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(Tessa) Growing Confidence
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-13-14 13:02
Tessa sat next to Blakeney in Charms class and practiced swishing and flicking her wand at Professor Flitwick's instruction. Ever since starting at Hogwarts, she had slowly but surely become more confident about her status as a witch. Living with Will Dewhurst had certainly eased her into the wizarding lifestyle and had lessened any blow she might have faced upon arriving at Hogwarts without any prior knowledge of magic and wizards. She'd not actually practiced any spells until arriving at the school, though. Knowing about magic and actually practicing magic were two different things.
Tessa had feared that she wouldn't be good at magic, or that there was some mistake and she wasn't really a witch. Her mum was a Muggle, after all. For all Tessa knew, so was her father. Maybe the reason she was at Hogwarts was because she had a half-sister already at the school and not because she possessed any sort of magical talent.
She knew now that wasn't true. Tessa wouldn't have gotten her Hogwarts letter if she weren't a witch. She was more than two months in to her first term and felt better and better about herself every day.
Even though Kate was at Hogwarts too, Tessa was glad to have made friends with Blakeney. The half-sisters didn't know each other all that well, since the older had been away at Hogwarts instead of at home with the younger when she first came to live with there. It had been difficult for them to become better acquainted, though they had both made an effort when Kate came home on school breaks. Tessa found Kate very nice, but they really didn't have much in common except for the mother who gave birth to them.
Also, Kate was kind of old. At least Blakeney was Tessa's own age.
Tessa was also fascinated with Blakeney's life, which seemed much happier than her own… not that Tessa was unhappy. She sometimes missed her mum but simultaneously hated her for abandoning her with a family she didn't know. Tessa was so glad to have met Will, though. He was like a father to her, even if he wasn't really her dad.
Still, Tessa envied Blakeney for the big, loving family she seemed to have. She hoped that Blakeney would invite her over sometime. She wanted to see how a large family of wizards with no apparent family drama lived.
The girls continued to practice the charm Professor Flitwick had them learning until the end of class arrived. Then, they packed up their things and headed out of the classroom. They didn't dawdle on their way to Potions class. Professor Weasley was nice but she still took points away or gave detention for tardiness, just like most professors would when faced with the same situation. The girls were more concerned about crossing paths with Professor Snape, however. He may not be their teacher, but that didn't mean he wouldn't take points away from them if he felt like it. Better to be in class on time than to be wandering the empty halls and risk a run-in with Snape!
They made it to Professor Weasley's classroom with good time and eased into their seats, ready to learn about potions.
Complicated
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 12-13-14 13:50
Wendy listened to Professor Morgan's lecture about witch burning in the fourteen century. She was also taking notes on the matter in a parchment. Seated next to Wendy was Andrina who was also writing. But she wasn't paying attention to the History of Magic class at all. Instead, Andrina was doing her Muggle Studies homework, for her class today. She had her textbook opened in a page with several illustrations and it was her job to caption them. The theme of the homework was domestic appliances and Andrina was really confused. She had written down 'washing machine' under the image of a vacuum cleaner, and there was a large question mark under the microwave. She clearly had no idea what it was. Wendy fought the urge to do Andrina's homework for her. It would take her less than three minutes to caption all the figures. But she knew Andrina wouldn't like that and she decided to only help her if she asked.
The bell rang announcing the end of the class. Professor Morgan assigned them an essay about the witch hunt in Great Britain during the period they had just covered for next Tuesday, and she dismissed the class. The next class would be Transfiguration after lunch and so they decided to go to the Ravenclaw common room and do some homework before it was meal time at the Great Hall. Wendy decided to start working right away in the History of Magic essay, while Andrina was still battling with Muggle Studies.
The portrait opened and Susan entered the common room. She rushed upstairs to the dorms and she rushed back down, carrying her Potions textbook. She shot a glance to her oldest sister but she didn't exchange a word with her.
"She's still mad at you," Wendy commented. "I think you should apologize."
"I won't. I am her older sister and my parents made me promise to keep an eye on her. She was hanging out with the wrong sort of people and it was my job to correct it."
"Titus Nott isn't that bad…" Wendy tried. "And they were just playing Gobstones at the common commons. Caleb was playing with them and the room was filled with people. What was he going to do to your sister?"
