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Skulker
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 12-17-13 21:06
Charlie has been showing a visiting dragon keeper around the MacFusty reserve. Regina and he are standing on a gentle, rolling slope watching one of the Hebridean Black's in the distance. Regina shivers a little in the chill of the October air of Scotland. "It's so gorgeous here but I don't think I'd want to be here year around. I KNOW I wouldn't want to be here after the first snowfall."
Chuckling, Charlie gives a slight nod. "I have to admit that there are times when the snow is knee deep that I wouldn't mind being elsewhere but all in all, I guess it's what you're most used to. Winters where I was in Romania could be rough. The move here wasn't as difficult as it might have been if I had been where you are."
Regina works in New Zealand with Antipodean Opaleye. "It's spring at home. I knew I should have waited to come visiting until fall or winter at home. So many of you other lot are in colder climes."
Charlie starts to reply but something catches his eye. He could have sworn he saw someone skulking between where Regina and he are and to where the dragon they've been observing is. He immediately thinks possible poacher or some idiot looking for a thrill. Though there have not been any strange dragon carcass with altered DNA incidents on any reserve in quite awhile, that is also at the very back of Charlie's mind.
He doesn't think whomever he saw is aware Regina and he are there. He tells her what he thinks he saw and they both concentrate looking in the general area he'd seen the movement. In less than a minute, they've spotted more movement. Whomever is skulking is using bushes and trees for cover, stopping every now and then to go still, probably to make sure the dragon hasn't noticed them yet. Charlie and Regina quickly formulate a plan with Charlie apparating as closing behind the person as he can get without splinching himself on foilage and Regina apparating to a spot a little off to the side.
They disapparate at almost the same time, Charlie appearing directly behind a figure kneeling behind a tree trunk, peering around it in the direction the dragon would be if other trees and bushed didn't obscure the view from this vantage point. The crack of Regina's and Charlie's disapparations had to have been close enough, rolling down the slope, to have been heard but either this person didn't register the sound or dismissed it as something else, such as another dragon crashing around through the trees.
Charlie had his wand at the ready before disapparating so all he has to do now is say a spell. He goes with Petrificus Totalus. Before of the kneeling position, the man - for Charlie can plainly see the person is male - stiffens but does not keel over. With Regina's help he turns the man around, shocked to see the face of one of his former students, Pierce Ford.
(Toby) Found
Author: Beck
Date: 12-18-13 17:40
Toby flooed to St. Mungo's the moment he heard that Bronwyn had been found alive. After an impatient encounter at the reception desk, he was directed to her room. A nurse had just stepped away from her bedside, allowing Toby direct access to his long-missing wife. He started to throw his arms around her, but then he hesitated because he wasn't sure how she would react.
She was a sight to see. Her hair, cut short and unevenly, was a rainbow of colors and not a style Bronwyn would ever have done to herself freely. There were cuts on her face, which was orange. If not for the gravity of the situation, Toby might have laughed at her appearance (excepting the wounds).
Bronwyn's eyes started to well with tears. "Toby…"
He hugged her then, but not too tightly since he wasn't sure of the extent of her injuries. He could tell that she had lost a little weight.
Toby released her and asked, "Are you hurt? What happened?"
She started from the beginning and then asked, "What did she do to give herself away? She never indicated anything was amiss, but I could tell that she had lost confidence in her plan."
"She wore your necklace," Toby said.
Bronwyn instinctively felt for it around her neck, but of course it wasn't there. Maybelle had taken all her jewelry, even her wedding ring.
"She decided it was time to get rid of me and that she would erase my memories. I thought for sure she would succeed, but she didn't," Bronwyn revealed. "She didn't know what she was doing, but I decided to pretend as if the memory charm had worked. I feigned confusion and acted like I didn't have answers when she tested me with questions. I even pretended like I didn't know my name anymore. I don't know if that's what she was going for, but she seemed pleased with the results. She let me go, and at first I wandered aimlessly in case she was watching, and then I looked for help."
Help ended up being a phone booth. The first person Bronwyn had wanted to call had been Desi, but since Bronwyn never actually called Desi when she wanted to talk, she didn't have her number memorized. In fact, Bronwyn didn't even have a phone. If she ever made calls, she borrowed her mother's mobile.
