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Sweets Before Dinner (Eden, Marlow, Heather, Hunter)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 02-18-14 17:36
Eden puts a gift under the large tree in the commons, still undecided on whether she's slightly irked that her brother Alastor "copied" part of her Secret Santa gift idea or not. He'd used her idea of a cushioned lap desk as part of his Secret Santa to a classmate of hers in Gryffindor. At least the one he chose doesn't look like the one she'd selected.
In addition to the lap desk, Eden picked out some pretty stationary to give a seventh year in her own house of Hufflepuff, Sadie Mickle. Sadie might be sporty, a long time member of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team but she's also girly enough that Eden hopes Sadie likes what she's picked out. It can be so hard knowing for sure with these Secret Santa gifts. A thank you note doesn't mean the person liked the present, only that the person is polite.
The candy cane striped present with matching bow and a candy cane attached now under the tree, Eden gets a small variety platter of biscuits and a drink then stakes out a table. While waiting for Heather and Marlow to arrive, she pulls out her Charm text and notes to start another study run through in preparation of tomorrow's exam.
Though both are coming from Arithmancy & Divination, Marlow arrives without Heather. After getting something to drink she joins Eden, saying without being asked, "Heather stopped to talk to someone. She'll be here soon."
"With the time I suppose we should have just met in the Great Hall."
"I don't mind a few biscuits before dinner. Nothing wrong with dessert first."
Eden pushes the small plate closer to Marlow. "Sweets before dinner. Sweets after. With all the holiday sweets between now and Christmas, I may end up slimming from the day after Christmas until time to catch the train back here."
"You're not the slightest bit chubby."
"Maybe not now but if I keep eating this way, I will be."
"Will be what?" Heather asks, dropping her things and grabbing one of the biscuits.
"Chubby." Eden makes a show of puffing out her cheeks.
"Even if you do put on a stone, what of it?"
"Boys don't like chubbies," Eden says in a tone that suggest she can't believe she has to remind Heather of this.
"Boys can be blooming idiots if they can't get past rounder cheeks. Besides, it's not like they all try to hard on their own figures, now is it?"
Marlow pulls a face. "True, but it's we girls who get picked on more than they do about weight and looks."
Heather grins a bit wickedly. "All the more reason to learn a few good wordless hexes."
This causes all three to suggest such hexes, giggling the whole time. When the small plate has no more biscuits they gather their things to go to the Great Hall for supper, Heather stopping long enough to put a silver foil wrapped gift with brilliant Christmas green ribbons under the tree for her own Secret Santa recipient, Wendy Mills.
Having learned Wendy is from a Muggle family, Heather wanted to be sure to get the second year Ravenclaw something she could have at home if she wanted without having to worry with being questioned about a magical item. After a great deal of thought, Heather had picked out some pretty button covers and a pair of rainbow kaleidoscope glasses that might seem magical but aren't in the slightest. Heather thinks it would be fun to wear them while lying back on the grass on a warm day, the glasses giving the clouds interesting colors and patterns.
About the same time Heather is on one side of the tree to place Wendy's gift among the other presents there, her brother Hunter is on the other side also placing a wrapped package under the tree. Hunter's biggest gift concern had been what to get girlfriend Sadie - a turquoise and silver owl necklace and a matching raincoat and galoshes set and perhaps even something more since neither of the others is overly romantic or sweet - he'd needed to give thought to a Secret Santa. When getting Sadie's matching rain set Hunter selected a pair of Wellies and a nice umbrella charmed never to buckle in the wind as some umbrellas do, especially in strong gusts. They are for a second year called Sophie McCourt and while Hunter hopes she likes the rain boots and umbrella, he's more concerned with what Sadie's going to think of her gifts.
Sophie's present now under the tree, Hunter exits the commons for the Great Hall, his mind on both Sadie and whether he's prepared enough for tonight's last Astronomy class of the year.
Moving on
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 02-19-14 13:45
"Have fun with your classes," Gus teased once the group reached the castle, after Herbology.
Unlike the others he had no more classes and so the term has ended for him. He walked away towards the dungeons, while the others marched upstairs where they would be having History of Magic. It was still a bit early for the class to start and Professor Douglass hasn't arrived yet. Johanna, Kate and Felicia installed themselves on their usual sits. Other students started to arrive, Taran being one of them. He looked at the three girls, offer them a short nod in recognition and then he took a sit in one of the last rows. Moments later he was exchanging a few words with Ash Westwick.
