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Waiting In Arthur's Office
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-23-19 20:10
Harry settles onto the loveseat in Arthur's office, remembering when the office of the head of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts was smaller than a broom closet, which was ridiculous when considering the Ministry as it was then could have used an extension charm. His father-in-law's office isn't huge now by any stretch of the imagination but it's roomy enough.
He looks to the door when Ron walks in asking, "Where's Dad?"
"Arthur needed to speak with someone. He said he'd be back in a few and in the meantime we should decide where we want to eat."
"That chippy you and I went to last month is good. Or how about that new Indian place over in Chiswick? I could go for some samosas."
"Works for me."
"Any sign yet of what's her name, Clarkly?"
"Edantha Clarkly. No, nothing yet."
"I can't believe she shoved her kids off on you. Why didn't she take them with her?"
"She panicked. Two kids and a large pram with shopping bags, along with a bag with baby stuff That's a lot to side-along apparate when in a less than focused state of mind."
"What's happened to them? Her sister?"
"Yeah, for now." Harry leans back on the loveseat, stretching. "No idea yet who the baby's father is. One of the victims we thought Zeke Clarkly had killed may turn out to be the girl's father."
"Oh?"
"The sister mentioned how the daughter doesn't seem to resemble anyone. Not Zeke. Not Edantha. None of the grandparents. That got me to thinking. One of the victims is part Camaroonian. The little girl resembles him quite a bit. We're awaiting paternity test results."
"Nothing more to link Edantha to the secret club?"
"Still have no idea when she got that tattoo. For all I know she's had it for years. No matter how long she's had it, why that symbol?"
"I showed her picture to Pollux when you first mentioned seeing the tattoo but either the he doesn't know her or the secrecy charms the club uses kept him from giving me any indication he's even ever seen her. I think I'm going to try again. Use different questions to get around the charms like we did with the accounting weirdness."
Further discussion is put on hold when Arthur appears in his office doorway. "So, where are we going for lunch?"
Quick Meeting
Author: S Snape
Date: 04-25-19 19:47
Walking so briskly to the Hog's Head his robes billow voluminously behind in such a way an observer seeing Severus pass by might think he's wearing several layers of back capes. Entering the pub he goes straight to the back area where Aberforth's office is located. As he reaches the door he orders in a brusque tone, "Let's hurry this along. I've not much time."
From her position in a somewhat shabby, scuffed leather chair Veronica is shifting her son into a good position to take a bottle. "If you had agreed to dinner we wouldn't have to rush."
Ignoring her attempt to bait him into agreeing to dinner Severus fixes her with the same baleful stare that makes students visibly quake. "Just get on with it."
Veronica looks from him to Aberforth, sitting at his desk and silent to this point. "This continuing audit of the Knight Walpurgis books needs to end."
Aberforth sets aside the quill he'd been using while going over several bills of lading. With a shake of his head he says, "I fail to understand what the audit and ending it has to do with either of us."
She sighs heavily as if dealing with persons of questionable intelligence. Waving a hand, which means she's plucked the bottle from the baby's mouth, she replies with exaggerated exasperation, "Both of you are friends with Kingsley Shacklebolt. What is the use of being close with the Minister of Magic if you cannot beg a favor now and then?" Deprived of his bottle the baby begins to fuss. Heaving another sigh, Veronica pops the bottle's nipple back into his mouth.
Severus, arms folded, blinks once then twice. He looks to Aberforth who shrugs. Returning his gaze to Veronica he states, "I cannot speak for Aberforth but I shan't be speaking to Kingsley nor anyone with the Ministry about the audit unless those conducting the audit for some reason I cannot conceive have questions for me."
"I've no reason to say anything either."
Veronica's mouth literally drops open. For a few seconds her jaw works without her saying anything. When she does speak her voice has something of a whiny quality. "But why? If both of you say something this mess would be over and the Knights can get back to fundraising."
"Does the group have anything to hide?"
Veronica frowns at Severus. "Of course not. I've told you and told you, we aren't like the old organization."
"Then there's no reason to put an end to the Ministry's investigation."
She looks to her adoptive father. "Why won't you take my side?"
