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Whims
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 09-01-19 01:58
While her siblings had gone to Hogwarts Sophie was organizing things to attend St. Emrys this fall. She had made a tour around campus, visited the apartment she and Jasper would move into, bought some course books and was considering buying a new telescope. Being an Astronomy student meant she did need a good telescope. The one she had from Hogwarts would not be enough. However she realized she did not have the money for it. In fact, she didn't have the money to purchase anything. In the past it had been her father that had supported her. Now Sophie realized all her expenses were being paid by her husband and his family. She lived at their house, she ate the food of their table and most of her belongings had been brought by them, including the clothes and jewels. That did not make her feel very good.
She decided to talk to Jasper about it, at breakfast. For a moment she just stared at him thinking how lucky she had been. He had been nothing but kind and affectionate towards her. He was quite handsome and she still couldn't believe how this 25 year old wizard had chosen her who was still 18 to be his wife. He never saw her as child. Sophie's in laws were also present. The family often had breakfast together. Mr. Pole was quietly reading a newspaper, while his wife was telling him about all the newest gossip in the society. He would nod his head but he was barely listening to Wilhelmina. Sophie turned to Jasper.
"I've been thinking...I am going to need a new telescope for my college classes."
"Of course, Soph! You just tell me the model and we can ask Wren to purchase it."
"It's an expensive telescope. More expensive than the usual ones. I feel bad asking you to get it for me. So I decided to get a loan at Gringotts, and then get a job so I can pay it. I have been researching and there are several part time jobs around campus, created especially for students."
"My darling Soph, always so selfless," Jasper said with a light laugh, and touching Sophie's hand. "You will get your telescope today, don't worry."
"Yes," Wilhelmina said. She had been listening to the conversation. "A Pole woman getting a loan and a job! That is ridiculous! I do still think that you did not have the need to go to college, but Jasper says it is something you really wish to do, so, who am I to contradict?"
Mr. Pole chuckled and told his wife:
"Husbands are often prepare to give in to their wives' whims. Remember when you wanted that gazebo? If Sophie wants to go to college and learn Astronomy so it be."
"The gazebo was no whim, Walter. Even now, when we have guests, they compliment it. Going to St. Emrys is completely different."
"No it isn't," Mr. Pole said. "And like the gazebo I suspect once Sophie gets that telescope and starts her classes she will eventually get tired of it. But it's all right. It's the nature of women." He exchanged a look with his son. Jasper nodded, as if he knew exactly what his father was talking about.
Sophie remained quiet. She wanted to tell her in laws that getting a higher education was no whim. She didn't choose to apply to St. Emrys because she was bored and needed a hobby. She started feeling indisposed. Little drops of sweat started to form on her forehead. She excused herself and went to the bathroom to throw up.
"Honey, are you all right?" Jasper asked, entering the bathroom. "Oh you are very pale! Is it because of what my father said? Don't mind him," he told her.
He used his wand to fetch a towel and then he used it to clean Sophie's face. After his words and his help she started feeling better. Her cheeks started to gain some color.
"Thank you," she told Jasper. "I love you."
He held her in her arms.
"I love you too, darling."
Kaycee - Who's That?
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 09-01-19 12:39
On this first day of classes, Kaycee woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. She had decided that this year she would be the best she could be and not let anybody else tell her she wasn't good enough or try to get her down otherwise. She had a feeling that with Hogwarts under intense scrutiny, even Gerry wouldn't be dumb enough to try any of his usual pranks. It would definitely be funny to see him get scared straight, though. She just didn't want to be his victim if and when it happened.
After getting freshly showered, fixing her hair and natural-looking makeup, Kaycee donned a brand new set of Hufflepuff robes and went up to the Great Hall for breakfast. Breakfast was by no means the grand affair last night's Start of Term Fest had been, but it was still very delicious. Sitting next to Chip, Kaycee piled her plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast sausage, a slice of toast, and a banana. She washed it all down with pumpkin juice.
The couple parted ways in time for their respective 9 am classes: Chip went to the stables for Care of Magical Creatures class, and Kaycee went to the x floor for Transfiguration class. Being a fifth year, Kaycee no longer had Professor Nott for her teacher. Instead, she would be taught by Professor Black.
Professor Black assigned his new fifth years seats. He knew them to varying degrees but not well enough to remember everyone by name. Kaycee wasn't sure he would know her, but then she remembered how badly she'd stood out in her first year where Gerry and Will made her pee her pants in front of everybody. It was still embarrassing to think about, all these years later.
