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Bottom & Dung
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 03-24-16 19:59
The patient Hermione had the pleasure of treating first thing Monday morning had done a very bad job of increasing the size of her backside. She'd done it to impress a new handsome coworker, who seemed to be the object of affection for most of the single employees at his place of work. He must be really something for others to attempt to modify their bodies to get him to notice them.
Unfortunately for the patient, the Engorgio spell used on her bottom had expanded it completely out of proportion, such that she couldn't even wear the sexy skirt she'd intended on donning instead of her usual business robes. In fact, no clothing in her closet covered the immensity of her behind; she'd come to St. Mungo's wrapped in a bed sheet.
At least Hermione had a good story to tell Ron on his birthday. Breakfast had been a slightly fancier affair than usual, but it had been quick, since both Ron and Hermione had to work. After pancakes with toppings like berries, fruity syrup, and whipped cream, and sausage, bacon, juice and coffee, the pair had seen Rose off to the daycare and then gone into the office.
They had plans to meet for lunch, if both could get away simultaneously, which depended on whether anything major happened around their respective lunch hours. If not, then they would still meet up at Ron's restaurant of choice for dinner with whatever other family members able to come celebrate with them.
Hermione had already treated the patient with the unnaturally large butt and had just finished checking on one of her longterm patients, when she spotted someone she knew turn the corner at the end of the long hallway. It was Mundungus Fletcher, and he looked as shifty as ever. She observed him peek through the windows of some of the rooms, and when he reached the nearest nurse's station, he looked like he might want to take something, but then he felt eyes on him and saw Hermione watching.
Dung grinned and walked her way. "Just the person I wanted to see."
"What can I do for you, Mundungus?" Hermione asked. "You don't look injured."
He held up his right hand in response. All his fingernails were missing, though they didn't look ripped off. They were just gone.
Hermione took his hand in hers and asked, "What happened?"
"Took something I shouldn't have," Dung answered. "Got my fingernails cursed off."
"Did it hurt?"
"No, but you don't realize how much you rely on fingernails when you don't have any."
Hermione led him to an exam room to get more information from him about the spell that caused his fingernails to disappear. Talk eventually turned to some of the work they were doing for the Order, which including Elphias Doge's undercover work. His visits to the so-called "abbey" where Adriana held court were extremely rare, but when he went, he did his best to remember everything he could about it.
Elphias managed to describe the place, the layout, some of the other wizards he saw there, but he couldn't say where the abbey was located. Hermione was surprised Elphias was able to say as much as he could about the place, thinking Adriana would have created safeguards to prevent information from leaking out, but apparently not so much.
In fact, the Order and Ministry of Magic had it on very good authority that Adriana planned on attacking Hogsmeade to mark the 10th anniversary of Lord Voldemort's death. The plot would take place beneath the village, as the original attack had, only Adriana planned on destroying the underground cave systems to cause the buildings and houses above to collapse in on themselves. If all went to plan, there would be plenty of death and destruction.
As soon as the plot was discovered, the caves were checked to ensure that no one had been down there to begin damaging the structural integrity of the various caverns and tunnels. They appeared untouched and remained under close watch.
Because of the plot, Ron insisted that Hermione and Rose spend the next few nights at the Burrow. Hermione might normally argue, but she was pregnant and knew she shouldn't be in the village in case something really did go wrong. Besides, she didn't want to be apart from Rose.
With any luck, the Order and Ministry would foil Adriana's plans and stop her madness once and for all!
Time And Distance Needed
Author: Jared
Date: 03-25-16 19:47
Pointing with her fork Etta states, "You're too thin."
Jared indicates the half empty plate before him. "I eat."
"Some, yes. Enough, no."
"I agree with Etta. You're starting to look unhealthy." Basil holds the basket of rolls out for Jared to take a hot, fresh one.
Jared waves off the bread. "I'm fine. How many times do I have to say it?"
"Until we believe you," Etta retorts.
Jared suppresses the exasperated grunt he would love to make. Instead, he looks to his cousin. "How's Aleydis?"
"Aleydis is great. She loves what she's doing. I would have asked her along tonight but wasn't sure ," Basil's voice drops off. He gives an awkward shrug.
"Wasn't sure how I'd be seeing a happy, in love couple," Jared completes the thought.
"Yeah. Something like that."
"You don't have to hide parts of your lives from me, either of you."
Etta pauses in cutting a bite of food. "You say that but there have been times your actions or body language tell us otherwise."
"Such as?"
"The other day I mentioned dating someone new and your expression was one of disgust and anger."
"It was? Sorry. I wasn't aware."
