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Deception
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 03-30-16 19:53
A navy blue Smart car pulled into a gated drive. Some of the pedestrians crossing the drive grumbled at its blocking their path, despite the fact the car was minuscule and there was plenty of room to go around without stepping into traffic. Those who noticed the fact that both the driver's side and passenger door opened gave the Smart car a second glance because there only seemed to be one occupant, the driver. Their lives were far too busy to question their deceiving eyes, though. They pressed on to their destinations with their mobile phones pressed to their ears or in front of their faces.
The driver, a nondescript woman, went to the back of the vehicle to retrieve the undersized spare tire from its mount. Her left rear tire had suddenly gone very flat and needed changing.
She worked on unscrewing the lug nuts and then glanced up at the side mirror, where she observed activity taking place across the street. A black iron fence next to an occupied gate house swung open. The uniformed police officer from the gate house stepped out and stood in the driveway to prevent the tourists gathered there from entering. Some of them moved out of the way, as if anticipating a vehicle entering or leaving the premises.
The woman removed the damaged tire and set it on the cobblestones next to her. Then she started to affix the donut to the wheelhouse. After a moment, she glanced in the mirror again and saw a tall, black wizard remove the Disillusionment Charm from his person. She didn't see the door in front of him open, but she observed as he suddenly turned and ran for the open gate. A second later there was an explosion behind him.
The police officer at the gate reacted slowly, reaching for his baton to stop the fleeing wizard, but then the wizard sidestepped him and crossed in front of a passing double decker bus. The bus swerved to avoid hitting him and ran up onto the curb, where it nearly took out a few pedestrians.
The woman across the street calmly put the flattened tire onto the bracket on the back of her car and then climbed into the driver's seat. She felt weight shift on the other side of the vehicle, and then the passenger door shut as if on its own volition. The woman turned off her hazard lights, put the car in reverse to back out of the driveway, and then casually drove past the chaos on Whitehall towards Westminster Bridge.
She turned on the car's radio to a news station and smiled when the breaking report of an act of terrorism on Downing Street was announced by a serious-sounding newscaster.
"How will they know to look for Shacklebolt?"
The woman turned to look at the wizard now occupying the passenger seat. He looked like Kingsley Shacklebolt, but he sounded like Amycus Carrow. She turned down the radio to answer him.
"The Muggles have something called video cameras that are used for security, among other things," Adriana explained. "Chances are, there is more than one camera pointed at #10, and they'll have gotten you from every angle."
"So they'll know who to look for, but how will they know where to look?"
"Gibbon learned from working in the Minister's office that Shacklebolt is in contact with the Muggle Prime Minister. I don't know what the rest of the Prime Minister's cabinet knows––probably little to nothing––but you can bet the Prime Minister will recognize Shacklebolt from the security footage.
"Gibbon says he knows Shacklebolt is a wizard and I guess has enough proof to believe he's telling the truth about magic being real," she added.
"I don't know what the Prime Minister will do, though," Adriana continued contemplatively. "If he hasn't shared Shacklebolt's existence with anyone else, then who will believe him if he says a wizard tried to blow up his residence and office? And even if he has told a select few about the existence of wizards, I can't see them telling the world the truth."
"What, then, is the point if not to implicate our Minister of Magic in this crime against the Muggle's leader?"
"The Prime Minister could still go after Shacklebolt. He doesn't have to say anything about him being a wizard. It's all about terrorists these days anyway. Broadcast Shacklebolt's face across the world, label him a terrorist, and there will be a manhunt for him. Hell, there might even be some wizards willing to turn him over to the Muggles. You'd do it if you could, wouldn't you?"
She went on without waiting for an answer, "One thing's for sure, the political atmosphere between the current Muggle government and ours will be strained."
Amycus was starting to look like himself. "What now, Mistress?"
Adriana pulled off her dirty-blond wig and threw it onto the tiny dashboard. "Let's ditch this pathetic excuse for a car and see if the others want to have some fun."
They drove on for a little ways until they pulled off the road, abandoned the car, and disapparated for the abbey.