While Professor Black arranged his new students the way he wanted them, one of the two individuals from last night entered the room. It was the witch. Today, she wore a new set of pin-stripped business robes with enormous shoulder pads. She had with her a quill and notepad and immediately started taking notes as she observed from the back of the classroom.
Kaycee wondered if Professor Black would say anything, like introduce the stranger to the class, but he acted like she wasn't even there. The witch ended up staying for the duration of the class, standing in the back the entire time, and then left the classroom just ahead of the students.
Kaycee watched the witch's retreating form and decided she would be bold and ask what she was doing at Hogwarts. Kaycee picked up her pace, glad that the witch was heading in the same direction she needed to go. Kaycee had Herbology next, this time with Professor Ravenscroft. Professor Ravenscroft had actually been Kaycee's Herbology professor during her first year at Hogwarts, but it had been Professor Longbottom who had taught the class the past three years.
Kaycee sped up and rounded a corner, only to nearly collide into her cousin Lee.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed, grabbing her by the shoulders to steady her. "What's the big hurry? Tardy already? It's only your first day!"
Kaycee shook her head and said, "No, I was just…" She trailed off and instead asked, "Are you one of the patrols?"
"I am today," Lee replied. "I'm on a regular rotation, so you'll be seeing me." He fell into step with her, realizing if they carried on where they stood, then Kaycee really would be late to her next class.
"Where are you off to?"
"Herbology."
"I'll leave you at the door. I'm on interior duty today."
Kaycee quirked a brow. "Just you?"
"No. It's too much ground to cover for just one person."
Kaycee fell silent for a moment and then asked, "There are some people here who don't seem to be law enforcement. I'm not sure who they are, but they seem really nosey. One of them observed my Transfiguration class just now."
Lee didn't answer right away. When he did, he said, "A lot of people are upset about what happened here. It's pretty bad, when you think about it, and it doesn't look good for the teachers, especially Professor McGonagall."
"Are they going to get sacked?" Kaycee asked. She didn't want that at all, except for maybe Professor Snape, but then she'd never been in his class and only knew about how mean he could be through the rumor mill.
"I don't know, Kaycee. I hope not, but I don't know, and it's not for me to decide anyway. Here we are."
They had come to the front doors of the castle. Lee opened one for Kaycee and said, "Have a good class. See you later."
Kaycee offered him a small smile, said bye, and crossed the grounds to get to the greenhouses.
First Day Of Term
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 09-01-19 15:00
After all the students of her first class of the term, fifth year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, have arrived and settled into seats Kissy smiles broadly. "Welcome back, everyone." She sweeps a hand to her left to the older witch standing there. "All of you should know Professor Grubbly-Plank. I am still officially on maternity leave so for the next two or three weeks, Professor Grubbly-Plank will oversee classes for me but I wanted to come and say hello and to let you know I will be available for one-on-ones should anyone need."
Kissy turns over the class to Professor Grubbly-Plank then, telling her in a low voice as she exits the classroom, "I'll be in my office if you need me, Wilhelmina."
Checking on the baby in the crib tucked into a corner of her office, Kissy settles at her desk to work on updating the OWL and NEWT study booklets she'll pass out later in the year. An official copy of the 2013 written portions of the Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL and NEWT and a list of the practical exam questions and spells performed arrived this morning and she wants to make sure her study guides are as comprehensive as she believes them to be. She will, however, watch the clock so ensure that even if she works through the lunch period she won't miss the beginning of the 6th year NEWT class. She wants to welcome them back as well and will do the same for the other fifth year class and seventh year NEWT class tomorrow.
Rustling from the crib has Kissy checking the baby again. Valentine Sachihiro Weatherby debuted on the 3rd of July before his due date and in a somewhat spectacular fashion. Kissy had taken Everett and Callista to the park in Hogsmeade. They'd not been there long when Kissy's water not only unexpectedly broke but she doubled over in the pain worse than anything she ever had while in labor with Callista and Everett.
Julian Valentine also happened to be in the park with his twins Jasmine and Xavier. He came rushing over, already calling for help, wanting someone to watch the four children while he whisked Kissy to St. Mungo's in a side along apparition. The baby was having none of that. He wanted out right then and wasn't about to wait even the short time it would take to apparate to the hospital. With the help of others, primarily Julian's, Kissy gave birth to a boy on the spot.
Cameron and Kissy had thought to name their second son Matthew but decided to honor Julian for not only quickly helping but for keeping a cool head while giving that assistance. Rather than naming the baby Julian, which they'd almost done, they decided on Valentine. As with their other two children, Valentine's middle name of Sachihiro is Japanese inspired, a nod to Kissy's heritage.
