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Visitor
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-03-18 18:54
It was fortunate that Hermione had not had to set foot inside St. Mungo's since quitting her job over a year ago. The reason she was there now was to visit Bill, who had been hospitalized over the weekend.
While in a hurry to get home from her parents' house, where she had left Teddy and Hope so that they wouldn't be around when their father transformed into a werewolf, Tonks had stumbled upon a gruesome scene in the park. She found Bill splayed out unconscious, with his face a bloody mess. Curiously, a hunk of raw meat was nearby, but whoever had caused serious injury to Bill had long gone.
Tonks had immediately side-along apparated with Bill to St. Mungo's, and from there had gone to notify Fleur. Then, she went to the Ministry to get law enforcement on the case. Meanwhile, word passed from family member to family member of what had transpired in Hogsmeade.
Fleur had wanted to be by Bill's side from the very first moment, but her illness and the illness of her children had prevented her from doing so. The rest of the family had taken shifts instead, with Molly putting in the most time.
When Hermione arrived in his hospital room, she actually found Fleur seated on the sofa across the room. Her hands and face were covered so that she couldn't spread any latent germs around.
"Fleur, hi," Hermione greeted. She stayed on the other side of Bill's hospital bed and asked, "How is he?"
"'e still 'asn't woken up," Fleur said. "Ze 'ealers say eet eez ze draught zey gave 'im for ze pain."
Hermione nodded. Everybody wanted Bill to wake up so that he could tell them exactly what happened, but his recovery was more important at the moment. Although there was no sign of bites, the cuts on Bill's face were suggestive of a large animal, and there was thought that the beast responsible may have been a werewolf.
"I'm sure he'll wake up when he's ready," Hermione commented. "Where are the children?"
"Audrey eez watcheeng zem so zat I can be 'ere, and Molly needs a break."
Hermione nodded again. "Why don't you go up to the tea room to take a short break yourself. I'm on my lunch hour at the moment, and I don't at all mind spending it at Bill's side." Hermione had spent plenty of lunch breaks at the hospital when her father had been comatose himself.
Fleur hesitated, but then she climbed to her feet and left the room.
Hermione pulled a chair next to Bill's bed and decided it would do him good to hear her voice, so she told him all about her morning, which had involved breaking the fact that werewolves were very much real to the Prime Minister.
Niccola Helps
Author: Saffron
Date: 01-04-18 19:07
Niccola asks, "Here, Mummy?"
"That's a good spot," Saffron tells her.
Nic places the Secret Santa present for Severus Snape, a black and very nice coat, under the Commons tree, taking her time to peer at the gifts near enough for her to read the labels on without having to physically move anything. "I don't see one for you, Mum."
"Go ahead and look more but only for a minute or two. Dad and Bran are making dinner tonight."
The nine year old looks up long enough to ask, "We aren't eating in the hall?"
"Not tonight. We're doing a family night."
Nic, who likes eating in the buzzing Great Hall, looks puzzled. "But we just had a family night."
"Two weeks ago."
"It's been that long?"
"Yes."
"Oh. No gift for you so far."
Saffron holds out a hand. "We'll look again later. Could be whomever has my name hasn't put anything there for me yet or is having it delivered."
"When I go here, can I do Secret Santa?"
"If you want."
"What if I get your name? Or Dad's?"
"Then you'd get Dad or me a gift."
"What if I got your name but told you I had someone else's and got you to help me?"
"That would be sneaky, but also clever."
The response seems to please Nic who finally takes hold of her mother's hand and skips along beside her out of the Common Commons.
Oliver and Ethan Do Secret Santa
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-05-18 10:42
After Herbology, Oliver and Rand parted ways. Oliver had an hour break until Transfiguration, while Rand went to Cloud's Kiss for Muggle Studies class. Since it was bloody cold outside, Oliver decided hot chocolate would fix him right up, and so he went to the Commons, where he ran into Grace.
