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More To The Story
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 02-22-19 20:19
As AJ gets up to check in Jacinda and Javier, asleep in the office, I ask Mariposa, "So why the job change? I thought you liked St. Mungo's."
"I did and there are still some aspects I like but," Mariposa raises one shoulder, "a certain element of the administration is has created an increasingly toxic environment."
"Oh?"
"The head healer. At first it was only the healers who had issues with him, particularly the female healers who have children. Over time those issues bled over onto other staff."
"What sort of issues?"
"One is the overly sexist notion that one cannot do one's job well if one is also a mother."
"That's horrible. Has anyone reported what's going on?"
"A number have individually but so far the hospital board has done nothing other than have him take a one hour sensitivity seminar. Some are talking of banding together to act en masse. In the meantime, I had an great offer so rather than wait and see what will happen with Muldoon, that's that head healer, I'm moving on." She reaches across to pat my hand. "You seem a bit down. Everything all right?"
"Mostly. Had a bit of disconcerting news. Max Black was found unconscious in his cell. His healers haven't even been able to determine what exactly is wrong so they're having difficulty in even knowing where to begin to successfully revive him."
"You've always seemed more attached to him than I would have thought given why he's in Azkaban. Or that he broke your heart for that matter."
"I know it seems odd. There's... there's more to the story."
AJ returns right then with a fussy Javier in one arm and holding on to his other hand a wide awake Jacinda. "Do you have any of that teething potion?"
Mariposa shakes her head. "No, sorry. It's at home." She scooches across the banquette seat. "We should be getting home anyway." She bends to pick up Jacinda, looking at me as she does. "Sorry. I'm dying to hear the more to the story."
"It's nothing that can't wait. Do you want to use the Floo? Quicker than walking and better than trying to side-along with a squirming, fussing one year old."
"Yes, thank you!," AJ gratefully accepts.
I see them off then after bidding my own goodnights, I make my own exit, glad not to be working what seems a busy dinner service for a Monday night and even gladder to get home to bed with a book and the snuggly Bogey and Bacall.
After Dinner
Author: Illyria
Date: 02-24-19 17:54
With the end of term a mere ten days away, Illyria spent the remaining class periods wrapping up her syllabi and reviewing for exams. Tonight's classes consisted of first year Ravenclaws and Slytherins and third year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. The first years were studying stars, while the third years were learning about superclusters.
Before those classes met, Illyria had dinner in the Great Hall with her family, got Ian and Nicholas ready for bed, and then went to her office. While there, she marked some parchments but found herself distracted by unrelated thoughts.
Marzi had told her all about her visit to Azkaban to see Heathcote Hamstead. In the month since the visit, there had been no other contact between the two, but Illyria knew that Marzi was worried about the possibility. In fact, the Herbology professor had gone straight to the Ministry of Magic after departing from Azkaban to inquire about getting a protective order against Heathcote.
In reality, Marzi was less concerned about herself than she was for Alaric or his children. She didn't want Heathcote discovering his identity and sending him harassing letters, or worse.
Illyria felt sorry for her friend and truly hoped she was worrying for nothing. She knew she would probably react the same way, though, if she were in Marzi's shoes. She considered it lucky that she hadn't caught Heathcote's eye, or she would probably have to worry about her own family.
When it grew closer to class time, Illyria gave up on trying to mark parchments and made her way to the Astronomy Tower. Although there were a few clouds in the sky, it was a very good night for stargazing.
Short Notice?
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 02-24-19 19:12
Entering the room he considers to be his den Lucius walks straight to the sideboard to pour himself a drink. Double fire whiskey in hand he moves to his favorite chair and drops into it. From his position on a love seat Rabastan says, "Good evening to you too. Yes, I'd love a top off." He raises his glass and has the decanter pour more into the cut crystal highball.
His own tumbler almost to his lips Lucious asks over the rim, "Don't you have your own home?"
"Still in between. Is your question a not so subtle hint that I should speed up the house hunting?"
Lucius shakes his head. "Sorry. No. Bad day. Forget I said anything. Since when do you drink whiskey from a highball?"
"Since it's the once that came when I summoned a glass and I was too lazy to send it back and summon a different one."
"What you get for not being specific enough."
"Means fewer refills. You know I'd go to Lestrange Manor if Rodolphus hadn't taken it back over and the way Bellatrix has been moving around lately makes it difficult to even know where to go to stay with her."
He holds up a hand before Lucius can speak. "I know I could stay at Lestrange Manor but,"
Now Lucius does speak. "Rodolphus has not been the best of company."
"The family manse is large but not large enough at the moment. What has you in the doldrums?"
"Carina for one, her grandparents for two, and, no, never mind."
"Never mind what?"
"You're not grasping the concept of never mind."