Aberforth waggles the quill at her. "As Severus has rightly pointed out, if there's nothing untoward going on with the Knights of Walpurgis accounts, then there is no reason to expend energy attempting to impede the audit."
Snorting disgustedly, Veronica rises as rapidly from the leather chair as she can with a baby cradled in one arm and holding his bottle in the other. "It's the principle of the matter and if either of you loved me you'd support me however I ask."
In a huff she brushes past Severus, clomping down the short hallway to the stairs leading up to the first floor. Severus nods to Aberforth. "I must get back for a class. We'll talk later."
Knowing Severus means at the meeting some of the Order of the Phoenix members are having tomorrow evening, Aberforth nods in return, "Have a good day, Severus," then returns to the bills of lading, wondering who long he has before Veronica comes back downstairs to resume her, "If you loved me," mantra.
Crystal Ball
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-26-19 18:34
Leaning against Saffron's desk I ask, "Great Hall, our place, or take out?"
Looking over her shoulder as she uses her wand to position and attach some posters to one section of wall she asks, "What's your preference?"
Grinning I shake my head. "Asked you first."
"Great Hall works for me tonight. How about we cook tomorrow? Marinate some chicken. Do kabobs."
"Sounds like a plan. That's a little crooked."
Saffron tilts her head one way then the other. "You're right. It's not off by much but it is off." She fixes the poster then steps back and turns around facing me. "Did you get all the parchmentwork, I mean paperwork, in order?"
"Pretty much. There are a few people who've shown interest in chaperoning and some students who haven't committed but might," I say in reference to the Muggle Studies trip I sponsor for any seventh year who wishes to go whether taking my course or not. This year's trip is to Peru. "They've got a little more time to decide."
"Did either Allison or Malin Applewhite contact you?"
"Allison did on Friday. She signed them both up and they've already gotten the paperwork back to me."
"Excellent. Okay, I think I'm finished for now. Let's grab Nic from the library. Brandon?"
We both look to where Brandon has been bent over a crystal ball this entire time. When he doesn't move I say, "Hey, Brandon, food."
Saffron rolls her eyes and shakes her head but is smiling as she walks over and touches him on the shoulder. "Time for dinner, honey."
He pulls back from the crystal ball with a start, rapidly blinking. "We just got here," he protests.
She ruffles his hair. "It's been a little while. You really got lost in the crystal, huh? See anything?"
"A field with flowers. Blue ones. Red. Yellow. White. And a dog. A puppy."
Saffron exchanges a look with me. Brandon has been pushing for a puppy since before Christmas. Joining them as we all walk to the door I say, "Yeah? What kind of puppy?"
"It had a lot of colors and blue eyes. Do dogs have blue eyes?"
"Some do."
"It also had a funny tail. Really short. Only about so long." He holds his a thumb and forefinger a short distance apart."
Neither Saffron nor I say anything just then but the dog Brandon is describing sounds a lot like an Australian shepherd puppy she and I had looked at yesterday during lunch with the thought of getting her for Brandon and Niccola."
At the fourth floor we detour to get Nic, who'd been at the library looking up information for a homework assignment and get to hear all about the dog again when Brandon regales his sister all about seeing something in one of Mummy's crystal balls.
Ready?
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 04-28-19 18:52
Marjani enters the equipment room to find Viktor sitting on a stool examining some sort of bat. Cricket she thinks. Cricket is one of the Muggle sports Viktor's become a fan of and sometimes teaches as a Fitness & Athletics unit. He smiles at her entrance. "Hi, ready?"
"Almost." Viktor runs hands over one of the bats, turning it over several times then sends it and the other bats to the storage cubby where he keeps them.
"For tomorrow?"
He nods. "Upper years. Volleyball on Friday for first and second years. Today was football with the third and fourth years." He gestures to the soccer balls in a bin. "How was school?"
"It's been one of those why am I doing graduate work sort of days."
"Want to tell me?" he asks as they move from the equipment room to the office.
"Oh, just one professor has tacked on extra work for a project due next week. For another course a group project lost two people and a third hasn't done any of the agreed upon work for today. That leaves me to do everything unless the professor redistributes someone from another group." Marjani waves a hand, loudly expelling air then noticing something on Viktor's desk asks, "These are the Quidditch standings?"