(Anthony) Reading the Newspaper
Author: Beck
Date: 04-01-16 09:20
Anthony sat at the breakfast table and read The Daily Prophet. The big story on the front page of the newspaper had to do with the blitz attack on Hogsmeade yesterday afternoon. The entire incident lasted only minutes, according to eyewitnesses.
The article went on to describe the plot on the village, which the Ministry of Magic had been aware of and had anticipated by assigning plain-clothed and uniformed members of law enforcement to patrol shifts in Hogsmeade. Instead of destroying Hogsmeade from the bottom up as rumored, the dark wizards arrived simultaneously in hooded robes and masks and fired off spells at anyone or anything they met. They disapparated as quickly as they arrived to avoid capture by the many members of law enforcement already in the village.
The attack mostly resulted in broken windows, though there were a few injuries. Surprisingly, there were no casualties or captures on either side. It seemed as if the attack only happened because it was expected. Maybe the dark wizards did it anticipating that members of law enforcement would be swarming the village in case there was an attack in the place where Voldemort died ten years ago. Certainly, the presence of law enforcement explained why the attack was so brief. Anthony wished he could have been there, but he was still on forced leave from his position as an auror with the department.
Being away from work gave him much needed time with his family. Anthony was learning what it was like to be the father of a newborn, and he treasured every moment with Evan. He considered himself lucky to have any time at all with his son, after the many misfortunes that befell him last year.
Besides family time, Anthony attempted to unravel the mystery of Alanna's present situation. Every time he went into the office for a checkup meeting with his supervisor, he discretely attempted to glom information about Reed. So far, he had discovered nothing incriminating.
Anthony also asked Ariella and Alanna questions, though he was less obvious about his intentions with the latter. Ariella insisted she didn't know anything, though like Anthony, she suspected something was wrong. Alanna revealed nothing.
Anthony knew that Alanna was the only person who could tell him the truth, but he didn't know what to do to get her to confide in him. Well… there was one thing, but Anthony would only do it as a last resort.
Cleaning Up
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 04-01-16 12:47
Lysander charmed a brush and dust pan to clean up the broken glass from the floor, and then helped Julian board up the window damaged during yesterday's moment of violence. He and Julian had stayed in the village despite the threat of an attack, though the bookshoppe had been closed. Lysander had kept watch over the property, while Julian had kept an eye on his home. They hadn't been the only ones who'd stayed behind, but with the village emptier than usual, there was the possibility of burglars and looters in addition to the anticipated dark wizard activity.
The children had spent the day elsewhere. Lysander had thought to send Charlotte and Dylan to Liam's place in London, but ever since learning Lysander had their aunt's house-elf, Liam seemed to be keeping his distance. In the end, Charlotte had gone to Glasgow with her Hogsmeade Primary Day class and then joined the other children at Caerwyn's cabin.
Lysander had been upstairs when the attack started. As tempting as it had been to go to the window and have a look, he'd closed himself into a window-less room and waited out the attack, which had lasted only minutes but had felt like an eternity. Even after it ended, Lysander had remained closed off in the room, not knowing if more was to come.
While hiding, Lysander had thought back to ten years ago, when there had been no warning of an attack in Hogsmeade. That attack had been entirely underground until the Inferi were unleashed from the graveyard. It disturbed Lysander even now to think about what had happened to Chyler's corpse.
"Do you think we can send the bill to Adriana?" Julian remarked. He was half-serious.
"If only it were that easy getting in contact with her," Lysander replied. "She'd have been arrested by now, and we wouldn't be on a waiting list to have our window fixed."
They got the window boarded up, which made the interior of the shoppe extremely dark. They lit a few extra lamps and candles to make up the difference, and then turned their attention to the little bits of glass that weren't only on the floor next to the window but had seemingly bounced all over the place.
Now and Then
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 04-01-16 18:28
Professor McGonagall sat in her office and reviewed the latest information about next year's Scholastic Aptitude Tournament. The schedule and locations were set; now the schools needed to select their staff sponsors for each event and arrange planning meetings.
