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What to Do
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 01-09-15 14:08
Capri sat in her room alternating between crying and raging about what had happened to her. She had not been back to work, owling in sick each day because she could not go into work and be around that man. She had talked to Mark about it and he agreed with her that she should find another job somewhere else. As far as anyone else was concerned she was still working at Little Red Book and enjoying every minute of it. It would come as a shock to some that she is switching jobs so soon but she had to. It was that or sue and see what she could get out of the deal -- Maybe she would own Little Red Book in the end... "Ha!" She thought to herself but knew that was not a possibility.
She sighed to herself and laid down on the bed. She was going to have to go to the healer and see if she, and she closed her eyes tightly at this thought, caught anything nasty from him in the process. The thought scared her that she could have gotten an STD from him and all the women he had been with.
Suddenly Capri was struck with an idea she was going to owl Chaddock's wife.
Dear Mrs Chaddock,
I am writing to you because I had a run in with your husband. I hate to be the barer of bad news but your husband is not only cheating on you with at least one woman, I suspect more, but he raped me...
The letter went on and on detailing all of the offences that Kyle Chaddock had done and put Capri through. She even accounted of the time in China Town where they ran into Kyle at the jewery store.
She read over the letter and then closed her eyes before she folded the letter up. She stared at the folded letter wonder ing if she should really send it. She knew it was only going to stir up trouble but the woman needed to know what kind of man she was with if she did not already know.
Supremely Lazy
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 01-09-15 19:54
Yawning, Coco stretches out on the sofa. Her only coursework this term were the classes towards completing the Muggle veterinary requirement. She completed exams in those courses yesterday. As Mitzi is off shopping and having lunch with a few friends and Papa Wal has insisted on checking in at the shoppe once a week and from there will go to one of his physio sessions, Coco has the house to herself. She has the house to herself if not counting the various furry members of the family.
She's on shift this afternoon at MacFusty's and will be on call this evening and through the night if there are any emergencies but for the moment Coco is being supremely lazy. She does not often sleep in or lounge around on the couch all morning. Thoroughly enjoying the respite she has to wonder why she doesn't indulge a little more often.
Coco is roused when her mobile rings. Being so often in the Wizarding World where such devices rarely work and when they do, don't work well, she sometimes finds the sound jarring. "Hello?"
"Coco! This is Rex. I'm calling to remind you of the Furry Friends adoption event tomorrow. You're still going to work from noon to three?"
"Hi, Rex, yes. I'll be there."
They chat a few minutes before Rex rings off to call the next person on his list. Coco stretches then yawns again, shifting to get comfortable to nap more. It seems as if she's only just shut her eyes and begun drifting off again when there's a pecking at the window that she knows all too well as that of an owl. A glance at the mantle clock as she shuffles to the window tells her it's actually been close to half an hour. Coco lets the owl in, beckoning for it to follow her over to a small desk.
Giving the owl a few treats she reads the short missive from Rona Davies asking if Coco can meet her for lunch. Penning a response, Coco gives it and a couple more treats to the owl, lets it back out the same window then forces herself up the stairs to shower before going to meet Rona. She'd rather sleep more, which is perhaps an indication she's coming down with something as she hardly ever is this blinking lazy and sleepy, but Rona's short note indicated she has news of some sort to share with Coco.
A short while later Coco is clean and presentable and sucking down a cup of strong, black coffee as she heads out the door to for the lunch meeting.
End of Term
Author: Carys
Date: 01-10-15 10:52
Relief settled over Carys as she exited her last final and made her way to the university bookstore to return the books she no longer needed and didn't want to keep for leisurely purposes. This term had been more difficult than some of her others, not because of the subject matter but more because her professors had been very tough. Carys thought she'd done all right in all her classes but probably would have done much better if she'd had other instructors.
She queued up behind none other than Owen after arriving at the bookstore. Carys tapped him on the shoulder and said, "How does it feel, having completed your first term at St. Emrys?"
Owen turned around and shot her a big smile. "It feels great. I'm pretty sure I earned Acceptables in everything."
Carys let out a laugh. "You don't have high expectations for yourself."
"I figured I should ease myself into university life, especially after the gap years I took in between graduating from Durmstrang and starting here," Owen explained with a casual shrug of his shoulders. "Didn't want to overwhelm myself by setting unattainable goals."
"I think earning Outstandings in all your classes isn't unattainable," Carys said with a smile.
"Oh, yeah? Did you get Os in everything then?" Owen asked teasingly.
