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Holiday Plans
Author: Illyria
Date: 01-28-15 18:08
Illyria sat at dinner and thought about how after this evening, she would have no more classes till January. She would be spending the latter half of the holidays at Hogwarts, but Christmas would be spent in Cancun with Nathan. Illyria already had her bags packed even though they weren't leaving till Sunday. She couldn't wait for the trip, especially since she secretly knew from Urania that a proposal was on the horizon. Surely he'd pop the question while the two were alone on the beach or some other equally romantic setting?
Illyria speared a piece of baked lemon chicken and daydreamed a little more about what the holiday with Nathan might hold before thinking about Christmas gifts, particularly the Secret Santa gift she had gotten Igraine van Tassel. The second year Slytherin girl was one of Illyria's Astronomy students, so she knew her quite well.
What Illyria ended up getting Igraine was a locket in the shape of a book. To go with a somewhat astronomical theme, the locket was covered in twinkling stars. Illyria thought the locket was cute and hoped Igraine would like it too.
After Ilyria finished her meal, she went to her quarters to freshen up a little bit and then went to her office. Although office hours ended before suppertime, Illyria wanted to make herself available or any student requiring last minute assistance. Both of tonight's classes would be writing cumulative exams.
At first, she marked exams from earlier in the week, but then she found her mind wandering back to Nathan, their upcoming holiday to Mexico, and the possibility of a glittering diamond on her ring finger.
If I Ignore It, It Will Go Away
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 01-28-15 19:24
It was very nearly time for the winter break and ultimately Lawrence was looking forward to it, as well as his daughter's first Christmas, and his sixth year anniversary with Ariella, though technically their anniversary was in October, they usually did something special for New Years Eve, which is when they were remarried in front of family and friends. However, this year their New Years would be spent with their new daughter who was already three months old and seemed to have her daddy wrapped around her little finger.
He'd just finished giving the end of term exam to his fifth year Ravenclaw and Slytherin students, and was cleaning up the greenhouse. He needed to drop off the small box that was sitting in a drawer in his desk beneath the tree in the Common Commons. He'd put his name in for the Secret Santa gift exchange and had drawn Cai Carter's name from the pool. He'd gotten some advice from Ariella about what to get a girl her age, and ultimately gotten her a necklace that had the Gryffindor crest on it, and he hoped that she'd like the gift.
He had a couple of appointments later this afternoon with some of his seventh year students who had questions about their exams, knowing that this will be one of the last, simple exams that they will have to worry about this school year and ultimately wanted to make certain that they were on the right track for passing it so that they could truly start worrying about NEWTs come the start of term in January. Finishing up in the greenhouse, he wanted to drop off the present in the Common Commons and head to his quarters where he intended on having a quiet lunch with his wife and daughter.
Just as he was about to leave the greenhouse, an owl swooped in and dropped an envelope on his desk. Lawrence recognized the hand writing on it, and ultimately had no desire to deal with it right now. He was already tired of this person insinuating things about his deceased parents, and he wasn't even remotely ready to face the possibility that this might be true. He knew his parents, and they weren't what this person claimed they were – that much he knew. Then again, he hadn't learned about his father's affair until Maggie had shown up in London looking for him. Pushing a hand through his hair he grabbed the envelope and shoved it in the pocket of his robes, he'd deal with it later. Or he might just burn the bloody thing and ignore it, pretend it never showed up and ultimately put this person out of his mind. It was safer that way, he had a family now and he didn't want to risk any form of danger coming to his wife or Merlin forbid, his daughter.
Heading out of the greenhouse, he briskly walked the distance from them to the Castle, thankful for a warming charm in the winter weather. Once he was within the castle he headed to the Common Commons and placed the box with Cai's gift in it beneath the tree. A quick glance for one with his name on it, before he would exit the Commons and make note to check later for his. Heading up the stairs, he would use it as a workout, and easily made the run to the sixth floor only breaking a slight sweat. He slipped his jacket off and hung it on the hook just inside the door, and headed into the bedroom. Robes were dropped in the laundry basket, and he changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt with the name of a Muggle band on it and quietly stepped into the kitchen, careful not to wake Ariella or the baby just yet. Though, he had no intention of waking his daughter any earlier than necessary, it would allow him to get some quality time in with his wife.