The big difference between now and then, at least in terms of Hogwarts staff, was the fact that most subjects had two teachers. Should only one represent each subject, or should both lower and upper years' instructors act as staff sponsor? There was no rule saying there couldn't be two sponsors from a single school, but to Minerva's knowledge, most of the other schools still only had one professor teaching each subject.
If only one were to serve as official staff sponsor, then the other could at least attend the specific subject event as a chaperone. It was something to think about, though a decision would have to be reached soon.
The other difference from the present day and the original SAT was the nature of the wizarding world, at least in Britain. Voldemort was dead, and things were relatively peaceful. The world today was not a safe one, if the events from yesterday were anything by which to judge.
Classes had gone on as normal yesterday, at least until word reached campus that Death Eaters had attacked Hogsmeade. Despite the brevity of the attack, Minerva officially suspended classes for the rest of the day and asked students to remain in their common rooms. Classes resumed this morning.
She herself had stayed at Hogwarts, though she knew other members of the Order of the Phoenix had staked out Hogsmeade in anticipation of an attack. She had not heard that any of them had gotten injured in the mêlée.
Alastor Moody had turned up in the evening with an update and a revelation that had not yet been leaked to the press, though that probably wouldn't last long. Apparently, an attack had occurred in Muggle London prior to the one in Hogsmeade. It seemed wizarding in origin, since the alleged perpetrator was none other than Kingsley Shacklebolt himself. At least, the perp looked like him. The real Kingsley had been in a meeting at the time of the attack.
As of last night, there was no theory as to why someone pretending to be Kingsley attacked London. Minerva hadn't gotten a further update to know if anything had changed since then.
She sighed, realizing her mind was wandering from reviewing the SAT information. Perhaps it was time to take a break and eat lunch. Deciding to do just that, Minerva got up from her desk and left her office for the Great Hall.
On The Road
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-01-16 20:37
Leaving a care facility in Hartlepool Harry thanks the director for her help. Reaching the rented Mini Cooper he gets in, reaching for a list and a map on the passenger seat. Yesterday morning after he'd done a stint patrolling Hogsmeade, Harry had gone home to pick up an overnight bag then had apparated to Newcastle upon Tyne to pick up the rental. No Ministry vehicle for him as Kingsley is still keeping the search for his cousin on the down low. He is, at least, paying for the Mini Cooper.
Working outside of the Ministry purview has made for a slower investigation, or so Harry thinks is likely, but they have been gathering information on anyone of Maximilian's description who is listed as a John Doe or under some other anonymous sounding name and who may have needed medical care. Kingsley and Harry are going on the theory that Nigel would have overdone the Obliviate, leaving Maximilian to wander in confusion. As Nigel hasn't been forthcoming on where it was he Oblivated Max and pushing him for the information could have him questioning why "Algernon" is so interested, until Kingsley gives the go ahead to formally arrest Nigel, Harry - and Kingsley - are doing their best using Muggle resources, something Harry's better at than Kingsley.
To save Harry from having to apparate from place to place all over the UK and Ireland, Kingsley suggested the automobile rental. Harry could have found a good place to leave the vehicle last night rather than a hotel but Ginny is out of the country for a series of Harpies matches. Molly asked to have the children at the Burrow, even though others were staying there was well. The boys wanted the dog to come with them and as Hedwig doesn't need the same amount of care Harry didn't have much reason to go home other than perhaps to sleep in his own bed. Under the circumstances though it made more sense to stay in a hotel.
He doesn't have a huge list of possible Maximilian's but it's enough to have him driving hither and yon. The Hartlepool care facility's patient wasn't Max, which is disheartening, as have been each of the previous stops. The next place is a hospital in Scarborough so Harry sits in the Mini Cooper a few minutes to double check the route he'd mapped out last night in the hotel.