Basil considers saying something but Etta is quicker. "I have no idea exactly what you're going through. My breaking up with Deak back when doesn't compare to having the love of your life insist on a divorce then marrying again soon after. What I do know is that as long as you make no effort to move on, as long as you continue to wallow, you're going to jeopardize your health. You'll drive away friends who are currently being patient with your behavior and attitude and who are trying to empathize."
Nodding Basil looks to Etta. "What she said."
"I know. I know. It's just so much bloody easier to say than do. I have taken a step that will put distance between me and them. Literally. I'm hoping that will allow me to doing this moving on thing everyone says I need to do."
"Literal distance?" Basil inquires as that same time Etta asks, "What step?"
"I'll be working as one of the British representatives to an international committee to review Quidditch rules and regulations."
"Where?" Etta gets out before Basil is able.
"Cologne, Germany."
"When?" Basil asks, almost feeling like he's competing with Etta to get questions asked.
"I leave in two weeks. And as your next question is probably to ask for how long, it's for at least six months."
"Have you told Mum and Dad?"
"This morning. I dropped by about the time they usually have breakfast."
"Need help packing or moving?" This from Basil.
"I never unpacked to speak of when I got that flat so it's just a few things to throw into a bag or a box. I'll probably take everything through by Floo. If you want to help, either of you, you're welcome to. One thing though. You can't tell anyone my new address. Other than Aleydis I mean," Jared tacks that last bit on knowing Basil would want to share with his significant other. "I'll tell Sage, of course, but beyond a few family members and maybe one or two other friends, that's it."
"For how long?"
"I told you, Etta, at least six months."
"I meant how long are you going to live in secret?"
"I don't know. Anyone from here who wants to reach me can do it through the Ministry. I might change my mind about it after a week or two or maybe it will be a month or two. Could be the entire time I'm gone. I just don't know yet. I need time."
"And distance, clearly," Etta dryly states.
"Do we get to throw you a going away party?" Basil only half-seriously asks.
"Sure, though only with a limited few people and keep in mind I've not been much in a party mood. Then again, it would be a good excuse to drink too much without everyone wondering if I'm turning into a lush."
Basil can't help but grin while Etta rolls her eyes before grinning as well. Jared, though not that hungry any longer, takes another bite of his dinner just to prove to Etta he really does eat. Or sometimes at least.
Hilda & Louisa
Author: Susan Fricks
Date: 03-26-16 15:53
When Susan came down to the Great Hall for breakfast, she found Patricia was already there. She wasn't paying much attention to the bowl with milk and corn flakes floating in the surface, as she was finishing her Charms homework. Susan sat next to her and served herself with some toast with jam, and a glass of milk.
"There," Patricia said, signing her name on the top of the parchment. "All done!"
Susan took a look at it, as Patricia finished up her breakfast. They were learning all about the Freezing Charm at Flitwick's class and their homework consisted in telling the difference between it, which was used to immobilize a living target, and the charm that would cause literal freezing.
Since the Valentine's Day that Patricia had started to hang out more with Susan. She didn't seem interested in that older boy, Caleb, anymore. Susan had found out Caleb was related to Maud in some way, and she thought that it would be a good thing to tell Patricia, and when she shared that information with her, Patricia said she did not want to talk about him. Susan respected that, and as the time passed the two of them were becoming inseparable. During the Parents Weekend Patricia had even presented Susan to her new baby sister, Florence, and she was even given permission to held the baby on her lap for a few minutes. The baby was so cute!
"What does the 'H' stands for?" Susan asked. Patricia had signed as Patricia H. McCourt.
"Hilda," her friend replied. "It's a disgusting middle name. Only old people are named Hilda."
"I don't think it's that bad. I like it!"
"Please don't start calling me Hilda. My sister Sophie used to do so just to taunt me."
Susan promised she wouldn't do that. She handed the parchment back to Patricia, finding no mistakes in her essay. Patricia then asked Susan what her middle name was. She said since she told hers, she had the right to know Susan's.
"It's Louisa," Susan said.
"Oh! Can I call you 'Lula'? Or 'Lulu?"
"Of course not! Just Susan, thank you."
The two girls laughed and they stood up. They ran back to the Ravenclaw tower in order to fetch their school bags, as fast as they could. They didn't want to be late for class and lose any house points.
Wondering
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 03-27-16 10:59
"The Confundus Charm causes confusion in a person. As you might imagine, it can be used by dark wizards to cause someone to harm or severely endanger themselves, but it can also be used to protect yourself in a duel."