Once lunch, a simple chicken salad was made, he would slip into the bedroom and press a kiss to Ariella's cheek, "Lunch is ready..." He whispered and slipped out, allowing her to wake and come join him. They ate, and managed about thirty minutes longer before Karina's cries signaled that the three month old was awake.
"I'll get her," he said, pushing up from the sofa and going to tend to his daughter. Nappy change and much cuddling and cooing, and the three of them were settled happy on the couch.
"I've a couple of appointments for office hours later this afternoon, but after that I am all yours. Most of my final grades are ready to go in, save for the ones from the exams tomorrow, and that will free up as much of the holidays as possible." Lawrence said, slipping his free arm around Ariella's shoulders and pulling her close, while Karina cooed and tugged on his t-shirt.
Between Exams
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 01-29-15 12:33
Wedding planning was complete, thankfully, and there would be a final fitting for her dress when she got home this weekend. Then the wedding would be held before Christmas and ultimately it would take one of her stresses off her shoulders, and come the end of the term she and Blake would be moving into their flat, and hopefully they would both be attending St. Emrys in the fall. Either way, right now, she had to get through her last set of finals for the winter term.
She'd already taken her History of Magic final, her Herbology final, her Arithmancy & Divination final, and that left the last two one of which would have her going out into the cold again because her final one was in the barn for Care of Magical Creatures. Fingertips pushed through her hair, eyes sliding closed as she carefully pushed herself upward from her bed where she'd settled when she'd come back up to the tower after her Aritmancy & Divination exam, and before she headed down to lunch. She had an hour, and already she was down to forty-five minutes. Chances are, she wouldn't have much time for more than a sandwich and some crisps...but she needed to eat something. Grabbing her messenger bag that she'd gotten from Carmen last Christmas, she made sure she had everything for her last two classes and then headed out of her room.
"You alright?" Blake asked, as she met him at the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired, glad to be done with winter term after this, and go home for a break before we have to start worrying about really buckling down for NEWTs at the end of the year." She laced her fingers with his, "Ready for the rest of our exams?"
Blake squeezed her hand and the two of them headed out of the tower and ultimately to Ancient Runes, where they sat for their examinations and would head to the barn for Care of Magical Creatures.
Brunch Date
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 01-29-15 14:41
I rise to give Natalie a kiss and hug before holding a chair for her. She shrugs off her coat before sitting. "Thanks for meeting me."
"No need to thank me. I just wish you'd not been so tied up with that seminar so we could have gotten together before you're about to go home."
My sister agrees. "Me too. I'm sorry things didn't work out this time. I would have loved to see the kids but at least we're getting together soon for Christmas. Speaking of, you didn't need to bring gifts since we'll be together."
I glance to the wrapped package peeking out of a store bag. "It's just one and not for you or either of the girls. It's a Secret Santa."
I'd gotten the name of student Alys Ellis. Niccola and Brandon helped me pick something out but when I went to wrap it, I found some flaws. Before coming to meet Natalie for brunch I'd taken it back for an exchange. Turned out I couldn't do a straight exchange so I had to select a different coat than the one the kids and I had liked. More coats had come in since that day and I found one I liked better, though that doesn't mean a girl of Alys's age would think the same. The new coat, no flaws that the shop manager or I found, is what the manager referred to as a cape coat. I like it enough I'm thinking of getting one for both of my nieces Cora and Audrey.
Noting the circles under Natalie's eyes I ask, "Are you getting enough sleep?"
I can tell she's considering a fib but she ends up being honest. "Only sometimes."
"Not sleeping and you've lost weight."
This gets a one shoulder shrug. "A little but after two children and being the age I am, that's not a bad thing."
