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Doing Paperwork
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 02-02-14 18:36
Viktor's only Thursday Fitness & Athletics class isn't until three this afternoon. He has no office hours today nor any appointments scheduled. Normally, Viktor would have been at the Humbata's statium, or working at the Humbata's office, or working at Krum's Completely Quidditch. With a touch of the cold that's been going around he wasn't in a mood to do much more than sit.
Viktor had thought of staying at home in bed until close to time for that afternoon class. He decided that would just make him feel groggy and out of sorts since he's not actually so under the weather as to lay about in bed half the day. If he'd gone to work at the stadium, office, or shoppe, there would have been at least one person constantly asking him if he felt all right, did he want to go home, get some rest?
Coming to Hogwarts means he can have minimal interaction if he so chose, which he has so far. He did run into a few others, all students, when swinging by the commons to go on and drop off the Secret Santa gift from him to Rowan Westwick. Viktor picked out two pieces of handmade stained glass based jewelry. One is a bracelet with simple stained glass stones. The other is a necklace with the pendant an artistic stained glass heart shape.
In the time since coming to his office, the one just off the Fitness Room in the castle and not the one down at the pitch as class inside today, Viktor has been getting some paperwork done. He'd taken a potion earlier that has helped some. He doesn't feel as headachy or congested. Hot soup and maybe a toasted sandwich is starting to sound appealing. He sets his quill aside, moves the paperwork into a drawer then gets up for the short walk to the Great Hall hoping he continues feeling better as the rest of the day progresses.
(Lucinda) Brother and Sister
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 02-03-14 01:45
"Ah, Casper…"
"Lucinda."
The middle-aged wizard sat in front of his older sister, trying not to look too much at her wearing the prison's robes. Rare had been the times Casper Hobday had visited Lucinda Nott at Azkaban and frankly he was only here today because she wrote him begging in a very urgent tone to do so.
"I am so glad to see you. When was the last time we saw each other?"
"Right before my wife was snatched and sent to a wonderful place called City of Hope," Casper replied in a bitter tone.
"I have heard about that. Poor Cecelia, it must have been a mistake, I am sure."
"No, there was no mistake, Lucinda. They knew her grandfather had been a Muggle-born. I believe someone gladly gave the snatchers that information."
Lucinda looked offended at her brother.
"Oh Casper you don't think it was me, do you? How could I? She's my sister in law…"
"…that you never liked," he said, completing her sentence.
"The past is the past," Lucinda declared, waving her hand revealing that Cecelia Hobday's change of blood status and consequent imprisonment had no importance to her. "Besides I am about to be very generous to her and to you."
Casper had no reaction. He did not believe in Lucinda's kindness. Instead he leaned back on the uncomfortable prison chair and waited for her sister to elaborate.
"If all goes as planned I am going to be released by Christmas."
Now there was surprise in Casper's face. Not not a happy surprise, however.
"You don't need to look so thrilled," Lucinda teased. "Anyway, I have a few affairs I want to put in order and so will Tiberius. That means I need someone to look after Titus."
"Affairs? What can you possible…wait. By Merlin's beard! You're going to her encounter."
"So you have heard the rumors as well. Good. It means I don't need to make up any lies. I'll need Endhope Abbey free from children. I plan to place the house at her disposal, a proof of my loyalty."
"Lucinda…you have not left prison yet and it seems like you already forget the reason why you ended up here."
"Don't patronize me, Casper. I have ambitions like everyone else and to make them happen I must do this. I want to restore my family's old glory and Tiberius is the key for it. Now please be a good brother and don't interfere with my plans. I do not plan to drag you into this, you're a Hobday, not a Nott after all."
"You're a Hobday too, Lucinda."
She ignored her brother's reminder and continued:
"All I ask is that you and your wife look after Titus. I know how much you wanted a son and this is your chance to give some use to that empty room you have at your house."
Casper had no idea how Lucinda knew he and Cecelia kept an empty room in the hopes it would become their child's bedroom. But the years had passed and no child came. However the room was kept empty, because they still refused to quit on their dream.
"I told you that marrying a Muggle-born descendant wasn't wise. She can't even give you children..."
Noticing her brother's upset expression she quickly added:
"But now you can take care of Titus. I know it's not the same thing, but you have to agree with me that it will be pleasant for the two of you. Not to mention he is your godson and it's your duty to be there for him when he needs."
