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Visiting With Asteria
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 04-28-16 19:53
Asteria takes a seat in the shade of the table's umbrella. "Between the beach, the sun, and being full from lunch, Scorpius is down early."
"Carina, who has assured me she's too old for naps, is out as well." Lucius picks up a frosty pitcher, wordlessly offering to pour some of its contents for Asteria.
"Yes, please. Thank you." She selects a grape from an assortment of fruit. "Is that a school brochure?"
"It is, for Beauxbatons. I've information on several schools. Carina turns eight this summer. As different schools have different minimum ages, depending on which school she attends her start date will be here far too soon."
At present, Carina is tutored both at home and with a small, select group that meets across the Golfe de Saint-Tropez in Sainte-Maxime. She had no scheduled session today as today begins the group's three week spring holiday and with Asteria and Scorpius visiting, with Draco coming and going as work allows, he gave the private tutor time off as well.
Lucius surprises his daughter-in-law. "If I could get a pardon as Bellatrix and Rodolphus have managed, I'd consider Hogwarts for Carina."
"I was under the impression you thought poorly of Hogwarts."
"I have in the past. Narcissa and I should have given more serious thought to sending Draco to Durmstrang. Albus Dumbledore is no longer ruining the place and while Minerva McGonagall isn't an ideal headmistress, she is more acceptable than he ever was."
"If you gained a pardon, would you return to Malfoy Manor?"
"For some of the year. I quite like this humble abode."
Asteria laughs at his deeming this Saint-Tropez mansion a humble abode. She admits, "I quite like this humble abode as well. The views are wonderful and we do love time at the beach."
Taking a sip of the slushy, non-alcoholic drink she sighs. "Draco and I have talked a little about schools but with years yet before Scorpius would start and even longer before this one," she pats her stomach, which isn't yet showing even a hint of a bulge, "we've not yet seriously considered what we'll do. We both think Hogwarts but if we're still on foreign assignment, we might well want something closer to wherever we are. I know that seems silly when these are mostly boarding schools so location in relation to wherever home is doesn't actually matter but..." she trails off with a shrug.
"I understand perfectly."
A light lunch is served and as they eat they talk more of schools of magic, discussing the pros and cons of the ones Lucius has under consideration for Carina.
Kaycee - Trying to Relax
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 04-29-16 17:43
Kaycee exited the Great Hall after supper and debated between going back to her common room, visiting the Commons, or going to the library. She ended up choosing the Commons, where she hoped to snag an isolated chair and do a bit of reading interspersed with people-watching.
She was not quite done with classes for the day. Astronomy met tonight. Kaycee somewhat wished it would be an ordinary night, either in the classroom looking up at the enchanted ceiling or studying the real night sky on the Observation Deck. Instead, she had a final exam to write.
Kaycee felt ready for it. She had done enough preparation and didn't think anything else she did tonight would make any difference. If anything, studying more might cause her stress. All she wanted to do was relax with a good book and maybe a dessert when she felt hungry again.
She went into the Common Common Room and immediately crossed over to a small book shelf, on which students and maybe some teachers had left personal books they didn't want anymore. The assortment was small, but it varied from time to time as someone picked up a book or left a new one behind. Kaycee scanned the titles, selected a slim volume with a bright green cover, and settled into an unoccupied corner armchair.
She was barely three pages into the book, which was about a girl and a magic toadstool, when a pair of voices drew her attention. Kaycee immediately shrank back into the cushions of her armchair, because the voices belonged to her two tormentors. They hadn't done anything to her lately. In fact, the last direct contact she'd had with was when she'd slammed a door in one of their faces more than two months ago. Kaycee worried about retaliation.
The boys noticed her, and though they exchanged comments and grinned at one another, they didn't go to her. Instead, they went to the bar and sat down on barstools.
Kaycee watched them for a long while before putting her nose back in her book. She didn't know that one of them was trying to be on extra good behavior, since there was a threat of severe consequences if he didn't get his act together. She didn't know that she probably wouldn't be bothered again by then, at least not any time soon.
