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Dull Assignment [Carina]
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 01-25-18 19:02
Carina plucks at the feathered portion of her quill, eyes turned to the window and the rolling surf visible in the distance. She's supposed to be answering questions about a story the tutor made her read. Carina generally likes to read but this story made her want to go to sleep. Answering questions about it has turned out to be just as nap inducing. Not helping is that it's a beautiful, bright day in southern France. She'd much rather be doing a nature walk with the tutor than writing about a story she hated. At least it's a short story. A short story but twenty-five questions. Twenty-five!
Twenty-five questions and she's only on number three.
Carina sighs, looking down at the still mostly blank parchment. She's hungry but can't have lunch until the assignment is completed. If Daddy would come home and check on her, she'd give him her saddest look and say something about how hungry she is. He'd have her to lunch in no time, the questions on hold. He might even get angry with the tutor about starving his precious darling. If Auntie Bellatrix came instead and got angry with the tutor, the tutor would go into hiding for the rest of the day, giving Carina the afternoon to go outside and play.
Maybe Carina wouldn't have such a thought if she liked the tutor better. The one she most liked quit after learning something about an aunt and uncle and Auntie Bellatrix. Carina doesn't know what that something is, no one will tell her, but it upset that tutor enough to leave for good. Carina's been stuck with this one ever since. He's not a horrible person or a mean teacher or anything like that. He's just terribly dull and most of his lessons, no matter the subject, never seem that interesting.
Except the nature walks.
On the walks, he points out plants and animals, telling Carina which ones she'll most likely learn about and use once she goes off to school. They also talk about things like why there are waves and how the sand on the beach was made.
Carina reads over the answer she's just written to question number four, sighs over how many are left, and wishes she'd eaten more breakfast even though she doesn't care that much for the plain oatmeal, cantelope, and grapefruit she was served. She reads over the fifth question and thinks about how to answer it, hoping the lunch offering will be much better.
The Wait Is Over
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-26-18 17:41
Bill sat on one of the lower steps of the basement in the Lupin house and listened as Remus tried to distract him from what might or might not happen this evening. He had gotten out of hospital before Christmas, and though more or less healthy now, he bore severe facial scars from the attack. His face had remained mostly in bandages throughout the holidays. Some of the scarring was covered up even now, but it wasn't like before.
In preparation for possibly turning into a werewolf, Bill's sister-in-law Majandra had prepared the wolfsbane potion, which he'd ingested with great difficulty every day for the past week. The fact that it was highly poisonous made him nervous, though he trusted Majandra's brewing abilities. Then there was the fact that he wasn't sure if there would be side-effects if it turned out he was just a man and not part-werewolf. It also tasted just awful.
The sun set early in the winter, and the moment Bill was most nervous about came and went before he knew it. It was horrible watching Remus change into a beast, and in a way, Bill tried not to watch, because it almost felt like a private moment. Relief set in quickly when Bill realized he was not affected by the full moon. Remus, under the effects of the wolfsbane potion, butted his hand with his head, seemingly pleased that Bill had gotten lucky.
Bill fought the urge to scratch the wolf behind the ears. Remus nudged Bill's hand again and then turned and padded over to a giant cushion covered in hair. He turned in a circle, tucked his head into his paws, and went to sleep.
Bill waited a few moments just to make sure he was all right, and then he went up the stairs and called out, "Tonks?"
She had the door unlatched in an instant. "I'm happy for you, Bill," she said, stepping aside to let him pass before she shut the door again. This time she didn't lock it, aware that the wolfsbane potion had done its job and rendered her husband safe for the night. The kids were at her parents' house again.
"I'm going out, then. Are you going home, or do you want the pull-out like we talked about?"
"Victoire is nervous about my coming home tonight, I think, so if it's still all right with you, I'll stay the night."
"That's fine. There's a couple of us patrolling the village in case Greyback makes an appearance. Help yourself to supper, all right?"
"Thanks." Bill started for the kitchen, paused, and asked, "Have you got any steak?"
