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Down Time
Author: Jordan Thompson
Date: 11-05-15 17:30
"What clubs did you end up joining?" Essie asked as she dropped down on to the couch next to Jordan.
"I signed up for Alchemy, Muggle Studies, and Potions. What about you?"
Before Essie could answer Jacob dropped down on the floor between the couch and the small table, letting his head drop back against the cushions of the couch between Jordan and Essie's legs.
"She signed up for Dance, Drama, and Hogwarts Harmonies," he answered for her offering his sister a grin. Which earned him a punch in the shoulder.
"I am capable of answering for myself ya know.." She grinned down at him before reclining back on the couch. This time in the evenings after dinner was among the only time they had together that wasn't in class and could spend time just hanging out like they had before coming to Hogwarts.
"Are we going to work on the DADA assignment together?" Jacob asked looking up at his sister and best friend.
"You mean, are we going to carry you through it to ensure that you don't fail the class," Jordan said with an impish grin.
Jacob smirked and stuck his tongue out at Jordan.
"That's what I thought," Jordan said as she tugged a strand of Jacob's hair.
(Adriana) Potion-making
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 11-06-15 09:17
Adriana stood in the corner of the crypt that had become a makeshift potions laboratory and checked on the various cauldrons simmering with liquids of different colors, textures, and odors. A small pewter cauldron contained a creamy brew that was a lovely shade of lavender but smelled unexpectedly like cabbage. A larger bronze cauldron bubbled slightly with a thin mixture that was brownish-orange and smelled somewhat like vanilla. A thick, silver potion brewed in an even larger black cauldron and gave off a metallic odor.
Adriana doubled checked the instructions in the alchemical codex and then turned to a number of bottles of ingredients arranged in the order they were needed. She picked up a pale blue glass bottle with a thin neck and a rounded bottom and unstoppered it. She tipped the bottle over the black cauldron and wrinkled her nose as an oily substance with the strong smell of fish trickled into the silver sludge.
After putting the empty bottle back on the table, Adriana used a stirring rod in a clockwise rotation three times. The instructions in the codex said she had to perform the same movement two more times in three hour intervals. Once finished, she would have to wait an entire week before she could add a new ingredient to the mixture.
It was a very complicated potion and one she had no choice but to get right on the first try. If she failed, then her efforts to bring back the glory of Voldemort would suffer a setback or perhaps never succeed at all.
"My Lady?"
Adriana looked up at the stairwell at the sound of Ivanova's voice. Since starting the potion several weeks ago, the crypt had been closed off to all of the Death Eaters. Not everyone knew about her special project, and she didn't want to risk someone tampering with her potion, either accidentally or intentionally.
"Yes, Natalya?"
"Mimsy sent another report."
"I'll be right up," Adriana said. She straightened up her station, removing the empty blue bottle since it was no longer needed, and wiping up a few splashes of potion that had landed on the table top during her work. While she busied herself with the task, she thought about Mimsy, who after a long absence and stretch of silence, had finally checked in the day before yesterday.
She had interrogated him long and hard upon his arrival at the abbey, which in itself had occurred under unusual circumstances. Mimsy claimed that the reason for his silence had been due to Minerva McGonagall placing his toad form in a new terrarium with spells making escape impossible. He got out after months of trying to learn the counterspells.
Mimsy also claimed disorientation from being in toad form and in cramped conditions for such a long period of time. He also claimed that the toad food McGonagall fed him was laced with some sort of sedative, which he believed had adverse effects on his memory. As a result, he couldn't find his way to the abbey after Adriana summoned him to report to her in person following his lengthy absence.
Adriana ended up instructing him to go to a specific location and then had Meadow O'Guinn side-along apparate with him to the abbey. Meadow hadn't appreciated the assignment, since Mimsy was known for his terrible body odor and ugly appearance, but she'd done the task without protest and taken a bubble bath afterwards.
During the interrogation, Mimsy provided Adriana with some information about certain individuals at Hogwarts, though his intelligence was limited to what he'd heard while in his terrarium in McGonagall's office. What little he provided her was good information, though she had hoped for more. Now that he knew how to escape the terrarium and move freely through the castle again, Adriana sent him back to Hogwarts to continue his mission.
She went upstairs and secured the entrance to the crypt with a series of complicated locking spells, and then she went to read Mimsy's latest report.
Iola The Snoop (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 11-06-15 13:52
After she'd complained about hardly seeing him these days Gus is spending the day with his mother Anne. Caerwyn started the morning off helping out a couple of hours at Twice Told Tales and spending a little time with the twins, Charlotte, and Dylan then went to MacFusty's for cat food and a couple of cat toys for Velvet.
