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Lunch with Caleb
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 01-05-15 15:20
Sophie was having lunch with Caleb at the Great Hall. They were at the Hufflepuff table together, both eating mashed potatoes with steak.
"I'm going to have Charms next. What about you?" Caleb asked.
"Transfiguration, and after that Fitness & Athletics."
"Great. Do you want to meet at the Common Commons later?"
"I can't. I have Quidditch practice."
"That's right. How's that coming along?"
"All right, I guess. But I am starting to feel the pressure of it. I'm afraid of not catching the snitch and everyone would be mad with me."
Caleb told Sophie that was not going to happen. That even the best seekers failed to catch the snitch once in a while. He assured her that as long as she practiced hard and she gave her best no one was going to get upset with her. Sophie really hoped so. So far, she was enjoying being part of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, even if she had not yet played any official game wearing her house's colors. Everyone on the team was friendly and the only thing she disliked was the occasional provocations from other house's team members. But she knew that it was part of the whole thing and she was learning how to reply back to them, like the other players did. Sophie then asked Caleb who he wanted to win the next Quidditch match: Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw.
"Well I'm a Ravenclaw, so I would like my house to win, naturally. But I'm divided because I want you to catch the snitch. So, ideally Ravenclaw would score tons of goals and even if you caught the snitch it wouldn't matter."
"You're evil," she teased, picking up her cup and taking a sip of her pumpkin juice. "You're my friend; you should want me to be successful."
"But you would be successful. Only the rest of your team wouldn't," he grinned. "Do you want me wait for you at the Great Hall so we can have dinner together?"
Sophie replied negatively. She knew that Caleb liked to have dinner early and go to the Ravenclaw common room to finish his homework. So she didn't want to make him wait until she was done with the Quidditch practices, showering and changing clothes so they could eat again together. She told him that Estine wanted to assist the practices and that the two of them would have dinner together and go straight away to the Hufflepuff common room.
Caleb nodded and once they finished their lunch they said goodbye to each other. He abandoned the Great Hall right away and she sighed as she watched him going upstairs while she had to go to the basement to go fetch a book and some parchment. Sometimes she really wished she and Caleb belonged to the same house. With Quidditch practices, school clubs and different electives, they almost didn't spend any time together during the week. Besides that, there was also the little rivalry between the two houses that would always get in the middle. It would be funnier if they rooted for the same house, shared a common room and a table at the Great Hall. Sophie knew there was nothing she or anyone could do about swapping houses and she was very happy in Hufflepuff as she knew Caleb was at Ravenclaw. But she couldn't help to think that life could be slightly different and more pleasant if that wasn't so.
She hurried to the Hufflepuff common room to fetch the needed supplies and then went to her Transfiguration class, not wanting to be late for it and make her house loose points.
Office Hours
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 01-05-15 18:16
The weather was clear and cold, and Lawrence was currently sitting in the greenhouse for his office hours. He was eager to make it across the castle grounds and back to his quarters where he would be spending the evening cuddling with his wife and daughter. Every day since his daughter had been born Laurence's life had been filled with a never-ending series of wonderful events. He'd been in a good mood, and it made him happy to know that their little family was finally growing.
He knew that this term his students would begin feeling the pressure that would only come with the ultimately culmination of the examinations at the end of this school year. OWL and NEWT examinations would begin to further exert pressure upon his students, which meant that his office hours would become a lot more popular with his fifth and seventh year students.
He was currently going over parchmentwork from his previous classes, grading papers and reading essays. He only vaguely heard the footfalls of someone coming into the greenhouse, looking up he offered Maggie a light smile, "Hey Mags, everything alright?"
"Yup, just figured I'd come say hello. Just got done working a shift at the WWN, and just pitched an idea to my boss for my own radio show. Can't really get into all the details, but so far I think she likes it. I've got finals coming up at St. Emrys and once I'm done and my marks have come in, I will be working full time at the WWN."
