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Dislike The Friday Schedule (Adiran & Lilith)
Author: Saffron
Date: 09-28-17 20:02
Adiran flops onto the seat next to Louis Kegg. "I liked Fridays better last year. Only had one class."
"Could drop Fitness & Athletics." Or that's what Adiran thinks Louis has said as his friend's mouth is stuffed with bangers and mash.
"Yeah, could but kind of like it best right now. Nothing against Professor Ravensdale but I'd drop History if I could."
"And Astronomy. Better things to do that late at night. I like the stars but I also like them on my own time. You going to try for Quidditch?"
"Yeah, maybe." Adiran forks a couple of pieces of toasted rye onto his plate followed by a generous portion of the creamy cheese sauce to make Welsh rarebit. He accepts a platter of pork pies being passed down the table, taking one for himself before moving it along. After adding a few roasted vegetables Adiran digs in. "Where's everyone else?"
By everyone else, he means the others from their year and house who've also come from the much beloved History Of Magic.
"Dunno. Dave was right behind me I thought. Patty's down that way. No idea about anyone else. What took you?" Louis asks.
"Tripped and realized one of my laces had broken. Don't know a spell to fix it so was tying the two pieces in a knot when Professor Ravensdale saw me in the hall outside the classroom and showed me how to fix it."
"Easy spell?"
"Yeah. Will show you after we eat."
At the Slytherin table Lilith is also not that happy with her new Friday schedule. Four courses and the last not finished until three. Of course, it could be worse. Savannah's not done on Friday's until nearly five. The same goes for seventh years Marion and Katheryn.
At least she won't be burdened with massive end-of-term exams to study for, just the regular final examinations to write. It's good there is a gap between OWL and NEWT years. If anyone ever decides there should be some sort of equally massive exit exams for sixth years Lilith is glad she'd be done with sixth year by then.
Lilith is also grateful that she has another year before she has to give serious consideration to what she wants to do in life. With university as an option NEWTs are not quite as pressing for that life choice as they once were as NEWT scores for each course taken determined what fields of employment were open to someone. Still, NEWTs play a big role in being accepted into certain university programs. Lilith has several interests so she would be hard pressed to name just one to pursue as a career choice if she were put on the spot right this instance.
Conscious of the need not to dawdle as she only has an hour total to get from Ancient Runes to the Great Hall to eat and then be all the way up in the Arithmancy & Divination tower classroom, Lilith gives her full attention to eating lunch and to a question someone's just asked her.
(Robert) Disgruntled
Author: Isolde
Date: 09-29-17 09:13
Robert closed the file folder on the table in front of him, picked it up, and straightened the edges of the parchments tucked inside of it. He'd just sat through a tedious meeting about unrest in some South American wizarding communities. Normally, Robert would find such briefings engaging, but his mind was often elsewhere these days.
After successfully completing the mission assigned to him by the man in the red hat, Robert thought that he would have received compensation for a job well done or at least communication on what the next steps were. Instead, Robert had heard nothing. Not having the best of tempers anyway, he resented the fact that his efforts and competencies were apparently being ignored.
What irritated him all the more was the fact that he wasn't apparently worthy enough to receive an invitation to Death Eater headquarters himself. What did Westwick have that he didn't, besides a dubious family connection to the dark wizard group?
He scowled and scooped up the file folder as he rose from his seat. His coworker seated next to him mistook his expression and remarked, "Just awful what they are doing over there, isn't it?"
Robert pulled himself from his dark thoughts and muttered, "Yeah." He excused himself from the conference room so he wouldn't have to make small talk with anybody else and retreated to his desk, onto which he tossed the folder. He plopped into his seat and scowled again.
Last night he had attended the Start of Term Feast at Hogwarts after Azaelia reminded him that it was taking place. Although Robert hadn't been in any mood to attend, he'd not had anything better to do. To his surprise, the evening had gone okay. He'd been social when required and had eaten the very best meal he'd had in a long time.
He supposed he might join Azaelia for dinner again tonight. Robert wasn't much in the mood for working late. He cut his eyes to the watch on his wrist and sighed. The end of his shift was still hours away and the time until then would probably drag now that he wanted his weekend to arrive. If only he had a mission with which to keep himself occupied.
