|
|
Back to School
Author: Illyria
Date: 12-30-18 13:31
After breakfast in the Great Hall, Illyria went to her classroom to get things ready for her classes in the evening. It was the first day of Winter Term, and after an entire term on maternity leave, Illyria was officially back as lower years Astronomy professor at Hogwarts.
Although she hadn't been a stranger at Hogwarts during her time away from the classroom, Illyria really didn't know the first year students very well or at all, in some cases. She would have to get to know them all, and they would have to adjust to no longer having Professor Grubbly-Plank as their teacher. Hopefully, it would be a smooth transition for everyone involved.
Not only would Illyria have to get back into the swing of teaching, but she would also have to get used to not spending as much time with her children, especially her newborn. Fortunately, whereas Ian would never sleep and always wanted to be involved in whatever others were doing, the only things Nicholas did was sleep and eat. It would still be hard being away from him for hours on end, but Illyria knew he would be perfectly fine in her absence.
She crossed over to the desk in her classroom and set down the photo mug Margraret Kegg had given her. There were images of Illyria and Nathan, Ian and Nicholas, the boys alone, and then a nice group photo taken at Christmas, which had taken place at Arsinoe's house.
At the gathering, Alexandra had peppered Illyria with questions about Hogwarts. She hadn't yet received her letter since she had a summer birthday, but she was anticipating it with great eagerness. Her maternal line leaned heavily towards Ravenclaw House, so Alexandra felt she might end up there, but only the Sorting Hat would truly know where she best fit.
Illyria shook her head, finding it hard to believe that the first of the next generation of Joneses would soon be starting at Hogwarts. Where had the time gone?
Lack Of Sleep
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 12-30-18 20:07
Bleary eyed Sage stares at the report he's trying to finish. Or, more correctly, start. A knock on the cubicle door has his looking up. "Arthur, hello. Come in."
Arthur Weasley takes a seat in the lone chair Sage has in the event of a visitor. Looking around the cubicle he notes, "You know, for awhile the entire Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department was smaller than your office."
"Someone mentioned the department was once the size of a small closet but I thought it was a joke or said in exaggeration."
"No exaggeration. Broom closet in size. In fact, I believe at one time it had been a broom closet. There were two of us. I always thought it was a good thing Perkins and I got on well as we were smooshed into such small quarters. A simple charm could have expanded the space, even if only a little, but we weren't allowed." He flutters a hand. "But enough reminiscing. I came to ask you how this morning went."
"Containment took longer than I would have liked but the toy soldiers are once again inanimate and correctly displayed," Sage says of the toy soldiers used in a museum display to give a visual of how many fought on each side of a major World War II battle. "Two museum staff and three visitors, all from the same family, had to be Obliviated. Best we can tell the perpetrator is an elderly wizard who seems to be losing control of his magic. He's at St. Mungo's undergoing evaluation."
"Excellent. I'm sorry I had to miss this one but there was a meeting of department heads I could not miss unless I had died and even then I'm not sure that would have been considered a valid short notice excuse," he chuckles.
Fighting hard not to yawn Sage isn't successful. "Sorry. I slept poorly last night and it's catching up to me. By the time I decided I should have taken a sleeping draught it was too late to actually take one without risking oversleeping this morning."
"Take off for lunch a little early. Come back a little late. "
"A nap might the think especially since I don't think I'll get much sleep tonight either unless I do take that draught. I think my lack of sleep is because Georgia went out of town yesterday and won't be back until tomorrow," he confides. "She's at a seminar that began early this morning and runs until tomorrow afternoon."
"First time since getting married that you slept in locations?"
"Yes, and all night I kept expecting her to be there."
Arther smiles and nods. "Then, yes, that her being gone is probably why you couldn't sleep," he says knowingly. "Best take the draught tonight if you want to be productive tomorrow. If not, plan on bringing a pillow to snooze at your desk." The smile and chuckle again, a twinkle in his eye.
Sage returns the grin. "I'll do that. Pillow on my desk that is. Expect to hear loud snores emanating from here tomorrow."
Chuckling even more at Sage's jesting Arther rises to leave. "Rest well, Sage, whether napping or tonight. Look forward to reading your report on this morning's escapade."
Alone once more Sage diligently gets to work on the report so that he has at least some of it done when he goes on lunch, which he may spend right here, stretched out on the floor behind his desk. He can always eat a sandwich or have some soup later, at his desk, while finishing the report later today.
(Magnus) Vitamins
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 12-31-18 01:31
Magnus and Ned were having lunch at the Great Hall. It was the first day of classes after the Christmas break, but despite that fact both boys were in a good mood. Ned was eating his lamb chops, when Magnus went to his pocket and placed a bottle of pills over the table.
