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New Years Resolutions
Author: Cate
Date: 02-12-15 15:20
Cate saw Amanda and Elliot in the Great Hall and, though she was still mad at them, she had made it her resolution for the new year to become friends with them again. She was scared to walk over to them and talk to them because the last time she had talked to either one of them it had not gone well.
Walking over to where Amanda, Elliot and Darren sat and tapped Amanda on the shoulder.
Amanda turned and smiled, "Hi."
"Hi. How are you doing?" Cate asked.
"I am good. Would you like to sit down?"
Elliot and Darren leaned around Amanda and said hello.
"Hello." she smiled as she sat down. "I was wondering if we could talk?"
"Sure." Amanda said.
"I know I've acted foolishly and treated you guys badly. I know it wasn't your fault that..." she paused and sighed, "Jordana died. I was just so..."
"I know." Amanda said as she reached out and hugged Cate. "It's okay. I hope that things will get back to the way they were."
Cate nodded her head and said, "I hope in time it will too. I don't know that it will be a fast thing."
"I understand. It takes time to learn to trust people again."
"Yes, it does." Cate hugged Amanda back and reached for Elliot's hand and gave it a squeeze.
Somewhat Let Down
Author: Illyria
Date: 02-12-15 18:49
Illyria entered the Great Hall and made her way down the center aisle to the High Table, where many though not all of her colleagues sat for lunch. The four house tables were also reasonably full. Most of the students seemed content with term back in session, though a few grumbled at having homework on the very first day of Winter Term.
Illyria herself was glad to have something with which to keep her occupied. Her hopes of getting a proposal first as a Christmas gift and then as a New Year's surprise had both been dashed. Either Nathan had changed his mind about asking her to marry him, or he was taking his time in choosing the right moment. Whatever the reason, Illyria's holidays had been somewhat disappointing.
She finally reached the High Table and sat down next to a rather glum-looking Marzi. The Ravencrofts had taken an extended stay away from the castle following a family tragedy and had only just returned to Hogwarts yesterday afternoon. Illyria knew minimal details about the incident and longed to learn more, but she didn't dare pressure Marzi into saying anything more than she felt comfortable sharing.
Instead, she helped herself to some beef stew and a piece of crusty bread and asked, "How did your morning classes go?"
"Oh, well enough, I suppose," Marzi said. Evidently, the return to routine didn't help keep her mind off of graver things. She picked at her food and sighed.
"I'm sure it will be the same for me," Illyria remarked, trying to keep the conversation light and going. "I'm just glad I decided not to hold class on the Observation Deck. I can't wait till the temperature rises!" She laughed, mostly to herself.
Marzi smiled weakly and said, "Yeah."
Illyria took a few bites of her hearty soup, thinking what to say or ask next, when Marzi surprised her by asking about her holiday. Although they had spoken some yesterday after the Ravenscrofts had returned to Hogwarts, the topic hadn't come up at all.
"It was fine," Illyria began, but the words didn't sound genuine to her own ears. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was foolish to even tell her story, but she threw caution to the wind when she realized that Marzi would judge or make fun of a silly situation.
Transfer Student
Author: Amanda Reynolds
Date: 02-13-15 12:22
Amanda sat in the great hall listening to the Slytherin Prefect talking to the new transfer student Christopher Burke. He was cute and Amanda was finding herself very attracted to the new Slytherin. Getting up from where she was sitting she walked over to the Slytherin Prefect and asked if she could take the new student around for the rest of the day.
"Yes, you may." Said the Prefect with a sly grin. "Christopher Burke this is Amanda Reynolds she is a Hufflepuff."
Christopher cocked his head to the side and looked at her and then smiled. "It's nice to meet you." He offered a hand and Amanda took it.
"It's nice to meet you too. Are you finished eating?" Christopher nodded his head and the two headed off. "I'll show you around for a while before classes start again." She took him around to the Common Commons and explained that it was a place that everyone could go to chill and hang out. Then she took him outside and they walked around, she pointed out the whomping Willow and then they walked down to the lake and started walking around it a bit.
"By the way you can call me Chris."
"Cool." She said with a smile. They got a little ways around the lake and Amanda looked at her watch and decided they should head back. She asked about his next class and she took him to his class room and headed off to her own class promising that she would walk him to his next class.
"Oh," Chris called as she was starting to walk away, "would you go out with me."
Amanda was slightly taken aback smiled at Chris. "Yeah, sure, I would like that." Amanda was very shocked that someone she had just met had asked her out but with talking to him while they were walking around the grounds she was finding herself liking him more and more and he was indeed good looking.