A few days ago Andrina caught Susan playing Gobstones with Titus Nott. She didn't like the idea of her sister hanging out with him. It was already bad enough that Wendy didn't agree with her about how unpleasant and obnoxious he was, but there was nothing she could do about it. She was not Wendy's boss. But Susan was her younger sister and it was her job to protect her. It didn't matter Caleb was there too, or anyone else including some prefects. She had seen the way Titus had grinned when her sister had been hit with the putrid liquid right in the face. She had detected some malice there. Wendy thought Andrina was seeing things that didn't exist, and that Titus was just happy he was winning the match. But Andrina had the opinion that he was an evil boy, and he was not going to change. She had marched in the direction the game was being played, and she literally dragged Susan away from the common commons, forbidding her to be with Titus, or any other of his Slytherin friends.
Susan had been embarrassed with the scene and she had threatened Andrina that she would write a letter home, telling their parents what happened. Andrina didn't seem to mind. Since that day that Susan has been ignoring her sister, but she would continue to talk with Wendy greeting her whenever she saw her.
"And I'm sure that Susan will start to hang out with people you don't like just to annoy you. I hate it when Peter tries to act like a parent with me when he has no reason to do so. So I know how your sister feels like."
"Maybe. But I know Susan and she's going to respect my will. I just don't want her to have bad companies, I worry about her. She's only eleven! Now can you please help me with this? I've been trying to figure out what a microwave is but I can't find it anywhere in the textbook."
"A microwave is like a box that you use to warm up food. Not cook it, like an oven does. It just warms it."
"You Muggles are so complicated! A simple spell would do the trick," Andrina commented making Wendy laugh.
On The Sidelines
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 12-13-14 17:30
Marcella Ward, one of the newest Holyhead Harpy, takes a seat next to Ginny. "How's your shoulder?"
"A little achy but I've got full range of motion. Should be fine by tomorrow. How's your hand?" she asks with a nod at the bandage on Marcella's left hand.
"Fractured but I've already had a dose of Skele-Gro. I'll probably have to sit out tomorrow. I'm also starting to feel like a nap."
Having had Skele-Gro a number of times, Ginny smiles empathetically. Before she can say anything Marcella forcefully states, "Someone needs to remind that bitch we're on the same team."
Marcella is referring to another of the new Harpies, Freya Southway. Freya caused the collision between Marcella and Ginny and has been very unapologetic about it. She had simply shrugged and said, "That's how this game goes sometime." While Ginny understands that, as do almost every player and member of coaching staff out here, but that doesn't mean she couldn't have at least given a sorry. This is especially true given that Freya appeared to deliberately get in the way of scrimmage teammates Marcella and Ginny.
There have been other incidents involving Freya. She's so highly competitive Ginny has no doubt that if there were a chance the other woman would be named to every game roster for the rest of the season, Freya would take steps necessary to ensure that spot regardless of what that might require. Even accidentally inflicting a season ending injury on one of her own teammates.
As this runs through Ginny's mind Marcella says something so shocking she can't think of a response for several, overly long feeling, seconds.
"I think Freya drugged that girl Joleen the day of tryouts."
"Did you hear me?"
"Yes, sorry. Speechless." Ginny pauses before asking, "Why do you think that?"
"I found out something about Joleen. Did you know she's Canadian?" At Ginny's head shake Marcella goes on, "She is and was considered a great Quidditch player there. So great she was encouraged to go pro. And never once was she ever known to do drugs."
"So you wonder why she'd start right when she's got a tryout with a professional team."
"Exactly. I started wondering if someone else knew about Joleen's reputation as a player and if that someone would consider Joleen her biggest competition for making the team."
Marcella looks back to the pitch where Freya is in the air. Ginny follows her gaze, finding herself wondering if this information about Joleen is true and thinking that if someone other than Joleen was responsible for that witch's state the day of tryouts, Freya would be top of Ginny's list of suspects.
Intrigue
Author: Illyria
Date: 12-14-14 15:34
Illyria held office hours every weekday afternoon except for on Fridays. Because midterms had been last week, she hadn't seen anybody Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and didn't expect anyone to show up today either. With no homework assignments from last week to mark, the only work Illyria had done during office hours was a little preparation for her classes and marking the midterm exams she hadn't yet checked.
By the time Thursday arrived, Illyria had completed every pressing task and with no student taking advantage of office hours, she could work on other things, such as reviewing new astronomy textbooks or reordering supplies. If only she didn't feel so distracted. All Illyria found herself doing was sitting idly at her desk, thinking about the lunch meeting she'd had with Urania earlier in the day.
