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Living in the Library
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 06-27-15 09:57
NEWTS weren't that far off and rather than spend time at the Dueling competition that had been held two days ago, I'd opted to spend it in the library studying - working on study guides and a few other things. Beyond that, I was worried about Evan, I'd not heard from him in a couple of days and that had me distracted.
I'd not talked to Angharad or Aderyn yet, simply because I didn't want to worry them as well. It made me wish that I wasn't stuck at Hogwarts so I could go to his flat and check on him. Pushing a hand through my hair I sighed and attempted to focus my attention back on the study guide for my Potions NEWT.
I'd come to the library after Transfiguration and Potions, I grabbed a quick lunch in the Great Hall, and ultimately headed to the library talking very little to most of my peers. Quickly shifting I grabbed the book that I was looking for and continued taking notes about the potions that were on the study guide.
"Do you like go anywhere other than your room, the library, the great hall, and classes?" Robin Sluefoot said quietly, dropping down next to me at the table that I currently occupied.
"Not lately. I mean NEWTs are less than a month away, and what else am I going to do with my time until they are done?" I said, offering him a grin.
"You could, I dunno, maybe come sit outside with me, toss a quaffle around..." Robin said with a grin and nudged my shoulder lightly.
I heaved a soft sigh, it wasn't one of frustration or anything like that, and I grinned at him. "Mmm...I suppose I could do those things...but how will I get the rest of this study guide done?"
"I'll help you with it later?"
I checked the time and frowned, "I wouldn't be able to spend much time outside, I've got Alchemy in about thirty minutes."
Robin nodded, "Well, how about we meet for dinner and then we can relocate to the common commons and work on the study guide together?"
"Works for me."
Blindsided
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 06-28-15 20:09
Addressing the seventh years as they begin packing up to leave Dante reminds, "Practical work on Thursday after the quiz. Be prepared. NEWTs are going to take some of you by surprise if you aren't careful."
There's a chorus of responses ranging from loud sighs at the thought of the NEWTs to, "Yes, professor," from those most likely the best prepared at this point. The room quickly empties leaving Dante to wave his wand to straighten a few chairs and to spend a few minutes preparing the blackboards for tomorrow morning's classes, fifth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws followed by the sixth years. After that he went to his office to change into running clothes then left the castle.
The run begins on the castle ground but soon he's heading into Hogsmeade, veering off the lane that leads to the Shrieking Shack into a path that takes him within view of the cemetery and angles around behind the Humbatas stadium before cutting into the woods. As he runs, Dante finds himself thinking yet again of his family, especially his mum.
Lorraine was in the hospital in Marbella, Spain, for an additional two weeks after Dante's initial visit. Since being released she's been improved but weak, her strength abysmally slow in returning. A few times when he's visited, when others were out of earshot, she's wondered aloud to him if her time is nearing an end. He has no idea if she's said anything along these lines to the rest of the family as he's never asked. He supposes he should. Maybe when he visits again.
If he visits again.
Last time, just this past Sunday, he brought up the outstanding charges and warrants against her and Dad as well as all the crimes committed since starting a life on the run. Mum has shrugged everything off, showing not the least bit of remorse for any of it, not even the lives she took. Her attitude gnaws at him. How can she as a mother not have even a smidgeon of contrition for the children who died because of her?
A blow to the back of his legs has Dante stumbling to his knees, the momentum carrying his upper body forward has him thrusting arms out to brace for impact. Another blow slams into his back before he's even fully on the ground. This is followed by slam into his ribs. As there's not a foot to accompany the kick-like feel nor a tree branch or anything else physical that he can tell, Dante has to think the blows are magical in nature.
Another slam ribs has him rolling away from the impact, eyes swiftly searching for the source. More blows come as he hastens to seek cover, one hand grasping for the wand hopefully tucked away safely enough that it's still there and not on the trail he was following.
Behind a tree now, wand thankfully in hand, Dante is better positioned to see what's what. Just down the path, a person stands. The face is familiar but it takes him a moment to place it. His attacker is the man whom he first remembers from having words with him in a restaurant. Words having to do with a relative of his who was a victim of the Vickers.
No, that's not quite correct. Two relatives, not one.
The man, whose name Dante never learned, maliciously smiles his way before stepping back into the treeline. There is followed by the distinctive sound of someone disapparating. Dante remains where he is for a few minutes, on alert, wand at the ready. When he neither sees nor hears anything more, he hobbles back to the trail. Deciding the wise course of action is to apparate to the school gates rather than walk the entire way back, he does just that.