"And I tried to do so, but Tiberius pushed me away whenever I came to visit them. He tried to keep me at a distance. I believe he was up to something…"
Lucinda remained in silence as Casper told her about his attempts to visit Titus and how he believed Tiberius was up to no good since he had been locked up inside the Nott residence all the time, not allowing any visitors to enter. He told her sister that he was not able to locate Endhope Abbey anymore and he thought that her first born had put some charms around it against unwanted visitors. She could not help to smile, feeling proud of her son. Tiberius was a powerful wizard but he kept wasting his potential.
"…and I saw a glimpse of him at St. Mungus, sleeping. But of course Tiberius sent me away once again. I was able to speak to one of the healers, they said Titus would recover but that it would take time…are you hearing anything I am saying, Lucinda?"
She nodded but perhaps she was not very convincing because Casper's attitude changed. The worries regarding Titus had vanished and he now seemed irritated.
"Why not ask your husband's side of the family to take care of Titus? Would he not be better with those of his own kind?"
"He's more a Hobday than a Nott," she simply replied.
But Casper noticed her sister's posture and the way her hands were tied together. He could tell she felt Titus would be safer under his and his wife's guard than any remaining member of the Nott family. Lucinda might not have been the most caring mother in history, but she had a sense of responsibility towards Titus. It was almost touching, but Casper did not fool himself. He also knew that if something happened to Tiberius, Titus would be the heir of the family. Lucinda was trying to secure the family tree making sure it would not end. Titus might look more like a Hobday to her eyes, but at the end of the day the blood that ran through his veins was Nott blood.
"Fine. I'll do it," Casper gave in. "But not for you. For the boy."
"Of course," Lucinda replied.
There was more that needed to be told but visitation time was over. Casper left right away with a short nod, after Lucinda assured she would keep in contact with him. The goodbye between brother and sister was not affectionate.
Pity
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 02-03-14 02:20
"And that's it," Titus told Wendy.
He started to pack his things and when he was done he looked at her in expectation. Wendy went to her bag and gave him two bars of Mars chocolate. He did not thank her or said goodbye. He just grabbed the chocolates and left the library, after he had helped her with the Hebology homework for Friday. When he was gone Andrina, who was seated at the other side of the large table, stood up and occupied Titus' place. After making sure Mrs. Blackheart was not around she said:
"I don't understand this little deal you have with Nott. I know he's good at Herbology, but both of us know you don't have any difficulties with the subject at all. You don't need his help! So the question is: why are you doing this? He and his little Avery buddy have been teasing you since they set their eyes on you. You're a Ravenclaw so I know your brain is working just fine. You would never make a deal with someone who hurt you in the past. Unless you needed him, which you don't. So what's going on Wendy? Do you have a crush on him? Is that it?"
"Of course not! Don't be silly Andrina."
An older Ravenclaw sent a deadly look to the pair of girls and he urged them to be quiet. After a moment of silence, Andrina's head got closer to Wendy and she whispered.
"What is it then?"
Wendy looked down to the parchment that contained Titus' handwriting and a neat scheme of a beautiful everlasting flower. He was almost as good as Araxie when it came to drawing plants.
"It's just…I pity him," she admitted with a sigh. "I know it's not a good feeling to have but I feel sorry for Titus. His parents are in jail and he seems so lonely… I noticed the only thing the owls send him is money. No letters from home. But I have seen him before at the owlery sending a bunch of them. I have the impression that he has never really been cared or loved before. That no one pays any attention to him. I pity him…" she repeated.
There was a long silence and Wendy was sure Andrina was recovering from the shock of her confession. Then she raised her finger and told her she would be right back. She stood up and disappeared between the tall shelves of the library. Alone with her thoughts, Wendy stopped thinking about Titus and her mind went to Baron Marchbanks. Just like almost everyone at the school she was aware of his ambition of wanting to become Minister of Magic. Wendy got his name for the Secret Santa gift and she decided to buy him something related to his dream. So she got him a key-chain with the Ministry of Magic symbol as well as a shirt and she hoped he would like them.
She heard Andrina's steps and she returned moments later with a heavy book that she placed on the table. Wendy was not able to read the title because her friend quickly opened it and started to flip the pages.
"There it is…"
At the center of the page there was a photograph of an enormous manor. The photograph was black and white and it had been taken from the outside. It was clear that the black iron forged gate was locked. It looked like a normal photograph but from time to time a bird would come out from the bushes of the entrance garden and fly up into the sky. Wendy also thought she had seen a figure peeking from one of the house's top windows.
