|
|
Lunch Meeting
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 03-08-16 15:07
Sirius dismisses his seventh years with, "Practice, practice, practice. I'll be evaluating progress on Monday and will be taking notes."
There are the expected groans but also smiles at not having written work in addition to the reminder to practice. The seventh years are working on a type of transfiguration that disguises them as pieces of furniture such as an overstuffed chair or love seat. It's advanced work and Sirius will be surprised if any master the magic involved; however, they will need to have a basic grasp of the transfiguration involved for a unit Kissy Weatherby will be teaching those that take Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Going to his office long enough to drop off his roll book and the homework the seventh years and the fifth year Hufflepuffs and Slytherins before them turned in, Sirius sheds his professorial robes and dons the hooded cloak he wore today. Normally, he'd have office hours today from 1 until 2:30, either taking lunch in the Great Hall or meeting Drucilla at home or somewhere for a bite. For today, his office hours are cancelled and he's not sure if he'll have lunch soon or if he'll end up putting it off. Sirius has a lunch meeting but that doesn't mean they'll actually have lunch.
Once off the Hogwarts grounds Sirius apparates to London, not far from The Leaky Cauldron. With the February chill, overcast sky, and a steady drizzle, his hooded figure doesn't draw notice as he walks walks through the establishment to where the entrance to Diagon Alley is still open from someone who's gone before him.
Sirius doesn't dawdle to a set of stairs that lead him up to Hobb & Whistle, a tea shoppe. Ivaylo Rakovski is already there, sitting in a back corner table. When Sirius enters, dropping his hood, Ivaylo half rises and lifts a hand to gain his attention.
The brother of Vasilka Rakovski, making him Drucilla's cousin, Ivaylo recently contacted Sirius, requesting this meeting. Why he didn't contact Drucilla, Sirius does not yet have a clue. He almost mentioned the letter to her but for some reason he's still not sure of he chose not to say anything. He'll wait and see what comes of this so called lunch before filling her in.
Ivaylo offers a hand to Sirius, his grip firm. In English that's perfect but accented he says, "Thank you for coming. I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of ordering tea and a selection of finger sandwiches."
"That's fine," Sirius assures then asks, "Why did you ask me here and why didn't you get in touch with Drucilla instead?"
"I debating asking Drucilla to meet instead of you but as I did not think she'd even respond. When we last saw each other we parted on bad terms."
"Dru has only mentioned you a few times over the years but has never said much. I don't know anything about animosity between you."
"Just as others in the family have leaned toward the dark arts, Drucilla and my sister Vasilka were getting overly involved. The last time I saw Drucilla, I attempted to sway her from that path. We had a nasty argument."
"I see. I would think Drucilla might be receptive to hearing from you as she has a whole other outlook now."
They pause a moment as a teapot is set on the table along with a platter of sandwiches. Ivaylo pours tea for himself and for Sirius then, selecting a cucumber sandwich, says, "That is good to hear. I have waited a long time, even knowing she was no longer pursuing the dark arts, even after Vasilka attempted to draw her back on the path. I have been a coward and, also, I though perhaps she would not want yet another reminder of that bleak period."
Sirius and Ivaylo talk for long enough Sirius knows it's a good thing he cancelled those office hours. When they at least part ways, it's with a promise from Ivaylo to go see Drucilla himself and Sirius letting his cousin-in-law know he'll be mentioning this lunch to her. As he makes his way out of Diagon Alley, Sirius hopes Ivaylo is on the up and up. He didn't get a negative vibe from the man nor did he sense Ivaylo was lying about anything but being Vasilka's brother, it's wise to be cautious about Ivaylo.
What are Friends For?
Author: Calliope Torres
Date: 03-08-16 18:23
Callie pushed a hand through her hair as she closed her eyes for a minute. She'd been fighting off a cold since the beginning of the week and ultimately was debating on going to see Madame Pomfrey before she settled down to do homework. She wasn't looking forward to this getting any worse and making her risk missing classes. Chances are she would receive a howler from her mother because she missed classes - never mind there was a valid excuse for her missing them. Either way, she would probably spend the weekend catching up on work she was too sick to focus on for the rest of the week if this ended up getting worse.
"Go see Madame Pomfrey already. The only reason you managed to survive DADA without faceplanting, is because we were active. Otherwise you'd have been fast asleep on your desk," Augusta said as they headed toward the library, Barbie following along, rummaging in her bag for something.
"That and we are tired of listening to you hacking before bed and even throughout the night," Barbie said as she pulled a small bag of chocolate coins from her bag and handing one to each of her roommates.
