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(Tessa) Moody
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 03-26-19 18:35
Tessa always remembered April 8th as the anniversary of the day her mother abandoned her at Will Dewhurst's house. The date was always a bittersweet reminder, as it was not only the day she lost her mother but also the day she gained the best father in the world.
This April 8th was also the first day of Spring Term at Hogwarts. Tessa had five classes to go to, too: Transfiguration, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, and Astronomy. Not only was it a busy first day of term, but it was also the start of the final countdown to the Ordinary Wizarding Levels.
On top of everything, Tessa also had to seriously think about what classes she wanted to take her final two school years, and some of her selections would hinge on how well she did on the O.W.L.s. She heard that the Hogwarts Heads of Houses tended to hold careers advice this time of year and truly hoped that Professor Miller would offer to meet.
Tessa had a vague notion about what she wanted to do. She was interested in law enforcement, but she didn't want to be an auror or a hit wizard. Participating in raids or apprehending suspects wasn't what she had in mind. She wanted to do something less risky but equally important, but she also didn't want to do research or other clerical-type work.
Not surprisingly, Blakeney didn't like Tessa's career choice at all, but then Blakeney and Tessa didn't share a lot of interests. It was really amazing that they were best friends.
After their very full schedule of morning classes, Tessa and Blakeney went to the Hufflepuff Common Room to exchange books before lunchtime.
"I guess they didn't get expelled after all," Blakeney remarked, referring to Tessa's ex Will and Will's own BFF Gerry, who were seen in the entrance hall as the girls traversed it to get to the staircase to the cellar.
"Why would McGonagall wait to expel them at Easter if they really were responsible for the third bludger?" Tessa asked.
"I guess because it's easier to send them home on a break than randomly during the school year," Blakeney answered.
Tessa rolled her eyes. "If I strangle you where you stand, do you think they'll wait till summer hols send me to Azkaban?"
Blakeney also rolled her eyes. "That's different."
"Not really."
"Will and Gerry didn't commit a crime when the loosed that third bludger…"
"We don't know that they did it, and since they are still at school, I'm betting they didn't," Tessa replied. "They're not that stupid."
"Why are you in such a bad mood?" Blakeney suddenly asked. "Are you PMSing or something?"
Tessa snapped, "No. I'm fine. Really. Let's just go to lunch."
"Fine," Blakeney said. She followed Tessa out of the dormitory room while muttering under her breath, "You really need a new boyfriend."
Tessa chose to ignore the comment.
Second Day of Spring Term
Author: Ellis
Date: 03-29-19 09:48
After lunch, Alys and Chip went to Potions. Just like it seemed a terrible idea to have History of Magic first thing in the morning, having Potions directly after lunch seemed like poor planning, given the smells and some of the ingredients used. Alys had never lost her lunch during class and hoped it would never happen, because Professor Snape surely wouldn't show any sympathy and would probably tease her in front of his favorite Slytherins.
Speaking of favorite Slytherins, Alys' own had accepted her invitation to visit her over Easter break. At first, Alys had wondered what Asher might think of her extremely large and seemingly never-ending family, but he'd taken the visit and lengthy introductions in stride. Various family members had asked whether the two were boyfriend-and-girlfriend, but they'd not defined themselves as such even though it seemed clear they were rapidly heading in that direction.
Of the two newest siblings to attend Hogwarts in the fall, Irish twins Gavin and Haley, Alys believed that Gavin would likely wind up to be the first Ellis in Slytherin. He lacked some of the more pleasant qualities of the others and didn't seem like he would fit anywhere else. Alys told Asher as much and he jokingly agreed that there were more jerks in Slytherin than any other house and that he counted himself among them. As for Haley, Alys would just have to wait and see where the Sorting Hat placed her.
Blakeney, meanwhile, went to Muggle Studies alone. She constantly thought about what boy might make the best newest boyfriend for Tessa, rather than worrying about her own, non-existant love-life. She really should have been thinking about her academic future, as she would be entering her sixth year in the fall. N.E.W.T.s, going to university, and a career weren't even on her radar, though.
