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Poison
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 05-07-14 13:44
It was a sunny but cool Monday morning. Wendy left the Great Hall after breakfast and rushed into the owlery before going to fetch her books and head to Transfiguration. She had noticed that Erwin wasn't as perky as usual and she suspected there was something wrong with him. Yesterday, feeling concerned about her owl, she went to Professor Kent's office asking for help. The Care of Magical Creatures teacher and assistant Head of Ravenclaw, suggested Wendy to give Erwin a healing tonic. She had embedded the pinkish liquid into a small piece of bread at breakfast, in order to make it easy for the owl to take it.
It was very cold at the owlery and she moved carefully trying not to step into any owl droppings. Something was crushed under her left shoe and she tried to block the image of the small mouse skeleton she had just destroyed. Wendy moved her head trying to locate Erwin and she finally spotted it, at a high corner.
"Erwin, come here!" she called with affection.
The owl sent Wendy a careful look, but it stayed where it was, without moving.
"Erwin! Please you have to come down. I've brought something that will make you feel better."
There was no reaction from the owl. Wendy sighed.
"You're doing it wrong." Leaned against the door, blocking the nascent sun was Titus Nott. He had a letter on his hand and his cheeks were red from climbing the steps. "You have to lure him. He's not going to eat that bread, he's clever."
Titus approached Wendy, he too trying to avoid placing his shoes at the wrong places. He then took a napkin inside of his pocket. Inside there were a few bacon strips. He placed one over Wendy's bread. "This will do the trick. Now call him again," he told.
She followed his instructions and seconds later Erwin came to her. The owl ate the bacon and the piece of bread without noticing the tonic's flavor mixed with it. Wendy inspected and petted her owl, complementing it for eating everything. Meanwhile Titus went to fetch one of the school's owls and sent his letter away. He observed Erwin's deformed leg with curiosity, but he didn't make any comments about it. Instead he began to walk away, towards the exit.
"Thank you," Wendy told him, as her owl flied back to its resting place. She followed Titus and they walked down the stairs together. "You're good with animals. Are you considering taking Care for Magical Creatures next year?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I don't like Professor Kent."
"Oh?" she asked with genuine surprise.
"I bet he is going to keep awarding points to Arielle and Asher all the time during classes. He won't be impartial with his children. Why do you think Asher made the Quidditch team? I don't want to be taught by that man, ever."
"I think you shouldn't limit your choices because of a teacher. And I'm sure Professor Kent would not favor his children; besides they might not even pick the subject."
Titus rolled his eyes.
"You're too naive, Mills. You think everyone is honest and has integrity, but that's not how the world works, you know? I bet if the Death Eaters attack the school, the first thing they'll do is hunting down Muggle borns like you. And do you think your beloved Professor Kent will come to your rescue? No. He will be busy trying to remove his children safely from the castle."
They reached to the bottom of the stairs and separated. Wendy went right while Titus turned left. She went to the Ravenclaw tower in order to fetch her bag with her books and other school supplies. She meditated about what Titus had told her. His words were poison, and she couldn't understand why a boy who could lure owls into his hand had such a bitter soul.
After Class
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 05-07-14 18:22
"I know Professor Weatherby said not to practice outside of the classroom, but I really wish I could use that charm on Rita Skeeter's Daily Prophet articles," Rowan said, as she and Beatrix left the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
There had been a few mentions of her father in some of the more recent articles regarding the antics of the Death Eaters, but only those written by the pest herself. At least she hadn't made any more mentions about Linden's children and how they were surely groomed to become future Death Eaters themselves.
"Maybe Professor Weatherby will let you do it in class," Beatrix replied. "You could tell her you want to see what the charm's effect is on newspaper."
Rowan shrugged. "Maybe, but that might be a stretch since we are supposed to be studying how the charm might help in dark arts situations. I don't know when the newspaper would be a danger to anyone, other than through words."
Beatrix didn't seem to be listening anymore. Rowan guessed incorrectly at what had her best friend distracted. She turned her head, expecting to see Ash, but it was Willow who had Beatrix's attention. Willow was up against the wall, looking stony-faced but also a bit upset. Her fellow third year Slytherin classmate Maurice Kilman was taunting her. There were a few other students around, but nobody seemed to be doing anything.
"I bet your curse hasn't really worn off completely yet and you'll age rapidly in a matter of minutes when it finally does. You'll be a fifty-year-old with gray hair and wrinkles in a little school girl's skirt!"
"Hey!" Beatrix exclaimed, falling into prefect mode. "You want to explain yourself?" she asked Maurice.
He opened his mouth to make a nasty retort but then his eyes fell on the silver badge pinned to her robes. "Just a misunderstanding," he finally said. "I'll be on my way now."
"Apologize first," Beatrix said.
"What?" Maurice replied, looking like he would do no such thing and was shocked she would even suggest it.
