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You Didn't Forget?
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 03-23-14 14:00
A small hand repeatedly pats his leg as Griff inspects the current tomato offerings of The Magic Neep. When Griff doesn't immediately respond the patting is accompanied by, "Dad. Dad. Dad."
"Tristan. Tristan. Tristan."
The next, "Dad!" if filled with the sort of exasperation a child has for an uncooperative parent.
Griff picks up a couple of the tomatoes. "How do bacon sandwiches with tomatoes sound?"
Tristan makes a face.
"No? What would you prefer then?"
"We should go to the cake place."
"The cake place? Do you mean Briar's Bakery?"
"That's what I said. We should go there."
"We should?"
"We could get Great Granddad's favorite cake for supper. Or pie. Or both."
"Cake and pie for supper. You think Mum's going to agree to that?"
"No, but you're bigger. You can make her."
"Tell you what, Tristan. You say that to Mum and I'll make her agree OR we can go get cake or pie for afters."
Tristan goes quiet, his mouth working hard as he mulls this over. When he speaks again it's a somewhat grudging, "Bacon sandwiches with cake for after."
"Good choice."
In the short queue to pay for the tomatoes and a few other items Tristan asks, "You didn't forget, did you, Dad?"
Overall, Tristan has been handling Alun's death well. He'd even attended the funeral. He'd behaved beautifully, even when getting sniffly at saying goodbye to his great grandfather. Out of the blue this morning, Carys already gone and Tristan due at school soon, the seven year old had gone to Alun's room where he began rummaging through the closet and drawers. They had boxes to begin packing up Alun's belongings but hadn't made that step yet. When Griff asked Tristan what he was doing his son replied, "I want some membrants."
Griff went to Tristan and picked him up, sitting on the bed with his son on his lap. "You have to be at school in a few minutes and I need to get to work. How about after we get home today and after you've done any homework you might have, you can look through Great Granddad's things and find some remembrances to keep."
Knowing there was no possible way of convincing his father to skip work and him skip school to stay home, Tristan had nodded. "Okay. You promise?"
"Promise."
Looking down now at his son as they take a few steps forward in the queue, Griff replies, "I've not forgotten. Do you have much homework?"
"A little. Mostly maths."
"I'll help but " "you don't do it for me. I know, Dad."
A few minutes later father and son emerge from The Magic Neep, Tristan darting ahead, skidding around the corner on the High, reaching the bakery long before Griff. When Griff arrives, Tristan is gone inside Briar's Bakery, nose pressed against the display case as he decides which of the cakes available would have been a favorite of Alun's.
Improved Circumstances
Author: Abdul Hazrat AlGunud
Date: 03-23-14 14:16
His current circumstances were a distinct improvement over his recent incarceration. He lay sprawled upon a low ebony divan strewn with silk cushions. At his left sat a low ebony table, resting atop of which were a crystal decanter filled with amber liquid and a matching crystal goblet. He did not care to sample the drink. Instead he sat, revelling in the feeling of freedom that came from having some sense of control over his own destiny. He knew this feeling was partly illusory, but it mattered not.
The room he occupied was still a cell, but it was neither a pit nor a lava-filled chamber. It was a circular chamber with a high vaulted ceiling. The ubiquitous tapestries covered the walls. These were woven of dark fabric, depicting scenes of dragons flying and frolicking. He pretended to study the scenes. One of the tapestries moved ever so slightly. His right appendage growled softly. It tasted the air. There was the faintest of breezes, carry the scent of a human. As he suspected, the tapestry concealed a hidden passage some twenty feet above the floor. It was not surprising that they would set a watch over him. He had taught them a lesson in the price of carelessness.
The situation had been very tense, especially for the one he had been holding above the lava pit. Akhirom was his name. The second had held his position. Though clearly surprised by the turn of events, he had answered some of the questions posed to him in a somewhat halting fashion. In retrospect, he had been stalling for time; waiting for reinforcements to arrive. Somehow he had been able to signal for assistance.
