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New Note
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 02-09-18 18:08
Fritz stands in front of the blackboard in the Alchemy classroom and writes down some talking points for the lecture he will give to his sixth year students after lunch. They will start to learn about the Turba Philosophorum, one of the oldest European texts on Alchemy. It is also known as Assembly of the Philosophers and was originally written in Arabic. It dates from around the year 900.
This will be a busy week for Fritz. In addition to his classes at Hogwarts, Hilary Term has begun at St. Emrys. Like in autumn, Fritz is teaching Intro to Potions I and the accompanying laboratory. His schedule is exactly the same, which makes things simpler, for sure.
Fritz writes down a few last points and then decides to go to the Great Hall for lunch, but in the moment it takes to put down the chalk he's holding, a frantic tapping starts at the window. Fritz turns to look and sees a disheveled owl flapping its wings to keep itself airborne, since the window doesn't have much of a ledge on which it can perch. Fritz crosses over to the window, opens it, and takes a step back so the owl can enter.
The owl flies inside, bringing with it a burst of cold air, and then lands in a tumble on Fritz's desk. It rights itself and stretches out a leg, on which Fritz notices a small scroll tied with a bit of twine. Fritz unties the string and takes the scroll, but not before the owl nips him sharply in the hand.
"Ow!" Fritz exclaims, and he brings his hand to his mouth.
The owl doesn't stay for a treat or anything else. It bolts for the window, which Fritz left open despite the cold temperature. Fritz crosses back over to it to latch it shut and looks at the mark on his hand. The owl nipped him hard enough to draw blood.
He uses a bandage kept in one of his desk drawers to cover the wound and then turns his attention to the scroll. Unfurling it, Fritz sees that it is another anonymous note reminding him that the money Berthold Beatenberg left him isn't his to keep. It's been a while since Fritz's last threatening note. Nothing ever came out of reporting it to the authorities the first time around, but Fritz is still going to submit this note. He wants to know who is behind them and if the threat is real.
Since he's not sure how long he will be if he goes to the Ministry now, Fritz decides that he will instead go after his classes end for the day. He sticks the note a desk drawer for now and steps out of his classroom for the Great Hall.
Textbook Buying (Jade)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 02-09-18 18:49
Millicent Rhodes pulls a textbook from the shelf. "I thought you got yours already," she says as Jade does the same.
"I got a couple of them. I have two professors that when you sign up for their classes students receive textbook information, workbook information for one of them, and assignments to be completed for the first class meetings. I should have gotten everything I knew about then but I was in a hurry."
Millie consults her list, moving down the aisle to another set of books, all of them decidedly used. Picking through the stacks to find one that appears less dog-eared she sighs. "I'm thinking of changing programs. I'm only majoring, excuse me reading, nursing because my parents pushed me to."
"What do you want instead?"
"I don't know. Something like fashion merchandising or textiles and apparels."
"They have those here?"
Millie nods. "Smaller programs than many of those St. Emrys offers but I could do either or both here or I could see about a specialized college, maybe a Muggle one like the London College Of Fashion."
"Do your parents know you don't want nursing?"
"Oh yeah. They think I need a career that is a sure thing for employment. They don't understand that there are good careers and lots of opportunities in what I want. They say get a job in nursing and then if I want to pursue something else I can and when that something else doesn't work out, I'll still have a fall back career."
"Your parents are helping with tuition, fees, living expenses?"
"They are so if I quit nursing and don't pick something else they'd approve of, such as healing, I'd need to get a job and apply for scholarships and whatever else is available. If you change would your aunt and uncle come down hard on you?"
"No, though if they thought I was making a mistake they'd talk to me about it, give their points of view. As far as paying for anything though, they'd never cut me off, or I don't think they would; plus, my parents left money that we're using for school."