Why Wait?
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 01-26-18 19:50
Sassy sets a cup of coffee in front of Sage. He stirs in some cream, shaking his head at her question. "Why don't you two just go on and set a date."
"We keep thinking everything will be settled and we can focus on a date and planning but, well, you know," Sage shrugs.
"I do know. We have no idea how long this will drag out so why wait? Don't let this will and custody nonsense be in control. Why wait? What does Georgia say?"
"She's being supportive."
"That doesn't mean waiting is what she wants."
"You don't think?"
"I know. When you are being supportive of her over something do you always agree with her?"
"No, but "
"Don't tell me but this is different. It's not."
Sage scrunches up his mouth and stares down at his coffee. Sassy waits him out though the silence drags on. When he finally speaks he nods once. "You're right. I'll talk with her tomorrow."
"Do you have any preferences on a date?"
"No, or at least I don't think I do. We do know it will be when Libby and Jordan can be there."
"We can get permission for them to be there even if term is in session if that's how the date works out."
"Hate to have to do that though."
A, "Mummy," from down the hall has Sassy up to check on Jessica. Sage drains his cup then washes it out while waiting for his sister to return. From the family room from where he fell asleep on the sofa comes the sound of Neil's light snoring. Despite the coffee the silence broken only by the quiet snores has Sage suddenly tired and sleepy.
He walks softly down to Jessica's room, standing in the doorway without saying anything to disturb Sassy's efforts to convince Jess that her favorite stuffed monkey has not been charmed to dance and jump on her when she's trying to sleep. When Sassy does notice him he pantomimes that he's going. She nods and mouths, "Talk tomorrow."
He smiles and nods in return, returning to the kitchen and from there out the back door to apparate for home, telling himself that he really will talk with Georgia about finally setting a date.
(Azaelia) Aftermath
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-28-18 09:05
Azaelia returned to the library after lunch and immediately resumed reading reviews of new books to see if any were worth purchasing for Hogwarts. It was work that needed to be done, but Azaelia found herself more easily distracted than she might if she were doing something more interactive, like working directly with a student.
She kept thinking about Robert, and how he was currently locked away in a Ministry of Magic holding cell.
And he was there because of her.
On the evening of Christmas Day, the authorities arrived quickly after her call for assistance. She showed them the mark on Robert's arm, which she knew without a doubt hadn't been there when he'd left home the same morning. The mark was enough cause for his immediate arrest, and the aurors left with him while he was still unconscious.
In the weeks since, Azaelia had not once gone to see Robert. She received occasional updates from Connor MacRoth and knew that the Ministry had gleaned very little information about the Death Eaters since Robert's arrest. It was frustrating to say the least, but knowing that Robert's mark was new very strongly suggested that they were active again. It was even possible that Adriana Fairchild's death had not derailed the movement at all.
Surprisingly, Robert's arrest had not made the news yet. Azaelia understood that the Ministry was trying to keep things quiet for the moment. It probably helped that a New Year's Eve murder had kept the news media occupied. With the exception of those who had been in the castle when Robert was arrested, not even Azaelia's colleagues had known where he'd gone. At least, they'd not known until Professor McGonagall's staff meeting on the morning the students returned to Hogwarts.
The Hogwarts Headmistress had asked Azaelia's permission to discuss the matter. Azaelia had readily given it, because she wanted everyone to know what Robert was, though she was also embarrassed by it. She knew now how Ariella Masterson felt, only it seems that Robert never would have left her for his dark pursuits.
Although she felt sorry for herself and her situation, Azaelia was glad Robert was finally in custody because it meant she could finally start over with her life. She just wasn't quite ready to do so.
Burned Casserole
Author: Jared
Date: 01-28-18 19:00
As Etta, Basil, and Jared sit down at the restaurant table Jared apologizes again. "Sorry about nearly burning down the kitchen."
Etta laughs. "Scorching the casserole is not nearly burning down the kitchen."
"Maybe not but I ruined the supper I'd promised."
