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Lunch (Justin)
Author: Plum
Date: 10-31-15 18:02
Justin takes a seat, not so much actually carefully lowering himself so much as loose limbed flopping, and surveys today's lunch's options. He's eyeing a platter of sausages when Vinny Xardel plops into the seat next to him. As Vinny usually opts to eat at the Slytherin table his presence next to Justin at the Hufflepuff table is something of a surprise. A surprise that is until Vinny asks, "Did you get the answer to that last question on the Defense Against the Dark Arts homework?"
"Um, yeah. Mostly anyway. Hang on."
Justin reaches for his bookbag to pull out the folder he uses for his DADA assignments. "Here."
"Thanks," Vinny says, accepting the parchment to give Justin's response to that last item a quick scan. "Okay, got an idea now. For some reason I blanked and didn't think about it until walking in here for lunch. You're the first one in our class I saw."
"Yeah, sure. Glad I could help."
"Hey, you're related to that lady who has the Language Arts Club, right?"
"Plum, my cousin."
"Was that her baby here Saturday?"
"Yeah, Evan. Why?"
"One of the girls said she must be babysitting but I said no, I think it's hers."
Still puzzled as to why this would matter Justin shakes his head. "Why didn't she just ask Plum?"
"Dunno."
"Since you didn't know my cousin's name I take it you didn't join her club?"
"Thought about it but I have a hard enough time with English to be learning another language or five." Vinny slaps his hand on the table and gets up. "Thanks again. I'll let you eat your lunch."
"You're welcome to stay, you know."
Vinny grins and waggles his eyebrows. "I would but there's someone who's just had a seat over there who I'm hoping to get cozy enough with by the first Hogsmeade trip to convince her to go out with me that day."
"Good luck," Justin says, returning the grin.
Alone again for the moment, or as alone as one can get at a table full of students and gaining more as the minutes tick by, and in a room where there are three other long tables along which a good many other students are seated, Justin puts the DADA work back in the folder and returns it to his bookbag. In the process a letter in an inner side pocket dislodges. He scowls and shoves it back in, thinking he really should destroy it and the others.
The dislodged letter is from Luther Wenk, the fourth Justin has received since the new Hogwarts term began. He glanced at the first but didn't read it closely or in full and hasn't bothered opening any of the others. From what he did gather from the first Luther is offering an apology. Why he keeps writing though Justin doesn't know. He doesn't want to know. He doesn't care if Luther apologizes or not. He simply wants to be left alone.
This gives him a thought. He'll bundle the four letters together and send them back to Luther, who managed to get himself accepted at an American school despite his history at Sidney's, including being expelled. From now on if Luther sends anything, Justin will send it back promptly, unopened and without writing anything in return. Maybe Luther will get the message to just leave him be.
That decision made, Justin gets one of the sausages from that platter, adds a few vegetables to his plate as well and pours himself a cup of pumpkin juice. As he eats he rereads the required pages for Alchemy, wanting to have it fresher in his mind for the class he has today immediately after Defense Against the Dark Arts.
(Ariella) Visitation
Author: Beck
Date: 11-01-15 09:06
Ariella sat with Karina in her lap in the visitation room outside the holding cells at the Ministry of Magic and talked to Anthony. Despite still being held under questionable pretenses and with no trial in his future as far as he knew, Anthony seemed to be in better spirits nowadays.
Becoming a father was the best thing that had ever happened to him. His only regret was that he wasn't a free man to enjoy every waking moment with his newborn son.
Ariella herself had taken a leave of absence from her job to reconnect with her long lost daughter. At times, Karina seemed unsure around her birth parents, having been too young at her kidnapping to truly remember them. The witch who'd looked after her was the only mother she really knew.
The moments when Karina didn't seem to want her tugged at Ariella's heartstrings. Knowing she had missed some milestones, from crawling to walking and even Karina's first words, also broke Ariella's heart. At least they were together now, and with time, Karina would think of Ariella as her mum again and all would be well.
"I don't know what she is thinking," Ariella said, referring to Alanna. Alanna's engagement to Reed was public knowledge and even a frequent subject of the society papers.
"I've been out of the loop, so I don't have a feel for what's really going on. Do you think it's possible she really fell out of love with Jared and fell in love with someone she once despised?"
