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Burn Treatment
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 07-03-15 13:58
Rowan sat on the end of a bed in the Hospital Wing and held out her arm, while Madam Pomfrey administered a soothing concoction to her inflamed and blistered skin. Towards the end of Potions class while busily brewing a potion with Professor Snape practically breathing down her neck, Rowan accidentally dropped an entire beaker of eel eyes into her cauldron, glass and all. The beaker had gotten slippery from the steam wafting up from her boiling cauldron and slipped from her hand. It landed in the cauldron with a big splash. Luckily, the liquid wasn't corrosive. It was just very hot.
Madam Pomfrey tsked tsked. "You ought to be more careful, dear."
Rowan didn't know what else to say other than, "I know." It had been an accident, and something that could have happened to anyone. She wasn't too upset about her injury, even though her arm hurt badly, but she was sorry that she had earned an automatic Troll on the Potions assignment.
Madam Pomfrey finished with her ministrations and then wrapped Rowan's arm in a clean bandage. "It should be fine by morning. If you need a potion for the pain, visit me after dinner tonight. You may remove the bandage in the morning."
Rowan murmured her thanks and then walked out of the Hospital Wing, where she ran into Lon. He was leaning against the wall and pushed off of it when she emerged.
"Hey, are you all right?" he asked.
Rowan nodded. "I'm okay, I guess. My arm burns, but it feels much better now than it did."
"Snape wouldn't shut up about what happened," Lon revealed, as he and Rowan set off down the hall. "He told everyone not to follow your bad example, and that true potioneers are never, ever careless."
"Like he's never let something slip from his hand before," Rowan remarked, but she wasn't too annoyed. After nearly two years of having Professor Snape for a teacher, she knew how he operated. She didn't have to like it, but it didn't come as a surprise either.
"Do you want to go to your dorm room and rest?" Lon asked.
Rowan nodded but said, "Let's get a snack in the Commons first, and then I think I'll go to my room." She didn't feel too worn out from what happened, but she wasn't much in the mood for socializing. Ash was busy studying for NEWTs, Beatrix was currently in Fitness & Athletics class, and Willow was also in class. Even if her roommates were in the room, Rowan thought she might just close the drapes to her bed, use a light charm, and do some reading for class or pleasure.
But first, something to eat.
Wicked
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 07-04-15 04:15
Tiberius was seated on an uncomfortable chair of a narrow waiting room. The wallpaper had a dull creamy color and the photographs hanged on the walls were all about happy families, whose elements kept waving at him. Tiberius did not pay any attention to them. The only reading material at the waiting room was some informative pamphlets and an old edition of The Daily Prophet.
As he waited he thought about the upcoming NEWTs, and he could not help to feel a bit nervous. It was not the fear of failing that bothered him, but the fact that he would have to swallow his pride and submit himself to that evaluation process at the Ministry of Magic. The work with Miss Evercreech had doubled in these past weeks, and she seemed to be determined for Tiberius to get Brilliants in all his exams. She would drive him to frustration with all the hard work she demanded, being ruthless when he made a mistake, wanting him to achieve perfection. In order to try to soothe her spirit, Tiberius had tried to charm her, offering her the eagle hairpin Titus had won at the Easter Egg Hunt. Women always enjoyed expensive jewelry and Tiberius hoped Elphaba would be delighted with the gift and she would get easy on him.
Unfortunately his attempt to charm her had the contrary effect he was expecting. Elphaba declared she was not at his service to receive presents of such kind, and moreover it offended her that he had thought she had been a Ravenclaw during her school times. She lectured Tiberius about how he could not get everything he wanted in life by using his money and his looks. Her usually pale cheeks had gained a carmine complexion as she mentioned his beauty but she quickly composed herself and ordered him to write a long essay about all the gnomes' treaties of the XIX century. The hairpin was never mentioned again and it now rested on a shelf of their working room, as a silent reminder that he was forbidden to try a familiar approach with his tutor and that he would have to work hard if he wanted to achieve important goals on his life.
The door of the waiting room opened and the Hobdays entered. They greeted Tiberius without any trace of joy and sat in front of him, remaining in silence for the rest of the time they remained in the waiting room. Finally a witch with short grey hair appeared from anther door, and invited the three of them to her office. Her desk was filled with parchments and behind her there was an old cabinet with files. The walls had the same color of the waiting room, with similar pictures hanged. The name plaque on the desk indicated that the witch's name was Judith Foxcastle and that she was a social worker.
