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Classes and Concerns
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-15-17 13:11
Ethan dismissed his Gryffindor and Slytherin fourth year students, who had just spend the last hour and a half practicing the backfiring curse. Fortunately, the lesson had gone well and without any accidents of any kind. The worst damage had been to the blackboard, which had split in two. Ethan repaired it and then set about writing some basic information about the dark wizards Godelot and Herpo the Foul. By the time he finished, the first year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students were entering the classroom.
His Christmas holidays had been quite relaxing. Ethan had spent the entire time off in Bristol with his family. Where some folks found spending time with family around the holidays less than restful, Ethan had felt entirely carefree. He'd spent more time with Lilly than he had in ages, and he didn't give Adriana Fairchild and her desire to resurrect Project 25 any thought.
Now that he was at Hogwarts again, those concerns were back on his mind, and more so now than ever. Fairchild's failed attempt to disrupt the Muggle government and damage relations between the two worlds was well-known. Now that she wasn't focused on her plan anymore, she had time for the next thing. Ethan and the other former members of Project 25 feared their time was up. Some of those not in hiding even went so far as to get physicals, just in case something showed up in a scan.
Ethan himself hadn't taken that step, because he wasn't sure anything would be detected. He just hoped that if he started changing, he notice it as he had before, so that he could alert the others and hopefully stop things from going too far.
When all his first years were accounted for, he launched into his lecture. "Godelot was the author of Magick Moste Evile, a dark arts book. Yes, there is a copy in the Restricted Section of the library. No, I will not give you permission to read it. At least, not until you are much older."
There were some crestfallen faces.
Ethan smiled and continued his lecture.
Gypsy and Genie
Author: Ellis
Date: 01-16-17 13:18
Daphne stepped outside and immediately wished she had thought to use one of the interior passages to get to the greenhouses. She supposed she could still turn around, but a familiar figure in the not-so-distant distance had her pressing onwards. She pulled her scarf up over her nose and mouth to better protect her face and then set out onto the icy, brown lawn.
Conrad heard crunching noises behind him and knew that someone else was walking across the grounds. He had just left Potions and was finished with classes for the day. With the sun due to set in little more than an hour, Conrad wanted to check on the animal he planned on showing at the Best in Show: Magical Creatures event for the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament.
He turned to look over his shoulder to see who else had braved the cold and grinned when he saw Daphne. Conrad slowed to a stop and waited for her to catch up with him.
"Where are you headed?" he asked. "Class?" He couldn't keep up with anyone's schedule but his own, but even that was tricky sometimes.
"Greenhouses, but not for class," Daphne explained. "I wanted to check on my dogflower."
Her dogflower, a cockerspaniel, was coming along nicely. Daphne had never imagined that a single plant could bring her so much joy, but this plant wasn't the least bit ordinary. It was like having a real dog, only it didn't have any legs and needed nutrient-rich soil to live.
"Did I tell you?" she asked. "I named it Gypsy."
"Gypsy?" Conrad laughed. "It's a plant!"
"So?"
Conrad grinned. "I suppose Gypsy is in good company. Would you like to meet Genie?"
Daphne nodded. "Oh, yes. Is that where you are headed now?" She'd heard all about his Granian winged horse but had yet to see it in the flesh.
"Come on, then."
Conrad led her to the stables, where Professor Kent was getting ready for a class. Conrad introduced his sister, even though he realized the Care of Magical Creatures professor probably knew who she was, despite the fact she wasn't one of his students. He promised to be quick so as not to disturb the incoming class and grabbed some of the things he needed, like animal feed and a coarse brush.
Then, he led Daphne over to the stall where Genie was and introduced them to each other. Conrad then gave Daphne a quick introduction into how he cared for Genie. Normally, he would have taken more time, but the sixth year Care of Magical Creatures students soon arrived. Conrad wrapped things up, waved goodbye to Professor Kent, and then left the stables with Daphne.
"Want to see Gypsy?" Daphne asked.
Conrad grinned. "Sure!"
They went to the greenhouses next.