The rustling Kissy had heard was Valetine kicking in his sleep. Satisfied that he's got a try nappy and that he's still sleeping deeply, she returns to her desk and gets to work on those study guide updates.
Alchemy Classes
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 09-02-19 10:16
As usually happens at the start of the school year, Fritz finds himself with a lot of extra time. His Alchemy courses only meet three times a week, twice on Monday and once on Tuesday. Since his Potions courses at St. Emrys University don't begin meeting until the middle of October, Fritz doesn't have a lot going on Wednesday-Friday. He's been debating whether he will spend those days in his office here at Hogwarts or hide out at home.
Although Fritz doesn't seem to be one of the major targets as far as the controversy surrounding student Death Eaters goes, he's still a member of the staff and not immune to judgment. Anyway, both Asher Kent and Malden McGonagall had taken his class. Should he have realized that they had been compromised by dark forces? What's worse is the fact that there likely were and are more affected students.
Fritz glances around the room of sixth year students. Among them are Rex Applewhite, Blakeney Ellis, Tessa Filby, Margaret Kegg, Patricia McCourt, Eirene McLaggen, and Sylvestor Trainor. Fritz can't picture any of them being young Death Eater recruits, not even the two Slytherins. He spent this first class with the sixth years introducing the topic of Alchemy. Soon enough, it's time for the sixth years to depart and the seventh years to arrive.
The seventh years consist of Kurt Blackwell, Alys Ellis, Estella Finch, Bowen Goodnight, Bran Hyland, Jane Linton, Finley Pride, Sarafina Sutton, Pelinore Turner, Chip Winters, and Iago Zaid. Fritz can't imagine that any of these students are Death Eaters either, though as the class progresses, he notices that Ms. Ellis appears uncharacteristically surly. He wonders if he should report her behavior, especially since it is unusual.
After passing out the syllabus and going over what is expected for the new school year, Fritz delves into the first topic of term: spagyric.
Staff Meeting
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 09-02-19 18:47
Their names were Eugene and Eunice Smirt. After the Start of Term Feast, the siblings, who never left the back of the Great Hall for the duration of the evening, finally introduced themselves to Minerva. She invited them to her office, where they stated their purpose for being at Hogwarts in plain and simple terms. They were to observe without interference. Any pushback would be reported.
After the Smirts departed her office, Minerva waited until she was sure they were no longer in the castle (they were staying at the Hogsmeade Inn) before summoning the handful of professors who were also in the Order and therefore under more scrutiny than the rest. She kept this meeting brief, as it was late and the first day of classes for some started bright and early the next morning.
Those gathered in her office included Sirius, Severus, Filius, Majandra, and Hagrid. She told them plainly who the Smirts were and what they had said and advised her colleagues to cooperate. She expected the reactions she got. Sirius and Severus scoffed, while Hagrid expressed that he wished they would meddle elsewhere. Majandra considered things quietly, and Filius jovially suggested that they all kill the Smirts with kindness. Despite the varied reactions, Minerva knew that everyone would comply. How could they keep the children safe from dark forces if they didn't have their jobs anymore?
This morning before breakfast, Minerva sent out a notice to all staff, requesting their presence at a brief staff meeting after supper. She wished to inform the other teachers who their guests were, especially since it was possible that they themselves would be watched or have their lessons observed. After all, there wasn't a new teacher on staff this year, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that everybody be blamed for Asher Kent's and Malden's descent into darkness.
As it were, Minerva had already gotten letters from an angry public. It appeared that most of the senders did not have students currently at Hogwarts, though a few had come in from concerned parents. A good many seemed to relate to outrageous claims from articles Rita Skeeter had written. Minerva really wished someone would take the woman's quill and snap it in two.
In addition to giving all staff a heads up about why the Smirts were at Hogwarts, Minerva wanted to make sure that no one felt overly stressed. Her reason for inviting psychologists to Hogwarts was two-fold: one, she knew some students and teachers had been impacted by the revelation that their classmates had joined the Death Eaters; and two, it was a public relations move.
Minerva wanted to show that she and the rest of the staff cared. She wanted to explore every avenue for not only making Hogwarts safer but also to rectify the wrongs from last year. Offering professional help to those who needed or wanted it was just the first step in saving face... but knowing Minerva's luck, Rita Skeeter would probably publish a salacious story involving rampant mental illness at Hogwarts.