In the lower years' Transfiguration classroom sat Conrad and Belinda. They had made things official before Easter break and were an enviable couple by all accounts. The girls liked Conrad because he was cute, funny, and just plain likable and weren't surprised that he had managed to ensnare a beautiful Slytherin girl. Boys who weren't in Slytherin marveled at how Conrad had won over someone as seemingly unattainable as Belinda. They were an odd couple, but it worked.
Daphne and Emily were in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The girls had had a good time at home over the break. Like Alys, they figured their brother Gavin would get sorted into Slytherin House in the fall and tried to place bets on it, but they didn't get any takers since everyone agreed that Gavin's place was obvious. He didn't care to listen to them talk about Hogwarts, so they focused their attention on Haley instead. Haley was nervous to start at the school, despite knowing that she would have seven other siblings in the castle with her. The twins promised to take her under their wing if she wound up in Gryffindor with them.
The only Ellis sibling not in class after lunch was Franklin. He wasn't done for the day: Astronomy loomed in the late evening. Unless otherwise engaged, Franklin tended to take a quick nap after lunch when he had Astronomy at night. It helped him stay alert, especially when class wasn't in the fresh air on the Observation Deck. He kicked off his shoes, took off his glasses, and closed the curtains to his bed to snooze for a little bit.
Avoidance
Author: Finley
Date: 03-30-19 14:49
Finley sat in Charms class, simultaneously counting down the minutes to lunch and willing the clock to stand still. Ever since returning to Hogwarts, she avoided spending time with her friends wherever possible. The reason for not feeling like good company was because of what she learned over Easter break. After pestering her mother nonstop for the truth, she finally got it, and Finley could hardly believe the revelation.
The truth affected not just her immediate family, but another family as well. Finley felt a heavy weight on her shoulders, and she didn't know what to do. It wasn't her secret to tell, but keeping the truth from her friends ate away at her. Finley wanted to be honest and spill the beans, but doing so would have ramifications, some of which she couldn't even predict.
So for now, she avoided her feelings by avoiding her friends on the pretense that she didn't want to be the third wheel. She spent the train ride back to Hogwarts in the prefects compartment to give Phoebus and Eirene a chance to be alone. When she wasn't in class, she went to the library or sequestered herself in her dorm room, pretending to study, even though she was in her sixth year and didn't have OWLs or NEWTs looming on the horizon.
The letter Leroy had sent her since her return to Hogwarts remained unanswered. She hadn't even written to her parents. Finley would probably write to all three on the weekend, when she had enough filler to put in her letters.
As for her friends, Finley knew she couldn't avoid them forever. She just had to decide what she would do: reveal what she learned or go on pretending like nothing changed. Perhaps more time and distance from the revelation would make things easier, but at the rate things were going, Finley would probably only dwell on it more and more.
The only class Finley and Phoebus shared today was Care of Magical Creatures in the afternoon. She wouldn't be able to avoid him then, but she probably could until then. She was already thinking she might eat lunch on the Hogwarts grounds instead of in the Great Hall or the Commons. She just hoped the lovebirds didn't have the same idea.
A Name
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 03-31-19 02:41
Tiberius met with Nathaniel at Hogsmeade. He was willing to go all the way to Yorkshire, to the inn, but Nathaniel insisted that he was nearby and he did not mind to come to his encounter. They sat together at a bench, watching a witch passing in a rush. Tiberius looked at Nate with impatience but he remained silent, not wanting to push him. Finally Nathaniel spoke:
"You were right, it was not hard to have access to the list.But I did not have time to copy all the names. An archive clerk appeared and I did not want to raise any suspicions"
Tiberius tried not to look disappointed. Without all the names how could he reach to any conclusion about the mysterious Diagon Alley school supplies's buyer? Nathaniel didn't notice this or simply ignored it. He continued:
"But I don't think you will need the entire list. I think this might be what you are looking for."
Nathaniel passed to Tiberius a small piece of parchment. It contained a name, a birthday date, and an address, written in Nathaniel's tight handwriting. Tiberius read the parchment's content with surprise.
Caligula Nott, February 18th 2002, Endhope Abbey, Exmoor, England.
"Impossible..." he said in a whisper.