Apparating home to the cabin let to him by his mother, Caerwyn called to the cat. She loves being outside though Gus and he did go around a perimeter putting up a charmed barrier so she can't wander too far from the house. They'd also put in a cat door at the kitchen so she can come and go on her own. Velvet had dashed out this morning and was there when he'd left a short time later. Knowing her, with the day sunny if on the cool side, she's still out here somewhere.
Rustling in a bush followed by Velvet's head poking out let's Caerwyn know he's correct. He doesn't call her to come in with him but she skips along beside him them runs ahead to the door, meowing at him as if she's hungry.
Caerwyn pauses at the door, sensing something's off. He studies the door, determining that while it's pushed to, it's not latched, or locked, as it should be. Wondering if Gus is back early for some reason, he nudges the door open calling Gus's name as he steps inside.
It's not Gus but Iola. She's on her knees across the room, back to Caerwyn, frozen in mid-motion of testing the stones in that portion wall. "Iola?"
She slowly turns her head, sheepish smile fixed in place. "Caerwyn, hello. Hope you don't mind that I let myself in."
"Yeah, about that. How did you?"
"Floo."
"Floo? You're sure on that?"
"What an odd question. Why wouldn't I be sure?"
"Because we aren't currently on the network. The fireplaces each need some structural work done so we decided until they're fixed it was better not to be on the network."
"That one must still be on by mistake then," she says gesturing in the direction of the kitchen.
Caerwyn finally sets down the packages he carries and gestures that way as well. "So, if I were to go try it, it would work?"
"Yes, of course."
Caerwyn sighs. "Why are you lying, Iola?"
She sputters indignantly. "I have no reason to lie."
"Yet you just told another."
"I don't know why you think I'm not being honest."
"Going to keep pretending, are you? Maybe you should just go."
"What's gotten into you, Caerwyn?"
"You, Iola. You ask about a pendant then make sure I know it's mine to keep but then salivated at the thought that I'd give it to you. Despite repeatedly telling me if it's lost or if I do find it and have changed my mind about keeping it, you have pestered my father and me about where it is and getting it to you."
"Pestered? I hardly think I've been a pest. I have asked a time or two but as much for you having something that was passed through the family to your mother."
"A time or two? Your memory, Dad's, and mine differ on that. More than the pretense of ambivalence over whether I find the pendant and let you have it, there's the fact that I know you were snooping around here the first time you came me and just now you look to be snooping. Looking for a loose stone or something, I'm guessing. On top of that, you didn't Floo here. You broke through the spell somehow and probably used magic to unlock the front door. And are now lying to my face about how you got in."
"You're more into things than are there, Caerwyn. I am only interested in that pendant for nostalgic reasons, as I've told you before. I did not break in. I have never snooped. I was not looking for loose stones just now. I thought some of the cement or plaster or whatever it is between the stones looked crumbly and was checking it out."
"I don't believe you, Iola. I no longer trust you. I'm tired of the lying and the pretense. You need to leave and not come back nor go to Dad's house in Hogsmeade nor to the bookshoppe. You need to leave and not bother me again until you're ready to tell the truth about why you've been snooping and why your near obsessed with that pendant."
"Caerwyn, I "
"No! No more lies. Go, Iola. Now!"
Iola huffs, "Contact me when you're ready to apologize for the offensive accusations."
She stalks to the door, jerking is closed with a bang behind her. Caerwyn has an urge to be snide and rush after her to say she should use the same Floo she claims to have arrived by. He refrains, though just barely. Instead, he gives his attention to Velvet who's been trying to get into the bag of food.
"All right, I get the hint," he tells her, picking the bag up and heading for the kitchen where her food and water bowls are located.
A short time later, while Velvet is checking out the new toys he got her, Caerwyn is going around the house and property redoing spells. He'll get his dad and maybe Uncle Lysander to come strengthen them and maybe even get Bill Weasley, who's great with these sort of spells, to give everything a once over as well.
Still Upset
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 11-06-15 14:04
Chance was still more than upset with Jonathan for having the affair with Katherine. He has been out of the house for a while and she didn't know where he was living nor did she really care – for all she cared he could be living with Katherine.
She sighed and picked up her camera and started taking some pictures of flowers. Even photography held little enjoyment for her these days. Work was boring and she still grieved over the loss of her second child.
Chance had thought about trying to date but she didn't know how to go about meeting someone. It wasn't like she was real social these days. Maybe Bron knew someone; if anyone did it would be her. Chance smiled to herself and let off a little giggle. The giggle sounded odd to her as it echoed in her ear; it was a sound she had not heard in a long time.
