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(Magnus & Belinda) Early Saturday Morning
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 11-18-18 09:47
Since he was a second year and he could not go to Hogsmeade, Magnus had planned to be lazy and sleep until late in the morning. However on Friday night he found a parchment over his bed. It contained the words: If you want to write a good story for the Hogwarts Herald come meet me at 6 am, in the grounds, next to the Forbidden Forest. Come alone.
Magnus got really excited with the possibility of obtaining some precious information that he could turn into a fantastic article. Maybe someone was leaving one of the Quidditch teams. Or perhaps he would be finally able to interview one of Malden McGonagall's band members. There has been much talk and curiosity about the band and Magnus thought that writing an article about it will be something most Hogwarts students would like to read. Perhaps he would learn a disturbing rumor about one of the teachers? The possibilities were almost infinite and he went to bed on Friday already picturing his article on the school newspaper. Professor Hodfuffer would shower him with compliments and Akira Gunderson would be very jealous of Magnus' success.
Magnus had never gotten up so early before. The Slytherin common room was empty, as so was the castle. He had put on some gloves and a scarf for it was cold outside. He made his way towards the meeting point. While he was walking Magnus thought about the gift he was going to offer to his Secret Santa, Professor Dante Knight. Magnus never had any classes with Professor Knight because he taught Charms to the upper year students. He asked Ned if he knew anything about Professor Knight but his friend was just as clueless as Magnus. He had written home and his mother gave him some suggestions for a gift. Magnus ended up deciding offering Professor Knight a five compartment wooden tea chest filled with tea. It included English Breakfast, Vintage Earl Grey and Original Orchard, Zesty Lemon & Calming Camomile tea bags. He hoped Professor Knight would appreciate his gift.
He saw the light on Hagrid's hut and he almost felt tempted to get inside. He continued until he got closer to the Forbidden Forest. He noticed there was another set of footprints in the snow, but there was no sign of his informer.
"Hello?" He called. "I'm here. I have came alone as you asked."
Belinda was hiding behind a tree. She was counting with Magnus naivety and he did not disappoint her. He truly believed he was getting information for a newspaper article. What a fool! A few nights ago she had a dream. She dreamed she had met the Dark Lord. Of course she had never seen him, but in her imagination he looked like a very tall and powerful wizard. Voldemort had come to Hogwarts himself to present Belinda and the other Team Delta Echo members with the Dark Mark. But then when it was her turn and she offered her arm to him he laughed and recused to award her with such honor. He said she was not worthy of it, for he have heard about a Muggleborn student who shared her surname and happily lived in the castle. Belinda woke up in the middle of the night and started to forge a plan that hopefully would make Magnus quit Hogwarts.
"Hello?" Magnus called again. He walked a few meters, and he now had his back to the tree Belinda was hidding.
She pointed her wand to his back and said Crucio!. She had wanted to try the Cruciatus curse on a human for a while now. She watched as Magnus got down on his knees, clearly in pain. However he did not scream and a moment later the spell was broken. She could tell he had fought it. The only explanation was that her spell had not been strong enough. Clearly she needed some more practice. She tried again while he was still on his knees. He flinched with the pain, and this time she thought he was crying for help. Belinda broke the curse after a few seconds. She was not happy that her spell work had been so weak, but at the same time she was happy for if Magnus had screamed, Hagrid might have heard him from his hut. She hoped the pain inflicted on Magnus would frighten him enough to leave the school.
Magnus was still on his knees on the ground. Not once he thought he had been the victim of an Unforgivable Curse. He had not yet learned about them in DADA, and so he had no way of knowing that what he had just experienced was the Cruciatus curse. He used Muggle logic to guess what happened. He thought maybe he had suffered some sort of odd reflex on his spine, probably due to the cold. The pain had been intense but not something he couldn't handed with. It had been warm at the castle and he should have brought a warmer jacket outside. His mother often warned him about that on her letters.