Millie says something under her breath that sounds like, "You're so lucky." Though she doesn't think Jade hears she still blushes and looks embarrassed realizing that while she's at odds with her parents Jade lost her parents years ago. Jade may love her aunt and uncle but that's not quite the same as having your mother and father still around. What she does say to Jade is, "As most of my courses right now are the sort most everyone takes, I'm not doing anything this term as far as changing programs. What I will do is start applying for scholarships and assistance and find a job that I can work around a school schedule."
Jade nods, pulling another book from a shelf. She starts to say something but Millie beats her to it. "Say, didn't you tell me ages ago that Olive was getting married last summer?"
"Yeah, that was the plan but then it got changed. Something about the officiant they wanted suddenly being unavailable on the date set and the alternate dates he, or maybe it's a she, the name is one of those that could be either... Anyway, on dates the person could do it there was always some reason that wasn't good for Olive and Zuberi. Then, they thought maybe they should wait until this coming summer because that gave them and everyone else plenty of time to lock on the date they'd chosen but around New Year's Olive decided she wasn't wanting to put anything off but Zuberi and she couldn't decide exactly when before summer. They're now talking about doing something small with just a few of us and not being so particular about who conducts the wedding."
"Maybe they should elope."
"That was discussed but they really want some of us with them."
"I guess I can understand that. Okay, I think I have everything I need and as I have a class in an hour I better get in line to pay and hope the line doesn't crawl."
Jade's ready as well so the two get in line together, parting ways after they're checked out, Millie heading to her class and Jade to meet up with Baron before she too has another class on this first day of term.
Caught
Author: Marzipan
Date: 02-11-18 17:22
Because she had a fair amount of time between her only class of the morning and her office hours, Marzi walked to Hogsmeade to run a few errands. Her first stop was to Dogweed & Deathcap to pick up a few supplies for her Herbology classes. Then, she went to the bank to withdraw some money. After that, she stopped at Botanicals & Beyond for more supplies and to replenish her own tea. Next, she stopped at Scrivenshaft's for some office supplies for home and office.
Her last errand was to pick up something sweet, which she only thought of doing because it was nearly lunchtime and she was feeling peckish. Marzi debated between the sweetshop and the bakery, ultimately deciding on the latter. Before she reached Briar's, she heard a distinct "Psst!" coming from the alley leading to The Hog's Head Pub and Brewery.
Marzi was a bit surprised that she'd heard it, because children from the daycare were playing in the park. The sounds of laughter and playful screams carried throughout the village. Because it was also nearly the lunch hour, there seemed to be more people moving about the village running errands like she was or looking for something to eat.
Marzi turned her head in the direction of the alley and gasped when she spotted none other than Heathcote Hamstead leaning against the wall of the post office. He wore a cloak with a hood, which he drew down to obscure his face once she'd seen him. Heathcote beckoned her towards him with a gloved hand.
Marzi hesitated, looked in both directions of High Street, and then crossed over to him.
"Are you mad?" she hissed. "The authorities are looking for you!"
"I knew you cared for me," Heathcote said, reaching for one of her hands, but Marzi drew it away from him. "How sweet for you to warn me about my wanted status."
"I'm not warning you," she said. "I'm stating a fact." She looked at him with disappointment. "You exploited the vulnerable for your own gain. It's despicable."
"Then let me make it up to you. I'll spend all the money on you. We can live anywhere in the world. Just take my hand, and we can go." He held out his hand again, this time making no move to take one of Marzi's.
She shook her head. "I don't want to go anywhere with you. In fact, the only place in the world you belong in is Azkaban."
She started to back away from him to flag down someone in law enforcement. Ever since the werewolf attack and with the renewed threat from the Death Eaters, Hogsmeade had seen an increased presence. In a flash, Heathcote seized her hand and produced his wand from an interior pocket of his winter cloak.
"Don't struggle, Marzipan!" he urged. "I don't want you to get splinched when we disapparate."