Azkaban Visit
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 01-17-17 18:59
I've hardly sat down when Max Black enters, making straight for the empty chair opposite the table from me. "Thank you for coming."
"I have no idea why I did."
"Well, thank you again. I know I have no right to ask another favor of you "
"You mean another beyond asking me to come to Azkaban," I interrupt, stating it as fact rather than questioning.
"Yes, and I'm sorry to impose on you again but there aren't many I trust these days."
"What's the favor?" The "this time" is implied.
"My mother's birthday is next week. There's a gift for her in the vault. I don't know why I didn't think to ask you to get it when you were handling that parchmentwork for me."
My eyes narrow in thought. I say, "I understand, or think I do, not wanting your mother, or other close family member, handling the legal and financial issues but why wouldn't you ask her or your father to get the present?"
"They aren't exactly fans of mine at the moment."
"You're in Azkaban for murder but your parents are still your parents."
"So you won't do this for me?"
"I didn't say that. I'm just trying to understand why you need me when you have your parents."
Max heaves a sigh that's so loud the guard steps forward, brow crinkled in curiosity. Just as quickly the guard steps back, embarrassment at the reaction flashing across his face before becoming stoic and seemingly uninterested in the goings on at the table.
"My father wouldn't help. He thinks I'm a disgrace. I can't very well ask Mum to fetch her own gift."
I shake my head and roll my eyes, more at myself than at Max. "Where in the vault?"
"A silver and copper striped box. You can look in it if you want to check for yourself that it's a gift, that I'm not duping you into something illicit. The solicitor has the address."
"Anything else? Wrap it? Send it as is?"
"As is in the box is fine but if you think wrapped is better I'd appreciate your taking care of that as well. Oh, there's a card in the box. I'd found one I thought was perfect so went on and got it. It's even signed."
I ask again, "Anything else?"
"No, just taking care of getting the present off would be great. I owe you more than I can ever repay, Furnie."
I rise to go, acknowledging his words with a slight nod before telling him goodbye.
Max watches her go, thinking that perhaps next time she comes, if she ever comes again, he'll tell her why he's really in Azkaban.
Parents
Author: Finley
Date: 01-17-17 19:08
Finley and Phoebus entered the Great Hall together after History of Magic and crossed over to the Gryffindor table. They set down their book bags and sat down next to each other. Finley reached for a wheat bun and put a beef patty on it. She added some lettuce, tomato, and cheese and then put it all together for a big bite. Phoebus, meanwhile, had opted for only the bread and meat. He'd already eaten half of his hamburger by the time Finley took her first bite.
Finley was hungry enough to eat without conversing. Instead, she looked around the Great Hall to see who all was there and with whom. Her eyes fell on Eirene, who was seated alone at the Slytherin table with a book open and a soup spoon hovering near her mouth.
Finley inevitably started thinking about the Christmas holidays. She had gone to the orphanage to spend time with Leroy. They'd passed the days the typical way, by hanging out together and trying to ignore Charla and her cronies, who loved to antagonize them. Finley had also waited to hear from Eirene, who had promised to arrange a formal meeting between her and the Prides.
Just when Finley thought it wouldn't happen, Eirene arrived at the orphanage with Gemma and Theo in tow. Gemma had been there before, of course, when she'd posed as Mrs. Nemo. She looked really happy to be in Finley's company. Mr. Pride, on the other hand, seemed a bit guarded and unsure. His uncertainty made Finley feel a bit nervous, but she was cautiously optimistic that everything would turn out okay.
After making the arrangements with Mrs. Gill, the Prides took Finley out to the nearby town Moreton-in-Marsh, where they lived. It was a Muggle town, populated by a handful of wizarding families. Finley saw that Eirene's house, which was a fairytale cottage with what was surely a pretty garden when it wasn't the dead of winter, was just over the rise from the Pride house. The Prides lived in a smaller, though still nice cottage.
They dropped Eirene off at home to spend some time getting to know Finley. They showed her around the house and then sat down at the table for tea. While they drank and ate peanutbutter-flavored biscuits Gemma had baked herself, the elder Prides asked the younger a lot questions about herself.