Callie rolled her eyes and shook her head, before popping that chocolate coin in her mouth, after withdrawing it from the golden wrapper. "Fine. I will go to Madame Pomfrey, and then meet you in the library provided i'm not stuck in the freaking hospital wing because of this thing."
"Good. See you in the library in a little bit then," Augusta said with a smile before she headed toward the library.
Callie let her roommates head toward the library, and she headed toward Madame Pomfrey. After answering a few questions, and having her symptoms checked by the healer, she was given a couple of potions to take over the next day and strict instructions to return if symptoms get worse. Eventually Callie headed toward the library, feeling slightly better and really hoped that by the end of the week she wasn't feeling ten times worse than she was now.
She found Augusta and Barbie at a table, and settled herself down next to Barbie. The trio soon continued working on their assignments for Charms that was due tomorrow during class. The assignment was nearly done, and it would leave them plenty of time before dinner to finish working on a few more assignments that were due throughout the week.
Letter From Mum (Rand)
Author: Declan
Date: 03-10-16 19:41
Rand doodles in the margin beside the notes he's taken during Defense Against The Dark Arts. He often doodles but usually he's paying close attention to what's being said while he doodles. Today, his doodling is more distracted, not only in this class but in his first one, Transfiguration.
During breakfast Rand finally got the long awaited letter from his mother. What's more Melanie wrote that she would see Rand for Parents Weekend. After not seeing her since this summer when she left him with Declan and after not hearing from her since then as well, Rand is having trouble thinking of anything else but Saturday.
When Defense Against The Dark Arts ends Rand leaves the classroom with roommates Oliver and Hercules though Hercules soon breaks away to join other friends. Rand hasn't said anything about the letter to Oliver, who wasn't at the table yet when Rand got the owl this morning. They stop near the stairs leading to the dungeons as Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years fill the area as they come up from having Potions. Seeing Grace the two boys join her and continue on towards the Great Hall.
At the doors Rand looks to the head table for Declan. Not seeing him, he tells Oliver and Grace, "I need to talk with Professor Douglass. Back in a few minutes."
They both look like they're about to ask a question but Rand hurries away, going against the flow of students eager for lunch. He pauses on the second floor landing, wondering if he should check Declan's classroom but after a second or two of internal debate he continues on to the third floor where Declan's office is located.
Even though the office door is partially open, Rand pauses again. Rather than disturb Declan when he probably wants to grab lunch since his office hours begin at 1 on Thursdays, Rand could just wait. He could see him in the Great Hall while Declan eats or come during office hours or catch him just as they end. Coming during hours would be harder on Rand as he's got a class from 1:15 until 2:45 but he could make it. Maybe. It is to the greenhouses for Herbology. He'd be pushing it to make it on time if he were to come when Declan's office hours begin and he might be pushing it to get back here to the office before the hour ends. That would mean coming just as Declan is done for the day.
Of course then that could mean cutting into Declan's private time. Rand doesn't want to do that. He feels enough of a burden as it is.
He'll go back to the Great Hall and eat lunch and then if it looks as though Declan is also finished, he'll approach. If that doesn't work out, he'll hurry up here after Herbology and try to catch Declan during office hours.
Decision made Rand turns to go only to hear Declan saying, "Rand? Did you come to see me?"
Rand starts to say yes, but never mind, then tells himself not to be silly. He's there and Declan knows it. Might as well say why he's come.
Rand pulls the letter from a side pocket of his satchel and thrusts it at Declan. "Mum finally wrote. She's coming Saturday!"
(Titus) Thief
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 03-11-16 13:59
After Arythmancy & Divination, Titus went to the dormitory to put down his things. It had been a long day, and it wasn't over yet, since he would still have Astronomy in the evening. Parents Weekend was approaching and he was counting with a visit from Tiberius, as well as his aunt Cecelia and uncle Casper. However he wasn't in the mood to see anyone, all of them with their questions about how he was doing, how things were going with Judith, if he was struggling in any particular class, and if he still did not forget that next year he would be taking his OWLs. He just wanted to sleep in, and then maybe go for a walk outside.
Titus felt something brushing against his leg and he looked down. He sighed with relief when he noticed it was only his cat, Saidra. He leaned down, about to touch her, but the cat ran away.