Getting An Interview With Danielle Baatz
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 02-14-15 18:41
Janette Duckworth, Kristofr Giannakopoulos, and Ron wait, somewhat impatiently, to see Danielle Baatz. With an apparent copycat killer leaving bodies scattered in random locations around the globe and no leads, the international task force members have been eager to have a sit down with Baatz. Their efforts have been stymied by the various governments haggling over who gets her next for trial.
When word came that the task force would finally have its wish, the first time any would have to speak to the serial killer in far too many months when there have been more murders on a semi-regular basis, the task force was given only a short time span to conduct its interview. Three members were able to drop everything, scrambling to check with the other members for any questions each wished to be included in the face to face to Baatz. Ron is grateful he is one of the ones able to be present today. He's also very annoyed that Janette, Kristofr and he were rushed on such short notice to get here only to be made to wait, an hour so far.
Restless, Janette rises to walk slowly from one side of the room to the other, each hand cupping her lower back, fingers massaging. Pregnant with twins, her and her husband's first children, she's due in early spring. Grumbling about needing the ladies and how she's sure that as soon as she leaves the waiting area, someone will come to lead them into to wherever the interview with Baatz is taking place, Janette scowls as she heads for a short hallway where the loos are located.
Just as she predicted, as Kristofr and Ron here the door to the ladies room shut, a balding, stoop shouldered man appears in one of the other doorways. "We're ready for you now. This way, please."
Kristofr gestures in the direction Janette went. "We must wait for our colleague."
An expression of irritation passes over the man's face. Ron's ready to point out that he and whomever else is running the show has kept this waiting this long, another minute or two shouldn't matter. He holds his tongue when the man suddenly gives a weak smile. "Yes, of course."
When Janette rejoins them, an I-told-you-so look on her face, they are shown to a conference room with a semi-circular table. They seat themselves along the long side of the curve, Danielle Baatz already in a chair on the opposite side, set slightly back from the table.
Four hours later, Baatz has been combative, giving them only cryptic answers when she's bothered to say anything. Much of the time she's sat overly still, a smug, self-satisfied smile playing on her lips, a glint of hate in her eyes. The balding man informs them the time allotted has come to an end. As Baatz is led out, the three task force members argue to have their time extended. The man is adamant and only after making sure Baatz is out of the room does he point out, "You are likely not to get anything more than you have without using alternate questioning techniques, something that her legal representation has obtained an order to prevent."
Ron, Kristofr, and Janette exchange looks before voicing their thanks for what time they were given. The man allows them to stay longer in the conference room to discuss and attempt to decipher what they did get from Baatz. At length Janette says, "I don't know about you two, but I'm famished."
Before leaving they get a restaurant recommendation from the balding man, where over the meal they decide it's time for another visit with Danielle Baatz's brother, Casper. Perhaps he can help them figure out her odd, disjointed comments and weird replies.
The meal ended, the trio makes for Rotterdam, hoping Casper Baatz will be available right away but prepared to stay overnight if not.
(Mark) Meeting Mother
Author: Isolde
Date: 02-15-15 09:19
Mark entered The Leaky Cauldron and scanned the crowded room for his mother, who had unexpectedly sent him a letter only that morning requesting they meet. Despite his continued anger at her hypocrisy, Mark wanted to see his mother, since it had been over a year since he'd last seen her. Guessing the meeting might be extremely short or exceed the duration of his lunch hour, depending on how things went, Mark told his boss that he had a family emergency.
Having kept on the straight and narrow since his arrest, Mark had slowly begun to regain the trust of his superiors. Constantly being on his best behavior was the reason why he told the fib about having to leave work and possibly not returning until much later in the afternoon, if not tomorrow. Mark felt like he could get away with it.
He spotted his mother at a corner table and made his way over to her. As soon as she noticed him, she got up to greet him, leaning towards him as if to kiss his cheek. She hesitated before she ever reached him, however, unsure of how he would receive her.
At seeing her for the first time in ages, Mark felt some of his annoyance with her melt away, and it was he who leaned towards her for a hello kiss on the cheek. Then he sat down opposite her and waited for her to reveal why she wanted them to meet.
His mother started out with small talk, which he answered with as much patience as he could muster. It was all very well catching up, especially when they hadn't spoken in more than a year and there was much to discuss, but Mark was eager to get to the point. At last, the conversation shifted to the reason for their meeting.
