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Sixth Years
Author: Jolyon
Date: 03-08-14 11:46
The barn was toasty warm when the sixth year students arrived, or maybe it only seemed that way after being outside in the cold. They removed their cloaks and hung them on the stand in the corner or on pegs along the wall and then took their seats at the desks Professor Kent had arranged in the open space in the middle of the room.
"Good afternoon, all. I hope you had a wonderful holiday," Professor Kent greeted.
His had been mostly nice. As planned, he and Bridget (and Gaius) had gone over to Merrie's home for Christmas Eve. Asher had only spoken with him begrudgingly, but at least it had been something. Christmas Day was spent with the Loreys, who Jolyon hadn't been too exited on meeting (Gaius was enough), but he found most of them to be quite all right.
He'd met up with old friends for New Year's Eve, and then Merrie and the children had come over to Bridget's place for a late lunch on New Year's Day. Between all the celebrating, Jolyon had managed to catch up on sleep, do a little relaxing, as well as plan ahead for work.
Now it was the second day of Winter Term.
"We're going to begin a unit on water horses," he said, "starting with the Orkney nuggle."
He conjured an image of the magical creature on the wall and launched into a description of it while his sixth years took notes.
It's Your Fault
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 03-08-14 13:43
Capri sat across from Mark in the Slytherin common room and talked with him. So far he was the only friend besides her sister and she did not consider her sister a friend.
The door to the common room opened and in walked Andromeda surrounded a bunch of people. She was always fast at making friends where Capri had always been a little slower at making friends.
"So did you have a lot of friends where you used to live?" Mark asked her.
"I had a few that I was close to." She said softly.
"You know," came Andromeda's voice, "if it weren't for you we could still be at home in Florida. But no, you had to go and blow up the damn potions classroom. And now I got drug away from my friends, my boyfriend and everyone I cared about."
"You cared about someone other than yourself?"
"Bitch!" Andromeda growled at her sister.
"Looks like you've made a bunch of friends." Capri indicated the group of girls and boys standing around her younger sister.
"That's not the point. Because of you I lost everything!"
"Just go away Andromeda! I don't need to listen to your crap today. I am having a hard enough time adjusting to being here."
"You should have thought about that before you blew up the Potions classroom!"
Capri sighed and shook her head. "Just leave me alone." She looked to Mark and felt embarrassed that her sister was berating her like this in front of the one person that she had made friends with. She hadn't even had the chance to tell him why they had moved to England.
When her sister finally stomped off she looked at Mark again and frowned. "I'm sorry. She just…"
"You blew up the potions classroom at your old school?"
Capri nodded her head. "Yes."
"Was it an accident?"
"No, it wasn't. I did it on purpose! The professor was a real ass and I hated him and so I blew up his classroom."
"Wow!" Mark said in astonishment and he just stared at her in shock
Persimmon
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 03-08-14 15:41
Stomach tightening in a knot Sage hesitates at his father's front door, hand hovering over the knocker. Lohengrin summoned Sage in his usual imperious fashion. He would have ignored Da if not for the fact that would only infuriate his father and when Lohengrin Porter is angry, everyone suffers, sometimes rather publicly.
Sage grips the knocker in hand, rapping it against the door several times. A half second later the door is opened by Veva, the house elf Lohengrin acquired in France long before Sage was born. Apparently, Veva had been told to expect him because upon seeing him, she turns and gestures for Sage to follow before even saying hello.
Veva leads Sage partway down the main hallway before gesturing to a room a little further along. "The office, Master Sage."
"Thank you, Veva."
The office door is open but Sage nevertheless pauses. He taps lightly on the frame, waiting until Lohengrin looks up from the newspaper he's reading. "A tad late."
"How can I be late when no time was given in your note?"
"Don't quibble with me."
Sage moves to a chair across from his father, covering the rolling of his eyes with the act of bending to sit.
Lohengrin folds the paper and sets it aside, sitting up straighter and more on the edge of his seat. "I'm opening a new restaurant."
Da is always opening a new restaurant or revamping an existing one, sometimes ones of which he is the sole owners, others that he's one of several owners. Sage wonders if this is just incidental news and whatever the reason for the summoning is yet to come or if this is the sum total of it and having Sage be here in person is simply because Lohengrin could.
As some sort of response seems expected Sage manages half a smile. "That's nice."
"I have decide it's high time you stopped mucking about in Muggle affairs and joined the family business."