"What are those?" Ned asked intrigued. He picked up the bottle and started to analyze it.
"Vitamins," Magnus explained. "It's for my growth. I have to take them every day."
He stole the bottle from Ned, opened it and took one with his pumpkin juice. Ned recovered the bottle. He put several pills into his hand, felt their texture, smelled them and put them back inside the bottle. He had never seen such Muggle item before.
"What will happen if I take one?"
"Nothing. Your body receives some extra vitamins, that's all."
"Boring," Ned sentenced, putting the bottle aside. "Why are you taking these again?"
Magnus told Ned that he had mentioned what happened near the Forbidden Forest in December, in a letter to his parents. His mother became somewhat preoccupied and during the holidays she took Magnus to see a doctor. Magnus described to the doctor the strange pain he had felt. She examined him, checking his blood pressure, listening to his heart and lungs with her stethoscope, examined his throat, ears and eyes. She questioned him about his food habits and daily routine. Then with a smile she told Magnus' mother there was nothing to worry about. Magnus seemed to be a healthy twelve year old boy and she was sure the pain he felt was related to his growth. It was normal, as he was turning into a teenager. She prescribed him some vitamins and joked, saying that the next time she would see him he would already display facial hair. That part had been really embarrassing.
"I still don't think that pain came from your body," Ned commented, adding another chop to his plate. "It was a hex or a spell. The way you said that it came and gone...I would bet six galleons it was magic and not just some silly growth pain. Maybe it came from the forest itself. I am sure there are some creatures there that have some sort of magical abilities. Or it was your mysterious informer, trying to prank you."
"No it wasn't. I saw no one, and I didn't hear anything. I am sure whoever contacted me had second thoughts about what he or she was going to reveal me. It's understandable, sources can often change their mind. Your explanation makes no sense, Ned."
Ned shrugged his shoulders. There was no point arguing with Magnus as he was fully convinced he had the right explanation to what had happened. They finished their breakfast, and got ready for their next class of the day, History of Magic.
Seventh Years
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 01-01-19 11:26
Fritz walks around the Alchemy classroom and lectures his seventh year students on the alchemical compound known as sal ammoniac. Fritz particularly likes this unit of alchemy because it's really based on chemistry. He's really in his element here, no pun intended.
Fritz can see the eyes of some students glaze over as he breaks down ammonium chloride and then explains the cubic crystal system, of which sal ammoniac is assigned to the isometric-hexoctahedral class.
It's only when Fritz talks about the history of sal ammoniac, how it's formed, and what its uses are that the students seem to come back around to his lecture. They become further engaged when Fritz brings up the subject of making biscuits.
In the old days, food grade sal ammoniac was used in bakery products to give biscuits their crisp texture. "Nowadays we use baking powder and baking soda," Fritz adds.
He passes around two trays of chocolate chip biscuits. Fritz baked all the biscuits himself. One tray was baked using food grade sal ammoniac, the other with ordinary baking powder. Fritz invites everyone to try a biscuit from each try to see if there's a difference.
It's good it's early yet. Some students might still be full from breakfast, but no one is at risk of spoiling lunch!
In the moment while the students are enjoying the sweets, Fritz thinks back to the holidays that had come and gone so quickly. Fritz, Coco, and Otto had attended gatherings with the Schnackenpfefferhausens, Nutts, and Hewsons, and they'd even hosted their own New Year's Eve party. It had been quite fun.
Surprisingly, Fritz's mother hadn't inquired as to whether her son and his fiancée might finally tie the knot in 2013. Instead, she turned her attentions on Otto, hoping he would find a nice girl, now that he's landed himself a job. It's not exactly ideal, but it's a foot in the door. He's working security at an office building in the City.
Every morning, he uses the floo network to travel between the house in Widecoombe-in-the-Moor to his aunt and uncle's house from London, and from there Otto takes the Tube to the City for work. He reverses the route in the evenings.
Fritz is really glad for his cousin. He takes one of the biscuits made with sal ammoniac and gives it a nibble, feeling a bit peckish himself. "So," he asks the class at large. "What do you think?"
Stunned (Etta)
Author: Jared
Date: 01-01-19 18:45
Coming from different directions Deak arrives at the restaurant just as Etta does. He gives her a peck on the cheek while pulling open the door. "Good timing," she says, giving him a quick peck back, scurrying inside both to get out of the cold and to get out of the way of a group of three directly behind them.
Once seated he asks, "How's St. Mungo's?"
Etta makes a face. "Not sure it's where I want to work once I'm a 'real healer.'" She makes air quotes. "The head healer is forever letting some of us know we're not real healers yet and while we aren't actual healers yet it's how he says it."