In the brief time they'd been talking, Marzi had covertly gotten her own wand in hand. She used it first to send a shower of red sparks in the air and then she zapped him with a light shocking spell. He made a funny noise in his throat and loosened his hold on her just enough for her to scramble away. Footsteps pounding the cobblestones alerted her to the fact that someone was racing their way.
A second later, a witch with wand drawn had Heathcote disarmed and bound before he could disapparate without Marzi. She identified herself as Stefka Zhivko-Turner, an auror with the Ministry of Magic, and recognized Heathcote from a wanted flyer. She sent for assistance and was soon joined by a pair of hit wizards named Willis Patrick and Dinias Fairchild. The hit wizards transported Heathcote to the Ministry of Magic for booking, while Stefka took Marzi's statement.
When it was over, Marzi thought how lucky she was to not have another class to get to at that moment. She was also glad that Heathcote Hamstead was finally in custody and could no longer scam innocent witches and wizards for money. She was also starving. With the bakery still on her mind, Marzi went there and ordered a thick slice of chocolate cake.
Answering Some Questions
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 02-11-18 18:44
Coco walks from the veterinary side of MacFusty's to the pet shoppe side when the new clerk asks her for assistance with information on one of the dogs. She's nodded in the direction of a middle aged witch in the petting area. "I'm Coco Nutt. You have some questions?"
The witch remains seated, the dog she'd asked to see half on her lap, looking extremely content. "Brianne Oldenfeld. What can you tell me about Tansy here?"
"Tansy is one of the sweetest dogs you'll ever meet, surrendered to a rescue Healer MacFusty and I are part of. When her owner died suddenly, no family member was interested in keeping her. Tansy is around three and a half and in excellent health. She's a been spayed, gets along well with other dogs, is cat friendly, and so far has shown she's also good with birds, including owls."
"She's a Beagle?"
"Harrier, which is similar to a Beagle but slightly larger and similar to a Foxhound but a little smaller."
"And you said Tansy is a surrender? When did the shoppe start selling rescues?"
"Healer MacFusty, Indigo, has been helping place homeless animals for awhile now. All dogs and cats here are either from a licensed, reputable breeder or come from a rescue. There is a fee to adopt Tansy but it's different from if she were from a breeder."
"Is there anything different in the process to adopt from the one if I were to buy one of the dogs for sale?"
"We require the same parchmentwork for both but if you adopt Tansy you will get a name tag for her and collar as well as leash."
"She's up to date on whatever it is dogs require healthwise?"
"Yes, she is."
"She's so calm right now. Would she be up for long daily walks? I try to walk a few miles each day."
"Tansy would love long walks. Harriers can be rather active and prefer exercise over being sedentary. Her calmness right now is somewhat reflective of her being confused and sad about her owner suddenly being gone and her being here instead of the home she knows."
Brianne Oldenfeld smiles. "I prefer the birdseed MacFusty carries and came in to get some for the feeders around my yard. I saw Tansy and had a compulsion to pet her. I've a feeling that even if she were a pricey breeder's dog I'd want to take her home with me. There already seems to be a bond."
Coco returns the smile. "If you are wanting to adopt her right now, I'll get the parchmentwork in order so Tansy and you can go home and continue getting to know each other."
When Coco returns to the veterinary side it's with a broad smile. She has a good feeling about Tansy having found an excellent new home with a wonderful human mum.
Quick Meeting
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 02-12-18 18:52
Hermione stepped out of her office and firmly pulled the door shut behind her. She walked not five paces down the corridor when Anna Pullin, one of the Prime Minister's assistants, called out to her.
"I know you're just heading out, but he'd like a quick word, if you don't mind," said Anna with an apologetic smile. No doubt she had just been about to leave, too, when the PM made his request.
"That's quite all right," Hermione said. She turned in the other direction and followed Anna all the way to the Prime Minister's door, where Anna let him know that Hermione was waiting. She was shown right in.