"Until the match Saturday. With these projects, why don't you skip helping out."
Marjani vigorously shakes her head back and forth. "No, I want to help referee. I'll need some sort of break from homework, research, and studying by then." She picks up the clipboard. "Looks like Ravenclaw has a lock for the championship and Gryffindor's out of it altogether."
"Twenty points separate Hufflepuff and Slytherin so whichever team gets the snitch is up against Ravenclaw for the cup unless one of the teams manages to run up points on goals alone. I'm done here."
Viktor had invited Marjani to supper at the Great Hall and after the day she's had she's glad to be joining. She is not in the mood to cook but getting take away from a restaurant or eating at one isn't that appealing either. As they start the walk from the pitch to the castle, Marjani rolls her eyes as Viktor asks, "So, what's the status with Daniel and you?"
Sometimes Viktor can be such a big brother slash father figure!
Quitting?
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 04-29-19 19:07
Selma Hollingberry drops down into the grass beside Ginny, flopping onto her back. "You really thinking of quitting?"
Sitting with legs extended, bent at the waist, stretching out her arms to touch fingers to toes Ginny turns her head to look at her teammate. "More and more, yeah."
Grunting as she too stretches Selma admits, "With all the shite we've put up with because of Freya, I can't blame you."
"If not for the correspondent offer, I'd probably not have any thought of doing something else."
"Really? I do sometimes. Okay, not necessarily something else but not staying with the Harpies."
Ginny switches to sitting with legs spread and bending sideways first over one leg and then the other. "If you went to another team, who'd be your first choice?"
"Hmmm. Um, Magpies? Or Tornados. Wouldn't much mind moving to Australia and playing for the Woollongong Warriors. But, for now, I'm sticking with the Harpies. Now that Freya looks to be staying in prison maybe things will get back to normal around here."
Her voice muffled as she leans over her left leg Ginny says, "That would be nice. Even after we thought we'd gotten rid of Freya the first time everyone stayed on edge. Even all this time after that last trial we're all stressed and tense."
The head coach blows a whistle calling everyone to gather so Selma and Ginny stop their stretches to get up and, putting further conversation on hold, join their teammates clustering around the coach.
Banking Business
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-30-19 10:42
Bill put his signature on a document and put it in his outbox. He reached for the teacup at his elbow, took a sip, and frowned when he realized he'd let his tea go cold. Replacing the teacup onto its saucer, Bill used his wand to charm the tea warm again and gave it a tentative sip. Deciding it was warm enough, he took another gulp and then looked up when there was a knock at his door.
"Enter!" he called out, and he found himself surprised to see Emily Tyler cross the threshold into his office. He rose, indicating for her to sit, which she did without preamble, placing a very expensive pink handbag in her lap.
"Ms. Tyler, welcome. Would you like some tea, or something else to drink?" Bill asked.
"No. I have some business I would like to discuss with you."
Bill sat down again and waited for her to explain the purpose of her visit.
"As you know, I'm in the middle of getting divorced," Emily said, "and I am looking to move my funds and other valuables into a new vault, preferably not in Diagon Alley. I don't want my money anywhere near my husband's."
"Your assets can easily be transferred from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade if that is what you want," Bill said. "Do you already have your own vault there or is it a joint account?"
Emily looked at him pitifully and said, "I have several accounts solely in my name and a few shared vaults, which are still tied up due to the proceedings…"
Hogsmeade, being a much smaller bank and in a sleepy village, generally didn't cater to the ultra-wealthy, not that there weren't significant holdings in the vaults. It was just that the wizarding elite tended to keep their money in Diagon Alley.
"We can certainly accommodate you," Bill smoothly went on, "but perhaps you would like to take a look at the available vaults to help you decide?"
"Fine," Emily said, waving a bejeweled hand, "but not today. I have a pressing appointment in Paris that cannot wait." She got up and turned to the doorway. "I'll be in touch." And then she was gone.