Carys laughed. "Well, I don't know…"
Owen chuckled and moved up as the line inched forward. "I guess the stress of exams is over now."
"Yeah," Carys agreed, "but now there is the stress of Christmas shopping."
Owen shrugged. "Not for me."
"No? Already know what to get everybody on your list, or already finished with all your shopping?"
"I have no one to shop for," Owen replied.
Carys frowned. "What about your brother?" She asked, remembering his story about his older brother attacking him with bludgers, thus leading to Owen being too traumatized to play Quidditch.
Owen replied with a wan smile on his face, "He died a long time ago."
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Carys exclaimed.
Owen shrugged. "No, it's all right. He probably deserved it."
Carys didn't know what to say to that.
Owen went on, "I have other family, like my parents, but I don't really talk to them or any of the others. We don't exactly see eye to eye about a lot of things, so I pretty much keep my distance from them."
Carys said, "I used to be that way with my dad…. even my mum, for a little bit."
"What changed?"
"My whole life," Carys said. "What will you do for Christmas?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Celebrate in some form or fashion. There's a concert in Dublin I might go check out. And you? Family stuff, I presume?"
"Yeah."
They soon reached the counter and were helped by two clerks. Carys sold back her books, which were still in excellent condition but unfortunately weren't worth the price she paid for them back in October. Owen finished slightly before she did and waited for her just outside the bookstore.
"Be seeing you next term, I suppose?" Owen asked.
"I'll be here."
Owen smiled. "Great. Well, Happy Christmas, Carys."
"Happy Christmas, Owen."
Fired
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 01-10-15 11:24
Capri got an owl shortly after she had sent hers off to her bosses boss about not going into work and it read:
Dear Miss Brycin,
I wanted to take the time tell you Kyle Chaddock has been fired from Little Red Book. As I am sure you are aware he made bail yesterday by way of one of his friends since his wife was out of country when he was arrested. He is not to step foot in the building so you are safe to come back to work if you so choose. I understand if you need more time off or if you do not wish to come back. Just know that you will be getting paid for your time off.
Please if you need anything don't hesitate to write or come to my office.
Best Regards,
Jason McMininmin
She would have to show this to Mark and talk with him about what he thought she should do. She knew that she really did not want to lose her job there but if Chaddock was going to be around then she could not be there...but since he had been fired...
The thought of Kyle Chaddock getting fired brought a smile to her face...a smile that she had not shown on her face since before the rape. Now if he got put in Azkaban for what he did it would be even better.
(Hattie) Ye Olde Hostile Takeover
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-10-15 14:23
Hattie didn't have long to wait till nightfall. It was one of the things she loved about winter. Night came early and stayed a long time. She had always been drawn to darkness, which was only fitting considering her disposition.
After much study and planning, she had finally decided to claim Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe as the London headquarters for the Death Eaters. She had also decided the manner in which she would hijack the store from its current owner: by force.
Aris Sisco appeared to be a wizard who did not especially care for the position in which he found himself. He worked in the shoppe because it was his legacy and not because it was his dream. His lackadaisical attitude towards his clientele and the wares he sold made it clear to Hattie that he would not be supportive if she approached him with a deal.
Besides, what was the fun in making polite conversation through a business deal when threats and torture were options? With the Blackthorns and Malarie McEvilley on hand, Hattie closed in on shoppe. The little bell tingling overhead seemed misleading, not only for the nature of the business but also for what was in store for its owner.
Malarie was the last to enter and flipped the OPEN sign to CLOSED and locked the door. While the Blackthorns swept the building to clear it of other occupants, Hattie dealt with Aris, who had emerged from a back room to greet the new customers only to find a wand pointed at his chest. Hattie stunned him, and he went down behind the counter.
Malarie pulled down the shades to cover the windows, while Hattie relieved Aris of his wand and then moved him out from behind the counter with a flick of hers. Malarie dragged a chair to the middle of the room and helped Hattie bind Aris to it. His head lolled to his chest.
Eleanor was the first to return to the front of the shoppe. "This floor is clear."
When Nicolas returned, he had a skinny young woman by the arm. Her bobbed hair was black with a hot pink streak down the side and she wore dark robes and heavy boots. Hattie recognized her as one of Aris's employees.
"Oh, good. Leverage," Hattie said.
She pointed her wand at Aris and said, "Ennervate."
Aris woke up, simultaneously sucking in a breath and whipping his head up in surprise. He looked around at the strange assortment of wizards in his shoppe, finshing with Hattie. He squinted at her and said, "I know you."
