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Office Hours & Letters
Author: Marzipan
Date: 11-09-18 14:16
Marzi sat in her office and marked homework parchments. She'd not had a single student stop by all afternoon, but she wasn't all that surprised. Many students tended to procrastinate, and with the end of term still several weeks away, she didn't expect any to come by with questions or concerns just yet. There were quizzes scheduled in all her classes at the end of this week, but quizzes didn't carry the same weight as exams.
After finishing up with her current stack of parchments, Marzi decided to take a bit of a break. Her eyes fell on two letters that had arrived for her at breakfast. The first was from Alaric, discussing potential plans for the holidays. The thought was that the pair might be apart for Christmas, but Marzi was tentatively planning on taking the boys to France for New Year's.
The other letter was from Heathcote Hamstead, who was currently serving a five-year sentence in Azkaban. He was more than half a year into the sentence, but his time there and the fact that Marzi had helped put him there didn't sour his disposition towards her in the slightest. The letter asked that she come see him, because he missed seeing her face and didn't want to forget what she looked like. Her beauty would help him get through his ordeal, he further wrote.
Marzi had no intention of responding to the letter, but she did plan on sharing it with Illyria, and she might pass it along to the aurors who worked on Heathcote's case, on the chance that the letter was one of many to come and might lead to other things. Marzi wasn't exactly concerned about her safety or anything, but one never knew what may happen next, especially when someone as untrustworthy as Heathcote was involved.
She looked at the clock on her desk next. It was just about 4 in the afternoon. Deciding she might as well call it a day, she finished up a few things and then exited her office to go to Hogsmeade to collect her boys from school. After that, they spent an hour or two in their quarters before heading down to the Great Hall for supper.
Fountain of Youth
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 11-10-18 13:13
After numerous consultations and much soul-searching, Bill checked in to St. Claire's Hospital in New York City. Of the wizarding hospitals and clinics Bill had researched, St. Claire's ranked first in cosmetic healing. Fleur had gone with him to New York, but the children were staying at the Burrow with their grandparents.
Bill's mother did not want him to go through with the procedure. She wasn't at all confident that her son wouldn't come out with a greater deformity or disfigurement than the one he already had. She worried especially because they both knew by association the former head healer at St. Claire's because of a long-ago friendship with said healer's son. Their friend had suffered from physical ailments induced by his healer-father's experimentations.
Bill had reassured his mother that the healer with dubious ethics had retired well over a decade ago. In fact, the healers and nurses Bill had seen for consultations had come on afterwards and had helped propel the hospital's ranking to what it was today. Bill was not worried, and neither was Fleur.
They'd arrived in New York yesterday morning Eastern Standard Time and gone straight to St. Claire's for Bill's pre-op. A series of tests were run, and then the actual cosmetic healing procedure began in the early afternoon. Bill fared well, with minimum pain but plenty of drowsiness, and he went to bed last night with his face fully bandaged.
Now it was not yet dawn, and Bill was wide awake because of the time difference in Hogsmeade. He got up to use the loo and stared at his reflection in the mirror. All he could see of his face were his eyes, the tip of his nose, and his mouth. The rest of him was covered in white gauze, making him look somewhat like a mummy.
Fleur had slept on a cot in the room but had left to find some coffee for herself. She returned the same time Bill got back into his bed, and she had with her a tray of food, including a bowl of muesli, fresh fruit, and hot tea.
"I ate in ze café already," she said, settling the tray across Bill's lap. "Do you 'ave an appetite?"
"Yes, thanks," Bill said. "It feels like it should be lunchtime. When is breakfast served around here anyway?"
"Not early enough," Fleur replied. She'd brought back a second cup of coffee for herself and sipped it from the chair next to Bill's bed.
A short while later, at the apparently respectable hour of 7am local time, a nurse came in to check on Bill's face. As with most healing magic, the recovery time would be minimal. The plan was to keep Bill for one more night, just in case there was a delayed bad reaction to the procedure, but the estimation was that Bill would suffer no complications and would look like a whole new man the moment the bandages were removed.
The moment of truth came. The nurse began unraveling the bandages. Other than some tenderness to his face and feeling the sensation of fresh air against his previously covered skin, Bill wasn't in any real pain or discomfort.
Fleur gasped.
"What?" Bill asked. "Did it not work? Do I look worse?"
