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(Alanna) Keeping House
Author: Beck
Date: 04-02-17 15:47
Alanna pulled a small tray of warmed bread rolls out of the oven and dumped them into a basket, which she carried to the table already set with place mats, plates, and utensils. Ariella had baked the rolls on Sunday, having put her skills from her days at Briar's Bakery to good use. In addition to the rolls, Alanna put sliced salami, havarti cheese, and other sandwich fixings onto the table.
Then, she went to the next room where Karina was busy combing her doll's hair and asked her to wash up for lunch. She also fetched Adam from his play pen, which he didn't really need yet since he couldn't crawl and definitely couldn't walk. Alanna put him in his high chair, buckled him in, and slid the tray on, which he proceeded to pound on with his little hands.
Alanna went to check on Karina, who was standing on a stool in the bathroom and was busy making soap bubbles. The girl, who was a spitting image of her mother at that age, grinned at Alanna through the mirror's reflection and quickly rinsed off her hands. She shut off the water, jumped off of the stool, and went to take her place at the table.
Lastly, Alanna found her grandfather. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, doing leg exercises with an elastic band. His healer had recently told him that he needed to work on keeping his muscles limber. In addition to basic exercises, Tobias has started going on long walks. Sometimes Alanna and the kids went, too.
Gramps took his usual place at the table. He fixed Karina's plate before helping himself. Alanna, meanwhile, gave Adam his bottle. He drank it hungrily, though his eyes roved to the food on the table and on his family's plates.
"How long are you going to want to help around the house?" Gramps asked after a while.
"What do you mean?" Alanna asked. "I like helping."
Although there were a lot of times when all she wanted to do was mope, she had come to realize that her family needed her. Gramps was certainly capable of watching Karina and Adam while Ariella was at work, but he wasn't a young wizard anymore, and child-rearing wasn't easy.
"I know that," Gramps said, "but don't you want to go back to work?"
Alanna frowned. Upon her arrest, she'd lost her position at the Ministry of Magic. Since the job hadn't been filled during the brief time she was in Azkaban, there was an offer for her to return if she wanted, but Alanna didn't want to go back to work at the Ministry of Magic. There were too many bad memories there.
She was also afraid to run into Jared. Now that the truth had come out––The Daily Prophet published a new article about Reed's bad deeds almost everyday––Alanna thought she could approach him and apologize for what she put him through. Surely he would understand why she'd done it. She'd been scared and thought it was the only way to save him and the rest of her family from Reed.
A niggling feeling stopped her from seeking Jared out, though. Why hadn't he come to see her, now that the truth about Reed had come to light? Alanna could only guess that he was still hurting, and she feared that he might not ever forgive her.
"I do, and I will," she finally answered, trying to keep the sadness out of her voice. "Just, not at the Ministry. I need a little more time to recuperate…"
"Of course, Alanna. I don't want you to rush into anything," her grandfather said.
She managed a small smile. "When the time is right, I'll start fresh. I think it's my only option right now."
Dinner Talk
Author: Carys
Date: 04-03-17 16:22
Carys looked over at the back door when Tristan came in and said, "Go wash up. Dinner's just about ready."
"Okay, Mum," Tristan replied. He pulled off his shoes and left them by the door before disappearing to hopefully do as his mother asked.
Carys, meanwhile, got all the food put into dishes and carried them to the table, where Meg was already seated in her high chair. Meg was drooling quite a bit since she was teething. Carys used her wand to dry off the bib around Meg's neck and then vanished the shoes Tristan had left by the door.
A moment later, both Tristan and Griffin appeared and sat down at the table. Carys cut a sausage in half and gave one to Tristan. She then scooped up roasted potatoes and a little bit of salad, which Tristan didn't want but would eat if he wanted dessert.
Carys gave Meg a bottle that had been warmed via charm and then sat down to eat.
"How was work?" she asked Griff, as she helped herself to some potatoes.