Illyria pushed open the door at The Three Broomsticks and scanned the room for Urania, who had written her a quick note inviting her to lunch in Hogsmeade just that morning. Illyria usually showed flexibility when a spontaneous invitation to a meal came about, unless it simply couldn't be helped. With nothing pending and the feeling that she shouldn't turn down Urania's offer to meet, Illyria had quilled a quick response in the affirmative.
She spotted Urania and two-year-old Andrew sitting at a small table against the wall. Illyria navigated the cramped space to reach them and said, "Hello."
Urania got up to give her older sister a quick hug. "I hope you don't mind that we started without you. Andrew is in the phase where he can't wait for anything and will throw a very loud and public tantrum if he doesn't get his way."
"It's perfectly fine," Illyria replied, and then she bent to drop a kiss onto the top of Andrew's head. "Hi, you. What's this I hear about you suffering from the terrible twos?"
Andrew grinned up at her, the area around his mouth covered in some sort of creamy sauce.
Illyria took off her coat, unwound her scarf from her neck, and draped both over the back of her chair. "Are you shopping in the village?" she asked her sister.
"Yes, but that's not why I originally wanted to visit Hogsmeade," Urania explained. "I actually wanted to talk to you."
"Sounds ominous," Illyria remarked, wondering where the conversation was going.
"I'll admit there's a bit of intrigue involved, but it's the good kind."
"Oh? Do tell."
There was a pause in the discussion while Illyria gave her order to the waitress.
"Nathan stopped by last night for drinks," Urania revealed.
"He did?" Illyria asked. "He didn't mention it to me."
"He and Gustavo and I had a long conversation." Urania turned to her son and wiped his face with a napkin, even though the very next bite of food he took smeared his face all over again. "It was a heart-to-heart kind of talk. We discussed everything that had happened, how we felt then, and how we feel now."
"Sounds like a group therapy session."
Urania laughed. "I suppose it was, only without a therapist there to guide us. The point was, Nathan wanted to make sure we were all okay, and he also asked for our blessing."
"What?"
"Illyria, he wants to marry you."
She felt stunned but also elated. "Does he know you are telling me this?"
"No," Urania said. "I know I'm ruining the surprise by telling you. I hope you're not mad at me."
"I'm not. I'll just have to pretend like I don't know anything."
"I wanted to tell you because of the good talk we all had last night," Urania explained. "I sort of think that you should have come along last night, because you were just as involved in all the drama as the rest of us. I suppose I can't speak for you directly, but I would think it would have felt good to get everything off your chest. I know it did for me."
"I wouldn't have minded joining group therapy, but it sounds like Nathan excluded me for a reason," Illyria replied.
Urania nodded.
"I'm glad you all worked everything out. I'd much rather us all be friends than act awkwardly around each other because of what happened."
"Me too," Urania said. She grinned then and squealed, "You're getting married!"
A smile spread across Illyria's face as she thought about the news that had to stay a secret for now. A part of her wished that Urania hadn't blown the surprise, but now that she knew what Nathan had on his mind, the surprise would be just when and how he popped the question.
(Ramona) Between Classes
Author: Griet
Date: 12-15-14 18:31
Ramona and Gus strolled away from Herbology class with no better understanding of what they might need to know come June. They weren't sure if it was simply a case of information overload or if they didn't feel prepared because of nerves. The NEWTs might be more than half a year away, but every one of their professors stressed the importance of those very exams on a daily basis. It was hard to not feel overwhelmed, even only in November.
Caerwyn, walking a few steps ahead of them, reached the castle doors first and held them open for Ramona. The two weren't yet finished with their morning classes, unlike Gus. Sometimes he walked his best friend and girlfriend to the Arithmancy & Divination classroom. Other times he went to his dorm room with plans to meet them for lunch. This was a case of the former.
It was a very long trek up to the Divination Tower, and Ramona and Caerwyn needed every bit of the fifteen minutes between Herbology and Arithmancy & Divination to get to class. Still, that didn't stop Ramona from giving Gus a very long goodbye at the door. They were still making out when Amanda came sprinting at them, her hair in a sloppy bun and her yellow and black tie hanging rather loosely around her neck.
"I'm not late?" she exclaimed, skidding to a halt before the couple who were finally moving apart from each other.
Gus glanced at the watch on his wrist and said, "You have exactly 10 seconds to get in there or you really will be late."
Ramona gave him a quick peck goodbye this time and then hurried into the classroom with Amanda on her heels. They sat down in their usual places next to each other, with Caerwyn on Ramona's left side and Elliot on the other side of Amanda. Caerwyn looked slightly amused. Ramona grinned at him.