"Mark," his mother began, fiddling with her drinking glass, "I wanted to apologize to you." She paused and then continued, "It was wrong of me to tell you not to follow your heart. When I met Brian…" She paused again, and a wistful expression appeared on her face. "…my head told me it was all wrong. How could I fall for a Muggle? He was exactly the sort I was taught to look down upon. I was also a married witch.
"Brian was so very charming, though, and handsome. He was also kind and funny, and he adored me." She smiled at the memory. "I tried not to give in, but my heart was stronger than my will. My time with Brian was some of the happiest in my life.
"When it was over and I returned to you and your father, I made myself forget what I felt when I was with Brian. I told myself it had all been an illusion and that I'd been a fool to think he had ever been the one for me. After all, he was just a Muggle and I was so much more."
She leaned over the table and reached for Mark's hands. "But I realized how wrong I was. The heart doesn't lie, Mark. It knows when love is real, more than your brain ever could. Love doesn't discriminate. It knows what it wants and what is right, no matter what you've been taught or told. And it's not that I didn't love your father. I did, or I wouldn't have married him. And I have no regrets whatsoever having you. You are the joy of my life! But, Brian is my soulmate. I knew it when I was with him, and now that I can no longer have him, it cuts deeply to know the truth."
"Why are you telling me this?" Mark asked when his mother paused again. It was weird listening to her gush about some guy she loved more than her ex-husband.
"Don't you see, Mark?" his mother asked, smiling at him as if she had a secret to share. "I'm telling you that it was a mistake to force you to give up the love of your life. Brian is happily married now to someone else. Unless I want to wreck another marriage, I'm afraid I've missed my chance with him. Don't miss your chance with Kate! Win her back, Mark. Win her back, or you will regret it for the rest of your life."
Mark stared at his mother and then slowly withdrew his hands from hers. It wasn't that he didn't agree with what she said. He regretted the possibility of hurting Kate even before it was ever done, and he absolutely hated the fact that she was dating somebody else now.
It also wasn't that he didn't care for Capri. He did, truly, but it was also true that he didn't love her. Capri was beautiful and fun in her own way, but she wasn't Kate. Maybe Mark could learn to love Capri, but even if he did, she wasn't his soulmate. If he stayed with her despite his feelings for Kate, would his relationship turn out like his parents? That was the last thing he wanted.
Mark really didn't want to abandon Capril in her time of need, but at the same time, it sometimes felt draining dealing with her moping around the house all the time. Mark couldn't fault her for her behavior, but still he did a little bit.
The idea his mother planted in his head about Kate grew more prevalent in his mind with each passing moment. By the time he left the pub, he had a plan in mind to break things off with Capri and win back Kate.
He walked into the flat he shared with Capri and found her seated on the couch. He'd expected her to be at work, which is why he'd planned on packing up all his things and being ready to move out by the time she returned home.
She stood up upon seeing him but instead of asking what he was doing home she said, "Mark, there's something I have to tell you."
The News
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 02-15-15 11:50
"I have something to tell you." Capri said her voice wavering a bit.
"What is it? I thought you would be at work."
"I took the day off." She said.
"Oh, okay." Mark said sounding a little annoyed by this. "So, what did you want to tell me?"
"I...uh, I'm pregnant." She finally said.
"You're what?" Mark asked even though he had heard exactly what Capri had said.
"I'm pregnant, Mark." She said again. "It makes sense since I've been not feeling good lately."
"I was just chalking it up to what happened...and..."
"I went to the healer this morning." She said interrupting him. Mark was not taking the news well not that she did when she found out. She had cried and cried when she found out. She wanted it to be Mark's baby but she was afraid that it was her old boss' because she and Mark had not made love since all that happened.
"And the healer said you were pregnant?"
"Of course she did." Capri said feeling a little annoyed now. "Mark I would play around with something like this. It is a serious thing."
"I know it is." Mark said sounding equally annoyed.
"What are we going to do?" She asked. "I'm scared."
"We will figure it out together, Capri."
(Alanna) Proposition
Author: Beck
Date: 02-15-15 15:03
Alanna entered the Legal Division after a long day in court and made her way over to her workspace, where she unloaded the binders she carried and sat down in her chair. She took off one of her pumps and massaged her foot, wondering if such thing as a shoe cushioning charm existed. If not, then somebody needed to invent it. Maybe she could get her sister on the task.
After a few minutes, she put her shoe back on and turned to the thick binders on her desk to get some parchmentwork done before her work shift ended. She didn't get very far into it when the door to Reed's office opened and he poked his head out, lining her up in his sights.
"Wynbourne, in my office, now."
At least he called her by her married name. Alanna stifled a groan and got up, hoping Reed actually wanted to talk business with her but knowing all too well that his reason for calling her into his office was more than likely personal.