Finley described her time at the orphanage and her devoted friendship to Leroy, but she only became truly enthusiastic when she talked about Hogwarts. Learning she was so much more than just an orphan had been the best thing to ever happen to her. Meeting her biological parents definitely ranked high on her list of accomplishments, though.
"So you are a witch?" Theo asked, looking skeptical.
"Theo, stop!" Gemma cried out in protest.
Finley confusedly looked between them. She supposed he'd thought her to be a Muggle all this time, despite what Eirene and Gemma herself might have told him.
Finley's visit had only lasted the day, and though there had been a promise for another meeting during the Christmas holidays, it hadn't happened. Finley had, however, received a letter from Gemma since returning to Hogwarts. Gemma had invited her to stay for the Easter holidays, which Finley was actively considering even though she would hate to not see Leroy. She'd not missed an Easter holiday at the orphanage since starting at Hogwarts, after all.
Finley was just glad that she finally had parents who acknowledged her existence and actually wanted to spend time with her. Even Theo appeared to have come around, for he'd given her a warm hug upon her return to the orphanage. Sometimes Finley could still feel his arms around her.
"Finley!"
She blinked and realized that Phoebus was talking to her. "Sorry, what were you saying?"
He shook his head in response and crammed a fistful of chips into his mouth.
(Arielle) Lunch
Author: Jolyon
Date: 01-19-17 18:31
Arielle and Malden entered the Great Hall together. They had just come from Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Both only had one more class left for the day, and it just so happened to be Care of Magical Creatures. Arielle looked forward to the class, since it was taught by her father and because it gave her a chance to spend more time with her crup, Pete, who was currently being boarded at the stables.
The couple always traded off where they had their meals. Since the last one had been at the Gryffindor table, they went to Slytherin. Arielle used to feel quite awkward seated among the other Slytherins, but she hardly thought about it anymore. Malden obviously had no problem with the fact that she was in Gryffindor, or he never would have started dating her.
They sat down in an area that was fairly empty, about a third of the way down from the main doors of the Great Hall. Arielle studied the options available for lunch and went with some chicken tenders and seasoned, thin-cut crisps. The first tender she bit in to was so hot it burned the roof of her mouth. She winced and reached for a pitcher of pumpkin juice, which she quickly poured into a glass and drank.
It was while setting her glass back down onto the table and running her tongue over the tender tissue on the roof of her mouth that she noticed Asher trudge past where they were seated. He had been in the same DADA class with them, but he must have stopped off in the dormitory or perhaps gone somewhere else to be so delayed to the Great Hall. Asher scowled when he noticed them. Arielle had never had a good relationship with her twin, but she was a bit sorry that she had gotten between him and Malden.
She turned to her boyfriend to suggest he try to patch things up with her brother, what little good his efforts might do, when she noticed him scanning the length of the table. He had a small notepad next to his plate and appeared to be jotting down names with a tiny pencil, though Arielle couldn't really tell what he was writing. Malden was left-handed, and he was leaning on his right arm and blocking most of her view.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
His pencil streaked across the tiny page in surprise. Malden looked over to her and said without hesitation, "My grandfather asked me to do something for him, and I've been putting it off."
"Oh, what's that?" Arielle asked. His jumpiness had given her cause to wonder, but he seemed very confident about his answer.
"He wants to arrange some sort of event and wanted me to tell him who he should invite among my classmates."
"What kind of event?" Arielle asked.
"I don't know exactly," Malden admitted. "My grandfather's got very particular tastes, so I know the sort he'd want at his gathering."
"I take it I'm not getting an invitation."
Malden smiled apologetically at her. "I doubt it, but I'm thinking about asking your brother. He and my grandfather are alike in some respects."
Arielle suddenly brightened. "Oh? That's a great idea!" she exclaimed. Perhaps Malden and Asher could patch things up after all. "Can I help in some way?" she asked.
Malden shook his head. "No, I've got it covered. Thanks, though."
Arielle smiled. "I suppose if I get involved, Asher definitely won't be interested anyway. Better I sit out, in that case."
