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(Evelyn) Frivolous
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 07-29-13 03:42
Evelyn was in the locker room getting ready for the Fitness & Athletics class. Neither Envirude nor Dinah took the class and since she was not closer to any of the other girls she just dressed on her own, without exchanging a word with anyone.
After putting on her sneakers, she went to one of the available mirrors and with its help she braided her hair. They were going to play football today, like that have been doing since the start of the month, and Evelyn didn't want her hair to be in the way as she ran around the pitch after the ball.
She loathed seeing her face in the mirror, especially in its current state, but she didn't have her small hand mirror anymore. It had been confiscated by Professor Weasley during a Potions class last week.
Evelyn admitted she might have been using the mirror in excess to look at her face without pimples. She got so absorbed in the mirror's reality that she would spend a lot of time admiring herself in it. She started to feel the need to look at it quite often and she would put that ahead of everything, including homework. It was like a urge and she couldn't fight it.
Ultimately, she started bringing the mirror into several classes and she was finally caught using it during Potions. It cost her 5 points and the mirror was confiscated. Professor Weasley told her she would give it back to Evelyn once the exams were over. Until then she shouldn't distract herself with it and use her free time to study instead of occupying it with frivolous things.
Evelyn didn't think she was that frivolous, she just liked to live in a world where she would have no pimples and boys like Vinny Xardel would tease her when they thought she was not listening.
She went out to the pitch, feeling the sun in her face. She spotted Luke talking with Alcmene Acker, while Edgar was goofing around with Madoc McGonagall and Hunter Green. The three of them belonged to the Gryffindor Quidditch team and it gave Evelyn the impression they were part of this exclusive club she really wished to be part of. If she was a good Quidditch player no one would care about her pimples. But the idea of having to practice a lot didn't appeal much to her.
Evelyn put those thoughts away when Coach Krum arrived. After the warm up it was time to play football. He made several teams of five elements, two defenses, two attackers and a goal keeper, and each would play a small match and they would rotate.
She couldn't help to be glad for playing against Edgar. Maybe it would give her a chance to kick his leg when no one would be noticing. She placed on her side of the pitch ready for Coach Krum to use his whistle to start the first match.
"Ready Steele?" Nathan Stewart from Hufflepuff asked, the ball at the center of the pitch, ready for the kick off.
"Ready," Evelyn replied.
Soon everything was forgotten except the football match.
(Anthony & Alanna) Frustrations
Author: Beck
Date: 07-29-13 18:14
Anthony looked over his notes from his trip to Brussels and visit with Dirk Dragonsblood, uncle of Landon Dragonsblood, the wanted wizard Anthony was tasked with bringing into custody. Dirk was a very pleasant man, just like his daughter Siella who worked at St. Mungo's. Dirk lived in a small house in the city. His wife had passed a few years ago, making the family dog Dirk's only companion. Siella visited sometimes, but not very often because of her workaholic nature.
After telling Anthony about his family and Landon in particular, Dirk offered to take him to the family home on the outskirts of the city. The stone house was surrounded by a boxy hedge, kept immaculate by the house-elves that maintained the grounds. Although no one lived in the house anymore, it still belonged to the family and was used for holiday visits.
"When is the last time anyone stayed here?" Anthony had asked, when Dirk had let them into the house.
"Not since last summer, when Siella managed to put in for a holiday at work. We stayed here for three weeks."
The pair had gone around the house. The house-elves kept every surface free from dust and the cobwebs from each corner, but the covered furniture lent to the idea that the home was vacant.
As far as anyone could tell, Anthony's missing fugitive wasn't in the house and probably hadn't been there in a good while.
He frowned, looking up from his notes. When he felt a presence looking at him over the wall of his cubicle, he glanced up and saw his sister watching him.
"I think I just saw a gray hair grow on your head," Alanna joked. "You look a little frustrated."
Anthony closed the folder on his desk and got up, grabbing his work bag in the process. He slung it over his shoulder and walked around the wall of his cubicle stating, "You look a little wrinkly in the forehead region yourself. Tough day?"
"Frustrating in its own way," Alanna replied, walking with her brother to the lifts. "Reed has completely mixed himself into my case, though to be perfectly honest, it's a case I would sooner drop because it's not one I think I can win."
"But because he's nosing his way in, you don't want to give it up so easily?"
Alanna shrugged. "It's complicated. He's a very determined person, and we all know that he can be persuasive. If he can free two known Death Eaters who terrorized Hogwarts students, then he can surely get a strip joint closed. If I were handling it, though, then I know it would be a lost cause. The lawsuit is really ridiculous."