"Come back here!" Titus called, thinking about Buttercup, Susan Fricks' cat. Buttercup loved to get petted and to sit on people's lap. Saidra was far more independent and Titus still couldn't believe she was refusing to receive a pet from her owner, he who feed and took care of her. If it hasn't been for him, she would still be wondering around the school grounds. Maybe perhaps she would have entered the Forbidden Forest and been eaten by some bigger creature.
He started casting spells with his wand, trying to hit the grey cat, to make it stop running. But it was a lost cause, because she was too fast for him. One of his spells hit Malden's trunk, which rolled down and got open. Several objects spread over the floor, including a pair of socks, an old quill, an empty package of a chocolate frog, and a knut.
"Look what you made me do," he complained to the cat. Saidra just jumped over Titus' bed and sat there, looking at him, offended.
He let go a sound of frustration as he went down on his knees, to pick up Malden's things and put them back on the trunk, after putting it back to its original position. He looked around, checking if he had not left anything behind, and that was when he noticed a little flask, that had rolled to the feet of Asher's bed. Titus picked it up and raised the flask to the level of his eyes, studying it. It didn't take him long to figure out what was the golden liquid inside the flask. Maybe a muggleborn, or a half-born would think it was just some worthless potion, perhaps a souvenir potion sample Malden had storage from one of his Potions classes. But Titus knew better. He had heard about Felix Felicis before, and he knew what it was used for.
His first instinct was to leave the dormitories and go tell a teacher about his discovery. Malden could be using the potion to influence his performance at Quidditch, as well as the entire Slytherin team. Didn't they had won the first two matches? Or maybe he was using it to do well in classes, and get better grades then everyone else. Or perhaps he used the potion so he could take Arielle Kent to the Valentine's Day Carnival? Titus had not seen them together, but he heard Mary McKenny talking about that matter with some other girls, when they were having breakfast the other day. Titus smiled. Yes, if one of the teachers knew about this Malden would be in trouble. He might get a heavy detention, maybe he would even be banished from the Quidditch team! Or maybe Arielle would refuse to talk to him again. That idea pleased Titus, as he imagined Malden being humiliated in front of a girl.
When he was about to leave, he hesitated. Malden was a Slytherin. Probably he would lose points to their house for having such item inside the castle without permission. Moreover, he was related to the headmistress. Probably McGonagall was just going to give Malden a light detention, trying to spare his precious relative, not wanting her family name to be ruined. There was also the chance Titus would get a detention too, because after all, he had been touching Malden's things. Or even if he got away freely, then Malden would know that he had sold him out. Titus didn't want that to happen. He was a bit afraid of what Malden might do to him. And Asher too, since they were friends. He would be outnumbered.
A second option came to his mind. He could go and meet Malden right now, and blackmail him. Tell him he knew about the Felix Felicis and maybe asking something in return for his silence. But what could he ask? Maybe half the potion? That's when it hit him: why not keep the entire flask for himself? Titus close his hand firmly feeling the cold glass against his skin. Yes, that was it! He would steal the potion from Malden's trunk. No one would know it had been him. Everyone kept coming and going into the dormitory, no one could blame him directly. He would only be one suspect among many others. And Malden would be in no position to report the theft, because the Felix Felicis was not allowed in the school and by doing so he would be also putting himself in a bad position.
Titus smiled, as he closed Malden's trunk and made sure it was in its initial position, once again. He put the flask inside his robes. He needed to decide what use he would give to the Felix, but meanwhile he had to hide it in a safe place. He wasn't going to risk it putting it in the dorm among his own things, of course. Malden might try search everyone's things if he got suspicious of any of his colleagues. No, he would have to hide it somewhere in the castle, and make sure he would be the only one to know its location. Titus left the dormitory, feeling very good with himself.
George & Georgie
Author: Majandra
Date: 03-11-16 14:14
George finishes assisting a customer pick out a gift for a joke and pun loving nephew then grabs his coat from the office, calling out a, "See you in awhile."
Turning in the direction of the primary school he consults a list of items needed for a project. There are a couple or three of items still to get. Georgie and he will do that before going to the shoppe. George has promised to help Georgie with the project and as Miranda is going home with a friend for a playdate, this afternoon is a good time to get what they can done on the project.
On Thursdays, Majandra has no office hours unless there's an appointment scheduled so normally leaves within a half hour or so after her last afternoon class. Sometimes she is at Hogwarts later on Thursdays because one of the clubs or groups she works with has a meeting. Today, she has an appointment with a parent at three and then she's getting together with some of the Drama Club members to help them finish the costumes for the next club production. When Maj does leave school she'll go pick up Miranda before coming home to where Georgie and George should have chicken grilled for supper unless George loses track of time and forgets to get Georgie and him home in time to get the chicken on. If that happens, George is planning a nice take-away from the Crown & Cauldron or possibly pick up a selection of soups and sandwiches from Brews & Stews.