"Yes. I do believe you showed me the way to the loo. Thanks ever so much."
Aris looked over at Nicolas, who had his wand pressed into the side of his employee's neck. She whimpered and fidgeted in his grasp but didn't dare move too much.
"Let her go, please! You can take whatever you want. The cash register is just there," he stated, dipping his head backwards towards the counter. "Take everything. Just don't hurt her. Please, let her go."
"I don't think you understand what's going on here, Aris," Hattie said. "We're not here to rob you… at least not in the traditional sense. We're commandeering your shoppe."
"Commandeering… my… what?" Aris asked. "Why?"
"For the cause. Do you take my meaning?"
Aris's eyes narrowed and he looked around the room. "You're Death Eaters," he said. When his eyes found Hattie's again he asked, "Is one of you her?"
"Don't be silly. That's what she has minions for," Hattie said, careful to keep the bitterness out of her tone.
"Here's what will happen," she continued. "You will keep operations running normally. We will come and go as we please. Utilize your back room. Stay in your flat. Do whatever Her Ladyship wants. In effect, your shoppe will become her London base of operations."
"What makes you think I'll agree to this?"
Hattie only needed to look at Nicolas. He drew his wand-carrying hand back and then slashed it in front of the witch's throat, causing blood to spray across the room. Aris and Hattie were both in the line of fire. Aris yelled in horror and outrage, but Hattie didn't even flinch. She calmly used the sleeve of her robes to wipe her face and stated, "Do you need more convincing?"
"Do you really think I will help you after that?" Aris screamed, struggling with his bindings and causing the chair to rock a bit.
Hattie smiled. "Oh, I do. I know you don't have any family to harm. All you have are your employees, some of whom you don't even like, and a friend at Hogwarts… isn't that right?"
Aris pulled his lips into a tight, thin line.
"There's also your own reputation to consider… your health… your sanity." She pointed her wand at him and shouted, "Crucio!"
Aris cried out and writhed in his chair. When Hattie stopped the curse she asked, "Will you comply, Aris?"
Aris ground his teeth together but didn't reply.
"I can't hear you. Perhaps you need more convincing." Again, Hattie cursed him, and she smiled evilly.
It's Not Ice Cream and a Bottle of Wine but…
Author: Petula Parkinson
Date: 01-10-15 18:16
Petula sat her books on her bed, looking confused at the envelope sitting on her pillow. It reminded her of the previous Easter, and then she remembered. It had been the one from the egg that Anton had given to Val. Opening it, she glanced from the unused gift certificate to her cousin, who was curled up at the head of her own four poster bed, not bothering to draw the curtains like she normally would.
"Val? I thought you and An were going to use this?" Pet asked quietly.
"So did I," the blonde answered, her voice quiet and scratchy. Both girls quickly checked that they were alone, neither wanted their roommates to hear this particular conversation. After all, any weakness can be exploited, especially in the house of the snakes.
"He'll come around, you know."
Val shrugged. "Maybe. And maybe he won't. But I'm not someone he can just play with," she said. "I am a Mockridge and a Parkinson. I am not some little mudblood trollop, dumb enough to sit around and wait. My family is as old as his, and yes, I care, but that doesn't mean I have to show it."
The brunette studied her cousin and then nodded once. It wasn't safe to argue, even if she didn't quite agree. After all, they were only thirteen, almost fourteen. It wasn't as if they were grown adults and Anton was playing this sort of game. If that were the case, she'd have encouraged Val to hex him into oblivion, or at least into St. Mungos. As it was, they were kids. Her own case aside, as it really was quite unusual, very few people found the person they would spend their lives with at such a young age. Even fewer if you factored the muggle world into things. Not that that argument would fly, with the mood Valeria was in, but it was still the truth. "Come on, I'll see if I can find Nico and see if we can coax him into running to the Common Commons or the kitchens for something sweet. Then we can heap abuse on my poor betrothed until light's out."
Val managed a slight smile, getting to her feet and pulling on a warm jumper to go with her flannel pyjama pants. "Alright, I suppose that's better than sitting here feeling sorry for myself."
"Of course it will, abusing Nico is always amusing," Pet said with a haughty air, but mischief danced in her eyes.
"You're horrible to that boy," Val said, but she looked a little happier.
"He'd worry if I wasn't," Pet confided, looping her arm through Val's and tugging her toward the common room in hopes of sweet-talking Nico into a snack-run.