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Leslie Drama
Author: Fionna
Date: 10-25-16 20:34
Pulling out a chair Fionna asks, "Is it horrible that some days I'm beyond happy to leave the kids and go to work?"
"If you'd said you always feel that way, then I think it would be wrong or a problem," Catriona half grins.
Leslie, having walked up just behind Fionna, tells her, "When parents say things like that it makes me not want to rush into having children."
Fionna and Cat look to the visible bulge at Leslie's midsection. "Bit late to be having second thoughts, isn't it?" Fionna smirks.
"I knew I should have waited to say anything. If I wore the right robes every day no one would know for a bit yet." She eyes the lemonade Cat had ordered for them all. "I could be having wine with lunch."
"Does that mean when we're not around to see, you're drinking?" Cat asks her sister.
"Don't use the tone. A little wine now and then. That's it. I swear you're worse than Irving."
Setting her menu aside Fionna says, "Speaking of, what's the status with him?"
"They're supposed to sign the papers at the end of the week but she's decided she's not happy with the settlement and wants it redone. Why does she have to be such a difficult bitch?"
Having been called a bitch more than once in her life and often deservedly so a married woman with children Fionna can't help but say in defense of Irving's soon to be ex-wife, "When you think about it, she has a right to be something of a bitch about this. Her husband is divorcing her for his much younger, pregnant mistress."
Neither Fionna nor Cat point out that Leslie most likely doesn't truly love Irving so much as she loves his money.
Leslie does a massive eye roll. "It's not as though she's been faithful, the hypocrite."
"You know that for a fact or that's what Irving's told you?" Cat questions.
"Do I have any proof? No, but Irving's given me an earful."
"You don't think maybe he was just saying that to justify his own cheating?"
Leslie looks disdainfully at Catriona. "Irving loves me and wants to marry me. Why are you trying to spoil this for me?"
"I'm not. I'm curious is all. I realize if all he was wanting was an affair, he could have strung you along then dumped you with some excuse, such as saying the wife wouldn't grant the divorce and by contesting it she'd draw it out for years and in the process tie up all his funds."
In an effort to divert a possible squabble Fionna inquires, "Once the divorce is final, have you talked about when you'll get married?"
"We're thinking a month after. I want something small but elegant. His children have said they won't attend but I think that's because they're both in denial that the divorce is actually happening."
"You can't blame them, not really, if they're peeved at Irving and with you."
Leslie shrugs at Fionna. "It's not as though they're small. They're 21 and 23. It's also not like he's marrying someone younger than either of them. I'd love for us to get along but if not, it's their loss." She pats her small bulge. "This one will be their sister or brother so you'd think they'd at least be interested in the baby."
Growing tired of Leslie's endless self-centered cluelessness Cat gives a noncommittal response before asking, "What are you two going to order? I can't decide."
The rest of lunch is, thankfully, spent talking of something other than Irving, his wife, the divorce, or the wedding. Leslie even thinks to ask after Christopher and the new term at St. Emrys is shaping up for Cat.
Kaycee - Ideas
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 10-26-16 19:26
Kaycee sat in the Hufflepuff common room and perused the Encyclopedia of Toadstools, which she'd checked out from the library, since it wasn't one of her required textbooks for Herbology class. To her great surprise and delight, she'd been selected to participate in the Best in Show: Magical Plants Scholastic Aptitude Tournament event, which wouldn't be for a while, but there was no time like the present to get started with preparations.
She'd already pretty much decided that she wanted to show leaping toadstools as her magical plant. They were cute and fun, and besides, Professor Longbottom had been very enthusiastic with her suggestion. If he liked her idea, then it had to be a good choice. Maybe leaping toadstools were the sort of plants that always won competitions. Kaycee pictured herself standing on a podium with a first place trophy in her hand or a gold medal around her neck.
She also pictured Gerry Martini-Blackwell and Will Wentworth looking super jealous at her success and many accolades. Wouldn't it be something if they didn't get picked for any events, or if they did, that they ranked the lowest in everything? Kaycee knew it wasn't smart to think that way, since the points earned were for the entire school, and she definitely wanted Hogwarts to win it all. She couldn't help but feel smug satisfaction at the possibility of being better than those two awful boys, though.
