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(Anthony) Airplanes, Brussels & Criminals
Author: Beck
Date: 07-07-13 12:37
The airplane landed on Anthony's case file on Landon Dragonsblood, momentarily distracting him from the last minute preparations he was making for his visit to Brussels tomorrow morning. Anthony had arranged a meeting with Dirk Dragonsblood, Landon's uncle, which he hoped would provide him with information he didn't yet have. Sometimes Anthony felt as if he were looking for a needle in a haystack. He simply wasn't making any progress on the case.
He put down his quill and unfolded the airplane. His supervisor needed him to correct an error made on an expense report, for the times when Anthony worked in the field. Anthony quickly made the correction but rather than fold the parchment into an airplane again, he decided to deliver the message personally.
Along the way, he passed by one of the interrogation rooms. The door was ajar, and a pair of Anthony's colleagues stood outside and conversed in hushed tones. Inside the room sat one of the most wanted criminals of the last few months, Berthold Beatenberg. He had been arrested at St. Mungo's a couple of weeks ago. Since his discharge, Beatenberg called a Ministry of Magic holding cell his home––but the cell was merely where he slept at night. Every morning he entered the interrogation room, where he remained until evening with the investigators assigned to his case.
Anthony wasn't involved in the investigation and had heard very little about it. The case was very hush-hush, much to the disappointment of Ministry of Magic employees and news reporters alike. He wished he could be a fly on the wall during the interrogation sessions, but Anthony supposed he would have to be patient and find out the truth about the dark wizard with everyone else, if and when any of it went public.
Anthony had many questions about the case. For one, he wanted to know why Beatenberg, who supposedly ran in the same circle as Grindelwald more than half a century ago, looked no older than middle-aged. What dark magic ritual had he performed to retain his relative youth?
Anthony also wanted to know what had happened to the wizard's hands. The healers who'd treated Beatenberg had managed to treat the infection and had healed the scarring on his wrists. He didn't have any hands, though, which rendered him quite helpless. He couldn't eat or drink on his own. He couldn't dress or undress himself. He needed help with all everyday tasks.
It was almost easy to feel sorry for Beatenberg, except when Anthony remembered that he was the one who'd killed Berwick Oldridge in cold blood. How many countless others had he also killed, in recent times as well as during the days of Gellert Grindelwald's reign of terror on the mainland?
Anthony pressed on to his supervisor's office, where he left the updated expense report and then discussed his plans for Brussels for the following day. A short while later, he returned to his desk, where he stayed for only a little longer, since the end of the day had finally arrived.
School for Grown-ups
Author: Carys
Date: 07-07-13 15:44
Carys stood in the kitchen, stirring a pot of spaghetti noodles while simultaneously reading a chapter in her textbook for the Business Planning course she was taking this term at St. Emrys. Griff had sent an owl saying that he would be a little late getting home, so she had started supper somewhat later than usual.
Trinity Term had gone off to a great start. Carys was enrolled in five classes: two dealing with business, two dealing with photography, and a Charms class. She hadn't had class in all her subjects yet, but she had gotten all her textbooks and had looked them over already to get an idea of what to expect.
This morning's Emrys Everyday had run articles on Easter celebrations around the country, as well as at the university, back-to-school features, and information on graduation for whom this term would be their last at St. Emrys. Carys still had two more years to go with her degree, so graduation was the farthest thing from her mind at the moment.
"Mummy, why do you go to school?"
Carys looked up from her text and saw Tristan standing next to the counter. He looked puzzled to find her with her nose in a book while preparing supper at the same time.
"Because I am trying to learn how to be a better photographer and what it means to be a business witch."
"But I thought only children go to school. You're old."
Carys laughed. "I'm not that old. In fact, I'm younger than most of the parents of other children your age. But I guess I see your point. Children have to go to school. Adults go for fun or because they want to better themselves in one way or another."
"Go to school for fun?" Tristan asked, as if the very thought were blasphemy.
"Yes, for fun!" Carys exclaimed. "When you are grown and in school, you can pick the classes you want to attend. It's not like when you are a child and have to take what everyone else is taking."
"Hmm," Tristan said, still sounding skeptical. Then he asked, "Is dinner ready yet?"
"Almost." She heard a crack outside and said, "I bet that's your dad home from work. Want to go see?"
"Okay."
Tristan vanished and ran to the front door. He peered through the narrow window on the side, saw that it was indeed his father coming up the front walk, and opened the door to greet him.
"Dad!" Tristan exclaimed, jumping into Griff's arms.