She entered the office but stopped just within the open door.
Reed, who was leaning against his desk with his arms folded over his chest, told her to close the door. When she didn't, he pushed off the desk, walked around her, and shut the door behind her with a firm click.
"What now?" she asked exasperatedly.
"Still haven't told him, have you?" Reed said, moving back to his position against the desk.
Alanna opened her mouth to retort but no words came out. No, she hadn't told Jared about Reed kissing her, but not because she wanted to keep secrets from him. She kept silent to protect him.
To her surprise, Reed didn't gloat or even crack a smile. Instead he sighed and rubbed his face with his hand. Alanna had never seem him look so unsettled, not even when he'd gone everywhere with a bodyguard in tow.
"I need to work on my image," Reed finally said, fixing his gaze on her. "I'm considered ruthless, unethical, egotistical, to name a few. If I want to move up politically as well as escape my unpopular reputation in the eyes of the Minister's office, I'll need to earn votes and to do that, I'll have to impress not only those who have their own reasons for seeing me rise to the top, but also the votes of the general populace."
"It relieves me to know you're aware of your deficiencies, of which there are a great many more than those you listed. I'd be happy to enlighten you," Alanna quipped, unable to contain her sarcasm.
Reed actually smiled. "Of that I have no doubt. Here's what I need, Alanna… what I think will make me seem like a better man."
Alanna quirked her eyebrows but said nothing. In her opinion, Reed needed an entire personality transplant in order to improve himself.
Reed stood up and took a step towards her. "I need a wife."
"So get yourself one. I'm sure somewhere out there is the perfect person for you."
"I don't think you understand," Reed said. "I don't want just anyone. The person I choose for my wife has to be educated, well-bred, beautiful. The person I choose is you."
Alanna looked appalled by the suggestion. "Perhaps you've forgotten, but I'm a married woman! And even if I weren't," she hotly went on, "then I'd never submit to you!"
Reed's expression wholly changed to one with which she was very familiar. "Let me put it another way. Wouldn't it be a terrible thing if your brother Anthony found himself on the wrong side of the law? Wouldn't it be just awful if Toby the star Quidditch player found himself in a terrible accident? What about your sister Ariella? Her own political career is just starting. I'd hate for her to find herself involved in some sort of scandal."
Reed took yet another step towards her, but he didn't touch her. He only leered down at her and said, "So, what do you say?"
"Rot in hell!" Alanna seethed. She turned, threw open his office door, and stomped over to her desk, where she collected her purse and then stormed off.
Reed watched her go with his arms folded across his chest and a sneer on his lips. Obviously, Alanna would need a little convincing…
Jenny's Project
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 02-16-15 03:12
Nate and Jenny ran side by side, each one on their treadmill at The Health Nut health and fitness club, located at Diagon Alley. Jenny had convinced Nate to join her morning's exercise routine, and they would meet every Wednesdays and Fridays mornings, a few hours before he would have to go to work.
Nate has never been the sort of person who enjoyed physical activity but he had to admit that this sort of exercise would be good for his body. It was also good to see Jenny often and talk to her. Nate couldn't help to feel a bit guilty for noticing she had long beautiful legs, the first time he had seen her wearing shorts. She was the sister of his best friend and he was sure Tim would not like knowing that Nate's eyes would linger in Jenny's body while they exercised at The Health Nut together.
"My grandmother Theodora wants to sell her house. It's a beautiful cottage at the countryside, in York. We used to spend part of our summer there. I don't think it's far from where you live," Jenny added.
Nate waited for her to continue. His legs were already hurting and he was aware that his endurance was pretty low and that he was in a terrible physical shape. Jenny's voice distracted him from the pain.
"I don't want her to sell it. I need to have a serious conversation with her."
"Why? You want to live in a country cottage all by yourself once you graduate from St. Emrys?"
"Yes and no. I want to turn the cottage into an inn. With my degree in Restaurant and Hospitality, I'm confident I could open my own business using the skills I've been learning. I think my grandmother's cottage would be perfect for that. But it would take a somewhat big investment. I think my father wouldn't mind to help me and I am willing to work hard on the project."
Nate couldn't help to admire how determinate Jenny sounded. She started to describe him the cottage and sharing with him all the ideas she had for it. It would have a beautiful dining room, with the view to the garden on the back. There would be flowers outside and each morning she would collect some to put on a small jar above each table. There would be several rooms, with checkered covers, in soft colors. Paintings with landscapes of York on the walls. She would make sure the fireplace would be connected to the Floo network, and that there would be enough room outside for small Quidditch matches. Maybe she would even place the poles with hoops and rent broomsticks for the children to play outside, while their parents relaxed on the garden benches, drinking tea.