As she finished with the pictures she headed back to the office with a small pop and then sat down at her desk. Grabbing a piece of paper and a quill she penned a letter to Bronwyn and asked if they could get together and talk maybe even have lunch or something. She was missing her friend and maybe she knew of someone who she could date – she giggled again; and again it sounded strange in her ear. A few moments passed and she watched as the owl flew out the window with the letter for Bronwyn.
Getting up she put her camera in its case and gathered her papers and headed home.
Getting Excited
Author: Alaia Rothstein
Date: 11-06-15 14:26
"Are you getting excited about the wedding?" Divina asked.
Alaia smiled and nodded her head. "I am. I am also a little nervous."
"Why nervous?"
"You know all the typical reasons…what if I trip going down the aisle and fall flat on my face?"
Divina laughed and said she was sure that she would not fall.
"How about you? Are you nervous at all about your roll in all of this?"
"Nah, it will be fine. " She giggled. "Why should I be nervous about being your maid of honor?"
Alaia laughed, "No, I don't think so."
The bell above the door jangled and Alaia looked up. She saw a mother and her daughter and they came up to the counter.
"Hello, welcome to Decadence."
"Thank you. I would like to order a birthday cake for my daughter here." She said and patted the small child on the head. Alaia looked down at the child and smiled before she offered her a cookie, which was fresh out of the oven.
"Thank you." The girl replied.
"You're welcome."
"You come highly recommended from my friends." The woman said; Alaia blushed slightly. The two women talked about the cake and got input from the little girl about what she wanted. It was going to be an elaborate cake filled with flowers in bright colors and Alaia knew that it was going to be beautiful.
When they were done with the cake order the woman ordered four dozen cookies, just like she had given her daughter.
"You don't understand how hard it is to get her to eat even sweets but she loved your cookie." The woman said. "She is a very picky eater and… yeah, so if she likes it we buy it for her." Alaia nodded and smiled.
When the woman and child left Alaia looked at the clock and sighed. It was several hours before Lee got off work, but she was missing him today. She wanted to see him, spend time with him – kiss him and make out with him and see where things went. She giggled and Divina looked at her funny and Alaia just shook her head with a funny smile on her face.
Positive Changes
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-07-15 11:19
Bronwyn sat in the hallway at the Ministry of Magic, just outside the offices of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. There was evidence of the destruction from not quite one month ago, but it looked as if the department was undergoing a planned renovation and not cleaning up from the aftermath of a Death Eater attack.
Bronwyn was at the Ministry of Magic in support of Toby, who had been summoned to speak with various authorities in the British and Irish Quidditch League. After all this time, Toby had been out of work and the subject of tabloid reports in the Quidditch news media. Although neither knew the nature of the meeting prior to arriving at the Ministry, it was their hope that Toby's name would get cleared once and for all.
The wait seemed endless, but then Toby appeared, looking dazed yet pleased.
Bronwyn climbed to her feet and asked, "What is it? What did they decide?"
He ran a hand through his blond curls and said, "They claimed it was all a big mistake and that a mix-up was discovered in the lab. The positive drug test apparently belonged to an alternate vying for a first string position on the team who just so happens to be related to one of the lab techs. They've both been sacked, and now there's an open investigation regarding other controversial lab reports." He shook his head and added, "Turns out the whole thing was wasted effort, though, since that alternate never did play a match in my absence."
"Did they give you your spot back on the team? Will you earn back pay for the time you lost?"
Toby put his hands on Bronwyn's upper arms and smiled down at her. "They did, but I told them I'm not interested in rejoining the Falcons."
"You're not?"
Toby put an arm around her and started to walk with her down the hall. "That kid whose been playing in the matches since I left is actually really good. If I rejoin the team, then he'll probably get benched again or end up leaving."
"You're so nice to think of others, but what will you do for yourself?"
"Well," Toby began, "I think this is the perfect opportunity to start fresh. Apparently, one of the beaters for the Montrose Magpies is going out on maternity leave and has talked about retiring all together to be a stay at home mum, so I've set up a meeting with the coach for first thing tomorrow morning. If all goes well, I'll sign the contract and start practicing by next week."
"And if not?"
"Then there are plenty more teams out there, or maybe I'll go international! The options are endless as far as I'm concerned."
Bronwyn nodded and said, "That's true." She expelled a deep sigh and said, "Oh, I'm so happy this situation is finally over!"
"You and me both, Bron."
The couple went home to relax and celebrate the end of what had been a nightmare for them. While preparing ice cream sundaes as a celebratory treat, an owl arrived with a letter from Chance. Bronwyn was pleased to learn that Chance seemed ready to move on with her life and was up to the challenge of finding her someone to date. She had made a list for Desi all those years ago, which had been fun and had resulted in a serious relationship (which had ultimately failed). The other option was Magical Match, the dating service in Diagon Alley.