A not so nice thought struck her. What if the boys learned of her leaping toadstools and sabotaged them just because they could? Would they do so and jeopardize Hogwarts' chances at winning the SAT? Kaycee's imagination started to run away from her. The fact was, the boys hadn't done anything to her in ages. It also wasn't like she was the only person they'd ever pranked either. She just could never forget how they'd humiliated her at the Halloween carnival last year. Hopefully this year's carnival wouldn't be a repeat of the previous one.
Feeling suddenly tired, Kaycee snapped the book shut and carried it to her dorm room. She set it on her bedside table, grabbed her pajamas, and slipped into the bathroom to get ready for bed. By the time she climbed beneath her comforter, she was so concerned about Halloween and possibly getting embarrassed by Gerry and Will again that she thought she might skip the holiday altogether. She fell asleep surprisingly quickly, though she slept fitfully through the night.
Spiderwort
Author: Marzipan
Date: 10-27-16 20:01
Professor Ravenscroft observed as her fifth year Ravenclaw and Slytherin students repotted spiderwort plants. Like the mundane versions, the magical spiderwort plants had three or four-petaled flowers in white, pink, purple, or bright blue. Unlike the mundane spiderwort, the magical version's leaves were actually like spider legs and could crawl away at a moment's notice.
Andrina Fricks let out a loud shriek when the plant she was trying to repot––a variety with almost translucent, white petals––suddenly crawled up her arm and tried to slip between the neck of her school robes and down her back. Asher Kent, who was working on a dark purple variety, brushed the renegade spiderwort onto the floor before it could get into Andrina's robes.
The spiderwort plant skittered under the work table and then over Ector Newland's shoe. He made a most undignified sound when its leaves tickled his ankle and shook his foot to prevent the spiderwort from entering his pant leg. The plant dashed for the greenhouse wall and attempted to scale the glass, only to slip and land in Professor Ravenscroft's hands. She closed her fingers over the wriggling plant and walked back over to Andrina, who shook her head vehemently.
Professor Ravenscroft showed her the proper way for repotting the spiderwort. With the right sized pot and the correct amount of soil and fertilizer, the spiderwort was happy to stay where it was. It grew still and looked quite contented in its new pot.
A little while later, class ended. Professor Ravenscroft dismissed her students and tidied up the greenhouse. She had no more classes that day, but in addition to her standard office hours, she was expecting to conference fire talk with most of the other Best in Show: Magical Plants sponsors in the early afternoon.
Marzi was looking forward to the conversation. She told herself it had entirely to do with the upcoming competition, especially now that the students had been selected and things could really get going. In reality, Marzi very much looked forward to chatting with Alaric Framboise from Beauxbatons.
She'd finally resigned herself to the fact that she could move on from Weston. He'd been gone for more than a year now, and it was only natural that she might eventually meet somebody else. Right now things were strictly business between them, but Marzi couldn't deny that she liked him very much, and she got the feeling that he felt the same way. She felt herself smiling and shook her head at her silliness. She finished cleaning up the greenhouse and then set off for the Great Hall for lunch.
After Class, Before Class
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 10-27-16 20:44
His last class of Thursday, the sixth year NEWTs, end and dismissed, Sirius goes from classroom to office debating whether to have lunch in the Great Hall or go into Hogsmeade and either eat out or go home and have some of last night's leftovers. He's just opening his door when he hears his name. "Professor Black?"
"Jade, shouldn't you be getting to lunch?"
Jade Green jokes, "I'm a seventh year taking eleven course, have NEWTs to get through and the SAT going on. Who has time to eat?"
Sirius chuckles as Jade goes on to say, "I'm going there from here."
"What can I do for you?"
"Mr. Filch has started being difficult about what I'm doing for the invention and design competition. He's griping about me using that room."
Sirius sighs. This isn't the first time Argus Filch has been a problem about this. "Sorry, Jade. I'll speak with him again."
"Thanks, professor."
Deciding on the spot to eat in the Great Hall he's going to suggest they walk there together so that Jade can fill him in on her progress for the event but another student approaches asking, "A moment of your time, professor?"