A thread of blood marked the area below his mouth, down to his chin. He cleaned it with his robes, some scarlet drops falling on the snow. He was quite shaken, and when he tried to get up, it was as if his legs were made of jelly. He finally was able to hold himself and slowly walked back into the castle. He decided to go back to bed and if he didn't get better her would visit Madam Pomfrey. He felt frustrated he had missed a possible great story but not that much preoccupied with what happened.
Belinda watched Magnus walking away. She decided due to her weak spell not to share this episode during today's Delta Echo meeting. Once she was sure Magnus had enough time to enter the castle she too made her away towards the school's indoors. She went directly to the Great Hall for breakfast, and as she ate a toast with jam she started to plan her day. Belinda wanted to go to Hogsmeade and buy a present for her Secret Santa, Coach Krum. She already knew what to offer him. She thought that he spent a lot of time outside, during Quidditch workshops, flying lessons and Fitness & Athletics classes and so a fashionable scarf would be a good gift. Her mind then went to Conrad Ellis and she wondered if she would spot him at Hogsmeade. Not a single spare though had been given to Magnus for the rest of the day.
Alys and Blakeney in Hogsmeade
Author: Ellis
Date: 11-18-18 18:55
Alys and Chip wandered into Hogsmeade together. Like in past years, many booths were set up along High Street with vendors selling different wares for witches and wizards looking for Christmas gifts. Although quite cold, it was nevertheless a nice day to conduct outdoor shopping.
Of the two best friends, only Alys had submitted her name for the annual Secret Santa gift exchange. This year she had gotten Leonine Marchbanks, a seventh year Gryffindor. Alys knew who he was because he had played seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team for most of Alys' time at Hogwarts.
Alys already had an idea of what she wanted to get Leo. She didn't want it to be Quidditch-related or something having to do with Hogwarts or Gryffindor House, because those things were too obvious. At first, she'd thought to get him a musical instrument of some sort because music gave her much joy, but Alys ultimately decided against it because she didn't know what to pick out or if Leo had any interest in learning how to play an instrument at all.
In the end, she decided to buy a wizarding wireless network device since she was certain that Leo would find one useful for listening to music, the news, or Quidditch matches. She just hoped he didn't already have one. None of the pop-up vendors had any units, though, so Alys eventually ventured into Dervish & Banges, where she found a nice, sleek model at a good price.
"Going to buy something for Asher, too?"
Alys looked at Chip in surprise.
"Is he your boyfriend or isn't he?"
"He's not," Alys quickly responded. "We're just friends… I think."
"Well, you should buy him something, even if he's just your friend. Just make sure that as your best friend, my gift is nicer," Chip added with a grin.
Alys laughed and then tugged on his arm to lead him in a different direction, since Blakeney, Tessa, Will, and Gerry had just come into view. Chip was still very sore over his breakup with Tessa, and it was all the worse now that she was dating someone else.
Blakeney's gaze alighted on a vendor selling clothing. This year, she had drawn Larkin Weasley's name for Secret Santa. Larkin was a third year Gryffindor and roommate to Daphne and Emily. If Blakeney hadn't had a clue what to get a thirteen year old girl, then she might have consulted the twins, but Blakeney had been thirteen not all that long ago herself and definitely knew how to shop for a girl.
She spent a great deal of time looking through the various articles of clothing and never noticed her companions wander elsewhere. Gerry and Will didn't find shopping for girls' clothing all that interesting, and Tessa wasn't as enamoured of shopping as her best friend was. Anyway, with Blakeney distracted, Tessa could shop for her Christmas gift.
After a great deal of deliberation, Blakeney decided on a burgundy, lace peplum top for Larkin. It wasn't quite the scarlet color of Gryffindor, but it was a similar-enough shade. It was also very stylish and pretty, and it could be dressed up or down, depending on what it was paired with. Blakeney was certain Larkin would like it, and if not, then maybe Daphne or Emily could wear it.
Blakeney paid for her purchase and then looked around for Tessa and the boys, but they were not in the immediate vicinity. She shrugged and decided she might as well keep shopping. Blakeney had a very long Christmas list, but she was quite sure she would find a lot of nice things for herself too!