Once he reaches the castle, he'll get an owl off to his hit wizard friend Isreal and see Madam Pomfrey. As he's got office hours this afternoon he also plans to return to his office, perhaps also getting a bite to eat depending on how he feels by then.
(Mark) Moving Forward
Author: Isolde
Date: 06-30-15 14:29
In the months that had passed since Capri's rightful accusation that Mark didn't care for her as much as she did him, he had done his very best to smooth things over with her. It had certainly helped that he hadn't seen Kate or any of his old friends since that late February evening. Out of sight, out of mind.
With his only distraction being work at the Ministry of Magic, Mark had plenty of time to focus on Capri and her needs. He took her to healer appointments and picked up potions and medicinal herbs. He massaged her feet and lower back, cooked her healthy meals, and sometimes even exercised with her. Mark knew that stress and unhappiness were bad for the baby, and though there was no guarantee that it was his, he didn't want anything preventable to happen to it.
Whenever Capri was in a mood, which was more often than not despite Mark's efforts, he found an escape in his work. His boss still kept him reigned in but saw an improvement in his work, not just in terms of quality but in interest as well. Mark still mainly did clerical tasks as part of his probation but had been allowed out in the field a few times in recently weeks. If things continued to go well, then maybe he could move on to being a full-time field worker.
"Farnon!"
Mark paused in his efforts to file documentation on a home with twenty-two fireplaces, each requiring its own Floo Network hook-up per the owners request, and stepped into the office of his boss, Niles Spickerman.
"Bring me a coffee, will you? Something with a hint of chocolate in it."
"Okay. Anything else?"
"That'll be all for now."
Mark took that as his cue to leave and stepped out of the office. He made his way to the lifts down the hall and eventually ascended to the Atrium. He got in line at the snack cart, which not only offered nibbles but coffee and tea as well. A second later, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Baltus standing in line behind him.
"You'd think with us both working here, we'd see each other more often," Baltus remarked.
Mark inched forward in the line and replied, "A lot of people work here, and we're not in the same department anyway."
Baltus didn't immediately reply, but when he did, he asked, "How are things?"
"Well enough. And with you?"
"Okay too. I'll be glad when Felicia's graduated."
"Coming up soon."
"Yep."
They fell into silence for a little while. It was especially hard for Mark to think of things to say, when in reality, they should have a lot of catching up to do. He didn't seem to have anything in common with his old friends anymore, not even Baltus who was out in the real world just like him. Of course, it had been Mark who'd put the wedge in his old friendships. The only reason he figured Baltus had any interest in him at all anymore was as a source of gossip for those back at Hogwarts.
He reached the snack cart and ordered up a dark chocolate truffle-flavored coffee, hoping it would suit the needs of his boss, and then stepped out of the way to allow Baltus to make his request. A second later they were both waiting for coffees, and the awkward silence between them picked up where it had left off only moments earlier.
"How's Capri?" Baltus finally asked.
Mark hesitated. As far as he knew, nobody of the old crowd had seen Capri recently. Unless her sister had mentioned it at Hogwarts, it seemed unlikely that anybody knew about her pregnancy. It wasn't like Mark could keep the fact a secret forever, but he wasn't in a mood to share the information with Baltus, who would most certainly owl Felicia with the news post haste.
"She's been in a decorating mood," Mark answered at last. It wasn't a lie in the slightest. Capri had been busy decorating for the baby's arrival. Their flat wasn't very big––just one bedroom––but the bedroom was a decent size and had the perfect corner for a crib and other baby accoutrements.
"Everyone needs a hobby," Baltus remarked.
Mark's coffee was ready at last. He grabbed it from the worker at the cart and said, "See ya around, Crane," before making his way back to the bank of lifts. Was he ashamed of Capri's pregnancy? No. He just didn't like to imagine Kate's reaction to the news, whatever it may be. He knew good and well that her finding out couldn't be avoided, of course, but Mark welcomed any delays in spreading the news.
Visiting Olympia
Author: Illyria
Date: 06-30-15 15:10
"Well, Illyria? Has there been any luck on the marriage front?"
Illyria stifled a sigh and set down her tea cup and saucer. "I'm afraid not, Olympia," she began, weaving her fingers together and resting her clasped hands––sans engagement ring––on her knee.
She'd finally told the rest of her sisters about how Nathan had asked Urania for his blessing back in November. The wait for the eventual proposal had now stretched out for half a year and had grown terribly tiring. Illyria knew she ought to be patient. After all, she wasn't even supposed to know that Nathan wanted to ask her to marry her. If not for Urania's big mouth, then she'd be blissfully unaware.