Fleur shook her head slowly. "You look so… young," she finally managed.
The smiling nurse held up a hand mirror for Bill to see. The deep scarring across his face and some of the lines that had shown up with age were either completely gone or largely minimized. In fact, the remaining scarring consisted of pale lines instead of the deep, angry gouges that had been there before.
Bill recognized himself, but Fleur was right. He looked twenty years younger, at least.
"Do you like it?" he asked Fleur.
She put her cup down on a side table and got up to reach his bedside. "I liked you as you were and would 'ave been 'appy to see your scars everyday, but you look young and 'andsome and 'appy. You are 'appy, are you not?"
Bill looked from his wife to his reflection and said, "It's a bit of a shock, but I'm happy with the results. I think now we know where to find the fountain of youth… St. Claire's Hospital!"
They laughed and then got to talking about what their family and friends would say when they next saw Bill. He definitely looked like a new man. Now if only there was a procedure for feeling younger, too!
Sharing A Booth (Hunter)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 11-10-18 19:30
Books and notes spread out on the table, Hunter has to make some space when the waitress arrives with his lunch order. Two weeks ago he'd tried a new place within walking distance of campus. Someone took his order but everything suddenly appeared on the table with no warning. He'd lost half an essay he was working on from steam and condensation off the plate. He much prefers having a little warning and being able to make a spot if he's studying or working on an assignment. He could have eaten on campus or gone home or even to the Wyrding Way conveniently located near St. Emrys or to another of the popular off campus Wizarding spots but decided on a change of pace with this small Muggle restaurant that has a tasty selection of plate lunches and toasted sandwiches.
"Hi, excuse me but could I share your booth? You're the only familiar face or I wouldn't ask."
Hunter looks up to a familiar face. "Marion. Hi." He's got some work to do so isn't thrilled about sharing the table but the small restaurant is packed at the moment. He could be rude and tell her no, which would make her wait who knows how long or have to go somewhere else. She might be in a rush between classes and like him wanted something other than the campus canteen.
"Sure, take a seat. Let me move a couple of things for you."
Marion DeMarco gives him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Hunter." She gestures to the books and notes. "I have some reading to do so won't be a bother."
"What are you studying?"
She taps the textbook she's just taken from her bag. "Eastern Civilization, both," mindful of the location she drops her voice, "Wizarding and Muggle. What about you?"
"Research for a marine herbology course assignment."
The waitress arrives to take Marion's order and when she's left Hunter asks, voice also low, "You go to Muggle places a lot?"
"Not a lot but more than a lot like us. My parents' jobs have often been Muggle World. You're not eating."
"I didn't want to be rude."
"As you weren't expecting to share your table, I hardly think it's rude of you go on and eat."
Hunter reaches to tidy more of his things. "I can eat least give you more space."
"You aren't going to work while you eat?"
"I could use a break truth be told. I'm sick of this assignment and I've not even started writing it yet. I need to stop researching and start writing but I keep thinking I need more."
Marion nods knowingly. "Like writing an essay for Snape."
"Exactly!"
Busy as the place is the waitress already has Marion's order of the soup of the day, a creamy Stilton and leek, and a toasted sandwich. She puts her book back in her bag. "If you aren't going to work I won't either."
"Don't mind me."
She shakes her head. "It's not pressing. Say, I hear you're living with some American girl."
"Where'd you hear that?"
"Can't remember." She pauses in spooning up some of the soup. "Sorry, rude of me to sound like a gossip."
"Nah, not rude, and it's true. Sort of. Millicent Rhodes. Before my sisters and I moved over here we knew her. She, Jade, and I were in school together and she and Jade were good friends. After our parents died and we moved in with our aunt and uncle, they lost touch. We had no idea she was... you know... and she had no idea we were too. Millicent and Jade running into each other in Hogsmeade is how they reconnected. Jade, she, and I have a place here in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Living together but not living together. "
Marion laughs. "Funny how a little something like that gets turned into a naughty sounding rumor. I'm not even sure why it's naughty sounding when so many people do live together these days."
"My sister Olive and her husband Zuberi did. Emerald and Phin sort of did," Hunter replies with a nod.
"My brothers are too young to think about that and I think if I tried moving in with anyone anytime soon my father would throttle us both."