Ariella slowly shook her head. "No, but I don't know what to believe anymore. She evades the subject whenever I ask her about it."
"Do you suppose he's holding something against her?"
"Yes, but what would it take for her to break things off with Jared? What exactly has he threatened her with to make her agree to marry him and pretend like everything is fine and dandy?"
Anthony sat back thoughtfully in his chair. "Have you talked with him much since the announcement of their engagement?"
Ariella frowned. "Not much, but a little, yes." She sighed deeply. "He's been… helpful and… polite."
Anthony quirked an eyebrow. "Are we talking about the same Reed Wycombe?"
Ariella nodded. "I know. It's like he's gotten a personality transplant. Seriously, though. He's been a godsend when it's come to following up with Karina's return. Whenever there's an update into the investigation, he sends me a letter. That woman who had Karina all this time is being held in a secure ward at St. Mungo's while she undergoes all kinds of tests."
"If she turns out to be a victim in all this, will you forgive her for having Karina?"
Ariella hesitated and nuzzled the top of her daughter's head. "She looked after Karina so well," she admitted. "On the one hand, I want to hate her for raising my child without my knowledge or consent. On the other… if she didn't know… well, then I can't really blame her, can I?"
A guard cleared his throat and announced, "One minute remaining."
Ariella frowned and said, "Time always goes so quickly when I visit."
Anthony looked sorrowful as he said, "I know. Thanks for bringing Karina, and happy belated birthday to you both. I'm sorry I couldn't celebrate with you."
"We celebrated quietly at the castle, so you didn't miss anything," Ariella replied.
Anthony smiled weakly and said, "Next time I want a picture of Karina and Evan together to hang on my cell wall."
Ariella got up and shifted Karina to her hip. "Let's hope the next time we meet, you'll finally be out of jail."
"I think that's wishful thinking," Anthony remarked, "but my fingers are crossed."
"Mine too. Bye, Anthony." Ariella raised one of Karina's hands and waved it at Anthony. "Say bye Uncle Anthony."
Karina murmured 'Bye' shyly and then buried her head into Ariella's shoulder. Ariella mouthed another 'goodbye' to her brother and then left the visitation room. She had half a mind to visit Alanna but decided she wasn't in the mood to experience any frustration, so she left the Ministry of Magic for Hogwarts.
Kaycee - Game of Chess
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 11-01-15 11:30
Kaycee and Edwina played a game of wizard's chess in the Hufflepuff common room. They'd had a full morning of classes, including Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and History of Magic, and now had a wide-open afternoon before Astronomy later this evening.
On Saturday, Kaycee had made the rounds in the Great Hall for Club Day. Many clubs had made her short list, but Kaycee had restricted herself to only one because she didn't want to overwhelm herself. Attending school away from home was already much different from what she was used to, but she enjoyed every minute of it.
Her aunt and uncle wrote her almost daily. At first Kaycee had found it a little annoying, but now she looked forward to the correspondences, which usually came at breakfast. Her aunt and uncle were happy to learn that she had joined the Band and Orchestra. Kaycee had been playing the flute for years, but only ever on her own. She was very excited about playing music with others.
"Rook to D7," Edwina instructed her chess piece, and then she looked to her left when she felt a presence appear by her side. "Oh, hi Bertie. What's up?"
Kaycee watched the rook devastate one of her pawns and then looked over at Bertie, who simply said, "Libby."
"Oh. Right." Edwina looked apologetically at Kaycee and said, "Sorry, Kaycee. We'll have to finish another time."
"That's all right."
Edwina shot Kaycee a quick grin and then got up to follow Bertie out of the common room. Kaycee started to get up to perhaps work on some homework when Conrad came over and pointed at the chair vacated by Edwina.
"Mind if I play?"
"Not at all," Kaycee said. She got up to leave when Conrad stopped her asked, "Well, won't you play with me? I can't very well play by myself."
"Oh. Okay," Kaycee agreed, sitting down again.
"White or black?" Conrad asked.
"I was white last time, so how about I play black this time?" Kaycee suggested.
"Excellent," Conrad replied, with a grin and while rubbing his hands together. "I've got the best opening move."
Kaycee grinned. "Let's see it then."
They set up the board and started to play.