"I said," Beatrix began, "apologize to Willow, or I might have to report you and take away points."
Maurice seemed to weigh his options. Professor Snape was known to show leniency to his own house, but in this case the "victim" was another Slytherin. He wasn't sure how that would play out. In the end, he turned toward Willow and gave her a curt, "Sorry," before turning on his heel and walking away.
Willow finally pushed off the wall and said, "You didn't have to do that, but thanks."
"It's my job," Beatrix said.
Rowan came up beside her sister. "What all was he saying to you?"
"Just how much of a freak I am and if I'm taking a list of people to go after for when I'm a bonafide dark witch."
They set off down the hall some more.
"I hate to encourage this, but maybe it's time to use the rumors about us to our advantage," Rowan said. "If they are going to make us out to be evil masterminds, then maybe we ought to pretend that's just what we are. I'm kidding, of course––"
"But I know what you mean," Willow said. "Maybe next time I'll tell him he's at the top of my list and that he better watch his back."
"I'm pretending like I'm not hearing any of this," Beatrix said, covering her ears with her hands.
Rowan and Willow exchanged laughs. After a few more minutes, the three reached the Great Hall and all sat down together at the Ravenclaw table.
Helping Hand
Author: Blossom
Date: 05-07-14 19:10
Despite keeping up with three young children, two jobs, and spending as much time as possible with Hendrika at St. Mungo's, Charlie's kept things at the house fairly neat. Of course, the state of the house could be because he and the kids aren't here much these days and because other family members have been helping however they can.
Opening the door to Charlie's house Blossom calls out, "Charlie?" just in case he came home for lunch. Barley, the puppy Hendrika and Charlie had gotten for the family as a Valentine's gift is at the Potters' today with Ginny, the boys, and their dog Pixie.
Carrying a casserole into the kitchen, Blossom leaves it in the ice box, double checking the heating instructions are legible and correct. A quick turn around the kitchen, flicking her wand to clean the breakfast dishes and put them away after and Blossom moves in the direction of the bedrooms. The only unmade bed is the one in the master bedroom. Blossom can't really blame the children for not wanting to sleep in their own beds. After a second she gives consideration to Charlie being the one not wanting to sleep alone in his bed. It could also be some of both.
Locating the spare bedding, Blossom rapidly changes the sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. Folding those she's removed from the bed, she shoves them into a bag to take home and launder. There are few toys on the sitting room floor so she picks those up and puts them in the toy chest on one side of the room. Remembering to check for towels and any cleaning that needs to be done in the baths, Blossom exits the house to first drop off the laundry bag at her office then to meet Fred for lunch.
As she walks, she makes a mental reminder to offer to speak with Briar about a cake for Schuyler's upcoming eighth birthday. That leads to thoughts of finding out what else needs to be done to organize a birthday party. With Schuyler at her Hogsmeade Primary Day, it would be very easy for Blossom to oversee invitations to his class. Perhaps there should be a separate party for his friends and for the family. His actual birthday, the twenty-fifth, is on a Tuesday. They could do a big family dinner that evening. The party for his friends, and cousins, could be the Saturday before or the Saturday after. Blossom will offer the use of the gaming center.
Reaching her office, with as many things that have come to mind, Blossom hurries to jot them all down before she forgets anything. She takes the list when she leaves to meet Fred for lunch to see if he can think of anything else to add before either of them talks next with Charlie.
Nothing's Up
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 05-08-14 19:44
Turning his head to make talking with Jared easier Sage catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror. The formal wear his friend has chosen is nice but it's too bad he can't wear something he already has. Standing here being fitted isn't his idea of a fun evening.
Sage comes close to twisting more fully around to face his friend, risking being speared with a pin, when Jared unexpectedly asks, "So what's up with you and Georgia?"
"How did we go from talking about a Quidditch match to Georgia Copperpot?" The Quidditch match they'd been discussing was played yesterday between the Chudley Canons and Lithuania's Gorodok Gargoyles.
"Seemed a good time to change the subject."
"Then you should have picked something else because there's nothing up."
"You've been seeing her fairly regularly."
"More like Libby keeps asking me to take her to do things and Georgia comes along."
"Isn't Libby a little young for you?" Jared chuckles.
"Libby can be a bit much at times but," Sage would have shrugged but he remembers in time not to, preventing the tailor for jabbing him on purpose as a reminder to stand still.
Jared finishes the thought for him. "But being around Libby lets you spend time with Georgia."
"Yeah," Sage admits.
"Which leads me back to the original questions. What's up with you two?"
"I stand by my original answer. Nothing's up. I wouldn't mind if something were but, right now, nothing's up."
"You've asked her to be your plus one?"
"Yeah."
"I'd say that's something, not nothing."