It was that number that Bronwyn had called. Miraculously, Aemilia had been at work and not at home where the mobile was virtually useless. Mrs. Dewhurst had immediately tracked down her husband, who'd collected Bronwyn and taken her to the hospital. He had alerted Toby to Bronwyn's safe return and then had gone to the Ministry of Magic to fetch the authorities.
Toby hugged Bronwyn again. "You're so clever."
"I just wanted to survive," Bronwyn murmured. "She was desperate, Toby, and I wasn't sure what she would do if I didn't forget everything she'd done to me."
"She's not going to get away with it," Toby stated.
"Damn right she's not!" exclaimed Desi, bursting into the hospital room and looking ready to kick some serious butt.
Lighthearted Lunch
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 12-19-13 19:11
Sliding into one of the pub's booths, Sage offers Jared a lopsided smile when his friend says, "Thanks for meeting me."
"Always good to be able to get together though I must say I'm somewhat disappointed you didn't want to eat at Burger Wizard."
Jared half grins, half winces at Sage's sarcatic comment. "I don't dislike the food there overall, but I am more than a little tired of it."
Sage nods in understanding. With Jared's work schedule of two jobs, grabbing something while at Burger Wizard is often all he can manage. He starts to ask a question he's thought of asking for weeks - why hasn't Jared taken up any of the job offers from his father, uncle, mother, and others that Sage knows he's received - but once again refrains. He's fairly certain if he were to ever ask, Jared's response would be something along the lines of not wanting to compromise any of those relatives' and friends' positions with their jobs when so many others still believe Jared is guilty of sexual assault.
The question put aside once again he comments, "We hardly see each other these days. I'd suggest a double date with you and Alanna but I'm not seeing anyone in particular right now."
"I'd probably not be much company even if you were. With the two jobs and long hours, I'm tired almost all of the time. An exciting evening for me anymore is if I can sit on the couch with Alanna without falling asleep within fifteen minutes."
"Keep that up and she'll think you're bored with her," Sage jokes.
Jared only semi-jokes in reply, "If I haven't been able to run her off yet, I don't think drooling on her shoulder as I snore will do it."
They pause long enough to give their lunch orders, resuming with Sage informing Jared, "I don't think I ever mentioned treating Georgia and her sister to cake as a belated birthday snack for Libby."
"When was this?"
"Early August."
"Was it awkward?"
"Yes and no. The times after that were still awkward a little but not as much."
"The times after?"
"Libby keeps inviting herself to have brunch or lunch or a snack or some sort with me."
"So the other times weren't like dates."
"According to Libby, they are dates with her."
Jared gives a deep chuckle, the first time in a very long while Sage has heard his friend give a genuine, heartfelt laugh. In hopes of continuing to lighten Jared's spirits, even if only for the duration of their time here at the pub, Sage fills his friend in on more of Libby's antics and funny comments.
A Bet
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 12-20-13 07:47
Sophie left the DADA classroom with Caleb and they went to the Common Commons, where they could relax a bit and then start doing their homework.
"I wish the day would be over already, but I still have the Astronomy class. Today I just can't seem to think straight, because of my brother. "
This morning Sophie had received a letter from home and she was informed about her brother's current situation. Elmer had a fever and the homemade potions he used to take did not seem to make any effect. If there were no improvements until next week, then he would have to be sent to St. Mungus. This worried Sophie because her brother had a fragile health. No one knew the cause for that, but she once thought she had heard her parents when they were still married, discussing about the matter and she thought that she had heard the word 'cursed'.
It didn't make any sense for Elmer to be cursed, but in non magical way it matched the truth: he couldn't play around like any other children, he would always have to be careful not to catch a cold, there were certain foods he couldn't eat because it would make him ill…Sophie and her sisters had grown up in the shadow of Elmer's condition, because he was the one everyone constantly worried about.
"He's going to be fine, Sophie," Caleb said in order to comfort his friend. "And you shouldn't consume yourself with this. It's not good for you. Look how terrible you were today at DADA."
"Thank you very much for the reminder…" she replied with irony.
