of Grimm mythology. The auror assigned to take his statement had copied down Fritz's every word, though what good any of it would do, was anyone's guess. Fritz's statement wouldn't help them catch the dark wizard, and the book within Berthold had been trapped was no more.
Fritz forces himself away from the notice board and continues on to J. Pippin's, determined to put all thoughts about his release of a killer aside if he can at all help it.
Just seconds after he passes the narrow alley between The Hog's Head Pub and the post office, a pair of nondescript wizards suddenly apparate at the far end of the alley, where few travel and where no one happens to be at that point in time. They deposit a third person in the shadows of the wall of the brewery and immediately disapparate.
The third person, a thin, stubbled and unkempt wizard with no hands, is unconscious, and sags against the wall. At first glance, anyone who might notice him will see a pathetic and perhaps inebriated homeless wizard. But anyone looking hard enough will realize who and what he really is.
Out Of Hiding
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 06-30-13 18:17
Bent down rearranging what's left in the largest of the viewing cases to the top shelf and then putting several boxed orders ready for pick-up on the two lower ones, Briar somehow misses hearing the bell jingle over the door. Because of the boxes she's placing in the case, she also doesn't immediately see the legs approaching the counter until the person is almost to it. She quickly rises, a somewhat sheepish grin playing on her lips. "I didn't hear you come in. Her smile turns from sheepish to warm. "Kristen!"
Briar hurries around the counter as Kristen Leach returns the smile. "Hello, Briar."
The two women hug then sit at the nearest table so that Briar can easily wait customers. Briar clasps the older witch's arm to earnestly inquire, "Is this another quick check-in before you vanish for weeks on end again?"
Kristen shakes her head, patting Briar's arm. "No, I'm back for good. I wanted to let you know myself rather than owl or send Matthew with word."
"Thank you, and I'm glad; but, what made you decide to return from hiding?"
"I finally came to my senses. He had nothing to do with Albus Dumbledore's death. No one else left from the same circle I ran with all those years ago has died. No accidents, no heart attacks, no strokes. There's also the fact I missed the freedom of coming and going as I pleased. My paranoia was putting a strain between Tommy and me. I rarely saw my son or step-children. The last time I saw Matthew before coming out of hiding, he complained of feeling like an orphan. I was long overdue to stop acting like such a ninny."
"It's good to have you back." After getting to know Kristen again, spending time with her, and hearing the other woman share good memories of Briar's parents, Briar had missed seeing her and was concerned for her friend but until this moment she'd not known just how much she'd missed seeing Kristen, even if only sporadically.
"I was hoping we could have lunch some day soon, whatever day is good for you.
"Tomorrow is fine, if that's not too soon."
"Monalisa's at noon?" Kristen asks of an Italian restaurant in Glasgow.
"Perfect."
During their conversation, Briar has twice gotten up to ring up a customer. As two people come in Kristen glances at them then back at Briar. "I'll let you get back to work. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I can't wait!"
The two hug goodbye, Briar moving behind the counter to retrieve the orders for the two who've just come into the bakery, Kristen exiting out into the late afternoon chill of early spring in Scotland. Busy with the customers, Briar does not see the man who steps from the shadows to follow Kristen.
Kellen Fitzmorris stays far enough behind and to the shadows that Kristen, who has not wanted to admit to anyone much less herself how paranoid she actually still is, does look over her shoulder once or twice but sees nothing suspect. She steps into McHavelock's Wizarding Headgear to see about ordering a hat for the upcoming wedding of a distant relative's son. Back on the lane, she looks about before stepping between McHavelock's and Brews & Stews to disapparate.
Fitzmorris does not know for sure Kristen is going home but he knows that now she's out of hiding she will eventually show up there at some point tonight. He will be waiting.
(Caleb) A Dangerous Item
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 07-01-13 06:47
Caleb didn't have any classes today and he decided to finish packing his trunk. Ector had the same thought but he took less time than Caleb, limiting himself to throw everything inside his luggage and make sure it closed.
Caleb was left alone at the first year boys' dormitory, carefully folding his shirts. For now he used his hands, but he had plans to learn a spell during his holidays that would help him to fold his clothes faster.
Caleb double checked to see if he had everything and he concluded there was something missing: his flying umbrella that he had won during the Easter Egg Hunt. It had been confiscated by Filch last Tuesday when he and some friends were caught at the Astronomy Tower during lunch time. The plan was to use it in turns and jump from the tower and land on the grounds.