Christmas Shopping
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 11-18-18 19:37
Sirius had taken the early Hogsmeade patrol shift, giving him the rest of the day to drop by the pitch where James and Mira planned to be for Viktor Krum's workshop and to get in some Christmas shopping. Sirius is not much of a shopper but tries to do his own or things like Secret Santa at Hogwarts and gifts from the children to Drucilla. This year there's also Secret Santa gifts for the twins to give.
Mira had drawn a boy's name, fourth year Hufflepuff Conrad Ellis, while James had drawn a girl's, that of the twins' Ravenclaw classmate Eileen McCourt. Sirius had gotten the name of another Ravenclaw, first year Alectrona Nintwinty-Flister. After names had been drawn Sirius had the twins come to his office to discuss gift ideas. Mira had told James that he should give Eileen something pretty, such as a dress. Eileen might be sporty, playing on her house's Quidditch team, but Mira asserted that Eileen would like something more girly and not a Ravenclaw related Quidditch shirt or Ravenclaw trainers as James has tentatively suggested.
Though James usually goes along with whatever Mira wants he does push back from time to time. From the mulish expression on James's face Sirius thought this might be one of those times but then James had shrugged. "Yeah, okay. You're probably right?"
"What do you mean probably?" Mira had archly asked.
Sirius quickly quashed a potential squabble then asked Mira if she had thoughts on something for Conrad. Surprisingly she'd looked to James asking, "What do you think?"
"Conrad's competitive enough to be on his house team so a game maybe? Or, you know, a tee shirt. He's a bloke and most of us like comfortable shirts like tees."
"Either of those then," Mira had obligingly agreed.
They'd scanned some catalogues their mother had sent for the very purpose of picking out presents or getting a general idea of something for Sirius or Dru to purchase for them. When Sirius left for home that evening he had a good idea of what Mira and James wanted to give their Secret Santa recipients.
His patrol over Sirius finds Dru at home. She'd picked out the gift from James to Eileen McCourt this morning. She shows it to Sirius. "What do you think?"
"It's similar to one of the ones Mira helped James pick out."
She carefully folds a pretty yellow, floral dress into a box. "The wrapping paper and ribbon are in this tote. Are you taking it or should I when I come?" When done at Saucy! Dru is also going to watch the twins at the workshop.
"I'll grab everything. Hopefully, I'll have the other gifts by the time I go to the pitch."
"Drop by Saucy! before you go and show me whatever you might find for Conrad and Alectrona." Kissing Sirius goodbye she then kisses Zaria and Regulus. "Be good for Dad."
With Zaria and Regulus to "help" Sirius browsed the Hogsmeade shoppes and kiosks hoping to find a present that fit the lists of possibles for Conrad and to find something that struck him as excellent for Alectrona. If he finds nothing today there's still plenty of time before the Secret Santa have to be given. He also keeps his eyes open for gifts for Drucilla from him and from the children as well as gifts for all four children though those he won't necessarily get today, not with Zaria and Regulus in hand.
At Muggle Madness Sirius finds a gift for Alectrona or, in this case, gifts. Her parents, whom Sirius has met a number of times, love all things Muggle and from what he gathers about Alectrona, she shares some of that love. She's also, according to his colleagues who teach her, intelligent. Sirius hopes she'll like the challenge offered by the word game Scrabble and Phase 10, a card that sounds like strategy as much as luck is involved.
It's while at Muggle Madness that Sirius spots an item that fits what James and Mira decided for Conrad Ellis, something competitive. It's called Finger Twister and the shoppe proprietor tells Sirius, "It's a scaled down version of a bigger game. Here, let me show you one."
Sirius had started to get the regular Twister game instead only to decide that the small version would be easier to play simply from the how much room it takes up aspect. After adding Finger Twister to the stack, which now also includes a regular Twister to give to the twins to play at home, Sirius spots some funny t-shirts. James had told Mira maybe a tee of some sort for Conrad.
After reading some of the t-shirt sayings to Zaria and Regulus, Sirius picks one out that for some reason he finds particularly amusing: I Leave Homework Till The Last Day Because I'll Be Older And Therefore Wiser.