"That's Muldoon, right?"
"Right. Horrid man. There's been a huge turnover since he became head. One of my classmates got married Christmas. She told some of us yesterday that Muldoon told her he hopes she has no plans to start a family anytime soon."
"Implying having children could affect her placement?"
"Yes, exactly."
"That's illegal. Or pretty sure it is."
"But he does it all the time."
"Report him."
"Maybe." Etta shakes her head. "I know. I should say yes, definitely. I think I'm hesitant in case no one else will speak up if anyone took action on a complaint."
"Understandable."
"I'll think about it. Talk to a few others. Enough about all that for now. How's your morning been going?"
"Got to sit in on a meeting. It was mostly interesting but dragged on to the point it of turning deadly dull. I also got to spend part of the morning reworking part of my class schedule for the upcoming term. Got notice that days and times for two courses had been changed. Will be glad when I'm done with the secondary degree. At times I wish I'd gone the apprenticeship route."
Etta's lips quirk up. "Doesn't sound very Ravenclaw of you."
Deak returns her smile. "How about that I ended up signing up for another course as long as I was reworking the schedule."
"There you go."
They finally take a moment to look at their menus, Deak going with a schnitzel burger and Etta a Reuben sandwich. Deak reaches across to take one of Etta's hands. "I know we've avoided admitting we have something going on here but maybe it's time."
"What? You mean finally tell people that yes, we're dating? We're in a relationship? Boyfriend-girlfriend?"
He stuns her by replying, "I think I'm going to take that bungalow I looked at last week. Why not go a step further and move in together?"
It's A Girl!
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-02-19 18:08
Isolde looked up when the door to her hospital room opened, revealing Azaelia carrying a pink gift bag. Pyrrhus, seated in a nearby chair, got up to greet their visitor. Azaelia hugged him hello and then went to Isolde's bedside.
Isolde beamed up at her cousin and asked, "What do you think?"
"She's perfect," Azaelia replied with a smile.
Swaddled against Isolde's chest was a newborn girl, born just that morning. Her name was Alexis Eliza Fine, named after the dear friend they lost well over a decade ago and Py's mother.
"Want to hold her?" Isolde asked.
Azaelia nodded and handed the gift bag to Pyrrhus before gently taking the infant out of Isolde's arms. She moved to the chair Pyrrhus had previously been sitting in and watched the baby sleep.
"Where's Gio?" Azaelia asked.
"My parents are watching him," Pyrrhus replied.
"Has he visited yet?"
"Yes, albeit briefly," Pyrrhus said. "They're coming back in the morning."
"You're staying the night?" Azaelia asked.
Pyrrhus nodded and indicated to the narrow bench under the hospital's window. "It's not the most comfortable, but there's no place I'd rather be." He looked at Isolde, who smiled happily.
"My parents came by earlier," Isolde told Azaelia. "Mum mentioned that your mother has been hanging out with a new friend an awful lot. Do you know anything about that?"
Azaelia nodded. "Yes. Some woman named Ally who is helping her find work. Frankly, I'm glad she's found someone else with whom to spend time."
Alexis opened her eyes, which were blue, and focused on Azaelia. When Azaelia smiled down at her, the baby's lip began to quiver and then she let out a loud cry. Azaelia frowned and looked at Py for help. He cooed at Alexis and took her from Azaelia. Alexis cried for a little while before settling down in his arms.
"Is that a bad sign or what?" Azaelia murmured.
"Oh, it's not you," Isolde said, trying to make her cousin feel better. "She's still getting oriented to being out of the womb. It's all new, and she's hungry and tired, and just plain crabby. She'll get over it and she'll love you just like we do, I promise!"
Azaelia feigned a smile and said, "Sure."
Py put Alexis in the bassinet by Isolde's bed and asked, "So, what's new? How's Hogwarts?"
Azaelia shrugged, thinking there was nothing new and Hogwarts was the same as ever, but she indulged Isolde and Py by answering their questions as thoroughly as she could.
(Malden) Dumped
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 01-04-19 10:10
Malden and Asher exited the Great Hall after lunch and turned to take the staircase to the dungeons, but Malden was stopped by Arielle when she called out his name. Asher gave the pair of brief look and then continued on his way to Potions class, while Malden and Arielle lingered in the entrance hall.
"You weren't at lunch," Malden remarked.
"I went to the library after Transfiguration to get a book to help prepare for the NEWTs," Arielle quickly replied. She had gone to the library, but she'd actually looked at books on relationships and how to end them instead of anything that might help her with her studies.
Malden didn't notice that she wasn't carrying a library book. He indicated to the stairs and said, "Shall we go? I don't want to get on Snape's bad side today."