At first Caleb wasn't sure if it would be a good idea but Sophie and some others had persuaded him to lend them the umbrella so they could give it a try. He didn't plan to jump at all but Filch had assumed that since the umbrella belonged to him he had been the mastermind of such plan. The worst part was that his aunt was passing by and she heard Filch.
Celeste had demanded an explanation from the caretaker and she agreed Caleb should have a detention. When he tried to explain to his aunt what had really happened she refused to listen to his version of the facts, saying the umbrella was his and he too was at the Astronomy tower.
"I expected you to be more mature, Mr. Quigley," she had said in front of everyone. "You should have told a teacher or Mr. Filch what were your colleagues' intentions instead of cooperating with them."
Caleb did not lose any points but he had to spend the rest of the week polishing armors under Filch's supervision. Today would be no exception. He was mad with his aunt and he hadn't exchange a word with her since that day. Of course he knew it had been a bad idea wanting to jump from the Astronomy Tower with a flying umbrella and he felt bad for not being able to say 'no' to Sophie and the others, however he thought Celeste had been too hard on him.
Caleb left the Ravenclaw common room and went in search of Filch. He wanted his umbrella back and he thought the caretaker might give in if he was polite enough and promise not to bring it back to school the next term.
He found Filch on the third floor, trying to figure out who had stained a tapestry with ink. He seemed furious. Caleb was about to ask him for the umbrella some other time, but it was too late: the caretaker had noticed his presence.
"What do you want boy?"
"Er…I would like my umbrella back, please. It's the last day of the term and I wanted to take her home. Please," he added, suddenly feeling minuscule.
Filch looked at Caleb as if he was as disgusting as a cockroach and he wanted to stump it in order to eliminate him. He told Caleb he would only see his flying umbrella again on his last day at Hogwarts as a student and not one minute earlier.
"But that will be almost six years from now!" the boy protested.
But Filch did not care. He declared the umbrella was a dangerous item and he did not trust Caleb's promise, thinking he just wanted to use again at school next semester. The caretaker then dismissed him, asking Caleb not to waste his time anymore. Feeling upset Caleb returned to the Ravenclaw tower, eager for the term to end so he could go back home.
(Azaelia) Lies
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-01-13 10:31
Azaelia unlocked the library and went into the back office to handle a few administrative tasks. She didn't plan on remaining in back for very long, since there were still quite a bit of books leftover from yesterday in need of shelving, and she kept finding cotton candy bubble residue here and there. She was very glad that today was the last day of Winter Term. Since she planned on staying at Hogwarts over Easter break, Azaelia could tidy up the library to her satisfaction.
She started by going through the post she had received and not yet read. There was a catalog on new educational books published by the Ministry Press, a notice of the cancellation of a series the library received on a yearly basis, and the acknowledgement of a book order she had made a few days ago. On the bottom of the stack of post was this morning's copy of The Daily Prophet. The library received one everyday.
Azaelia picked up the newspaper and carried it out to the front, where she kept a log on newspapers received. She usually kept a week's worth on a stand near the front desk and stored the rest in hanging files in the stacks. She started to add the newest paper to the top of the stand, when a headline caught her eye.
HOGWARTS LIBRARIAN, DAUGHTER OF A DRUG LORD
Azaelia drew the paper towards her and unfolded it to better read the article. What baffled her was that there was absolutely no truth to the article. She had come to understand that the articles on some of her colleagues had some margin of truth to them, however distorted by Rita Skeeter, but Azaelia knew with absolute certainty that her father did not acquire and sell illegal substances.
He worked in communications for the government. Rita Skeeter claimed his position was a cover and that he had moved to South America, not on the basis of international magical cooperation, but to find his niche in a market where the use of illegal magical potions and herbs were much greater than in his home country.
Although the article focused primarily on Constantine Bramble, the alleged drug lord, Skeeter posited that Azaelia probably knew of her father's dealing and that she probably used illegal substances herself. As Constantine's only daughter, he was likely grooming her to follow in his footsteps one day.
Azaelia folded the paper back up and put it on the stand. It didn't matter what she knew as true. Plenty of wizards reading the article would believe every word. The Board of Governors would probably insist she be tested for illegal substances. Azaelia didn't have anything to hide, but she had no desire to be the subject of ridicule and suspicion.