It was now after supper, and Minerva was already in the conference room typically used for staff meetings. One of the first teachers to enter was Jolyon, who looked unwell and understandably so, given the circumstances. He was followed by a few others and then a few more, and once the room was full, Minerva began her meeting.
Care Package
Author: Carys
Date: 09-03-19 18:47
Carys sat on the floor in her office and put together a care package for Tristan while Meg and Jody played together. Juliet sat on the desk and observed all from above.
"I can't believe Tristan is going to be 13," Juliet remarked. "He'll be a teenager."
"Don't remind me," Carys replied.
"I'm 3!" Meg suddenly exclaimed.
"Yes, you are!" Juliet responded, "and Jody is almost 3, too!" To Carys she added, "Gosh, in another ten years, they'll be teenagers."
Carys shot Juliet a look. "Maybe it's time for you to have another one."
"Oh, no. Jude's really concerned about the impact his family name will have on Jody. You know how hard it was for him to find a job and then the one he's got isn't what he really wanted. I told him nobody gives a flying fig about Fairchild one way or the other nowadays. If he really wants to go work for the Ministry, then he should apply again. Anyway, his second cousin or something is a hit wizard with the Fairchild name. So, the name really doesn't matter, now does it? Oh, but he did get a part-time gig, did I tell you already?"
Carys shook her head.
Juliet started laughing even thinking about it. "He's working as a singing telegram to supplement our income. His last job was trying to cheer up the parents of a first-time Hogwarts student."
"Maybe I should hire Jude to sing happy birthday to Tristan."
"No, don't do that. You'll embarrass him, and that just won't do for a teenager on his birthday."
Carys laughed. "You're probably right. I'll just stick with the care package, then."
Owen slipped into the office, then. Like Jude, he was trying to find a decent job but had the shadow of a family member hanging over his head. He sat on the floor next to Carys and showed her the book he held.
"Children Born in Dark Times," Carys read aloud. "Cheery."
"It's another book about the communities."
"There's not a blurb about me in there, is there?" Carys asked, suddenly wary.
"I haven't read it from cover to cover yet, but not that I've noticed."
"Good."
Neither of Carys' children had been born during that time period, though there nearly was another child in between them. Had that child been born, then it would be around 10 years old now.
"I want to read it when you're done," Carys said.
"Of course. What's that?"
"A care package for Tristan. His birthday is the day after tomorrow."
"Tough luck, having a birthday only a few days after the start of term."
Carys nodded. "I know. I lucked out with my birthday being the day before term starts." She had just turned 29 years old. "Then again, my mum died on my 15th birthday, so I guess my birthday's not so lucky after all."
"Ugh, this got depressing fast," Juliet muttered.
And then both children began to wail.
Slytherins at Dinner
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 09-04-19 18:52
Charlotte sat at the Slytherin table with Mira and Fulvia. The girls chatted about nothingness while they ate but grew quiet when the witch from the Start of Term Feast took a slow turn past them. She scrutinized them down the bridge of her pointed nose before turning her attention to the next group of Slytherins dining together.
Once she had gone a few more paces, Charlotte asked, "Who is that witch?"
"Dad calls her a nosy busybody who needs to take her uptight arse out of Hogwarts," Mira replied. "He said her name is Snert. Snoot. Smit. Something like that."
"She's really weird," Charlotte said, watching her rove up the rest of the way up the table until she reached the one where the teachers sat. "Does she eat?"
"She probably does when no one's looking," Fulvia said. "I bet she keeps her snacks in her shoulder pads."
Charlotte and Mira snickered.
Closer to the staff table sat Sophia and Amethyst. They were looking at a fashion magazine geared toward tween girls. A dress called 'The Trixie' was apparently making a comeback, this time with versions for the younger set. Other trends included slouchy pants, knitted beanies, over-the-knee boots, and oversized outerwear.
"I had a weird letter from my dad today," Sophia said, after the girls finished looking through the magazine.
"What was weird about it?" Amethyst asked.
"He told me to keep an eye on Charlotte and Grace and report them if I think they are up to something."
"Why would he think they would be?" Amethyst asked. "Does he think they're…" she lowered her voice to a whisper, "…Death Eaters?"
"I guess, but why would he think that? It just seems so random."
"Maybe he knows something you don't know, or he just doesn't like them. I can't imagine one of my uncles not liking me, though."
"That's because you have the biggest and nicest family around," Sophia said. "Mine's pygmy-sized and I've come to realize kind of dysfunctional."