"Mr. Nott, Mr. and Mrs. Hobday, I am glad you were able to come today. As you know we are here to discuss Titus' situation…" she picked up one of the parchments from her desk. Tiberius recognized Titus' handwriting immediately. "This letter was sent to the Ministry of Magic on February the twenty first, from Hogwarts. The author of the letter is Titus Cadmus Nott. He expresses his wishes for this letter to be forwarded to a social worker and he reports the abuses he has been suffering by living in the same roof of his uncle and aunt."
Judith Foxcastle cleared her throat and she started reading the letter. Casper kept shaking his head as Judith named the accusations his nephew had written against them. When the social worker finished Cecelia exclaimed from her chair:
"Those are false accusations! We had never treated Titus that way. We love him like a son! My husband and I never made him starve or have been violent with him. Yes, perhaps lately we have been a little bit harsh with him when it comes to cutting out his privileges, but the boy needs some discipline."
"We would like to submit to the veritaserum to prove our innocence," Casper added.
"That won't be necessary, Mr. Hobday," Judith Foxcastle assured him. "The Ministry of Magic had put me in charge of this case and I have been working on this since February. I know you and your wife did not take any abusive measures to raise your nephew. What do you think of this letter Mr. Nott? Were you aware of its existence?"
"No," Tiberius replied. "It is the first time I hear about this and I am as surprised as my relatives. But it sounds like something my brother would do, out of revenge."
"Revenge?"
"Like my aunt said, Titus' privileges had been cut out and he did not feel well with that. He responded by doing this."
"And do you approve?" Tiberius couldn't admit in front of them that he was actually proud of this. He thought that Titus used the few resources he had to try and harm the Hobdays, who he disliked due to their attempts to educate him properly. He told Judith Foxcastle he did not approve, naturally.
"Like I said before, I have been working on this case for months and I find it very troublesome that a boy of fourteen years old would write to the Ministry of Magic such evil letter. Clearly he is not responding well to the education you are trying to give him," she told Mr. and Mrs. Hobday. "But that is not your fault. However I am afraid that you are not able to control him. The intention of this letter is wicked and I wonder what he would do next if one of your measures upsets him. He could use magic against you, people could get hurt. "
"Perhaps it would be better if he became under my guardianship, "Tiberius said, taking advantage of the situation. "I know how to control my brother."
"No you don't, Mr. Nott. I have this file over here about your brother's stay at St, Mungos due to a flying car accident, while he was under your guard."
"Accidents of that nature happen all the time, when magic is involved" Tiberius protested. "It is not uncommon."
"We are not talking about a bewitched object or a broom fall. According to the healers, he sneaked into the garage and stole your car. That involves planning. Besides you have been very busy with a mysterious female company so I don't think you would find the right time to raise your brother," and she showed him an article of a gossip magazine which contained a photo of Elphaba entering the gates of Endhope house, obviously not knowing someone was watching. It mentioned that she came to the house everyday and the writer inquired who was this mystery witch who was dating one of the most coveted bachelors of the society, Tiberius Nott. They had not been able to identify her yet but rumors said it was Verity Franklin, a rich divorcee with no children. Titus wanted to set the magazine on fire.
"It is clear to me that due to Titus' past he became a troubled child and if we do not act fast, then he will end up with a criminal predisposition. He might turn himself to the Dark Arts like many of his family. It is my job to make sure he will not end up at Azkaban. "
"What does that mean?" Cecelia asked, holding tight to the chair, the knuckles of her hands getting white.
"It means that from now we will be responsible for Titus. You no longer have any sort of authority or influence over him."
Too Much To Think About
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 07-04-15 18:51
Pouring himself a cup of coffee Griffin checks the time. In half an hour Emauha Martin and he are interviewing a few witnesses on a case they're working together. Returning to his desk to read over the case again, he still feels guilty for at least not taking the morning off. Carys was understandably upset by the news of Decimus Clark's release from Azkaban. Griff offered to take this morning, or even the full day, off to spend with her but as angry and hurt as she was, and still is, Carys insisted on going to St. Emrys today as usual.