"This is Endhope Abbey. This is where Titus lives. He probably has an army of house elves to clean the house and to cook for him and I wouldn't be surprised if he has one of the abbey's aisles just for himself. Now think about your apartment in Kent, where you live with your parents, almost like sardines in a can. Feeling pity now?"
Before Wendy could speak Andrina went to fetch another book. This one had illustrations of cars and she pointed at a shiny Bentley.
"Titus' family car. It flies. The one he claims he drove last summer. I don't believe him; he probably just hurt himself doing something else and tries to make it seem it had been a car accident. You have told me once your father's car is old and that he was considering to get a loan to buy a new one. Last but not least…"
Andrina disappeared once again and she returned with an old copy of The Daily Prophet. The main page represented half a dozen portraits of witches and wizards whose names she did not recognize.
"Some of the Notts's victims. They went to prison, because they killed a bunch of people, they say. They also killed Muggles, I'm sure. Titus was raised believing that people like you or your family are inferior and by the way he and Avery teased you I can tell he is an adept of that philosophy. Now tell me, Wendy: are you still feeling sorry for him?"
She down looked at the portraits of the dead wizards once again, not sure what to make of it. Andrina went to put the books back where they belonged, perhaps giving Wendy time to reflect. She started to have doubts about Titus but at the same time she didn't think she should judge him for the things his family had done, or just because he was rich.
The Problem with Christmas
Author: Cassandra Catesby
Date: 02-03-14 05:44
Cassandra did not need the clock on the wall of her flat above the bookshop that told not the time but the phases of the moon to let her know that she had a problem.
"You know, Malantha," she said to the black cat curled up in one of the overstuffed armchairs beside the hearth. "Life was significantly less awkward when I had less of a social life."
She glared at the clock, but it ticked slowly on regardless, the full moon slowly making its way around the dial. It would reach its zenith on the 24th of the month.
Christmas Eve.
"How exactly am I going to get out of this one?" she asked the cat. "I mean, Kirley and Nephele would understand, but I have no desire to explain the situation to Valeria or Cloris. It's too humiliating." But if she wasn't prepared to explain, she needed some sort of excuse for why she wasn't going to be spending Christmas with the Mockridges given she had done exactly that the year before and that the last twelve months had seen her relationship with Kirley become more universally acknowledged.
"I could say that I'm spending it with my own parents, of course," she continued, "but Cloris is perfectly well aware that they're still in France." She rubbed her temples, a headache starting to throb. "It would be so much easier if I could just hole up here in the shop until midnight on Christmas Day..." When she would return to her normal self again.
She sighed. She would need to talk to Kirley and Nephele. At the very least they needed to get their stories straight. It was no use her saying she was in France and then the Mockridges saying something else; Cloris would immediately smell a rat.
Picking up a quill, she scribbled a quick note on a piece of parchment. Bathilda hooted, drifted down from her perch on the coatrack and extended her leg.
"Take this to Kirley," Cassandra said to the owl, ruffling her feathers affectionately. "He and I need to have a chat."
In the meantime, she would get some Christmas shopping done. A short trip to the Sirr Souq in Cairo to pick up a copy of a bestiary of magical African creatures for a customer had also given her the opportunity to collect gifts for Nephele and Pip. The cloth-covered stalls of the souq sold many potion ingredients that were next to impossible to obtain in Britain. Cass had bought a selection and found a nice box to put them in for Nephele.
As for Pip, her first thought had been a book, but given his extensive library that had seemed a little like giving coals to Newcastle. She thought he might enjoy the intellectual challenge of the traditional senet board she had purchased for him instead though.
That still left several others to find gifts for though, she thought, collecting her cloak and heading out into Knockturn Alley. Valeria might appreciate a book, perhaps one with spells in it that weren't on the Hogwarts curriculum. Nothing too dangerous, but ones that were a little challenging and different. She could probably find something like that in her own shop. But what about Kirley, Cloris or, for that matter, her own parents?
She headed past the Hanged Man pub, paused for a moment to admire the window display at the Starry Prophesier, and then stepped out of the shadows of Knockturn Alley and into the brighter, bustling confines of Diagon Alley.
(Diana) Planning
Author: Diana Clarisse Thatcher
Date: 02-04-14 11:02
It is Friday and Diana went to the Common Room after one of her classes.
"Friday," she exclaimed, sighing. Nobody was in the Common Room except for her. Her best friend, Galadriel, was also nowhere.