Things had truly become interesting when others had arrived. They had fanned out around the periphery of the chamber, so as to keep him surrounded. A cluster of figures near the doorway parted to reveal a lone individual clad in trousers and a long-sleeved tunic of black velvet. With the appearance of this individual, the clamor had died away. The chamber was silent while the figure took in the situation. The eyes, flat and expressionless, settled upon him. Without shifting his gaze, the velvet-clad individual had spoken, "Tilgath, how did this happen?"
"Master, we were questioning the creature when it broke one of its chains and seized Akhirom. I summoned the guard."
"Why is Akhirom still alive?" This question was delivered in such a monotone that one could only conclude that Akhirom's life was a matter of purely academic importance to the speaker.
"Master, the creature has been demanding that I answer questions."
"Has it now?" The speaker's eyes narrowed and his voice showed greater interest. "So you speak after all. And clearly you can reason as well.Understand, dropping that one into the lava will avail you naught."
He had considered the situation. Clearly, his leverage had diminished but he might still be able to gain something. Slowly, he had lowered Akhirom to the floor and unlooped the chain from his leg. Then he spoke to the velvet-clad one. "I would speak and reason better without chains and without the threat of torture."
A tense silence followed, as the leader considered his words. At least he spoke, "Very well." At these words, the tension seemed to subside. With a single gesture, a half a dozen robed figures came forward. His chains were removed. As he stood, rubbing his chafed wrists; the velvet-clad leader spoke again, "These will escort to a room where you may rest. If you need food or entertainment, ask them. We will speak again. Soon."
With this apparent dismissal, he had been led to the chamber in which he now resided. He toyed with the notion of escaping, but decided it was better to make a show of cooperation. If they thought he could be useful, then they might be more inclined to grant him greater latitude. And if they decide that he was too dangerous, then they would most likely simply kill him. Either way, it was an improvement over his previous circumstances.
(Kate) Boys
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 03-23-14 15:44
Kate smiled over Gus at Hugo, with whom she had been spending time the last couple of days. She had known him for as long as she had been at Hogwarts; both having been sorted into Hufflepuff House the very same year. Despite sharing a house and almost all of the same classes over the six years they'd been at Hogwarts (and the one year at Happy Haven), Kate and Hugo had never really been friends.
That had changed when they'd both reached for the same book at the same time in the library the other evening. Both being the kind, giving type, they had offered the other to take the book, it being the only copy on the shelf. That had led to laughter when they couldn't come to an agreement as to who should check out the book. "No, you take it." "No, I insist." "No, really." "No, you can have it."
In the end, Kate had checked out the book in her name but had invited Hugo to share it. They made arrangements to meet in the library or the commons with the intention of studying together and in the process got to know each other much better.
Kate learned that Hugo was funny. Everything he said made her laugh, and it felt so good to laugh after months of feeling sorry for herself. She discovered that she really liked Hugo and wondered why it had taken this many years to befriend him.
Hugo grinned back at Kate and said to Gus, "Want my seat? I'm not sure the arm of Kate's chair can handle the weight of all your muscles."
"Sure, mate. Thanks for keeping it warm for me."
Hugo winked at Kate, collected his things from the table and got up to leave.
"See you," Kate called out to him.
"Later," Hugo replied.
Gus sank into the vacated seat and asked her and Johanna, "Going to watch us practice?"
"In the dark and the cold? No, thank you," Kate replied, with a little laugh. Besides, Mark will be there, she added silently.
She had seen him leave the common room only moments earlier, with the new girl in tow. Kate tried not to pay him much attention, but she couldn't help but wonder about those two. She had noticed that he seemed upset about something, but couldn't pinpoint what and wasn't sure she even wanted to know.
Johanna also shook her head. "I would, but I don't want to freeze my fingers off and we do have a lot of homework."
"Suit yourself," Gus said. He checked his watch. "I better go. Try not to study too hard, you two."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Okay, bye."