"Anyone right now you'd be tempted to move in with?"
"Not seeing anyone at the moment but I can think of a few I lust after but those don't count," she laughs. "You?"
"The same," he grins. "What program are you in?"
"More general studies at the moment. I keep changing my mind on what I want to do. This is my first term so not having a specific course of study isn't as big of a deal but I'm feeling the pressure to decide. What about you?"
"Apothecary. Helping out with my aunt's and uncle's business, Greene House Farms led me to having an interest in medicinal uses of plants. Say, want to split a slice of chocolate toffee cheesecake with me, my treat? If I eat a whole slice on my own, between it and the rest of lunch I'll want to sleep through my next class."
"Would love to, thanks. Katherine Finch and I ate here last week and thought about that but got the lemon pie instead."
"How was it?"
"Excellent. Perfect combo of sweet and tart."
Marion and Hunter talk about whatever comes to mind while they finish their lunches and share the cheesecake. Before they know it it's time to head back to St. Emrys, each with a class to attend. They walk together, talking the entire way and when they part in a corridor, her to go down the hall to her classroom and him to take the nearby staircase down to another level for his class, Hunter asks, "You want to get dinner one nigh this week, Marion?"
"Um, yeah, that would be great! Is tomorrow too soon?"
"Tomorrow's good. Say around five? Meet at the library?"
"Five at the library. Perfect. See you then, Hunter."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Marion."
Until he arrives at class and someone asks, "Why are you grinning like it's the weekend?" Hunter hadn't even realized he was smiling.
(Chloe) Inner Conflict
Author: Mildred
Date: 11-11-18 02:29
After classes, Chloe and Ruth were sitting together at the Ravenclaw Common Room.
"Who is Alice?" Ruth inquired after glancing at Chloe's paper. "And why are you using that funny plastic tube to write a letter?"
"I am writing a letter to my mother," Chloe explained. "But I must do it in the Muggle way. Paper instead of parchment and a pen, instead of a quill. Alice is the name I have given to Alectrona. I need to keep things as Muggle as possible."
"What have you called me?"
"Ruth. It is a biblical name so you're good."
"A what name?" Chloe was ready to explain but Ruth stopped her. "Never mind, I don't need to know. I am going back to my Potions homework, you keep writing that letter."
Before leaving for Hogwarts, at Platform 9 and 3/4, her father had urged Chloe to be cautious. He offered her a heavy book called British Boarding Schools and told her to read it and use it when she wrote to her mother, for she was not aware Chloe was a witch. Writing home had became a challenge for her. She could not tell the truth about Hogwarts. During the first week of classes she wrote two separate letters, one for her father and another to her mother. The next day her father owled her ordering Chloe to keep the fake letter but to stop sending him genuine ones. He explained he did not want to know or get involved in the wizarding world, for it was an immoral and evil world. He recalled Chloe that she was only at the school to control her magic. He did not even expect for her to have good marks for they would be of no use after she graduated. He urged her to say her prayers, to be kind to others, and never forget that she was the daughter of a churchman. The only magic in their lives were God's little miracles.
And so, Chloe started to create a new imaginary world in her letters. Alectrona had been renamed Alice, for in her book there were no students with such different and original name. Instead of Quidditch, Chloe told her parents she had joined the school's lacrosse team. During Club Day she had signed up for Hogwarts Harmonies for she loved to sing. She wrote that they sang traditional British songs. Coach Krum became the Physical Education teacher, while Professor Weasley was teaching Chemistry to Chloe. Professor Flitwick taught them Mathematics and Professor Nott Biology. They were studying the Plantagenet dynasty at History, given by Professor Ravensdale.
Chloe had to be careful not to mention anything odd in her letters. It was hard to so. The other day Franklin Ellis showed her how to play wizarding chess. Chloe wanted to tell her mother how much fun she had, and how exciting the game became with moving pieces that destroyed each other at the first chance. But she omitted the chess lesson completely for it would make no sense to write about how exciting and interesting it was to play regular chess with Franklin. She wrote that she made her own bed and her meals were simpler than he ones cooked by the house elves. She did not want her mother to think she had turned into a lazy girl for she was used to do some domestic chores at home, such as tidying her own bedroom and cleaning the dishes, which now she didn't have to do. At first Chloe actually did her own bed, but then Ruth explained to her what house elves were and how offended they would be if she continued to do it.