Small Gathering
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-02-15 18:59
Hermione slipped into the London café just off Charing Cross Road and walked over to a booth occupied by a few familiar faces. Tonks smiled and made a space for her on the red vinyl seat. Hermione sat down, greeted everyone, and picked up a menu.
"I'm not sure we're expecting anyone else," said Kingsley to the small assembled group. "It was probably a poor choice to meet during the lunch hour on a workday, but there's a lot to discuss and it can't wait. I trust you'll share the information with the others, and when we're next able, we'll reconvene, hopefully with more of our members in attendance."
He paused when a perky waitress in a beige dress and white apron approached with a pot of coffee. "Can I top anybody off, and what would you like, luv?" She asked the last to Hermione, the newest arrival.
"Coffee, please, and a turkey wrap with a side of fruit."
"Coming right up, luv," the waitress said, as she poured Hermione a cuppa.
When she moved out of earshot, Kingsley continued, "We've learned everything I think we can from Silas Mimsy, and I think we're all agreed that too much time has passed since his capture. Fairchild has no doubt wondered what happened to her mole at Hogwarts."
"That's where I come in," said Elphias.
Kingsley gave a single nod of his head. "Elphias has agreed to impersonate Mimsy and infiltrate the Death Eater ranks. In fact, he will send his first report to Fairchild before day's end."
"What will be in the report?" asked Hermione.
"He was asked to spy on the members of the Order known to be at Hogwarts and on Ethan Somerset, so his report will include information on both subjects. The intelligence will be false, of course, but it should be detailed enough for Fairchild to not question why her follower remained silent for so long––at least that is the hope. Elphias is undertaking a very dangerous task."
"I'm well-aware of the risks, Kingsley!" exclaimed Elphias. "This might very well be my last hurrah!"
"I suppose she'll summon you," Hermione said to Elphias, "and she may question you about your lack of communication and failure to answer her summons. Perhaps Mimsy was meant to participate in the attack on the Ministry of Magic."
"Yes, yes," Elphias said. "We've come up with answers for anything, should the almighty witch ask."
"Should Elphias escape notice," Kingsley said, "he will begin providing us with the information we lack about the Death Eaters."
"Their location, their ranks, and their plans," Tonks remarked.
The waitress came back with a large tray piled with dishes. She set a hamburger and onion rings in front of Kingsley, some kind of creamy soup in a bread bowl in front of Elphias, a salad with chicken strips in front of Tonks, and the turkey wrap and side of fruit in front of Hermione.
"Enjoy it, luvs," the waitress said, topping off a few coffee mugs before she moved on to another table.
"I suppose there's nothing else to say but good luck, is there?" Hermione asked Elphias.
He smiled at her the smile of someone who knew his days might be numbered, but there was also a bit of hope in his smile. If Elphias succeeded in his task, then the Order of the Phoenix would gain the information it would need to end Fairchild and her followers once and for all.
Quick Lunch
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 11-02-15 19:10
Kissy enters the Crown & Cauldron, spotting her mother even before the hostess has a chance to speak. When learning Kissy is there to meet someone and that someone is already seated, the nods when Kissy says she can see herself to the table, leaving the hostess to greet a couple who've come in behind her.
Nyoko tilts her face up for a kiss on the cheek from her daughter then says as Kissy takes a seat, "Our lunch should be out any moment." When extending the lunch invitation and learning that on Tuesdays Kissy only has an hour between classes, Nyoko offered to arrive early and get an order in so that when Kissy arrived at the restaurant, they'd have more time to actually eat before Kissy has to get back to Hogwarts.
"Thanks for asking me. A lunch out without children of any age is a nice change."
"I thought Cameron and you go out regularly just the two of you."
Kissy waits to respond while a waiter sets plates on the table. "We usually do but since the attack at the Ministry and the clean up and aftermath, school starting, and Everett suddenly deciding to have cling constantly to mummy issues, we've put dates on hold."
"When did that start?"
"Last week. What's worse is if Callista sees him being that way, she gets worked up as well."
"Did something happen to bring this about?"
"We aren't sure but we've wondered if it's something to do with the extra hours Cam's been working, the stress of what happened, and the stress of so many of us having friends or family injured in the attack and some killed."
"Like your co-worker's husband," Nyoko states with an understanding nod. "How is she? And her children?"
"Marzipan is putting on a good front. Stiff upper lip and all; but, in private, she could well be something of a mess."