"What can I do for you?" Hermione asked, taking a seat when the PM offered it to her. She saw that the binder containing dossiers on known Death Eaters was open on his desk. A new file had been added to it recently. The PM sat back in his chair with his elbows on the armrests and his fingers tented.
"What will become of this Robert Blackheart if he can't confess to any crime? Is it even a crime to simply belong to the Death Eaters? Is there any proof that he has actually committed a criminal act?"
"He won't be released if that's what worries you," Hermione replied. "A team of wizards is working around the clock to undo the spells placed on him. With any luck, we'll soon know the extent of his involvement with the Death Eaters and more importantly, what they are doing and who their leader is."
"What are the chances that my home will be bombed again or that there will be another attempted coup?"
Hermione shook her head. "Honestly, I don't know."
"And werewolf attacks on my people?"
Hermione bit her bottom lip. "I wish I could provide you with useful information, but I'm afraid we're all in the dark for the moment."
The Prime Minister sighed deeply and said, "I'm used to having more intelligence about threats against my country. I feel at a loss on what to do about this situation."
Hermione smiled weakly. "I suppose it's good you have me, then. I will tell you everything as soon as I know something, and I will guide you to the best of my ability with the Ministry of Magic's backing, of course."
The PM returned Hermione's smile. "I must confess that I've learned something new every day since taking you on, Hermione. Some of it I wish I could forget, though!"
Hermione laughed. "Ignorance is bliss."
"Go home, and we'll talk again in the morning, all right?"
Hermione stood and said goodbye. Hopefully by morning, she'd have some useful information to share.
(Beatrix) Daydreaming
Author: Griet
Date: 02-13-18 17:57
Beatrix left her Security Analysis and Valuation class feeling dazed and confused. Why she had ever thought reading finance was the best course of action for her future, she would never know. Oh, wait. She had done it to have something in common with a certain boy. A certain boy who for the second time in as many years had sent her flowers for her birthday.
The unexpected delivery had made Beatrix feel extremely happy. She knew that she shouldn't still have feelings for Ash when she had a boyfriend who she genuinely liked, but it simply couldn't be helped. Ash was the one who had gotten away. Then again, she'd never had him in the first place.
As with last year's delivery, Beatrix wondered why he had sent her the flowers. Was he just the sort of guy who sent girls, even girls who were just good friends, flowers for their birthdays? Beatrix liked to think that he had feelings for her but that he would never tell her so until she ended things with Pablo.
Sometimes she thought she should tell Pablo that though he made her very happy and she enjoyed spending time with him, he simply wasn't the one. Beatrix would never do it without knowing that Ash wanted her as much as she wanted him, though. If only there was a way to find out for sure.
"You look lost in thought."
Beatrix snapped out of her reverie and saw Rowan walking beside her.
"What were you thinking about?" Rowan asked.
Beatrix didn't have the heart to tell her best friend that she was, in fact, daydreaming about Rowan's older brother. Instead she mentioned the class she had just left and how hard it was.
"Maybe you could get a tutor," Rowan suggested.
A kernel of an idea formed in Beatrix's mind. "Yes… that's a good idea."
"Of course it is," Rowan quipped. "I thought of it!"
Beatrix rolled her eyes and asked, "Lunch?"
"Lunch," Rowan agreed, grinning.
Lunch (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 02-13-18 19:10
Caerwyn enters one of the canteens, thinking to eat something before his next class. He's not overly hungry at the moment but he's got two classes back to back and the second only meets twice a week and the meeting time is longer as a result. If he waits to eat until then he'll be ravenous and starting to edge up close enough to supper time that he'd not want much at supper. Normally, that wouldn't be an issue but he's having dinner with his grandparents and if he were to show up and hardly eat, they'd be full of questions, Grandmother in particular.