At Hogsmeade Primary Day, George checks with Miranda to see how much homework she'll have this evening when she gets home and takes the things she doesn't need to take with her to play. A kiss in a hug goodbye and a word with her friend's mother and George is turning to Georgie. "You have a good day?"
Georgie shrugs. "It's school, Dad."
George can't help smile at this but at the same time wonders when his seven year old got so jaded about school.
"So that's a not so good day?"
"School was all right, just boring sometimes."
"When sometimes?"
"Mostly maths. Do we have to do maths at Hogwarts?"
"Not as a class but you need to know some for certain classes."
"I do? Like what?"
"Potions. Some potions you need to know a little math."
Georgie sighs. "Maybe I'll just get a potions partner who's good at maths."
"That only works for potions for which you have a partner."
"Oh. Huh. I should talk to Mum and let her know making potions should always be done with partners."
"What happens if you get a partner who isn't good with maths? Or a partner you don't like?"
Georgie scratches his head. "Is everything at Hogwarts this hard?"
"If I say yes will that make you not want to go when it's your turn?"
Georgie shrugs again. "I don't know."
As they've reached a shoppe where they'll purchase two of the still needed project items, they let the topic drop for the moment. A short time later when back out on the High, Georgie informs his father, "Dad, I need a snack."
"We'll get something after we get this last item."
"From Briar's?" Georgie asks hopefully.
"That's one possibility," George tells him without actually committing to anything.
Ten minutes later, the bakery is where they're heading. George has had enough time to let the thought of fresh baked biscuits work on his own snack hunger. They get a selection then back outside turn to walk the short distance to Weasleys' when a woman steps into their path.
"Holly!" George exclaims with surprise as Georgie loudly tells her, "Hi, we haven't seen you in ages and ages."
Holly offers a smile that to George seems somewhat sheepish. "Hi, yes, I know, Georgie. I got so busy looking for my sister I forgot how much time it's been since I even came by to say hello."
"You've had luck finding Dolly?" George inquires.
"Yes and no. I got what turned out to be an excellent lead. That led me to another. It's been a less than merry chase but I did end up meeting some people who have seen Dolly within the past month."
"That's good progress."
"It is but at the same time it's such a letdown to get that close to her and still not actually see her, talk with her, find out what's been going on." She hooks her thumb towards the joke shoppe. "I wasn't sure of Majandra would be available at Hogwarts so I came looking for you. They told me you were due back just any time. I was going to go get some tea then come back and fill you in."
"I want to hear what's gone on and so will Majandra. I need to help Georgie get a project started and, fingers crossed, maybe even completed. Why don't you come by our house for supper?"
Holly nods, "That would be nice."
They agree on a time then Holly goes off to get her cuppa while George and Georgie go on to Weasleys' to the office to get going on the project, George oddly relieved to know that Holly hadn't vanished nor gone off in some snit after learning Miranda and she aren't related.
(Amyas) Something Special
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 03-11-16 17:23
Amyas walked out of the shoppe that he worked in and in his haste to leave he walked into a young witch. "Oh, I am sorry." He said looking up into her pretty brown eyes. A smile crossed his face and he looked at her for a long moment.
"It's all right." She said sweetly and walked around him and into the shoppe.
Walking around Diagon Alley Amyas found himself thinking of his sister, Capri and her baby. He missed them both as he had not been to see them in a few weeks. It did seem that Capri was doing quite well and she had even started working again; all of this made him happy. Their parents had even taken to the baby more and were watching her while Capri worked.
He wandered around for a while on his lunch break then he walked over to a sweet shoppe called Decadence. He had never been in there but he had heard from others that they had wonderful things in there; things you could not find at other sweet shoppes.
The door's bell tinkled as he entered the building and a voice greeted him but he did not see anyone.
"Hello!"
"Hello!" Amyas called back as he looked around the shoppe.
"Can I help you with anything?" The voice said but this time it sounded closer and Amyas turned and there stood the same woman that he had run into earlier. His face reddened and he looked down at the floor.
"I am sorry I ran into you earlier." He said still not looking up at her.
"It's okay accidents happen." She smiled and Amyas finally looked up at her. "So, can I help you find something?"
"Oh, I don't know. I am looking for something sweet for my sister." He said looking up at the young woman. Amyas smiled at her and then looked at her name tag. "Divina. That is a very pretty name."