"More than a little. Why are you letting him get to you like this?"
Another one shoulder shrug. "I don't mean him to but it's not so easy as you'd think letting go of someone who out of the blue announces he's decided he needs freedom. I loved him, still do and he is the father of my children."
"I get that but Rory's also been a total ass about everything."
"He's already got a girlfriend. I guess I can be thankful he waited until after he moved out."
"You're sure of that? She, or someone else, had no part in him deciding to leave?"
"I'm fairly sure and so are the girls. It's possible he was having thoughts of straying but, no, I've had no indication he was already seeing anyone. That said, the only thing I know for sure is he's blaming me entirely for deciding he wanted breathing room."
Natalie makes a face, reaching for her water. "That's enough about him. Have you given further thought to my idea for that one gift for Dad?"
My sister and I spend the rest of brunch talking about everything but the divorce and her soon to be ex. It seems all too soon we're parting ways, her to return to the States and me to Hogwarts, two afternoon finals to administer.
(Jonathan) Decorating
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 01-29-15 18:46
Jonathan sang Christmas carols as he decorated the house in silver and blue. The tree was up and flocked white and he had hung white lights with silver and blue ornaments and it looked beautiful. He looked around the house and it was looking good. He heard the door open and he smiled it was Chance.
"I'm home honey."
"I'm in here." he called and picked up where he left off singing Jingle Bells
Chance walked into the living room and gasped. "It's beautiful." She hugged Jonathan and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, love. I am glad you like it." He kissed the top of her head and smiled at his work.
"I went to the healer today and they said the baby is looking good and in a few more weeks we can find out what it is if we want."
"How long do we have to wait?" Jonathan asked.
"Maybe another nine weeks or so. When I am about twenty weeks we can find out."
"Okay." He said and began putting finishing touches here and there with a flick of his wand. It had been a while since he had really had any reason to celebrate Christmas and he wasn't sure that there would be reason this year since Chance had lost the baby -- but now she was pregnant again and things were going really good with this pregnancy.
Normal
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 01-30-15 14:14
It was too cold for a meeting outside and so Celeste agreed to meet Archer at a coffee shop. While she waited for her brother, she observed the few Muggles inside the establishment. The waiter was cleaning some spilled coffee from one table, while a middle aged blonde woman typed furiously in her laptop, ignoring the delicious muffin in front of her. Celeste felt tempted to use magic and steal the muffin but she didn't want to get in trouble for that; instead she had to settle for the lemon tea she had asked.
To distract herself, she checked the content of her shopping bags. She had went ahead and done some Christmas shopping including buying a gift for Cornington Marchbanks, her Secret Santa this year. Currently Celeste taught two of Cornington's siblings, Hydrangea and Barontaine. Cornington had entered Hogwarts this year, and he had been sorted into Hufflepuff. Celeste had thought carefully about the present she should give to the Cornington. She decided to buy him a watch, a somewhat sporty model that had the Hufflepuff's colors.
Just like last year, Celeste also helped Caleb to buy his Secret Santa gift. He got Cate Moreau's name, and although they belonged to the same house Cate was a seventh year and he had no idea what to give to an older girl. He actually seemed a bit embarrassed with it, and Celeste decided to step in and give him a little aid. After showing Caleb some items, he ended up choosing a simple black dress. Celeste had to admit Caleb had a good eye for clothing, but she didn't tell him that, not wanting to shame him.
The door opened and Archer stepped inside the coffee shop. He shook a few snowflakes from his jacket and looked around. Once he spotted Celeste, he went to join her. He was wearing sunglasses, probably thinking he looked stylish with them, which Celeste thought it was ridiculous. But before she could pronounce herself on that subject, Archer removed the sunglasses and occupied the chair in front of her.
"Allison…"
"Celeste," she corrected.
"Right. Celeste. "
"Why did you want to see me? Is something wrong? "
"As a matter of fact, yes. My only daughter is a witch!"
"Archer, we have discussed this a few months ago and…"
"And now I am one hundred percent sure Maud is like you. I have proofs!"