Basil opens his menu. "Are there spells for fixing burned dinners?"
They all go quiet a moment thinking about that before Jared shrugs. "Never heard of any but guess we can find out easily enough."
"I'll see what the Ministry has when I'm there tomorrow doing parchment work," Basil offers.
"Applying for a job?" Jared asks.
"An internship for my degree. If I get it I'll spend three months in the U.S.
Etta, having decided on what she's ordering, sets her menu aside. "How does Aleydis feel about that?"
"She's supportive though wishes it weren't for so long. With the time difference and it being for three months, it's best to move there rather than trying to portkey or international Floo. On the other hand, she's also excited about coming to visit. If I get it."
"Are there any positions not in America to apply for?" Jared too puts his menu aside.
"The parchment work tomorrow would be for all the summer internships. We have to list our top three preferences."
As the waiter is there to take orders Etta waits until they've done so before asking, "What are you other two?"
"Russia and Tanzania."
"All very different locals. How'd you decide on those three?"
Basil grins at Jared and then Etta. "I didn't actually have anywhere I most wanted to go. There are some I don't want but being in International Affairs and Political Science there are many I do want. I took the list and cut it up. Discarded the ones I don't want at all, at least for now, put the rest in a bowl and drew three slips. When I said I'd be going to the U.S., it's only because that's what I drew first so will write first on the parchmentwork. I've been told it's unusual for someone not to get first choice and when that happens it's almost always one of the other two given."
The three talk a little longer about Basil's first international internship because turning the conversation to some of Etta's upcoming clinicals as part of her healer training. They also talk some of Jared's work. What they do not discuss is Alanna or her family beyond Etta saying she and friends have gotten pie several times from Ariella's new place.
Serious Meetings
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 01-29-18 18:15
Minerva walked slowly from her office to the Great Hall, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Her mind was on a great many grave things, though all were related in one way or another. Were there really groups of children being targeted to ally with the Death Eaters? Just when had Robert Blackheart crossed over to the dark side? And who had killed Elphias Doge? Just when things seemed safe and quiet, evil was on the rise again.
Well before the staff meeting informing her colleagues of the fact that a newly recruited Death Eater had been living among them, Minerva had gone to the Order with the information. With the exception of those who might have been present during Robert's arrest, the teachers who were also members of the Order feigned surprise and shock with the colleagues who'd had no prior knowledge of Robert's double life when it was divulged at the staff meeting.
In the Order meetings that followed Robert's arrest and Doge's shocking death, the members learned from Kingsley that the Ministry of Magic had been investigating Robert for a while now and that his wife had been the one to first cast suspicion upon him. The Ministry's mole in the Death Eaters was also connected to Robert's involvement with the dark faction. Kingsley still wouldn't say who his undercover operative was, though.
The business around Robert was currently on the down-low pending further investigation, but everyone knew that it would only be a matter of time before the news somehow got leaked to the press.
As for Doge, an autopsy determined that he had been dead for at least several days prior to coming out of the floo at The Leaky Cauldron. The Killing Curse was determined to be the cause of death, but who dunnit was the question. It was entirely possible that he'd been found out by the Death Eaters, and according to Kingsley, his mole seemed to have knowledge on the subject but couldn't share it due to the complex spells cast upon him.
If it was true, how had they found out that Doge wasn't who he said he was? The capture of the real Silas Mimsy had remained a heavily guarded secret.
At her staff meeting, Minerva had also brought up the subject of being vigilant about suspicious persons and objects. She didn't explicitly state what the other members of the Order knew about the young Death Eater recruitment, and she didn't have to. With the world in its current state, reporting curious things was something everyone could agree upon.
Homework
Author: Finley
Date: 01-30-18 18:35
Finley and Phoebus sat in adjacent overstuffed armchairs in the Commons and worked on the Arithmancy & Divination assignments they'd received just that afternoon in class. Professor Sacheverelle usually didn't assign homework on Wednesdays when the next class meeting was the following day, but occasionally she did. In this case, they were simply doing readings on each other. The interpretations were to be worked on later.