Rabastan laughs heartily. "Fine, don't tell me then."
Lucius tips his glass at the other wizard. His version of an elegant shrug. "One apothecary shoppe has suddenly begun losing money. I've spent hours with the location manager and the accountant attempting to pinpoint the issue. Tedious work."
"And what of Carina and her grandparents?"
"Carina continues insisting she will only attend Hogwarts. The Wrights think her attending is a splendid idea. They have also begun insisting on having more time with her."
"Better than wanting less isn't it?"
"Yes, though I wouldn't mind if both suddenly dropped dead and we no longer had to contend with the Wright side of the family."
Rabastan snorts. "They're your age. If both suddenly dropped dead there would be at least one person who would raise an eyebrow and claim those deaths suspicious."
"All too true but it is amusing to think about from time to time. Never mention this to Griselda. She's too important to Narcissa's to lose."
"Griselda? Oh yes. She's a cousin. I'd quite forgotten that. Say, is she seeing anyone?"
Lucius quirks an eyebrow. "Interested?"
"She is a handsome woman and unlike some designers who make wonderful clothing but dress horribly she has a great sense of style."
The eyebrow goes higher. "What do you know of designers and how most dress themselves?"
"You'd be surprised at the diversity of my knowledge." Rabastan suddenly grins. "Truth is someone in a cell next to mine at Azkaban received a number of fashion and design magazines. When he'd finish with them he'd pass them around to others. I read them as part of the way to pass the time."
Lucius is the one laughing heartily now. "Oh, then I most definitely must arrange for Griselda to come to dinner one evening so you two can discuss the world of designer fashion."
Rabastan raises his highball in a cheers gesture. "I take it that means she's currently single. Is tomorrow evening too short a notice?"
Accounting Oddities
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 02-25-19 20:00
Ron holds the door of Spindlewarps for two older witches who put him in mind of his aunt, Muriel. He nods politely to them before entering the knitting supply shoppe. Castoria Fletcher greets him by name, "Hello, Ron. Pollux mentioned you might stop by. He's in the office."
Rather than rush to the office to find out why Pollux owled to request Ron drop by he pauses a moment to say, "Morning, Castoria. How are your kids?"
"They're good. Octavia turns 11 this weekend. She's driving me batty trying to decide whether we should contact Hogwarts about a letter or if she'll wait until next year and accept the letter we know she'd get from Sydney's."
"That's right, students are twelve when they start at Sydney's. What are you hoping?"
"Nothing against Sydney's as Pollux and I loved our time there but I'm hoping she'll want Hogwarts. Easier for me to visit and easier on her for holidays. Her father is pushing Sydney's not because he wants her or the other children going there or because he wants her closer to where he is but because he wants to spite me. He hates that the kids and I moved over here even though when we were still there he hardly bothered to see them."
"I take it the divorce wasn't amicable."
"Not even a little. The man had, still has, special friends in every city he visits for work then had the nerve to tell me it's my fault for not traveling with him every time he went out of town."
"That's not... that's wrong on so many levels."
"Anyway, we'll be at the gaming center in Hogsmeade on Saturday for Octavia's party. If you've time, you should bring your kids by. We'd love to have you."
"Thanks! We'll definitely try to come. Neither Rose nor Hugo likes to pass up the opportunity of going to the gaming center." He looks to the direction of the office. "I should see why Pollux asked me to drop by." Ron goes in the direction Castoria points stopping and turning after a few steps to ask, "Does Octavia have any particular interests? You know, to give me a birthday gift idea."
"You don't have to bring anything but if you insist, she's such a girly girl. Anything pink, ruffled, sparkly, smells pretty, or is overly cute."
Ron laughs. "So something cute that is perfume-y with sparkly pink ruffles should do it?"
"Dead on," Octavia laughs in return.
At the partially open office door Ron knocks once as he pushes the door open. Pollux looks up from whatever he's working on at the desk and motions for Ron to come in and shut the door behind him. Half rising he extends a hand to shake. "Thanks for coming, Ron."
Ron rapidly crosses the small space, his own hand extended. "Glad I could. What's up, Pollux?" he asks as he takes a seat.
Pollux sets aside the work in front of him, "Accounts for Spindlewarps," he explains as he reaches for something else. "I've started working on the accounts for the group. Donations in, dues, expenses, that sort of thing. I found something odd. Because of the oath I can't specifically tell you anything but I believe I can show you. I want an opinion."
"I don't know much about accounting irregularities, the ins and outs of the law on all that so I don't know what help I'd be."
"Still, I'd like to show you." Pollux comes around the desk, opening a light brown leather account with the group's symbol in purple etched onto the front. He flips open to a tab of colored paper and taps an entry written in ink that somehow looks crisp. "Here's the first."
Ron looks at the entry, his brow knitting. "That's a substantial donation. It is a donation, right?"