"Yes, of course, though we're cutting into your lunch if you want to wait until later in the day."
"Won't take but a minute."
Jade thanks Sirius and bids them both goodbye. The other student takes a deep breath before inquiring, "Do you think I'm good enough in Transfiguration to put my name in for the Transfiguration Tournament?"
Surprised at the question but not enough to delay a response Sirius promptly replies, "I think you would make a good showing if you were selected for the event."
"You're not just saying that to be polite?"
"No, I think you would do well."
The student scrutinizes him before nodding. "All right, thank you. I'm thinking of putting my name in but didn't want to if you don't think I'd be up to the challenge. I know I might not be chosen for it but if you think I'd not embarrass myself and Hogwarts if I am, then I want to get in more practice."
Sirius retrieves an information sheet with a list of the types of transfigurative spells the student might need for the competition. It's one the Transfiguration Tournament sponsors from all the participating schools put together. There's an information sheet for each competitive level. As he hands it over he says, "If you're truly interested then put your name in."
"Thank, Professor Black. I'm definitely going to."
They walk to the Great Hall together, Sirius answering a few questions, not about the transfiguration event but about the host school, Durmstrang. Once at the Great Hall the student hurries to get something to eat before his 1:15 class and Sirius continues on to the head table, spotting Argus Filch but deciding to wait until after he eats to speak with the man about harassing students who are doing what they're supposed to be doing where they are supposed to be doing it.
(Ash) Accidental Discovery
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 10-28-16 15:26
"You should go home."
Sheldon Schwendy frowned down at Ash, who was seated at his desk attempting to transcribe notes from an earlier meeting but was constantly having to blow his nose.
"You're spreading germs everywhere," Schwendy continued. "Go home and take tomorrow off too. Maybe by Monday you'll be feeling better and won't be so contagious."
Ash was the sort of person who didn't like to beg off work for something as trivial as a cold, but there wasn't much time left in the workday anyway, and a nice long weekend really didn't sound so awful, even if he spent the whole time in bed.
He nodded and said, "Okay, and thanks. See you Monday, I hope."
Before heading directly home, however, Ash made a visit to Diagon Alley to get something from the apothecary. He knew what was on hand at home to treat the common cold was minimal, and if he intended on staying in bed all weekend long, then he wanted to stock up on the essentials.
It was after he made his purchases at Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary and was turning away from the counter and towards the front door that he saw his girlfriend heading down the cobbled street with none other than Antoine Dolov. Ash was a bit surprised to see them together, though they had met before at the museum gala last month and during previous visits to Antoine's art gallery.
For a brief moment, Ash entertained the thought that perhaps Jupiter was carrying on an affair with the artist, but their body language didn't suggest that the liaison was taking place. If not that, then what? Friendship? It seemed odd, whatever the reason for their togetherness.
Ash decided to follow them. They wended their way to the short distance to Hobb & Whistle, the tea shoppe above the Diagon Alley Arts Club. The tea shoppe was so cramped that Ash didn't think he'd be able to escape their detection, so he didn't go very far in or stay very long. His visit was long enough to learn something very unexpected, though.
He saw an older couple rise from chairs at a table and embrace Jupiter and Antoine. It was while looking at the four together that Ash realized they must all be related. Ash figured he hadn't noticed the resemblance between Jupiter and Antoine because there'd been no reason for him to think they were related. Now he saw it almost clearly.
As much as he wanted to stay and eavesdrop, Ash knew he needed to go. He didn't want them knowing he'd seen them all together, and he really didn't feel well either. The last thing he heard as he walked away from the tea shoppe was the older wizard call Antoine by a completely different name: Janus.
(Fleur) Aftermath
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-29-16 13:53
A small group of wizards and Muggles sat around a boardroom table. The group comprised of a handful of those who had been present during the meeting on the second of October. An exception was Kingsley, who'd come later to support the Order's response to Fleur's patronus. He sat on one end of the long table, while the Prime Minister sat opposite him. Fleur sat on Kingley's right.
She'd been surprised to get invited to the meeting, even if she'd been directly involved in the undercover operation in the Muggle government. After the events from nearly two weeks ago, Fleur thought her part in the investigation was now closed. Kingsley, however, had insisted she attend today's meeting as his assistant. Not surprisingly, Nellie LeBlanc no longer worked for the Prime Minister.