She loved her new life at Hogwarts but she was also a bit tormented by it, for a lot of things were different from what she was used to at home. She felt guilty for enjoying such good food, for not having to spend time at church on Sundays, for lying to her mother, even if it was for her own happiness, for playing such violent game as Quidditch that could cause pain, for having friends like Ruth who didn't know what the bible was, or Alectrona who had such an original name. Or Franklin who was so clever and she never got tired of hearing him talk about his large family. Chloe didn't have any brothers or sisters, not even cousins or other close relatives. For eleven years it had just be her, her mother and her father. And the church, of course. She was adapting well to the wizarding world, but she often felt consumed by guilt for enjoying such exciting and rich lifestyle, that went against everything she knew.
She was living an inner conflict and she tried to be up to her father's standards but it was just too easy to ignore all his teachings when he was not around to guide her.
Dinner Meeting
Author: Griet
Date: 11-11-18 14:36
Griet ducked into the foyer at Jade Garden and removed her coat, feeling instant warmth from the hearth in the small room. Outside, it was cold and gray, and every so often, snow flurries drifted down from the sky. The hostess, a young lady in a royal blue kimono, took Griet's coat and asked if she had a reservation.
"I'm meeting someone," she said. "Remus Lupin."
The hostess smiled and said, "Mr. Lupin has already arrived. Let me show you to your table."
She walked with small, quick steps to a small, square table near the back of the restaurant. Lupin rose when he saw Griet approaching. It had been a long time since they had seen each other, and rather than embrace, they settled for a handshake.
"I was surprised to receive your letter," Lupin said, "but pleased all the same. How have you been?" He indicated for her to sit and then sat down in his own chair.
"I've been well, all things considered," Griet replied, pausing when a waiter came over to take their drink order.
After the waiter left to fetch their drinks and an appetizer of vegetable tempura, Griet told Lupin about what she had been up to since they'd last met. Years ago they had met every so often at Albus Dumbledore's recommendation, starting after Griet first became a werewolf. Neither was quite sure how they had fallen out of the routine, but it had happened all the same.
"And you?" she asked, after she got him caught up.
Lupin told her about his job and his family, the latter of which was precisely why Griet had wanted to see him. She and Valentijn had been married for over a year now and were talking about starting a family. The only hesitation Griet felt was because she was a werewolf. She didn't want to pass on the condition, but she also wasn't sure she could have any children.
She confessed her thoughts to Lupin. He mulled over her words pensively for a moment and then said, "I can tell you with confidence that you won't pass the condition on to your children. It's not genetic. It's created. Neither Teddy nor Hope turn into werewolves each month, and I doubt that will change when they come of age or hit some other milestone in their lives.
"That said, I don't know what being a werewolf does to pregnancy. I advise you to seek the advice of a healer, but I don't know if a healer can tell you with utmost certainty whether a woman who is also a werewolf can successfully carry a baby to term. I don't know anyone who has done it or even tried."
Griet frowned. She was hoping for a definitive answer, but at least she now knew that she wouldn't be passing along the condition if she had any children, assuming she could have any at all.
Neither Griet nor Lupin were particularly famished, what with the full moon being tomorrow night. Both were looking a bit peaky, in fact, but they knew how important it was to eat, especially this close to the full moon. Besides the vegetable tempura, they each ordered a roll of sushi.
While they talked about Griet's desire to have children and other things the conversation naturally progressed to, they were unaware that someone was eavesdropping on their conversation. The over-hearing was quite accidental. Cornelia was in an adjacent booth, wearing a dark red, corkscrew-curly wig, large, rosy-framed glasses that magnified her eyes, and she had drawn freckles all over her face. If Griet looked hard enough, then she might recognize her little sister, but Griet was too consumed in her conversation with Lupin to take any notice.
Cornelia was at the Japanese restaurant in disguise because she had heard that a fugitive on her company's watch list was likely to be there this evening. She'd tried to snatch him before as herself; hence the disguise this time.
Unfortunately, Cornelia could hardly concentrate after what she had just heard Griet confess. Griet wanted to have children and was probably going to try soon, assuming all went well if she decided to seek advice from a healer. Although the sisters got along these days, Cornelia was very competitive. Griet had minimized the importance of Cornelia's engagement by announcing her own engagement at the same family dinner.