Much as Griff wishes she'd take a little time in a way it's probably good she wants to try for normalcy. He would have felt bad leaving Emauha to do the interviews on her own or to scramble and find someone to conduct them with her. There's also the fact that he needs something of his own to keep him occupied.
Upon arrival at the Ministry this morning Griff received a letter from the prison wing of St. Mungo's. Jacob LaBranche had lingered longer than anyone expected but during the night he'd passed away. As per the instructions of his will, Griff was not only notified but has become the will's executor. Jacob left burial instructions, which Griff is to oversee if he chooses or delegate to someone else. In the weeks and months since last seeing Jacob and learning he was dying Griff had been sure he'd delegate.
Now, he's not sure.
The Ministry has already gone through the vault where Jacob kept what he termed when talking to Griff "disagreeable items." There's still the other vault to go through, something else Griff has contemplated delegating but now is thing he should do it himself.
Realizing he'll get nothing done in the twenty minutes to kill before the first witness to be interviewed arrives, Griff exits his cubicle to talk with Emahuah about how they should handle each witness and what questions they want to ensure get asked.
Tickling Tendrils
Author: Marzipan
Date: 07-05-15 13:10
Marzi observed her second year Ravenclaw and Slytherin students attempt to prune tickling tendrils. The assignment seemed like it out to be a simple one, but the students couldn't seem to get it done without bursting into fits of giggles. The less ticklish of the bunch faired better, but nobody managed to complete the assignment without laughing at least a little bit. It was amusing for Marzi to watch.
She was in much better spirits as of late, not only because of the fun assignment she had given to her two second year classes (the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students having already met earlier that morning), but because Elfreda Fawley had dropped her suit against Marzi just last week.
Marzi had never thought she would see the day that Elfreda would give up on receiving some if not all of Redberga's inheritance. She was not entirely sure what caused her change of heart, or if Mr. Smirke had finally realized that he couldn't win in court and had advised his client to drop the suit. Whatever the reason, Marzi couldn't complain and felt an immense burden lift off her shoulders.
Her guilt at being present during Redberga's final moments was not totally assuaged, but with the passing of time, Marzi did feel a bit better about what happened. She would probably never totally get over the blame she felt or the belief that in some small way, she had triggered the heart attack that had ended Redberga's life, but it was already something she didn't think about constantly anymore.
She felt a tickle on her wrist and looked down to see one of the longer tickling tendrils reaching over from the main work table. It brushed over her skin with a smooth leaf.
"Sorry, Professor!" exclaimed a laughing Susan Fricks. Her attempt to reign in the renegade vine produced another fit of giggles.
Marzi laughed and said, "Here, let me help you."
Together they nudged the creeping vine back over in the area of its pot, both laughing as it tickled them.
(Kate) Not Funny
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 07-05-15 16:33
Kate and the other NEWT-level Care of Magical Creatures students sat on blankets on the bank of the Black Lake and answered questions quiz-show style from Professor Kent. The topic was sea creatures and covered every single one mentioned in all five years of the course. The hulking figure of Hagrid stood nearby, keeping score.
"What is the Ministry of Magic classification of the sea serpent?" asked Professor Kent.
Kate quickly raised the bright yellow fan she held in her hand, but Gus Hodfuffer was faster.
"Yes, Gus?"
"XXX," Gus answered.
"Correct."
Hagrid put a hash mark next to Gus' name using a long, peacock-feathered quill.
"Name one variety of lake serpent."
Kate again raised her fan, but Felicia raised her bright green one quicker and answered, "the Selma."
"Which is native to where?"
Caerwyn raised his yellow fan the fastest and said, "Norway."
"Describe the hippocampus."
Kate finally got her fan up faster than anybody else and answered, "It has the head and forequarters of a horse and the hindquarters of a fish."
"A young hippocampus is called a what?"
Gus van Tassel got his bright green fan in the air and exclaimed, "A tadfoal!"
The questioning went on in a similar manner, quick-paced and exciting. By the end of class, Kate landed somewhere in the middle, and Hugo wound up dead last with a whopping zero points. He seemed to take great pride in his placement, but Kate felt kind of embarrassed on his behalf. She worried that he wasn't taking the NEWTs seriously enough, and if he couldn't do well in a simple game, how would he manage during the actual exam?
She walked silently back to the castle while he jabbered on about how great he found being the worst at the game. She didn't find it worthy of boasting at all and didn't find anything funny about it either.