"Awesome Mags, glad you are doing well and I know you are going to do great no matter what you end up doing with the WWN. I am absolutely fantastic, I've not gotten another one of those messed up letters though I'm not exactly giving upon the fact that I won't get another one."
"Have you done any research on the contents of the letters?"
Before Lawrence could answer Maggie's question a couple of sixth years stepped into the greenhouse. "I'll talk to you later Lawrence, and kiss my niece for me."
Once Maggie made her departure, Lawrence turned his attention to the pair of students and ultimately spent the remainder of his office hours going over their questions for the assignment that was due in the next couple of days.
Table Sharing
Author: Errol
Date: 01-06-15 13:04
The Wyrding Way is packed, no surprise with final examinations going on at nearby St. Emrys University. Tired of the school's two canteens, Errol ventured to the Wyrding Way expecting the cafe to be busy, just not quite as much. Lucking out, he snags a table for two after only a few minutes' wait. After ordering a toasted roast beef sandwich and butterbeer, he opens notes for his last exam of the day.
Not fifteen minutes later the other chair is pulled out and someone sits down saying, "Nowhere else to sit. We can share."
Jaw tightening, Errol looks up, glaring across at a person he used to consider a best friend but now considers a backstabbing traitor. "Go away, Wally."
Wally Milner makes a broad gesture with one arm. "As I said, nowhere else to sit."
"Sucks for you then. Go wait near the door. Better yet, just go altogether."
In the process of pulling a text from a bookbag Wally shakes his head once. "Sorry. I don't have time to wait or go somewhere else. Have an exam that's going to kick my butt so I need every second I can get to finish going over everything. Nothing but essay type questions and comprehensive for the term."
"My table. Get your lying ass up and go."
"You may not have forgiven me but I have apologized."
"You've apologized?" Errol hisses. "Your lies nearly sent me to prison. You have no idea the hell my life was and, to a point, still is. But you've apologized. That makes everything better."
Using napkins he wraps his sandwich, shoves notes into his satchel, and grabs up his butterbeer, thankful it's in a cup he can take with him. "Since you refuse to leave, I will." Much as he'd love to let loose a verbal tirade, maybe even punch Wally in the face a few times, Errol snatches up the satchel and slings it over his shoulder so he can pick up the wrapped sandwich, leaving without another word or even a look back.
Lips pursed into a tight frown, Wally watches Errol go, wondering what it will take to earn his former friend's forgiveness or if it would even be worth the effort. He'll have to sit down with Dayna and Lane and see what they think.
Unexpected Question
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 01-06-15 13:40
Wednesdays meant that I was in class until three, and it was one of those days that I only had office hours if there was a need for them, and as it wasn't close to time for exams unless there was a serious issue that couldn't be addressed via a quick owl, I picked the girls up from school and day care and we headed home.
Jui and KJ did any homework they'd been sent home with and I double checked paperwork sent home from the school, before KJ or Jui would help me make dinner, and the one that was not cooking would set the table.
Dinner tonight was ramja over rice with naan. It was a favorite of all three girls, and one that was made as often as my favorite curry.
"Mummy?"
"Yes Jui?"
"Are you going to find us a new Daddy?"
I blinked, a spoonful of the rice and spiced kidney bean mixture half way to my mouth. I know the girls still missed Dex, and to be honest there were times that I wished he was still here but wishes and wants couldn't change the fact that Dexter was gone and we were left to pick up the pieces.
"I don't know Jui, do you really think we need anyone else in our little family right now?"
The six year old seemed to think about this for several moments while she chewed on a bit of naan that she'd topped with a bit of the rice and kidney beans. Once she'd finished the bite of food she gave her answer.
"No, I think we are good just the way we are."
I offered my eldest a light smile and nodded, "I think we are doing well just the way we are too."
We talked a little bit longer as we finished dinner, and once leftovers had been properly stored, and the dishes stacked in the sink for me to do a bit later, it was time for bath time, story time, and bed time for all three girls.