Checking the time after making the purchases Regulus, Zaria, and Sirius go to Saucy! to show Dru what they've gotten and then Sirius treats his two younger children to Burger Wizard before fetching the tote with wrapping paper, ribbons, and James's gift for Eileen from the house then heading to Hogwarts with Zaria and Reg to watch some of the workshop.
CJ, Douglas, & Wallace
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-19-18 19:01
Munching on some popcorn while watching a scrimmage that's part of Coach Krum's workshop, wishing the scrimmage would hurry and end as he gets to play next, CJ DeMarco asks Douglas Hyland, "You doing the Secret Santa thing?"
"Yeah. You?"
"If you got my name I want a new, top of the line broom."
As he tries not to laugh Doug snorts the drink he's just taken. "Same here if you got mine. Professional quality."
CJ holds the popcorn out to Doug and glumly says. "I got a girl. Fifth year in my house. Tessa Filby."
"Third year Slytherin Doug Dippet."
"Beater on their team?"
"That's him. You get the Tessa girl anything yet?"
"Wrote to Mum the other day when names were drawn thinking she'd pick out a present if I told her a little of what I learned about Tessa."
"No go?"
"Nope. She sent money and said to pick out something nice, did I need ideas? I did but asked your sister instead."
"Ingrid or . Oh, never mind. Hope's not here. I keep thinking she is, which is weird since she graduated before I even started."
CJ snickers but doesn't admit that sometimes he finds himself looking for his own sister Marion though she too graduated in the spring, or was it summer already and he only started Hogwarts in September. "Yeah. Ingrid gave me some ideas and then I owl ordered. Came this morning. Tessa's birthstone is garnet so I got her a bracelet that looks like garnets. What about your Secret Santa?"
"Ingrid's picking it up for me today. If the place has what I told her that is. That Muggle Madness shoppe in Hogsmeade has t-shirts with sayings that make me laugh. I showed her two from one of the circulars that showed up in the Commons. One is a T-Rex down like it's trying to do push-ups but it's arms don't reach. T-Rex Hates Doing Push-Ups is on the shirt and there's a thought bubble coming from the T-Rex that reads NoT Fair. The other shirt, according to the circular there's a sale so that's why two instead of just one. Anyway, second is My Imaginary Friend Thinks You Have Serious Mental Problems."
The scrimmage taking place ends then with one of the seekers catching the snitch. As the players are coming down for landings CJ and Doug are hurrying to wipe popcorn butter from fingers to get over to check in for the next scrimmage. They pass Wallace Rex who'd been in the game just played. He grins at them, accepting the popcorn from CJ who'd forgotten to leave it behind.
Wallace also put his name in for Secret Santa, and like CJ got a girl's name, that of seventh year Arielle Kent. He'd talked Arielle over with his sister Jaclyn who offered to pick up what they'd talked about while in Hogsmeade today. That's if she can find anything along the lines of what they discussed. If not, their mother will help him out.
It would be hours yet before Wallace learns that Jaclyn did indeed find a gift she thought perfect for Arielle. As Arielle is older and may very well be at university this time next year Jaclyn selected what she thinks is a cute uni type outfit of blue top and blue and white checked shorts for Arielle. She didn't have it wrapped so that Wallace could see what he's giving her, though when he does see it he takes his sister's word that it's cute and Arielle will love it.
At the very moment, though, having no idea yet if he'll need to get his mum's help with the Secret Santa present, Wallace finishes off CJ's popcorn, downs a drink, and goes over to where the line is for one of the obstacle courses, eager to make the most of this workshop.
Kaycee - Gifts and Hideouts
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 11-19-18 19:02
"You made a fine choice," said the seller at a booth that sold new age-style clothing, jewelry, and household decor.
Kaycee smiled politely and accepted the sack with her purchase nestled inside. Of course the seller would say something to validate the sale. Kaycee was absolutely pleased with what she bought, though she hoped the recipient of the gift would be just as happy.
This year, Kaycee's Secret Santa recipient was a professor. Fortunately, the professor was one of Kaycee's own and a witch at that. Both facts made shopping a little easier, though shopping for an adult who wasn't a relative was much harder than shopping for another child or teenager.