"In a minute," Arielle said, reaching out to tug on his arm. "There's something I want to tell you."
Malden gave her serious consideration and then guided her off to the side so that they weren't blocking the stairwell. "Okay, what do you want to tell me? If it's about the band…"
"It's not about the band," Arielle answered, unable to keep the impatience out of her voice. "It's about… well, it's about you. About us."
Malden narrowed his eyes. "What about us?"
Arielle hesitated, and then she murmured something about being a Gryffindor and therefore ought to be brave, before she said in a rush, "It's just that you and I seem to be getting on each other's nerves a lot lately, and I don't think we want the same things anymore or even like each other as much as we used to. You don't spend as much time with me anymore, you hardly talk to me, and you definitely exclude me from things."
"So it is about the band," Malden stated.
"It's not about your stupid band, Malden," Arielle said. "You've changed. Maybe I've changed too. I don't think we're good together anymore and I think we should break up. There, I've said it."
Arielle was a bit pink in the face and she was breathing rapidly, but she seemed relieved to have finally said the words she'd been holding in since well before Christmas.
"What?" Malden asked, stunned.
Arielle nodded. "I'm sorry. It's over. We're done."
She looked into his eyes for a fleeting moment and then passed him, taking the stairs to the dungeons two at a time.
Malden stood still for a long moment, and then his hands clenched into fists. He spun towards the wall and swung at it abruptly, yelling out when the bones in his hand shattered against the hard stone.
Chicken Soup Delivery
Author: Jet
Date: 01-04-19 20:00
A frazzled looking Matt opens the door at Jet's knock. "How's Echo?" Jet asks, stepping inside.
"Better but now Matthew is down with it and Petra is looking green. They've both had doses of the potions the healer gave Echo so hopefully by morning they'll be feeling better as well."
Jet holds up the bag he carries. "Mum sent chicken and rice soup."
Matt gratefully accepts. "Thank you. Thank her." Matt turns with a gesture for Jet to follow, leading him into the kitchen. "Good timing too. Was just going to fix Matthew and Petra a little something. I just made some tea for Petra. Help yourself."
Jet gets down a mug asking, "You want some too?"
"Yes, thanks." Matt has put some of the soup in a bowl and placed it on a tray next to a mug of tea. He adds a few crackers. "Back in a tick then need to see if I can get Matthew to eat a little."
"I'll see if I can get him to take some."
It takes some cajoling on Jet's part but he finally gets the toddler to eat some of the soup and to take a dose of the potion Matt had pointed out. Matthew eats a little and takes the potion whining only once of his tummy hurting. He thinks something in the potion must have a sleep inducing effect because shortly after drinking the dose and a few more spoonfuls of soup, Matthew can barely keep his eyes open. Jet leaves him burrowed under his covers, a favorite stuffed animal clasped to his chest.
Back in the kitchen he finds Matt giving Echo a bottle. "Petra says thank you and Robbie for the soup and she's sorry you came over on her invitation only to have her not up to having company."
"I'm sorry she, and the kids, aren't feeling well."
Matt nods down at the drowsy baby in his arms. "We think Echo picked something up when Petra took her for a regular check-up. You could have sent the soup, you know. You've been exposed now."
"I knew the risk coming over," Jet chuckles.
Shifting Echo to his shoulder to burp her Matt turns serious. "Other than looking forward to a possible stomach virus, how are you?"
Jet shrugs. "I've not felt much at all. I know that sounds callous but I think it would be worse if I felt glee or rejoiced at the news."
After an initial stroke for which healers could do little, Emerson's mother had had a series of others. Just that morning Emerson's father, out of despair for his wife's condition, killed her and then killed himself.
"Have you spoken with Emerson?"
Jet shakes his head. "No, and I doubt I will unless she initiates contact and if she does, all I have to say to her is go away, leave me alone."
"The few times I ever met her, she didn't seem the delusional type but she definitely seems that way if she continues thinking you care about her after what she and her parents did."
"I hated her for a time but now I don't care anything at all. Thing is, at one time I did care about her. I cared a great deal. I was falling in love with her. Hell, not falling, was."
"Do you think that in time you might feel something for her again, even if only sympathy?"
"No idea," Jet shrugs. "If Emerson could prove she was forced to do the part she played in it all, I'm sure I could in time see her as a victim and have some sympathy for her. As she's never once indicated she was forced, coerced, or Imperiused, I can't see her suddenly making such a claim but who knows. If she ever does, she'll have to provide indisputable proof for me to believe it."
"Can't say I blame you."
Jet pushes away from the table. "I should get going. I know you're tired but before I do go, is there anything more I can help with?"
"Thanks, but no." Carefully shifting Echo he rises even as Jet says, "I'll see myself out. You get some rest."