"Thank you. I've always liked it." She said.
Amyas picked out a few things from one of the cases for Capri and had them boxed up; he would take them over to her today. It was an excuse to see her and the baby.
Glancing at her ring finger he noticed that she did not wear a ring, this made him smile even more. He hoped she was single and not just the type that did not wear a ring. "I know we just met and this is probably too forward but," he paused and looked up at her again and then went on, "I would love to take you out on a date if you'd be willing?"
Divina giggled and smiled at Amyas. "I would love to."
With a smile Amyas said, "Okay, does tonight work for you?" There was something about this woman and he did not want to be away from her. He did not know what it was or why he was so attracted to her.
"Yes." She replied.
"Okay great." He said, I am going to take these over to my sister and then I will come pick you up. Where should I pick you up?"
Since Alaia and Lee had married and purchased their house they had given the flat above the bakery to Divina and she was now staying there. "You can pick me up here. I live above the bakery."
"All right," he said. He smiled at her and said he would be back in a couple of hours. She nodded and Amyas left with his box of pastries for his sister.
Alone
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 03-13-16 08:54
Capri sat in her office munching on a cookie that her brother had brought her. It had been nice to see him it had been a couple weeks since she had a chance to sit down with him and talk. It always seemed that she was very busy these days between the baby and work; she would drop by her parents to drop Zoe Jane off and then pick her up and that was it.
It turned out that Amyas had a date that night as well. She smiled when he had told her this because it had been a while since he had been out on a date and she was happy for him. He seemed really excited about the date – he had also told Capri how they had met and she had said she thought it was cute.
Now she sat in her office, alone with her cookies and other pastries. She missed Mark but she did not miss the fighting that had been happening since Capri had been raped. It wasn't his fault that is happened but not knowing how to deal with it Capri took it out on him – and he just seemed as if he was not happy with her anymore. A tear slipped down her face as she thought about him and she wished she could tell him she was sorry for her part in their relationship imploding. She sometimes wondered if anyone would want her now that she was damaged goods and a single mother of a small child.?
Picking up a manuscript Capri began looking over it and making marks and comments in the margin. She really enjoyed her job and she was glad that she was back. She had two contingencies to coming back to work and that was to have a new office, because she could not stand to be in the same office as she had been raped in, and that her boss needed to be fired and charged for his crimes. She had been so scared to come forward about what he had done but the fact that she got Zoe Jane out of it she had to do and say something. She was thankful for her benefactor and her generosity, it helped her a lot.
There was a knock on her door and a handsome wizard stood in her office doorway. She smiled at him, she had always thought he was cute but she had been with Mark and then everything that had happened with her boss and being pregnant, "Yes?"
"I…" he started and smiled brightly at her as he stepped into her office and took the chair on the other side of her desk. "I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me?"
Capri giggled despite herself but she wasn't sure that she was ready to date someone else. "Umm, you are very sweet Sean, but I just broke up with my boyfriend and I have the baby…" She said. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Sean said as his smile faltered slightly. He had been wanting to ask Capri out for a long time but knew that she had a boyfriend and then she was gone for so long – now she was back and had turned him down.
"It's not that I don't like you." She said trying to reassure him.
"No, no it's okay I understand." He said and stood up. "Well I should be going." He said as he walked to the door of her office. She watched him go and she felt horrible that she had just turned this very sweet man down.
She looked back down at her manuscript and began reading because she now needed to distract herself because she felt guilty now.
(Divina) I've Known You Forever
Author: Alaia Rothstein
Date: 03-13-16 09:16
Divina sat next to Amyas (who had finally given her his name after totally forgetting to earlier in the day) and she held his hand. She was completely comfortable with him; it was like she had known him all her life. They were so comfortable that even though the day had changed they were still sitting in the small diner talking. It was very comfortable and Divina felt like Amyas had been in her life for as long as she could remember.
"What would you like to do today?" Amyas asked.
"Spend it with you." She said with a sweet smile crossing her face.
Amyas nodded his head, "okay, that could be arranged."
Her smile broadened and she leaned over and lightly kissed him on the lips. She normally was not very forward but it was different with Amyas. "Take me somewhere where you can make me yours." She whispered against his lips.
His eyes closed as he listened to her words and felt her lips against his. He loved the idea but he wanted to make sure this is what she really wanted. Pulling back slightly he looked at her and said, "are you sure?"
Divina nodded her head, "yes, I am sure. I've never been so sure of anything in my life."