"I'd hardly call my chosen profession mucking about."
Sage is working on his Secondary Order of Political Science and Muggle Studies through Merlin College at St. Emrys, and he currently works for the British Ministry of Magic in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department.
Lohengrin lets out the sigh of someone who is tired of having to do everyone else's thinking for them.
"You've had a diversion of a few years. Now, it's time to get serious."
"Which means working for you."
"Exactly."
From Lohengrin's smugness, Sage takes it that the slight sarcasm in his comment was either missed or ignored. Probably the latter.
"Da, cooking is nothing more than a hobby for me. I have no interest in running a business, particularly when that business is a restaurant. I have zero lack of desire to be a chef or a manager or both."
"Your interests and desires are beside the point. You'll head Persimmon. I expect you there at seven in the morning to begin familiarizing yourself with everything. End of discussion."
"No, Da. It's not the end of the discussion, if you call this a discussion. I won't be at Persimmon in the morning. I won't be there the next day or the day after that. I have a career path and, whether you like it or not, I am sticking with it. Now this discussion is ended."
As Lohengrin starts blustering about how he WILL be obeyed Sage gets up and walks out. He wonders if Sassy and Saffron went through this with Da. If so, neither ever mentioned it. Will Senna face it at some point as well?
At the door, Veva is there, holding it open. She gives him a sad smile as he says, "Bye, Veva. I'd avoid him for a bit if I were you."
Once off the front porch, Sage disapparates for home, mad enough at the continued interference into his life by his imperious, dictatorial father that it's a wonder he doesn't splinch himself in the process.
(Beatrix) Pondering
Author: Griet
Date: 03-09-14 10:20
Beatrix slipped into her seat in Charms class and took out everything she normally needed for class, like her textbook and wand. Beside her, Rowan did the same, but the motions seemed almost robotic due to her preoccupation with the Rita Skeeter article published in yesterday morning's Daily Prophet.
Because Beatrix already knew the truth about Rowan's family, it was easy for her to roll her eyes at Skeeter's words. The Westwicks were no more Death Eaters or otherwise dark wizards than she was. The whole reason they were cursed was exactly because Rowan's parents saw the error of the ways and tried to leave Voldemort's faction.
She understood why Rowan and Willow and to some extent Ash were upset, though. Try explaining the honest truth when so many accept Rita Skeeter's words as gospel. It was impossible.
Other than a lot of obvious gossiping, Beatrix had not witnessed any student accost any of the Westwicks about the article. She was fully prepared to stick up for the family if necessary, but so far there hadn't been occasion for her to do so.
She turned to her friend to talk about something lighthearted, but Rowan spoke up first and asked, "Do you think it was an isolated article or that Skeeter is targeting Hogwarts students now?"
Beatrix had wanted to take Rowan's mind off of the article, but it seemed hopeless. "I don't know," she said. "She mostly wrote about your dad, but then again, maybe that was the lead-in she needed to pick on you three."
The girls sat silently for a moment and then Rowan asked, "What do you think she would say about you?"
Beatrix shook her head. "I don't know." In general, she considered her life to be scandal-free, but then she thought about Griet, the werewolf, and Cornelia's troubled history. The more she pondered on the matter, the more she could very-well picture Skeeter finding some way to turn her life upside-down through falsehoods and gross exaggerations.
"I don't know," Beatrix said again.
Before Rowan could say anything else, Professor Knight cleared his throat and started class.
(Kate) After Herbology
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 03-09-14 13:17
Kate stepped outside the greenhouse after Herbology class ended and slowly made her way up to the castle. Even though it was cold, the sun shone brightly, making the day surprisingly pleasant.
Johanna fell into step beside her and said, "I think she likes him," returning to a conversation they'd had over breakfast, which all of Kate's Slytherin friends had taken at the Hufflepuff table to avoid being near certain other Slytherin students.
"The new girl?" Kate asked, pretending like she didn't know exactly who Johanna meant. "Maybe."
"The question is," Johanna went on, "does he like her?"
"They have been hanging out a lot together," Kate remarked, but she thought that had something to do with Capri being new and Mark having no one else to turn to at the moment. She knew it shouldn't bother her. After all, her New Year's resolution was to move on once and for all, but Kate couldn't hide her true feelings. She felt a little jealous of Capri.
She sighed and shook her head. "I'm trying not to care, but it's hard."