"Yes, this column is outgoing funds."
"Your group is associated with the Knights Walpurgis?"
"Not that I'm aware though we do make charitable donations so at first I thought nothing of it other than wondering why the sum is so large." Pollux flips to another colored tab. "I still didn't think much until coming across this one."
"Also to the Knights and also large."
"Then there's this." Pollux turns one page and points to another entry.
The crinkles deepen in Ron's knitted brow. "That's incoming funds, right? Why would the Knights give your group a donation that's larger than the two combined your group made to them?"
"There are more of these. All to the Knights since the Knights reformed. What makes it all the more interesting is that such donations can't be made secretly." Pollux struggles to say more than shakes his head. "The oath is preventing me from specifying," he says in frustration.
"Donations can't be made secretly so you're trying to say members are aware of who gets what?"
Pollux nods.
"And you don't know about any of these?"
Head shake.
"Have you ever missed meetings where these might have come up?"
Another head shake. "There are also questionable accounting practices throughout. I showed you what I did because they are easier to understand."
"Who made the entries, kept the books?"
"The treasurer before me. She recently died. Heart attack. Died before she even finished collapsing."
"Is there another set of books you were maybe supposed to see instead of what you've got?"
"I don't know. It is possible. Her death was so sudden and unexpected. Her little office, now mine, was extremely disordered."
"Have you called attention to any of this to another member?"
"I started to but for some reason that didn't feel right so I contacted you instead. You're the only auror I know in person. I know this isn't dark arts related but I thought if you agreed something seems off, you could introduce me to someone who does check into these sorts of thing."
Ron slowly nods. The Order and some within the Ministry have been trying to find anything associated with the Knights that might indicate something off, something not as it should be, something not matching up to what Veronica Dumbledore has said about the new Knights. "I've got just the person in mind. He'll know who to bring on. Will you be here later?"
"Yes, I've planned for the entire day."
"I don't know how long this will take but I'll try and get someone back soon to sit down with you to look over everything."
As Ron rises Pollux does as well, shaking his hand again. "Thank you. I may be making something of nothing but I don't think I am."
Ron promises again to have someone here as soon as he can then leaves to return to the Ministry of Magic to speak with Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Just Fat
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 02-28-19 20:03
When Kissy, Cameron, Everett, and Callista returned to their flat after supper in the Great Hall, Kissy realized that earlier when coming to the flat from her office she'd brought the master copies she's been finalizing for the exams she's giving next week before the spring holiday begins. She'd rather have them in the office and with her office currently locked it's easier to walk them there herself. Leaving Cameron to get the children in the bath Kissy picks up the exams and leaves their fifth floor flat for her second floor office.
She's just reached the fourth floor when the set of stairs from the fourth to the third floor begins moving. She moves along to the next nearest staircase meeting Nala Mansoori. "Evening, professor."
"Hello, Nala. Been to the library?"
"Yes, finishing up a History of Magic assignment. I am soooooo glad not to have major end of year exams to start fretting over."
Kissy smiles. "Nice to have a break sixth year."
"If you can call the piles of work we get in NEWT levels a break," Nala laughs. "That said, I am finished for the night. Going to the commons until curfew. This time next year I'd with regular assignments done I'll be doing NEWT preparations."
"Or putting it off until after the holiday," Kissy knowingly but laughingly suggests.
"There is that. I hope I'll be able to make myself spread out the studying over the year and not wait until the absolute last minute like some do but we will see."
By now they have reached the second floor landing. Before Kissy can say goodnight to Nala and continue on to her office, the younger witch takes a deep breath and asks in a rush, "MayIaskyousomething?" her eyes darting back and forth between Kissy's face and stomach region.
Kissy can't help but smile. "I've a feeling I know what the question is. Go ahead."
"Are you, um, you know, uh, preggers?"
"No, just fat."
At Nala's horrified expression Kissy gives a hearty laugh. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. Yes, my husband and I are expecting this summer. I've really only started showing recently. Not all that noticeable with the robes I wear when teaching."
Relieved at not having offended a professor, Nala is able to chuckle now as well. "That's great! Congratulations! Well, goodnight, Professor Weatherby!"
As Nala hurries on down stairs on her way to the Common Commons on the ground floor, Kissy turns in the direction of the her office wondering how much of the student body will know by curfew that Professor Weatherby is in the family way again.
(Fulvia) Hungry
Author: Griet
Date: 03-01-19 07:46
Fulvia sat at the Slytherin table with Mira and Charlotte and pilled her plate high with pancakes, strips of bacon, and raspberries. Last night, she'd had an upset stomach and hadn't been all that hungry at supper. After the stomach ache subsided during the night, Fulvia regained her appetite and woke up feeling very hungry.
