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Progress Exams in Transfiguration
Author: Cloris Mockridge
Date: 04-16-15 17:13
Cloris looked up at the group of students coming in. Mondays were always a bit busy, with four classes, one right after another. But today, she'd decided it was a good time to test what they were retaining, with plenty of time to revise before end-of-year-exams, if needed. So, she was giving written exams for each 45 minute class.
"Wands and books away, you'll have the entire class period to complete these written exams. This will give us a good judge of what you're managing to retain for this year and what you would do well to revise well before the end of the year," she said briskly as the papers flew to each seat with a flick of her wand. "There will be no need to speak," she added, purely as a precaution.
Keeping a watchful eye on the class, she sat stiffly in her chair behind her desk, alert for any signs of cheating while she began correcting the exam from the previous period. She hoped to have them all done before her office hours, so she could do the same for her other four classes on Tuesday. Then they could move into the next planned sections and she could be sure they wouldn't be too far behind on her exams. Unless, of course, they didn't do anything more than the bare minimum of effort.
As students finished, she collected their exams and then released them from the class, knowing that idle students could cause mischief for those still working. With any luck, those dismissed early would use the time wisely, but Cloris wasn't about to hold her breath. She'd never looked good in blue.
(Anthony) Frustrated
Author: Beck
Date: 04-17-15 07:01
The cell block at Bedwas Police Station was small and served as a temporary holding facility while criminals awaited to stand trial, after which some would get transferred to prison, the nearest facility being in Cardiff. Being accused of murder, Anthony was in a single cell that contained a cot, a toilet, and a sink. Lesser criminals shared the larger cell across the hall and included drunks and common thieves.
Anthony sat on his cot and picked at his lunch tray, which consisted of an unidentifiable meat drowned in brown sauce, mushy vegetables, a cup of mixed fruit, and a roll. As he ate, he thought about the visitors he received over the weekend, which included his sister Alanna, his brother Toby, and of course Plum. He had heard of Karina's disappearance during a previous visit from various family members and had been sorry to hear that there hadn't been any progress in the search.
If only he weren't stuck in a Muggle jail! For the millionth time since mistakenly getting picked up by the Caerphilly police, Anthony wondered why the Ministry of Magic hadn't yet managed to clear up the misunderstanding. If he were free, then he would be searching for his missing niece. Behind bars in a Muggle jail, Anthony felt completely useless, not to mention extremely frustrated.
Anger welled up in him and he threw the lunch tray across the small cell. It made a lot of noise and caused some of the other criminals to whoop loudly and comment. It also drew the attention of the policeman on duty down the hall. He hurried over, told the other criminals to be quiet, and then turned to Anthony.
"Problem, Beck?" the policeman asked, eyeing Anthony with very little patience.
Anthony got to his feet and walked over to the bars of his cell. He leaned his arms onto the crossbar and said, "Yeah, I've got a problem."
"Damn right, you do," the officer retorted. "You're a murderer and will spend the rest of your miserable life in prison."
The other criminals hooted. In response, the police officer turned around and yelled at them to be quiet.
Anthony, on the other hand, didn't respond. He knew he couldn't convince the Muggles of the truth and wouldn't even try, since it would violate the International Statute of Secrecy. He was simply impatient to get out of jail and get back to work. He wanted to help find Karina and hated that he couldn't do anything in his current situation. He also missed his wife and Alex.
Anthony forced himself to calm down and pulled his arms free from the crossbar. He took a step backwards and then turned to collect the lunch tray from the floor. He did his best to clean up the mess he had made and then set the tray and its contents on the floor by the gate of his cell. Then he sat down on his cot.
The police officer watched the entire scene with a look of derision on his face and after casting a final disgusted look at the other criminals in the cell block, he returned to his desk down the hallway. Anthony leaned against the stone wall behind his back and sighed. He had to get out of jail, and the sooner the better.
(Mark) Avoidance
Author: Isolde
Date: 04-17-15 12:18
Mark left the Ministry of Magic canteen after taking a late lunch and made his way back to the Department of Magical Transportation. He was still on restricted duty, due to his probationary status in the Floo Network Office, but for once Mark didn't seem to mind that his days at work were filled with filing documents and other menial tasks. Ever since Capri put him on the spot while they were dining at The Imperial Crown & Cauldron, Mark found the flat they shared the last place he wanted to be.