"I guess those old ladies will be pleased if Reed has his way," Anthony said.
"But a lot of hardworking girls will those their jobs!" Alanna exclaimed.
Anthony looked at her pointedly, trying not to laugh.
"Well, it's true!" Alanna said, unable to hide her own smile. "I'm sure they work hard at what they do. Don't get me wrong, I would rather Hogsmeade not have such an establishment. It seems strange, what with the school just up the road. I just feel sorry for them, that's all."
"Well, I guess we'll soon find out what happens, won't we?" Anthony asked, pushing the button for the lifts.
Alanna nodded. "If Reed gets his day in court, and you can bet he will, then it'll be over like that." She snapped her fingers.
Mother & Son
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 07-30-13 06:20
"What is this, Mother?" Tiberius Nott promptly asked, placing the letter on the table.
Lucinda did not reply immediately as her eyes lingered on the letter she had written a couple of days ago to her first-born. The parchment was in a deplorable state, a sign that Tiberius had read and re-read her words several times. Usually he was lazy in his replies, never writing with eloquence and rarely allowing his feelings to pass to the parchment. He always used the finest black ink and she imagined him in what had been her husband's study, moving his quill with a cold indifference, never using a warm tone when he told his parents about his life and allowing himself all the secrecy he wanted.
Lucinda forgave Tiberius for his lack of letters, however, when she wanted him to visit her, she knew how to choose the right words to put in a parchment to make his son come to her at once.
"I was not expecting your visitation, darling," she pretended, ignoring her son's state of irritation.
Her hand moved towards his face and for a brief moment he allowed himself to be caressed by his mother, until the moment his gloved hand touched hers and he pulled her hand away. He was so handsome, Lucinda could not help to think, as Tiberius seated in front of her. She was proud to have such beautiful son.
"Do not play games with me, Mother. You wrote this to me, so obviously you wanted me to come," he moved his head in a way she thought to be very elegant and that it would make many young women to almost lose their senses. "And I assume, Father does not know a thing about this, since he isn't present."
"Why should I bother him? Let him enjoy the tranquility of his cell, alongside the other members of our family. This is just between the you and I, darling."
"You have written to me saying that even in prison you were using your influence and contacts to investigate a possible bride for me. "
"That is correct."
"All right. Then I just have one simple question: have you gone mad, woman?!"
His explosion made the other people in the room turn their heads to their table. Tiberius did not seem to care to have brought all the attentions to his person. A guard was about to intervene but Lucinda raised her hand, assuring him it was all right. She looked like a lady in her old castle, giving orders to a house elf. She was used to give orders instead of following. The guard stood where he was.
Now it was the time to calm the beast down, Lucinda thought as she looked to her enraged son in adoration. This time she could forgive him for not being respectful to her.
"You know it is your duty as the heir of Endhope Abbey to marry and produce children. The Nott family can be extinct if we aren't careful, since almost our family is locked in this dreadful place. Besides with your condition," she added, looking at his gloved hands, "You could use a wife to take good care of you, as well as the house. I had heard rumors about the state our home is. The gardens grow wild, the gates are rusty, and the facade turned to the sea is falling apart…" she gave a theatrical sigh.
"You need to preserve what is yours by right, Tiberius. It does not sound fair to ruin in one generation the entire patrimony your ancestors had worked so much to create and maintain."
"And so a wife would solve all those problems, "he concluded. "It is a lovely picture that you paint, Mother, but I am afraid that is all that it is. I am not going to marry, especially not with a witch imposed by you. I suggest that if you feel so feverous about your matchmaking duties you might start trying to find a bride for Titus. How about the Mockridge girl?" he suggested with irony.
"You are right, perhaps you are not yet prepared to marry. And who am I to doubt your kind and loving nature, like your father, who thinks your heart has been turned into stone? After all didn't you take into the house darling Phyllida and her cousin Miss Scrivener? I always pitied that girl for trying to fit into a world that is not hers. I hope you do not become affectionate to her. You are just doing a favor to the Grimshaw-Spore family, aren't you? I hope one day they will be able to repay us such kindness."
"I am sure they will, Mother," and with impatience he stood up ready to walk away.
"But, darling since it is not your wish to marry, then perhaps you could show yourself useful," Lucinda added, making his son sit back in front of her once again.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you are young and healthy. And you are capable of many things, you proved so when you cursed yourself," she declared, removing his glove and touching his black hand with tenderness.
"I know someone that could use your talents, Tiberius. And I am sure that once you prove that person your loyalty, then I have the hopes, the cure for your malady will be found."
"What person?" he asked, looking Lucinda in the eyes.