At some point during the course of the evening, Eirene entered the Commons with her Norwegian forest cat Hilda in her arms. She saw the pair working and decided not to disturb them. Instead, she ordered hot chocolate with marshmallows from the bar and a saucer of milk for Hilda and then retreated to a chair not too far from where the Gryffindors were working.
All three students had gone home for Christmas break. Phoebus and his sister Cynthia had gotten sick with stomach bugs in between Christmas and New Year's. Both couldn't eat for about a week after first contracting the illness, which was a shame because of all the holiday leftovers they missed, but they were both back to normal now.
Eirene had spent part of the break at home in Moreton-in-Marsh with her parents and part in York to sightsee and visit the Christmas markets. Finley had also gone home to Moreton-in-Marsh, where she'd celebrated her first ever Christmas away from Winchcombe Children's Home. The experience had been wonderful and awkward all at the same time––wonderful, because she'd never had a family Christmas, and awkward because her father still didn't seem to know what to make of her.
The weirdness was why she'd asked to visit Leroy. He was still big, but he'd grown tall, which made him seem skinnier than he was. His massive size seemed to have curbed Charla's impulse to tease him. The entire time Finley was in their presence, Charla didn't once say anything to either of them. According to Leroy, she mostly left him alone these days.
Finley hadn't kept in good contact with him either, which made her feel guilty but also glad that she'd taken the time to visit him over Christmas. If only she could tell him the truth about her life.
Phoebus looked up from the notes he was writing down about Finley from the reading he just did and saw Eirene pass by. She did it a few more times, sometimes cradling the cat in her arms, sometimes carrying away her mug or bringing it back with a refill. Sometimes all she seemed to be doing was walking this way and that for no reason and with no destination seemingly in mind.
"What is she doing?" he finally asked Finley, who looked up from her own notes to see who and what he meant.
Finley observed Eirene casually drop into the armchair she'd previously occupied, and then she lifted her lashes just barely in their direction before turning her attention to Hilda.
A thousand thoughts ran through Finley's mind, but she merely shrugged and said, "I think she's bored."
"She's a perfectionist. I don't think she ever gets bored," Phoebus said.
Finley yawned and said, "Even still, I think she probably just needs to go to bed. We all should."
"It's no where near curfew yet," Phoebus said, "and I'm not tired anyway."
"Then you stay up and wear down the carpet with Eirene," Finley suggested. "I'm going to turn in early."
She started to pack up her things and glanced over at the younger girl, who was already on her feet, walking in their direction. Finley got up and indicated to the empty seat. "It's yours, if you can stop fidgeting."
"I'm not fidgeting," Eirene said, but she took up the offer and plopped down. "You're not leaving, are you, Phoebus?" she asked him.
"Not yet," he murmured. "Gotta get this assignment done."
"I can help you, if you want, or just keep you company. Whatever you want."
Finley backed away from the pair. Phoebus was too engrossed in his homework and Eirene was too engrossed in Phoebus to notice her leaving.
(Ash) Afterwards
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 01-31-18 18:32
Ash sat in his cubicle at work and carefully sorted parchmentwork. With it being the first of the year, a large number of financial documents had come through the office. Being only a clerk, Ash wasn't responsible for doing much more than organizing and sealing the completed documents in envelopes. Despite the attention to detail his task required, Ash also found the work mindless, which in turn allowed his thoughts to travel elsewhere.
First and foremost on his mind were the events from Christmas Day. Lord Voldemort had not given Ash his Dark Mark, which had been a great relief. Although Ash had agreed to go deep undercover and would do nothing to jeopardize the task at hand, he did not want to bear the serpent tattoo on his forearm or anywhere else, for that matter. He would if he had no choice of course.
He was grateful that Vandalia had stepped in to execute the poor wizard who'd been exposed as a spy. Her excuse had sounded good to Ash's ears, but he couldn't help but wonder if there'd been another reason for her actions. She'd not said and he'd not asked, but then he also hadn't seen her since that fateful day.