"Don't fret," Olympia said soothingly, both for her elder sister and the sleeping newborn in her arms. Oliver Luc Haltwhistle had been born on April 30th at St. Mungo's hospital. He was a healthy boy, though his birth had been difficult for Olympia. Following severe complications, the healers performed an emergency hysterectomy. Olympia could no longer carry any children. She seemed very content with just her two little boys, though.
"I know it's silly of me to get so annoyed with him," Illyria said, "but it can't be helped. If only Urania hadn't put that bug in my ear."
"You can't blame her either," Olympia said, "though if it had been me, I would have kept Nathan's secret. I'm sure he wouldn't like it know she blabbed to you about his plans."
"Probably not," Illyria agreed. She glanced at the watch on her wrist and said, "I better be heading back to the castle."
"What are we learning tonight?" Olympia asked. She shifted the baby slightly and started to climb to her feet in order to walk Illyria out, but Illyria waved her hands and moved over to the sofa.
"Don't overtax yourself," she chided her younger sister. She bent to first kiss Olympia on the cheek and then dropped one onto Oliver's fuzzy head. Then she stood up straight and answered, "The second years will learn about a few constellations, and the fourth years will continue studying Neptune."
"How fun," Olympia said. "Thanks for visiting."
"Thanks for tea. See you."
"Bye, Illyria."
Illyria walked outside and disapparated, so as not to disturb the sleeping baby and napping toddler in the house. She arrived outside the gates of Hogwarts momentarily and entered, wondering for the millionth time if Nathan would ever put a ring on her finger.
Forgetfulness Potion
Author: Majandra
Date: 06-30-15 19:20
Majandra bustles into the classroom behind the last of the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins. "Get settled quickly, please. Today's potion will require much of the period to steep."
Making short work of checking the roll she says, "You're working individually today. The Forgetfulness Potion as the name suggests affects memory. Yes, Sylvestor?"
"Why would anyone want a potion that makes you forgetful?"
"Excellent question. Three points for Slytherin. Whoever drinks the potion will experience some degree of memory loss. You are right to ask why someone would want to do that. I cannot imagine having a reason for it myself but the Department of Magical Law Enforcement within the Ministry of Magic, possibly other departments there as well, and certain departments in hospitals such as St. Mungo's keep a small supply."
She waits a beat to see if anyone else has a question. When no one raises a hand she claps her hands together. "Right. Let's get started. The Forgetfulness Potion is in your texts and here on the blackboard. Don't dilly dally as you will need time to allow your potions to steep before being able to finish it off but you also should be careful. If you rush and make a mistake you may not have time to start over and have it ready in time to finish it before class ends. Once you've reached the steeping step, you may work on homework for Monday's class. If you spend your time wisely, you'll have it done and be able to go on and turn it in."
The first years get busy, Majandra walking around to offer advice, or help, where needed. This very potion was a favorite of Severus's as a final exam potion when he taught the first years. It's not that it's an especially difficult potion or even overly challenging so much as it's a tricky one due to the extreme specificity of some of the ingredients used.
As she walks, Majandra also thinks about the woman Holly. Holly whose surname she still does not know despite what amounted to a confrontation yesterday evening.
Some nights Majandra, George, and the children take supper at the castle. Other nights they either eat at home or, from time to time, go out. Last night they'd decided to go out. Majandra walked into Hogsmeade after her office hours ended, picked up Miranda and Georgie from Blossom's then went to the library to spend some time before meeting with George to go to dinner.
At the library they saw Holly, an occurence that seems to be happening with greater frequency. Normally, Maj wouldn't think much of it but at times she's had a sense that Holly is purposely making sure she runs into them. There's also the fact that a number of times now remarks have been made, including by the children, about how Miranda resembles Holly.
After the children had said hello to Holly and she'd asked them about school they'd gone off to select a few books apiece. Without having planned it, Maj found herself asking, "Are you Miranda's birth mother?"
Rather than the denial Majandra expected when Holly began shaking her head, the other witch shocked her by confessing, "No, I'm not but I think my sister might be. I've not seen her in years. Miranda looks just like her at that age so when I first saw Miranda, I couldn't help but wonder. I thought perhaps I'd found my sister."
A commotion by Georgie when he somehow caused a number of books to fall of the shelf has Maj turning to help him put things back to rights. When she looked back, Holly is nowhere in sight. Maj shared what was said with George, both of them now determined to question her more closely when, or if, she's seen again.
Her mind back on her students, Majandra stops Barbie Bones just in time from using an incorrect ingredient. Or, rather, the ingredient is called for but a specific type is required.