Elliot, one the other hand, wore a look of concern. He looked Amanda over and saw someone who seemed unhappy, which might explain why she overslept and barely made it to class on time. He didn't have time to ask her anything, however, because Professor Sacheverelle finished checking off her attendance book and immediately launched into the topic of I Ching.
Ramona, feeling exhilarated from her down-to-the-last-minute kiss with Gus, nevertheless felt ready to learn all about the ancient Chinese method for divination.
Almost Late
Author: Amanda Reynolds
Date: 12-15-14 19:23
Professor Sacheverelle was going over I Ching but Amanda had her mind on other things like Cate.
"Are you okay?" Elliot asked.
"Fine." She said still slightly out of breath and in a bit of a mood from over sleeping and thinking about Cate.
"Yeah you know what fine stands for right?..."
"Yes. Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional." She recited quietly as not to let the Professor know that she wasn't paying attention.
"Yes. I know you're not fine you never over sleep."
"I was up late last night..."
"And..." Elliot pressed.
"I am worried about Cate because she is so depressed right now without Jordana and Preston. Not that I blame her."
"She will be fine." Elliot said softly. "Now let's do our I Ching reading." Amanda nodded and asked a question concerning Cate and threw the coins.
"No." Amanda said mid toss of the coins. "I want to do a tarot reading." She pulled out her deck and began shuffling the cards and then layed out a three card spread. I don't like how this looks. It is so dark like she is not going to be around long."
"Maybe she is moving or not going to Hogwarts much longer?"
"No...it is more like she is going to die at her own hand." She looked up at Elliot and felt the panic welling in her chest. "This is all my fault because I found that stupid ring." She whispered as she leaned over looking closely at her cards. She hovered over the cards all class and then carefully picked up the cards placing them on the top of the deck so that she could look at them again later.
She and Elliot dropped off their books and things and headed down to the great hall, Amanda with her tarot cards in hand. When she sat down she shoved her plate out of the way and spread out the cards again and then glanced at where Cate was sitting all alone (Beatrix had not joined her yet). She was going to keep going over these cards until she was certain there was no other answer than what she had already come up with.
Looking back to her cards she mindlessly placed some food on her plate and picked at it as she stared at the cards. Picking up her head she looked around again because she could feel someone watching her; it was Cate.
Getting up she walked over to Cate. "Can we talk?"
"No! I have nothing to say to you." She spat just as Beatrix was joining her for lunch.
She then glanced at Cate's arms and noticed a bunch of cuts on her arms. "What happened?" Amanda asked.
"None of your business!"
"Did you do that to yourself?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because I did a tarot card reading about you and I see you hurting yourself and possibly..." Amanda paused and then went on, "hurting yourself beyond anyone's help.
"Well at least I won't have to deal with you anymore!" Cate growled and Amanda burst into tears, it was all she could take. She hadn't done anything to Cate or Jordana but she was taking all the blame anyway. She ran from Cate's side and to the table where her cards lay she picked them up and then ran out of the great hall back to the Huffelpuff common room and then up to her dorm room.
Elliot looked up from his food and tried to speak before Amanda left but was not able to get the words out before she was gone. He turned in his seat and looked at Cate and then got up and walked over to her.
"Cate your a bitch! You need to pull your head out of your ass and stop blaming other people for Jordana's death. Yes, Amanda found the ring but it was Jordana who ultimately stole the ring and wore it." Tears started streaming down Cate's face and she started to talk but Elliot held up his hand to stop her. "It was no one's fault but her own. It was all of our fault that we each suffered for wearing the ring, except me, because we should have turned the ring in to one of the Professors. So stop blaming Amanda and get your priorities straight -- you have no idea how much you are hurting her with the way you are treating her. And for goddess sake stop cutting yourself!" Turning on his heels Elliot walked back over to where Darren sat and sat down next to him and began eating again. He would go up and check on Amanda or have someone check on her for him when he was done eating for now she just needed some time to herself.
Odd
Author: Travis
Date: 12-15-14 20:59
Travis turns at the sound of the bell over the Botanicals & Beyond door, a smile ready on her lips. The smile freezes at the sight of Ogden Fitzmorris.
"Travis! Halloo. Good morning."
Before the moment becomes awkward replies, "Ogden, this is a surprise."
Ogden gives her one of his self-deprecating smiles he and his mother think are oh so charming. "I know we said we'd meet at the restaurant but I thought to come early to pick up some of Mummy's favorite tea."