The night Capri accused him of not loving her enough, Mark had not gone home to their flat in Chinatown. Instead, he'd gone to The Hog's Head, where he'd debated internally whether to leave Capri as he had been wanting, or whether to stay––if she would still have him.
While it was true that Mark didn't love her, he did care for her well-being and would beat up her old boss all over again if given the chance. He also cared for the unborn child Capri carried. Ultimately, the belief that it could be his was the driving factor for him deciding to stick it out, a decision he had reached after many drinks and a night of aimless wandering.
There were other reasons for deciding to stay with Capri. Mark knew that her family criticized everything about her and that she would have little support if he left. He had grown up considerably over the years and wasn't the same cruel, selfish boy he had once been. He tended to consider others before himself these days, and no matter how unpleasant Capri became, he felt more than mere obligation to lend her assistance. He realized that her disagreeable attitude as of late mostly stemmed from the trauma she had experienced at the hands of her former boss. They'd gotten along just fine before everything happened, after all.
Capri had accepted his return home the next morning, but things had been awkward ever since. It was why he found himself working late whenever possible and even going in on weekends. He told Capri he was doing it for the extra money, since their expenses were already going up with visits to the healer, and they would only increase after the baby was born. It was a partial truth, at least, and though Capri didn't seem terribly happy that he spent so much time at the office, she didn't argue with his logic.
Not only did Mark look forward to work more than ever, if only to get away from the tension at home, he also aimed to stay so busy that Kate never entered his mind. He had been surprised to see her in Hogsmeade, only belatedly realizing it was a Hogwarts visit to the village. Although secretly pleased to see her after so long without a single glimpse, Mark didn't like being caught unaware. He also wanted to avoid future drama with Capri, who seemed to have caught on to the fact that he still cared for Kate. If he could avoid chance meetings with Kate, he would take it. It seemed unlikely she would ever turn up in the Floo Network Office, though there was always the possibility they would run into each other elsewhere in the building. At least she was at Hogwarts right now.
Mark realized he was thinking about the very girl he vowed to stop thinking about and shook himself. He reminded himself that the only girl who should be on his mind was Capri, and he said her name to himself a few times to reinforce that fact. Once he had her visualized, he dove back into filing parchments for his boss.
Monday Lost in Thought
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 04-17-15 13:42
Parent's Weekend had been good, she'd gotten to introduce her teachers to her Dad who was doing well for himself. He'd gotten himself a flat in Chinatown, and ultimately was working with an accounting firm that had been willing to give him a chance despite his time in Azkaban. She would spend time with him during the summer, as much as she'd be spending time at her Aunt's. She'd not yet decided if she was going to live with him full time or not, simply because they still had to ultimately spend some time getting to know one another again.
"Earth to Araxie..." Nichole said, dropping down next to her on the steps leading into the Great Hall.
"Sorry, was just thinking about this summer. I think Dad wants to come with us to Emrys Fest, which would be cool I guess," she said, shifting to rest her head against her best friend's shoulder.
"Are you actually going into get lunch?" Nichole said, flicking a glance over her shoulder at the doors to the great hall.
"Yeah, I should get something to eat before I head to DADA and Ancient Runes."
"Let's get going then, because I have class too by the way," She said with a grin and pulled Araxie up.
"Got any more drawings to show me while we eat?"
Araxie grinned and pulled out her sketchbook as they headed to the Hufflepuff table to eat. The two friends were in different houses, and they spent lunch eating at either the Ravenclaw table or the Hufflepuff table before they went to class or spent the day doing whatever.
High Spirits & Big Plans
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-17-15 15:37
Adriana was in an excellent mood. Everything was falling into place, little by little. Thanks to one of her outside supporters and a newly anointed Death Eater named Mimsy, she had in her possession something even more prized than the wand she had taken off of Albus Dumbledore's cold, dead body. And to think, the object in question had been among the former Hogwarts headmaster's things, too!
She nearly had everything she needed to move on to the next phase of her project. The only thing she lacked was the main ingredient, which Gibbon and Jugson would hopefully deliver to her soon.
Adriana looked up when Natalya Ivanova entered the room. "Ah, there you are," she said.
"How can I be of service?" Ivanova asked.
"I need you to purchase a few thank-you gifts for me," Adriana instructed, sliding a parchment sheet across her desk. "The details are there. Include a card but be discrete."