With a sigh, she turned away from the newspaper stand, found an empty book truck, and began collecting books left on tables and in study carrels form yesterday.
Duty
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 07-01-13 12:36
"I thought I knew what I was doing," babbled a thin witch with sharp cheekbones and pointy shoulders. "It really shouldn't be that hard."
Hermione gently took the witch by the chin and tilted her head to better see the damage done. The witch had decided to do a haircutting spell, with the end result being a diagonal cut, starting above the bottom of the ear on one side and just below chin level on the other. The unfortunate haircut was the least of the witch's troubles. She had managed to take off her earlobe as well.
"This might sting a bit," Hermione replied, tapping at the base of what remained of the witch's ear with the tip of her wand.
"Ow!" complained the witch.
Hermione stepped back and said, "I'll ask a cosmetic healer to assess your ear and see what can be done for it. In the meantime, you shouldn't feel any more pain."
"You can't just make my earlobe grow back?" the witch asked. "I'm having photographs made this afternoon. I can't have a deformed ear and a bad haircut!"
"Let's see what the cosmetic healer has to say, all right?"
The witch didn't seem satisfied, but she nodded her head. Hermione slipped from the room to arrange for the cosmetic healer to visit her patient. No sooner was that done when a mediwizard burst onto the floor with an unfortunate-looking wizard strapped to a gurney. The wizard, possibly middle-aged but perhaps a little older, was disheveled, covered in dirt and grime, and wore soiled clothing. He was also badly beaten.
Hermione fell into step with the mediwizard and gestured that he push the gurney into an empty examination room. "What happened to him?" she asked, before beginning to check the wizard's vitals herself.
"He was found outside The Hog's Head. He was conscious but just barely. We couldn't get him to tell us what happened. He just kept moaning about his hands."
Hermione stopped what she was doing and pulled down the blanket that had been covering the shivering wizard. She gasped when she saw that he didn't have any hands. His stumps looked infected.
"Merlin's beard," she murmured. "All right, let's get him stabilized."
The patient moaned, beginning to resume consciousness. Hermione looked into the wizard's face and asked, "Sir? Can you hear me? Can you tell me your name?"
The wizard's eyes suddenly flashed open. Hermione flinched and stepped back, recognizing him from his photographs in the newspaper. She exchanged glances with the mediwizard, for whom realization had also begun to dawn.
"The authorities have already been notified," he said to her in an undertone.
She nodded her head and turned back to the wizard. "We're here to help you," she said, and though hesitant to work on someone believed to be a murderer, she began healing her new patient.
(Alexander) Mail and Magazines
Author: Mildred
Date: 07-02-13 02:39
Alexander Campbell and Lucinda Nott had something in common: they both received letters from Hogwarts. But that was not the reason why Alexander was interested in the middle age witch who was seated on the grassy ground reading her child's letter.
Luckily enough Lucinda's husband, Theodore, was not around which allowed Alexander to sit next to the witch and pretend he too was busy reading Mildred's letter.
Since she had moved back to Hogwarts that her letters seemed more sincere and he was glad that his daughter was happy. However, he had received a note from his mother in law, mentioning that Mildred had been scooping around his past. He was surprised that Regina had written to him, but he was thankful for her warning. The day would arrive when he would have to tell his daughter everything. But he just didn't want to do so while he was still at Azkaban.
Lately the environment in the prison had changed. Alexander did not know what was happening but he could see there was something wrong by the way the prisoners whispered to each other, or how they seemed quite content with themselves. More than once he had heard the name 'Fairchild' being called with respect and admiration. Perhaps Alexander should pay more attention to his surroundings, but right now he was on a personal quest that he considered more important than anything else.
Lucinda Nott seemed to have finished her letter but she didn't seem very satisfied with its content. She was about to put it aside and start reading the exemplar of Witch Weekly she had brought outside when Alexander asked her:
"Bad news?"
The witch sent him an unpleasant look. She used to be very beautiful but like everyone else at Azkaban the lack of good food, comfort, or even distractions, gave her a tired and worn out aspect. She looked older than she really was. After a moment of hesitation Lucinda spoke:
"I just realized my son does not have what it takes to become a great wizard. Unlike his older brother, Titus is weak and sensible. He wrote to me about filling the library with bubbles of cotton candy. He seemed really proud of himself. It is all my fault: I am locked up here instead of being able to raise my baby. He would have turned out so good, just like my dear Tiberius…"
Alexander thought Lucinda might be exaggerating but he didn't tell her so. Instead he just listened to her quietly, trying to present a look of comprehension.