"All right: what is going on?" Felicia inquired, turning herself to Johanna. "First you and Taran didn't seat together at breakfast and at Herbology he paired with someone instead of you. And now this. Did you two have a fight or something?"
"No, not at all. We just broke up."
"What? And what do you mean by 'just'?"
"We stayed up late last night at the common room, talking. We realized both of us deserved better than each other."
"What do you mean?" Kate asked.
"Well it all started at Valentine's day, last year. Taran kissed me and I kissed him back. Not because he really liked me, but because he had been rejected by three other girls. And I took advantage of that because I felt lonely. We were never in love. Not like you and Mark, I guess. And we weren't like you are with Baltus, Felicia. You two can't be without one another for more than an hour without despairing. We were using each other and it worked out well. But…it's not honest, you know? "
Kate nodded and rubbed Johanna's arm, in consolation. But Felicia didn't lose time and she said that now it was the perfect time for Johanna to try and conquer Gus. She was even planning to host a New Year's Eve party so they could all hang out…
"No. Not Gus. That is also over."
Felicia was about to open her mouth and protest but Professor Douglass arrived and soon the conversations died, as the class begun. Johanna felt Felicia and Kate's eyes on her from time to time. Later she would tell them that even if she still wished she and Gus could be together, she had decided it was time to move on. With the time she would get completely freed from those feelings. All she needed was to focus on something else. Johanna was glad to leave the castle and spent Christmas at home. That would give her time to reorganize her ideas and start fresh next term.
History of Magic was her favorite class but today she wasn't really paying attention to Professor Douglas' words. Breaking up with Taran had made her feel better than she was expecting and the fact that it happened by a mutual agreement without any conflicts was even better. She thought about the things she couldn't forget to put in her trunk and she remembered she still had to wrap her gift for Jasper Jenkins, her Secret Santa recipient. Just like her, Jasper was a prefect, and she had seen him a couple of times during the patrols. She didn't know him well, but at least she knew who he was. He was also one of Hufflepuff's chasers.
Johanna decided to buy him a wallet. It was not a very personal gift, but it was a useful one. Even if Jasper already had a wallet, he could put this one aside and use it whenever he wanted to, because unlike other gifts, like sweets for example, time wouldn't ruin it.
Done For Some, Nearly So For Others (Amorica, Liannah, & Aaron)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 02-19-14 18:01
Coming from a double class of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Amorica enters the Great Hall with a wave of other third year Slytherins and Gryffindors. Walking in with Callie Blackwell and Willow Westwick to one side, the three are talking about what they might expect in their one remaining class, Arithmancy & Divination, which is later this afternoon.
Callie jokingly says, "Amorica, you're related to Professor Sacheverelle by marriage. Too bad you can't give us advanced notice of all the exams and major projects."
Amorica jokes back, "Part of the class is divination so you should just look into the future and see for yourself."
Snickering as they reach the Slytherin table, neither Amorica nor Willow is surprised when Callie excuses herself to join some of her other friends. Amorica and Willow start to sit down but they're interrupted by a Hufflepuff classmate, Bernard Ollis, who asks if Amorica has a minute to help him with a couple of questions he has before going to Arithmancy & Divination later. Amorica considers telling him to get with her after lunch but then shrugs off that thought. Class isn't until three so helping him now won't cause her to have to rush through eating.
Bernard and she go just outside the Great Hall where it's quieter. After only a few minutes Bernard is satisfied his confusing is cleared up so they go back in, Amorica catching sight of Edgar Steele in the process. She'd gotten his name for Secret Santa and had only just left his present in the commons this morning before breakfast.
Amorica had taken advantage of both numerous catalogs and this last Hogsmeade Saturday to pick something out for Edgar. After great internal debate because there were several good options she ended up going with some cool looking dragon hide cowboy style boots.
At the Ravenclaw table Liannah is grinning as Sarah Edwards sarcastically laments, "No more classes until next year."
Rusty Zabowski's mouth sourly puckers, "Unless taking Care of Magical Creatures. At least I don't have to wait a few hours for it. I'm ready to be finished."
Pablo Carioca had laughed at Sarah's comment and given Rusty a sympathetic slap on the back before pointing out, "There are a few assignments over the holiday and I'm sure my parents will remind me several times a day it's never too soon to study for my OWLs."
Sarah frowns at Pablo. "Don't spoil the moment." She tempers this with a smile that has Liannah wondering not for the first time if Sarah is secretly sweet on Pablo. "Let's talk about something happy. Everyone signed up for Secret Santa?" When all in their little group nods she inquires, "Who's gotten theirs? I got the cutest angora jumper from mine."