"Adriana Fairchild," she replied in a whisper, making sure no one would hear her. "I heard she is recruiting people. You could be useful to her. "
Tiberius ripped his hand off her mother's and put back his glove. The moment of tenderness has passed and he was once again cold and distant.
"You don't know me at all if you think I am going to…to…pledge loyalty to that woman. Or to whom she is behind her if the rumors are truth."
"Why not? Think about it, darling. It would give a purpose to your life. Your entire family sacrificed their lives and freedom for this cause. Why shouldn't you? If, Merlin forbids, something happens to you, at least you would die with glory and with all the honors, and not forgotten at a corner like it's happening now. Titus could inherit the house, marry and have heirs. He never had what it takes, unlike you."
Tiberius stood up.
"Enough, Mother. Don't expect me to see me again so soon."
"Just consider it,"she insisted. "A life serving a good master is better than none. The clock is ticking, Tiberius. You're dying and this is your only source of salvation."
He walked away in fury, his steps sounding at the Azkaban's corridor.
Sort Of Making Up
Author: Errol
Date: 07-30-13 13:31
Just as he's rising to leave class at the end of Transfiguration Errol's bookbag tilted, scattering quills and ink pots. Wonder how he managed to not properly close that pocket of the bookbag he waves a hand a couple of his friends. "I'll catch up to you in the Great Hall."
He's soon alone, or so he thinks until he's peering under some chairs for one of the ink pots when feet wearing a familiar pair of pink and grey shoes are appear. The shoes vanish under the school uniform robe as the wearer bends, a hand coming into view as well.
Errol crawls backward from under the chairs and scrambles to his feet. By that time Megara is upright again, two quills in her hand, which is extended towards him. "You missed these."
"Thanks."
"This is yours as well."
Errol had already looked away, eyes dropping to the bookbag to put the quills and ink pot in with the others he's recovered. Eyes coming back up he sees Megara is now holding a small wrapped package. He gives a single shake of his head. "That's not mine."
Rather than withdrawing the box Megara thrust it at him. "It is," she insists.
"I've never seen it before."
"I should think not. It's always either in my trunk or in my satchel."
When Errol still makes no move to take it from her she clarifies, "I got it for your birthday when I was Christmas shopping. Given things between us, I've been debating whether to give it to you. I finally decided I would. Sorry to be nearly two weeks late."
Errol stares at the gift a second longer before taking it from her, for some reason not wanting to appear ungracious. "Thanks."
"I don't expect you to see this as some sort of bribe to stop hating me but I wouldn't be averse if you did."
"I don't hate you, Megara."
"Don't you?"
"No. Being angry is not the same as hating."
Sighing, she sits on top of the nearest desk. "It's felt like you hate me. I miss our friendship. I miss being able to call you my special needs baby brother. I only said I was going to send that letter because you didn't do what you promised and because I care."
Grudgingly Errol replies, "I know."
Running fingers through hair that has once again gone floppy from being slightly too long, he tells her, "I just want to be normal again. Saying anything to Uncle Ross risks losing normal."
"It's hardly normal to be constantly worrying that someone is actively searching schools and the towns near them for signs of you."
There's really not much he can say opposing her statement so Errol resorts to repeating himself. "I know." After a pause he implores, "Just let me try to get through this school year pretending as best I can that I'm just a nobody, normal student."
"And then?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'll say something. Maybe I won't. It will depend on where this case is Uncle Ross is helping put together."
"I don't like it but okay; however, if anyone suspicious shows up at Spring Social or our last Hosgmeade weekend, you HAVE to say something or this time I really will."
Errol frowns, not wanting to be pressed into another promise he might end up breaking. He has to consider that if he doesn't agree, Megara might go ahead and contact Uncle Ross or say something to Professor McGongall. Somewhat reluctantly he nods. "All right."
Another second or two passes in silence, broken when Errol says, "I have Potions at 1:15 and then "
"Fitness & Athletics," Megara finishes. "You're wanting to get to lunch."
"Yeah."
"Let's go then. If you end up not getting to finish because of the time here, I'll bring you a sandwich when Potions is over."
"Thanks."
"You can open that present while we walk, you know," Megara says with a finger nudge to Errol's ribs.
"You mean there's actually something inside?"
This earns him another nudge and the threat of Megara taking the gift and opening it for him.
Next Time Pick Someone Less Vain (Vasilka)
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 07-30-13 18:54
Squinting myopically at the person entering the tearoom Vasilka silently vows that the next person she impersonates will either have good vision or not be so vain as to rarely be seen wearing her glasses. If she keeps with this persona much longer she's getting contacts. It would have been nice if the spells she tried to improve her vision had worked but Vasilka should have known not to bother. If such spells worked then vain Lina Banister would have used them.