Sophia glanced over to the staff table as she said that, but the witch Eunice Smirt wasn't paying any attention to the Slytherin table anymore. She was now gliding in front of the staff table, visibly getting on the nerves of some of the teachers.
In fact, Sophia and Amethyst both heard Professor McGonagall query in an exasperated tone of voice, "Won't you sit down?" Smirt wouldn't, though, and continued her observation of the goings-on in the Great Hall.
Babies
Author: Fionna
Date: 09-04-19 20:33
Moira Gairden smiles up from her cuddle with her newest grandchild. "Babies for Fionna and Leslie and Fergus with one on the way. Any thoughts on when you might be in the family way, Catriona?"
Cat blinks in surprise at aunt. "Christopher and I only just got married."
Blair sits down in at the table in a chair opposite her sister, baby Maybelle cradled in her arms. "Bertram and Dashielle are finally asleep. As much as those boys loves books I swear they'll both be Ravenclaw." She looks to her younger daughter. "You may be a newlywed but Christopher and you have been a couple for years already. Surely you've talked children."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean we plan on having our first within nine or ten months of our wedding." She has to force her eyes not to massively roll at both her mother and aunt. "Mum, you've got two grandchildren, which is two more than any of us ever expected of Leslie, and," Cat turns her head to look directly at Moira, "and you have four grandchildren with another on the way. Why the sudden interest in Christopher's and my plans?"
"It's not sudden, not really," Blair tells her. "It's natural curiosity about someone your age, especially someone settling down, getting married."
Moira nods. "Once Fergus finally found the right girl and proposed, my mind automatically shifted to wondering when they'd start a family. Fionna never seemed the maternal type or someone who cared whether she ever married or not. I was the most shocked of everyone I think when Fi not only married but was pregnant when she did. There are no words to describe just how chuffed I am that she seems happy with Jericho and has recently given birth to their fourth child." She leans slightly to better see into the next room. "Speaking of those children, I should get Dalton to bed and check on McKenzie. I can't believe she fell asleep before Dashiell and Bertram."
Moira hands off Lindsey to Cat who smiles down at her newest cousin. Her niece Maybelle is cute but she'd never admit to Leslie that she thinks Lindsey is cuter. Looking again at her mother she asks, "Have you put Maybelle down since Leslie and Cat left the children here?"
"Of course I have. It's difficult to change a nappy with the baby cradled in one arm," Blair laughs.
Catriona does roll her eyes now but also laughs. Still grinning she changes the topic. "So, Mum, tell me about this new bloke you've been seeing."
Hufflepuffs at Supper
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 09-06-19 18:02
Blakeney loosened her Hufflepuff tie and started to undo the top buttons of her blouse, but she stopped abruptly and said, "Ow!" when Tessa kicked her under the table.
"They aren't interested in you," Tessa pointed out, referring to the handsome and very muscular members of law enforcement keeping an eye on the Great Hall during supper.
"How would you know?" Blakeney asked.
"Because you're jailbait."
"I'm sixteen years old!" Blakeney countered.
"Exactly. You're underage." Tessa shrugged. "Besides, they aren't here to find girlfriends. They're here to find trouble and to keep us safe."
"I know," Blakeney said with a deep exhale. "I just can't believe Asher and Malden were involved. I feel so bad for Professor Kent and Professor McGonagall."
"Is your sister okay?" Tessa asked. "She seems so… irritable… lately."
Blakeney frowned. "She's being really weird. I know she and Asher were getting close, but it's not like they were an actual couple."
"That doesn't mean she didn't care about him," Tessa pointed out. "She's probably heartbroken and feeling blindsided."
"Yeah, but a small part of me wonders…"
"What?"
Blakeney sighed again. "What if she knew? Or what if he was grooming her to become one of them?" She looked around suddenly, not wanting to be overheard. When she felt the coast was clear, she went on. "Think about it. Her behavior is off the charts abnormal."
Tessa seemed doubtful. "I know I don't know her as well as you do, but I don't get the feeling she knew anything. I think she's just in shock and reacting badly."
"I know you're right, but…"
"Your imagination is just running wild. It's understandable," Tessa said. "None of us saw any of this coming and everybody's wondering who else got recruited, because we all know there has to be others."
They looked around the Great Hall then, wondering who might have joined the Death Eaters along with Asher and Malden. Tessa's gaze swept past her ex-boyfriends Chip and Will. Neither one of them seemed like the type, but she supposed not every dark follower was the obvious choice. Likewise, not even the meanest, most horrible Slytherin was a shoo-in to join up. It made being at Hogwarts uncertain and scary for sure.