Bill got up to close his door, since Emily had not deigned to shut it behind her in her haste to leave. He returned to his desk and took another sip of his tea and then leaned back in his chair, thinking. He thought not of Emily Tyler but of last night's Order meeting. The group discussed the latest from the Ministry regarding the captured Death Eaters, the murder of Rodolphus Lestrange, and efforts to track down the rest of the dark wizards, including Voldemort himself. Bill was willing and able to help in any way possible. If only the secrecy spells on the captured wizards could get cracked!
Dropping Off A Casserole
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 05-02-19 20:07
Coco enters through the front door saying, "Knock, knock. I've got a casserole."
An angry looking Mitzi Bolt replies in a tone that's clearly forced cheerful, "Thank you, Coco. You're such a dear."
Standing across from Mitzi is her oldest daughter. Kirsten's smile is stiff and her eyes narrowed. "Good evening, Coco."
"Hallo, Kirsten. How are you? How are your kids?" Rather than take the casserole to the kitchen, Coco walks over to the small dining area and places it on the table there.
"We're all fine, thank you though I'd be better if Mother would finally consent to move."
Mitzi glares at her daughter. "Be shunted off to a care facility where I'd have no freedom to come and go? Maybe when I'm dead and maybe not even then." She brushes past Kirsten to walk towards the table, reaching for the casserole. "I'll just pop this in the warming oven. Walter has popped round the corner to have a pint with the lads to celebrate Asa's finally selling off to his son and retiring."
Kirsten rolls her eyes. "Looks like you did all that work for nothing, Coco. By the time Wal gets home your casserole will be past its prime."
Coco starts to respond to that but Mitzi beats her to it, whirling around, casserole clutched tightly in her hands. "Don't you dare speak ill of Walter like that! He may like a nip now and again but when he says he'll only have a pint or two that's ALL he ever has."
Kirsten's hands go up as if surrendering. "Soooorry. I did not mean to touch a nerve. Again. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately."
Mitzi puts the casserole back on the table and marches over to Kirsten. She points a finger at her daughter, shaking it vigorously as she bites out through clenched teeth, "Yes, yes you have because the ONLY time you bother coming for a visit or even calling is to make yet another attempt to force me to live somewhere that I would be treated like someone too demented to make decisions for herself, to have no control over when I eat or what I eat, and to be even more ignored by her children than she already is. When you do call or come over or, on the most rare occasion of all, have me to visit, you criticize Walter and me, making us both seem like we're drooling, incontinent simpletons who struggle with the basics. Look around, Kirsten. This house is clean. The pets are well cared for. The clothes we wear is laundered and those items that need it are ironed. The yard is kept up. Wal and I do most of the upkeep ourselves."
Kirsten does her eye roll again, gesturing towards the so far silent through all this Coco and the casserole on the table. "If not for Coco and Fitz,"
"Fritz! His name is Fritz," Mitzi sharply corrects.
"Excuse me," Kirsten says in that sorry, not sorry way people can have. "Coco and Fritz. If not for them you'd both have needed to be in care long ago."
Coco does speak up now. "That's not true, Kirsten. Sure, I help out some and Fritz does as well but it's because we want to, not because Mitzi and Papa Wal need constant help or care." She doesn't mention that she does get vigilant about Papa Wal taking his medication as he should and that if left to his own devices his eating habits would be terrible because neither of those things goes towards Kirsten's assertion of a need for either Mitzi or he to be in care.
Kirsten's chest heaves. Forcefully adjusting the purse strap on her shoulder. "It's clear that the discussion of your moving into that lovely facility we've so carefully, lovingly selected for you, Mother, should be tabled for another day. Goodnight, Mother. Coco."
She twists around and hastens to the door, Coco forcing herself to calmly bid her goodnight, Mitzi mumbling under her breath around where Kirsten can table her discussion. When the front door has firmly clicked behind Kirsten Mitzi turns to Coco. "They're wanting to shove me away to ensure their inheritance isn't frittered away."
This is not news to Coco as it's not the first time the push for Mitzi to move into care has come up. She reaches for the casserole to take to the kitchen. "They do know that paying for care comes out of that inheritance and would cost more than what you are living off of here with Papa Wal?"
Mitzi shrugs, making a face, and follows Coco into the kitchen where they put the casserole in to warm and have a cuppa before Coco goes home to have dinner with "Fitz" and gets the various animals settled for the night.