Griet's marriage, though only a week ahead of Cornelia's, had nevertheless come first. It was petty, sure, but that was Cornelia's modus operandi.
She and Cassander certainly wanted to have kids someday. It suddenly seemed important that 'someday' was soon.
Sisters Together
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 11-11-18 19:18
Amorica sits cross legged on her bed, Mouse curled into the space between her legs created by the position. Alexa straddles the desk chair, arms crossed across the chair rail, head on her arms. "What?" Amorica asks her sister.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you in my room staring at me?"
"I've missed you?"
"Maybe if someone lived at home and didn't have a packed schedule of classes and job."
Alexa sighs. "I know. There are days I've asked myself why I'm doing an advanced degree."
"You'd have a full time job if you weren't still in school, which would still mean not seeing much of each other," Amorica concedes. "Living at home would help with that either way."
"Much as I love Mum and Dad... and you, being able to come and go without one of them always wanting to know where I'm going, when will I be home is nice. I also like my roommates. We have fun. When schedules allow that is."
"Maybe if I could make up my mind on what to do with my life I'd be more open to living elsewhere, be it a flat or in residence if going to uni, or wherever. My lack of direction makes me wonder how I ever got Sorted into Slytherin."
"You were Sorted Slytherin because once you do make a firm decision you stick with it and do what it takes to see through to the end."
"I guess. How's Christopher?"
"Not high on my list at the moment," Alexa says of Christopher Tweed. "You know how we are. On and off."
"Sounds like a definite off at the moment."
"So off I'm thinking of saying yes to someone who's asked me to dinner after our study group tomorrow. How are the brats?"
"Brattier than ever."
When Amorica decided to defer attending St. Emrys she knew her parents wouldn't allow her to sit at home doing nothing all day. Just as she couldn't decide on a course of study at university she couldn't decide on a career path to begin training in. She had decided to apply for an unskilled clerking job at the Ministry of Magic that she'd seen advertised and then go up and down Diagon Alley to see who might be hiring when a relative on her mother's side of the family asked if she'd would consider being nanny for a few months to her two children. Knowing the two children, ages 5 and 7, fairly well Amorica hadn't been thrilled with the idea but it was a job offer that paid decently and only for a few months.
Thank Merlin the job is only four days a week and ends soon. The two little cousins are horrid and horribly spoiled. Amorica has already started looking for another job so if their mother wants to extend Amorica's time as nanny she'll be able to say sorry.
Alexa is making a face at the thought of keeping those two little monsters for even a day. Amorica grins and unfolds her legs, disturbing Mouse in the process. "I'm hungry. What sounds good?"
"Pizza?"
"Great choice. Let's go out for it. I'll bring back any leftovers for Mum and Dad. They should be home by then."
As they walk to the kitchen to the fireplace on the Floo Network, Alexa asks, "Have you considered taking a few classes next term? Get the general type requirements out of the way or take something just to be taking it, maybe see if you like it?"
"Yeah, maybe. Something to think about."
Alexa suddenly laughs. "I know what I'm getting you for Christmas. You know that Magical 8 Ball thing that Aaron has?"
Knowing exactly the item of cousin Aaron's her sister means, Amorica joins her in laughing.
(Kate) Work
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-12-18 07:13
Everdeane & Fairbourne was a furniture and decor shoppe in London. Kate had been hired on there in September as an assistant designer and sales clerk. The furniture, decor, and home accessories sold in the shoppe were high end, and the materials used for draperies and upholstery were of the highest quality. Sometimes Kate felt a little out of her league, considering she had grown up middle class, but she reminded herself daily that this is what she had studied for while at St. Emrys.
The shoppe was a magical space hidden inside Harrod's, the famous department store in Knightsbridge. Kate always felt a bit weird about accessing Everdeane & Fairbourne, because to do so, one had to go into a bathroom stall on the fourth floor, near the tea rooms. Fortunately, she didn't have to step into the toilet and flush herself to work. Instead, a hidden door took her to the shoppe.
Using her employee discount, Kate had purchased a few things for the flat she and Mark shared in Diagon Alley. She hadn't gone overboard, since the majority of things were very much out of her price range or were wants rather than needs, but she was glad she could make their flat feel like a home. Mark seemed okay with her style, though she did ask for his input on most things.
