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The Liza Buchanan File
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 05-29-14 15:14
Liza Buchanan file in hand Ron gets a fresh cup of coffee before going to his cubicle. Moving a few items he opens the file, quickly skimming the pages then settling in for a longer, closer read.
Earlier at St. Mungo's with his wife, sitting on a hospital bed in an unoccupied room, sack lunches between them, Hermione and Ron discussed what - make that who - they'd seen. She filled Ron in on other times she thought she had seen someone familiar including an encounter on one of the lifts during which she'd introduced herself but the other woman had not given a name. She'd only acknowledged that she's employed at St. Mungo's as a temp. After Hermione had finished filling Ron in, they'd discussed possible explanations for this Liza Buchanan look alike.
"Doppleganger. More people have one than most realize."
"Polyjuice, though who would have access to Liza's body parts after all this time?"
"Metamorphmagus but I idea why one would choose to look like Liza Buchanan."
"Long lost twin, separated at birth."
"Back to the doppleganger for a sec. Maybe a similar looking relative?"
And then, of course, the most far fetched of them all. "What if Liza isn't dead afterall?"
If the actual Liza Buchanan, why would she be so openly visible for someone like Hermione to spot? Is she working for Adriana Fairchild? Or did she perhaps lose her memory and has no idea that Dr. Hermione Granger Weasley, and others, would love nothing more than to see her in Azkaban for life?
Sighing upon realizing he's lost focus on what he's reading, Ron decides to flip to the part of the file with information on any known living family Liza Buchanan had. It's as good a place to start as any.
End of Winter Term
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 05-30-14 15:40
I'd picked Nuri up from the nursery and took her with me to lunch in the Great Hall, my classes were over with for the term and I was looking forward to the break away from it all. This year had gone from extremely good for my family to the emptiness of loss and I didn't even know if that hole would be filled or if it would remain empty as the location and well-being of my husband still remained unknown.
Nuri sat in my lap, chewing on bits of fresh fruit that I'd cut into bite sized pieces and looked around the great hall in a state of wonder. This was, by far, her favorite room in the castle, especially during holidays. She still had a few eggs to open from the Easter Egg hunt not too long ago, all three girls still had eggs open and I knew that KJ and Jui were hoping to wait and save some to open with Dexter - if he ever came home.
I ate very little, picking at my lunch and drinking my pumpkin juice allowing time to pass as it will - there are days when it simply passes too quickly for me to realize it's gone and then there are days when it simply crawls and I wish those days would simply end.
I know some of my students worry for me, others could care less as my class is not their favorite, and I'm doing my best to ensure that I do not let my worry, my despair, my heartache influence my mood within the classroom. Though, there are days when it creeps in on the edges and makes my concentration falter just a little bit.
Checking the time, I quickly clean up Nuri and myself where she'd dropped bits of food and carry her back to my office so I could ensure that things were done for the end of term and my grades submitted for each of my classes.
Once that was done, I decided that I would head home and nap with my youngest until the eldest arrived home from school.
(Willow) Tripped Up
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 05-30-14 16:52
Willow exited Defense Against the Dark Arts with Amorica by her side. Professor Somerset's final class of the term had continued their study of curses and jinxes, focusing specifically on the Trip Jinx. During the practical exercise, Willow and Amorica had worked together on mastering the spell. They'd had quite a laugh tripping each other up, too.
Unfortunately, Maurice Kilman, the boy who had made it his mission to torment Willow about the Rita Skeeter article regarding her family, had caused her to trip when Professor Somerset had had his back turned. Amorica being the only other witness had nearly tattletaled, but Willow hadn't wanted to draw further attention to her situation. She loathed Rita Skeeter for dredging her family's name through the proverbial mud.
The Westwicks weren't bad people. Yes, they had started off on the wrong path, but they had seen the error of their ways and had paid a great price in the process. It also wasn't fair to get punished for someone else's mistake. Willow and her siblings were just kids, anyway.
Amorica noticed the frown on her friend's face and stated, "I thought you would be happy, what with term nearly over and getting to go home tomorrow."
Willow relaxed her features and said, "I am. Truly. It's just…"
"Maurice?" Amorica asked, looking over her shoulder.
He walked behind them at a much slower pace and was having a laugh with Horace Quisenberry. Maurice paid the two girls well ahead of him no mind.
"That, and just everything. I hate that we can't catch a break. I also miss my mum."
Now it was Amorica's turn to frown. "You shouldn't give up hope that she'll be found. The rest of you broke the curse, so chances are, she will too."