Eleven
Author: Carys
Date: 09-30-17 06:41
Tristan frowned. "But Muuuuuuuummmmm. It's my birthday. Why do I have to go to school today?"
Carys, putting together a Black Forest ham and cheese sandwich, looked over to her son and said, "Because it's not a school holiday."
"It should be!" Tristan insisted. "Kids shouldn't have to go to school on their birthdays. It's just wrong."
"Kids have gone to school on their birthdays since the dawn of time," Carys said. "Well, except for me, of course." She teased her eldest child with a wink.
"That's NOT fair!" Tristan exclaimed. "Your birthday is before term starts. Mine is after."
"Life's full of 'not-fairs'," Carys said. "Just think, if your birthday had been last week, you'd be at Hogwarts this very morning, waking up to attend class."
"I'd just stay in my room and not go to class," Tristan said. "You wouldn't be there to make me go."
"True, but Professor McGonagall is there, and a lot of other teachers and prefects who would make sure you went to class or had a very good excuse for not going––and having one's birthday is not a good enough excuse, I'm afraid."
"I bet Professor McGonagall is more understanding than you are," Tristan said.
Carys shot him a knowing glance. "She and I are friends, you know." They'd both been at Goen Bren together. Carys wondered if reporters were hounding the Headmistress about her time at the community for nons, too.
"Get your shoes on," she said. "We're going to be late."
Tristan muttered something that sounded like Good and shuffled out of the kitchen to presumably finish getting dressed for school.
Carys finished making his lunch and then washed her hands in the sink. She couldn't believe her baby was eleven years old on this very day. Where had the time gone?
Cold Cases
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 09-30-17 20:10
With a lull between people wishing to make formal complaints Harry uses the time to finish filling out the parchmentwork filed so far today and organizing them in order of importance and urgency, with most ranking low in both categories. It has yet to cease to amaze him how many witches and wizards have some sort of complaint each deems serious enough to come to the Ministry of Magic to put the grievance on record with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
He puts the last of the small pile into the out box, looking up just in time for a memo to fly right into his face. At least the pointed end of the airplane shape didn't stab him in the eye.
Unfolding it, Harry reads a summons to the Minister of Magic's office as soon as possible. Harry lets the other person on duty know where he's going. Though Kingsley office isn't actually far, due to the labyrinthine, twisting nature of some of the corridors between the complaint desks and the Minister of Magic's office, it takes Harry a couple of minutes to traverse the distance. There, he's told to take a seat, the Minister is in a meeting.
Wanting to ask why the summons indicated he should be there asap if he now has to wait for an indefinite time but knowing such a question would only earn him a glare and possibly a sarcastic remark, he holds his tongue. Good thing too as the wait is just over a quarter hour and having to wait that long after such a question would have been awkward.
The door to the inner sanctum opens. A number of witches and wizards stream out, Kingsley following behind. He walks the others to the hall then coming back gestures to Harry, "Good to see you. Thanks for coming. I apologize for making you wait. Meeting ran over."
Once inside the inner office, Kingsley doesn't keep Harry waiting to find out why he was asked - summoned - here. Before Harry's even gotten seated Kingsley says, "I've already spoken to the head of Magical Law Enforcement. You're off the complaints desk."
"I'm sensing a but."
"But you will be on cold cases, not active ones."
"Cold cases."
"You'll be back as an Auror. You may do some good bringing fresh eyes and a different perspective to whichever cold cases you work."
"I guess it's a step forward."
"If you want to stay on the complaints desk you don't have to accept this."
"I'm sorry if I don't sound more enthused. When do I start?"
"After you're lunch break."
"So soon?"
"Yet not soon enough," Kingsley says with a ghost of a smile.
After telling Harry the name of the person to whom he's to report, Kingsley asks for an update on the Knights Walpurgis. There's not much to tell on that front so Harry's soon heading back to Complaints where he sits watching the clock waiting for the time he can leave for lunch. The sooner that happens the sooner he's back to being an Auror. Even if it's only working cold cases.