"I think that the address is the location where the future student is at the moment he turns eleven. This might not be his actual address..."
"Of course not. This is my address, and as far as I know, there is no eleven year old boy living in my house!" He exploded.
It would have been almost impossible. Tiberius had filled the family house with protective charms. He did not want Titus to enter it and confront their mother's ghost. So he was sure no one, unless it was a skillful and powerful witch or wizard would be able to break in.
Tiberius folded the parchment and put it in his pocket. He thanked Nathaniel for his help and stood up. However he did not return to the school right away. He kept circling the village, without a clear course. He was sure he had no family member named Caligula. The boy's name was odd but there was clearly a connection to the Nott family, otherwise they wouldn't have used his address or bank account. He decided he would have to go home, and check if in fact someone was living in his family house. He imagined himself surprising the trespassers. He hasn't gone home in a long time, so they might not be counting with his visit.
(Alanna) Just About Dead
Author: Beck
Date: 03-31-19 18:33
The pain was unbearable. It felt as if all of Alanna's insides were being squeezed and twisted, as if they were pieces of cloth having water wrung out. She vomited, but very little came out since the minuscule amount of food she had been given earlier in the day had come up at the start of this latest torture session.
The perpetrator was the same young wizard she had met––she didn't know when. Time seemed to move simultaneously quickly and slowly with the Death Eaters. She doubted it was still the summer of her capture, but she had no idea it was already after Easter of the following year.
Alanna correctly guessed that the young wizard was a new recruit, perhaps an acolyte hoping to earn his Dark Mark. She was sorry to see someone so young go down a dark path, but she also thought he was too far gone to change. The torture she endured at his wand was more than just the effects of a cruel boy being a little bit wicked. Alanna sensed that in time he would likely become the worst sort of Death Eater. She just wasn't sure she would live to see it, and she was quite certain she didn't want to.
Through eyes nearly caked shut from muck and blood, Alanna could see him watching from across the room. He came often to observe the young wizard's work, sometimes offering guidance and occasionally giving praise. Very rarely did he visit Alanna alone anymore. Apparently, he had grown bored of their single-sided conversations.
There was another presence in the underground room, the Death Eater who had healer training. He monitored the torture sessions from time to time. Other than to ensure Alanna didn't die, she didn't understand why he was there. He never intervened, though his suggestions to take a break were generally heeded.
Alanna got the impression that the healer was in a bind, and she suspected he had too much to lose to ever set her free. She couldn't decide if she thought him a coward or if she couldn't blame him for his inaction. Perhaps she should commiserate, since she had once been trapped in a difficult situation that had forced her to do terrible things.
Alanna's vision blurred. Something seemed different. The pain felt subdued, but the torture was still in full swing. Was it magic? The healer dulling her pain? No… she was slipping. She was falling… Was she dying?
She quickly thought of the family she knew now she would never see again. Gramps, Anthony, Ariella, Katherine, Gillian, Karina, Adam, Evan…
And one more face flashed before her eyes before everything went black.
Jared.
Bingo
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 04-01-19 18:07
"What does the Minister of the Muggles say when you take time off to hunt for dark wizards?" Tonks asked Hermione.
They were crossing through the woods in County Monaghan, Ireland, en route to the site of a legendary monastic house called Killeevan Abbey. The area had been checked before but not with Hermione's dark detection device.
"I don't actually have to take time off for these investigations," Hermione answered. "As the liaison between the two governments, the Prime Minister understands that this is part of the job. He's eager for us to get to the bottom of this, you know."
The two reached a clearing in the woods. Hermione opened a tiny bag and pulled out the dark detection device, which should not have been able to fit inside but did thanks to magic. It would have looked odd walking through the Muggle town with a sceptre-like object in her hand. The town was small, and outsiders stood out like sore thumbs already. At least Tonks had changed her hair color to mousy brown to fit in better.
Hermione held out the device and walked to where the abbey should have been. Almost immediately, there was a sort of shimmer in the air and then crooked tombstones appeared in the grass. Behind the tombstones was a ruined church wall made of stone with weeds growing out of mossy crevices.