The girls chatted about upcoming events. Tomorrow was Course Day. The girls, being second years, had to think about what electives they might wish to take next school year. In fact, they needed to turn in their requests to Professor McGonagall after Easter break. For her part, Fulvia knew that she did not want to take Muggle Studies. She was terribly embarrassed about not being a Pureblooded witch and didn't want her Muggle heritage thrown in her face by taking the elective.
That left Ancient Runes, Arithmancy & Divination, and Care of Magical Creatures. Fulvia wasn't sure which two she favored the most and knew it was in her best interest to check out Course Day tomorrow.
The other topic discussed at the breakfast table was Sunday's Easter egg hunt and the prizes they might find in their eggs. Fulvia's family was not visiting this year, but she was set to see them for the break. Only one week of Winter Term remained. The Flavershams were going to visit Naples the week before Easter. Fulvia had never been to Italy before and looked forward to it, though she was disappointed to learn that Paton would be joining them.
She inhaled her breakfast and was debating seconds, but time was running out. The girls had History of Magic first thing, followed by Herbology. Fulvia didn't think she could get away with snacking in either class, so hopefully her large breakfast would hold her over until lunchtime. She knew it was too much to hope for that both classes would have end of term parties, given that there was still one more week to go, but her fingers were crossed all the same.
When it was time to leave, the three set off for History of Magic with Professor Ravensdale.
Lunch in Orange
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 03-02-19 07:00
Rowan stepped into Orange and spotted her sister seated at a nearby table. She quickly went through the line, getting a sandwich half with turkey, a cup of chicken and dumpling soup, an apple, and a bottle of pumpkin fizz. She carried her tray to Willow's table, pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Hey," she said. "Done with finals yet?"
Willow put down the paperback book she was reading and shook her head. "No, I've got one left. You?"
"Same," Rowan replied. "I thought you might be finished since you're reading for pleasure instead of cramming." A quick glance around the cafeteria showed that a lot of students were studying down to the wire. Today was the last day of Hilary Term, and the day was already half over.
"I think I'm ready for it," Willow said. "What about you?"
"I hope so by this point," Rowan replied with a slight grin. "Got any plans with Justin tonight?"
"We talked about it but haven't made any definite plans. What about you and Connor?"
"He's on a stakeout tonight."
Their relationship was progressing nicely. The age difference did not seem to be a problem at all for either Rowan or Connor, and even Rowan's family had grown used to the idea of her being with a much older man. Perhaps it wasn't a hard concept to grasp since technically, Rowan was supposed to be around Connor's age anyway.
The one person Rowan wished she could talk to about Connor was Beatrix. She hadn't seen her best friend and sister-in-law or brother since before they left for Tortola. There were plans to visit the island for Easter, though. The cover was a family holiday for the girls and their father, who had been saving up for the holiday trip.
Connor of course knew about the real reason for the trip, but Willow still didn't have permission to tell Justin. She understood why, but she didn't like hiding the truth from him. She just hoped that he would take the revelation well if and when they got that far.
The girls polished off their lunches and then headed off to their respective final exams.
(Alexander) Not Brave Enough
Author: Mildred
Date: 03-02-19 09:26
Alexander went to check the prisoner. She was a young witch and she had suffered enough for a lifetime. The Dark Lord did not want her dead and as the healer in service it was up to Alexander to make sure her body would endure several hours of pain per day.
During his first visits she had begged him for help. But after a few weeks she realized he was not going to be the key to her freedom. Alexander owed much to Lord Voldemort. He had given him his freedom and allowed him to pursuit his profession. In Azkaban he was a dead man, but here he was alive once more. He would not dare to bite the hand that fed him.
He entered the room the witch was placed when not fulfilling her purpose. Alexander knew her name was Alanna Beck. He approached her and she did not offer any resistance. He checked her vital signs, her pupils and her general state. He noticed she displayed a terrible cut on her right shoulder. He used an healing spell to stop it from bleeding and then he cleaned it with Murtlap Essence. He was ready to leave but her hand pulled his robes.
"Please...help me..." Alanna begged, looking him in the eyes. Despite her weak body her eyes seemed very much alive. They displayed a spark of something Alexander could not identify. Was it hope, or perhaps courage? Maybe despair?
He hesitated but then he thought of Mildred. He had been a terrible father, and he knew his deceased wife would never forgive him for abandoning her. He heard she was studying Law at St. Emrys. He hoped she was well and happy. However he knew if the Dark Lord found out he had helped the prisoner he would punish him, through Mildred, and Alexander did not want that. He might have been a Gryffindor while at Hogwarts but today he lacked the courage to help someone in need, even if he knew it should be the right thing to do.
"I'm sorry...but I can't..." he pathetically excused himself, leaving the division without enough bravery to look Alanna back again in the eyes.