"He still has classes. I'll owl him later." She sat on the couch and started reading books. But then, she got bored and started planning for Christmas. She got Christmas list, people, friends etc. What they want, what to give them.
Just then an owl flew and perched on the sofa. She still has homework to do.
Dear Diana,
Hi. You may want to know who I am. This is Devon. You remember me? I hope you like them! I got them just for you from last time's Hogsmeade trip. I know you can't go to Hogsmeade yet.
There are Bertie Botts every flavored beans and some chocolate frogs! Enjoy!
Devon
"He is so nice!" Diana said. She opened the package and there are the sweets.
"He should give the chocolate frogs to Galadriel!" She smiled and continued what she was doing.
Lunch Before F&A (Devon)
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 02-04-14 18:50
Devon has been seated at the Hufflepuff table all of three seconds when Emily Murray plops next to her, immediately bending to put her had on folded arms. "Is it nap time yet?"
"For you, yes, if you don't mind skipping lunch. For me, no."
"That's right. You've got another class." Emily's voice is slightly muffled.
"Fitness and Athletics."
"Brrrr. I wouldn't want to be outside freezing my knickers off."
Devon has to pause in the middle of taking a sip of perfectly warmed tea or else risk snorting the beverage through her nose from her snicker of amusement. "Not a pleasant picture but sort of funny; but, we aren't meeting outside right now. Class is in the Fitness Room."
"Still, being forced to sweat on a regular basis isn't my cup of tea."
"You like Quidditch."
"True, but I watch it more than I play it. Is that a stew?"
"Looks like. Want some?"
"Yes, I think so."
It's easier for Devon to ladle soup into a bowl for Emily than it is for her to pass the soup tureen, earning her a, "Thanks."
Devon was looking over the day's midday meal offers while sipping her tea and talking with Emily. Knowing she has limited time, needing to be in the Fitness Room for F&A and changed into workout clothes in less than an hour, she stops dawdling and makes a decision. Still feeling a little chilled from the walk to Herbology this morning and back again, even though she's had another class in between then and now, Devon opts for a toasty warm pasty and some soup, pea with ham rather than the stew Emily chose.
"What's in your pasty?"
"Beef, some vegetables, and cheese."
"I wonder if all on the platter are the same. Pass me one, please. Did you have a chance yet to see what it was the owl brought this morning?"
"Yeah, I had time after breakfast to go back to the room before Herbology," Devon says holding the platter of pasties for Emily to choose one. "Mum sent something for Secret Santa."
"You got my name? I'm dying to find out who it is and get my gift."
Devon shakes her head. "Professor Masterson. I told Mum what I had in mind and she did her best, which was very good I think."
Based on the information Devon had given her, Loraine Abbott had found a nice spa type package designed with a man in mind and some cologne. Devon tells Emily, "You can see later."
"Tell me anyway."
Devon describes the spa items then says, "I can't think of what to say for how the cologne smells. You'll just have to see for yourself. It's called Drakkar Noir and Mum wrote that she'd never seen it before but liked it so much she got Dad some too. When she was paying the clerk told her it's popular Muggle cologne. Mum says that's probably why she'd didn't know that one."
As Loriane had wanted Devon to see the gift before giving it, she sent Christmas wrap and explained best she could how Devon should go about wrapping the spa package as it's an odd shape with a number of items. Devon will most likely attempt the wrapping after class is over this afternoon and then go on and get it delivered under the tree in the Commons.
Emily and she talk the rest of the time Devon has before needing to leave the Great Hall for F&A. Emily leaves when she does, saying she's going to their dorm for that nap she'd mentioned earlier.
Shopping with Jack
Author: Josie
Date: 02-05-14 02:55
I left Hogwarts after my office hours and headed to Diagon Alley where Jack was waiting for me. The place was somewhat crowded and it seemed that just like me everyone had planned to do some Christmas shopping during a Friday afternoon. While we walked he told me about his day. He had meetings all day with several people that would help him to establish his owl post business in London. However things didn't seem to have gone how he wanted:
"There are many business of this type here in London. It's natural since it's a big market. But those who are already settled don't need more competition, so to set an establishment here a license is required. I went to the Ministry of Magic and I was given a form to fill up to obtain such license. There is a lot of bureaucracy involved...I also learned that the precautions you must take against Muggles are far more complicated than the ones applied at Leeds. It's because of the tourists, they say."