Outside once more, despite the cold, Jet walks a block and a half to a diner. He'd had some of his mother's soup earlier when he'd gone to his parents' house but now wants something more substantial. The diner offers breakfast around the clock so he debates between the full breakfast, Scotch pancakes, and an omelet while trying not to think about Emerson. He cares nothing about her, right? So why should he spend any time thinking of her and losing both her parents this morning?
Trouble
Author: Gerry
Date: 01-05-19 13:25
Transfiguration class was nearly at its end. It was only the fourth day of Winter Term, and Gerry was already looking forward to the next break of the school year, which would be for Easter. All of his teachers had increased talk of the OWL exams, which Gerry wouldn't be taking until June. He wasn't sure why they needed to bring it up so very incessantly when it was only January.
Professor Black was in the middle of wrapping up his lecture, when a house-elf entered the room and scurried over to the Transfiguration teacher holding up a folded slip of parchment. Professor Black took the parchment from the house-elf, unfolded it, read the note quickly, and then looked directly at Gerry.
"Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office, Mr. Martini-Blackwell."
There was a collective "ooooh" from the other students. Gerry gathered his things together, gave Will a quick wondering look, and then followed the house-elf out of the classroom.
A short while later they stood in front of the gargoyle guarding the stairs to the Headmistress' office. The house-elf gave the password, the gargoyle moved out of the way, and Gerry found himself whisked up the revolving staircase, which deposited him outside Professor McGonagall's door.
"Thank you, Londy," Gerry heard her say from within her office. "You may enter, Mr. Martini-Blackwell."
Gerry gave the house-elf a look, wishing it would enter the office with him, but Londy merely turned away and went to deal with another task.
Gerry gave a sigh and pushed open the door to Professor McGonagall's office. He found her seated at her desk, and unsurprisingly, she looked extremely stern.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Martini-Blackwell."
Gerry crossed the magnificent office, with its many portraits of sleeping former Headmasters, bookcases filled with books, and magical objects of varying kinds, and made his way to the chair opposite Professor McGonagall's desk. He sat and waited for her to speak.
"Do you know why you're here?" she asked him.
Gerry could think of plenty of reasons, the more recent being the obvious and most severe choice, but he shook his head and said nothing.
"Very well," she began, "I shall tell you." A beat followed and then she said, "The origin of the quod used in the Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw has been traced back to you. There is a parchment trail that shows you purchased the quod via owl order. Not only that, but you contacted numerous vendors until you found one willing to sell to an underage wizard. During the match, you substituted the quaffle for the quod, which exploded on contact with Miss Filby. Tell me, was she your intended target?"
Gerry opened his mouth to deny everything, but he couldn't get the words out. Professor McGonagall had him, and he knew it.
"Are you not aware that the quod explodes at random? Well, Mr. Martini-Blackwell? What do you have to say for yourself?"
Gerry figured the best course of action would be to apologize. Maybe that would soften the blow that was surely coming.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean for Tessa to get hurt. I was just having a little fun."
"I'm very disappointed in you, Mr. Martini-Blackwell. You're lucky no one got seriously hurt."
"Yes, Professor," Gerry acknowledged.
"As punishment for your recklessness, your Hogsmeade privileges have been revoked. I will write to your parents informing them of the situation. If your behavior continues to deteriorate, then you will be removed from the Gryffindor Quidditch team."
Gerry was upset, but he pressed his lips together and nodded his head once in acknowledgement.
"You will serve detention with Professor Krum for an undetermined duration. He will inform you this evening of the schedule."
Gerry nodded. Detention with Krum couldn't be so bad.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor."
At this Gerry bristled. "What? You can't. That's too much!"
Professor McGonagall arched an eyebrow. "The number can increase. Should we make it 100 points?"
"No, Professor!"
Professor McGonagall stared at him for a long, challenging moment and then said, "Very well." She took a sheaf of parchment and a quill and scrawled a quick note, which she then handed to him. "Take this to Professor Douglass so he knows why you are late to class. You may leave."
Gerry got up and didn't waste any time going to the door. Before he exited, Professor McGonagall called out to him. "Send Mr. Wentworth to see me."
Gerry reluctantly nodded and then left the office. He had a nasty feeling that Gryffindor was about to lose more than fifty points, but maybe Professor McGonagall would go easy on Will since he was merely guilty by association and it had been his own girlfriend who had ended up getting hurt.
After Lunch and Before Class
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-06-19 07:30
In the time between lunch and his last class of the day, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw second years, Ethan used his wand to move the desks along the perimeter of the classroom. His second years were learning useful charms for DADA, starting with the Bubble-Head Charm. It was a spell that didn't require a lot of room, but Ethan thought everyone would do better standing in a clear space instead of seated at a desk.