"Have a good practice," Johanna said.
Gus got up and crossed the room, earning sighs from all the girls who fancied him. When he disappeared out the door, Johanna moved to take his seat and asked, "So, what's the story between you and Hugo?"
Short Engagement
Author: Ella
Date: 03-23-14 16:41
In the same fashion as their impromptu engagement, Ella and Francis wanted their wedding to take place sooner rather than later. Their initial plan had been to go to the Ministry of Magic and marry without all the hoopla associated with a ceremony before family and friends. Mrs. Yao had talked them out of it. Francis was her only child and she would be damned if she didn't get to dance with him at his wedding.
Ella and Francis compromised by arranging a small ceremony on the Isle of Wight at Dunstan's suggestion. All of the extended Harville relatives had yet to meet little Ramsey, who looked like a younger version of Ella, only he had Zane's dark hair.
Ella tried not to think about Zane being Ramsey's birth father. It wasn't always the easiest thing to do since it was a fact, but Ella surprisingly didn't dwell on it much. Instead, she pretended like Francis was Ramsey's father and that the baby's dark hair had come from him. Maybe if she thought of it often enough, she would begin to believe it.
The wedding was scheduled for this Saturday. Just like there had been no birth announcement for Ramsey, there had been no announcement of the engagement and upcoming wedding. With Zane still at large and wholly unaware of Ramsey's existence, it seemed best to keep mum about everything. Ella didn't want him turning up at the wedding unannounced, but with a price on his head, he would be a fool to do so.
She sat on one end of the sofa in her father's house with her knees up and Ramsey settled against her thighs with his feet pressed against her stomach. He gurgled happily and held onto her fingers with his tiny hands.
Francis sat at the other end of the sofa and paged through a thick textbook, jotting down notes as he read. Hilary Term had just started at St. Emrys, and already, he had a lot of reading to do. There had been some discussion, mostly on his part, for him to either drop out or scale back his hours at the university. He wanted to earn money so he could provide for his wife and baby.
Ella didn't want him to give up on his dreams just for her sake, though. It made her feel a little guilty that she didn't have a job to help pay her own way. Maybe when Ramsey got a bit older, she'd look into a part-time job.
Dunstan walked through the door just then, having stayed at the office a bit late. He was taking Friday off so they could all travel down together and had some projects he wanted to make headway on before the extended weekend hit. He bore a large pizza box in one hand, holding it like a serving tray.
Ella and Francis both perked up at the smell, and even baby Ramsey seemed intrigued.
"Who's hungry?" Dunstan asked, grinning.
Crab Apple
Author: Marzipan
Date: 03-24-14 15:31
Marzi walked around the main work table in the greenhouse, collecting bits of cedar plank her third year Ravenclaw and Slytherin students left behind. The in-class assignment had been to extract oil from the wood, which they had done using a steaming method. Now the greenhouse smelled like a cross between fresh pencil shavings and sandalwood, and it felt even more humid than usual.
Marzi set the pieces of cedar aside and collected the stainless steel pots used for steaming, finishing her clean-up of the greenhouse just in time for her next class to arrive. These were the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff fourth years, who would be learning about crab apple.
"Good morning, all," Marzi said, as the fourth years removed their cloaks and jackets and took their places at the work table.
"Good morning, Professor," they chorused.
"Today we're going to discuss crab apple. Who can tell me about this plant?" she asked.
Eden Jenkins raised her hand. "Crab apple, also known as Malus, is a type of small tree or shrub native in temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere."
"Thank you, Eden. Two points to Hufflepuff. Here are some examples of crab apple varieties," Professor Ravenscroft said, summoning several branches and a few potted trees. Each bore fruit, mostly red, but some yellow, or blossoms, which ranged in color from pale pink to majestic purple. All of the plants looked strikingly similar, proof they all belonged to the same family.
"Now, who is familiar with the Nine Herbs Charm?" Professor Ravenscroft asked.