To Caerwyn's surprise the person in line in front of him is Aunt Iola. At first he says nothing, annoyed that she'd show up again where he'd be, probably to once again try to convince him to join the spy group with which she's affiliated. Then he has the thought that no, she's not here in the canteen because he would be. He didn't know he was coming to this one until after leaving his last class. He'd nearly left campus to go somewhere like the Wyrding Way. There's also the fact that she's ahead of him, not behind, which she probably would be if following him again.
That or she's just extremely good at predicting his movements.
A scary thought that.
When the line moves and she turns a little to ask the witch on the other side of the counter if the fruit in the fruit salad is fresh, he figures she's seen him out of the corner of her eye so he speaks. "Hi, Aunt Iola."
"Caerwyn! Hello! I wondered if I'd bump into you sometime this week."
"Oh?"
"I'm teaching a course for the Auror program. You know, if you have no interest in that one thing we've discussed, you should consider becoming an Auror. I believe you'd make an excellent one."
"I'm too far along to switch programs now."
"Don't be silly. You could be a single course away from gaining a degree and still be able to change your mind. You aren't locked in unless you decide you are."
Caerwyn slowly shakes his head as he reaches indicates to one of the workers that he'd like a serving of the roasted broccoli. "I like what I'm doing."
"But you'd probably love being an Auror. Huge difference in merely liking a job and loving it."
He sighs. "I'll think about it but cannot promise you more, Iola, not on the spot like this."
"I understand." She switches to asking after the twins and Grace as well as Gus and whether he's still seeing the same girl.
When they part ways at the register it's because she's joining from of her colleagues from the Auror program. Caerwyn is relieved not to have to find an excuse not to have lunch with her. He thinks she's take the opportunity to go back to encouraging him into to become an Auror.
Finding a small, unoccupied table on the opposite side of the dining area from where Iola went, Caerwyn tries not to think about her trying once more to manipulate him into doing what she wants. Instead, he pulls out one of the textbooks for one of the afternoon classes and starts looking over it, hoping the professor is halfway decent.
Working Another Cold Case
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 02-15-18 19:28
Harry checks the address in the file he carries with the one on the bungalow style house in front of him. When assigned to cold cases little did he know how often he'd end up in the Muggle World tracing a lead. This is the sixth time this week, twice with one case and this makes the fourth time on another. Would be nice if information would come together in such a way that he could better organize and coordinate coming into a Muggle area.
Moving up the walk he hears high pitched barking. Stopping to look in case some small dog should come tearing around the yard to latch onto an ankle, Harry spots not one but two in one of the bungalow windows, apparently perched on the back of a sofa. With the warning system going at full force the home owner, or that's who Harry takes her to be, is at the door waiting on him to finish coming up the walk, looking suspiciously at him.
"Mrs. McMurray?"
"Yes, and you are?"
"Harry Potter "
Before Harry can say another word she's exclaiming, "Harry Potter! THE Harry Potter?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'm with the "
"Ministry of Magic. Yes, yes, I know. Please, come in. Don't mind Tic and Tac. They love to hear themselves and talk to anyone they see in front of the house or even just passing by but they are quite harmless."
She holds the screen open, gesturing for Harry to come in, the two dogs now dancing just inside the doorway. Once inside she invites him to sit on the very sofa where Tic and Tac had been watching out the window. No sooner is he down then one dog is at his left and the other at his right, sniffing, licking, and wanting attention. They calm somewhat when he puts a hand on either of them to scratch their backs, Mrs. McMurray saying, "I can put the in another room if you prefer."
"No, they're fine." He taps the file on his lap. "If you know I'm with the Ministry, you may have a good idea of why I'm here."
"I heard or read you are doing unsolved cases now so I would think you are here about John's death."
"Yes, ma'am. I know it's a lot to ask after so many years have passed but could you walk me through events as you recall them, please?"
Idabella McMurray is happy, enthusiastic even, to oblige, though Harry can't tell it's because she's thrilled at having someone so well known to the Wizarding community in her sitting room or because she's glad to have her husband's mysterious death being looked into again or if it's a combination of both. He hopes it's not solely because of him.