This line of conversation leads the two women to discussing others they know who lost someone close. Halfway through the meal they alter direction to happier topics and when Kissy begins the walk back to Hogwarts for her class of seventh years, she's not in a black fog of depression from the sad conversation but is smiling over an amusing story about something Kissy's niece Emi said.
In The Library (Devon and Vincent)
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 11-03-15 19:39
Walking past a table occupied by one person who looks to be deep in concentration Devon stops, backs up a few steps and pulls out a chair. When the other student doesn't look up she reaches out and raps on the table just above the parchment over which the student is bent. He jumps, his quill skidding across the page. He looks up to Devon's, "Sorry. Here. I'll fix that."
Vincent's frown, close to a scowl really, clears. He smiles at his cousin even though she's why the smear is there. "Thanks."
He pays close attention to the spell she uses, taking notice of whether there are any particular wand motions required. The spell seems quick and easy and Vincent thinks he can master it in no time at all. It will come in handy to fix mistakes rather than having to rewrite homework that's to turn in or an essay or other paper.
"How are you?" she asks when the task is completed.
"Good but tired and I have Astronomy tonight."
"I've not talked with you other than to say hello since the first of last week. Did you go to Club Day?"
"Yeah. I joined three. Gobstones, Dueling, and Athletics. I also spoke with Professor Hodfuffer about writing two or three articles for the Hogwarts Herald."
"That's great!"
"Did I tell you it seems strange not to have Viola following me around half the time?"
"I told you that you'd miss her," Devon says with a chuckle.
"I didn't say I missed her," Vincent grins in reply. "I said it was strange."
"There are days I still wish I had a brother or sister, or both."
"There are days I wish I was an only child."
Devon's soft chuckle from before is now a robust laugh, causing her to quickly slam her lips together, glancing guiltily in the general direction she last saw Mrs. Blackheart. "Viola is not that bad," she says in a voice closer to a whisper.
"You don't have to live with her."
"And yet you miss her."
Vincent doesn't deny it this time. "Yeah, sort of. We were together so much because of being taught at home and then in one day I went to her not being there at all."
"Viola's missing you as well. You're here with all these others. She's by herself."
"Yeah, true. There are a few kids who live near but they're mostly small. One is not that much younger than Viola but a boy and he plays rough and can be mean."
"You know, I should write her. Let her know she's not forgotten."
Vincent makes a face. "I should too. I've written Mum and Dad a few times and said hello to Viola but haven't written just to her. I'll do that when I'm finished with this Transfiguration homework."
"I'm need to check out this book for a research paper then will head back to my dorm and write her."
Devon stands, reaches over and ruffles Vincent's hair as she says goodbye, then leaves him to his Transfiguration work. A few minutes later she's got the book checked out and is on her way back to Hufflepuff House only to decide to swing by the commons first to get a drink, and maybe a snack, before returning to her room.
It's Time
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 11-05-15 14:42
Capri waddled around in the flat and then sat down very uncomfortably. She looked up at Mark and faked a smile; things were not good with them. They had not been good since she got pregnant. She sighed to herself and shifted her position on the couch; it was then that she felt a gush of fluid.
"Uh," she said with a small amount of concern in her voice. Then she had a contraction. She got up off the couch and she got cleaned up while Mark cleaned off the couch. As she was redressing she had another contraction that almost brought her to her knees.
"Mark!" She called. He came to the bedroom door and looked in. Her hands were on her belly and she had a look of intense pain on her face. "I think the baby is coming."
"Okay. I'll get your bags and we can go to St. Mungo's."
*****
Capri lay in the hospital bed and moaned softly as she had contraction after contraction; Mark held her hand.
Mark brushed strands of Capri's red hair out of her face and wiped her brow with a soft damp cloth. She cried out as another contraction hit her hard – Mark tried to comfort her but nothing helped.
Another twenty minutes, which seemed like an eternity to Capri, passed and the healer came in and checked on her. The healer told her that it was time…
She worked with the contractions and after ten minutes of pushing the baby was born.
"It's a girl!" Miss Brycin the healer said. Capri smiled and looked at Mark. She was so happy. The nurse moved around to the side of the bed and handed the baby to Capri and the healer handed Mark the scissors and he cut the umbilical cord.
Tears came to Capri's eyes as she looked at her daughter then at Mark.