"Imogen could be the cook. Traditional British food, but from time to time there would be other sort of dishes too. However, Imogen is too good and I'm sure once she graduates she will have a fancy job waiting for her in London. She might even have her own restaurant someday."
"With or without Imogen it sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you. You might need to ask for a loan."
"I'm aware of that. My father told me we could go to the bank and try to meet with someone that is not a goblin. They are always so reluctant when it comes to lend money. I think he has a friend at Gringotts who might help me. "
They continued their running as Jenny continue to tell him about her plans and how she wanted to start working on them while she was still taking her degree. They left the treadmills and Nate dried his sweaty forehead with a towel, while Jenny kept talking. He listened to her with attention, and once or twice he added his own ideas and visions to the project. They separated to take a shower and dress up. While the warm water ran down his body, Nate couldn't help feel excited for Jenny. Moreover, he wanted to be part of it. He thought about the money his great aunt had left for him and that he had not spent yet. Maybe he could give it to Jenny. He was sure it would not be a bad investment.
(Susan) Ink
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 02-16-15 04:04
Susan slowly opened the door of the cleaning supplies' closet she was hiding and took a look to the corridor. A group of older girls was passing and she quickly closed the door, before she was found. The ink on her brown hair had already dried and she couldn't help to contain the deep sob that left her mouth, when she noticed her reflection on a metal bucket. She was covered with ink, from head to toes, a prank from Peeves who caught her alone while she was on her way to the Great Hall to have breakfast. Her stomach protested with hunger, as she thought about the plate of eggs and sausages that was waiting for her downstairs.
Susan knew all she had to do was to go back to the Ravenclaw tower, take a quick shower and change robes. But she had not gained the courage to do so yet. The idea of walking by the corridors and climbing the stairs with her hair, face, hands, robes and shoes filled with dark thick ink scared her. She knew she would leave a trail of ink behind and Filch would track her down with ease The school's caretaker wasn't going to care who did this to her; she was the one staining the castle's carpets with the ink and he was going to give her a detention, something that she feared.
Things got even worse when she caught Patricia McCourt walking down the corridor alone. She had called her housemate and sneaked her into the closet, begging her for help. Susan wanted Patricia to fetch her a towel, and new robes from their dormitory, so she could change inside the closet instead of passing by the humiliation of going all the way back to the Ravenclaw tower.
Patricia had looked at her with disdain and told Susan not to be ridiculous. She refused to help her and marched all the way down to the Great Hall without a drop of compassion. The last thing she told Susan was not to go get late to Charms class or they would be taking points to their house. Susan didn't know why Patricia was being so mean around her, and she asked herself what she has done to make the other girl dislike her.
She wanted to go home, she thought, still sobbing and crying.
"Hey, I think there's someone in there…" a boy's voice sounded.
Susan froze inside the closet, fearing to be discovered in such a state. She put a hand on her mouth, trying to muffle the sounds coming from it.
"Nah, you're imagining things," another boy replied.
"I thought I heard a noise…"
The voices became less and less louder as the two boys outside walked away. Susan took a deep breath, feeling relieved for not being found. However, a moment later the closet door opened and Titus Nott's dark eyes were looking at her behind his squared glasses.
"I knew I heard noises…"
"Please shut the door!" she begged.
He did so, looking at her, an amused smiling flourishing in his lips. She looked down, feeling very embarrassed and the tears started to fall once again. He seemed to paralyze not knowing what to do with the crying younger girl in front of him.
"Hey, what's the matter?" he finally asked.
She explained the situation to him, between tears. Titus seemed to understand why she wouldn't want to go back upstairs in such figure. Susan reminded herself that he was a Slytherin and one of their traits was pride. He too would not want to do the walk of shame back to his house's common room. The older student touched her shoulder.
"I'm going to help you, but you have to promise you'll stop crying, all right? You sound like a wounded mouse. I'm surprised no one else had heard you."
He removed the ink with ease using a cleaning charm that she had not yet learned. All the ink was gone in a matter of minutes and Susan was back to her old self. Then she threw herself into Titus' arms, in a deep hug, her heart filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He seemed quite embarrassed with this form of contact and he gently shoved her away.
"You owe me one," he declared, opening the door, ready to abandon the closet.
Susan nodded and once he was out of sight she ran towards the Great Hall, knowing she still had time for a quick breakfast before class.