After she's run through that day years ago several times, with a break to serve tea and biscuits, Harry asking questions each time around, he finally takes his leave. Thanking her and promising to stay in touch, Harry gives Tic and Tac a last belly scratch each. Back outside and walking down the lane to his disapparation spot, he wonders why Zeke Clarkly's name has come up yet again in one of his cases and, also yet again, isn't mentioned a single time in the case file.
Fire
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 02-16-18 07:28
"Sorry I'm late," Professor Somerset announced to his second year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students.
The classroom, which had been noisy prior to his return, instantly quieted and became orderly as students took their seats. Professor Somerset scanned the desks to make sure each student was accounted for and then pointed his wand at the chalkboard.
"Incendio is the spell to conjure fire," he began. "Who can give me examples of when starting a fire might be useful in defense against the dark arts?"
He listened as students came up with ideas and gave commentary here and there. After discussing reasons for using the spell and revealing some real-life situations where he had used it while working as an auror, Professor Somerset demonstrated on a piece of parchment in an indestructible see-through case.
He cautioned his students that the spell was not to be practiced or used outside of class and invited anyone who required further practice to make an appointment or come to his regularly scheduled office hours. Then, Professor Somerset distributed cases to each student, along with scraps of parchment on which they could practice the fire-conjuring spell. He walked around the classroom to observe and assist as necessary.
His reason for being a few minutes late to class was because he had met Maverick at Brews & Stews for lunch. Because Maverick worked in the Records Division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, he knew about the recent arrest of a newly marked Death Eater. Both former Project 25ers were eager to meet with the others to discuss the development, but for now they could only talk to each other about the possible implications.
What they didn't know was the worst part. Was Project 25 on the Death Eaters' radar at all? Who was in charge now?
Ethan realized his thoughts were wandering once again, and he nearly missed preventing Patty Chalmers from singeing her eyebrows off when she accidentally conjured a rather large flame outside the protective case. Fortunately, he managed to save Patty from injury in the knick of time and proceeded to guide her on how to safely perform the spell.
A Kiss
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 02-17-18 18:45
Though the task force is no longer official, members still get together from time to time to compare any new notes and go over requests that still come in from jurisdictions without at least one task force member. This time around has been Ron's turn to host. Once he had an idea of how many would be coming he reserved a meeting room and saw to refreshments to serve other than the usual Department of Magical Law Enforcement coffee and limited selection of pastries.
As the meeting wraps some need to leave right away. Others are staying, some even overnight, and there is talk of going out to lunch as a group. Amity and Dineas, who sat in on the meeting after having helped in the past with following leads, and Ron offer some suggestions. When a restaurant is decided those going follow Amity and Dineas out to the lifts with Ron promising to join them soon after making sure the conference room is returned back to its usual state.
A sound at the door has him turning, surprised to see Janette Duckworth. "Do you need any help?" she asks.
"No, I got this."
She looks in the direction the others have gone then steps all the way into the room. "They moved fast. I doubt I'll catch them at the elevator."
Ron nods. "Yeah, better stick with me unless you want directions to go on your own to the place."
"I'll wait for you," she says with a shake of her head.
Tidying up some parchment that he then tucks into a folder, Ron uses his wand to wrap the tray with breakfast sandwiches. He puts a note on it for others to help themselves then sends it to a common area by the coffee pot and tea pot used by most of the Aurors. The coffee and tea he'd provided are mostly gone another spell on each and they are clean. He squares them on the side table where the pots stay for handy access for anyone using the meeting room.
When he turns from the table, folder in hand to send to his desk, he finds Janette only inches away. To his surprise and shock she quickly leans in and kisses him full on the mouth. Ron jerks back but he's limited in how far he can go because of the side table behind him.
He ends up pushing Janette away, dropping the file in the process. "Janette!"
"I'm sorry. I've been wanting to do that for awhile now." She doesn't look overly sorry to Ron yet at the same time she does seem chagrinned.