Carys appeared in the doorway a moment later and smiled. "Hi."
Griff squeezed Tristan and then let him go to kiss his wife. Tristan made a face and slipped past his mother to go wash his hands for supper.
"Spaghetti all right for supper?"
"One of my favorites," Griff replied.
"Good, because it's practically ready and I'm not cooking anything else for you tonight." Carys stuck her tongue out at him and went back into the kitchen. Griff followed and saw the open book on the counter.
"And how was your first day back at university?"
"Fantastic!"
Long Day
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 07-07-13 19:01
After a day that included meeting with her Marjoribanks College advisor, putting in a shift at Nutt's & Bolt's when someone called in sick, and working at MacFusty's in Hogsmeade, Coco is tired. Approaching the back door, retrieving her keys from her bag she's looking forward to sitting down to a hot meal. It's when she has the key in the lock that she remembers Mitzi was leaving around noon to spend a couple of days with a friend. If Papa Wal has dinner ready it would most likely be something cold, such as sandwiches. Thats IF he thought about it. He gets in front of the telly or playing cards with one of his friends and forgets the time. At least he doesn't forget to give Cash care. He dotes on that dog, making Coco all the more glad she decided not to simply foster Cash but to give the basset hound a permanent home.
Entering the kitchen, Coco shuts the door behind her. "Papa Wal?"
"In here."
After depositing her things on the kitchen table, she walks into the next room to be met by Cash who bounces his front legs against her feet and ankles until she bends to scoop him up. "Won't be much longer before you'll be almost too much of a handful to hold." His response is to lavish her chin with his wet kisses.
Papa Wal is in his favorite lounge chair, telly on but now muted. "You're 'ome hearliar than 'spected."
Coco bends to deposit a kiss on his head. "I'm actually a little late."
"Musta lorst track o'time hagain. Not sure ware hit goes."
"I take it that means you haven't eaten yet."
"Jes some crisps o'bit hago."
"What would you like?"
"If yer fixin', wothever you make."
"Let me see what we have."
Coco puts Cash down and turns to walk back to the kitchen only to stop and ask, "What about ordering in?"
"Halways uh good choice. Wot yer thinkin'?"
"Somewhere that deliver but I guess I could go get it. There's that new pie place."
"Pies n mash? Sounds loverly."
"Let me grab that flyer that came with Saturday's mail. It has a menu."
At the front entrance Coco sifts through the pile of mail there she's meant to take care of, glancing at what came today. There's a manila envelope with her name on it but no address, no return address, no stamp, or any sort of postal mark. Returning to the sitting room she hands Papa Wal the flyer with the menu and asks, "Do you know where this came from?"
"Chad. Brought hit by, don't recollect when. Said he were goin' hout uh town an' were sorry he cain't go hover hit wif you but t'were himportant. Didn't want ter leave hit 'til he be back."
Curious, Coco opens the envelope to find a stack of photos and a note from Chad. Coco, here are copies of all the pictures I could find from that summer I met Briony. It's possible the man we are curious about is in one or more of these. I'll see you when I get back. Chad
The man they are curious about. The man who may or may not have raped Coco's mother and resulted in Briony being pregnant with Coco.
"Oi know wot Oi want."
Papa Wal's pronouncement pulls Coco out of her thoughts. She takes the flyer from his outstretched hand as he rattles off his preference. Coco rings up the restaurant and while waiting for an answer and then while reciting Papa Wal's request she scans the flyer menu to be able to order something for herself as well. After that, she sits on the couch with Cash while Papa Wal turns up the volume on the telly to return to his show, and goes through the photographs until the bell rings signaling their dinner has arrived.
At Breakfast
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-08-13 09:59
Taking her place at the High Table in the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall surveyed the room. Each of the four house tables bore empty places, with students trickling into the Great Hall at various times, depending on the start of their day. Many students looked sleepy, with hair out of place or uneven shirt collars and crooked ties, while others seemed refreshed after the holiday.
She turned her attention to the table at which she sat, noting the state of her fellow professors. Azaelia Blackheart, the most recent victim of Rita Skeeter's ridiculous accusations, sat at the very end of the table and seemed very far away in thought.
It had come as no surprise to Professor McGonagall that the Board of Governors and concerned parents reacted negatively to Skeeter's latest exposé. They demanded the Hogwarts librarian submit to tests to ensure she wasn't under the influence of mind-altering potions or herbs, which Azaelia herself volunteered to carry out, and which had taken place in a neutral location by an unbiased party.