"Oh I was so glad when he was sorted into Slytherin and he got along well with the Avery boy and the Mockridge girl. I told him to keep close to them. But it seems at times he likes to defy my instructions because he writes about spending time with ghosts or just wondering alone in his dormitory. Tiberius does what he can, of course, but he has his own things to deal with…that curse of his…"
Lucinda silenced herself abruptly. Her husband had just approached, casting a shadow over her seated figure. He leaned his arm and his wife gave him the letter from Hogwarts. Theodore Nott passed his eyes over the document and he said to Alexander, trying to justify his wife's behavior:
"You will have to forgive my wife, Mr. Campbell. She always becomes emotional when she receives mail. Come Lucinda, it is almost time to go inside."
The wife obeyed and she walked away with her husband. Alexander had the feeling he was about to argue with her but he did not care. Because Lucinda had left behind her Witch Weekly exemplar.
Making sure she did not turn around to fetch it, Alexander picked it up and he walked away with it. The cover had called his attention during breakfast when he had passed by Lucinda's table with his tray. He was glad that now he would have a chance to look at it closer in his cell.
Day Care & Hogsmeade Primary Day School Egg Hunt
Author: Blossom
Date: 07-02-13 15:13
Standing in some of the grassy area between the day care/gaming building and the building that's been renovated as the new location of Hogsmeade Primary Day School, Blossom gives a half shrug to Daria. "I think that's it."
Inspired by the Hogwarts Easter egg hunt, the day care has held a very small version of its own for the past two or three years. With the primary school students this year's has been expanded. The staff and volunteer parents have utilized both buildings, the paint ball course, the pocket park, and the land stretching between the two buildings and the park. Many of the Hogsmeade business owners asked to be involved so eggs are also hidden in and around shoppes along the High.
Just after noon, both the day care and the primary students put a half to the regular Friday schedule for a large picnic. Parents, grandparents, and Hogsmeade residents were invited weeks ago with reminders going out last Friday then again on Wednesday. Some of the eggs had already been hidden by that time. After those helping with the hiding had had a chance to eat and relax a little, and enjoy some of the entertainment provided by a few volunteers, such as a magical marionette performance, they commenced to getting the rest of the eggs hidden.
Prizes aren't nearly as grand as some of those in the Hogwarts eggs but they are still very nice and, like at Hogwarts, there are areas for hunting with age group appropriate gifts. Around the village itself, it's more mixed so that no one is restricted from participating in and around the shoppes taking part. The prizes in all the eggs, no matter the age range the prize is aimed towards, were obtained in two ways. Either the prize was directly donated or money was donated with which to obtain prizes. There is a special Gringotts account where the money is deposited. Blossom has been working on raising funds for the egg hunt and other activities for months and has made sure to keep a detailed accounting of every donation made, even if anonymous and of every item purchased in the event someone comes wanting to see the books.
With all eggs now hidden, the actual hunt may now commence. Baskets, both brought by the children or provided for the hunt, have been charmed to ensure once an egg is in a basket, someone else cannot help himself or herself to someone else's treasure. Blossom, Daria, and the others who'd been helping hide the eggs, gather in the pocket park where a small stage has been erected for the entertainment. Amplifying her voice just enough to be heard, Blossom announces, "If everyone is ready, the eggs are all in place."
There are cheers and applause as the children get their basket and wait for the signal. Being American she's prone to saying things along the lines of on your mark, get set, go! but today she uses the more British, "Ready! Steady! Go!"
Children and the adults present begin scattering, many already giving yips and squeals of delight as eggs are found. Fred has come over from Weasleys' to make sure the triplets play nicely. Blossom goes to help the not quite three and a half year old twins, Freddie and Fabian, with their searches. Daria moves off to give aid to and to watch over some of the children whose parents nor their grandparents were able to make it today.
Following along behind Fabian and Freddie, Blossom is realizing how difficult it is not to point out all the eggs she hid in the area where they are searching. It wouldn't be fair to the other children if she ensured her kids got them all. Next year she will definitely have to do the egg hiding in a section where Seth, Larkin, and Gideon won't be searching or where Freddie and Fabian will be!