Somewhere along the way, and soon, he'll stop for lunch. At the hotel he'd grabbed a coffee and a slice of toast despite the complimentary offer of a full breakfast. Pulling onto the road that will take him out of town, Harry reaches over to fiddle with the radio. He's listened sporadically yesterday and today, unfamiliar with the songs because most of his radio listening these days is the wizarding wireless.
A news break has Harry pulling over to buy a newspaper. He'd not looked at any of the Muggle papers yesterday or today, hadn't heard any news breaks or programs yesterday or today until now, and last night at the hotel, he'd put the telly on a movie network, enjoying back to back silly comedies, movies something Ginny and he rarely do these days what with their jobs and the kids.
This is the first Harry's heard of a bombing at Downing Street. The radio newscaster gave a description of the bomber but until Harry enters a diner with the just bought newspaper under his arm and unfurls it to see the front page does he learn that none other than Kingsley Shacklebolt is the suspected bomber.
Rather than rushing from the diner to apparate to London and the Ministry, Harry orders lunch and reads the paper while also watching and listening to a news report on a television set affixed to one of the diner's walls. He could rush to the Ministry but for what purpose? There's nothing there he could do beyond finding out the Ministry's and Kingsley's take on the bombing, which Harry is certain Kingsley had nothing to do with. He might has well finish up with his current list of possible Maximilians as planned.
As his lunch arrives Harry turns to the sports section, wishing he'd thought to find a wizarding paper as well. He could have slipped it into this one and at least read up on the latest Quidditch news.
(Andromeda) Having Your Way
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 04-02-16 15:16
Andromeda sat and watched her 'friends' eat. She wasn't hungry and she was thinking about her sister and her situation; she was actually feeling a little sorry for her sister. However, she was not going to admit that to anyone because she did not want to ruin her bitch façade.
"What's wrong with her?" Kirby asked Cierra in a whisper; Andromeda heard him but did not feel like commenting on his question.
"I don't know." Cierra said softly. "Maybe she is not feeling well."
At hearing Cierra say this Andromeda looked over at her friends and said, "I feel fine. I was just thinking." She leaned over to Kirby who was sitting closest to her; knowing he was in love with her she whispered, "Kirby, Darling, would you like to take me into a broom closet and have your way with me?"
The 5th year boy pulled back away from Andromeda and looked at her wide eyed and then nodded his head. Kirby then thought what if this was a cruel joke – he might have been a Slytherin but he was not a cruel person – he was nothing like Andromeda; but, he was still in love with her.
"Come on." She whispered as she moved a little closer to him again. Kirby's hands were in his lap at this point and Andromeda reached under the table and began tracing her fingers along his hand and then his thigh and then she stopped abruptly and smiled.
"Is this just a cruel joke?" Kirby asked her. Andromeda smiled but shook her head no.
"I want to." She said as she kissed his neck.
Kirby sighed softly and shivered slightly at her kiss and then the two got up, without a word to Cierra, and when in search for a broom closet.
(Caleb) Birthday
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 04-02-16 15:20
When Caleb left the Muggle Studies classroom he found Sophie at the corridor, waiting for him. She greeted him and handed him a present. This gesture surprised him, because since the Valentine's Day Carnival that he and Sophie had not been at the best terms.
Sophie had confessed she had seen him on the grounds that day with Patricia, and she was having a hard time to accept what happened. She made Caleb feel like he had committed some sort of crime, but after a chat with Ector where he told him the entire story, he knew there was nothing for him to feel guilty about.
"She was the one who asked you out. You weren't dating anyone, she wasn't dating anyone. It's a free country," Ector had said.
But Sophie seemed somewhat betrayed, as if going to the Valentine's Day Carnival with one of her sisters was forbidden. Caleb had explained to Sophie the circumstances of his time with Patricia, telling her it has been her who invited him and that it was just a friends outing. He omitted the part where he had kissed her at the Tunnel of Love and he was sure Patricia had not shared it with Sophie either, or otherwise she would have asked him about it. Caleb also didn't tell Sophie that it wasn't his fault that Patricia had dressed up for the event, which it was clear she was sending him a message about what she wanted. He thought he was not the type of boy who would kiss a girl the way he did, but it happened. She was pretty, had leaned against him and in the dark, for a moment, she had resembled Sophie so much, he did not think twice and just went for it. For his surprise Patricia had pushed him away, not corresponding the kiss. But then he saw her terrifying face, and the image of Sophie was gone, and all he saw was a younger girl he had no connection with.