Grace had also just come from class, only she'd had History of Magic in the morning. Like Oliver, she had an hour break and then Transfiguration class before lunch. The Gryffindor third year slid onto a neighboring barstool and ordered hot cocoa with extra miniature marshmallows on top from the house-elf on duty, and then he turned to Grace.
"How was History?"
"We had an exam prep. How was Herbology?"
"Same," Oliver said. "I'll be glad when we're finished with all our tests."
"Just a few days more," Grace replied with a smile. "What have you got there?" She indicated to the slightly squashed gift bag poking out of Oliver's book satchel.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Oliver retrieved the gift bag and did his best to fluff it out so it didn't look as if it had taken a beating. Fortunately, it was very colorful, so some of the lighter creases weren't noticeable unless one really looked.
"This is my Secret Santa gift for Margaret Kegg," Oliver said. Inside the gift bag was a pretty cardigan that was almost, though not quite Christmasy. After making sure the gift bag was as presentable as it could be, he took it over to the Christmas tree.
Professor Somerset, meanwhile, was about to start his second class of the morning: Gryffindor and Slytherin first years. The class would be a review, with the final exam taking place on Thursday morning.
This year he had drawn his colleague Saffron's name for Secret Santa. He'd gotten her a set of Moroccan lanterns. He'd finally remembered to bring the wrapped package with him to Hogwarts and planned on bringing it to the Commons during his lunch hour.
Twins and More Twins
Author: Jolyon
Date: 01-06-18 13:19
Jolyon felt so happy, his cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Just shy of midnight last night, his new twins were born at St. Mungo's Hospital. Merrie had gone into labor right after dinner in the Great Hall and had delivered a healthy boy and girl. It was like having Asher and Arielle all over again, only this time Jolyon was by her side instead of unaware that more Kents were entering the world.
The new twins were Barrett and Berenice, and they were just perfect. They were currently at the hospital with their mother, but were set to come home either later today or tomorrow. Jolyon couldn't wait to introduce the two sets of twins to each other.
He glanced over at his eldest daughter, who was sitting at one of the desks in the stables, writing a comprehensive exam. Arielle was excited to meet her new baby brother and sister, though it was a bit weird to have such a large age difference.
Both father and daughter had participated in Secret Santa this year. Jolyon had gotten Duncan Dippet a cockatiel in a cage, with a supply of food and some toys. Under the Christmas tree was a card telling Duncan to meet Professor Kent in the stables at his leisure. The cockatiel's cage was in the loft, near the cage housing Jolyon's pet birds Timo and Pia.
Arielle, meanwhile, had gotten Professor Ravensdale a pretty clutch purse. It was also under the tree, as was the Secret Santa gift from Asher to Davidson Croft. Dave's gift was a game of tic tac toe. Asher was mildly curious about the new twins, but he would never admit it to anyone. He secretly hoped they would turn out to be more like him than goody-two-shoes Arielle. Who knew? Maybe they'd one day be candidates to join Team Delta Echo.
Studying In The Library
Author: Saffron
Date: 01-06-18 18:54
Marion puts down the set of notecards she's been using to study for tomorrow's Transfiguration exam. "I'm about ready to call it a night."
Callie nods. There'd been more than the two of them convened in the library just after supper but one by one the others have all left, either to join a study group to prep for a different exam, to take a break in the Commons, or to go to their respective houses. "I'm about done in as well. Should drop of a gift to the Commons before I go to my dorm. I've been carrying it around all day."
"Secret Santa?"
"Yeah. Asher Kent."
As Asher plays Quidditch for Slytherin and as he's the son of Care of Magical Creatures professor Jolyon Kent, though he's a year behind and in a different house from Marion she knows who he is so doesn't need Callie to explain. Instead, she makes a face. "He seems like he'd be hard to buy for."
"I think so. It's why he's getting thermal microfleece pajamas."
"Sounds warm and comfy on a cold night."