"Jersey from my favorite pro Quidditch team," Rusty tells them.
Pablo shakes his head. "Nothing for me yet, or at least not when I looked this morning. It might be there now."
Liannah earns odd looks when she says, "I have mine but haven't opened it yet. I'll wait till either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We do presents on both because of splitting time with all that family we have."
"Why wait?" Rusty demands to know.
"I like waiting and trying to figure out what's inside."
Sarah's now the one shaking her head. "Oh no. I can't stand the wait and besides that, the longer I have to think about what a gift might be, the more disappointed I am if it turns out to be meh."
Liannah can't help but smile. "I do get disappointed sometimes but mostly I get annoyed with my sisters, especially if we get a gift that's for all of us."
Thinking about being disappointed with a present has her cutting a look over to another table where Miranda Drawlight is now sitting. The seventh year Gryffindor is for whom Liannah placed a Secret Santa gift under the commons tree earlier in the week. She'd been at a total loss as to what to get Miranda.
Liannah finally got Miranda something she quite likes herself but knows someone else might find disappointing. Liannah had gotten a new, extremely plush, super soft, very warm blanket back in October. She loves it so much she makes her bed so that blanket is next to her and not the top sheet. About the time she was ready to admit defeat and do something she'd vowed not to do when it came to the Secret Santa present, ask her mum for help, Liannah thought to give Miranda a plush blanket like her own. The only difference between them is that Liannah's is a dark chocolate and the one she selected for Miranda is a lush dark blue.
During the rest of lunch, Rusty, Sarah, Pablo, and Liannah make up silly gift ideas for what's in Liannah's Secret Santa present and the one Pablo should be getting sometime between now and Christmas.
At the head table, I'm keeping careful watch of the time. I've got fourth years at Cloud's Kiss at 1:15. I don't necessarily have to beat them there as I've got everything ready for them but it would be nice if I'm at least right there with them at the Floo so they aren't milling around long once at the house.
I've one other Muggle Studies class today but it's not until three. The fourth years class ends at two so I'll have an hour to double check that I've got everything prepped for the sixth years as well.
All around me, talk is of getting through this day, holiday parties, Christmas presents, and speculation on how many students will end up staying at Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall has a good idea but there are sometimes last minute changes.
As so many others did, including my wife, I am participating in this years Secret Santa gift exchange. I'd received a very nice gift of flavored sea salts from Rowan Westwick. Saffron and I have already put one to use when we'd fired up the grill at Cloud's Kiss one recent evening.
The name I drew is that of Paton Shrewsbury. I kicked around several ideas on what to give him. My Muggle background finally had me going with soccer equipment, soccer ball, and soccer shoes, or as I've learned to call it in the years living here, football or footie.
On my right, Saffron leans against me for a moment, covering her mouth as she yawns. "You think my sixth years will notice if I take a nap during their class?"
"Give them enough work to do and if you charm yourself to sleepwalk around as if proctoring them, probably not."
"Sleepwalking charm. Not a bad idea. Hmmm."
Aaron puts his arm around her in a quick hug. "Nearly done. I'll even get up with our little early riser in the morning and you can sleep in."
"If not for being in a room full of students, I'd kiss you right now."
"Probably a good thing because I could easily get distracted and I need to leave in a few minutes."
"You think Severus will mind if I lean against him in the ten minutes after you've gone and I need to leave?"
"I doubt it but that would get the students talking even more than us kissing."
"It's almost tempting just for that alone," she laughs softly.
I take a last bite of fruit, give Saffron a light squeeze on the arm then make my goodbyes, as ready to get these next two classes over with as the students are.
(Adriana) Treasure Room
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 02-19-14 19:03
With the rubble long cleared out of the old crypt underneath the abbey, Adriana found it the perfect place to house her treasures. There she hid the ancient statuette of Circe, which had been stolen from a Muggle museum by Bellatrix, Barty and Gudrun. For the moment, the statuette's secrets remained in tact, but soon she would turn her attention to the small, stolen object.
In the crypt, Adriana also stashed the sword of Slytherin, procured only yesterday from the house of Kristos and Aralyn Fox. For dramatic effect, she had it placed over the stone lid of the sarcophagus of an abbott or similar figure. The once ornate carvings on the lid and walls had worn away over time, rendering the identity of its occupant unknown.
To ensure the protection of her amassing treasures, Adriana cast charms around the crypt and also tasked certain Death Eaters with guarding it from intrusion and theft. Right now, there wasn't much to see, but Adriana could already picture the crypt full of silver and gold, twinkling jewels, and other valuables.