While he rearranged the furniture, Ethan's mind wandered. He still regularly met with the other former members of Project 25, sharing information he learned from Jaiden when she had something to tell him, but nobody really knew with any certainty what was going on with Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Everyone still worried that he might reactivate the group, but so far, nobody seemed afflicted by anything other than grave concern.
Ethan tried not to overly worry himself, but out of all the former members of Project 25, he probably had the most reason to be concerned. He'd crossed paths with the Death Eaters more times than he could count, and he had plenty of enemies among them, including his adoptive father and Nero Noir.
Ethan had high hopes that Project 25 was a thing of the past and that the Death Eaters had other plans on their horizon. More than anything, he hoped they would all be caught and that the mystery of whether Voldemort lived or not would finally be solved. Jaiden had told him recently that there was a renewed push to locate the Death Eater lair, so with any luck, law enforcement would be successful as well as timely.
When the first second years began trickling into the classroom, Ethan's thoughts shifted gears. He briefly thought about how around 24 hours ago, after leaving the Great Hall, he'd found Malden McGonagall standing in the Entrance Hall clutching a hand that was bruised and bloody. Malden's face had been red, but Ethan rightly guessed that the young man's flush hadn't stemmed from his injury but had been borne out of anger.
Ethan had escorted Malden to the Hospital Wing, inquired whether he would be missing a class and at the affirmative, had sent a note to Severus to inform him of Malden's absence. Ethan had also sent a note to Minerva, since she and Malden were kin. In addition to the injury, she should also be made aware of her great nephew's state of mind.
"Can we sit?" asked Cheyenne Wentworth.
"Yes, sit anywhere for the time-being," Ethan said, no longer lost in thought thanks to his student's question.
Cheyenne gave the arrangement of desks a cursory glance and then crossed the room to deposit her things. After the rest of the second years convened in the classroom, Ethan lectured for a little bit before inviting everyone to come to the middle of the room to practice the Bubble-Head Charm.
Waiting At St. Mungo's
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 01-06-19 19:24
Julian sips from a cup of coffee purchased on the fifth floor. At this hour the tearoom is closed but there's a cart with both tea and coffee on offer. He doesn't know how long there's been such a cart as it's been awhile since he's been at St. Mungo's at this time of night.
Restless, he gets up and goes to a nearby window. As the scene before him is of a bright, sunny, flower filled meadow with a lake, and in the distance there are purple hazed mountains, he doesn't know if this is a real window by day or if it's always spelled. Something causes ripples along part of the lake's shore and a large bird, an eagle he thinks, swoops into view so closely he feels as though he could reach out and touch its feathers.
"Julian?"
At his name he turns, crossing to where his parents stand, anxious expressions on their faces. Lisette's is make-up free and her hair tousled. Tiberius has a crease along one cheek and his hair is also untidy. Pajama bottoms rather than pants are visible below Tiberius's coat. Julian wouldn't be surprised to learn his mother is wearing her nightgown underneath her own coat.
"Sorry to have woken you but I thought you might want to be here in case."
Her voice shaky Lisette inquires, "Is there any news yet?"
"Nothing since just before I contacted you."
"An overdose you said."
Julian nods at his father. "That's what I was told." Anticipating the next question he shakes his head. "No idea at this time how she would have gotten drugs."
Tiberius huffs, "Azkaban officials had better find out how if they don't already know."
They all go quiet, Tiberius and Lisette settling into seats and Julian getting coffee for his father and tea for his mother. Over an hour passes with them saying little, each alternating between sitting and pacing. More than an hour passes when someone saying, "Mr. Valentine?" has them all looking to a wizard in lime green robes.
Julian quickly crosses to the healer, indicating Lisette and Tiberius. "Our parents."
The healer, named Whitby, gives a nod of acknowledgement, getting right to the point. "Vanessa is stable but she had stopped breathing for an unknown time before being discovered. The lack of oxygen has caused brain damage." Lisette gasps, tightly grasping both Julian and Tiberius by the arms as Whitby continues. "We are working to reverse what we can but the damage may be substantial enough that no amount of spell work or potions will enable a full recovery."
"When might you know?" Julian asks.
"We most likely won't know the full extent of the neurological damage for a few days, possibly weeks. We have to take things day by day."
"I wish to see her. Sit with her."
"We're moving Vanessa to a room and then you may sit with her, Mrs. Valentine, though as your daughter won't be aware you're there I would recommend going home and getting some rest. Come back mid-morning or even later."
Lisette shakes her head. "No, I want to stay with her." She turns to her husband. "Go home and get some sleep. You too, Julian."