That Azaelia appeared perfectly clean did not seem to satisfy anyone. This hadn't surprised Professor McGonagall either. Skeeter and her loyal readers longed to sensationalize the staff at Hogwarts, and not for the better. The truth bored the masses, while scandals entertained.
"Good morning, Minerva!" squeaked Professor Flitwick, as he sat down in the chair next to hers.
"Good morning, Filius," Professor McGonagall replied. "I trust you slept well?"
"Very! How did you sleep?"
Minerva sighed. "I spent much of the night in thought. The Governors vex me with their persistent questions. Why do I continue to allow problem teachers to remain on staff? Why do I continually put children in the hands of wizards deemed morally unfit?
"I am beginning to question the Board's soundness of judgment," she went on. "Rita Skeeter's dubious journalistic integrity is well-known, not merely by her victims."
"I believe it is a matter of public perception," said Professor Flitwick. "Skeeter's articles have been very bad press for the school. The Governors realize Hogwarts's image is suffering in consequence of every word she writes."
"Be that as it may," Professor McGonagall stated, "I will not remove teachers based on a few embellishments on Rita Skeeter's part."
"Cheer up, Minerva," Professor Flitwick said with a smile. "I imagine every member of the Board has a skeleton or two in his closet just begging for exposure by Rita Skeeter."
The thought, while no doubt true, did not cheer Minerva up in the slightest. There were still a handful of staff members left for Rita Skeeter to target, including Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall herself. Who would be next?
(Sadie) With Hunter Rabnott
Author: Griet
Date: 07-08-13 13:11
"I can't believe the school year is nearly over already."
Hunter looked at Sadie as they walked from the Common Commons to Transfiguration class and said, "I know what you mean. Easter flew by and now we only have a couple of months until summer."
"And next year we'll be seventh years," Sadie remarked, somewhat wistfully. She had mixed feelings about her seventh year. For one, she should have been a seventh year this school year but wasn't because of the time she spent at Happy Haven. At the same time, Sadie was glad to have another year at Hogwarts. She really didn't know what she wanted to do with her life, and she sometimes didn't feel grown up enough to make responsible decisions. Another year of childhood almost suited her just fine.
"I'm glad we don't have major exams this summer," Hunter said.
"Me too, but I guess we have that to look forward to next year," Sadie replied with a small smile. "Seems like our O.W.L.s were only yesterday, doesn't it?"
"Yes, and no," Hunter said, chuckling. "I remember the countless hours of studying and panicking as if it had only just happened, but at the same time, the exams seem like ancient history."
"I guess it's because we put in a lot of effort studying for the O.W.L.s, but the exams themselves, while they may have felt long when we were taking them, really didn't take up as much time as the preparation did."
"Tell me again why we're talking about exams right now?" Hunter asked, feigning puzzlement.
"I think you were the one who brought up the subject!" Sadie reminded him teasingly. "But I'm happy to drop it if you are. Merlin's beard, I really hope Professor Black doesn't give us a pop quiz or something today."
"It's only the second day of term and the first class meeting at that," Hunter stated. "I can't imagine––wait, scratch that. I can."
He took her hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. "If he does, can I copy off of you?"
"I love you, but I don't love you enough to give us both a Troll and detention."
Hunter stopped and asked, "You love me?"
Sadie stopped and blinked. "Did I say that?" She started to blush and looked down at their conjoined hands.
Suddenly, she felt a hand raising her chin and found herself looking at Hunter. He searched her eyes and then gave her a swift kiss.
Bianca Bonfamille, in passing them on the way to the same class, made a gagging noise and complained, "Get a room."
Hunter broke the kiss and teased, "So you love me, but not enough to let me cheat if we have a quiz?"
Sadie laughed and tugged on his hand. They were going to be late to class if things kept up in the same fashion. "Sorry, no. I might make allowances and sacrifices for some things, but I'm firmly against dishonesty in the classroom!"
Hunter laughed and walked with Sadie the short distance to Professor Black's classroom. Their desks weren't next to each other, so they reluctantly parted ways once they got through the door.
Encounter of the Unwanted Kind
Author: Griet
Date: 07-08-13 13:53
The notice board in the administration office was filled with notices on various internships and summer jobs. Griet studied the many options and made notations of the few she liked. She intended on getting a job this summer. She just hoped she could find one that would make allowances for 'that time of the month.'
When she had looked through everything available, Griet decided to make her way to class. She was on the business tract, though she didn't really know what she wanted to do after graduation. She figured a business degree was generic enough to find her a position anywhere, especially at the Ministry of Magic.