He placed a folder over the table and passed it to Celeste. She opened it. The folder was filled with drawings. But there was nothing extraordinary in them. Her niece Maud was reasonable at drawing, but no artist, she thought.
"I don't understand."
Her brother was exasperated as he started to look around the drawings for a specific one. Once he found it, he put it above the pile. It was a drawing of a unicorn. Celeste pointed that out to Archer, stating the obvious.
"I know. But aren't they real in your world?"
"Yes. But I don't see why a ten year old girl would not enjoy drawing unicorns. This proves nothing."
"What about this?"
It was a drawing of a castle; a castle which had some resemblances with Hogwarts. But at the same time the drawing was not that specific. Celeste looked carefully at Maud's work. There was one about her family: her father, her mother, herself and next to her a little creature. It was no doubt a house elf. Then there was another one that Celeste could swear Maud was wearing robes and holding a wand. Archer explained that her teacher thought Maud was just being creative. She told him that Maud was a somewhat eccentric girl, that had a wide imagination and despite that everyone liked her and she was very clever.
"I don't want my daughter to be eccentric! " Archer complained.
"I want her to be normal.
"But she is normal. If in fact she is a witch, then it's fine that she draws all these things. They are part of her world, after all."
"No! I can't deal with this Celeste! I had plans for Maud. She would continue to study at Lydhall Academy. Go to college and be a surgeon, or a lawyer, or something normal. I don't want her flying on broomsticks, brewing potions and cast spells like you used to do."
"I still do all that, you know?"
"You teach Astronomy. That is quite banal compared to what the people of your kind tend do."
Celeste decided to ignore the insult, considering that Archer was in a shock to finally have his suspicious confirmed about his daughter being a witch. Celeste tried to be understanding and compassionate towards her brother. But on the inside she couldn't help to feel proud she had one more member of her family attending Hogwarts.
Waiting On Friends (Mason)
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 01-30-15 14:59
One of Mason's legs dangles over the side of the chair in which he's reading the latest news in one of the Quidditch magazines. His last class was before lunch. Since then he's gotten his things packed to go home tomorrow, unintentionally fell asleep near the fireplace in the Slytherin common room while watching a chess match, strolled about near the lake, and scarfed up a fair share of fairy cakes and biscuits since coming to the Commons. Part of that time was spent with best friend Boris but Boris had had to get to Muggle Studies, which started at 3:15.
After seeing Boris off, Mason didn't return directly to the Commons. He'd detoured back to Slytherin House for the Professor Minerva McGonagall's Secret Santa gift. He had no idea why he's stalled leaving the present for her when he's had it wrapped and ready for delivery for days now.
Mason would never admit to any of his friends, or to his mum, that he'd agonized over what to get the headmistress. He'd nearly gotten her some tea but then thought that perhaps tea is something she's gotten quite often for Christmas in the past and most likely will this year as well from whomever else is giving her gifts. Some students give all their professors and the head of the school a little something. Some gift all staff, even Mr. Filch and Hagrid. Mason falls into the latter group, Felicia Randolph insisting it's the correct thing to do. She picks out something nice, though more of a token to give everyone. This year it's gift boxes of hot chocolate and hot cocoa mixes but it could just have easily been tea.
The gift Mason chose after discarding any number of ideas is a very soft, very nice faux fur plush throw blanket. Nice enough he's gotten one for his maternal grandmother, Betty, as well, though in a different color and type of faux fur.
A shadow falls across the magazine. Mason looks up to see Boris looking somewhat grim. "Trouble on the exam?"
"No, not really. It's that I realized I only gave half an answer on one of the longer essays. Could hurt my mark more than I want to think about. I've been trying to think of what else I might have made a bloody screw up of."
Gaston comes up behind Boris. "I was on my way to acing only to run out of time to go back and answer something I wanting to think about. I skipped it thinking I'd have plenty of time. I don't know how the time went by too quickly."