Without knowing that she was safe for the moment, Kaycee looked up every once in a while. She didn't want to be caught off guard. The boys never bothered her, though. Kaycee remained in the Commons until curfew, and then spent the remaining time before Astronomy in her own common room.
(Mark) Chance Meeting
Author: Isolde
Date: 04-30-16 19:07
Mark exited the crowded lift and followed the throng in the direction of the Ministry of Magic's canteen. It was that time of day when many employees took their lunch hour. Not everyone ate on site, but it was by far the most convenient place for a Ministry employee to take a meal. Mark didn't feel inspired to go anywhere else, so he followed along with the others until a person seated at one of the café tables near the fountain caught his attention.
It was Kate, and she was alone. She was sitting with her arm propped up on the table and her chin cradled in her hand. Kate looked almost bored, and it was clear she was waiting for someone. Mark assumed Kate was waiting for her father, who worked in the Printing Office. The thought that she might be waiting for another guy, perhaps even a new boyfriend also crossed Mark's mind.
He deliberated for half a second and then changed course, heading straight for Kate's table. He waited for her to notice him and nod at the empty of the chair before he took it.
"I didn't expect to bump into you," Kate said, breaking the ice first.
"I do work here," Mark pointed out.
"I know, but you have to admit that this place is pretty big," Kate replied.
"True. Waiting on your dad?" Mark cut right to the chase. Better to rip off the bandage quickly rather than draw the process out.
"Yes," Kate answered. "We're supposed to go to a sushi place not far from here."
"That's nice."
"Yeah."
They fell into silence for an all-too-long moment. Then Kate asked, "What are your Easter plans?"
"I don't have any."
"You don't? Won't you at least do something with Capri and Zoe Jane?"
Mark shook his head. "Capri and I broke up."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Kate said.
Mark studied her face to see just how sorry she felt, but she kept her facial expression fairly neutral.
They grew silent again. This time they were saved by Will, who Mark spotted first. He got up from his chair to offer it to the older wizard, but Will waved him off and remained standing. Kate got up, too.
"Mark, Kate and I were heading out to lunch. Did you want to join us?"
"I don't want to be a bother," Mark said. "I was just going to eat in the canteen."
"Nonsense," Will insisted. "Come with us. Get some culture and good company. Say yes."
Mark looked at Kate to see what she wanted. She nodded her head. "Say yes."
Mark decided he couldn't very well say no when they both told him to say yes. "Yes," he said.
Pleasant Lunch
Author: Jet
Date: 04-30-16 20:20
Jet has just walked into the restaurant when the door behind him opens. He turns for some reason then seeing it's Petra coming in, pushing a pram, he moves to assist. After she's fully inside she gives him a kiss on the cheek followed by, "Thank you."
"Hello and you're welcome," Jet says as he bends to say hello to not quite a year old Michael, full name Matthew Michael Fyde, Junior. "Hi! How's my favorite godson? You've grown a foot since I saw you last week."
Michael burbles at him, too busy gnawing on a hard biscuit to use any of the words he generally loves to babble. Taking in the way Michael is working the biscuit and all the drool that has miraculously not softened the biscuit Jet looks to Petra. "That tooth still not in yet?"
"Not quite and he's got another one coming in."
They turn when someone asks, "Are you ready to be seated?"
Jet nods, "Yes, thank you."
"Will you need a high chair?"
"No, I've a portable one and the pram folds up nicely so no worries there."
A moment later they're seated at a table, Michael in the chair Petra produced from a storage area on the back of the pram. One wave of her wand had the chair unfolded and enlarged and another wave has the pram folding itself up in such a way that she's able to easily slide it under one of the table chairs, out of the way of anyone going by the table.
After they've ordered and Petra has given Michael a fresh hard biscuit she asks, "How is the Department of Magical Research?"