A lot had happened in the last couple weeks to smooth things over between the wizarding and Muggle governments. Although still very wary regarding the existence of magic and those who wielded it, the Prime Minister entered into amicable negotiations with Kingsley. They spent a lot of time together behind closed doors but also met openly with other officials from both entities.
Earlier this week, a press release went out from the Prime Minister's office stating the bomber had been found and killed while resisting arrest. The accompanying photograph was of a man who looked very similar to Kingsley but wasn't him at all. The press release stated that the bomber had stolen Kingsley's identity because of how similar they looked.
With a price no longer on his head, Kingsley came out of hiding and held a press release of his own at the Ministry of Magic. Unlike the Prime Minister, who kept the existence of magic a secret from his constituents and the world at large, therefore releasing a story that varied from the truth, Kingsley wanted to be as truthful as possible. He named Adriana Fairchild as being involved in the bombing and revealed how she had tried to tear an enormous rift between the two governments. It was her fault that some Muggles and wizards were dead.
The only thing Kingsley didn't reveal was the likelihood of Adriana's spy or spies working at the Ministry of Magic. He wanted to conduct an internal investigation into the matter and to arrest those proven to be working for her, rather than flush them out and have them run off before anyone could catch them. The attack on the Ministry of Magic over a year ago had shown some workers to be Death Eaters or supporters of the dark group, but Kingsley had no doubt in his mind that there were more. He strongly suspected that one or more were in his office, or how would Adriana have learned so much about his business specifically? His suspicion was why he'd asked Fleur to come to the meeting, rather than one of his actual assistants.
"I thought we should discuss how much communication we should have in the future," Kingsley said. "Should things return to the way they were, where you and I only ever speak if there is something I feel you need to know? Or should we forego tradition, especially now that select members of your cabinet are in on the secret? We could have more regularly scheduled meetings with officials from both our governments and an agenda. There's also a third option, if you are willing."
The Prime Minister was almost afraid to ask, but he nodded and asked, "What is your suggestion?"
"Perhaps you would be interested in having a liaison from the Ministry of Magic on a permanent basis. It would naturally have to be someone with knowledge of your world, perhaps someone who grew up in a non-magic household or with non-magic family members. Then, there are some wizards who have learned a great deal about your world and could integrate very nicely." He indicated to Fleur as an example.
To his credit, the Prime Minister didn't show any sort of negative expression on his face. He asked, "If I agree to it, then I think it's only fair that someone from my government act as liaison in your world. Would it be possible?"
"Wizarding places are generally shielded, making it impossible for non-magical persons to see them. However, I think we could come up with a work-around on an individual basis. Is this what you want to do?"
The Prime Minister said, "I don't want to make a decision today regarding liaisons. I think that will require a bit more negotiating. I do think that we should not return to the way things were. We need to communicate more with each other––in both directions. Holding regular meetings with members of our respective cabinets is exactly what should happen if we want to keep both our worlds safe. Can we agree on a timetable? What about a location?"
They decided to discuss it amongst themselves before reaching any sort of definitive agreements. It would only be fair if the meetings could take place at both governmental headquarters, but inviting a group of Muggles to the Ministry of Magic was certainly against precedence. Kingsley was more than willing to forego tradition in favor of this new partnership, though.
Talk turned away from meeting schedules to the woman formerly known as Jessica Dark and what was known about her whereabouts and activities since that fateful October 2nd meeting. Kingsley had very little to say on the matter, because Adriana hadn't done anything publicly lately. All he could divulge was the fact that she was thought to be hiding in a ruined abbey somewhere on the isles. He urged the Prime Minister not to send anyone out looking, since Adriana and her followers were dangerous and the Muggle police and army were not equipped to deal with magic. Besides, the abbey was probably shielded from Muggle eyes so they would just waste time and resources in their fruitless search.
The Prime Minister nevertheless offered up his services in rounding up the woman who had duped him into thinking the entire wizarding race needed exterminating. She had turned him into someone he'd never set out to be, and it made him feel embarrassed and appalled. Adriana Fairchild needed to be stopped, and the sooner, the better.