Comparing Schedules - Again
Author: Rylee
Date: 07-01-15 12:11
"How is it, we have the same number of classes but my schedule seems so much busier than yours?" Rylee asked Raz as they stepped out of the Great Hall from eating lunch.
"You actually have one more class than I do, Ry..." Raz said with an impish grin.
"I do not, we have exactly the same number of classes, only your electives differ from mine." Rylee said, dropping down on the steps, it wasn't quite time for her to hurry off to Muggle Studies yet, so she had time to talk to Raz a bit longer. "History of Magic, DADA, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, Charms. The basic required classes. I added Muggle Studies, Ancient Runes and F&A."
"Right, and I added Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes and F&A..." Raz stopped and shrugged.
"I've no idea how your schedule ended up busier than mine did, I know you also have Quidditch practices throughout the week especially since you've a match coming up against Hufflepuff."
"Don't remind me. I think I wake up more sore from quidditch practice than I do from the day after F&A." Rylee said, shifting so her head could rest on Raz's shoulder.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better I will be rooting for Slytherin in the upcoming match."
Rylee grinned, "You'd better. The only other time you aren't allowed to root for Slytherin is when Ravenclaw is playing...unless of course it is Slytherin v. Ravenclaw...the your loyalties should of course be to Slytherin.."
Raz poked her lightly in the side, "You know well enough that they will be for Ravenclaw any other time...even if playing against Slytherin."
They talked for a few minutes longer before Rylee grabbed her bag and headed to Muggle Studies. Raz headed to his dorm room, no doubt to take a nap before F&A or work on a couple of assignments.
Still No New Information
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 07-01-15 17:20
Lawrence drops the letter on to his desk and sighs, pushing himself upward. His office hours were nearly at an end, and so far he'd had a couple of fifth years and seventh years in to get help with a few things on their study guides for the upcoming exams next month.
Just as Cai Carter had exited the greenhouse, an owl had swooped in and deposited the envelope on his desk, hooted for a treat, and then took off toward either the owlry or somewhere else Lawrence didn't care. The letter was from one of the aurors that currently handled his daughter's kidnapping. He'd written a day or so ago, and had been waiting for the reply.
The reply had made his heart sink. There have been absolutely no new developments in her kidnapping, and he really didn't want to tell Ariella but he knew he wouldn't be able to hide the disappointment when he ultimately returned home with the takeaway he was going to get for dinner.
Five o'clock came and went, and Lawrence exited the greenhouse and crossed the grounds and exited into the village. He apparated into London and to the Thai place that they both really liked, picked up a takeaway order and soon enough apparated back to just outside the Castle gates.
Bypassing the students milling about he headed to his quarters, still aware of the letter that was folded and stuck in one of his pockets. The takeaway bags were set on the table, and he slumped into one of the chairs.
Ariella came out of the bedroom and moved over to him, letting a hand come to rest against his shoulders.
"They've not found anything new...." He said softly, before pulling the letter out of his pocket and handing it to his wife.
"It is getting harder to hold on to that sliver of hope that she'll come back to us..." He whispered, fighting back the urge to sob uncontrollably for the hundredth time since he learned that his daughter had been kidnapped.
(Ariella) Determined
Author: Beck
Date: 07-02-15 18:17
After a night thinking about the lack of information regarding her daughter's kidnapping case, Ariella got up in the morning with a determination she hadn't known in many long weeks. She was done with moping around all day, wondering if she would ever seen her daughter alive again. She wanted answers now and intended on hounding law enforcement before the trail to find Karina and her kidnapper(s) got even colder.
Lawrence noticed her change in demeanor at breakfast, but he didn't comment on it. For all he knew, the spicy Thai takeaway from last night had given Ariella a boost of energy. If it helped her feel a little improved, then he couldn't complain.
They parted ways after breakfast, Lawrence for the greenhouses and Ariella not for her quarters as usual but for the Ministry of Magic. Once there, she clipped on a visitor's badge and submitted her wand for review before making her way to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, where she sought out an audience with the very same auror who had written her husband only yesterday.
Quentin Arnold just so happened to be in his cubicle working on a report and saw Ariella immediately though somewhat reluctantly.
"I'm very sorry, Mrs. Masterson, but I'm afraid it's like I wrote to your husband. I have no new information to tell you about your daughter's case."
"No new information?" Ariella angrily queried. "You haven't had any information from the start! My daughter's been missing for exactly three months. Why hasn't she been found, or why isn't there the slightest clue into where she might have gone or who may have her?"
"Mrs. Masterson," the auror began, "I can assure you that we are taking your case very seriously and are doing everything we can to locate your daughter, but you must understand that the reason we haven't gotten very far in the investigation is because we have limited information from which to work."