"Don't you have to be to work today?"
"No, it is my day off." Divina answered. Picking up her purse she moved away from Amyas and said, "let's go."
Amyas paid their tab and the two, hand in hand, left the diner and headed for a nice hotel in London. Amyas was going to treat her right and make sure that she enjoyed herself.
(Jonathan) Once a Cheater Always a Cheater?
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 03-13-16 10:32
Jonathan was anxious to meet Katherine again. It wasn't like he did not see her every day at work but they were not talking and it was killing him inside. He despite his better judgement and desire to do so he found he had fallen in love with Katherine.
Chance sat at her desk across from Jonathan and pretended to look busy but in fact she was watching Jonathan. She had noticed that he and Katherine had not really been talking not that it mattered much to her – she was seeing someone else and he had made his choice when he cheated on her.
Did that old saying hold true to him though, 'once a cheater always a cheater.' He didn't think it did, this was the first time that he had ever cheated on anyone. Chance did not want him back and he could not blame her with all that he had put her through. He did not want to cheat on Katherine but then at one time he had never thought about cheating on Chance. Why was all this happening?
He got up from his desk and headed out to meet Katherine. He thought about the last time he was in bed with her and he got a chill down his body. He missed her it had been a long time now since they had spent any amount of time together. He desperately wanted to be with her; he missed her.
When he got to their spot he waited and it wasn't long until Katherine arrived and he smiled at her and leaned in and gave her a kiss. "I've missed you." He said.
She looked at him but did not answer him. His heart fell because he was starting to think that maybe the only reason she was meeting him was because she wanted to officially break things off with him. He hoped that was not the case because he was in love with her.
"Would you like to have lunch?" Jonathan asked.
"No, thanks." She replied. "I just…" She didn't know exactly what she wanted to say to him.
"Are you wanting to break things off officially?" He asked her hoping he would not hear that she did.
"I don't know what I want right now, Jonathan. I think that if things are going to work out with us we need…" she let her sentence trail off.
Reaching out Jonathan touched her face lightly and she pressed her cheek into his hand and closed her eyes. Jonathan felt a surge of passion flood his body and he wanted to pull her into his arms. He had a feeling that it was going to take time but he could see that there were still feelings there and he could live with that.
Special Guest at Practice
Author: Isolde
Date: 03-13-16 11:21
The Plymouth Polliwogs had a special guest at practice on Friday afternoon, namely Toby Beck of the Montrose Magpies. Isolde had been in the same year at Hogwarts with Toby's wife, though they had been in different houses.
The Polliwogs were geared up at having a professional player visiting the team. They were especially fond of Toby, who was suddenly a rising star in the league. The false scandal surrounding him hadn't hurt his career. In fact, it had done quite the opposite.
The Polliwogs were also excited because they had a big match tomorrow against the Iverness Imps. The Imps were currently the Little League's number one team, and the Polliwogs were very much hoping to cause an upset.
A little reluctantly, Isolde let Toby do most of the coaching today. He knew what he was talking about, after all, and perhaps he could offer fresh ideas that might help the Polliwogs to victory tomorrow. She didn't mind temporarily relinquishing control of her team, if only because she had a bit of an upset tummy.
After many months of trying to have a baby, Isolde was finally pregnant. Everything seemed fine so far, but given Isolde's medical history, her healer had advised her to take things easy for the entire duration of her pregnancy. That meant asking for help even when she didn't think she needed any.
She sat on a bench with a squeeze bottle of water and watched her little Polliwogs zip around the sky at Toby's instruction. When practice ended, she got up to say her goodbyes to the kids and reminded them to get a good night's rest before tomorrow's big game. She talked a bit with some of the parents, until only she and Toby remained in the stadium.
"Thanks for coming out," Isolde said.
"Thanks for the invitation," Toby replied with a grin. "It was fun. I'd offer to help again, but my schedule will be a little packed moving forward."
"Oh?"
"I just found out this morning that one of the beaters for the national team had to unexpectedly drop out, and they want me to take his place."
"Congratulations!"
"Thanks. I start practice with the team next week. The opening ceremony for the World Cup is in April, so there's not much time for me to get used to the styles of the other members of the team."
"Practice makes perfect."
Toby grinned. "Here's hoping that adage is true. Hey, thanks again for this. I had a good time."
"No problem. If you do find yourself with some time on your hands, you're welcome to come back and help."
They said their goodbyes and then parted ways. Isolde thought about how quickly time passed the older she became. Had it really been four years since the last Quidditch World Cup?