"I'm staying." Tiberius gives Lisette a one armed hug.
"I'll stay until we've seen her and then come back in the morning after getting the twins off to school."
"I'll send someone to get you once we've got Vanessa settled." Whitby gives a nod then leaves them to wait. In the meantime Lisette steps into the ladies, emerging a short time later with hair combed. She has her coat over hear arm and is now wearing an A-line skirt and a sweater. Tiberius too uses the time to freshen up and change his pajamas for slacks and a sweater as well.
They have a wait of almost another hour, all of them growing increasingly restless, but at last they're shown to a room in a locked ward, a reminder that Vanessa is an Azkaban prisoner. Julian doesn't stay long, leaving his parents trying to get comfortable, his mother in a chair by Vanessa's bed and his father in a small cushioned bench-like couch along one wall. Once home, before going to bed, Julian finds Caerwyn asleep on sofa rather than his old bedroom. He adds a blanket on top of the one Caerwyn has, checks on the twins, then heads for his own bedroom, hoping he'll be able to sleep well in the few hours left until time to get up again.
Revelation
Author: Finley
Date: 01-07-19 18:37
In the gap between History of Magic and Arithmancy & Divination, Finley went to the Commons to get hot chocolate. She debated getting a snack, too, but knew it was nearing lunchtime, and she didn't want to spoil her appetite. Soup or stew sounded good, and Finley hoped either would be on the lunch menu.
Both Phoebus and Eirene were currently in class, so Finley sat at the bar alone. It was quite all right, because she really didn't feel like socializing. She'd felt rather down ever since going home for the holidays, even though things could have gone far, far worse.
She'd gone to stay with her mother for Christmas, but she had seen her father and Leroy rather frequently during her time away from Hogwarts. Early on during a visit with them, the truth about the prophecy surrounding Finley's parents finally came to light. It had been Theo Pride who'd volunteered the news.
I want to be perfectly honest with you, Finley," he said. "We should have been from the start, Gemma and me, and then when you started asking questions, we should have answered them. You're confused and hurt, I know, and for that I"m sorry. It's our fault, not yours."
Finley's heart beat wildly in her chest. She was both eager and scared to hear what her father had to say to her. Her gaze traveled beyond him out the window, where she could see Leroy building a snowman.
"You know the prophecy," her father said, drawing her attention back to him. "Your mother and I learned that any child we had together would be a squib. When she became pregnant with you, we knew with absolute certainty what you would be and because we were young and proud, we didn't want to keep you. You have to understand… for some families, being a squib is a shameful thing. Imagine having one as your only child…"
He shook his head. "We dropped you off at the orphanage and never looked back… at least, I didn't. Gemma obviously never forgot you, and she knew more about you than I did at that time because she knew you weren't a squib and that you would get your letter to go to Hogwarts. She looked for you, found you, and you know the rest."
Finley gave a single nod. She remembered how her father acted when they first met. He'd not been unkind, but he'd definitely been suspicious and distant. Finley had not known how snobby either of them had been or perhaps still were. They weren't from wealthy wizarding families, but they were from old wizarding families, and apparently they had high standards when it came to bloodlines.
"It wasn't until you thought you had figured it all out, that Leroy was the true Pride child and your being a witch in the same orphanage was merely coincidental, that I realized the truth. You are your mother's daughter, but you are not biologically mine. Your mother had an affair and sent you to an orphanage to hide that fact from me."
Finley felt a roaring sound in her ears. Although it all made perfect sense, she hadn't expected to hear the words.
"I don't know who your father is. Your mother wouldn't tell me," Theo continued. "But I do want you to know something. I wouldn't have taken in a Muggle boy if I were the same person who gave you up all those years ago. I've changed, and I think it's because of you."
Tears threatened to spill out of Finley's eyes. She felt like an emotional rollercoaster, both sad and grateful at the same time.
"I want you to know that even though you're not my real daughter, you will always have a place in my life. Is that okay, Finley?"
Finley couldn't hold back her tears any longer and hugged him.
And so, Finley once again didn't know who her father was. She felt lucky that Theo still wanted to be in her life, when his past preferences might have cast her and definitely Leroy aside. She'd thought about asking her mother some hard questions but had left it alone in the end. Finley regretted it now, but it was the sort of conversation better had face-to-face. For now, all she could do was sit, wait, and wonder.
Grabbing Lunch
Author: Kody
Date: 01-07-19 19:31
Though both Jack and Deak are coming from the Ministry of Magic, they arrive separately at the restaurant with Deak getting there a few minutes before Jack. When Jack arrives he leaves his coat on a peg, telling the hostess he sees his friends. At the table he finds Deak and Wiggy studying their menus. "I've never been here. What's good?" he asks, taking a seat where there's a menu on the table for him.