"Very busy," Griff replied. "I'm actually surprised I made it home at a decent hour. How was the studio?"
"Not very busy," Carys answered, "but we had a couple of appointments and a walk-in."
"When I grow up, I don't want to work," Tristan suddenly announced, "and neither does Greg."
"Oh really?" Carys asked, smiling. "How do you expect to have nice things or provide for a girlfriend, perhaps, if you don't have a job?"
She was hoping Tristan would confess to having a girlfriend or whatever the pigtailed girl was to him, but he didn't bite.
Tristan replied with a shrug. "I want to live in a treehouse. I don't need nice things."
"Meg probably wants nice things, though," Griff said. "She's a girl."
"Hey, Meg might like treehouse living," Carys said, jabbing her fork in Griffin's direction. "You don't have to be a boy to want to live in a treehouse."
"Do you want to live in a treehouse?" Griff asked her, grinning.
Carys shrugged and muttered, "Well, it would have to be a nice one." She took a sip of her hot apple cider and asked Tristan, "Would you have a roommate living with you in your treehouse?"
Again, he didn't say anything about the mystery girl. Instead Tristan said, "Maybe Tyler would want to live there, too, or Greg."
Carys looked over at Griff with a defeated expression. She'd told him all about the hand-holding she'd witnessed at Valentine's Day. They'd agreed not to embarrass Tristan by asking him point-blank if he had a girlfriend. Carys was dying to know the truth, though, and she didn't want to wait for him to tell her.
(Adiran) Dinner Talk
Author: Saffron
Date: 04-03-17 19:21
Patty Chalmers plops heavily next to Adiran, enough so he feels jolted. "What's tomorrow?" she asks with a yawn, her voice a croak.
"Thursday"
"So Charms, Potions, and Herbology." Speaking seems to be a struggle and Patty's eyes look puffy.
"Yeah. You okay?"
"I want to curl up and die."
"Don't breathe on me."
"Trying not to. Is that chicken soup?"
"I think so. Want some?"
Patty reaches for a bowl. "I'm going to try a little."
"I got it." Adiran's closer and it's easier for him to ladle her up some than it is to pass the tureen to her.
"Thanks. So glad we don't have Astronomy on Wednesdays. I'd not make it." Patty sips some of the soup, grimacing with each swallow. "If I'm sick enough tomorrow to skip classes, may I borrow your notes?"
"Yeah, but why not ask Mona?" Mona as in Patty's best friend and one of her roommates Mona van Houten.
"Have you seen Mona's writing? I think one of the school owls could scratch out something I could read before Mona."
Having seen some of Mona's writing Adiran laughs in agreement then asks, "What about one of your other dormmates?"
"You are here now and I am about to go see Madam Pomfrey but if you don't want to let me just say so."
"No, I don't mean it that way. You can borrow my notes. Just surprised you asked me before one of the girls is all."
"Okay, thanks." Patty gets up as heavily as she sat down, as if every limb weighs a few stone.
Adiran looks at her bowl of barely touched soup and shudders. He'd thought to move it aside in case someone else comes along to dinner and wants to sit by him but he'll let whomever in the kitchen vanishes the dirty dishes take care of it. He's heard it's house elves but he's never snuck into the kitchen to see for himself, and beg food, as some have, despite Hufflepuff House being near the school's kitchen.
He doesn't dwell long on Patty's surely diseased partially eaten soup as second year Frederick Benwick sitting on Adiran's other side gives him a nudge. "Pass the neeps, leeks, and tatties."
As Adiran hands the casserole of turnips, leeks, and potatoes to Frederick the other boy says, "Hear you got picked for one of the broom races. You up for it?"
"Merlin, I hope so."