The tailor indicates Sage can step off the dias. He gets changed, relieved that Jared doesn't try to pursue the topic of Georgia while he's in the dressing room. Stepping back out to join Jared, he speaks first, initiating another change of topic as they leave Twilfit & Tattings for something to eat. "Have you and Alanna looked at any houses yet?"
A Little Competition
Author: Josie
Date: 05-09-14 05:32
Miranda Drawlight and Olive Green were standing in front of the classroom, wearing blindfolds. In front of them there was an elixir that they would have to be able to identify correctly without using their sight.
"Remember what you learned about the scent method yesterday. Each elixir has an unique scent and even those who have a similar odor have different hints of its ingredients here and there. There are some alchemical works which the smell is very strong and toxic which can stun or poison who inhales it. Protection will be needed in those cases, but today we will be only working with harmless elixirs. You have 15 seconds to make your guess. Go!"
Miranda was the first to reply and her answer was right. I wrote down the results in the blackboard using my wand.
"Next pair!" I called, putting a new elixir over the table.
I had organized a little competition between the students in the hopes to make the class more appealing. Instead of having them all seated in groups and use the scent method to identify elixirs, writing the results down on their parchments, I created teams of two, who would compete against each others. The team who guessed correctly more elixirs would be the winner and they would be receiving more house points. In order to make them work even better, I decided to award the victor pair with a free meal at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron the next time they went to Hogsmeade. The idea had been suggested by Aj at the professor's room this morning, after a brief conversation. He assured me his sister Furnella would be open to such arrangement and I could pass by her establishment latter, in order to pay for the lunch in advance and set things up with her.
Sadie Mickle showed her tongue to her boyfriend Hunter Rabnott, as he wrongly guessed the elixir and she was able to name it correctly. Cassidy Waldron was next, against Capri Brycin. Both of them got the name right but Cassidy had been faster to reply and so she won the round. She returned to her place and knocked on Errol Anderson's knuckles, her teammate.
5 minutes before the bell rang it was time for the final round which was going to determinate what pair would win the free meal. It was Broderick Carter against Mark Farnon. Jill Prewitt, Broderick's teammate, was cheering for him while Roisin McCray called Mark's name. The other teams joined them, some even making friendly bets about who would win. Mark and Broderick placed their blindfolds and everyone got quiet, in expectation. I placed the last elixir on the table and the two of them inhaled. Both of them made a grimace: the smell was not very pleasant, I had to admit.
"Troll's blood elixir!" Broderick said very fast.
"That's correct, Mr. Carter. You and Miss Prewitt are the winners."
There were cheers but also frustrating sounds. I complimented the students on a good work and I dismissed the class, after asking them to write an essay about the scent method for next week.
Known Troublemaker
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 05-09-14 13:55
Capri didn't take the Daily Prophet but when others were giggling and looking her way she picked up a discarded copy of the newspaper. She began scanning the headlines and then her eyes fell on the headline: Hogwarts Student Known Troublemaker by Rita Skeeter.
Capri Brycin a 7th year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a known troublemaker. It is known that her parents Azaiah and Ariel Brycin of Orlando, Florida, USA have relocated their little family to London where her father has taken a job at the Ministry of Magic.
Capri was expelled from American Institute for Magical Studies, Florida because she blew up her potions classroom after a disagreement with her potions Professor. How long will it be before she does something like this at Hogwarts and why would Headmistress McGonagall allow a dangerous student like this attend her school?...
The article went on but Capri threw down the paper and groaned and Mark who had been reading over her shoulder put an arm around her. "Don't worry about it Rita Skeeter is always posting things that are untrue…"
"That's the thing," Capri said, "It's not untrue what she has said. I am a danger to others."
"So, no more blowing up potions classrooms." Mark joked. "And no more fighting with Andromeda."
Capri sighed and shook her head, "Maybe I should just drop out of school."
"You can't do that. You need to finish." He leaned in and kissed Capri softly on the forehead. "We only have a few months left and then we are done…"
Capri nodded her head. "I am just so tired of not having any friends and of Andromeda making my life miserable…I'm just so tired."
"I understand." Mark said as he held her closer. "Come on let's walk to class." The two got up and walked to their first period class.
(Knockturn Alley) A Sudden Disappearance
Author: Cassandra Catesby
Date: 05-10-14 07:03
The morning trade at Ravenscrofte's Rare and Antiquarian Books had been particularly brisk. A number of customers had been in to collect volumes that they had requested, others had stopped by to place new orders or to investigate the contents of the shelves.
She had a few errands she wanted to run so at lunchtime, she swung the sign on the door to read closed. The sun was out overhead, but the day was still cool, so Cassandra collected her cloak and swung it about her shoulders as she left the shop; it was only a short walk up Knockturn Alley to Diagon Alley anyway.