"Oh, you know, same old. Have you decided about returning to the Department of Mysteries?" Last week when they saw each other Petra was considering giving notice.
"I've not decided for sure but I am leaning towards giving notice and moving to another department. Matt says he'll support whatever I wish to do but I think deep down he's hoping I'll move elsewhere, especially now that we're expecting again." Wanting to share the news they are expecting again is the reason they had Jet, some other friends, and several family members over last week.
"What department would you put in for?"
"Yours is under consideration. Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. International Magical Cooperation. With my Greek background a couple of high ups in that department have been trying to recruit me. I've a feeling though they'd want me traveling back and forth to Athens, or other places in Greece, or even assigned there in our Greece office. With one child and another on the way, the last thing I want is lots of travel and I wouldn't expect Matthew to do the long distance commute if I were to be assigned there. I know he'd offer to give up his position and take something there but I wouldn't ask that of him or expect it."
"That sort of thing happens all the time though. One spouse gets transferred and the other follows or, as you said, does the commute."
"True, and I'm well aware that I could get the assignment and be the one doing the commuting. I don't know how Muggles handle it when for them commuting can mean hours of travel each day or only going home on weekends."
Being more familiar with the Muggle World than Petra, Jet knows even better than she just how difficult such situations are on Muggles' relationships. "Some manage somehow but others end up splitting or they'll stay together but neither is happy."
Petra takes a drink of her pumpkin juice then offers some to Michael. "It's a lot to think about. There are also a number of other departments to take into consideration and there are jobs outside of the Ministry that I could apply to."
The two friends talk more about various departments within the Ministry and jobs that interest Petra outside of the Ministry. As they talked last week of his progress on learning more about Cymdeithas y Sarff and its members and Jet hasn't gained additional information since then, they do not speak of that group or its members, including Emerson.
When lunch is over, Jet returns to the Ministry. Petra took the afternoon off from the Department of Mysteries to take Michael in for a check-up, wanting to make sure that an upset stomach he's had periodically of late is related to his teething and not something else.
A Secret
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 05-01-16 15:07
Tim and Imogen had invited Jenny and Nate for dinner at their apartment. Nate looked around to what Tim had done regarding the apartment's decoration, still chocked that he had agreed to pin a scarf of the Appleby Arrows on the wall, to impress Imogen, who supported that Quidditch team. Tim preferred Gobstones over Quidditch, so he did not mind which scarf was on the wall, but Nate who was a supporter of the Wimbourne Wasps did not like to look at it at all. He teased, Tim saying if he knew he would profane the house with such objects he would have rented it to someone else.
Jenny's friend, Miranda Drawlight, had also came along. Imogen had cooked pasta with meatballs, and Tim joked he had done the hardest part which was setting up the table and buying the pumpkin juice and the butter beers. During dinner they talked about several topics including the Easter Egg Hunt at Hogwarts. Nate had gone to the school with his mother so they could visit Bowen. Nate had helped the boy to gather as many eggs as possible and he didn't want to admit to his mother that he had almost as much fun as Bowen doing so. Soon everyone started to name all the funny objects they had found during the egg hunts over the years.
"I got a rubber duck, once "Tim revealed. "I took it to the prefect's bathroom as a joke."
"One of my friends received a pouch full of gems. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies! But as the day passed the gems started to turn into sweets. The colors of the packages were the color of the gems," Jenny said.
"I have received a pamphlet from Magical Match. They offered a discount on their services," Miranda shared.
"Did you use it?" Imogen asked.
"Yes. We were supposed to meet at Hogsmeade, have lunch at the Crown and Cauldron. But he never showed up."
"Who signs up at a dating agency and doesn't show up for a date? That's ridiculous!" Jenny exclaimed.
"Maybe he had some sort of emergency," Nate tried to guess.
"It's all right. It wasn't fated to happen, I guess," Miranda said.