Ash felt terrible about Elphias Doge's death, though he knew witnessing and participating in such things came with the territory of being among dark wizards. Also, Doge had known the risks of spying on the Death Eaters. Ash was painfully aware that he might meet the same fate eventually.
While Ash had not received a Dark Mark, other wizards had. Among them were Robert Blackheart and the James twins, all three of whom had advocated for him to join up with the Death Eaters. Ash hadn't seen those three since that night either. He didn't know what the twins were up to, nor was he aware that Robert had been arrested the very same night he received his mark. That information was only doled out on a need-to-know basis, and despite his involvement in the investigation, Ash didn't need to know what had become of Robert.
Ash periodically met with Connor and other aurors, charm experts and healers and attempted to share the information he had learned since going undercover with the Death Eaters. He still couldn't say much of anything, which was a terrible shame. He wanted to blurt out to the world that Voldemort was alive.
Ash paused his sorting and glanced at the invoice from a florist he had used to send Beatrix a pretty flower bouquet. It was her birthday today. Ash hadn't seen Beatrix in ages and hoped she was well. He heard about her from Rowan every now and again, so he knew that Beatrix was still dating Pablo. Ash honestly hadn't thought they'd last this long, but good for them. Since the flowers Ash had sent last year to mark Beatrix's birthday hadn't seemed to cause any problems between the pair, he figured the same would hold true this year.
Suddenly feeling hungry, Ash decided he might as well go to lunch since he had already paused his sorting. He left his cubicle and went to the Ministry canteen.
Interest Inventory (Devon)
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 01-31-18 18:48
"Working on the Potions homework?" Ollie Choate asks, sitting down next to Devon.
Devon looks over at her classmate. "It's a career interest inventory."
"A what?"
Duncan, from Devon's other side, explains, "It's like an exam but it's to help narrow down what sort of profession to train for."
"You don't know what you want to be?" Ollie directs this at Devon as he helps himself to a one person sized steak and potato pie.
"Some days yes, other days no."
"You doing it too?" Ollie asks Duncan.
"Don't know. Maybe."
Forking up a large bite of the pie Ollie asks Devon another question. "Why now?"
"Why now what? Oh, why am I trying to decide on a career now? Career Day is Saturday. I thought this might help me narrow down with whom I should talk."
It's not lost on the three of them that there was a time not all that many years ago when students needed to have a good idea as fifth years so they'd know what O.W.L.s they absolutely had to ace so as to be able to take the N.E.W.T. level course with a minimum O.W.L. requirement. In turn, that would guide the students to hopefully doing well on the N.E.W.T.s for those courses because certain professions required those N.E.W.T.s to even be able to apply to apprentice or train. Auror and any sort of healer are good examples of such professions.
Devon puts the evaluation exam away for the rest of lunch and they talk of other things, such as the first apparition lesson, which is now only a few weeks away. They're nervous and excited about taking the lessons and wonder who will be the first of the sixth years to successfully aparate.
When they are finishing up lunch, trying to get enthused about going to Potions, Ollie puts the conversation back to the career interest inventory. "Say, Devon, when you're done with that, may I borrow it?"
"Don't know what you want to be?" she grins.
"I think I do but maybe this will help me know for sure or give me ideas of something else."
"Sure, I'll either give it to you this evening after dinner or tomorrow at breakfast."
They walk out of the Great Hall together, minds turning to Potions and Professor Snape. They might not have massive exams such as O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s at the end of term but one would think they did the way Professor Snape pours on the work.
Kittens & Careers
Author: Ellis
Date: 02-02-18 09:27
Alys tickled the downy belly of the white kitten named Snowball, who trapped her hand with all four of its tiny paws. Laughing, Alys extracted her hand from Snowball's grasp and then grabbed the rucksack off the floor, slinging it onto her back. She exited her dorm, then the Ravenclaw Common Room, and made her way through the corridors and moving staircases, eventually meeting up with Chip outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
She was looking forward to tomorrow, Career Day. As a fifth year, Alys had a couple years to go before she entered the real world, but it was definitely time to start mulling over her options. As a member of the school's orchestra, Alys was leaning towards a career in music. She had gotten much better at playing the hardanger fiddle, and though she didn't practice everyday, she picked up her instrument several times a week outside of the rehearsals with Professor Flitwick.