As was her habit, she glanced in the windows of a few shops as she made her way up to where the alleys met. There were some interesting potion ingredients on sale at Apoteca Themuaturga, she ought to mention it to Nephele, and there was a discount on copper-bottomed cauldrons at Potage's.
Passing the Starry Prophesier, a prickle of awareness rippled down her spine. In the window of the divination supply store, she caught sight of her reflection.
Not just her own.
She started at the sight of the wizard coming up swiftly behind her and spun around.
He grabbed her arm and jerked her forward. "No more tricks," he hissed, and before she could protest he had apparated them both away.
(Mockridge Townhouse to Knockturn Alley) Cold Knot of Fear
Author: Kirley Mockridge
Date: 05-10-14 08:58
Kirley looked at the clock as he entered the Townhouse. One of the house elves quickly took his cloak but merely squeaked when he asked where he might find his wife. A quick conference with Nephele confirmed that Cass hadn't come home yet and he wondered if maybe she'd gotten caught up in work, or in tracking down one of her rare tomes. But it wasn't like her to be late without word.
He summoned the elf back with his cloak and apparated out of the front hallway, appearing in the flat above the bookshop in Knockturn Alley. Malantha rubbed affectionately against his ankles and meowed rather pitifully. Her dishes were empty, so he gave her food and water before heading downstairs to check on the shop. It was eerily quiet. A prickling feeling crept along his spine as he remembered the errands she'd mentioned wanting to run during lunchtime. He'd check with those merchants to see if they had seen her, but panic was starting to set in.
An hour later, he'd confirmed that Cass hadn't made it to any of those shops for her errands and true fear had settled low into his stomach. He'd mobilized his house elves, knowing that they could find his wife if anyone could, and contacted Nephele and Pippin, along with the Aurors and his mother. He'd also used Cass's own owl to see if it could find Callie. He knew, if it were his twin, he'd want to be told, regardless of being on the run. Plus, she might have some insight, if Cass' disappearance wasn't related to her own book trade or to his Ministry career. He made himself comfortable in the flat above the shop, feeling closer to Cass here than in their rooms at the Townhouse. Perhaps one of those he'd reached out to would have news soon. Or Cass herself would come back before long and laugh at his over-protective nature.
Brooding Bellatrix
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 05-10-14 19:30
Lucius enters his study to find Bellatrix standing at the French doors staring out into the growing gloom. Without turning she comments, "You've been gone all day."
"Carina and I spent the day with Draco, Asteria, and the baby."
"The baby. Scorpius."
"You should visit again."
"Scorpius Hyperion."
"They didn't know."
"No."
"Is that's what's bothering you? His middle name is Hyperion?"
"No, of course not."
"Something is clearly weighing on you."
Bellatrix finally turns from the doors. "Barty and Gudrun are on a mission for Fairchild."
"Without you."
"Without me."
Moving to pour himself a drink Lucius dryly remarks, "Last I saw them, they were all grown-up and capable of going out alone."
"You know neither has been quite… right since being resouled."
"Concern for them on a mission without you is why you're brooding." Lucius gestures to the decanter. At Bellatrix's nod he pours her a drink as well, not taking the nod as confirmation of his statement.
She accepts the glass from him before sitting in one of the armchairs. "They fight as if there is a sibling rivalry. They could have thwarted the mission before it even began."
"I have no doubt you do have some concern for your two lab rats but there's something else."
Bellatrix's silence speaks as loudly as words.
"Hyperion."
"I told you Draco's use of the name doesn't upset me."
"Not my grandson. Your Hyperion."
Bellatrix takes a swig of her drink then blurts, "I saw him recently."
"The way you skulk around to spy on him I should think you see him regularly."
"I don't mean in that manner. I went alone to make an exchange for Fairchild. I didn't know until I got to the designated location that I'd be meeting him and some woman. I was so unsettled, I came close to Crucioing a few Muggles on my way out of the park."
"I'm sorry. I cannot possibly imagine how difficult that was for you."
"What if that Ministry lawyer who got the Carrows and Draco's friends Crabbe and Goyle out of Azkaban is working to get Rodolphus released as well?"
"I should think as hard as you worked to come up with an escape plan for him, you'd be pleased if he were to be released."
"If he were free, would I need to tell him?"
"That he's a father? I don't have to but whether he's ever released or not, you should."
Bellatrix downs the rest of her drink then holds out the glass. "More, please."
Doing as bid, Lucius tries to think of when he's ever seen Bellatrix this frazzled but can't think of a single past incident. Even Voldemort's first downfall did not affect her this way. That only served to make her angry and even more prone to violence, particularly inflicting pain. Alice and Frank Longbottom are testament of that.
As he hands Bellatrix back the glass Lucius settles in his own chair listening as she tries to convince herself that she should indeed tell Rodolphus regardless of his being incarcerated or not. This may be a long night, perhaps tediously so.