Willow didn't immediately answer, allowing a morbid thought to cross her mind. What if her mother's nesting doll simply no longer existed? What if it had been badly damaged, worse than Ash and his bum foot? What if it had been destroyed in a fire? Willow had a feeling there was no coming back from that. The rest of them had just been lucky.
"Come on, let's get to the Great Hall. I'm starving!" Amorica exclaimed.
Willow picked up her pace to match Amorica's. As soon as she entered the Great Hall and smelled lunch, she realized just how hungry she was too.
What Happened?
Author: Driver Morgan
Date: 05-30-14 19:07
Orion looked at Driver. "You know we can't ever talk about this again. Do I need to obliviate you?" he asked, running a hand through his shoulder-length hair. He knew he could keep the secret, but he wasn't nearly as invested as Driver was...
Drive looked up at Orion from his seat on the couch, turning the glass of Ogden's in his hands. "I don't know." That question was hard to answer, and he was quiet for a minute before he could answer. "I mean he's my brother. I don't want to lose this memory, but I know I can keep the secret." He said, a slight hesitation in his voice the Orion picked up on.
"Driver, do you know occulmency?"
The bartender frowned, "Yes. Well I understand it."
"Really? Even from legilimency?" Orion asked, raising an eyebrow. "Do you know occulmency?"
"I've never had to even try to use it as a defense myself, no need to practice. I understa…" he stopped mid-sentence and stared at Orion, not liking the concerned look on the other man's face.
"And are you willing to take the risk? Because I'm not," Orion said, drawing his wand with a sad expression. "Sorry, Drive. Obliviate."
***
Driver stared at his mother, Fia Morgan had never looked so broken as she choked out the words. The official notice from the Ministry lay on the floor, the news burned into their brains. Dexter was gone.
"Damnit Dexter!" Ember finally said between sobs to break the silence.
Fia pulled her youngest child into her arms, "Oh honey." She let her own tears flow again, unsure how the family would pull through this loss.
Easton sat down beside his wife, looking at each of his children and his daughter-in-law. He was still in shock, they all were. "Fletcher, Fallon, will you help us make…arrangements?" He couldn't bring himself to utter the words that had been sent from the Ministry, unfortunately Mr. Morgan's remains are unsuitable for burial.
"Of course." Fallon answered, her husband quiet, but mulling something over in his head as the family settled down to mourn together.
"Easton!" Fia said. "Karma will get her notice soon…what about the girls?"
The Morgan Patriarch looked at his wife as she rambled on about it possibly being too much for the newly widowed mother of three to handle, he wondered himself how she would handle it, perhaps they could take the girls for a while, he made a mental note to ask her.
Late For Lunch
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 05-30-14 19:25
Zabrynna considers getting a refill but chooses to wait until Mariposa arrives. She also shakes her head and puts a hand over the basket of bread the server offers to refill. If she keeps eating the warm, buttery bread she'll be so full when her sister finally arrives that she won't want to order anything. While waiting, Zabrynna looks repeatedly at the menu, changing her mind several times.
Mariposa is nearly forty-five minutes late, apologizing profusely as she sits. After several sorries she explains, "An emergency came in about a minute before I was due to take lunch."
"I thought that might be the case," Zabrynna says with a smile. "I was going to give you a little more time then give you up as a no show and go on and order."
"I'm lucky to get enough time to come meet you. Being a nurse isn't as fun or romantic as made out to be but it's also interesting and rewarding."
"Do you still sometimes think you'd like to eventually become a healer?"
"Some days, yes. Other days, not at all. Before I forget, I don't think I mentioned I was able to get the days off while AJ's on Easter holiday from Hogwarts. We're going to do a honeymoon but we'll probably try and get away again this summer."
"Where are you going to go?"
"Hallstatt, Austria. It's this gorgeously picturesque village."
"If you honeymooners manage to leave your room, be sure to take a camera when out and about."
Mariposa laughs. "I think we can control ourselves long enough to stroll the village."
"Has Dad been at you yet about how now you're married, he wants grandchildren? He's said something to me about it a few times."
"He hasn't, or not yet anyway, but you should hear my mother. She even asked me was I already pregnant and was that why we decided to spur of the moment to go ahead with a wedding."
"I can see Paloma doing that," Zabrynna says with an amused snort.
The rest of lunch is spent with Mariposa telling Zabrynna more about Hallstatt and where she hopes AJ and she will go in summer. Mariposa somehow manages to make it through the meal without once asking her sister how things are going with Declan Douglass. After Mariposa has returned to St. Mungo's and Zabrynna goes home to work on some research she's doing for AJ for one of his books, she sort of wishes the topic of Declan had come up, even if only briefly. Knowing her older sister, Mariposa will have that many more questions to ask abou the status of whatever it is Zabrynna has with Declan.