Getting Ready
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-30-16 14:55
In exactly one week's time, the Hogwarts contingent for the Runic Rodeo and Arithmancy Challenge SAT events would board the magical RV and travel to Beaxubatons Academy of Magic. The plan was to depart from Hogwarts no later than four in the afternoon. The journey to the south of France didn't take very long in a magical vehicle, but there was a grand feast planned for that evening and Professor McGonagall wanted to ensure that everyone got settled in before the festivities began.
During their stay, the Hogwarts contingent would sleep in the magical RV. It didn't look so big on the outside but could actually fit a lot of people––and beds––quite comfortably. The Runic Rodeo competition was scheduled for Saturday morning and afternoon, while the Arithmancy Challenge would take place on Sunday. Professor McGonagall intended for the magical RV to make its return trip to Hogwarts on Sunday evening.
She reviewed the list of those traveling with her to Beauxbatons next Friday afternoon:
Runic Rodeo - Professor AJ Hodfuffer
Abbott, Devon
Acker, Alcmene
Blackwell, Callie
Blackwell, Kurt
Ellis, Alys
Jenkins, Eden
Kegg, Margaret
Kent, Asher
McCourt, Patricia
Shrewsbury, Paton
Arithmancy Challenge - Professor Saffron Sacheverelle
Applewhite, Rex
Balfour, Lilith
Choate, Ollie
Dunlap, Kay
Ellis, Blakeney
Finch, Estella
Hyland, Hope
Marchbanks, Baron
Pride, Finley
Vanderbilt, Franciscus
For most, this would be a first trip to Beauxbatons, if not France. Although their time at the French school for magic would be short, Professor McGonagall hoped that the students would get to see as much as they could of it. She also hoped they'd meet other students and not just stick to each other.
At the knock at her door, Professor McGonagall called out, "Enter!"
Her great nephew Madoc strolled in. He'd just gotten out of his Care of Magical Creatures class and smelled a bit as if he'd visited a farm.
"What brings you by the office, Madoc?" Minerva asked. She gestured to the chair in front of her desk.
He sat down, put his book satchel on the floor, and suddenly seemed to hesitate.
Minerva raised her eyebrows. "Yes?"
"I'm not sure you're aware… or maybe you are… dunno, really," stalled Madoc.
"Out with it."
Madoc looked as if he'd already regretted saying anything, but then the words came out in a great rush, "Doyoulikeyoungermen?"
Minerva blinked. She'd heard him perfectly well and took note of how his neck flushed pink from underneath his collar.
Rather than answer the question outright she queried, "Why do you ask?"
"Well…" Madoc began, and then more rapidly, "There'sarumorthatyouandProfessorMillerarehavinganaffairandthatthemagicalRVisyourloveshack."
Professor McGonagall stared at Madoc. She did not look amused. "And where, pray tell, did you hear this rumor?"
"Oh, around," Madoc vaguely replied. He pulled at his collar because he felt so hot. "Everyone's talking about it. Apparently you two were seen… erm… together… in the RV."
"Doing what, exactly?"
Madoc really regretted saying anything now. Having a sex talk with a witch as old as his great aunt was super embarrassing. "Well…"
"Yes?"
Madoc chewed his lower lip and then changed tactics to avoid saying the words. "So you're not, then? Having an affair with––"
"Of course not," Minerva interrupted. "We were seen together at the RV because we've been preparing it for next weekend. Believe it or not, it takes a lot of work getting it flight ready. There are safety checks, and security measures, and of course the restocking of necessities and amenities."
"Oh, okay." Madoc let out a sigh. "Good. Well, I better go wash up for supper. See you."
He got up hastily and scooped up his bag. Madoc headed swiftly for the door and disappeared through it without a backwards glance at his great aunt.
Professor McGonagall sat back in her chair and rolled her eyes heavenward. She stared at the arched ceiling over her desk for a long time and wondered how the rumor had gotten started. Had it been an honest mistake or was someone having a bit of fun at her expense? Either way, the idea was entirely ridiculous, not to mention inappropriate!