Mostly, they were just happy to be living together. Kate hadn't hesitated to say yes when he told her about the flat he had purchased. Moving in together was a huge step in their relationship, but Kate felt totally ready for the new commitment. She had been a little sad about moving out of her childhood home, but her dad liked Mark and had helped his daughter move.
Will was already talking about downsizing his home, though he might wait until Tessa grew up and moved out too. In the meantime, he thought it might be time to renovate and redecorate, which he could do with his interior designer daughter's help. By the time he was ready to sell, the house might bring him a higher asking price from the upgrades and additional touch-ups.
After a breakfast of pumpkin spice flavored pancakes, maple bacon and syrup, blackberries, and aromatic coffee, Kate and Mark finished getting ready for work and then went their separate ways, Mark to the Ministry of Magic, and Kate to Knightsbridge. Harrod's was always crowded, no matter the time of day, due largely in part to the tourists who always found their way there. Kate didn't particularly understand the fascination, because Harrod's really was nothing more than a department store, but apparently it was a big deal in the Muggle tourism world.
The store was decorated for Christmas, and she had to admit the various displays looked lovely. She climbed the stairs to level four, which had gotten easier each day she did it, and then went into the bathroom. Kate went into the appropriate stall and then crossed over into Everdeane & Fairbourne, which had also been decorated for Christmas. She went into the employee break room to put away her handbag, and then she clocked in for work.
Zipporah (Alectrona)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 11-13-18 18:38
Ruth Lynam rolls her eyes. "I wouldn't have said anything if I knew you'd be angry. I thought you'd find it funny."
"I'm not angry. I just don't understand. Plenty of Muggles have names that aren't common."
"I don't know much about Muggles so I wouldn't know."
Now Alectrona is the one rolling her eyes. "Think about it, Ruth. Do you truly think witches and wizards are the only ones in the entire world who might not have names that are the same as a million other people?"
"Well, no, not when you put it like that but as I said, I don't know much about Muggles. For all I know almost all of them have names from a very short list. Anyway, you aren't angry?"
"Not even a little. As I said, I just don't understand why a perfectly good, unique name such as Alectrona has to be Alice." When Ruth starts to say something Alectrona stops her. "Yes, I know what you said. Chloe is trying hard not to give her mother anything to question that might lead to her finding out that Hogwarts is a school of magic filled with witches and wizards in training."
Sighing, Ruth leans back in her chair. "I think it's fun. I wish I was given a secret code name but apparently my name is too dull and common. It's acceptable because it's biblical, whatever that means."
Alectrona's brow crinkles. "You don't know what biblical means?"
"Not a clue."
"For a Ravenclaw you seem lacking in something so commonly known."
Ruth rolls her eyes again.
"You've heard of the Bible?"
"Yes, of course." There's a pause then Ruth's eyes widen. "Ooooooh. Bible. Biblical. I get it now. I suppose it didn't mean much to me because my family isn't religious."
"Hmmm, when I think of it, there are some unusual names in the Bible. Perhaps if my name was something like Zipporah I'd not have the code name Alice."
"Zipporah? I like that one. I need to remember it. Learn something new every day."
Alectrona grins at Ruth. "If you name a daughter Zipporah be sure to have her middle name be Chloe since you wouldn't have heard the name if not for her."
Ruth grins back. "Yes! Zipporah Chloe. Now I just need to marry someone whose last name goes with Zipporah."
Laughing, the two girls gather their things to return to Ravenclaw House before curfew.
Mental Moment (Alex)
Author: Plum
Date: 11-16-18 19:03
The only drawback to Fridays as far as Alex is concerned is that his only class isn't until after lunch. At least it's directly after and not one of those that doesn't even start until four. He likes Fitness & Athletics but wouldn't mind if it were first thing Friday. He couldn't sleep in but then he'd have the entire rest of the day for whatever.
Today, he'd slept in a little making it to breakfast when most others have already come and gone. Roomies Joe and CJ had done the same and after eating the three had braced themselves for the chill of outside to walk along the lake's edge, making a bet as to which of them would spot the giant squid first. As it turned out they didn't see the squid but did see what each would swear was a merperson just below the surface not far from the shore where they stood, what looked like a halo of green hair floating on the surface.