Callie is glad Marion thinks that because that's also what Marion, and other friends, are getting from Callie this Christmas. "What about you? I don't remember you saying who you got."
"Paton Shrewsbury."
"Oooooh. Another hard one."
"Do you know if he likes cats?"
"No, sorry." Callie shakes her head.
"I hope he does and that his parents aren't against them. There's the cutest tortoiseshell waiting for him at MacFusty's." Marion pulls her purse from her satchel and digs around for a photo. "See?"
"She's gorgeous!"
"If Paton wants her, the certificate in the box I left for him will also get her a bed, toys, food, and food and water bowls. If he doesn't want her, he's to let me know. Mum has a backup gift for him and we'll take the tortie."
Callie grins, "So you're hoping Paton doesn't want her."
"A little, but I think the boys and I can convince Mum to let us get another kitten if Paton does want her."
As the two start out of the library Callie spots her brother, nudging Marion to indicate she's going to go speak with him. "Hi, Kurt. Did you take the gift yet?"
"Ummmm," his face crinkles in thought. "No, no I didn't. I was in the Commons yesterday and meant to but I don't remember leaving the present like I meant." He looks through his bookbag, ending up nearly emptying it before finding a small package in nestled in the bottom.
"It's not even wrapped," Callie points out.
"No, but the box is festive."
"It's plain white."
"With off white snowflakes. There. See."
Callie and Marion both squint. Finally, Marion says, "I think I see one."
"Honestly, Kurt. It's for Professor McGonagall. You should have taken better care." Callie studies the box for a moment then tapping it with her wand and trying a spell learned in Charms, she changes the background color of the box to deep blue. The gently floating snowflakes suddenly pop as vivid images. "That's better."
"Cool! What was that again?" Kurt's Ravenclaw nature shows in that question.
"Teach you later. I'm heading for bed but dropping a gift off before heading to Slytherin House. I'll take this for you."
"Great! Thanks!"
Kurt had consulted Callie on what to get Minerva McGonagall. He'd told her he'd noticed that the headmistress sometimes wears broaches at her throat. Would something like a brooch be a good gift? Callie had told him yes but then left him to pick a brooch out on his own. Kurt couldn't do that. He had choices narrowed down to three so upon learning the shoppe was having a sale that made getting all three within his Secret Santa budget, he'd purchased all three.
One brooch is a stylized cat, in honor of the professor's animagus form being that of a cat. One is a Christmas heart wreath. The third has thistles, for Professor McGonagall's Scottish heritage.
Callie fills Marion in on Kurt's gift to Professor McGonagall as they make their way to the Commons, where they decide to get a drink and a snack before parting ways for Callie to go to Slytherin House and Marion to Hufflepuff House.
Breakfast and Gifts
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 01-07-18 04:10
Caleb was having breakfast at the Ravenclaw table. He was adding some more cornflakes to his bowl, when Patricia sat on the place next to him.
"Good morning," she greeted.
He greeted her back. Sometimes, in order not to arouse any suspicious, they would have breakfast together. They pretended it was something random, that they happened to sit together by chance, and not on purpose. Caleb loved the mornings when Patricia sat next to him. He wished they could do so all the time. But Eileen was also a Ravenclaw, and then there was Belinda on the Slytherin table, and of course Sophie. Caleb thought with irony that the only empty spot was the Gryffindor table, and perhaps that would be filled next year when Elmer joined Hogwarts.
Patricia put some jam in her toast, and he continued to chew his cereals. His eyes studied the surroundings. He couldn't spot none of Patricia sisters, and for a fraction of second he touched Patricia's hand below the table. She squeezed his hand back, and then the connection was broken. They couldn't risk seeing touching hands in public.
"Have you decided what to offer him?" Patricia asked. She was referring to Caleb's Secret Santa, Professor Knight.
Caleb nodded. He told Patricia he was going to offer Professor Knight a special chair with room to store several books. He tried to explain the concept to Patricia, using a quill to draw in a napkin. However, his drawing skills were terrible, and she ended up laughing because his sketch couldn't resemble anything.