Adriana raised her hand over the polished shaft of the sword, suddenly overcome with the temptation to touch it. What would it feel like, to take it in her hand and lop off somebody's head? She imagined swinging the blade towards Aralyn's neck and wished she would have given it a go yesterday. Oh, well. Aralyn had bigger problems now. Yes, even bigger than her own death by beheading.
The question arose on what to do with Aralyn after Adriana laid hands on the sword, which had been hidden away in a credenza in the Fox basement and only revealed by a family member's blood––in this case belonging to Kristos when Adriana slashed his neck, after finally losing her patience.
He was still alive when Adriana left Ashton-Hotwell with the sword, but barely. Rather than cause Aralyn a slow, agonizing death, as well, Adriana had come up with a better idea. She grinned evilly at the memory of her decision.
Adriana had Ivanova knock the wailing Aralyn out, adjust her memories, remove the magical bonds around her wrists, and then leave her where she'd fallen next to her brother's body. If she hadn't awoken already, Aralyn would wake to find her brother dead, herself covered in his blood, and the distinct memory of tearing up her own house and killing Kristos in a fit of rage.
She would not have any memories of the sword, of Adriana and the Death Eaters raiding her home, or of their rescue of Charlotte Stratford.
An anonymous tip was set to reach the Ministry of Magic, suggesting law enforcement make a house call at the Fox residence. Aralyn would no doubt spend the rest of her miserable existence in Azkaban.
As the memory of Aralyn and the events from yesterday faded, Adriana dropped her hand to her side and went to the narrow staircase leading to the main level of the abbey. Her thoughts drifted to Lysander, to whom she owed everything for finding the sword. Without his advice, she probably would still be looking for it.
Adriana decided that she would pay Lysander another visit soon to thank him in person. For now, she needed to check in with her spies at the Ministry of Magic. It was time to set some things into motion.
London Calling
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 02-19-14 19:26
Today would be the last day the translation office was open in Hogsmeade, until after the holiday season. At least for accepting new clients, I still had a couple of meetings between now and Christmas day, and there were always going to be emergencies. However, I had slipped out of the office a little early, since I had need to come into London to take Meagan to the pediatric healers for a check-up since she'd been sick the past couple of days.
Jim was currently working, now that the term was over, he was putting in more hours at the clinic. We would have company in the next week or so until Epiphany. My parents were coming in, as were Jim's. I was thankful that the house could accommodate the extra company thanks to the additions Jim and I had put on last summer.
After Meagan's check up, we window shopped for a little bit, before heading to a quick dinner at a small family restaurant in London. Jim was working late, and I didn't feel like going home just yet.
"I think we'll do some shopping, what do you think Megs?"
"Pressie!" Came the enthusiastic response from my darling two year old.
"Right, we need to get a pressie for Daddy, let's go see what we can find."
We wandered the muggle shopping areas in the heart of London, but none of the items we found seemed perfect for Jim, and Meagan wasn't much help as she was soon fast asleep in the pram by the second store we wandered – and this of course was my plan all along and because she has a fresh dose of cold meds in her system she would sleep through most of the evening.
After ducking into a couple of wizarding shops, I found a place to apparate, and was soon standing in our front yard with Meagan asleep in my arms and the stroller and other items shrunken and tucked into the diaper bag/purse that I carried when out with a toddler.
Getting into the house, I got Meagan settled into her bed, after getting her out of her coat and things. Then, took the time to get things put away and stow the presents so that I could wrap them tomorrow after I finish getting the house ready for holiday company.
Getting Ready For A Party (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 02-20-14 18:26
Some Fridays AJ, with Mariposa, take dinner at Hogwarts. Some are spent quietly at home. Others, like tonight, have a social obligation. One of Mariposa's best friends is throwing a Christmas party. AJ stayed at Hogwarts getting the last of the Fall Term parchment work completed before making the walk home.
With St. Emrys between sessions, Mariposa has been working more but she'd been home for hours before AJ. When he arrived she was almost finished dressing for the party. AJ took a quick shower then changed into nice yet casual black pants and a burgandy shirt.
Mariposa enters the bedroom, having decided to switch out her earrings, to find him with a jumper in each hand, a very slight frown creasing his forehead. He looks up to ask, "Yes or no?" He waggles the sweaters as if weighing them on a scale.
"Up to you but if you do, go with the one in your left hand."