This year, at Defense Against the Dark Arts class the second years were learning about duels. In order to revise some of the content learned in class Professor Somerset had asked a few students to demonstrate the spells they had learned so far. It had been up to Sophie to cast the Expelliarmos spell, while her house colleague ,Hiram Young, had to protect himself using the Protego charm. However, she had her mind on her brother so she misunderstood the professor, thinking he wanted her to disarm him instead of Hiram.
She almost caught Professor Somerset in surprise, but he had good reflexes so she was able to block her spell. Sophie was sure he would get mad at her, but instead he just asked to repeat the spell against Hiram, complementing her skills. However, her cheeks were still red for having cast a spell against a teacher.
"It was a good spell."
"First I was terrible, now my spell was good…" she raised her eyebrow. "What is going on Caleb Quigley?"
"Well, I was wondering if you would be fast enough to disarm me."
"Of course I am."
"I'm pretty sure I could defend myself on time. "
"Shall we make a bet?" Sophie suggested.
"What sort of bet?"
"If I can disarm you, then there will be no more Gobstones for a month. Only when you have to go any club meetings. I don't want to see you holding the games' marbles and I'll ask someone from the Ravenclaw house to watch you, since I can't enter your common room."
"You're a cruel girl, Sophie McCourt…But I accept the challenge! If I can protect myself from your spell, then you'll have to play ten macthes of Gobstones with me. And prepare yourself, because you're going to stink!"
"We shall see about that."
And they both went outside, to the grounds, in order to see who would be the winner of their bet, while for now homework and Sophie's brother, were forgotten.
Working (Daniel)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 12-21-13 20:03
Though not as well off as other family members, Daniel Gelson's family is comfortable. Comfortable enough that his parents did not insist he get a job to fill the time before his first term at St. Emrys University begins nor do they require he keep a job while university is in sesson. They did, however, think he would benefit from the experience when, not wanting to sit around doing nothing for days on end, suggested to them he get at least a part-time job.
He'd put in applications at a number of places, including some in Hogsmeade and for various starter positions with the Ministry of Magic. As someone who's never thought much about the latest fashions Daniel didn't even remember submitting an application to Twilfit & Tattings, but he must have done because he was owled for an interview. Out of the jobs he had a chance for, Twilfit & Tattings offered the best hours and salary, plus if he makes a sale above a certain amount, he gets a commission. An added bonus is that some of the older ladies who are regular customers to the upscale clothing shoppe slip him a few galleons here and there for various reasons, usually citing his helpfulness and good manners.
His mother, Bonnie, thinks the best part is Daniel's employee discount. She has joked that next he'll have to work at Narcissa's so she can take advantage of any discount he'd have there.
At present, Daniel is carefully arranging a display of men's dress shirts. A mannequin on either side are dressed in business robes, each with one of the shirts to go with the suit. Behind him a throat clears. A female voice. As he can see one of the female employees on shift right now from his vantage point and the other has gone to lunch, Daniel knows the person behind him must be a customer.
Smile in place he quickly rises and turns. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you. How may I be of assistance?"
The young woman, about his age or possibly slightly older, returns his smile. The red head gestures to a dark blue dress on another of the mannequins and in a drawling accent he thinks might be from somewhere in the southern United States asks, "Where would I find that dress?"
"Right this way, ma'am." Daniel puts down the shirt he's still holding to navigate around other displays to where the particular dress in question is currently located.
"Thank you." She quickly selects ones and heads to a dressing room after Daniel points it out.
He trails behind at a slower pace then finds a few hangers to straighten while staying on hand in the event she requires further help or decides on the dress and wishes to purchase it. When she emerges a few minutes later he turns from the rack where he's just adjusted a blouse that was hanging crookedly.
Checking herself out in the mirrors larger than those in the dressing rooms, she does a slow twirl. "What do you think?"
"I think you look rather smashing," then to Daniel's utter shock he says aloud what should have been a silent thought, "But you looked just as smashing in your own clothes."
He compresses his lips together as she grins, feeling his cheeks growing warm. He has to try twice to get out an apology. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"You're just being flattering. No need to apologize." She does another slow twirl, checking out how she looks in the dress from behind. "I've been invited to a cocktail type party but I didn't listen to my mama and even a single outfit appropriate for that sort of thing. Would your girlfriend wear something like this to something like that?"