While she and Toby ate their sundaes and talked about a positive future, Bronwyn couldn't help but start composing a mental list of potential suitors for Chance. With any luck, Chance's future would start looking up too!
Presents & Cake
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 11-07-15 14:48
Arithmancy & Divination was Sophie's last class of the day. It was her birthday today and she finally felt she had some time to enjoy it properly after a day full of classes. She wanted to put her bag at the dormitory, but Estine took her directly to the Common Commons. Both her sisters were there, as well as Caleb, his friend Ector Newland and for Sophie's surprise, Mickey Moon. There was a cake on a table, with fifteen candles, that Caleb lit with his wand as she approached. Sophie put down her bag and contemplated the cake with a smile, as everyone sang 'Happy Birthday'.
She blew up the candles and smiled, thanking everyone for such nice surprise. Then Patricia and Belinda handed her a large present. It was from them and their mother. Sophie opened the gift and found out it was a bag that she had wanted for quite some time. It would be perfect to use during the trips to Hogsmeade. Estine offered her a set of colorful bracelets. Ector and Mickey didn't buy her anything, and Sophie didn't mind at all. She knew Ector had only came because he was Caleb's friend and Mickey had probably learned today it was her birthday.
They seated around the table, had cake and talked for a while. Sophie enjoyed it a lot. As time passed, one by one started to leave, back to their affairs. Caleb waited until everyone was gone to give his present to Sophie.
"That's not fair. You had already bought the cake!"
"Yes, but that doesn't count. This is the real deal. Open it!"
Sophie did what he asked, opening the small box. Inside there was a pair of earrings. They were very simple, in a round shape, like two little dots.
"They change to any color you want. You just have to say the color's name and tap the earring with your wand. If you feel like it, you can give a different color to each one. I also thought that since they are small and discrete, you can still wear them when you're playing Quidditch or during Fitness & Athletics."
"I love them! Thank you so much Caleb!"
Sophie hugged him and she put the earrings on after turning them pink.
"Do you want another piece of cake?" she offered.
He accepted it and she had another one herself. Sophie couldn't help to notice he had chosen her favorite type of cake from Briar's Bakery. And the earrings not only were pretty but practical. After having the cake, they decided to do some homework together, since both of them had their bags here with them. Caleb couldn't help to take a look at her Care of Magical creatures textbook. Sophie told him what they had learned about gnomes today, in class. On his other hand, Caleb tried to teach her about runes, but one glance to the runic text Caleb had to translate as homework was enough to make her look away.
They worked in silence for the rest of the afternoon, each one doing their own homework. Despite not talking Sophie liked these quiets moments with Caleb. It was hard doing homework with Estine because there was always something to talk about. Caleb was very committed to school work and Sophie was able to concentrate herself near him. Doing homework wasn't what she had planned to do on her birthday, but she didn't feel like leaving much work for the weekend.
An Important Decision
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 11-08-15 14:35
The sunlight entered the kitchen by the wide window with a view to the garden. Nate watched the little dust particles suspended in the air, as he leaned against the counter, holding a cup of coffee in his hands. He listened his mother's steps upstairs and when she came down to the kitchen she couldn't help to be surprised seeing his son still at home.
"Shouldn't you be at work?"
Nate nodded, playing with the cup in his hands. He was wearing his brand new Ministry of Magic robe, since the other one he possessed had been completely ruined with the dust and the ashes. Rosie Ross didn't force her son to speak and instead she used her wand to fetch a kettle, fill it with water and warm it at the stove.
"I can't go back there," Nate finally spoke, when the water started to boil. Rosie meanwhile summoned a cup for herself and finished preparing her tea. "I tried, but I don't think I can anymore. Even with a new office…it's just all too much."
Nate had gone back to work on Monday. He had been released from St. Mungo's two days after his entrance. Despite being well in terms of health, the attack at the Ministry of Magic had left some physical scars: due to the ashes and dust inhaled Nate started suffering from asthma. He had moved back to his parents' house after his father's funeral, in order to be there for his mother. He thought he was ready to go back to work, and that keeping his mind occupied would be good to him. But it had not been easy to return to the place where everything had happened. He tried to avoid the elevators, where he had seen the body of Adelaide Adams, and of course the fireplace area, where he had witnessed his father's fall. Nate thought he would be strong enough, but after four days he didn't feel capable of going back to the Ministry of Magic at all.