"I know."
Gus and Felicia caught up to them then.
"What are we talking about?" Gus asked.
Kate and Johanna exchanged looks, and then Kate changed the subject. "We were wondering what the basis is for that Rita Skeeter article that appeared in yesterday's paper," she said, nodding her head in the direction of Ash Westwick, who walked alone ahead of them.
"If they were really trapped in dolls, then I guess that explains why they mysteriously showed up here without getting sorted," Gus said, "but I don't buy that they are dark wizards. Ash is my roommate and I've never gotten the feeling there's something off about him, other than his penchant for keeping to himself a bit. He's all right, though."
"I feel sorry for him," Felicia said. "It can't be easy being in the limelight for all the wrong reasons."
"Yes, watch out, Felicia," Gus teased. "You don't want Skeeter writing about how you and Baltus can't keep your hands off of each other."
"Haha. What about you and all your women?" Felicia countered with a grin.
"What about us?" Gus replied, grinning.
Kate and Johanna both started grinning too, the serious talk from earlier temporarily forgotten.
A Suggestion
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 03-09-14 15:06
Footsteps crunch over the fallen snow and then Johann opens the flap to the tent and steps inside, where it is considerably warmer and the ground is made of wood floors and a great many rugs. He crosses the spacious tent interior to the table over which Berthold bends, a map spread out across its grainy surface. The map is covered in Xs, marking the various forests the group has searched for Fairchild's hideaway.
"How much longer do you wish to pursue this mission of yours?" Johann asks, coming to a stop next to his old friend.
"As long as it takes," Berthold replies, then looks up from the map to study the older-looking wizard. "Don't tell me you have given up on your desire to seek revenge on the one behind your son's murder?"
"I haven't," Johann replies, "believe me."
"Then why the question?"
"Some of the others grow weary. They are old men, after all, but even the young have begun to find this fruitless exploration of every forest in Britain very tedious."
Although Berthold claims to be patient in his search to find and kill Fairchild, he too is beginning to tire of hunting for his enemy. Not once has he found any clue to suggest her exact whereabouts. It is very frustrating.
"If someone has a better idea on how to proceed, I'm all ears," Berthold says in reply. He then turns back to the map on the table.
Johann says nothing for a long moment and then suggests, "We have already failed on getting someone in on the inside, but what we haven't tried is getting someone in at the Ministry of Magic."
"How is that relevant to our cause?" Berthold asks.
"If Fairchild involves herself in something big, something the Ministry might react to in real-time, then we could use the Ministry's intelligence to track her whereabouts based on whatever crime she happens to be committing at that very moment."
"Assuming it all happens the way you say. The few 'big' things she's done that have resulted in the Ministry of Magic arriving on scene have not ended in her capture or even her still being at the scene of the crime. Nevertheless, it is not out of the realm of possibility. I will think on it."
He points his hook to the map and says, "I think we should go here next."
Johann peers at the site in question and then nods his head. "I'll alert the others." With that, he leaves the tent.
Everett Isuki Weatherby
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 03-09-14 18:57
Changes made to a handout set for her six years, whose class is just after lunch at 1:15, Kissy leans back in her chair, closing her eyes. Neither Cameron nor she has had the amount of sleep they usually get but that's usual for most new parents. Everett Isuki Weatherby was born a few days earlier than expected, on the 16th of December.
Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank is more than happy to step in and cover Kissy's classes for a few weeks. Kissy wants to try and do what she can though she's sure she'll have Wilhelmina take a few classes here and there after this first week back from Christmas holiday. The rest of the time, Everett will be with Kissy in her office during office hours, as he is now. When she's in class, one of the house elves who helps in the school's day care will watch over him.
Sitting up straight, Kissy glances at the clock. Enough time to feed the baby then get some lunch herself at the Great Hall. Pouring some fresh formula into a clean bottle, Kissy taps her wand against it to gently warm the milk. She'd tried breast feeding but wasn't producing enough milk for even a single feeding. After days of trying but having to supplement, she regretfully made the full switch over to the formula.
A short while later, Everett drowsy from his full belly, Kissy cradles him against her for the walk to the Great Hall. Just outside the doors, she's stopped by Argus Filch. "Visitor for you." He jerks his thumb over a shoulder, pointing back at Nyoko, her mother.