Gardening
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 05-31-14 10:48
Like some other businesses in Hogsmeade, Gringotts Bank was closed for the holiday weekend and wouldn't reopen until Tuesday morning. Bill was glad for a break, especially since he'd been putting in extra hours to make headway on his quarterly report, which was due by the end of the month. Rather than sit idly by at home on his long weekend away from the office, however, Bill took advantage of the pleasant weather to do some gardening.
Periodically throughout the day, his children "helped", but even though playing in the dirt was entertainment for a child, they eventually grew bored. Fleur didn't help in the yard but did give her opinion on what should be planted where. Carrot seeds, dill, parsley and leeks went into the beds in the backyard. So did strawberry plants. Lettuce and radishes went into a cold frame.
Bill planted poppies and cornflowers in the flower beds in the backyard, and now busied himself with sprinkling wildflower seeds in the prepared beds in front of the house. Come April, there would be a riot of color in the yard.
He got down onto his knees to smooth over some of the dirt, when Fleur came out the front door with baby Louis in her arms. Marguerite shot past her legs and plopped down on the stone walkway, where she began rolling around and collecting dirt on her pristine white fur.
"We want to go to Sharlie's soon," Fleur said.
They had made plans to bring supper to Charlie and the family. Hen was doing better day by day but still needed extra care. Although greatly relieved at his wife's improvement, Charlie nonetheless still seemed very stressed. A good meal was just what the whole family needed.
"Okay, I'll wrap up here and then get ready," Bill replied. He got up and dusted his hands on the front of his thighs.
Fleur went back into the house, but Marguerite remained outside and flicked her tail lazily in the sun. It was still a bit early for supper, but Fleur knew that when Bill engrossed himself in a project, he frequently lost track of time. She didn't want it to be time to go and find him still elbow-deep in the flower beds.
Bill tasked himself with collecting his gardening equipment and then used his wand to water everything newly planted in the front yard. Suddenly, Marguerite tensed and then her ears went flat. She let out a deep growl, sprang up, and ran to the door. She pawed at it, frantic to get back inside.
Puzzled, Bill looked around to see what had spooked her. He didn't see any neighborhood dogs or cats. In fact, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary at all. He ended the watering spell and went to the door to allow Marguerite inside the house. Bill threw another look over his shoulder before he, too, entered the house.
Beyond Shocked
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 05-31-14 14:18
Bogey and Bacall are running from the front door to the bay window and back again long before knock comes. Alerted to a visitor, I'm at the door to open it when the heavy handed knocking vibrates the wood. I'd not looked out the window as the dogs had done so to say I'm shocked to find Forest Woods standing on my porch would be a massive understatement.
After a few seconds of gape mouthed silence, the dogs dancing around Forest's and my feet, I manage the oh so creative greeting of, "Forest. Hello."
"Good to see you, Furnie."
It takes another second or two for me to give myself enough of a mental shake to do more than continue standing and staring as if paralyzed. I step back, sweeping an arm. "Come in."
Careful not to step on the dogs, which I only now think to speak to, Forest comes in, walking over to a nearby loveseat.
"Bacall, Bogey, calm down."
The Otterhound and Basset Hound immediately settle but trot after Forest as if he's their long lost best friend. Forest bends from his seated position to pet them. "What did you call them?"
"The Basset is Bogey and the Otterhound is Bacall."
His brow crinkles in thought before he asks, "Aren't those the names of some Muggle movie stars?"
"So I was told when I got them. The original owner named them but died not long after he'd gotten them. No one else in the family wanted the puppies. They were so bonded by that time I knew I couldn't take one without the other. I didn't mind their names so they've stayed Bogey and Bacall and I have since seen some of their namesakes films."
"How long have you had them?"
"Around three years now. Would you like something to drink?"
"Thanks, but I don't think so. How have you been?"
"I'm good. Staying busy. Phin's officially engaged so I've been helping with the first stages of wedding planning while also trying not to take over and do everything for them."
"Congratulations to Phin and, is it Emerald or someone else?"
"Emerald. What about you?"
"I'm good. Memory's almost fully returned though the healers have said not to be surprised if that little bit never comes back."
"That's wonderful! I mean that your memory is almost entirely restored."
Forest ventures a smile at that. "I knew what you meant."