Luke Walker raised his hand and answered, "The Nine Herbs Charm is a historical healing treatment used against poison and infection."
"Yes, good," Marzi replied, nodding her head. "Two points to Gryffindor. The Nine Herbs Charm was first recorded in the Lacnunga manuscript, which is an Anglo-Saxon medical text. Crab apple is one of the nine herbs used, the others being mugwort, cockspur grass or betony, lamb's cress, plantain, mayweed or chamomile, nettle, thyme, and fennel. The herbs are crushed and then mixed together with soap and apple juice.
"We're not going to make the Nine Herbs Charm today. What we're going to do is juice crab apple fruit and harvest the seeds."
She picked up a fruit press from her table in the corner of the greenhouse and set it on the edge of the main table. Underneath that, she arranged a large metal basin for collecting the juice. She demonstrated how to use the press and then had everyone take turns making juice, skimming for seeds, and bottling the leftover liquid from the basin.
End Of A Long Day
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 03-25-14 18:05
Coco checks the oven then removes the Lancashire Hotpot, a casserole of vegetables and meat topped with potato slices, and places it on the stove top. Stepping over Cash, around Zelda and Dal - Odette and Ringo both now adopted and living happily with their new families, she bumps the kitchen door with one hip. "Supper."
Papa Wal waves a hand from his spot in front of the telly to indicate he heard but will be a moment. Purrl, however, can't get up from her spot on his lap fast enough. Mitzi has gone out with a friend but should be back any time now. Coco stands a few seconds longer then deciding that her grandfather is so absorbed in his programme he'll soon forget all about coming to eat.
She opens the kitchen door all the way, sets up one of the trays then spoons hotpot onto a plate. She adds a warm, buttery, crusty roll as she knows Papa Wal will ask for one, a drink, napkin, and utensils then carries the tray to set in front of her grandfather. After putting food out for Purrl and filling the dogs' bowls, she fixes another tray for herself and moves to the sitting room, wondering if she'll be as enthralled with whatever show Papa Wal is watching as he is.
As a commercial break comes on Papa Wal, in between bites, lets Coco know, "Hit's good, Poppet, but Oi wud uh bean foine wif beans on toast. You don' haf ter trouble yourself hover me."
"I don't mind.'
"Yeah, but ya 'ad uh long day. Don't need ter make no fuss fer me."
"I like fussing over you and, also, Mitzi will be in soon and may want to eat. I wanted to eat. Throwing some things into a casserole isn't any trouble, Papa Wal. If you're wanting beans on toast, we'll do that for lunch tomorrow. Oh, and don't forget that we're having the Schnackenpfefferhausens over Friday night."
The programme on once more, Papa Wal makes a grunting noise of agreement as he resumes watching with avid interest while showing his dinner equal interest.
Coco watches the show but not as closely as Papa Wal. Her grandfather was not exaggerating that she'd had a long day. She'd begun the morning with dog walks, cooking breakfast for Papa Wal, and working at the animal shelter where she volunteers. After that it was checking in at Nutt's & Bolt's, going over the books to make sure everything is as it should be. Coco is satisfied overall with the employees they have now but is not about to slack off on making sure the business is being run as it should without her there on a daily basis.
From there she'd attended a class at St. Emrys. Though she has officially completed all the in class course work required of the veterinary healer programme, with only clinical work left to complete, there are some new courses offered that she wants to take. Coco was able to work two into her schedule for Hilary Term, which began Monday. One of the courses meets twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays while the other is a Tuesday night class.
From class Coco had gone to Hogsmeade to MacFusty's. She'd taken a long break to make sure Papa Wal went to a check-up that would help determine whether to continue with the current physiotherapy or whether to change up a few things. After seeing him home she'd returned to Hogsmeade to finish her MacFusty's shift. Somewhere in the course of the day, Fritz and she had managed to squeeze in fifteen minutes together.
After picking up a few things at the grocer's, Coco had come home and prepared the hotpot. After the casserole went in the oven, it was dog walks again and giving them and the cat individual attention.