Amenable & Cordial
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 10-02-17 20:01
"Wow. This is really something."
At the sound of Theodosia's voice Viktor turns from where he's testing the wall of an obstacle challenge for the course the third and fourth years will run for their first Fitness & Athletics class of this new school year. "Thank you. Go around the course if you wish and let me know if you think anything needs adjusting. It's for tomorrow. Third and fourth years."
"You're serious about wanting my opinion?"
"Yes. Despite what you continue to think, Theodosia, I don't hate you."
"I know you don't. I did think that for a long while but I have come to realize you never hated me."
"Just angry and disappointed."
"And hurt."
"There is that."
"And highly conscious of Zubari's and Marjani's emotional states."
Viktor gives a single bob of his head and a shrug. They've been over this numerous times since Theodosia's resurrection.
Theodosia gives a small smile in return "I'll try out the course then." She summons clothing better suited than the linen slacks and silk blouse she's wearing as well as a pair of bright pink trainers with equally bright pink socks. Before heading to the pitch locker rooms to change she says, "Before I forget, the reason I came in person is to ask if you'd let me help at the Quidditch trials."
Viktor shrugs again. "Sure, if you'd like." He tells her when the trials are and what time she should be at the pitch for them.
The entire walk to the locker room and while she is changing and the walk back to the obstacle course Theodosia can't help wondering if everything is all right with Viktor. Since her return he's not been this amenable or cordial and when she's shown up with Marjani to help him with something here at Hogwarts, he's grudgingly allowed her to remain and participate.
Maybe, just maybe, he's finally starting to thaw towards her. Theodosia hopes so. She's missed Viktor's friendship and having him treat her like a sister, like one of the family.
Upset Child
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-03-17 18:37
Bill entered Hogsmeade Primary Day and went to his sister-in-law's office, where he found not only Blossom, but Victoire. The eight-year-old was lying on the carpet with her face in her arms. She wasn't making any noise but Bill could tell that she was crying because her shoulders were shaking.
"She won't say what's wrong," Blossom said to Bill, rising from where she'd been kneeling on the floor. "Her teacher didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, and Victoire's classmates don't seem to know what's wrong either."
Bill got down and ran his fingers through his daughter's hair. "What's the matter, Victoire? What happened?"
She sobbed in response but didn't move from her position on the floor.
Blossom got down again to look Bill in the eye and said, "It started on the playground during recess. One moment she was fine, the next she wasn't."
"I think I better just take her home," Bill said. "Thanks, Blossom. I'll let you know what I find out."
Blossom moved out of his way so he could scoop Victoire up into his arms. Victoire immediately buried her face into Bill's chest. It was almost as if she didn't want to look at anybody or anything.
Blossom walked with him down the corridor to the front door of the school and gave Bill's arm a squeeze before he set off for home.
Once home, Bill put Victoire straight to bed. She started to turn to hide her face into her pillow, but Bill gently held her by the shoulders and asked, "Tell me what's wrong, Victoire. Tell me what I can do to help."
Victoire's eyes were squeezed shut, and tears ran in rivulets down her cheeks. At first she silently mouthed a few words but then she managed to say, "I saw something from my nightmares!"
All Bill's children had the occasional nightmare, but he couldn't think of a single recurring one that Victoire might have. Either they weren't that prevalent, or they hadn't happened in a long time.
"What did you see?" Bill asked, wishing he already knew the answer. Maybe Fleur would know, but she was in France looking after her father, who had just undergone a medical procedure.
Victoire finally opened her eyes. They were red and glassy with tears. "A bad man," she whispered.
Bill frowned. "You saw a man in the park?"
Victoire sniffled. "I saw him."
"What does he look like? What did he do?"
Victoire turned her head to the side. "Scary, and nothing. He was just watching us play."
"Why is he scary? What was he wearing?" Bill tried to get as many details from Victoire as he could so that he could let Blossom know to keep an eye out and to give the information to the authorities if it turned out there was a pedefile hanging around the playground.