Alys had seen the preliminary list of presenters at Career Day. On the list was the owner of the local music store. Alys would be sixteen years old by summer. Perhaps she could inquire about a part-time job.
Blakeney and Tessa, meanwhile, had just entered the Charms classroom. The second oldest Ellis also planned on checking out Career Day tomorrow, but she was less serious about thinking of the future beyond deciding which of the foreign boys she still corresponded with should be her official boyfriend. The local pet store was supposed to have a booth tomorrow, and Blakeney definitely planned on stopping by to see about getting her black cat Smokey some cute outfits to wear.
Conrad, also in Defense Against the Dark Arts class, though with Professor Somerset instead of Professor Weatherby, would probably also spend part of his Saturday at Career Day, though figuring out a future job was even less of a priority for him. He was only a third year, after all. It would be something to do, and there would most certainly be free things to collect. Like his older siblings, he had a new kitten. Its name was Spots, and it spent a lot of time wrestling with Smokey in the Hufflepuff Common Room.
The kittens Daphne and Emily had kept to themselves were called Sunny and Fred. They were currently cuddled up on Daphne's bed in the second year Gryffindor girls' dormitory room while the twins were in Herbology. The younger Ellis siblings were naturally unhappy not to have received a kitten for Christmas, but their parents smoothed things over by stating that every child who started at Hogwarts would receive a pet of their choosing.
Franklin, who was next in line, had some time to think about what he wanted. Perhaps he would also choose a kitten, but maybe he'd go for something else like an owl or a toad. He was the sort to make lists of pros and cons and would no doubt make an informed decision when the time came.
Hospital Wing
Author: Susan Fricks
Date: 02-02-18 14:04
Susan was at the Hospital Wing, recovering from a leg fracture. Leaving the greenhouses after an Herbology class, and on her way back to the castle, she had slipped on the slippery icy floor. Madam Pomfrey was confident about her recovery, but she wanted Susan to rest some more before she started climbing the school's stairs again.
It frustrated Susan not to be able to attend classes. She was afraid to fall behind her classmates. Patricia was kind enough to visit her daily, giving her updates on what has been taught and passing her homework. Andrina too had offered to tutor her in case she needed. But still Susan preferred to go back to classes as soon as possible. She was hopeful Madam Pomfrey would release her from her care tomorrow, so she would be able to visit the school's Career Day. Susan thought it was important to start thinking about career options. She would take her OWLs next year, and it would be nice to already have an idea on which subjects she should focus the most.
"Hello!" Blair had come to visit Susan. It was lunch time and she had no more classes today. "You're so lucky being here, all comfortable in bed, while the rest of us had to get up early and go to classes."
"It's not that funny," Susan assured.
"I would trade places with you if I could."
Blair couldn't understand why Susan seemed so bored and frustrated. Blair would have love to spend a week in the Hospital Wing. Her friends would visit her, and maybe would her parents as well. They had been so absent lately, almost never writing to her, that she started thinking that the only way to get their attention would be to suffer a terrible injury. They didn't even go home for Christmas, choosing to attend a glamourous party at some embassy. Blair had hoped she could see her parents during the holidays and tell them all about her term at Hogwarts, as well as the Secret Santa gift she would be offering to Douglas Dippet.
Douglas was a year behind Blair and he was a Slytherin. Blair didn't get along very well with Slytherins, considering them as rivals, so buying a present for Douglas had been a challenge. She bought in a platted shirt in a blue tone that she thought it would look well on him.