The pair took several hasty steps backwards in an attempt to conceal themselves in the trees. They didn't want to be out in plain sight if this abbey really was the right one. It surely seemed like it, though.
As the dark detection device continued to unravel the shielding magic around the abbey, Hermione and Tonks saw more of the complex reveal itself. It was obvious that the initial view––the one the Muggles probably saw if they got near––was not how the place really looked. The Death Eaters had put a lot of work into renovating the place to make it a suitable headquarters. It wasn't much of an abbey ruin anymore.
Without realizing it, both Hermione and Tonks made a mental note to find out if there had been any disappearances in town. Surely, the Death Eaters would make sport of the Muggles from time to time, with the town just on the other side of the woods. Assuming this was the right abbey… but it had to be.
Who else would go through the trouble of disguising such a place? Then again, it could be just another case of wanted wizards of a different sort hiding from the authorities. She had already run into such a case during her searching. Her gut said this was the real deal, though.
And then something like an alarm blared.
"Caterwauling charm," Tonks whispered. "Must be on a timing spell."
They saw a masked and robed figure emerge from around the side of the abbey. He, for that's what his body type looked like, brandished a wand.
"Bingo," Tonks whispered. She patted Hermione's arm to get her to ease further into the trees and then turned to send her wolf patronus to the Ministry of Magic.
Their original plan to sit tight and wait for backup faltered when more and more masked and robed figures emerged from the abbey and fanned out to find the intruders. They were quickly outnumbered and knew it would be foolish to stay. With an annoyed sigh, Tonks seized Hermione's arm and side-along apparated with her to London. The loud crack sent the Death Eaters into a frenzy, which would only get heightened by the speedy arrival of aurors.
Raid
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 04-02-19 17:28
Lee had been at his desk at the Ministry of Magic, pretending to do his fake job but really reading up on the elusive traitor Roman Travers, when a senior member of magical law enforcement tapped him on the shoulder and said, "We need all hands."
Without asking, Lee followed the auror to their headquarters and was quickly debriefed on a breaking situation. Apparently, the Death Eater hideout had been discovered. There was little to prepare for, since there'd been no time for reconnaissance work following the discovery, thanks to the additional security spells deployed by the Death Eaters. It was believed that they were aware they'd been found by wizards and were at this very moment clearing out. The only consolation was they themselves were also unprepared.
Those participating in the raid on the abbey were divided into teams. Lee found himself assigned to Anthony Beck, who was his ex-girlfriend's brother-in-law and someone Lee knew passably well. Anthony almost seemed too keyed up for the mission, and Lee knew why. His sister was taken by the Death Eaters and just might still be alive. It probably would have been better for Anthony to sit the mission out, but Lee couldn't blame him for wanting to take part.
Knowing they would likely go into battle as soon as they arrived, Lee and Anthony prepared themselves for attack. After looking at a map of the area, the two disapparated on the edge of the Muggle town and sprinted through the woods, holding their wands tight and dodging behind trees to avoid getting spotted. Other groups of two appeared around the abbey site, so that law enforcement approached it from all sides.
Many of the Death Eaters were positioned outside and in the woods, ready to attack the newcomers, but Lee knew without a doubt that a few were inside removing precious artifacts and books to another safe place, wherever that may be. With any luck, they were scrambling to pack up and had no idea where to go next.
The battle was fierce and chaotic, and when it was all said and done, there were deaths and injuries on both sides and several captures, but not the one everyone hoped for. Voldemort, if it really was him, had gotten away. In their haste, the Death Eaters had left most of their belongings, including the rare, valuable and dangerous. But the most precious thing of all left behind was the prisoner in the crypt.
Anthony found his sister surprisingly alive, but only barely and she could not be revived. The mediwizards did a quick check and then transported her to St. Mungo's. Anthony went along, barely able to contain his relief but also angry and upset by Alanna's condition.
Lee hadn't seen Anthony since he went to be with his sister. The buddy system wasn't necessary anymore, though there was always the possibility that the Death Eaters would come back, knowing that law enforcement was probably still at the abbey, collecting evidence. It probably was the prime opportunity for a counter-attack, what with law enforcement distracted by their investigation, and many of them sporting battle wounds of some sort. Lee had a gash on his cheek and another across the knuckles of his wand hand, but otherwise he'd gotten through the raid in one piece.