From there they'd raced back to the castle, thoughts of a hot drink in the commons spurring them on. Alex and CJ had been going to play chess with Joe taking on the winner but Dolly Gumble asked if they'd play a board game with her. They'd agreed only to have her soundly beat them. Joe challenged her to another round with CJ chiming in. Alex was eager to play again as well, hoping that if he didn't win he'd at least not lose quite so badly but then he remembered a library book that was due yesterday.
Not wanting to put it off any longer and risk forgetting again Alex had told them to go on without him, he'd meet them in the Great Hall for lunch and suggested another round of the game for all of them for after Fitness & Athletics. He'd rushed to Hufflepuff House to his dorm room and rooted around in his armoire where he was sure he'd put the book when he'd finished reading it. He knows he should have immediately put it in his book bag but at the time it was late and he was sleepy so he most likely wasn't thinking at all.
Once at the library Alex got to browsing a few new fiction selections on display, or maybe they weren't new but he'd never noticed them before. Picking one out he'd left the library with it tucked under an arm. With no need to rush to the Great Hall just yet he'd meandered, poking around down a couple of corridors he'd not explored before. He'd not explored them but there was something vaguely familiar as if he had been along that route before. Given that his father Evan was once a Hogwarts professor and Alex had spent a great deal of time here as a baby, he likely had been down these hallways before but as with every time he seems to remember something from then he doesn't understand why. He was small. He shouldn't remember little things like that suit of armor or when coming to on portrait knowing that lady there would greet him with a hearty, "Lovely day, isn't it?"
Alex finally starts for the Great Hall. Upon reaching one set of stairs he suddenly experiencing the sensation of falling. Only he's still at the top of the stairs.
His body jerks on its own volition at the memory of a bone jarring stop on the landing below.
"You all right, boy?"
Argus Filch's voice filters into Alex's brain. The caretaker stands there with his cat, Miss Ophelia, in his arms, both eyeing Alex as if he were barmy. Maybe they have it right and he is mental.
He stares unblinkingly back at them. His eyes start to burn and as he blinks he nods, "Yes, Mr. Filch. Fine. Just remembered something is all."
Alex turns and walks away from the staircase. He'll use another. He offers Filch and Miss Ophelia a somewhat weak smile, feeling their eyes on him as he retraces his steps down one corridor, finally losing the sense of being watched when he rounds a corner, reaching another set of stairs.
When he's finally at the Great Hall, Alex takes a deep breath before entering. He's glad in a way that neither Joe or CJ have made it yet. He's no longer all that hungry and this way when they do get here if they ask why he's not eating he can tell them he had something before they arrived.
Back at the Ministry
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 11-17-18 04:48
The Ministry of Magic had not changed much since Nate's absence. However, he did notice a small plaque in a wall, with some flowers below it, remembering the victims of the attack that happened around two years ago. Nate's own father had died to save him. He quickly passed by the plaque, into his destination: the Department of Muggle Relations.
He was told to sit and wait. He tried to distract himself with a Muggle magazine that rested nearby, but then he noticed the stain on his grey robes. Francis drooled on it and he had barely noticed it. Embarrassed, he tried to remove the stain with a spell. Then a door opened and Mortimer Flister and Hecubia Nintwinty appeared.
"Nathaniel Ross!" Mortimer said with a warm smile.
"Is that a stain?" Hecubia inquired. Nate's spell hasn't been very efficient. Jenny was the one who got talent for these sort of domestic spells.
Hecubia went to a drawer and took a tissue and a spray from it. Nate recognized it as being a Muggle product to remove stains. Without asking for permission Hecubia sprayed the stained area in Nate's robes and started to brush it with the tissue. It was gone in less than a minute.
"Much better now!"
"Thank you Hecubia," Nate said.
"Don't mention it."
"So what are you doing here in our humble office?" Mortimus asked. "Please tell us you are coming back."
"Perhaps," Nate said."I saw the add in Daily Prophet and I decided to come to the interview."
Things at Harebells were doing well. Jenny was a natural in managing the place. With two babies they have decided to hire help which came in the form of Amelia Acker, a former Hogwarts student. She was a hard working girl and Jenny was delighted. But Nate was struggling to find his place at the inn. He performed his daily task but he just wasn't satisfied. His wife quickly understood what was going on with him and one day at lunch she presented him with the newspaper and told him he had to go to the interview. Nate tried to reason with her. He did not want to leave her on her own during the day and he was not sure if he would be able to go back to the place where his father had died. Jenny assured Nate she could take care of things and that she recalled how happy he was when he worked at the Ministry of Magic. He would have to go back to the building and instead of thinking of Archibald's death he should think about his life and the good times they passed together. Besides, she added, the money he would make would be useful.