Malden nodded and went back to scanning the table. Arielle, meanwhile, tested the chicken tender again with her fingers and decided it probably wouldn't scald her mouth anymore.
Frustrated
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 01-19-17 20:22
Harry sets on the table the sandwich he'd brought from home. Alongside the sandwich go a fruit salad, lemon flavored water, and a small plum hand pie, all from the Ministry canteen. He starts to take a bite of the sandwich but changes his mind and starts with the plum hand pie. Ron arrives then, taking the chair on Harry's left.
"Afters first. Good choice." As an afterthought Ron asks, "Mind if I sit with you?"
Harry deadpans, "As we've never socialized before why start now?"
"Ha. Speaking of socializing, want to barbeque or something Sunday?"
"Yeah, sure. Have to check with Ginny."
"Have to check with Hermione but consider it on. Elevenish?"
"Sounds good. What should we bring?"
"Uhhh, let you know after I talk with Hermione." Ron cuts a slice of sausage from the bangers and mash he'd gotten. "Did you hear? They finally figured out the new drug." He makes air quotes when he says new. Since New Year's there have been enough people brought in or taken to St. Mungo's high on this so called "new" drug.
"No, when?"
"Was in a release this morning. It's a cocktail of some that have been around for years and the newer designer drugs. A little cocaine, a little PCP, sparkle, temptation. There's a list of something like fifteen drugs all in a potion someone's figured out how to brew up."
"I miss so much working the complaints desk, even department wide releases," Harry sighs, "but at least I'm allowed in the Ministry as an employee. There are still some who'd like to see me locked up until my dear cousin is taken care of. Some would like me put away for longer than that." "What do I have to do to prove myself to these people?" Harry forcefully spears a strawberry half from his fruit salad.
"I don't understand them. You battled Voldemort. You've put your life in the line countless times. There's never been a single piece of evidence that you support Adriana."
"There are a few who won't be convinced until I'm dead and only if I've died in the line of duty. Others wouldn't be convinced even with that." Harry reaches for his sandwich. "As long as I'm on the complaints desk I can't even officially do anything to continue proving myself. If I'm caught doing anything unofficially, fingers would point claiming it's proof I'm not trustworthy."
"Damned in you do, damned if you don't."
"Exactly."
Ron takes bite of his lunch before asking, "Was the pie good?"
"It was excellent though far too small. I may get another."
"When you do, get me one."
The two friends spend the rest of their lunch discussing some of the more interesting complaints Harry has handled this week and Ron telling Harry about the serial killer task force possibly continuing for at least another year, though in a much reduced form.
(Alanna) Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: Beck
Date: 01-20-17 11:52
The bars of the cell slammed shut, and then the burly guard with an impassive face walked down the corridor and disappeared behind a solid door. Alanna backed away from the bars and turned to survey her new home. It was tiny and bare, with a small latrine and sink in the corner and a cot against the wall. She crossed over to the cot and sat down on the hard, thin mattress.
All at once, tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over onto her cheeks. She thought she'd run out of tears by now, but apparently not. Alanna put her fist to her mouth to silence the sobs that threatened to come.
After a few days in a Ministry of Magic holding cell, she'd gone to court where prosecutors presented evidence claiming she had wanted Reed dead and had intended for him to die on new year's morning. The documents submitted into evidence, including Reed's diary and an autopsy report, unequivocally damned Alanna and was the reason she was now in Azkaban.
Under normal circumstances, she never would have been arrested. Reed's death would have been considered a terrible accident. Alanna had quickly come to realize that her circumstances were far from normal, though. Even in death, Reed had total control over the situation. Alanna was sure he had set up some sort of fail safe in the event something didn't go his way, such as his untimely death. If only she would have thought about it before she decided to take back her life. Way to go, Alanna.
She curled her legs up and turned to face the wall. Never in a million years did she think she would wind up in Azkaban. At least there weren't any dementors for guards, though she didn't need them around to feel depressed. A whimper escaped her lips, and then Alanna couldn't hep herself. She started to scream.