Mason sets the Quidditch magazine aside and unwraps himself from his sprawled posture in the chair. He puts an arm around each of his friends' shoulders. "Come on. Let's head to the Great Hall for supper. We can talk about the match we're seeing over hols."
Boris and Gaston perk up at that. They've all been looking forward to attending the professional match, taking place in France, while on break from Hogwarts. By the time they reach the Great Hall, both boys are in much better spirits, animatedly talking with Mason about the fun they will have.
Last Minute Gifts
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 01-30-15 17:17
Rowan closed the lid of her trunk and then went around to her night stand, where the little portrait of Laurel stood, as well as a small, square gift-wrapped parcel. Inside the box was Rowan's gift to Rylee Marks, whose name Rowan knew because Rylee played seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team. Because Rylee was in Slytherin House, Rowan had an easy time finding out more about her via Ash and Willow.
The information Rowan received about Rylee was helpful and inspired her to buy a fashionable accessory as the Secret Santa gift. Rylee's present was a pretty infinity scarf with butterflies on it. Rowan scooped up the box and left her dorm room, then the common room. She made her way down to the Commons, where many gifts had once sat underneath the Christmas tree. Now many of the gifts had been claimed, though there were a few still waiting to meet their new owners.
Rowan slipped the gift in with the others and then turned to find herself face to face with Beatrix. Startled, she took a step back, but then she found her center and moved to go around her former best friend. She stopped when Beatrix spoke.
"Sorry," she said, looking around Rowan at the packages underneath the tree. "My brother asked me to see if his gift is here," she went on. "I didn't mean to take you by surprise."
"No worries," Rowan said. She started to move on again when Beatrix asked, "Are you going home for the holidays?"
Rowan felt surprised that Beatrix was making the effort to have any sort of conversation with her, but she tried not to show her feelings and nodded her head. "Yeah, you?"
"Yeah."
"Just spending time with family?" Rowan asked, half wondering if Beatrix had made plans to meet up with her seemingly new best friend Cate Moreau.
Beatrix had no way of knowing that they were sharing a similar line of thought. Her gaze travelled across the room, where Cate was sitting on Preston's lap, oblivious to everyone else around them.
"Yeah, pretty much," she finally said.
Rowan said, "Me too."
Beatrix finally looked at her squarely in the eye. "Really? What about Lon?"
For some reason, the mention of her boyfriend's name made her cheeks flush. She sputtered, "H-he's visiting his relatives in America."
Suddenly, Ash was there with a rectangular box tucked under his arm. Like Rowan, he'd taken a bit long in getting his Secret Santa gift sorted out, wrapped, and placed under the Christmas tree in the common common room. He had drawn Augustus Hodfuffer's name, another familiar one thanks to Quidditch. The gift was a leather jacket.
"Rowan," Ash said, acknowledging his sister, and then he turned to Beatrix. "Hi, Beatrix."
"Hi, Ash," Beatrix said, her own cheeks turning pink.
Rowan fought the urge to roll her eyes and asked her brother about his gift. He told them about it and then set it under the tree next to her gift to Rylee.
"I'm sure Gus will like it!" Beatrix blurted out a little too eagerly.
"I hope so," Ash said. "I need to do some last minute packing. Maybe we'll see you on the train, Beatrix?"
"Definitely."
Rowan had half a mind to glare at Ash, but she remained calm and said, "Yeah, that would be great." To her great relief, Lon walked in at that very moment. Rowan excused herself to spend what little time they had together before the Christmas holidays forced them into temporary separation.
Yawning
Author: Majandra
Date: 01-30-15 19:08
Majandra suppresses a yawn. It's been a long week with exams, which for her classes included a small practical potion portion, getting those exams marked, getting all the grades recorded and determining overall marks for everyone for this portion of the school year. Throw in class Christmas parties for Georgie and Miranda, resorting to the use of charms to keep the kids from finding certain gifts, a the first stages of a cold, and helping George with his part of throwing an employee holiday party, which is tomorrow night, and she is tired despite the relatively early hour. She'd like nothing more than to relax and do nothing when getting home but the kids are wanting to string some garlands using popcorn, dried cranberries, and a few other items for the party tomorrow. As they'd discussed this days ago and it had been agreed to, she really can't very well tell them no now. At least the popcorn is all popped, or so she hopes. It's nothing to do more but she really doesn't want to unless necessary.