Once the girls were settled in bed, I tackled the dishes, and then headed into the living room with a glass of wine and turned my attention to grading papers and quizzes from this week's classes so far.
Time in the Library
Author: Calliope Torres
Date: 01-06-15 13:56
A hand pulled dark hair from her features as she flipped through the pages of her History of Magic textbook. She'd wanted to get a jump on her essay that was due in the next week and she still had to go through a few other things to ensure that all the information she was putting into her paper was correct.
"Figure'd I would find you here," Barbie said as she dropped down at the table across from Callie.
"Yeah, came here after class, trying to get a jump on that essay for Professor Morgan. Most of my other homework is done, until we go to class tomorrow."
"I know, I'm still not sure what I'm writing my essay on. Guess I should pick a topic and get it figured out so I'm not scrambling at the last minute."
Callie nodded, shifting slightly, putting a few things back into her bag as to make room for Barbie's book and parchment as the two girls worked in the library. "Do you know if Augusta has picked her topic yet?"
Barbie shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, "I don't think so. Though, I think she said she would more than likely work on it this weekend. She headed up to the owlry after we got out of class, probably to send the letter to her mum she wrote this morning."
Callie nodded, turning her attention to her textbook, and quickly made a few notes on the parchment she was using for such. She needed to actually get up and grab some books on the topic she was working on, but she wanted to make sure she was getting everything she needed before she would get up and start collecting books - it bothered her to have to make half a dozen trips to collect books for a singular topic.
The two girls worked quietly for a while, before Callie stopped to stretch, her gaze drifting to the clock. "Want to call it a day and head down to dinner? After we go put stuff away of course..."
They added the books to the cart of to-be-shelved material, and put their textbooks and parchments away before heading out of the library, intent on making a brief stop at Gryffindor tower and their dorm room before heading to the Great Hall for dinner, where they would more than likely be joined by their other roommate Augusta and their friend Anderson.
Deciding
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 01-07-15 19:32
Reminding the sixth years to study Sirius dismisses class. With the time being 12:15 on the dot, most of the students are eager to get to the Great Hall for lunch, some having only an hour until needing to be in another classroom. Unlike them Sirius is in no rush. He's got no other classes to teach this afternoon, no posted Thursday office hours, nor any appointments.
Sirius takes a few moments to tidy the classroom though he knows a house elf will likely be through at some point this afternoon or evening. Departing the first floor room not for the Great Hall but for his third floor office, Sirius is passed by too many students to count who are going down to his up. Drucilla is already at his office, waiting inside. The office had been locked but Dru has always long had access without him to open it for her.
Shutting the door so he can give her a proper hello kiss without possible prying eyes with snickering and students making remarks he still half expects a small hand tugging on his clothing, demanding attention. Mira and James, however, are in school at Hogsmeade Primary Day, while both Zaria and Regulus are at Blossom's Day Care for the day.
Pulling away from Dru, Sirius sets down the items he'd carried from the classroom and nods towards a large canvas bag on the floor. "You were busy."
"Yes, though only two more for you to consider along with what you already have."
From the canvas bag Dru pulls out two smaller bags, each with a shoppe's name and logo on the side. As she removes an item from each Sirius removes a few items from a box sitting on the floor to one side of his desk. He goes over everything, discussing each with Dru while she in turns asks more about the student whose name Sirius has for this year's Hogwarts Secret Santa gift exchange.
Sylvestor Trainor is a first year Slytherin so while a Transfiguration student, he's one of Filius Flitwick's. He's a cousin to former Hogwarts student Georgia Copperpot so in addition to the asking around here at school about Sylvestor's interests and likes, Sirius had spoken with Georgia one day when he ran into her, her sister Libby, and Sage Porter in Hogsmeade. Despite the information he garnered, Sirius has had a difficult time finding the right gift. Dru says he's simply being too picky. He has conceded that she's likely right.
Sirius holds up one of the items. "I think of everything, I like this best." This is a Slytherin green hoodie with the word Slytherin down one sleeve and a snake on the front. These are both in a gray that's meant to be suggestive of silver. The inside of the hoodie is checkered in the gray and the green.