Later, while the girls installed themselves on the sofas and talked between them, giggling here and there, Nate offered to help Tim to wash the dishes. Tim used his wand to pass the plates over the water and have a sponge cleaning them, and Nate used his to make a cloth dry them. He noticed Tim was very quiet which was unusual on him. Nate asked him what was wrong. Tim shot a glance to the girls, making sure they weren't listening and then he revealed:
"I was the one who didn't show up that at the restaurant."
"What?" Nate asked, surprised.
"I signed up at Magical Match. Remember when you were down because of Phyllida and I told you to go to the dating agency? Well I went there, because I wanted to sign you up, but I ended up doing so myself. I gave them a false name. They set me up with Miranda. When Jenny told me about her, I knew the name was somewhat familiar. I never entered the restaurant, but I saw her by the window. I chicken out, because she was so pretty. I was afraid she wouldn't like me. I was never very good with girls…I don't know how things worked so well between me Imogen. It's a miracle."
"Are you going to tell Miranda?"
"Of course not! You saw her face at the dinner table, she hasn't forgotten what happened. And Jenny would kill me. So no. This will stay between the two of us, all right?"
Nate nodded, although he wasn't sure he liked the idea of keeping such secret from the rest of the group.
Rover
Author: Griet
Date: 05-01-16 15:17
Griet left work early to give herself enough time to get home before dark. Thankfully, her employer didn't count her monthly need to take some vacation hours against her. Not having an understanding boss was something Griet had worried about upon first applying for jobs after graduating from St. Emrys. In her case, as long as being a werewolf didn't affect the quality of her work, then she had no need for concern.
Griet went through her normal routine when she got home. She cleaned and put away the dirty dishes left in the sink from breakfast. She made sure there was something for Valentijn to eat for dinner––tonight, leftover spinach and bacon quiche with a side salad. She even started a load of laundry with a flick of her wand over the wash basin.
She was just about to head down to the basement, where Valentijn had constructed a cage to keep her during the full moon, when there was a knock at the door. Griet hesitated but then decided she had more than enough time to see who was at the door. She went to the door and pulled back the curtain on the narrow vertical window.
Cornelia waved at her through the window.
Griet let the curtain fall and opened the door. "You know it's the full moon tonight, don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah," Cornelia said, stepping inside the foyer. "It's also still light out, so I'm not worried. Besides, you've drunk your potion, haven't you?"
"Not yet," Griet said. "What's that?" she asked, indicating to the small cage Cornelia held by a handle.
A smile lit up her face. "Since Gervaise moved out, I decided we needed a new roommate. Meet Rover."
Inside the cage was a giant hairy spider.
"That's not what I think it is."
"No," Cornelia confirmed, pouting a little. "I wish, but you know they're illegal. I was only allowed to care for Fido because of the SAT."
"So what is it, exactly?" Griet asked.
"A Goliath bird-eating spider. Cool, isn't it?"
Griet managed a small smile. "Seems like your kind of pet, for sure. Cassander approves?"
"Oh, he doesn't know. He's still at work. I picked Rover up this afternoon after capturing a petty thief at Ariadne Spinners in Knockturn Alley. I got a discount on the spider for a job well done."
Cassander worked with magical creatures already, so maybe he wouldn't mind having a giant spider in the flat.
"So, Gervaise left?" Griet asked, not having heard the news yet.
"Yes, this morning. He's got a job at the Jellied Eel Shop and he's temporarily moved back in with his parents. Once he gets enough money, he'll find his own place."
"That's great. Is he… better?"
"You mean, is he sober? Yes."
"Good."
The sun suddenly lit the curtains so that an orange light tried filtering through. Griet was reminded that she needed to get downstairs, pronto.
"Hate to cut your visit short, but I need to make my final preparations for the night."
"If you insist," Cornelia said. "Have a good night."
"Thanks."
Cornelia left, talking soothingly to her new pet spider. Griet, meanwhile, secured the front door and then went into the basement, where she drank a vial of Wolfsbane Potion, stripped off her clothes, locked herself in the cage and waited for the full moon to rise.