I tried to encourage Jack, telling him not to give up right away. He said he didn't plan to do so, but he needed time to clear his ideas and see what would be the best way to proceed. He then changed subject and with a cheerful tone he asked me why I had dragged him to a shopping trip.
"See this as the beginning of a date. Later once I am done, we can have dinner. You can pick the place and I'll pay. But first I will need your help."
"That sounds like a nice deal," Jack agreed.
Since we met during summer that we have been going out together frequently. As the time passed I found myself enjoying Jack's company more and more. But for now we were just friends, still learning things about each other. He asked me how could he help me and I said I was looking for a present for my Secret Santa.
"His name is Hunter Green and he is a fourth year. I don't know him because he is not a student of mine but I have seen him playing Quidditch before. He is a keeper."
"Which house?"
"Gryffindor. I just have no idea what boys that age might like. I asked my brother but he wasn't much of a help. He was trying to see if I bought Hunter some Potions' supplies from his shop. When he learned he also had siblings at the school he wanted me to give them certificates with 10% of discount any time they visited his establishment."
Jack couldn't help to grin.
"It seems like everyone wants to explore you, Josie."
I smiled because it had been an allusion to how we met. We kept walking and visited some shops. Jack thought Hunter might like some products from Weasleys' Wizards Wheezes but I thought it wouldn't be a good idea for a teacher to offer a student prank items. We were at a shoe shop and I was looking to a nice pair of boots when Jack exclaimed:
"I think this it it!"
He was holing a pair of brown sneakers. They looked all right and I thought that indeed Hunter might like them. However I wrinkled my nose when I noticed the price tag. It cost too much for a common pair of shoes.
"They are magical," Jack explained, noticing my reaction. "I had one of these when I was younger. They make you run faster. It can be useful not to arrive late to classes or to climb the Hogwarts' stairs in time before they decide to switch place. They are also fun to use outdoors."
I pondered for a moment and then I decided to purchase the shoes for Hunter in the hopes he would like them. As we left the shop Jack offered to carry the bag before I used my wand to make it levitate behind us. He told me he had never been good with levitation charms and in case someone would want to be hit in the head by a shoe box it would better if he carried it on his hand. I did not offer to charm the bag myself because I knew Jack was trying to be a gentleman.
"So where shall we have dinner?" I asked.
"My place."
I looked at him with surprise.
"I cannot make a bag levitate without harming someone but I am pretty good using my wand to cook a dinner that you will never forget."
My lips stretched in a happy smile and we both went to his house. I could not help to feel curious about watching Jack cooking. It had been something he had never revealed before and by the roar coming from my hungry stomach I really hope he hasn't been bragging about his culinary skills.
(Azaelia) Christmas Cards
Author: Isolde
Date: 02-05-14 18:29
For a Friday evening, the library seemed fairly busy. Azaelia supposed the reason was that many professors were holding finals next week. None of the students seemed particularly overwhelmed, not the way the older ones did when the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s were near. A few students seemed extra serious, though. They had their study material spread out on the tables just so and seemed highly disturbed by any distractions.
Azaelia spent the majority of her time at the front desk, though she did have some books to shelve and others to pick up from the tables and at the end of the ranges. Rather than potentially disturb the more studious of students by wheeling around a cart in the stacks, Azaelia took the time to write Christmas cards.
The one to her parents was particularly challenging, since she still hadn't resigned herself to the fact that they had lied to her for years. It wasn't so much what her father did that bothered her. Azaelia herself wasn't a law-breaker, but she had little qualms about some of the darker aspects of life. The Sorting Hat had placed her in Slytherin, after all, and though not all Slytherins were the bad sort, some certainly were or at least had dark leanings.
What bothered Azaelia about the entire situation was that her parents had never planned on telling her the truth. To protect a child was one thing, but Azaelia was an adult and had been for years.
She supposed what made matters worse was that she had learned the truth from Rita Skeeter and not from her parents directly.
Her quill snapped suddenly, seeming much louder than it truly was. She looked up expecting silent admonishments, but she got none. No one paid her any attention whatsoever.
Azaelia set the broken quill and the card to her parents aside and turned to the tag she wanted to put on the slim jewelry box containing the gift for Cai Carter. Azaelia had drawn her name for Secret Santa. Being both a girl and a Quidditch player (just like Azaelia had been once upon a time), she had settled on getting a cute broomstick necklace for Cai.
Azaelia wrote Cai's name on the tag, adhered it to the slim box, which was wrapped in shiny red paper, and vowed to take it to the Common Common Room after library hours ended.