After putting the other items into Dru's canvas bag, they wrap the hoodie in festive paper that has decorated Christmas trees with winking, twinkling lights. They take the gift to deposit under the actual tree in the commons then leave the castle to walk into Hogsmeade for lunch and then to visit a few shoppes there and in Diagon Alley to return the items Sirius decided against. The time is also an opportunity to get a little more Christmas shopping done without nosy children wanting to have a look in every bag and parcel.
(Bowen) Girls are Odd
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 01-08-15 15:08
"We need more rat tails," Pelinore declared.
"Are you sure?" Bowen asked, looking at the pair of rat tails on their table. He thought those would suffice. In today's Potions class the second years Gryffindors and Slytherins were brewing the Hair-Raising potion.
"Yes. I just saw Alice throwing a bunch of them into her cauldron. We should do the same."
Bo wasn't sure if copying Alice Acker was a good idea, but since he had no clue about what he was doing he imitated her fellow Gryffindor. He used a spoon to mix the content of his cauldron, watching how the mixture inside turned from grey to dark purple at an instance. Pelinore took a look at it:
"What color was it supposed to be?"
"Hum…"Bowen checked his textbook. "Violet."
"Dark purple, violet…it's all the same thing isn't it? Let's just put a sample inside a flask and get over it. Better not to do anything to it now, or it can get worse."
Bowen agreed with Pelinore. Last time they decided to take a risk and improve their potion, somehow they managed to solidify the mixture inside the cauldron. Only Professor Weasley was able to remove it from the cauldron, using some sort of tricky spell. They handed their potion's sample to the teacher, after carefully labeling it and they left the classroom once the bell rang. Bo and Pelinore left the dungeons and went to the Gryffindor tower, glad they had no more classes for the day. The two boys occupied a sofa by the fireplace, claiming it for themselves before any older student could do so.
"Have you decided what to get to your Secret Santa?" Pelinore asked, once he installed himself properly, his feet above a coffee table.
"Yes. But it was tricky. What are you supposed to offer a girl you don't know? Not to mention a witch! If she was a Muggle girl I could ask my friend Daisy about it. She and Blakeney have the same age. I asked Jane for some ideas but she told me it all depended on what type of girl Blakeney is. Like she might be the sort of girl who enjoys earrings and other jewels, but on the other hand she might loathe those things and prefer a more sporty gift…It's complicated. "
"Yeah, girls are odd," Pelinore agreed. "So what did you end up getting her?"
"An umbrella. It's always useful to use it to go to the greenhouses when it's raining. I hope she likes it. But I'm still going to ask her sister Alys about it, just to be sure."
Bo then described the umbrella to his friend. It had a pattern with little hearts; some were green, others yellow, some orange and others brown. Bowen told Pelinore he found a pink one too, but he was afraid Blakeney might find it too girlish and so he opted for this particular model instead. After talking about Christmas presents for some time, they decided it was time to catch up on some homework, so that they could still have some time to goof around and relax before going to bed.
(Mark) Treading Lightly
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-08-15 18:13
At the end of his work shift, Mark grabbed his shoulder bag and went to the time clock to punch out for the day, when his boss pulled him aside for a little chat. Niles Spickerman was a thin man with a thin mustache. He wore big glasses and plain brown business robes that looked four decades old. His hair, the same mousy brown as his robes, was thinning considerably on top.
"Mark," Niles began, indicating for Mark to sit in the chair in front of his desk. He sat down in his own chair and templed his fingers together. A long pause followed.
Mark was tempted to tell Niles to get on with it already, but he knew his was a precarious situation. If he followed his impulse again, he would most definitely find himself without a job. Instead, he forced himself to remain silent and took the time to survey the room.
It wasn't his first time in the office, but he had only been in it on a few occasions since first starting in the Department of Magical Transportation. He had sat in the very same chair a few times during his first week on the job and more recently after returning to work following his arrest.