"We're both married and as far as I know I've never given you any reason to believe I think of you as anyone other than a colleague and friend."
She sighs. "You haven't but that hasn't stopped me from thinking about us together."
"I thought you are happily married."
"I am. I love him but the longer I know you the more I keep thinking there could be something between us."
"You two have some sort of agreement to see others?"
"No, of course not. Traditional marriage."
"Then if you're having thoughts of an affair, or even something more, your marriage is troubled even if you don't think it is."
Janette sighs again. "I've known that deep down. I am sorry." This time she looks as though she means it. "I won't try to kiss you or anything else again. I should talk to my husband see if he's having stray thoughts as well."
While she speaks Ron's been picking up the contents of the folder. He sends it off to his desk saying to her, "Good idea."
There's an awkward shortlived silence broken when Ron suggests, "We should hurry and catch up to the others at the restaurant so they aren't waiting on us to order."
She simply replies, "Good idea," allowing him to lead the way to the lifts, making sure to keep a reasonable distance between them without appearing standoffish to others.
Almost Adults
Author: Jolyon
Date: 02-18-18 10:17
Asher sat in Arithmancy & Divination class and felt distracted. In just a couple of weeks, he and Arielle would celebrate their 17th birthdays. The fact that they would both become legal adults in the wizarding world made the age difference between them and the their baby twin siblings all the more strange.
With their coming birthdays, the elder twins were also eligible to take apparition lessons, which would start the first Saturday in February. The enrollment fee for the course was already paid. Asher looked forward to learning how to apparate, because it would make traveling to Team Delta Echo meetings over Easter break and the summer holiday all the more easier.
Asher's big birthday would also mark a status upgrade in the secret group. As an adult member, he knew there was the potential to be invited to other gatherings and to get to meet some of the witches and wizards doing the work Team Delta Echo so far only discussed. He could also become a mentor to some of the younger and newer members. Asher never pictured himself in a leadership sort of role, but it seemed like a natural fit.
In addition to the first apparition lesson, Slytherin was set to play a match against Ravenclaw. Asher was a bit nervous about the first lesson and Quidditch match taking place on the very same day. What if he injured himself in class, which in turn impacted how he played in the Quidditch match? What if he couldn't play Quidditch at all because he splinched himself so badly he had to be hospitalized? Asher tried not to think about all the negative possibilities, but it really couldn't be helped.
While he was in class, unable to pay attention due to his wandering thoughts, Arielle was in the library with Malden. He was done with classes for the day, but she had Muggle Studies soon. Like her twin, she was excited about her upcoming birthday, and she also looked forward to learning how to apparate.
She and Malden were in one of the private study rooms. Although they were only sixth years and didn't have to worry about NEWTs just yet, their professors loaded them up with homework nearly every class period. Arielle did her best to keep up with her assignments and exercised her influence over Malden whenever she could.
She happened to be facing the door to the room and had the sudden feeling of being watched. Arielle looked up and saw Professor McGonagall looking in at them through the narrow window on the door. Professor McGonagall did not look like she wanted anything, nor did she seem surprised at being caught watching them. Instead, she nodded her head in acknowledgement and then moved out of view.
"That was weird," Arielle murmured.
"What?" Malden asked. He looked up from his Ancient Runes book and set down his quill.
"Your great aunt was just at the door, but I guess she didn't want anything."
Malden's eyebrow raised. "Oh?"
"I thought maybe she wanted to talk to you, but maybe she was looking for someone else," Arielle said with a shrug.
A wishful expression crossed Malden's face all of a sudden. "It would have been nice for her to tell me Madoc got burned alive by one of the dragons he's studying."
Arielle shook her head. "Stop." Malden rarely talked about his older brother, but she didn't like it when he was ugly. Madoc seemed like a nice person.
Malden obliged, but he couldn't help but dream about one day being an only child.