"Yes, my Lady," Ivanova said, taking the parchment and dipping her head in acknowledgement. "Will that be all?"
"Send Mimsy in," Adriana said.
Ivanova nodded, backed out of the room, and went to fetch the newest Death Eater. He appeared a moment later, looking pleased as punch to be invited into his mistress' office. Even though he'd had many showers and baths since first joining up with the Death Eaters, he still had a strong, swampy odor.
"Mimsy," Adriana said, ignoring his stench, "how would you like to return to Hogwarts?"
"If that is your will, I will gladly return to the school. Shall I make myself known or remain hidden?"
"Remain hidden as long as you are able," Adriana said. "If you are found, then you are found. Any secrets you can bring me before and after will help."
"Is there anything, or anyone, you wish me to spy on in particular?" Mimsy asked.
"The known members of the Order of the Phoenix, for starters," Adriana began, pausing. "Ethan Somerset," she went on, "and anyone else who may be of interest to me."
"Very well. Will that be all?"
"Yes. I will send further instruction if need be."
Mimsy nodded and said, "I'll leave right away, my Lady."
He backed out of the room, though the foul odor lingered for a little while. Adriana used her wand to cast an air freshening spell and then returned her attention to an alchemical codex spread open on her desk. The potion described on the open pages was one she wanted to know backwards and forwards, because when the time came to brew it, there would be no room for mistakes.
Tuesday Morning
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-18-15 07:53
Bronwyn picked up a thermos from the kitchen counter and handed it to Toby when he came into the room. He was freshly showered, so his hair was damp, and he carried a duffle bag over his shoulder.
"Thanks," Toby said, taking the thermos and planting a kiss on his wife's cheek. "See you tonight."
"Have a good day," Bronwyn said.
She spent the next few minutes tidying up the kitchen and giving the black cat Shadow more to eat, and then she finished getting ready for work.
The nice thing about no longer working the Morning Show at the WWN was Bronwyn kept normal hours, which also meant she didn't have to go to bed early at night and rise before the sun ever came up. She grabbed her purse and a nice shoulder bag she used to tote around her things for work and then headed out the door.
After arriving at the office and settling in, Bronwyn did what she always did first, which was read over some of the headlines in the newspaper. Although Bronwyn's new show was an advice show and didn't involve reading off news reports, she still needed to keep abreast of what was going on in the world, especially since current events always had profound effects on people in one way or another.
Then she read some of the letters she'd gotten for the show. A witch juggling three boyfriends wanted to know which one she should keep. A middle-aged wizard who had just quit his job wanted to know if it would be a good idea to grow his hair long and join a band. An anonymous writer questioned why it seemed she could never get pregnant.
The last letter brought Chance to mind, who could get pregnant but seemed unable to carry a baby to term. Bronwyn thought about Saturday, when she and Chance had been eating lunch, only for everything to go wrong. Chance was supposed to have been discharged from the hospital already, but various complications––both physical and psychological––kept her at St. Mungo's longer. Bronwyn planned on visiting her during her lunch break.
She sighed and leaned back in her chair. There were many cubicles spaced throughout the office. Some were occupied, others were empty. Witches and wizards milled about, either doing work or socializing with coworkers. When Maggie walked by with an armful of parchment, Bronwyn's thoughts shifted to Karina.
What was worse? Having a child die in utero or having one get kidnapped right from under one's nose? Both were terrible situations.
Bronwyn sighed again and hoped that the bad luck of her family and friends ended before things got even worse.
Baby Onboard
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 04-18-15 12:15
Lysander stooped to pick up a thin, paperback book that had blown off the table just outside the bookshoppe by a strong wind. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors… bright and sunny, but certainly on the cool side. The wind gusts countered the intensity of the blazing sun and served as a reminder that winter had not yet ended.
After swapping out the thin paperback for a heavier book that could handle the windy conditions, Lysander stepped back inside the shoppe and made his way around to the counter.
Dylan, belted into a bouncer on the countertop, was wide awake. He seemed to be a very observant baby, but what really might be going on in his mind was anyone's guess. A smile lit up his face when Lysander approached and tickled his stomach.
"Did you help any customers, Dylan?" Lysander asked.
Dylan flapped his arms and legs in response.
"I'm sure you won them over with your excellent customer service," Lysander remarked. The baby beamed and then turned his head to the doorway, when a new customer arrived.