Professor Somerset went on to describe specific situations in which the Confundus Charm had been used in both dark arts and defense against the dark arts, and then he demonstrated the charm on a volunteer. Finley Pride was tricked into thinking she had to write a sixty-inch research scroll on hairy moles due next class meeting.
The rest of the class was spent practicing the wand movements and incantation, which would be put into practice during Friday's class.
Ethan dismissed his students wondering if there would even be class on Friday. If Hogsmeade did get attacked on Thursday as was believed to happen, then maybe classes would get cancelled. Ethan had first heard about it through his contacts in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and then Professor McGonagall mentioned it in a staff meeting. He wondered if she would cancel classes on Thursday as a precaution, though she hadn't said anything about it yet. Maybe she would prefer things to continue normally to avoid worrying the students.
Ethan was considering cancelling his office hours for that day and hanging around Hogsmeade, just in case he'll be needed. Besides wanting to catch the bad guys in case they did terrorize the village, Ethan wanted to make sure Briar stayed safe. He'd invited her to stay with him in his quarters these next few days, but she hadn't yet decided if she wanted to temporarily close the bakery.
Ethan had time between his last class and his office hours, so he decided to pay Briar a quick visit.
Escape
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 03-28-16 19:24
The mission to sabotage the brewing stations at the facility in Kyzyl proved to be not as cut and dry as either Lee or Newell hoped. Their undercover aliases––as two American potion masters experimenting with their own brand of combustible material––were welcomed by the Russians, but they were still not given full access to the facility. They had to wait for Travers to use his clearance to get them where they needed to be, and he never had a moment alone with them until a few hours ago.
Now they were running through the woods, unable to disapparate because of anti-apparition spells set around the facility complex. Apparently the spells went into effect whenever something went wrong, and the sabotaging had not gone unnoticed. Travers had left them as soon as he got them where the brewing stations were located and then returned to his work space to avoid implicating himself, but knowing his involvement might get discovered in the ensuing investigation, Travers was already preparing to exit his undercover assignment.
Lee and Newell so far had managed to avoid detection as they fled the facility's grounds, but they had their wands out and ready in case they were being pursued. While they ran, Lee thought about Alaia. The past few weeks had been tiring, with almost daily trips to the facility and the occasional overnight visit. Lee didn't lie when he told Alaia work kept him away from home, but if she only knew what he really did for a living and that he was running for his life right now.
All of a sudden, a spell ricocheted off of a nearby tree. Lee dodged to the right to avoid the flash of light, which struck bushes and caused them to burst into flame.
"So much for making a clean break," Newell muttered, between expelling puffs of air. Not only were they running at full speed, but it was bitter cold.
They wove through the dense trees, wondering where a good place might be to stop to see if they were off the grounds and could disapparate to safety, but the spells kept coming. Eventually, Lee thought he saw a building through the trees. He pointed at Newell to go in its direction, and then turned to fire a quick spell at their pursuers. He heard a grunt and knew he had hit at least one person.
The two British covert operatives kept running until they came to a wooden structure that looked like a large, rundown barn. They ran around it, looking for an easy way in, and found a lean-to on the other side above which was an open window. Newell gave Lee a boost, allowing him to scramble until the tin roof of the lean-to, and then up onto the ledge of the window. Lee looked inside the barn and gasped. There were three vehicles in the barn, all covered beneath tarps. If Lee had to guess, at least one was the Lada Priora. Maybe all three were. The shapes beneath the tarps looked more or less the same.
Newell fired off a spell and called up, "What now?"
Lee dropped onto the roof of the lean-to again and attempted to disapparated, but he guessed correctly that they weren't out of range yet.
"We move!" he exclaimed. He jumped down and set off into the woods again with Newell by his side.
Staying Cordial
Author: Blossom
Date: 03-28-16 20:41
The forty-ish woman taps one foot heavily enough that it's starting to sound like a series of small stomps. "I still do not understand why I can't bring Evie here in the morning as I normally do."
Blossom is working hard to maintain a cordial smile and tone of voice. "As explained, Mrs. Nichols, both the daycare and primary school are attending a special function in Glasgow tomorrow. You signed a permission slip for Evie if you recall."
"Yes, yes, yes," Mrs. Nichols sharply replies with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Nothing was indicated that I would have to deliver her elsewhere or pick her up elsewhere."
Blossom holds out the permission slip and information sheet in question. "But, again, as explained, there was along with the step to take if you wished Evie to be picked up in the morning and brought home in the afternoon. You may do that now if you wish."
"Well, why didn't you say so to begin with," the older woman huffs. She snatches the sheet from Blossom, signing the additional form for having someone get her child from home and deliver her back there afterwards.