Niles finally spoke. "I've observed you this past week. You seem to be falling in line, for which I am grateful. I see a great deal of potential in you, and I would hate to have to send you on your way because of reckless behavior. Be that as it may, you are still on probation and will remain so for the entire first year of your employment. I don't think I have to tell you that if you find yourself on the wrong side of the law again, you will no longer have a position in this department or any other at the Ministry of Magic."
"I understand," Mark said. He had heard it all before and felt really annoyed to have to waste time in Spickerman's office when all he wanted to do was go home, but he masked his true emotions with a stoic expression.
"I must also remind you that due to your recent misstep, you will have certain restrictions placed upon you, at least until all the legalities have cleared. I'm sure you understand that no one wants to have a convict having access to their fireplaces."
Mark kept his face perfectly neutral and repeated, "I understand." Never mind the fact that he hadn't been convicted of anything. He'd spent a few hours in a Ministry of Magic holding cell, then a few more being questioned by hit wizards. Kyle Chaddock had certainly wanted to press charges against him, but under the circumstances, Mark had gotten off with a slap on the hand.
"Is there anything else?" Mark asked, as calmly as he could possibly muster.
"No, thank you," Niles replied.
Mark got up, said good evening, and managed to leave the office without further interruptions.
Under the Weather
Author: Cloris Mockridge
Date: 01-09-15 13:05
Cloris was grateful when the door finally closed behind her second class of the day. Not that the fourth years, which she'd had all of, were any more difficult than the other years, but because she'd been fighting off a rather nasty headache for the majority of the morning. A pain-relief potion had been enough to get her through the classes, but the sheer idea of joining everyone in the Great Hall for lunch was just not something she could face. Instead, she gathered up the homework she needed to grade and headed for her quarters in the dungeon.
Perhaps some quiet, and a small nap, would do wonders and have her ready for her office hours in the evening. And then perhaps a weekend outside of the castle would do her some good, not only to make more progress in her holiday shopping, but to just get a slight change of scenery and perhaps some conversation not centered on teenagers.
With a few flicks of her wand, a hot cup of tea was soon sitting on the table beside her. She sipped at it as she read through some of the work awaiting grades. Pausing every so often to jot notes in the margins, both encouraging and critical, she soon finished her tea, and about a quarter of the papers. It would give her enough of a start that she wouldn't feel guilty at all about taking a little rest. Putting things back, she moved to a chaise lounge she'd had brought from the Dower House, reclining against the velvet upholstery as her eyes drifted closed for just a small kip before office hours.
After Herbology (Sagitta)
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 01-09-15 13:27
Sagitta grinned at Remedy as she spotted Crew waiting for the two near the greenhouses. "You did not have to come out and freeze," she teased, earning a grin from their younger friend.
"But it's so fun to see you two getting all red-cheeked," Crew teased the girls as they laughed and Ita took a playful swat at the boy.
"Come on, I'm hungry and I want to eat before we go get all sweaty in F and A," Remedy said, laughing at them both.
"After that, and some hot showers, we should camp out a bit in the Common Commons and get our Christmas owl orders ready," Ita suggested. It was hard to believe that just a couple of years ago, she'd been such a sheltered, pampered princess. But she wouldn't change anything, even the loss of her father, Uncle Pollox and grandparents. While she didn't doubt that they had cared for her, they had kept her so ignorant of the outside world that it had been the epitome of a gilded cage. Now, with her Uncle Orion, she had so many freedoms that she'd never had before.
Her grandmother had dressed her like a porcelain doll, in old-fashioned robes and heavy dresses better suited to costumed re-enactments and fancy dress than for a growing child. Now she had more clothes than she really knew what to do with, thanks to Bronwyn's willingness to go with her when Orion was so clueless. And she had friends. Remedy was probably her best friend, at least as far as other girls went, and Crew was right there too. She couldn't imaging her life without those two in it, not now that they were.
But for now, a hot meal beckoned.