The customer was Astrid, looking a little windswept. She pulled the door shut behind her and then came over to the counter, tickling Dylan under the chin before turning to Lysander.
"Hi," she greeted.
"Hi," he said. "Is this a social visit or did you stop by to get some reading material?"
"A little bit of both," Astrid said. "I'm going to peruse the shelves and then we'll chat."
She disappeared into the stacks and then emerged twenty minutes later with her coat over her arm, a few books in her hand, and a noticeable bulge in her belly. Lysander almost choked on the bottle of sparkling water he was drinking.
Astrid came over, laying her coat on the counter and then the books, which were all pregnancy or baby related.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" Lysander asked, a touch angry for some reason.
Astrid acted like she didn't notice and said, "Axel and I are expecting our first child together. We're going to wait to find out the sex. It'll be more fun that way, don't you think?"
Lysander was doing mental math in his head without even knowing her due date. "Yours and Axel's?" he asked.
Astrid touched her stomach protectively. "Of course." Then she turned to Dylan and tickled his foot.
Lysander studied her for a long moment and then reached for the books, ringing them up one by one. His mind whirled with thoughts of Astrid and her baby, which certainly could be Axel's, but could it be Lysander's too?
Astrid put her coat back on and buttoned it shut. She took her purchases and said, "Thanks! I'll be seeing you, Lysander. Bye, Dylan."
With that, she left the bookshoppe.
I Spy
Author: Illyria
Date: 04-19-15 07:04
Illyria entered the Imperial Crown & Cauldron and mentioned to the hostess that she was meeting someone. The hostess let her have a look around, which is how Illyria came to find Nathan seated at a small table for two in the garden area of the restaurant. He got up from his chair to greet her properly, helped her into her own chair, and then sat down again.
"I'm glad you could get away," Nathan said.
"The nice thing about teaching night classes is I have time to leave the school during the day," Illyria replied. "Still, I shouldn't stay off campus too long. I may not have any classes or office hours for a while yet, but I still have other duties to which to attend."
Nathan waggled his eyebrows and said, "I'll try not to keep you too long, then."
A waitress came by to take their drink orders. Nathan ordered a beer, while Illyria selected a glass of chilled fruit tea. They looked over the lunch menu in silence for a while, and then Nathan said, "If the waitress comes back, tell her I want the fish and chips. I'm going to visit the loo."
"Sure," Illyria said. She made her own decision on what to order in the next minute and then put down her menu and waited for either Nathan or the waitress to return. After another minute or so, Illyria noticed a couple of shopping bags under Nathan's seat. He had mentioned that he had run errands prior to their lunch meeting. The word 'jeweler' printed in flowing script on one of the smaller bags caught Illyria's eye in particular.
She looked around and debated whether to reach for the bag and have a look or use her wand to quickly summon it over. Nobody seemed to be paying her any attention, and there still wasn't any sign of Nathan or the waitress. Illyria removed her wand from her pocket and flicked it in the bag's direction, causing it to slide across the floor and land at her feet. Another quick look around, and then Illyria reached down and picked up the tiny bag. Her heart started to leap when she looked inside and saw a ring box. Illyria held another internal debate and then popped open the box. It wasn't a diamond ring, but it could very well be an engagement ring.
It also fit Illyria's style. The ring consisted of a large, oval moonstone surrounded by fifteen round-cut diamonds on a yellow gold band. The ring was breathtaking and had an antique feel to it. Illyria allowed herself to admire the ring for only a second before shutting the box and sending the bag back over to the others on the floor under Nathan's seat. He arrived a minute later and sat down with a grin.
"So, what's new?" he asked.
Illyria beamed at him. "Oh, nothing."
Nathan asked, "Has the waitress stopped by again?"
"No, but it looks like she's coming over now."
Sure enough, the waitress arrived with their drinks and then took their lunch orders.
Illyria was so excited about the prospect of Nathan putting that ring on her finger that she could hardly sit still. Lunch passed without him presenting it to her, but Illyria knew now more than ever that it couldn't be long before he finally asked her to marry him.
In the Library
Author: Carys
Date: 04-19-15 14:21
Carys sat in the library at St. Emrys and studied for her Transfiguration final. She felt ready for the exam, which was set for first thing in the morning, but she also saw no harm in doing more preparation for it. A couple more hours ought to be enough. Once home, she probably wouldn't get any more studying in, even if Griff kept Tristan from distracting her.