Ariella shook her head. "That's not good enough. I'll go over it with you again. There's got to be something that can get the investigation off the ground."
"With all due respect, is your memory as clear today as it was three months ago?"
Ariella's face grew stormy and she leaned forward, repeatedly jabbing at his desk with her index finger. "Listen to me," she said, punctuating each word with her finger, "you are going to find my daughter. I'm going to go over that whole day again with you and then you're going to re-interview everyone else who was there, starting with my sister. Someone will give you a starting point on where to look. I just know it."
Quentin Arnold sighed but nodded in resignation. He rummaged on his desk for a clean sheet of parchment and began recording Ariella's description of the events from that day. While it was true that Ariella might have forgotten a detail here or there, since it had been three whole months, she remembered a lot of that day quite vividly. After all, it was the day her baby girl vanished into thin air.
Afterwards, she agreed to send an owl off to Katherine so that she might come in and give her statement again, but before leaving the Ministry of Magic, Ariella stopped by Alanna's desk. Alanna was elbow-deep in parchments and looked up in surprise to see Ariella there.
"Is there news about Karina?" she asked.
Ariella shook her head and sat down in the chair on the other side of the desk. "No, but I've decided that's not good enough anymore. I'm not letting this go." Ariella sighed and tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear. "I've been idle for far too long."
"No one blames you for that," Alanna said. "It was how you coped."
"Well, I'm done with that. I'm ready to search for Karina myself." She sighed and said, "I wish Anthony were around to help."
"Me too," Alanna quietly responded.
She glanced up then and noticed Reed standing in the doorway to his spacious office. He had a coffee mug in his hand and looked at her with the most malicious of grins.
Security Consultant
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-03-15 10:40
Helvetica Wyndam was a slim witch with dark hair pulled back into a long, tight ponytail. She stood taller than Minerva, who wasn't a short witch by any means, and had olive-toned skin––more a tan than natural darker coloring. Ms. Wyndam was dressed in leggings and wore a trendy set of black and silver robes that fell just below her knees. Silver, sparkly pumps competed the outfit.
Ms. Wyndam was a security consultant employed by the Ministry of Magic. She had been assigned to work with Minerva on securing Hogwarts in light of the severed head that had made it onto campus via owl post. This was not their first meeting. They'd initially met in mid-April, where Minerva gave Ms. Wyndam a tour of the grounds. Although she knew better than to call it thorough, thanks to the many hidden tunnels and caves she didn't even know about or had only passing knowledge of, Minerva's tour had lasted the better part of a day. Ms. Wyndam's second visit had involved a tour of the castle. Again, many nooks and crannies had remained unexplored or undiscovered, but the tour had been lengthy nonetheless.
At first, Minerva had had her doubts about the witch, who was somewhat young and looked more like a fashion model than a security expert. On her initial visit, Ms. Wyndam had arrived wearing leather trousers and a tight-fitting tank top that exposed her mid-driff any time she raised her arms. Minerva had not been impressed! Since those visits, however, the Hogwarts Headmistress had changed her tune to some degree. Ms. Wyndam had come back with a report of her findings of the security at Hogwarts as it currently stood and had also brought an extensive report on what she proposed would help secure the grounds.
The current meeting was to discuss Minerva's thoughts on her findings and to schedule the implementation of the security options she thought suited the needs of Hogwarts the best.
"I would like to initiate additional security in a way that has the least impact on the students," Minerva said. "Anything more in depth can wait till summer when the students have gone home."
"I can work with that," Ms. Wyndam replied. "Only a month and a half of term remains or so, correct?"
"That's right," Minerva answered. "With OWLs and NEWTs just around the corner, I would like to minimize any distractions and avoid instilling additional worry or fear when the students already have a lot on their minds."
"That's completely understandable. Let's just hope there aren't any security breaches between now and then."
They talked a bit more and then Minerva saw Ms. Wyndam to her office door. Then she returned to her desk and thought about what could be done to ensure the safety of students and staff in the meantime.
"Might I make a recommendation?" the portrait of Albus Dumbledore said.
Minerva looked over, feeling a rapid beating in her heart from the excitement she felt and briefly thinking Albus was really in the room with her. It passed quickly when she looked at his two-dimensional portrait.
"Yes, Albus?" she asked.
"Borrow Harry's map," he said. "It won't keep problems out, but it will tell you if any are there." With that, his eyes closed and he started snoring quietly under his breath.
Minerva mulled over his words, and then she got out a clean sheet of parchment, picked up her quill, and then wrote a letter to Harry Potter.