AJ takes another minute to decide before pulling the jump on, smoothing it down. After taking a moment to recomb his hair he remembers to brush his teeth. A few minutes later they've got coats on, knowing they might need them if Julia and her husband Robin have the party spilling outside to their nicely landscaped backyard where there is a firepit. Mariposa picks up two rectangular boxes wrapped in festive Christmas paper. There is a white elephant type gift exchange so each person attending must bring a gift. Julia, who lived much of her life in the Unite States, has said this sort of game is also called Dirty Santa or Evil Santa.
AJ holds out a hand, offering to take one or both of the wrapped packages but instead of handing him anything Mariposa asks, "Did you remember?"
It takes him a second to compute what she means. Nodding he assures, "Yes, I made sure I put Beatrix's gift under the tree."
AJ had gotten Beatrix Vanderbilt's name for Secret Santa at Hogwarts. The easy out, and one many might expect of him, would be to give Beatrix one or more copies of his books, especially one not yet available to the public. While he did consider it, AJ instead got Beatrix a coin clutch purse that resembles a sunflower, which Mariposa says is, "too cute," and a faux mink fur hat-gloves-scarf set.
Mariposa's response to his answer is to hand him both gifts for the white elephant and say, "I'm ready if you are."
Their dog Malta gives them a baleful look as they step out to apparate before turning a full circle on one of her beds, curling up and going back to sleep.
Megara's Feet Are As Sharp As Her Tongue
Author: Errol
Date: 02-20-14 20:37
Megara uses a foot to shove Errol in the leg. "Merlin's Beard! Why are you so bloody gloomy when we've got Christmas holiday starting?"
This being late Friday, Errol doesn't see a reason to hold back from Megara any longer. "Uncle Ross owled a few days ago. Things have heated up even more on that case. He's not sure we'd get more than a couple of days together so suggested I just stay here."
Megara shoves his leg again, only harder. "And you're just now telling me?"
"No, you're hearing things again."
Megara's foot is really sharp to be clad in a fuzzy, soft slipper.
Errol shrugs. He also reaches out to grab her foot while simultaneously moving his leg to cross the other, getting it further from her reach.
"You're not staying here." Megara's tone is no nonsense, her expression challenging him to argue.
"I said he suggested I stay. That doesn't mean I have to or that I am."
"Good, because you aren't."
"That is correct. I'll go to the cabin as originally planned. If Ross can make it, that will be great, but if he can't, at least I'll be somewhere I can come and go as I want."
"You're going to want to visit me."
"I already said I would."
"I'll come to the cabin some too. Keep you company."
"Maybe."
Errol just barely avoids another sharp poke in the leg.
He amends, "What I mean is, maybe we'll go somewhere more entertaining than a remote cabin where there's little to do."
"Games. WWN."
"You endlessly picking on me."
"As I said, games."
"You're impossible."
"I think you mean unique. You got me lots of pressies, didn't you?"
"Is one the same as lots? Stop poking me."
Megara ignores that last and picks up the knit cap Errol had worn outside earlier. She puts it on then asks, "How does it look on me?"
"So good you should grow your own beard."
Megara's gotten up to check herself out in a mirror there in the Ravenclaw common room or else he's sure she would have shoved her foot at him again. The knit hat she's put on has a knit beard attached. It was the Secret Santa gift Errol recieved from Arielle Kent. He'd gotten the name of Professor McGonagall's great nephew, Malden.
The last Hogsmeade trip he'd picked up a few things, Megara giving him input the entire time they were together, not just on what to give Malden McGonagall but also on all the things she thinks would be excellent for her so called special needs adopted little brother to give her. If Errol had gotten Megara everything she said she liked, he would have had to rob Gringotts.
Errol got Malden a few things, though with Christmas sales and a couple of those Easter Egg store coupons he'd gotten, he'd not spent a huge amount. He'd used a couple more coupons to get Megara's gift. Gifts, really. He'd not gotten her all that much but he did get her more than just present. He also got something for her parents, as good and as nice as they've been to him.
Malden's Secret Santa was dropped off first thing this morning. The delay was only because Errol had changed his mind a few times on what exactly to give the younger boy, thinking he could return the items not given. In the end, he gave all all the things he'd gotten, which are a Slytherin cap, a Slytherin chaser tee, a cool looking Slytherin serpent fountain pen, and a selection of sugar quills just for fun.
Megara returns from the mirror. "I may borrow this and wear it to bed. It's warm on my face."
A few minutes later Megara heads to bed, Errol going to his own room soon after, all the while wondering if he got one of Megara's roommates to take a picture of her asleep in that bearded hat, would she kill him slowly or make it fast?