"Splendid!" Hecubia said. "We have missed working with you."
Nate smiled and thanked them, saying he felt the same thing.
"And how are your children?" He asked.
"Good. Alectrona had started at Hogwarts this year." Mortimus replied.
"Really? Amazing!" Nate had met Alectrona once, when he went to dinner at Mortimus and Hecubia's house. He could not believe that such little girl was now a Hogwarts student. "What house was she sorted into?"
"Ravenclaw. She is a very bright girl. We are very proud!" Hecubia informed. "And your children? Oh it is so strange, you are a father now..."
"Yes. Nolan and Francis. They are well, thank you."
He was about to show the couple a photograph of the babies he kept in his wallet but his name was called. He said goodbye to Mortimus and Hecubia feeling very happy he had met them again. Half an hour later he left the Ministry of Magic. The interview went well and they promised to owl him soon with the result.
Booties
Author: Plum
Date: 11-17-18 20:10
Evan brings his handled cup to Plum as she checks a baking pie. "More? Peese?"
Accepting the cup she tousels his hair then crouches down to kiss his forehead. "Tea or milk?" she asks, wondering yet again just how it was her baby turned three back in August. Shouldn't he still be in nappies, exploring his world at a crawl?
He thinks for a moment before telling her, "Tea."
She puts tepid tea with a liberal splash of milk into his cup. "Daddy will be home soon then it's bath time, okay?"
"K," he replies somewhat distractedly as he lifts his cup to his lips for a drink, turning to amble back to the spot where he has some toys ever so carefully arranged.
Plum's taking the pie from the oven when she hears the door and Evan's happy cry of, "Daddy!"
Anthony walks into the kitchen with Evan on his hip. "Sorry I'm late."
Plum and he kiss and she smiles, "You told me you'd be so nothing to be sorry for. How was your day?"
"Good overall. How was the conference?"
"Dull at times but mostly good. Are you hungry?"
"Famished and smelling that pie is making it worse," he says with a grin.
"If you'll give the boy his bath I'll get supper for us. Evan's eaten already but he might want some pie before bed."
"Yes! Pie!" the toddler exclaims.
He giggles as Anthony swings around to take him for his bath. Plum moves to one of the counters to prep two sandwich rolls for toasting. By the time a now clean smelling Evan and a slightly damp Anthony return she has the bread toasted and the sandwiches made as well as German style potato salad dished up. On another plate she has a small slice of the apple and pear pie for Evan.
When Plum sets Anthony's plate in front of him in addition to the sandwich and potato salad there's a small box. "What's this?"
"'Prize for you." Evan says between licking fruit filling from his fingers.
Plum wordlessly reaches over to pick up his little fork and hand it to him. He grins back at her but complies. All this takes place as Anthony inquires, "A surprise for me? Do you know what it is, Evan?"
"Only Mummy," the child replies with a vigorous shake of his head.
Anthony looks to Plum. She shrugs. "With everything that's been going on, I thought you could use a bright spot."
"I already have two bright spots," he says in reference to Evan and her as he removes the small bit of paper wrapping the little box.
Removing the box lid he peers in then back up at Plum. "Baby booties?"
She just smiles as the expression of puzzlement rapidly shifts to one of understanding. "Baby booties."
"Yes. Confirmed today before the conference."
Anthony whoops with delight, which prompts Evan to laugh loudly though he has no idea why other than Daddy and Mummy seem very happy. Not long after Evan turned two Anthony and Plum been wanting another child and hoping sooner rather than later so there wouldn't be a huge age gap but until now while all that trying had been fun they'd not had positive results.
After the laughing, hugging, and kissing stops Anthony asks, "When?"
"Around July 11th."
"Early birthday present for you." Plum's birthday is the 14th of July.
The rest of supper is trying to explain to Evan he's going to be a big brother and what that means, and discussing when to tell family and friends, and kicking around potential names though they have no idea yet if the baby is a boy or a girl.