Rising to get Papa Wal seconds, Coco is glad she can go back to bed for a little while after the morning dog walks tomorrow.
You Can't Avoid It
Author: Niccolo Zabini
Date: 03-25-14 20:43
Nico ran his fingers along the thin chain that held a small silver and emerald pendant. It was subtle, but still elegant bearing their House colors. He originally planned to deliver the gift on her birthday, but the arrival of another letter from his cousin just that morning got the teenager to act.
Niccolo,
I take it you have come to understand the situation regarding your future. I know you have shown interest in Petula as we discussed over the Christmas holiday. This contract is being finalized as I write, and you will uphold it. As we discussed in the last correspondence the ties between the Houses of Zabini and Parkinson will be united with the pair of you, and will be discussed with the pair of you over the next break.
Behave, Nico, and work on your marks.
I expect greatness from you, no less.
Blaise
Nico and Petula had been avoiding each other since the respective letters from their families arrived, but avoidance wasn't the answer any more. Niccolo tucked the necklace back into the box and made his way down to the common room. He hoped the gift would ease the tension both children felt, Petula had Nico well trained so far, running errands to Hogsmeade and such. He needed to look for something else to give Petula for her birthday, but for now, this would suffice.
Nico stepped over to where Petula sat in the common room, using all the formal charm he had been taught, "Miss Parkinson, may I have a moment?" He offered his hand to the younger girl, still not sure what her true reaction to their future situation may be.
"Of course, Zabini." Pet followed him to a quieter area of the common room to talk, knowing that they needed to get past this awkwardness, lest others in the snake den take it as weakness.
Nico looked her over for a moment, a little unsure where to begin until he noticed Pet looking at the box in his hand.
"Well, since this is being finalized, I thought you might like an early birthday present." He opened the box and presented it to her.
Pet studied him for a moment and then nodded, turning and lifting her hair so he could put the necklace around her neck. "So long as you don't think this marks me as your property, all will be well. I am not pleased to be offered through a contract, but I understand it, and at least it is someone I can respect," she said while he hooked the chain around her neck. Turning back to face him, she smiled slightly and reached up to briefly squeeze his hand, a ghost of a touch that was over as soon as it began.
"My dear, Petula, I would never mark you as property, you know that."
A soft smile brushed his lips at Petula's soft touch, just a gesture of the encroaching future. "I know it was not something either of us expected, but I understand the importance of continuing our families' traditions. I would hate for you to have ended up with someone who did not respect your beauty and brilliance."
A slight smile faded into a smirk. "As long as you recognize both, we'll get on just fine," she said. "Now, I need to get back to my homework, and you should do the same. Else Great-Aunt Cloris might give you detention." She winked and rejoined Valeria, working on their latest assignments.
(Cassandra's Flat, Knockturn Alley) Acting on Impulse
Author: Kirley Mockridge
Date: 03-26-14 06:31
"What does your mother have to say for herself?" she asked conversationally, adding the tea to the pot; Cloris' owl had arrived a short time earlier with a letter for her son.
"That Valeria is doing well, and that my cousin has seen fit to accept a contract for Petula. He's officially naming her his heir, and is contracting her to one of Blaise Zabini's cousins, so the children can continue the Parkinson line. Mother has also commented that at the rate things are going, she'll be attending Petula's wedding before mine or Nephele's," Kirley said, tossing the parchment into the flames. He'd reply later, once the bitter sting of the barbs Cloris had worked in had faded.
Cassandra concealed a wince. Despite what she suspected had been intended as casual tone, there had been an edge to his words; Cloris had clearly managed - she suspected deliberately - to poke a sore spot.
"Nephele and Pip may surprise her," she said noncommittally. She handed him a cup of tea. "How is Petula taking the plan?"
"Mother didn't say, which doesn't surprise me. Petula's the type to accept it and find a way to turn it to her advantage. The boy is just a year older, so at least there's that," Kirley said, idly staring into his tea. A part of him, a very small part, but still, wanted to please his mother and marry, but he knew how Cass felt about the whole marriage and children thing.