A few seats away, Maud was also having breakfast. She was debating whether she should offer a gift to Rand Prinsloo this Christmas. She watched him ad the Gryffindor table, hanging out with some of his friends, and she wondered if he would share with them that she had offered him something. It wasn't unusual to offer gifts at Christmas, but she didn't want people to know it was her. What if she offered him an anonymous gift? Still unsure what to do, she looked at the High Table. She spotted her Secret Santa, Coach Krum. Maud was going to offer him a set of funny mugs, related with Quidditch. She thought Coach Krum would enjoy this type of humor.
Celeste had just entered the Great Hall for breakfast. Her head turned to the Hufflepuff table, as she tried to locate a student named Adiran Balfour. Celeste didn't know Adiran, since he was not a Slytherin and not yet old enough to attend her classes. The only thing she knew was that he was Lilith Balfour's brother. Since she didn't know the boy's personality or tastes, Caleste had decided to offer Adiran a set of inks. Not only the set included several colors, but also invisible ink. Adiran would be able to write all sort of secret notes, only to be revealed if he wished so. With that in mind, she joined the other staff for breakfast.
Waking Up
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-07-18 13:39
Bill woke with a start. The first thing he noticed was the harsh light of the room he was in; the second, the fact that he felt as if he had been run over by the Hogwarts Express. A presence next to him alerted him further to the fact that nothing was as it should be, because the person was his sister-in-law Audrey, and she sprang up from her chair and expressed, "Bill, you're awake!"
Bill started to say her name, but his throat felt closed off, as if he hadn't used it to speak or breathe in ages. He may have murmured something, but it didn't sound like words to his ears.
"I'm going to get a healer. Just wait a moment," Audrey said, and she was gone before he could attempt to answer her.
A moment later, a healer came into the room, followed by Audrey and a nurse. The healer asked Bill how he was feeling, if he knew who he was and what had happened. Of course Bill knew who he was, and in the few minutes since he'd been awake, he'd realized he was in a hospital, probably St. Mungo's.
As for what happened… Bill thought back, and then he remembered. He forced the words from his mouth, "Fenrir Greyback!"
Audrey exchanged a worried look with the healer and nurse and then excused herself from the room, saying she would let the family know that Bill was awake.
The healer checked Bill's vitals and made sure he had something to drink, which helped lubricate his throat and make speaking easier. By the time Tonks––not one of the many Weasleys––walked through the door, Bill was speaking freely, though with a bit of a rasp in his voice.
"It was Greyback," Bill told her without preamble. "The werewolf that attacked me. He wasn't yet turned, but the sun was definitely setting. The moon was up already. Does that make a difference? Anyway, I think he's the one whose been hanging around Hogsmeade, scaring my daughter. The first time Blossom summoned me to the school was around the full moon, and so was the second time. I realize that now. Greyback must be getting his jollies around 'his time of the month' by hanging around the primary school. Everyone knows he's a bit of a––"
"He was gone when I found you," Tonks said, cutting him off to tell him what she herself saw when she came upon Bill's unconscious body in the park. "You're absolutely certain it was him?"
"Yes," Bill emphatically said. "I have no doubt. You've got to look for him. He needs to be captured and put away before he hurts anyone else, especially a child."
"We'll definitely be looking for him now that we know who attacked you," Tonks said. "How do you feel?"
"Achy and itchy," Bill said. He reached up to touch the bandages he just realized were on his face.
Tonk was watching him carefully. "I'm sure you'll be released in the next few days, which will be good for Fleur and the children. They've been awfully worried about you, and they've more or less recovered from their colds." Tonks smiled. "I guess there's little chance you'll catch it from them now." But then she sobered and said, "Remus said you could stay with him next full moon, just in case."
Bill was a bit slow on the up-take. "In case what?" And then. "Oh. Bloody hell."