"I don't have a girlfriend but of the girls I know, most would wear a dress like that to a part of that sort."
"I do like this one though maybe I should look around more." She returns to the dressing room, emerging with the dress draped over one arm. "On second thought, I don't want to spend more time looking when I'm positive this is the one."
Daniel holds out a hand to take the dress. "Excellent. Is there anything else I might help you with today?"
"Shoes. I need shoes to go with the dress."
"We have a small selection here but if you don't find a pair you like, I can recommend some shoppes."
Not ten minutes later she's picked out shoes to go with the dress and spends another few minutes in the lingerie section to find appropriate undergarments to wear with the dress. Daniel has finished ringing up her purchases and is depositing the coins in the register when she says, "Oops. There's one more thing."
"Yes?"
"A date for the party. I'm at the Anemone Inn. It's on the Floo Network. Pick me up at 7."
"I... I'm not sure... I don't even know... "
"You're Daniel according to your nametag. I'm Iris."
She smiles, winks, and Twilfit & Tattings bag in hand sashays towards the door. "See you at 7."
Still too flustered to get out a proper sentence, he dumbly stands there watching her go. A full half minute passes before he moves from the register, returning to finish putting out those dress shirts, wondering what just happened.
Dogs
Author: Travis
Date: 12-22-13 20:48
Watching two young dogs dancing around Roddrick's feet and two older dogs sitting patiently waiting while he passes out sausage snacks. Travis leans over to say low in Indigo's ear, "I still can't believe Mum adopted four of the dogs."
"It was mainly Roddrick. When they came around with a donation for upkeep on Lane Brewster's dogs until homes for all can be located he saw the two pups and asked what needed to be done to adopt them on the spot. Mum wasn't overly keen but by that time she'd seen Tika and taken a fancy to her. Tika was very bonded with Dyllis so Roddrick suggested not breaking them apart."
"Roddrick being attentive and loving and treating them as children I have no trouble believing. That Mum dotes on all of them, not just Tika, is mind boggling."
"It is, isn't it? The woman from whom I had to hide every stray I took in and who, whenever asked if we could have pets, would always find a reason to say no."
Roddrick interrupts their conversation. "Indigo, there is a strange spot on Goliath's ear."
Indi gets up to inspect the inside of Goliath's ear then assures his stepfather, "It's just from playing with Patch. Nothing to be concerned over."
Travis looks on with a smile as her brother and Roddrick engage all four dogs in light play. She too ended up with one of the dogs in need of a home from the puppy mill Lane Brewster had tried to get going. She'd worried about how well the girl would get on with her cats, Clown and Fauna. As it turned out, Wiggles adores the cats and they, in turn, seem to return the feeling. It can sometimes be difficult to tell with cats but from what Travis has observed, they are affectionate to Wiggles and Fauna often seems to mother the dog.
Lisi and Simon also took a single dog, one that their Dalmation-Cairn terrier mix Dot immediately took to when they'd taken Dot to meet some of the dogs up for adoption. They named him Hopper because the enthusiastic little dog never seems just to walk anywhere but to hop and bound with cheery glee.
With Indigo's testimony and with what hit wizard Ebony Urban, working undercover after Indigo had reported Brewster, had to say, Lane Brewster is serving time in Azkaban. While that is a very good thing, the bad thing is that all those dogs he'd bought for breeding and all the litters that resulted needed to be placed. In the meantime, care has to be provided for them. Locating homes for all of them has been a somewhat slow process because Indigo and others who've since gotten involved insist that each and every animal go to a good, loving home. This means checking out everyone, home inspections, surprise visits after the dog has gone to live in a home to ensure everything is on the up and up, and so on. A good many dogs have been placed in homes but there are still a goodly number left in need.
Morticia enters the room to say that supper is about to be served. Normally, she's a stickler when it comes to sitting down promptly once dinner is ready but she's the last one to enter the dining room because she stops to kneel and talk to each of the four dogs and give each individual attention. No matter how often she sees her mother acting so sappy with the dogs, Travis always finds the sight something of a shock.