Victoire was unable to give him much detail because the subject upset her. Bill eventually let her rest, hoping that time might provide more answers. By the time evening came, Victoire was no longer upset, but Dominique and Louis were home and Bill didn't want them hearing something that might upset them too. Bill let the subject drop for the moment...
Kaycee - New Things
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 10-04-17 18:32
Kaycee slid onto the bench at the Hufflepuff table and helped herself to a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a side of bread. She'd only had one class so far that day, History of Magic, which hadn't been too boring but had taken place first thing in the morning.
She'd gone back to her room afterwards and spent the time until lunch working on the homework already assigned to her on this first full week of school.
After lunch, Kaycee had Transfiguration and then Fitness & Athletics. She was excited about F&A, even though she knew her mortal enemy would be in the class with her. They'd last shared that class when she'd been a first year and he a second, and Kaycee suspected he hadn't dropped the optional class since then.
She was ready for Gerry, though. Kaycee had already bested him once and would do so again if provoked. She surreptitiously glanced over at the Gryffindor table and saw him sitting there with Will. Gerry was chewing with his mouth open. Honestly!
Kaycee rolled her eyes and turned away to eat her lunch. She thought about her two new electives classes. Ancient Runes had first met on Monday, and Arithmancy & Divination had met for the first time yesterday. So far, Kaycee thought she had made good selections for her electives, but only time would really tell.
She was also thinking about trying something new: Quidditch. She'd attended the workshops during Hogsmeade Saturdays, and she'd participated in the broom racing SAT event last year. Kaycee wasn't sure she was good enough to make the team, but it was definitely worth a shot!
New Job
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 10-04-17 19:17
Boris slides into the restaurant booth opposite Mason. "That the course catalog?"
"Yeah, need to rearrange the schedule I'd planned out."
"You got the job."
"I got a job. I'll be doing clerking for two of the Ministry solicitors."
"Law clerking?" Boris makes a face. "What possessed you to apply for that?"
"Because I'm interested in the law. The pay is decent and the hours more flexible for someone going to uni than some of the other jobs I've looked into."
"Since when are you interested in the law?"
"Not really sure when I started finding it interesting. I just sort of realized it one day. I'm thinking of changing programs."
"But learning everything there is to know about Quidditch and becoming the best coaches in Quidditch history is our dream."
"It's your dream. I fantasized about it but I now know that was only ever a fantasy. I just wish I'd come to that conclusion before completing a year at St. Emrys."
"Does this mean you're quitting the Griffins as well?"
"Oh no. Getting to play competitively for a school team is still something that's bloody fun. If it ever stops being fun though I'd quit. If it's not fun, what's the point?"
"But you'd quit Quidditch as a career to go into law?"
"Coaching as a career."
"You're good enough to go pro."
"Maybe, I'm not so sure."
"You're a better player than I am."
"And you'd make a far better coach than I ever would."
"You think."
"I know."
A cleared throat gets their attention. A waitress stands there looking a tiny bit annoyed. "For the third time," she says with great patiences, "are you ready to order?"
Boris and Mason both feel their faces grow hot. Were they that focused and involved in their conversation that they never heard her approach much less make two previous attempts to gain their attention? Both hastily mumble sorry and give their orders. As she walks away Mason asks, "How's Mamie?"
Mamie had briefly broken up with Boris but he'd managed to win her back. They have gotten serious enough Boris has even begun checking out rings. Mason would never have thought that of the two of them Boris would settle into a committed relationship before he did.
Sour
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 10-07-17 05:34
Tiberius walked around the students' desks to inspect their progress. He taught third years Gryffindor and Ravenclaw how to turn a teapot into a tortoise. Most students didn't seem to have progressed at all, as their teapots remained the same. On some cases the teapots had gained short tails, or four moving legs. There was also someone who made their teapot gain a shell. Tiberius encouraged some of the frustrated students and awarded the most successful ones with points: five points to Grace Valentine from Ravenclaw and five points to Gryffindor Rand Prinsloo.
The bell rang and the class was dismissed after he gave weekend homework to the students, who did not become very satisfied with that fact because the Quidditch Trials were on that very same Saturday, and most planned to attend, if not to try out then to watch.