Still in something of a snit she leaves. Blossom's face is frozen in the patient smile, forcing her to using her fingers to massage her cheeks. Daria, who'd come in with some gaming centre parchmentwork, waits until Mrs. Nichols out of the building and well out of earshot before saying, "I don't know how you do it. I would have been in her face telling her to drop the attitude and bloody well listen for a change."
"I saw someone take that approach with her in a store where she was creating a fuss. All it did was get her hackles up more, make her loud, and she created the sort of scene that was embarrassing to witness but no one could tear themselves away either."
Daria makes a face, shrugging. "I don't know what her issue is with this. What problem did she have with taking her child to Glasgow and picking her up there? It's no different from bringing her here or coming to get her in the afternoons."
"Claimed it was a massive inconvenience though why I couldn't tell you. I didn't ask."
"Other than that little incident just now, is everything set for tomorrow?"
"Yes, thankfully."
Thanks to forewarning, Blossom knows there is concern that on the tenth anniversary of Voldemort's death here in Hogsmeade, or beneath it if being technically correct, Adriana Fairchild and her followers will stage some sort of attack. It took a great deal of effort but Blossom was able to make arrangements for an all day event for the daycare students and those of Hogsmeade Primary Day. Any child whose parent or guardian did not sign the permission slip has the day off though there are only a few who won't be attending tomorrow's activities. No student or staff will be at either establishment. The gaming centre will be closed as well, the reason given being for refurbishment, though Blossom doubts many believe that the real reason.
Looking over the parchmentwork Daria has given her, Blossom signs where needed and gives the papers back, Daria saying, "Let me treat you to lunch."
She normally takes lunch there at the daycare but accepts her sister's offer with, "Since you're treating you pick where."
Daria muses over their options as they walk from Blossom's office out to the street, Blossom only half-listening as she thinks about how her afternoon will be spent checking all the details for tomorrow for about the hundredth time and making sure another reminder is sent home with all students, daycare and primary, about where to drop off children in the morning and where to pick them up in the afternoon, as well as about lunch and snack accommodations for everyone during tomorrow's big event.
Hogsmeade Patrol
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 03-30-16 19:01
Ron reaches the Humbatas stadium and begins around the structure. He's nearing the end of a patrol shift that began before dawn and as he trudges around the stadium perimeter he thinks the end of shift cannot come soon enough. Much of the patrol has been spent walking, walking, walking either in and around Hogsmeade or underneath the village in the cavern system where a massive battle took place ten years ago; a battle Ron participated in and one that at times seems as though it were only days ago.
Coming around the stadium, he starts back on the path leading to the junction of the East and West Lanes and continuing on to High Street. He'll take a left and walk along the High until reaching the narrow lane that goes to the Shrieking Shack. After making another circuit around that structure he'll head to where his replacement is supposed to meet him. From there Ron will return to headquarters to put in his official report and then... Then instead of returning to Hogsmeade and going home he'll go to the Burrow.
Passing Scrivenschaft's Quill Shop on one side and the Hogsmeade Branch Library on the other, Ron halts in his tracks. A woman going into the quill shoppe caught his attention though he can't put his finger on why. Curious, Ron turns, end of shift momentarily forgotten.
Inside, he easily spots the woman as there aren't any other customers at the moment. Few have chanced Hogsmeade today though no official warnings went out. A reminder of what today is has played on various WWN stations and been in a number of publications including the Daily Prophet. Knowing that Adriana Fairchild and her groupies are out there and have a penchant for causing commotions that lead to death and destruction, people have been able to put two and two together. Ron's surprised any businesses are open today or that some people who live in Hogsmeade haven't relocated for the day but at the same time he can't really blame people for wanting to go about their lives as usual. He sees that not so much as denial that something might occur but a thumbing of their collective noses at Adriana.
Ron gets a good look at the woman without being obvious, or so he hopes. It takes him a few seconds but then he pegs her. Maartje Driessen, possible accomplice of serial killer Danielle Baatz. Months ago the task force had had a lead that Maartje Driessen would be visiting a favorite aunt in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Days of keeping watch on the house and the aunt was for nothing. Either the woman did not visit or she appeared in the house out of view from those doing surveillance and never showed her face even in a window while there.
Ron tends to think it's the former as they did have the house closely enough watched that they should have been able ascertain whether Driessen visited the elderly witch. Closely watched as in a few charms and aid of some magical devices.
Until now there have been no sightings or reports of Driessen.
Coming up behind Driessen, his wand out and ready, Ron states, "Hands where I can see them. You are under arrest, Maartje Driessen."