He walked around the abbey rooms and was careful not to disturb any evidence. With night falling, lamps were lit and some aurors were using Lumos to cast more light. Even with the place packed with law enforcement, there was a discernible chill in the air. The abbey was a bit drafty.
Lee peeked into a room that looked like an office. Was this where Voldemort conducted his business? Had Adriana Fairchild occupied it before him? His eyes zeroed in on a pair of blackened hands mounted on the wall, which instantly put to mind Alaia's severed finger. It was something he didn't want to think about, especially since his wife was still missing. Lee shook his head and walked out of the doorway, hoping to make himself useful somehow.
(Anthony) Hospital Visit
Author: Beck
Date: 04-03-19 18:16
Anthony walked into his sister's hospital room with a bouquet of flowers. He added them to the pile already overflowing on the different side tables in the room and then moved to sit in the empty chair next to her bed. He started to reach out to push hair off her face, but then he drew back his hand. She looked so fragile that Anthony thought the simple act of touching her cheek might cause her to shatter into a million little pieces.
24 hours ago, Anthony had found himself in the midst of a raid at Killeevan Abbey in County Monaghan, Ireland. He'd been paired up with Lee Sickleby, a covert operative tapped to assist in the major operation.
After disapparating to the edge of town and entering the woods, they'd immediately found themselves engaged in duels with various black-clad Death Eaters. Anthony got injured almost right away when an exploding tree trunk shot splinters into his body. At least they'd all been really small, or he might have found himself seriously impaled and probably killed.
Working together, the pair eventually got through the woods and entered a clearing, where they saw toppled over tombstones and an abbey. Many of the Death Eaters disapparated to safety once law enforcement closed in on their headquarters, but a few didn't get away. Anthony assisted in capturing an older wizard, later identified as Dorian Somerset.
There were a handful of other captures or deaths, and unfortunately, a few members of law enforcement perished too. After Anthony handed Somerset off to a hit wizard who would transport the captive to a Ministry holding cell, he and Lee entered the abbey.
Anthony so desperately wanted to find his sister. He called out to her, hoping she would answer. He really hoped she wasn't buried under one of the crooked tombstones on the lawn, but they looked ancient and the ground beneath them didn't look disturbed.
He entered every room with wild abandon, even though he knew there would be traps or Death Eaters hiding within, but Anthony couldn't wait to find her. He barely noticed Lee backing him up, just in case something were to go south.
Finally, Anthony went down some stairs into the crypt. There were a few stone sarcophagi and some relics, like a sword bejeweled with emeralds. And then he saw her, though she didn't look like her old self. She was a mass of skin and bones and disheveled hair and filth in the corner of the crypt. She was shackled to the wall. She was…
"Breathing!"
As soon as the words were said, Lee fetched a mediwizard, and Alanna was quickly assessed and whisked away to the hospital. Anthony went with her, because he had to be with her. He'd found her and now he had to make sure she got better.
Waiting for news in the hospital felt unbearable. During the time the healers worked on his sister, Anthony managed to contact everyone in the family. Plum was the first to join him in the hospital waiting room. He also had his own wounds tended to.
Then the news finally came. Alanna's body would heal, but she was in a coma and only time would tell if she ever woke up. The evidence that she had been severely tortured, and the likelihood that it had occurred often during her captivity suggested that she might not regain consciousness, or if she did, then she might show signs of mental debilitation.
It was bad news, but it wasn't the worst. Alanna was alive, and she had come back to them, and no one had for sure said that she wouldn't wake up and be her old self again. Anthony had to believe that she would be okay. After all, she'd survived this long. Alanna was strong.
Reinterviewing A Witness
Author: Eoghan
Date: 04-03-19 20:43
Clara Smarts holds the door to one of the conference rooms open. "Thank you for coming. Mr... er... Mortifer."