"Petula is a Parkinson," Cass said dryly. She took her own cup of tea and settled down in one of the other overstuffed armchairs beside the hearth, watching Kirley over the rim of the cup as she sipped. "As is Valeria, despite bearing the Mockridge name. Cloris appears to be being more circumspect with her and the Avery boy though than your cousin is with Petula."
"That's partly because I forbid her to make a contract for Valeria. I want her, like Nephele, to have her own choice," he replied, his gaze shifting from his tea to the fire. "Though from Valeria's letters, she and the Avery boy have not been as close this year as they were last."
"They're young," she said. "They've got plenty of time to make their own minds up." If truth be told, she rather approved of Kirley's stance. The thought of having her future signed away when she was only in her second year at Hogwarts - as Petula was - sent a cold chill through her.
He nodded. "I understand his reasoning though. If Petula is the heiress, and she marries someone who doesn't understand our traditions or she marries someone in line to be head of the family himself, then the Parkinson name dies out. And that would be tragic. By choosing a partner for her now, then it protects both families." He sipped at his tea before putting it down abruptly and looking to Cass.
"Marry me. Hang the rest of it, we'll figure something out," he paused, a little surprised at himself, but watching her with baited breath.
Cass choked as the mouthful of tea she was about to swallow went down the wrong way. She coughed and spluttered, eyes watering; not perhaps the most elegant way to receive a proposal of marriage.
"Kirley, no..." she managed to get out breathlessly. "I mean, it's not that I don't care, you know I do... and if I were going to marry anyone..." She shook her head. "But don't you see, its just like we were talking about with Petula and the Parkinson name. You're the last male Mockridge. You're supposed to marry someone who can have kids."
"And I can always put the line in the hands of a younger son of Nephele's, if she and Pip ever get around to it," he answered. "Or even Valeria herself, if she has more than one child."
"I'm really not sure..." she began. Yet was she prepared to give him up and let him find someone else? The thought was surprisingly painful.
He turned slightly, reaching out to catch her fingers in his. "Cass, I don't want anyone else. And I won't force myself into a loveless marriage just so the Mockridge line can continue. I want you," he said quietly. "The rest will figure itself out."
Her fingers tightened around his as midnight-blue eyes searched his face.
"I can't risk passing on my curse to another generation," she whispered. "If it weren't for that, I would say yes in a heartbeat. I love you and cannot imagine myself marrying anyone but you. But I don't want you to come to resent me later when you have no heir."
"How can I resent you when I know exactly what I'm getting into, Cass?" he murmured, moving from his chair to his knees in front of hers. "If we never have children, then that's fine. I would rather give up that than give you up."
The fingers of her free hand threaded through his hair. "Oh, Kirley," she murmured. She gave a soft sigh and then bent her head to kiss him. "How am I supposed to say no to you when you say things like that to me?"
"You're not supposed to say no," he murmured, reaching up to brush her cheek with his fingers. "Marry me, Cass?"
A fist seemed to grab her heart and squeeze. "Yes," she said softly. "Yes, alright, I will marry you."
He smiled and leaned up to kiss her. "Should I whisk us off to Gretna Green tonight, before you have time to change your mind?" he half-teased.
"And cheat your mother of her huge Society wedding?" she teased in return. "She'll never forgive you."
"Yes, she will. We'll be married, and if we tell her it's so you wouldn't have time to change your mind," he teased, "she'll be appeased. Plus, she's at Hogwarts ten months of the year, we can always arrange to be out of England for the rest of the time."
Cassandra could not help but laugh. "Well, since I seem to be saying yes to you at the moment - and you needn't get used to it..." Mischief glinted in her eyes. "...then okay, yes, you can whisk us off to Gretna tonight."
He laughed and tugged her into his arms, falling backward to the floor. "An excellent plan," he murmured.