She stepped aside to allow a few people entering the office to come in through the door and then stepped out into the hall. She didn't get very far when she ran into her ex-best friend Clover Blakely.
Clover, carrying several books in her arms, walked over to Griet.
"Hi."
Griet kept walking and let out a breath of frustration when Clover fell into step beside her.
"What do you want, Clover?"
"Your forgiveness."
Griet shot her a look that suggested Clover would have to wait forever to get it. "What do you really want, Clover?"
Clover exhaled a soft sigh and said, "Oberon told me about you two."
Griet stiffened and nearly stopped walking, but she didn't want Clover to trap her in conversation in the hallway for longer than necessary.
"He told me you dated for a while and that things were pretty serious," Clover continued. "If I'd known beforehand, I probably wouldn't have agreed to date him, or I would have asked your permission first. That's what friends do when it comes to exes."
"We are NOT friends," Griet hissed. "We stopped being friends when you slit my sister's throat!"
Clover bit her lip. "I said I was sorry about that."
"And I didn't accept your apology, not then and not now," Griet angrily stated. "Do whatever you like with Oberon. He and I aren't friends anymore either."
Clover didn't say anything for a minute. "I'm trying really hard to live a normal life again," she finally said. "I know you don't care about me anymore, and I guess I understand why, but I wish you would give me a chance. Oberon knows what I did and he's forgiven me."
Griet stopped, causing the flow of traffic to have to go around her and Clover. "Listen to me, Clover. I don't know why they let you out of prison. And I don't know why Oberon would think it's okay to date you when he knows how much I suffered because of you. I don't know why he would want to hurt Cornelia, either, but he's made his choice. He needs to stop throwing it in my face the fact that he's moved on with you. He knows how I feel and he doesn't care, so do me a favor and stop caring about trying to be friends with me. We're not friends. We'll never be friends. Got it? Good."
With that, Griet stormed off, leaving Clover behind to process her former best friend's words.
(Cameron Hawthorne) Lunch Break
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 07-08-13 17:03
"Lunch will be here in about thirty Ember."
I said as I poked my head into the nursery, and offered her a light smile. She was currently nursing Ever Fire, who thankfully was just about ready to fall asleep. Ember offered me a light smile and nodded.
Fifteen minutes later, Ember came out of the nursery and wrapped her arms around me, hugging herself to me. "Hey you."
A gentle smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I turned around and brushed a kiss to the top of her head. "Rough day sweetie?"
"She's restless as all get out, but she's settling into a somewhat normal pattern of restlessness."
"Well a normal pattern is good, and I'm quite pleased that she's adapting so well. We can't avoid the icky legal stuff too much longer however."
Ember frowned and nodded her head lightly. "I know sweetie, and I need to talk to a lawyer, because things with Alex will probably get horribly nasty."
"Yeah, but I'm here and going to be with you through the whole thing Ember, so will your family."
Any other conversation was stalled until after the delivery wizard was paid and food was out of take out cartons and on plates. Ultimately we spent the rest of lunch talking about anything other than the issues that still have to be dealt with concerning Alex and Ever Fire's paternity.
Someone Familiar To Sit By
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 07-08-13 19:41
Stopping in front of a classroom door Sage double checks the room number and color code against the printed schedule he has in a clear pocket of his bookbag. Satisfied he's in the right place Sage enters, instantly scanning for an appealing spot to sit. A hand popping up and waving catches his attention. Smiling he takes the seat next to the waver. "Hi, Esperanza, how have you been?"
"Good, though I wouldn't have minded a few more days before term began. How are you?"
"Wondering if it's Friday yet."
"That bad?"
"The class before this one, the professor is an ass. As bad as he was today, I can't imagine sitting the class for the entire term. I also get nap inducing professor for a class that met yesterday."
"I've lucked out so far but, I still have several classes to meet so it's possible one will not be a professor I care to listen to for several weeks."
"Don't jinx yourself."
Esperanza laughs. "I just did, haven't I and you ensured it."
"Sorry." Sage doesn't sound the least bit sorry and he grins as he says it.
She makes a face then laughs. "Did Birdie mention she tried to set us up again?"
"I've lost count. She seems to think that because we were getting on well at that Valentine's thing Da gave, it's proof we should date."
"I told her last week I've started seeing someone new so she can stop trying to throw us together."
"I don't think she'll stop until we are both dead. She will remain as a ghost after she passes just to pester both of us about getting together."
This elicits another laugh. "I can see Birdie doing that."
Further conversation has to wait as the professor enters the classroom, welcoming those present and introducing herself even before she has the door shut.