A Needed Break (Hunter & Jade)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 10-30-16 20:53
Hunter starts to say, "Knock, knock," but using that special twin sense he and Jade share she calls through the closed door, "Come in!"
As he shuts the door behind him he asks, "How's it going?"
Jade throws up her hands. "I don't know. I'll think I'm on the right path and making progress only to stall out."
She takes a step back from part of her Invention & Design project for the SAT, slumping down into a chair. Hunter sets a wadded napkin into a table next to her chair then pulls another chair around to sit beside her. "I brought you snacks from the Commons."
"Cookies?"
"Yeah, a variety."
"We've been here - here being Britain - so long now that I often find myself wanting to call them biscuits instead of cookies."
"And calling potato chips crisps and fries chips. Yeah, I know what you mean."
"I never have figured out why pudding can mean pudding or any dessert."
Hunter snorts. "You, the ever curious Jade, hasn't looked it up?"
"I've meant to but other things come up and I forget about it until I'm doing something else nowhere near the library or a bookstore."
Jare reaches to open the wadding up napkin, picking one of the cookies from it. Before taking a bite she asks him, "Do you ever miss Muggle life?"
"Sometimes. Do you?"
"More than sometimes. There are days I think once we've left Hogwarts I'll live in the Muggle World even if working in the Wizarding one."
"What do you miss most?"
"Oh, I don't know if it's any one thing the most. It's how on a rainy day or evening I miss lounging on the couch or on a bed with a movie or a vegging with Saturday morning cartoons. Or catching a Saturday matinee then getting to go to the go-cart track. Family bikes rides. Talking on the phone. That sort of thing."
"As if you and I had such long talks on the phone with so many," Hunter comments as a reminder of how old they were when their parents died and they learned about Aunt Blythe, Uncle Woody, and the Wizarding World.
"Says the boy who would talk for an hour to his best friend who lived next door and had just seen before coming inside and getting on the phone. What did you two talk about anyway?"
"Matchbox cars. Our little league teams. Things that happened that day at school. Same sort of stuff you and what's her name, Herdie, would talk about."
"Gertie."
"Anyway, Clark was about the only person I truly talked with on the phone. Anyone else it was never for long and for things like giving a homework assignment to someone who'd missed that day. My point was you and I were young enough that we didn't have the epic phone conversations that Olive, Emmie, or even Mom had."
"Do you remember that time when Dad was out of town with Emmie on some school thing, Olive was at a sleepover, and Mom got to talking for so long she lost all track of time?"
"You and I stayed up watching movies until midnight and ate the stash of candy she thought we didn't know about."
They laugh at the memory then Jade asks, "How's your prep going for the Non-Magical Event?"
"All right, I guess. At least no matter how that goes, it's forcing me to get a head start on preparing for the Muggle Studies NEWT."
"I should have put my name in for something that would do that for me but, noooooo. I sign up for something that requires an invention or a design and then get picked for it."
"You have lots of time. That one's not until June."
"Oh, believe me, I know exactly how long I have it's just," Jade shakes her head and makes a clucking sound.
"Just what?"
"If I can get the prototype working adequately, Baron would use it next week at the Runic Rodeo and as he's participating in the Arithmancy Challenge, Professor Sacheverelle would help me test it on Sunday."
"I knew you were stressing with this but you never said you wanted to beta it so early."
"I know but just think if I can, with their help others of us could see some of Beauxbatons and at least some of the competitions."
They both look to the mini camcorder sized object Jade's working on. Using the magical playback of action ability of omnioculars as her inspiration, Jade is attempting to create a device that would allow "recording" of an event or a place visited and share the playback with a larger audience rather than just one as with an omnicular.
When the idea first came to her, Jade researched to find out if there wasn't something like it already out there. The adults she asked didn't know of such a device nor could she find anything in her research. It's beyond Jade how the Wizarding World has made it this far to have omnioculars but nothing that could do "recording" and playback on a larger scale for a larger audience.
Reaching for another cookie Jade asks, "I don't suppose you brought something to drink?"
Hunter grins and pulls from the bookbag he'd deposited at his feet two bottles of a fruit punch they both like. "Now, if only I could have had a pizza delivered."
Jade laughs, taking one of the drinks and grabbing another cookie.