Looking over to where her son and daughter sit eating, Maj assesses whether they look to be about finished and are just playing around. She'd not originally planned to be at Hogwarts for dinner but her children had specifically requested being here, knowing that with most students leaving on the train tomorrow for Christmas, supper in the Great Hall would be festive. Not as much as an actual feast night but much more so than a regular Friday evening. As eating here at Hogwarts meant not having to fix dinner at home or get something out when she's on the tired side, Maj had readily agreed.
Her eyes moves slowly from table to table, taking in the animated faces of happy students. She hasn't yet seen the list of who won't be leaving school tomorrow but she'll know soon enough. While Maj does not live at Hogwarts as many professors do, she will be coming a few times over the holiday to patrol halls, chaperone, keep watch, or whatever else is needed.
Majandra's gaze stops on Madoc McGonagall. One of Minerva's great nephews, Madoc is now a fifth year and the person for whom she's playing Secret Santa. Having had him as one of her students for four years Maj knows Madoc to be generally good natured and fun loving, as are most his age. After great consideration on a present, Maj is giving Madoc some of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes items. When he opens the stack of three wrapped gifts left for him this evening under the commons tree, Madoc will find exploding bon bons, an antigravity hat, and a magical mustache kit.
Her children beginning to exhibit signs of playing around more than eating, a slice of cake wrapped to go to take to George, Maj has them bid everyone goodnight, and exits the Great Hall with both of them chattering excitedly about getting those garlands started. No longer trying to stifle her yawns, Maj is glad that she can lounge on the couch supervising while they do the garlands.
Do You Want Shoes And A Handbag? [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 01-30-15 20:57
Out of the blue, Sylvestor Trainor's friend and roommate Fitzwilliam Bates fixes him with a stare. "If you dropped Fitness & Athletics, next term you'll be done with classes sooner."
Sylvestor has no idea why Fitzwilliam has decided to bring this up but he sees no point in pursuing the why of it. Instead, he responds, "I like F&A."
"Yeah, but without it, you'd have had the entire day off."
"If I hated the course, yeah, sure, drop it, but I don't and I won't so it's a mood point."
"Moot."
Sylvestor and Fitzwilliam turn startled expression towards second year Sarafina Sutton. "Huh?" they chime in unison.
"Moot point. Not mood."
Sylvestor feels his cheeks coloring though he shouldn't be embarrassed. It's not as if moot point is such a common phrase among eleven and twelve year olds. He mumbles, "Yeah, thanks," before turning his full attention to the large slice of pie in front of him.
Pretending that the chocolate caramel pie in front of him is that only thing of note last all of three seconds before Fitzwilliam asks, "You got your Secret Santa gift yet?"
"Yeah, that hooded sweatshirt I was wearing earlier today."
"Right. You told me that. Professor Black had you, right?"
"Yep. Yours ever show up?"
"Not yet. I'm checking against straightaway after supper." Fitzwilliam gives Sylvestor a look that's make his next words obvious he's joking. "You didn't get my name did you?"
"Yes. You've find your twin set wrapped in very girly paper and marked with the name of Professor Saffron Sacheverelle."
"Sounds grand. You picked a color that's good on me?"
"Light blue and has little cats bordering all around."
Fitzwilliam, a whipped cream mustache above his lip now and teeth darkened with the strawberries and rhubarb of the tart he's been eating, grins. "Perfect. Thank you very much, old chum."
"My pleasure. For your birthday I'll get you a skirt to match or would you rather have shoes and a handbag?"
The two continue joking back and forth the rest of the meal, Sylvestor going with Fitzwilliam afterwards to check for a Secret Santa present with Fitzwilliam's name.