The rest of dinner is spent talking about the four broom racing events as well as the rest of the SAT events, Hogwarts chances in each, and which tournament events Frederick and Adiran had put their names in for. Unlike Adiran who'd put his name in for just about everything first years could participate in, Frederick had only signed up for two, Astronomy and the History Quiz Showdown, which Adiran had been chosen to do. Being reminded of this, Frederick asks lots of questions about Durmstrang where the history based competition took place. Before they know it they are each having thirds of dessert, neither looking forward to leaving the Great Hall to do homework.
A Whomping Willow (Jaclyn)
Author: Saffron
Date: 04-04-17 19:21
Abraham Albright follows Jaclyn outside after Charms. At first she thinks he just happens to be going the same direction, maybe meeting up with someone before going to lunch. When she's halfway to the greenhouses it occurs to her that he's following her. She stops and spins around.
"Why are you following me?"
Abraham's cheeks go pink. "I should have said something already. Sorry."
When he doesn't elaborate she asks, "Well?"
"I was wondering if you'd want to study for the Charms exam with me."
Jaclyn studies Abraham. She had no idea he liked her. If that's what this is instead of him just needing a study partner and no one else agreeing so far.
"Okay, sure." She turns back around. "I need to get to hurry if I'm going to have time for lunch before Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Instead of saying he'll talk to her later or even just saying bye, Abraham falls into step with her. "Where are you going?"
"The greenhouses. I need to check on the tree I'm raising for the magical plants competition. I slept late so didn't do it before class this morning."
"Magical plant competition?"
"You know, one of the best in show contests for the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament."
"Oh yeah. What plant?"
"I'm raising a Whomping Willow from a seedling."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"Why not?"
"Because it's a Whomping Willow."
Jaclyn shrugs then asks, "Did you enter anything?"
"Only for the dueling one. I wished I'd gotten picked but I'm also glad I didn't."
"Know what you mean. I'm nervous about this and it's not even until June. I'd hoped to get picked for a couple of others but I guess one event is enough."
With time for lunch ticking away Jaclyn makes quick work of checking on her Whomping Willow. It's been growing steadily but is still very much a sapling. It's starting to wave its branches around but for awhile now it seems to recognize Jaclyn, which is good because enough though the branches are small they can sting enough to make a welt hitting someone when flailing about.
On the way back to the castle, walking at a brisk pace, Abraham and Jaclyn decide upon a time for later today to start studying for the upcoming Charms test.
Seeing Stars
Author: Illyria
Date: 04-05-17 18:35
Illyria went out onto the Observation Deck and surveyed the night sky. It was a clear night, just perfect for stargazing, but it was also cold. The occasional breeze didn't help matters much, either. Fortunately, Illyria owned a warm, winter cloak that was also wind resistant.
While she moved around the deck and arranged the telescopes for tonight's second year class, she thought about her day. Ian had gotten her up early and had spent much of the day either keeping himself entertained or resisting naps. Illyria had gotten some work done in between diaper changes and meals, but she'd also managed a long nap with Ian for company. He'd slept fitfully as always, but it was still a more restful sleep with his mother by his side.
When it was time for Illyria's office hours, she dropped Ian off at daycare, where he would only stay until Nathan got home from work. Illyria had a few students stop by to discuss the Astronomy SAT event. Time passed quickly. After office hours, Illyria stopped by her quarters again to freshen up and reunite with husband and son, and then the three went down to the Great Hall for supper.
Now she was getting everything ready for her Gryffindor and Hufflepuff second year class. They were studying constellations. The three they hoped to observe tonight were Cancer, Canis Minor, and Carina. Just eyeballing the sky, Illyria felt pretty confident that the students wouldn't be disappointed tonight.
They arrived in short order, dressed warmly for the occasion. Illyria had them pair up around the telescopes and began her instruction once they had found their places.
"Cancer, or the crab, is difficult to find in the sky. Points to which ever pair finds it first."
There was quick action at each telescope. A couple of pairs bumped heads while attempting to use their telescope.
After a minute or so, Blair Hazelton's hand shot up into the air. "We found it, Professor Goode!"