Wiggy whose turn it was to pick a meeting spot shakes his head. "Don't know. I heard about this place from a teammate."
Deak sets his menu aside. "I'm getting the soup du jour," which happens to be lentil and sausage, " and the club sandwich toasted."
A half minute passes then Wiggy too sets his menu aside. "Beer batter haddock and going to try sweet potato chips. Mushy peas of course."
"Of course," Jack grins. "Everything sounds good." He closes his eyes and drops a finger onto the menu then opens his eyes again. "The steak and ale pie with chips and gravy. That works."
Wiggy and Deak laugh at Jack's method of lunch selection then Deak asks, "You're both coming tomorrow, right?"
Wiggy snorts. "Like we'd miss Etta and you officially admitting you're a couple."
"Can you two keep a secret?" At the look Jack and Wiggy give him Deak shakes his head. "Right. Forget I asked that." He reaches into a pocket. "You'll get more than us having a house warming." He shows them what he took from his pocket.
"You're even more serious than we thought," Jack grins.
Wiggy takes the small jeweler's box to inspect the ring inside. There is a peridot set at one end of the infinity symbol and an aquamarine at the other. Along the portion of the infinity symbol that passes between them are several small diamonds. "Not a traditional looking engagement ring."
"Our birthstones. I wasn't sure if they'd look all right together but the ring looks fine to me."
"I think she'll like it." Jack reaches for the box to take his turn studying the ring, nodding when he hands it back. "Yeah, it looks good."
Stuffing the jewelry box back into his pocket Deak switches gears. "Wiggy, how's Puddlemere going to fare against Caerphilly in the morning?"
Grilling
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 01-08-19 19:14
Though there is snow around the back deck, the deck itself is toasty thanks to a warming spell. He takes a drink of the ale Mason brought then looks at the label. "Galin's Golden. Never heard of it."
"Galin's in a fairly new microbrewery some mates and I found recently. It's Muggle."
"Don't know about their other offerings but this golden ale is one of the best I've had. Thanks for bringing it." He checks the grill, peering at the glowing coals. "Almost ready."
"After learning about the wizarding world and that some people wave a wand and the food is cooked in a blink, I was surprised at how many don't cook everything like that."
"It's like any magic when you think about it. Some people are better at certain types of magic than others. And some people simply prefer to do things a certain way. Isolde or I could have grilled with a spell and the food would be all right but personally I prefer the flavor when something grilled is actually cooked on a grill."
Mason nods along in agreement as Pyrrhus speaks, taking a pull of his own ale. "Yeah, grilled grilled is tops. I know that now about some people being better at certain magic than others. When this was all new to me, though, I thought magic is magic. Some of that thinking was my age but I probably would have thought the same way even if I'd been older when first learning about the wizarding world. Never crossed my mind at the time that simply because one can do magic doesn't mean one is good at it."
While he's saying this Pyrrhus is putting the marinated chicken on the grill. "I can see where someone might think that way if new to magic. Wave a wand, speak a few words if necessary, and job done."
A banging on the sliding door draws their attention. Giovanni has his face mashed against the glass, both his little hands curled into fists, one of the steadily rapping on the glass. "Let him out, will you? Thanks."
Mason opens the door, extending a hand to help the toddler out. Giovanni smiles up at his uncle, jumping on his stubby legs out the door rather than walking. "That's his new thing. Jumping through doorways," a lightly chuckling Pyrrhus says.
"Can you believe Boris and Cecily are already expecting? It seems they only just got married."
"Happens like that sometimes." Pyrrhus chuckles more.
"I've started thinking about what if I had kids."
"Things going that well with Flora?"
"Yeah, really well."
"You sound surprised."
"I am in a way. It's all happened so fast."
"Do you want things to slow down?"
"That's just it. I don't, but I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. What if I'm rushing because my best friend is not only married but going to be a father?"
"Has Flora expressed concern about how rapidly your relationship has progressed."
"Nothing yet."
"Is she the sort who'd speak up or is she the type to go along, not make waves?"
"Definitely speak up, or at least I think she is. I can't think of a time even years ago in school when she went along rather than speak her mind."
"Then she'll most likely let you know when or if she starts feeling overwhelmed." Pyrrhus suddenly makes a face. "Gio has added his own special aroma to the mix. The chicken shouldn't need much longer. If you'll keep an eye on it, I'll get him changed."
As he checks the chicken, Mason wonders if this time next year he'll be dating Flora still or married or single again. As much as he misses her right now, off visiting one of her Muggle relatives, and as happy as she makes him feel, in this moment he hopes that by this time next year if not married to Flora that he's at least engaged to her.