She turned the page in her textbook, when she heard someone clear his throat and looked up to see Owen standing next to her table. "Mind if I join you?" he whispered.
Carys moved her things so that he had some room to spread out his own study material and whispered back, "Sure."
Owen smiled, pulled out the chair opposite hers, and sat. He took out a textbook, several notebooks, a quill and a bottle of ink and situated everything just so before asking, "All going well?"
Carys nodded. "Just keeping everything fresh in my mind," she replied. "What about you?"
Owen's grin turned lopsided as he said, "I'm afraid I'm only just barely getting started. I reckon it'll be a long night!"
Carys let out a laugh a bit louder than kosher for the library and then quickly covered her mouth with her hand. When she felt like she had her laughter under control, she pulled her hand away and hissed, "You're terrible!"
"So I hear!" It was a joke, but it fell flat and caused Carys to stop smiling.
She had told Griffin all about her new friend at St. Emrys and every development she had learned since hers and Owen's first meeting at the beginning of Michaelmas term. Learning that Owen's brother had been the one to do very terrible things to not only Carys but others at the Goen Bren community for nons had come as a shock to Griffin, but like Carys, he knew firsthand that having bad relatives didn't mean one was also bad.
Owen, on the other hand, had no idea that Carys had known his brother, and she wasn't sure she wanted to tell him. What good would it do, anyhow?
Owen smiled weakly and said, "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"No, it's all right," Carys said. "If you can joke about… everything… then, that's probably a good thing, isn't it?"
Owen shrugged. "Or joking is just my way of coping with the fact that everyone thinks I'm like my brother."
Carys frowned. "You're not."
"How would you know?"
She hesitated, feeling momentarily caught, but then she said, "Did I ever tell you about my father?"
Owen shook his head.
It had been a long time since she had talked about everything that had led up to her father's imprisonment. The memories were both fresh and so far away now. Carys took a deep breath and said, "It's a long story," and then she started from the very beginning.
Bad Luck
Author: Jared
Date: 04-19-15 19:58
Plucking a grape from a bowl Etta slowly chews it, watching her brother measuring out flour. "I can't believe you cook dinner."
"Not always. Just sometimes." Jared dribbles milk in with the flour, stirring before adding in more. "I don't know why you're acting so shocked. It's not as if I never cooked before."
"It's that at home you never happily made dinner. The few times you had to, you grumbled about it."
"That was different."
"How so?"
"I don't know if I could explain. You and your roomies don't take turns?"
"We do in a way but we're girls. It's expected of us."
"I was home earlier than Alanna so there was no reason for me not to at least get things started. I don't think our marriage would last if I was the sit around waiting on the wife to do things for me type. I doubt there would have been a marriage to begin with if I was that sort. You sure you don't want to stay and eat with us?"
Etta shakes her head. "I wish I could. Study group for an exam tomorrow. We're doing take away."
"Yeah? What sort?"
"A mix. Some Chinese. Some Indian. A little Thai."
As Jared finishes what he's doing, putting a pan into the oven, coming over to join her at the table Etta asks, "Any word on Karina?"
"Nothing."
"You think it's some barmy person who's been wanting a child and saw an opportunity?"
"That's better than some of the alternatives."
They both go silent at the thought of what some of those alternatives could be. When the silence has stretched almost to the point of awkwardness Jared says, "Nothing new on Anthony either. He looks to be no closer to having this mess cleared up."
"I would be so very tempted to simply disapparate away and then to convince the Ministry to send Obliviators in."
"I know what you mean. I'd be tempted too. Maybe if that had been the approach early on but I guess now there would be far too many Muggles with memories in need of altering."
"You don't think the Ministry thinks he did it, do you?"
"I've not heard any gossip to that effect but then I'm also not in a department that would necessarily hear that sort of scuttlebutt. If he was working a case, though, I don't know why magical law enforcement would think he did it."
Etta frowns. "First you have trouble, then your brother-in-law. Your niece go missing. I'm going to start thinking you're bad luck, brother."
"Stay for supper. You might get food poisoning."
"Ha ha. So tempting. I really should get going. That study session starts soon."
Jared sees Etta to the door, from where she'll apparate, bidding her good night and good luck on the rest of her final examinations then tries not to dwell overly much on his sister's bad luck comment.