Tiberius gathered his things, and went to his office, as this was his last class of the day. He almost bumped with Titus who was also finished for the day, after Potions. Titus tried to pretend he didn't notice Tiberius, but he called him and asked him to follow him to his office. Titus sent him a killer look behind his glasses, and followed, because Tiberius had used the 'professor tone' instead of the brother one.
Once the door of Tiberius' door was closed, Titus asked in an aggressive tone:
"What do you want?"
"To make amends," Tiberius replied, going around the desk and sinking into his comfortable chair. "We cannot go on like this, Titus. You have been ignoring me since the first day of school."
"I am not going to forgive you," Titus said. "You have betrayed me. If this isn't about school, Professor Nott, may I be excused?"
Tiberius dismissed Titus, knowing that his brother was not going to change his mind, at least for now.
After more than a month, Tiberius had been able to track Titus in London. The details of his brother's escape from the Hogwarts Express were still a mystery to him, as well as how he had managed to survive in London, without money or magic. Not wanting to jeopardize his position at Hogwarts, and knowing it was best for everyone, he had reported his brother's whereabouts to Judith Foxcastle, who brought Titus back into her custody for the rest of the summer. She didn't allow Tiberius to visit Titus, but that did not trouble him, as he knew he would see his brother very soon at Hogwarts. However, Titus seemed to have suffered a transformation. He ignored Tiberius and he stopped treating him like a member of his family. He only responded when he acted like a teacher, because he didn't wish to suffer a detention.
Things were sour between the two brothers and unfortunately for Tiberius it didn't seem like they would improve anytime soon.
Like A Sister
Author: Saffron
Date: 10-07-17 17:51
Erik Haaken asks, "Mind if I sit here?"
Jordan grins, "Oh yeah. You stink. You ever shower?"
"You're smelling yourself." Erik returns the grin.
Just then a girl from Hufflepuff walks past with one of the Ravenclaw girls. "Hi, Erik. Jordan."
Jordan, his mouth full, nods at her. Erik says as with exaggerated patience, "Hello, Claire."
When the two girls have moved on Jordan asks, "Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Speak to Claire Hillier like you barely tolerate her. You only just met her a few days ago."
"I've known Claire pretty much our entire lives."
His mouth full again Jordan gives Erik a look of surprise.
"You know that half-brother I mentioned? He's Claire's half-brother too."
"Huh?"
"Rolf and I have the same dad. Rolf and Claire have the same mother."
"Okay. So you don't like her?"
"I like her all right enough."
"Then why do you act like you don't?"
"She's like a sister, you know? It annoys her."
Jordan smiles broadly. "Now that I understand. Pass those chops, will you? Thanks."
Snargaluff Trees
Author: Marzipan
Date: 10-08-17 07:35
Professor Ravenscroft stood in a small grove just beyond the greenhouses and waited on the sixth year NEWT students, who were expected to arrive for class any minute now. It was a warm September day, but there was a breeze that suggested autumn was just around the corner.
The sixth years trickled over to the grove in small groups. Professor Ravenscroft checked them off her mental roll as they gathered nearby and briefly wondered if it would be bad form to have a cup of coffee or tea in her hand while she lectured. She was a bit tired, but not because she hadn't slept well. It was just the end of the first full week of classes, and it had been busy.
Once everyone was accounted for, Professor Ravenscroft greeted her students. "Who can identify these trees?"
There was a variety in the grove, but the trees in question were most prominent to where the group stood. Professor Ravenscroft indicated to trees that bore green, pulsating pods the size of grapefruits.
Devon Abbott raised a hand and said, "Those are Snargaluff trees."
"That's right," Professor Ravencroft said. The branches of the trees were like tentacles and could trap anyone who got too close to them. The pods themselves had worm-like tubers inside that wiggled.
Professor Ravenscroft spent the rest of class discussing the tree's characteristics. The next time the sixth years met, they would harvest the pods and juice them.
In her next class, scheduled for after the current one, the seventh year NEWT students would learn about the sword fern in Greenhouse 1.