Susan's Secret Santa had also been a Slytherin. It was third year Libby Copperpot. Blair knew who Libby was since they were on the same year. Susan offered Libby several pairs of funny colorful socks. Libby could either be bold and wear them in public or just in private. Susan herself liked this sort of funny colorful pieces of clothing, but never in public! Only her dormitory colleagues knew about this more joyful side of her.
Trip Discussion
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 02-02-18 18:12
Walking into Cloud Kiss's massive kitchen I find my sister at a table, a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of pamphlets, fliers, and brochures before her.
"Thinking of taking a trip?"
"These are yours."
"For the seventh year's trip," I nod, pouring myself a cup and joining her.
"Have you narrowed it down?"
"Almost. My seventh years are voting in class on Tuesday and those who don't take Muggle Studies but are in the club are to have theirs to me by lunch Wednesday."
"And?"
"And what?"
"What choices has the trip been narrowed to?"
"Oh, sorry. Iceland. Peru. Russia, centered around St. Petersburg but a little Moscow as well. Japan with a stop at Tokyo Disney."
"Do you have all the adults..." Natalie stops herself with a laugh. "I suppose that technically, all of the students being seventh years are considered adults even if not 18 yet."
"For the Wizarding World, true, but that doesn't mean having older adults along isn't helpful. If you want to come with, consider yourself part of the group."
"I'd need to know the dates."
"I can give you a vague, broad idea but until we lock down the actual destination and I start booking everything, I can't give you specifics."
"That's fine." She rubs her hands together. "I'm getting excited."
Standing, I gesture in the general direction of the only Floo in the manse. "I'm going to get lunch in the Great Hall while I have time before my first afternoon class. Want to join me?"
"Yes, that would be nice, thanks."
We make short work of cleaning the coffee cups then exit the kitchen, Natalie asking me about some of the locations the students had considered but discarded before the upcoming final vote.
No
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 02-03-18 12:51
Alvin Fieldmouse held up a finger when Lee entered his office and continued to dictate to the quill writing elegantly across parchment on his desk. Lee knew it wouldn't help his case if he interrupted his handler, but he felt impatient and wanted Fieldmouse's immediate attention.
His handler was not very tall, though not exactly short either. He was skinny, with thin, plain brown hair and had brown eyes behind round eyeglasses. Fieldmouse was perfect in his role because he looked completely ordinary and rarely afforded a second glance from anyone.
At last, Fieldmouse ended his dictation. The quill ceased writing and drifted gently onto its side. Fieldmouse put his chin over his clasped hands and regarded Lee steadily.
"The answer is no," he said, before Lee could even pose his question.
Lee opened his mouth to speak but Fieldmouse went on. "You can't investigate your wife's disappearance, there haven't been any updates, and you can't go back into the field."
Alaia hadn't been seen since New Year's Eve. Amyas and Divina, who had been away from the flat when the apparent break-in and presumed kidnapping occurred, vouched that they had left Alaia at home the evening of December 31st. They'd been at the Brycin home for a family gathering. Their alibis had been checked and they'd also been interviewed, after which they'd been ruled out as suspects.
For his part, Lee believed them to be innocent, though Divina seemed to think the opposite of him. She remembered all too clearly him taking Alaia away without providing word of her whereabouts, unaware that he had taken her to a hospital far, far away for Alaia's own safety. Lee couldn't very well tell Divina the truth about any of it.
Deep down, Lee wondered if by confiding in Alaia, he had doomed her himself. Fieldmouse wasn't Rowle, though, and besides, Lee hadn't told anybody that he'd confessed his true profession to his wife. That was a secret he would only tell if he had to.
Fieldmouse sighed and said, "Look, Lee… You're a good agent, and I do want you back in the field, but it's too soon after your wife's disappearance, and you're distracted. When enough time has passed… or if a good outcome happens sooner… then I'll reinstate you."
"You'll keep me posted on any new leads?" Lee asked.
"If I can trust you not to follow them yourself."
Lee nodded. "Fair enough." He doubted he'd be able to follow his handler's orders completely, but he would certainly do his very best not to impede the official investigation into Alaia's disappearance.