"Everyone remembers who came in first and who came in last," Hugo said. "Nobody remembers who landed in the middle."
"While that may be true," she finally spoke up, "I don't think you should be so glad at being such a failure."
Hugo looked at her seriously for the first time and said, "It was just a game. No big deal."
"No?" she questioned, stopping in front of the doors to the castle. "Are the NEWTs a big game to you too?"
"Don't be like that," Hugo said. "I know the NEWTs are serious business and will affect my future and all that."
"You don't act like it."
"What's the harm in having a little fun?" Hugo asked. "You used to like it when I made you laugh."
"I still do," Kate said, "but lately you haven't been very funny. You think everything is a big joke, but it's not. NEWTs are less than a month away, Hugo. Are you ready for them?"
"Are you?"
Kate shook her head. "Maybe not entirely, but I've certainly got a better handle on everything than you do."
"I'm sure you do," Hugo retorted. "Well, I think I'll just skip supper and go to the library and hit the books. Can't let myself fall even farther behind, or you might not ever laugh at one of my jokes again."
His sarcasm made Kate angry. She whirled on her heel and yanked open the door. Kate stalked across the entrance hall and entered the Great Hall, where she made her way to the Slytherin table instead of the Hufflepuff one. She plopped down next to Johanna and then buried her face in her hands to muffle a scream of frustration.
(Angharad) Stolen Moment
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 07-05-15 17:20
"How are you feeling?" Perla asked as she dropped down next to her girlfriend in the common commons brushing a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"Stressed. Irritated. Exhausted."
Perla nodded and shifted slightly, shifting to lightly motion Angharad to turn and she began to lightly massage her girlfriend's shoulders.
"NEWTs are coming soon, and you'll do well. I'm going to miss you next year, when you are gone and I'm here all by myself." Perla said with a grin, leaning forward and nuzzling gently into the other.
"I know, and I'm going to miss you too. It's a good thing we have so much planned for the summer. So you have lots of memories to take with you when you start your seventh year." Angharad said with a gentle smile, leaning back to rest against Perla and push her against the cushions.
"I will survive, and so will you. Then next year I'll be getting ready to start uni, and you'll be starting your second year at St. Emrys."
"Yeah, I still have to figure out what I'm going to be studying. However, I don't think I have to specify until maybe my second or third term."
They sat in silence for several minutes before Angharad shifted, pulling from Perla's embrace as much as she didn't want to.
"I've still got a few more things to get done before I can actually enjoy most of my weekend. Though, I'll probably be spending some of it working on study guides."
A light smile danced on Perla's lips, before she brushed a kiss to Angharad's cheek, "I will meet you in the common room in a couple of hours, I am going to work on my essay for Herbology that's due next week."
Angharad nodded her head lightly, a gentle smile dancing upon her lips as she soon enough turned her attention back to her books of study. A free hand reached over and plucked a chocolate biscuit from the small plate off to the side.
Tense Moments
Author: Rylee
Date: 07-05-15 17:36
"You aren't even going to open it?" Gideon's voice caused me to turn my head from the flames of the fire in the common room.
I offered him a light shrug of my shoulders, before letting the envelope to flutter free of my fingertips and rapidly begin feeding the hungry maw of the flickering flames.
"It was from your father wasn't it?"
Again, I offered him little insight into the missive that was burned. He had in the past few weeks done something to lose my trust, to find himself on the outside of those that I confided in. Leaving only Raz for me to confide in...and only when we could manage a few moments here and there throughout the day or on the weekends.
I retreated a handful of steps free of the immediate circling of the hearth and deposited myself upon one of the couches, drawing my legs beneath me as I used a flick of my wand to summon forth my bag from where I'd left it on a chair near the hearth.
"So you are still giving me the cold shoulder over what I'd said three weeks ago?"
I merely replied by pulling my potions book from the confines of my bag and opening it upon my lap, fingertips seeking the paragraph that I'd left off on earlier in the day when I'd been studying during lunch.
"What reason do I have to confide in you again Gideon? To allow you once again to have my trust?"
I finally broke the silence, whispering to him - as I cast a glance around the commons, ensuring that all others within the room were busy with their own affairs.
"I have apologized countless times Rylee, what more do I have to do to make it right?"