It was a mistake and he wanted to put it all behind his back. He and Patricia had a silent understanding, as they started to avoid each other at school, and even at the Ravenclaw common room. But Sophie did not seem eager to drop out this episode. She kept sending him upset looks in classes and even if they sat together at times at the common commons, or at the Great Hall, she didn't seem like her old self, as she was clearly upset. He had not seen her all day today, except in the classes they shared, and so he was surprised that she was here waiting for him.
"Happy birthday," she told him, giving him the gift.
"Thank you," Caleb said. He started to open the present. It was a nice box and inside there were some ink pots, of several colors, and quills from different shapes and sizes. He had been looking at this article the last time he had gone to Hogsmeade, at Scrivenschaft's Quill Shop. "This is awesome! Thanks again, Sophie."
"You're welcome. "
"I thought you were going to forget," he admitted.
She giggled.
"Of course not. You're my best friend, Caleb."
"But you are mad at me."
"But that doesn't mean we have stopped being friends. You just have to give me a little time to forgive you. Estine says it's silly to be angry with you for so long…" she sighed "I guess she is right. Do you want to have some cake at the common commons?"
"I would love to, but I'm going to meet my aunt. She also has a gift for me. How about we have cake at dinner?"
"That sounds great! See you later," she smiled to him, for the first time in weeks. Caleb watched her walk away with a smile on his face. Having Sophie in good terms with him again was the best birthday gift he could have asked for.
Invalids
Author: Carys
Date: 04-02-16 15:24
Carys stepped out of the dark room and went to the front desk, where Juliet used an old-fashioned adding machine to calculate the finance of their photography business. Beside her on another chair sat Tristan, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket with his hair mussed up and two tissues wedged up his nostrils. He was reading a comic book about a wizard who secretly used magic to rescue Muggles from perilous situations.
"How's the patient?" Carys asked, coming around the desk to feel her son's forehead.
"Stuffed up," he replied in a very stuffed-up sounding voice.
"Do you want to nap on the sofa?" Carys asked him.
Tristan shook his head and said, "When I'm done reading, maybe."
"Okay. Don't forget to drink your pumpkin juice."
"K."
"And how's the other patient?" Carys asked her friend.
Juliet concentrated hard on the accounting, but her face was pale and there was a bucket at her feet. She and Jude had just announced they were expecting.
Juliet had won the argument to take his name when they got married in October, but now Jude worried over giving his surname to his children. He didn't want them to be troubled all their lives because they shared the last name of the most wanted witch in Britain.
"I don't know why they call it morning sickness."
"I don't either," Carys agreed.
"Do you think we should––" Juliet suddenly stopped talking and got the look on her face that suggested she might spew. Carys quickly picked up the bucket and held it out. Juliet clutched it to her chest and eased off the chair to make her way to the bathroom.
Tristan frowned. "I wanted to see her puke."
Carys rolled her eyes heavenward. "Boys."
"What?" He removed both tissues from his red nose and had a mischievous look in his eye.
Owen entered the studio then and announced his presence with a hearty hello. Carys greeted him and then thanked him for coming in, because the toilet probably needed scrubbing.
"You're on bucket duty," Tristan promptly added.
Owen wasn't proud and he needed the money, so he only nodded and said, "I'm on it!"
Love A Glow
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 04-02-16 16:41
Chance had been aglow since Valentine's Day and seeing Justus again. They had spent every waking hour together when they were not at their perspective jobs; and Chance could not have been happier.
Having played hooky from work Chance lay cuddled in Justus' arms and she was loving the feeling of his arms around her. She snuggled closer and took in his scent and smiled to herself. Before the thought entered her mind to not say the words they were out, "I love you." She breathed against his chest.