Kaycee ended up choosing a long, lacy cardigan. It was very pretty and ornate and could be worn with many different outfits, both formal and casual. Although not intentional on Kaycee's part, the cardigan she purchased was Ravenclaw blue, the house Professor Ravensdale had belonged to while at Hogwarts.
Kaycee turned away from the booth and felt a moment of panic when she spotted Gerry, Will, and Will's girlfriend a few tables away from where she stood. She hurried ducked into the nearest shoppe and bumped into an older boy, who steadied her by the shoulders before she could stumble.
"Who are you running from?" asked Chip Winters. He let go of Kaycee's shoulders and peered out the front window.
"No one," Kaycee said. "Sorry, and thanks," she added.
Chip looked at her. She was looking out the window herself. "Did you come here to block the front door or are you looking for an instrument?"
Kaycee turned her head and asked, "Do you work here or something?"
"No, I'm just here with Alys. She works here. Or she worked here during the summer, at any rate. Do you know Alys?"
"Yeah, from orchestra," Kaycee said. She looked around the shoppe's interior and then went over to a display of flutes and piccolos. She played the flute in the orchestra ever since first year. Since she was there, she figured she would pick up a few accessories, such as new polishing cloths and pull-through swabs.
When she was finished, she walked back to the front of the shoppe to see if the coast was clear. She observed Chip glaring out the window and followed his gaze. He was looking at the very three Kaycee had ducked into the music shoppe to avoid.
"Looks like we have something in common," she said.
Chip looked at her and then held out her hand. "I'm Chip."
"I know. We're in the same house, and you're a prefect. I'm Kaycee."
"I know. I just wanted to be formal with our introductions. What did you buy?"
"This?" Kaycee asked, referring to the sack containing Professor Ravensdale's gift. "It's for my Secret Santa." She turned towards the back of the shoppe. "Actually, I wouldn't mind if Alys took a look. My person used to be a Ravenclaw."
Chip turned around too. "Used to be means you got a professor. Tough luck."
"Yes, but better than one of them," Kaycee said, jerking her thumb towards the front of the shoppe.
"Agreed," Chip said, and then he hollered for Alys to come out and talk to Kaycee about her gift.
Jaclyn, Savannah, & Lilith
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-19-18 20:16
About the time her brother Wallace decides to see if he can improve his time on one of the obstacle courses set up by Viktor Krum near the Hogwarts pitch, Jaclyn Rex had found a gift for him to give his Secret Santa beneficiary. Please with her selection of a long sleeve blue top with matching blue and white checked shorts for Arielle Kent, she'd turned her attention to a similar, but not identical, outfit for her cousin Savannah Applewhite. Jaclyn found a few more items at the same shoppe for others on her shopping list.
For her own Secret Santa present Jaclyn finds what she thinks is perfect. When seeing the name Declan Douglass as the person for whom she's to give a Christmas gift in the Secret Santa exchange, she knew she wanted to give him something that might also work as a wedding gift as he and Professor Zabrynna Ravensdale are newlyweds.
The A True Love Story Never Ends four photo picture frame is at the upper end of Jaclyn's Secret Santa gift budget but after seeing it at one of the pop-up stands that always appear in time for holiday shopping, Jaclyn knew it was THE gift. She'd been looking all morning but so far nothing had jumped out at her like this picture frame has. As it's not exactly small she's thankful that the vendor packs it into a much smaller, much easier to tote around all day, box.
As she's paying for the frame Savannah is perusing the selection, picking out a frame for her parents. Unlike her cousin, Savannah had found her own idea of the perfect Secret Santa gift shortly after Lilith Balfour and she arrived in Hogsmeade this morning. She has second year Charlotte Stratford, who she knows by sight only because Charlotte is on her own house's Quidditch team. Savannah is sure she's also seen Charlotte a few times over the years at Charlotte's father's bookstore, Twice Told Tales.
When Savannah saw the gift she decided to by for Charlotte she wondered if the younger girl would think the matching scarf, hat, and gloves with cat motif was too little girl but as Savannah would wear the set herself and thinks it cute but not baby cute, she hopes Charlotte will think the same. Lilith agrees with Savannah's assessment.