Lina Banister is middle aged, divorced, no children other than of the four legged variety in the form of two cats and one dog. Her divorce settlement left her well settled enough she does not have to work unless she wishes. For the most part Lina does not wish. Her work comes in the form of volunteerism, two days a week here at St. Mungo's. Lina has some friends here but they are more in the form of acquaintances rather than actual friends. That's true of most of the people Lina knows. Despite the volunteering she's something of an introvert.
Vasilka thought Lina Banister perfect for venturing to St. Mungo's though she has wondered how someone can be as vain as Lina and yet keep to herself to very much.
The woman is fine in a sense. She's at home recovering from a terrible case of food poisoning courtesy of Vasilka. An owl had been sent to let the head of the St. Mungo's volunteers know she would be out both days this week and possibly next as well. That owl was intercepted and Vasilka came two days ago as Lina, thanks to Polyjuice Potion.
She'd spent what time she could Tuesday gaining as much information as possible on the security around Potter's room. Who's positioned where? How many? Do any of the staff on that floor seem to be undercover law enforcement? How often does anyone come and go from the room? There's also the question of what exactly Potter's condition is beyond the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's line of, "Harry Potter is slowly recovering while in an induced coma."
As that is a great deal to accomplish while also not drawing attention to herself, Vasilka knew she'd be back today, Thursday, and if need be will be back next week. She'll keep coming back as long as it takes, even if it means changing faces. Perhaps next she'll pose as a student nurse as that might give her more access to certain areas than just a volunteer.
The person she'd been squinting at pays for a cup of either tea or coffee then leaves the tearoom, most likely to return to sitting by her husband's bedside. If Vasilka thought she had a chance in hell of posing for even half an hour as Ginny Weasley Potter, she'd do it without hesitation. Perhaps... perhaps another family member? Or a close friend, such as the wife of Potter's godfather?
This thought in mind, a smile plays across the visage of Lina Banister as Vasilka thinks of how best to get close enough to dear cousin Drucilla to get a hair or two, or more, to use in Polyjuice Potion without Dru being any the wise.
Buried Under Paperwork
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 07-31-13 13:35
Meetings and piles of paperwork were currently taking up the majority of my day. Meagan was currently spending time with my parents, Jim was working and attending classes, and I was in the office more than I was anywhere else.
I'd finished three translations that needed to be done for a meeting tomorrow morning, and was in the process of working on the translations that were needed for the case that Christian and Melinda were finishing up toward the end of this week. Then there were the piles of paperwork that she had set aside that needed to be completed for meetings and things next week, including going over things for a new client that I'd be meeting with in the middle of next week.
After finishing the current translation that I was working on, I pushed away from my desk and sighed, rubbing my temples. I slowly felt a migraine worming its way into exsistence behind my eyes, which means I'd been staring at the parchment pages for too long and I needed a break. Checking the clock in my office, I debated on heading to Crown & Cauldron and grabbing something for lunch, and maybe doing a bit of window shopping to try and refocus my mind.
"Orei?"
I looked up, hearing my name.
"What's up Nadia?" I asked the young woman who was standing outside my office, I motioned her in.
"I had a question about the will that Jaricho Bartons wanted translated for his sons."
"Sure, what's up?"
"Well, I'm not entirely sure what this phrase means...and I was hoping that you could help me work it out."
She moved forward and showed me the line that she was having trouble with.
"It's not a clean wording, but it basically means that without the birth of a child, his eldest son will lose all of his inheritance. Clean up the wording when you finish the translation."
"How did you figure that out?"
I laughed and broke down the translation of the gnomish that was scrawled upon the page. Showing her the way I'd figured out the translation.
"So, basically despite the horrid sentence structure, it's a pretty straight forward sentence, once you can get the gist of what is being discussed in the paragraph and from the key words in the sentence."
Nadia nodded and offered me a bright smile. "Thanks, so much! I think I need to track down a class to increase my knowledge of gnomish."
"Sounds like a good idea. When does that have to be finished?"
"Day after tomorrow, but I'm nearly done with it."
"Let me know when you complete a gnomish course, and I'll bump your pay up a little."
"Thanks!"
With that Nadia stepped out of my office and left me once more to my contemplation of lunch and window shopping instead of turning my attention to the stacks of parchments at my desk. Ultimately the siren's song of food made the decision for me. I unburied myself self from the paperwork and headed out of the office, and into the streets of Hogsmeade Village and attempted to make the decision of what I wanted for lunch.