"The hibiscus orange blossom or that newer one, cinnamon caramel apple?" is what Travis says to Ogden all while she saying to herself, "Bloody hell! I forgot today is the lunch!"
Ogden strokes his chin in thought as he follows Travis to where there is a large variety of loose teas. She waits, hoping no impatience shows, as he takes an overly long time to deliberate.
After what feels like at least ten minutes but is probably far less Odgen tells her, "How about a bit of both?"
Next comes an equally long debate on how much of each Travis should measure out. When at long last she's ringing Odgen up, him insisting in paying full price rather than accepting a friends discount, he suggests, "Why don't we stroll over to the restaurant together?"
Having no ready excuse that would not sound an excuse, Travis agrees. Besides, the sooner they both get there, the sooner lunch can come to an end. At the Crown & Cauldron, Travis says just enough to let Odgen know she is paying attention to all he says, or making him think she is. He hardly seems to notice he's carrying the bulk of the conversation.
It's only after Travis is back in the shoppe that one thing Odgen brought up strikes her as odd. He mentioned hearing of the most recent security problem, another case of vandalism at one of the greenhouses. The thing is, Travis hasn't yet said anything to Morticia about it and it hasn't yet been in the news.
How had Odgen known?
Travis spends the rest of the day debating whether or not to risk Ogden thinking she's interested in him by contacting him to ask that question.
Detente of Sorts
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 12-16-14 20:38
Without speaking, Bellatrix breezes into the room, pours herself a drink, and takes a seat near the fire. Barty looks up from a wizarding chess game with Rudolphus, a question on his lips. Seeing her expression, he thinks better of it, returning his full attention to the match. Rudolphus gives the appearance of not having seen or heard his wife enter.
From his own spot near the fire Lucius fights the urge, with a great deal of effort, to visibly roll his eyes and make some sort of disgusted noise. Though Bellatrix and Rudolphus have reached something of a detente in the weeks since his release from Azkaban, the relationship is strained and tension-filled enough to affect those around them.
Lucius cannot blame Rudolphus for his anger at his wife for withholding such a vital tidbit of information for more than twenty-five years. There's also the possibility that their son could have been taken in by a relative. Bellatrix never pressed the issue, having been led to believe anonymous adoption handled by someone within the Ministry was the only recourse opened to her.
He's not said it aloud but Lucius has wondered if Bellatrix thought the Ministry handling matters was in the best interest of the child. Rudolphus and she were both looking at life sentences. Other family members were also either facing prison, were already in prison, or in hiding. Still others, such as Sirius Black and Andromeda Black Tonks, were people Bellatrix would never knowingly hand a child of hers off to. Narcissa and Lucius were busy trying to cover their arses to avoid jail. Bellatrix might not have wanted to add to their struggles and burden, though Lucius nor Narcissa would have considered a baby of hers a burden.
While not blaming Rudolphus for his attitude and behavior towards Bellatrix, Lucius does have some empathy for her. By her own admission she's not a maternal witch yet since she revealed her secret to him and has had contact with the young man she is certain is her son, there have been times Bellatrix has had a particular expression, one of maternal longing he's seen on the faces of other women. Giving up her child and keeping the secret of his very existance from her husband, extended family, and friends has worn on her. Perhaps it's even added to some of the borderline insanity she's known to exhibit from time to time.
Lucius gets up to top off his own drink, doing the same for her when she wordlessly holds out her glass to him. Retaking his seat, he begins to wonders when dinner will be served so that he can escape back to his calm home, or as calm as it can be with a young child running about, and how long he can put off another round of socializing with the Lestranges.
When dinner is finally announced, Lucius cannot help but be envious of Gudrun who begged off having the meal with the group by claiming a migraine. At least he has Barty to converse with as he highly doubts either Bellatrix or Rudolphus will be overly chatter as they dine.
As the soup is served, Lucius looks across the table to Barty and thinks at least, thank Merlin, he's not living here. Perhaps he should invited Barty to visit for a few days. Or would that mean with Gudrun avoiding the Lestranges for now, Rudolphus and Bellatrix would end up dueling, hexing and cursing each other without Barty around as a buffer?
While Barty and he attempt to carry on a normal conversation over dinner, Lucius has a running internal monologue on the pros and cons of Barty being gone from here, leaving the not so happy to be reunited couple alone. By the pudding course not only does he feel his own headache coming on, he's yet to make a firm decision so puts off the invitation until he can be assured Gudrun could run interference.