Just after Clara and Eoghan had begun working together on the Rodolphus Lestrange murder she'd told him that almost all the contact she's had with house elves has been those she's met working cases. She gets flustered for some reason wanting to address them as Mr. or Miss or Mrs. and attach a surname.
As Mortifer sits down Eoghan offers refreshments. "There are donuts if you'd like. Might I get you tea? Coffee? Waters?"
Mortifer blinks twice then shakes his head. "Mortifer has answered all questions."
"Yes, twice now, thank you." Clara pours herself some tea then sits down opposite Mortifer.
Eoghan sits down beside her, coffee mug topped off. "It's common to have witnesses go over statements multiple times. It's not at all unusual for someone to remember additional details with each telling."
"Let's start at the beginning, shall we?" Clara says with a small smile. "Where do you reside?"
"Mortifer goes wherever the mistress wishes."
"The mistress is Bellatrix Lestrange?"
"Yes."
"And where did Mrs. Lestrange have you living on Saturday, 16 March 2013?"
"Crepe Cottage, West Brompton."
Clara glances at her notes then back to Mortifer. "Where did you begin your morning on that Saturday?"
"Crepe Cottage."
"And then?"
"Malfoy Manor."
"Why did you go to Malfoy Manor."
"The mistress went so Mortifer went then she told me to go see Master Rodolphus at Lestrange Manor."
"Why did she send you there?"
"To see to the packing of some items that belonged to the mistress's great grandparents to give to Master Draco."
Suddenly feeling sleepy, Eoghan takes a big gulp of coffee and wishes he'd taken the lead on the questioning rather than Clara. He sits up straight, just as suddenly wide awake, when one of Clara's questions has the house elf replying, "When Master Draco arrived I told him Master Rodolphus was in the garden."
Rather than interrupt just yet, Eoghan waits to see if Clara caught what he did and where she'll go next with the questioning.
Waiting Room
Author: Jared
Date: 04-04-19 20:50
"Jared."
"Jared."
"Jared."
At a sharp poke in his side Jared bolts up, bleary eyes crusted and his mouth desert dry. A bottle of water hovers in front of his face. Blinking several times brings the bottle and the hand holding it into sharper focus. Reaching for it he croaks, "Thanks. Any news?"
Shaking her head Etta sits down beside him. "Nothing new. Nothing's changed." She looks around the waiting room and asks yet again, "Why don't you go wait at her room?"
Shaking his own head, sending his shaggy hair flopping into an even more disheveled state, Jared waits to swallow a large gulp of water before replying, "They won't want me lingering about."
"You are lingering about, you know."
"But not at her room."
"If you aren't going to wait at her room then you should go home and get some real rest. At least go shower."
"Am I rank?"
"Not yet but you're getting there."
Jared stands, takes out his wand, and after performing a couple of spells asks, "How's that?"
"Cleaning spells have never been your strong suit but you'll pass for now."
"I thought your shift was over."
Though Etta hasn't completed her healer training she's had a job here at St. Mungo's for awhile now.
"It is but I covered a couple of hours for someone else. Before going home I got an update on Alanna and also came to check on you. If you won't go home and rest there, at least come home with me and let me feed you."
"Thanks, but I'm good."
"Thought you'd say that." Etta produces a lunch type bag he'd not noticed before. "Some fruit, a sandwich, some crisps, and a slice of Mum's caramel banana cake. Do I need to sit with you to ensure you eat at least a little of it?"
"I love your company, little sister, but go on home. I know you must be tired and I'm betting you would prefer to be snuggled up with Deak over sitting on these oh so comfortable seats with me."
Etta reaches out and takes Jared's hand. "I'll go home soon enough."
They sit in silence for awhile, Etta finally getting up to go when Sage and Georgia Porter appear in the waiting room entrance. She gives Jared a peck on the cheek with a promise to check back soon for an update. On her way out past Georgie and Sage she pauses long enough to say, "There's food in the lunch bag. Please make sure he eats at least some of the fruit."
Jared hears her and rolls his eyes after her but says nothing, instead reaching for the bag to pull out a container of sliced bananas, strawberries, kiwi, and apple, feeling guilty to be eating when not the slightest bit hungry when Alanna most likely was constantly hungry yet was given little to eat.