I again offered him a light shrug of my shoulders, "You will find a proper way to get back within my good graces Gideon, or you will continue to fall out of them. Those are your options. I realize I am not as viscous as Valeria but I can still easily make your life difficult."
Gideon huffed and shoved his way from the couch and I listened to the sound of his footfalls retreating toward the boys dormitory. I wondered if I would see him again before dinner, or if he would simply venture out to eat before heading elsewhere to figure out just how to once again get back in my good graces.
Once the footfalls retreated, I turned my attention once more to the potions text, plucking a quill free of the pocket within my bag I made a few notations upon the margin of the book - important steps of the recipes that we were working on in class to ensure that I would remember them and not create an incident during the next class.
Two Unwelcome Visitors
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 07-05-15 18:51
Iola breezes through the door in such a way Julian knows she used magic to open it. Upon seeing her, Dexter's hackles rise and he bolts in the direction of the stairs. Julian knows exactly how Dexter feels at the sight of the woman.
She saunters over to where Julian is tidying a set of shelves. He speaks before she does. "I don't know where that bloody pendant is, Iola."
She waits until she's reached him to disdainfully reply, "You've made that abundantly clear. I'm not sure I believe you but that's not why I'm here."
"Some other supposed family heirloom you're after is it?"
"That pendant is a family heirloom." She glares at Julian then dismissively waves a hand. "You shouldn't be so snidely presumptuous. I'm here to find out what preparation you've done for Caerwyn's leaving Hogwarts."
"With that entrance I was supposed to know you weren't here yet again to know what progress has been made in locating some pendant?"
Iola looks over her shoulder then back again. "I don't follow. What entrance?"
"Never mind."
Confusion flashes across her face but she quickly gathers herself. "Party preparations? I take it there will be a party."
"Yes, there will be a party, held jointly with Gus Hodfuffer."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Details, Julian."
"Plans are still being made. When they are set, you will receive an invitation."
"Would I have been on the list if I hadn't come asking about a celebration?"
"You are Caerwyn's aunt."
"An avoidance response."
"I answered the question so I fail to see avoidance there."
Iola makes a show of rolling her eyes in contrast to what she says. "I look forward to receiving my invitation though I'd love to help with the planning."
"I think that's well in hand, but thank you."
Iola rolls her eyes again though more subtly then turns and leaves, not bothering with a goodbye just as she'd not given a greeting upon entering. No sooner has Julian resumed straightening the shelves then the door opens again. Instead of Iola returning to say something more or a customer, the person who walks into Twice Told Tales is Vanessa.
Julian strides to meet her, rapidly covering the distance. "Leave."
She blinks at him as if taken by surprise. "You aren't going to ask where I've been?"
"I thought you'd gone back to wherever you're currently calling home after the judge made it clear your rights to Xavier and Jasmine are terminated."
Vanessa screws up her face. "I don't remember it quite like that, little brother." In a gesture similar to Iola's earlier one, she dismissively waves her hand. "Two sides to every story. I was ill. I was in hospital after that court date then needed time to regain my strength. Can't take care of my babies if I'm weak and ill."
"You never took care of the twins no matter what state of health you were in."
"I admit I had some bad moments."
"Bad moments? Jasmine and Xavier were born addicted. For a time, Xavier came close to being deemed a failure to thrive. You were only to happy to get rid of the for the right price. Oh, but that wasn't the right price, now was it? You came here begging for more. Threatened to take the children if we didn't pay."
"You make it sound dirty and sordid."
Julian is the one rolling his eyes now. "Wanting to rewrite history, are you, Vanessa? Make yourself the victim?"
"I AM a victim! You stole my children!"
Julian takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Not exactly how it happened but I'm not going to argue with you. You are in violation of the restraining order. Again. Leave or I'll report you. Do you really want to spend more time in prison?"
She pouts, "I had thought that learning I'd been ill, practically close to crossing the veil, would have softened your attitude. I'm hurt to learn how mistaken I am."
Julian repeats, "Leave," pointing his wand to the door and opening it, prepared to forcibly expel Vanessa from the shoppe if need be.
Still pouting Vanessa leaves though takes her time reaching the door. Once the door has shut behind her, Julian locks it and puts the Closed sign out. Not closing time yet but only by a few minutes. Leaving out the back, Julian hurries to the daycare where the twins spent part of the day.