"I'm more than a little surprised to see you. I had no idea you were even in Scotland."
"Turns out there were some documents I needed to sign for the Ministry. I decided to come to them and as long as I was in London, it was a short hop here. I did go to Hogsmeade to the restaurant first. Phlagmelina said you weren't coming in until this evening."
"I worked overtime nearly every day this past week," I say by way of explanation on why I'm home even though I don't need to explain anything.
"I know I should have owled first. Prunella gave me an earful earlier when I dropped by unannounced to offer to take her to lunch."
"I can't believe she didn't let me know she'd seen you for lunch."
"I wasn't sure if I was going to get up the courage to come see you so I asked her not to say anything. I didn't want your feelings hurt if I turned out to be a coward."
"I see. Or, no, actually I don't. Why would you need courage to come see me? I know things between us have been odd to say the least and last we saw each other you still needed time to recover memories and come to terms with everything that happened to you; however, I thought we parted on friendly terms."
"We did. It's just that," Forest sighs. "The more of my memories I got back and I fully understood what we'd meant to each other before everything, the more I've felt guilty over having feelings for someone else. She's an old school mate of Aspen's. I'd never thought twice about her but then one day when she was visiting my sister and I was also there we connected."
"It's serious."
"Very. She's expecting and we've just moved in together. We're getting married in a few more weeks. I thought this was something to tell you in person instead of hearing from someone else or in a letter but I wasn't sure I could face you."
"You needn't have worried. I'm happy for you. Sad a little about what might have been with us, to be sure. But I'm also very happy for you. Congratulations on the baby and on getting married."
"Thank you, and I'm sorry for how all this worked out."
"You don't have to apologize for how life worked out."
Forest looks down at the dogs again, reaching to pat them once more. After an awkward pause he says, "I should be going. Rosalie's waiting back in London."
"Rosalie is your fiancée?"
"Yes, sorry. I thought I'd said her name."
After more awkwardness involving goodbyes, Bogey, Bacall, and I watch Forest walk down the path to the lane, stopping there to give a single wave before apparating back to London. I look at the dogs. "Well, that's two who've left me for another woman. I think this calls for a container of ice cream for me and bones for you two."
At the word bones, they perk up more than they already were and start dancing around again. A few minutes later we are in the backyard, them happily gnawing at their bones, me spooning up some caramel apple crumble ice cream.
A Novel Approach to the Problem
Author: Abdul Hazrat AlGunud
Date: 05-31-14 17:06
The circular chamber had become a familiar environment. The tapestries laced with dragons were like old friends, inviting him to join in play. The dragons chased each other on the dark fabric. Sometimes it almost seemed as if he might be able to cast aside his physical form and join in their games. He sat cross-legged upon the floor and considered the matter.
For the past few weeks, his treatment had not been unpleasant. His captors had questioned him several times; but, always in this chamber. Usually the questioners had been the two from before, Akhirom and Tilgath. Occasionally the dark-clad figure had been present. That one seldom spoke. Mostly he seemed content to merely listen.
There was always a heavy guard present during the questioning. In addition, the unseen watcher behind the tapestries seemed to be omnipresent. The only time when he might be wholly free from surveillance was when the watcher was being relieved. In the past weeks, he had established that the watch was changed every four hours. During the change, whoever was being relieved would move away from the watch post. His tentacles could tell by the change in scent patterns. It was only during this brief interval, perhaps thirty seconds, that he could act without anyone observing.
It was insufficient time to break through the door, assuming he could even penetrate the oval-shaped behemoth. Twice he had been allowed to leave the chamber. Once to observe a strange rite within a high-vaulted chamber with ceiling enchanted to resemble the night sky. The other had been to exercise in a large cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. This last had been grudgingly granted only after he had insisted that the circular chamber had become too confining. On both occasions, he had watched as the door, a massive bronze affair at least 15 centimeters thick, was opened. It had an intricate gear mechanism that defied his understanding. The door opened at the junction of two corridors that branched-off at right angles from the door. Guards were stationed in both corridors. The chance that he might break out of the chamber without alerting the guards was laughably small.
Perhaps another possibility existed. His captors believed him to be safely confined. If they could be convinced that he had already escaped, then they might leave the chamber unwatched. But how to convince them? The tapestry once again caught his attention. So familiar that it had become a part of the scenery. Unnoticed and seen only in passing. He suppressed a smile. He would have to become as the tapestry, unnoticed and ignored.
He would cultivate patience. Answer their queries with evasions and half truths. During the brief intervals that he was unobserved, he would practice the magic that might give him freedom.