Justus' body relaxed even more and he pulled her gently on top of him and wrapped his legs around her, "I love you too." He smiled at her and kissed her forehead as he pulled her down closer to him. "I've never stopped loving you, Baby. I just never thought I was going to see you again."
"You should have owled me. I would have written back. I would have loved to keep in touch."
"Yes, but you had your life. You had your husband and you later had Jonathan. I was not going to be the one to come between you and the men in your life." Pulling her yet closer he kissed her with passion. "More than anything I want to be in your life…and to make a life with you if you want that too?"
"Are you saying what I think you are?" Chance asked tears filling her eyes.
"Yes. Chance will you marry me?"
Chance almost squealed she was so happy, "yes, of course I will." She kissed him again and the two spent the rest of the day in bed together doing nothing but taking in every moment that they could together.
(Jonathan) Regret and Love
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 04-02-16 18:19
Jonathan sat on the edge of the bed and watched Katherine sleeping. She had come home early and was taking a nap. He loved this woman more than he thought possible and he wanted her to know that he did. Their relationship was a product of an affair but he didn't care, he wanted no one but her, even Chance paled in comparison to her.
"Love," He said as he laid down next to her. "Can I talk to you?"
"Hmmm," She whispered in a sleepy voice.
"Can we talk?"
"Yes." She said feeling more awake now.
"I love you! I want you to know this. I love you more than anything or anyone in this world. You are everything to me."
Sitting up in bed Katherine looked Jonathan dead in the eye and asked, "do you believe I still love you? Or do you think I am still using you?"
Closing his eyes, he sighed and sat up with her. His words were coming back to haunt him again and he regretted saying them – he was just stressed and he didn't want her to leave but he had hurt her and he did not blame her for leaving him. "I believe that you love me, Katherine. I…"
"You what?" She asked.
"I just want to hear you say it. Do you understand? I just need to hear it. I love you Katherine."
He waited patiently and reached out for her hand, she let him take it, and he smiled at her. "I love you." She said in a mere whisper.
Jonathan smiled again and leaned in kissing her as he leaned into her laying her back on the bed; covering her body with his. "I am so sorry that I hurt you with my words. I can't promise that I will never hurt you again with my words but I will promise you that I will never do it intentionally and that I will always love you." He said as he kissed her again.
After Class
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-02-16 20:30
I send the sixth years off with, "For those of you taking Muggle Studies seventh year or who won't be in class but will be part of the Muggle Studies Club, you can go on and start thinking about where you'd like the Muggle Studies sponsored trip to be. Don't forget you can go on the trip even if you choose not to take the course or be in the club next year but you don't get to be part of the decision making."
I walk with them to the Floo and as they queue up to return to the castle Vinny Xardel says, "I never heard what this year's trip will be."
"After a lot of debate the vote was for an African safari experience."
"Cool. Wish I was a seventh year this year."
"If I recall, you've wanted to go on every trip once the destination is known."
Vinny grins. "True that."
It's his turn for the Floo so after flashing more of that grin Vinny leaves Cloud's Kiss for the castle, probably thrilled it's Friday and his last class of the week is over.
The last two students quickly follow. I stay long enough to do what set up I can for the two Monday classes then return to Hogwarts castle as well. I've got to start going over paperwork seventh years interested in the trip have been turning in to get passports. Not everyone who's indicated interested has gotten the paperwork in to me so I also need to get reminders out plus let those seventh years who've not let me know one way or the way that it's not too late. I'll get this first batch of paperwork checked and the forms that are complete and have attached copies of birth certificates and the required photos included I'll get to the Ministry early next week to begin processing.
As I step into the Floo and think about what time it is, I decide the paperwork can wait. I'll see if Saffron wants dinner in the Great Hall, in our flat, or somewhere out. Or even take-out. Niccola and Brandon would vote for something like Burger Wizard brought back to the Great Hall so they can eat with the "big kids" so I'll have to make sure neither are within hearing range when I consult Saffron. Nothing against Burger Wizard but I'd prefer something more for supper tonight.