"Thank you, Mr. Filch." Kissy is on a first name basis with the Hogwarts staff but she's never been able to bring herself to address the caretaker by his given name. She turns her smile to her mother. "Mum, I wasn't expecting you. Is everything all right?"
"Everything is fine. I'm sorry for just dropping by but I was hoping you'd let me sit with Everett while you have your class."
"Yes, of course. I'd like that. I was just going in to lunch. Have you eaten?"
"A nibble earlier."
"You're welcome to come eat with me. Us," Kissy amends, indicating the baby. "If you aren't hungry, you're still welcome to come sit with me."
"I wouldn't mind a little soup if there is any."
"This time of year, I think I'd be more surprised if there weren't at least one soup offered."
Shifting Everett to Nyoko's arms, as she so clearly is eager to hold her newest grandson, the two women enter the Great Hall, Nyoko telling Kissy about a garden club she's recently joined.
Loss
Author: Carys
Date: 03-10-14 17:56
Carys charmed a spoon to gently stir the potato leek soup simmering on the stove and then turned to the fresh bread she had picked up at the baker's earlier that day. She sliced it into thick pieces, and then sampled a small end piece because she couldn't help herself.
"I saw that!" Tristan exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear and pointing a finger at her. "You'll spoil your dinner!"
"The cook always gets to taste the meal before it's officially time to eat," Carys replied.
"That's not fair!" Tristan protested.
"It's not?"
"No."
"Maybe you want to help me make dinner."
"But I don't know how."
Carys smiled at her son. "I could show you some things, you know."
"Maybe later," Tristan decided, turning back to the Hungarian Horntail toy with which he'd been playing.
Carys fixed up a salad and then carried it and the sliced bread onto the table. She set four places and made sure the cats had their supper, and then checked on the soup, which was just about ready.
Griffin came home right on schedule and brought dessert, lemon bars from The Flour Shoppe. Tristan asked if he could sample one before dinner and was promptly denied his request. He pouted and said, "Awwww."
"Tristan, go fetch your great grandfather and tell him the soup is ready," Carys said.
"Okay," Tristan said, disappearing to the other side of the house to run his errand.
Griff carried the big pot to the dining table and set it onto an old pot holder that had once belonged to Alun's wife. It had a big white daisy stitched onto it that swayed in an imaginary wind.
Griff began ladling soup into the bowls Carys handed him. All four were filled, though the one for Tristan was only filled halfway. Carys put each bowl in its place and then turned to her husband.
"He's taking a long time."
"He probably stopped to use the loo and hopefully wash his hands, and your grandfather was probably napping."
"He does that a lot nowadays, even late in the evening," Carys murmured. Alun seemed to have aged quite a bit in the last half decade.
"Yeah," Griff agreed. A slight frown tugged the corners of his lips downwards.
"Mummy," Tristan said, coming into the dining room. He was alone and looked a bit uncertain.
"What is it, Tristan?" Carys asked, suddenly dreading the answer.
"I can't wake him," Tristan said. "He won't wake up."
(Nichole Fisher) Between Classes
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 03-11-14 13:44
Digits swept through sandy blonde hair as she stepped out of the dungeons after Potions, fingers snagging through some of the knots that had accumulated in the usually unruly tresses. A quick motion had the strands pulled up and secured with a hair clip, leaving a few curls to frame her face. Messenger bag slung over her shoulder and she contemplated heading to the Great Hall for lunch, or ultimately going to see if the F&A room was free and doing a couple of laps in the pool in the hour she had between Potions and Herbology – however, she was not entirely sure going between the castle and the greenhouses with wet hair would be the wisest decision she could make. Lunch won out, after she made a quick trip to Hufflepuff house to change out her books and supplies from Charms and Potions and get her things for Herbology.
"Nichole..."
At the sound of her name, she turned and offered Jeb a light smile.
"What's up Jeb?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to join me for lunch and maybe go over the herbology assignment that's due soon?"
"Sure, let's go."
The pair headed out of the Common Room, and talked a little bit between Hufflepuff House and the Great Hall. Most of the conversation was about school related things, but the pair were also getting to become fast friends and when Nichole was not hanging out with Araxie she was hanging out with Jeb and his roommate Chip.
Chip ended up joining them for lunch shortly after they'd gotten there and the three of them started going over the Herbology assignment, comparing notes and figuring out where the other had gone wrong, and things like that. Before they'd known it, it was time to head to the greenhouses for their one-fifteen Herbology class.