Illyria walked over to peer through the telescope. "Indeed you have. Ten points each," she said, smiling at Blair and her partner, Georgiana Elliot.
She made sure everyone else had their telescopes pointed in the right direction before proceeding with her lecture.
Friday Lunch
Author: Declan
Date: 04-06-17 19:58
"You want my help this evening?"
Declan pauses in selecting a sandwich from one of the nearest platters. "I thought you had plans with Pippa."
"She's owled. Under the weather."
"Sorry to hear that." Declan debates what else he wants of the easy to reach platters and bowls of food. "If you don't mind helping then I'd love to have you."
Zabrynna adds some salad to her plate. "I wouldn't have offered if I minded." She grins. "How are they looking?"
"Good, but no matter how prepared they are whatever each team gets during the actual mock trials could still throw them."
Declan is the Hogwarts faculty sponsor for the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament's Mock Trial event. There are only two teams of two students each per school. Hogwarts sixth year team is composed of Willow Westwick and Callie Blackwell. The seventh year team is Justin Hodges and Baron Marchbanks.
Each school sponsor has a large file of cases along the lines of those that will be used for the actual competition. Declan has no idea how others are prepping their teams but most likely they are doing what he's doing or something similar. He gives each team a case and in the same amount of time allotted as during the competition, thirty minutes, each has to use the resources given to research legal and historical precedents and come up with a presentation and present it.
He's meeting with both teams this evening for just over an hour, giving them time to go through two cases each while not taking up their entire Friday night. He sort of hates taking up any of their Fridays but with the event at the end of the month they need to continue working on methodically breaking down each case and giving a presentation in the short time allowed.
Seeing Rand entering the Great Hall just then Declan nods and smiles his direction, wishing he had news to give the boy about his mother. Zabrynna, Declan, and others helping them have hit roadblock after roadblock on tracking down Melanie. In the meantime, Rand has gotten a few more letters purportedly from her.
As if knowing his thoughts Zabrynna reassuringly pats Declan's leg. "We'll find her."
"I hope so." Rather than dwell negative thoughts he asks, "How was your morning?"
Friday Dinner
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 04-07-17 17:14
Fritz enters the Great Hall after his office hours end and heads down the center aisle to the staff table. It's still on the early side for supper, but when one's day starts at dawn or earlier, as many of the students' and staff members' Fridays do, eating at the top of the five o'clock hour doesn't seem too early at all.
Fritz isn't sure if Coco will join him for dinner in the Great Hall. When they discussed it at breakfast, their plans for the evening meal were very much up in the air due to their busy schedules.
Today is the last day of Hilary Term at St. Emrys. Fritz spent the morning with the advisor for his dissertation, discussing his progress and what is expected of him in order to finish next term. Fritz can hardly believe that he's only one term away from his Primary Order of Potions degree from St. Emrys University.
After his business at the university, Fritz came to Hogwarts for a late lunch and then for his office hours. He didn't have a single student stop by, which allowed him to catch up on marking homework parchments and to plan ahead for the remaining classes before Easter break.
In the Great Hall, there is quite a bit of chatter about the upcoming Scholastic Aptitude Tournament events, which are taking place at Hogwarts. On Saturday, March 26th, the students selected for the Best in Show: Magical Creatures will compete, while the chosen sixth and seventh years (or their equivalents) will participate in the Mock Trial on Sunday, March 27th.
Back during the first SAT, Fritz had not participated in either event. Instead, he'd competed in the Cauldron Clash, Spelling Bee, Broom Racing (Long Distance & Obstacle 1) and the defunct Magical Cook-off event. He still has the trophies he won, though they are in a box somewhere in his farmhouse.
Fritz is definitely planning on being on hand to watch both events. The thought makes him a bit nostalgic for his own SAT days. But then he's reminded that the 2000-2001 school year was the last good year before things went badly for "nons" such as himself.
At least he can probably safely say that things won't go badly next year.