Rosie and Nate sat on the kitchen table, his father's place empty. No one had seated in Archibald's place, since he died. Rosie put some sugar on her tea, while Nate told her he had sent an owl with his resignation letter this morning.
"And what will you going to do with your life?" his mother asked.
Nate sensed the concern in her voice. He was good with everything related to Muggles and he had stable, perhaps even promising career at the Ministry of Magic. Few other jobs in the wizarding world had anything to do with Muggles.
"I've thought about it. And there is something I want to do: the inn. Without my job I can fully dedicate my time to it. I need to speak with Jenny about it, but I don't think she will oppose. I know it will be hard at first, while we put everything together. But I can sell my apartment in London, and win some money out of it, which can replace my salary for a while."
Rosie listened to her son, as she drank her tea. Nate wanted to seek her blessing. After losing his father, the only thing that really caught his interest had been the inn. When his mother received a visitation, Nate was able to go to the house and spend time there. Unlike the Ministry of Magic and his own house, there were no vestiges or his father's presence there, and no memories attached to his person. He could create new memories at the inn. Jenny's dream had started becoming his own.
"I just want you to be happy, Nathaniel. Just like your father would," Rosie finally spoke. "Whether is it working at the Ministry or managing an inn. I know you are hardworking and you and Jenny will make this work."
She touched his hand and smiled.
"Now what do you say about a proper breakfast? You cannot start a new job with just coffee on your stomach."
Usual Routine
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 11-08-15 17:05
This morning had started with a bang, Cordelia their St. Bernard puppy had landed on the bed and immediately decided that both of them be wide awake before the sun had even begun to taint the horizon with those delightful roses, golds and oranges.
Blake took the six month old puppy out for a walk while Isma started coffee and figured out what they were going to have for brekkie. She settled on a scramble with sausage, onion, tomato and cheese. Couple of slices of toast finished off their breakfast.
"I'll be working a bit longer today, so if you want to get take away when you leave the Ministry just grab me a little something. Otherwise, I will grab something when I leave work," Blake said after they finished breakfast and Blake took care of the dishes while Isma went to shower and get ready for work.
"I might make something for dinner, I've not yet decided. I guess it all depends on how I feel when I leave work later today."
Blake dropped a kiss to her cheek before he headed to the shower, "I'll see you later tonight. Don't forget we've got family coming this weekend."
"I've not forgotten. I've already got the family meal planned, and it reminds me that I'm very, very glad that we got the table that expands. Especially when both our families get together."
Quick check on the animals, and Isma floo'd to the Ministry for work. Blake would head out about an hour later, not having to start quite as early as his wife did.
Isma pulled the tail down, allowing blonde hair to fall down around her features after she appeared in the flat. Blake was still at work, but she was popping home on her lunch break from the Ministry where she was working in the Department of Muggle Relations as a clerk. She was pleased with the job, and given that she'd grown up in the Muggle world, it gave her a touch of an advantage on knowing quite a bit of what Muggle things were. Blake was currently working at a realtor's office, helping with paperwork and has considered studying real estate when the term starts at St. Emrys.
Cordelia needed to be walked, Griselle and Chesire needed food. Puppy walked, food and water bowls refilled. Everything done, and she took a few minutes to actually eat something that wasn't take away or in the Ministry canteen. There were many that were still shaken given the attack on the Ministry not too long ago, and many things were still being rebuilt and things being reestablished. She was still settling into her position and it made things quite interesting, and she was pleased that her superiors would be working with her school schedule when the term starts in a couple of weeks.
Time passed quickly on her lunch break and ultimately she popped back to the Ministry and finished her shift.
(Aderyn) Quiet Friday
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 11-09-15 16:13
Friday's were quiet once Charms let out at quarter past twelve. Usually, she headed to the Great Hall and grabbed some lunch before she figured out how she was going to spend the rest of her day. It was the first year that she didn't have Quidditch practice to worry about and fit into her schedule - so it was at first a bit off putting when her name hadn't been on the team list, but now it is quite a relief because it allowed her to focus a bit more on her studies.
She'd broken her routine today and gone to the Common Commons and grabbed a sandwich and fairy cake from the offerings as well as a chilled apple cider, as she set about reading the letters that had come in the post from her family. There were letters from Angharad, Broderick and Evan. She'd gotten a letter from her parents and Cai the other day, and ultimately everyone would have a response by the end of the day today.
Letters and homework were her focus for a while, and she debated about half way through her homework if she wanted to change locations and go outside and enjoy a bit of the nice weather before it completely turns to rubbish and the snows start. Ultimately, she ended up staying in the Common Commons and finishing her homework, before working on a letter or two before playing a couple of games of Wizarding Chess with a first year from Gryffindor.