At that same place Lilith went an entirely different route on a gift for Emily Ellis. Lilith doesn't know Emily as the girl is a few years younger and in a different house so had to have someone point Emily out to her only to have that person say, "Ermmm, or maybe that's Daphne. They're identical twins."
Whichever twin it was, the twin has lovely hair. If the twin she saw was Daphne then she can presume that being identical Emily also has beautiful hair. With that thought in mind, Lilith selected a pretty butterfly hairclip and a fancy looking decorative flower barrette for Emily.
With the one gift she definitely wanted to get while in Hogsmeade today if at all possible crossed of her list, Lilith hopes the rest of the shopping portion of her day off from Hogwarts goes just as well.
Adiran, Rex, & Ingrid
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-19-18 20:58
While their sisters happily shopped neither Rex Applewhite nor Adiran Balfour finds the activity all that thrilling. Adiran has a few names his mother told him he needs to try and pick something out for himself, his Secret Santa included. He'd thought about breezing through and grabbing the first thing he saw that seemed appropriate for each of the names on his list but then thought better of it. His mother would somehow know and be angry and Lilith would somehow know and in addition to whatever howler his mother would surely send he'd get it face-to-face from big sister.
He decided he'd spend a certain amount of time making an effort and only after that time was up would he do a pick whatever seemed to fit for whichever names he'd not yet found gifts for. Too many other things he wants to do today that do not involve less than enthralled viewing of item after item in shoppe after shoppe. Thankfully, the Secret Santa present turned out to be easy without him getting something just be able to cross Professor Hodfuffer's name off the list.
Though he does not have AJ Hodfuffer's Ancient Runes course, Adiran is familiar with runes enough to see certain ones and know the symbols are runes. Because of this when he sees a wall clock with runes on it he gives it a closer inspection. It's sort of cool looking and actually tells time so it's not just what his mum would call uselessly decorative. Better yet, it cost less than he'd been given to spend, which means he has extra pocket money to blow on sweets or wizarding laser tag. Or both.
Ingrid Hyland and Rex Applewhite pass Adiran coming out of one store as they are going in. So pleased with his Secret Santa purchase he stops them to show what he'd gotten and leaves feeling somewhat puffed up from the praise Ingrid gave him. In that same shoppe Ingrid finds a clock for one of her grandmothers. She's looking for one with large numbers on the display that would make the clock more easily read from across a room.
That mission accomplished a short time after arriving, a somewhat bored Rex and she left to continue shopping. Like Adiran, Rex is only putting up with the shopping for so long before he goes on to far more fun and interesting pursuits while in Hogsmeade. The very next place they stop, one of the temporary kiosks has gloves. Normally, Rex wouldn't pay much attention to an item as ho hum as gloves but the kiosk has some bloody cool ones. So cool in fact it's this kiosk where he buys Noah Stratford's Secret Santa Christmas present, a pair of gloves the not only glow blue in the dark but the parts that glow have a sort of skeletal appearance.
Shortly after his purchase of the gloves for Noah Stratford, it comes as little surprise to Ingrid when Rex bounds away to see if there's a round of wizarding paint ball he can join or enough interested to get a game of it going. While she will miss her best friend's company she doesn't mind much going it alone. Shopping can be much easier without Rex lollygagging about and testing her with how many times he can ask in a quarter hour, "Done yet?"
While with Rex Ingrid had made a dent in her own Christmas gift giving list. After he takes off she finds several more, including a gift for second year Danielle Hodfuffer. To get an idea of what Dani might like Ingrid had asked fellow fifth year Cornington Marchbanks for information about his cousin. Based on what he told her, Ingrid got Dani a pretty long sleeved pink top with a rose design all over it.
Exiting one store Ingrid spots her friend Margaret Kegg and calls out to her. They decide to get a mid-morning snack and while eating pastries from Briar's Bakery show off what each has bought so far and discuss names on their respective Christmas lists they hope to find gifts for before their holiday shopping excursion comes to an end.