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Five Days Till Valentine's
Author: Ellis
Date: 01-25-20 18:01
The Ellis siblings were all at dinner on Monday night. So far, the Great Hall looked the way it always did: four long house tables decked with dishes of varying kinds, and one table up front for the Hogwarts staff. Around this time on Friday, the Great Hall was expected to look very different. It was any student's guess as to how it might look, but it would certainly be a change from the norm.
Alys, who did not have a date, imagined lots of intimate round tables scattered about the edges of the Great Hall and a giant dance floor in the middle of the room. She hadn't yet decided if she would attend. If someone asked her to the dance, then she would absolutely go. She just wasn't sure she wanted to go alone, though Ms. Needlehouse was hopeful that she would attend and socialize with her friends and family.
Blakeney had plans to go regardless, but now that she had a date, she was extra ecstatic about the Sweethearts Dance. Ever since Bran asked her to be his date, Blakeney couldn't stop thinking about just how perfect they would look together on the dance floor. She was planning on wearing the purple lace dress she had gotten from Grace Valentine for Christmas, and Bran was perfectly amenable to coordinating. Just the simple fact that their names both started with a B made Blakeney giddy. Their pairing was just too perfect.
Conrad, naturally, would be attending the dance with his lovely girlfriend Belinda. They had just recently celebrated their one-year anniversary. For the occasion, Conrad owl ordered a stunningly beautiful arrangement of long-stemmed roses in different colors, including various pink, white, yellow, and of course red. For Valentine's Day, Conrad had on order a bouquet of pink carnations and white daisies, as well as a box of chocolate-covered strawberries.
Sometime in between Career Day and the Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin, Gideon Weasley asked Emily to be his date to the Valentine's Day dance. She said yes and wrote home to have her mother send a dress.
Daphne, meanwhile, waited a little while to see if someone would ask her to the dance. As time passed, she realized that the only way she would definitely get a date is if she asked someone herself. She also didn't want to wait too long to write home and get a dress, which didn't end up mattering because when the package arrived for Emily, there was a matching dress in a different color for Daphne, just in case. Once she had the dress, she decided to act. She asked Gideon's brother Seth to be her date.
Franklin hadn't initially thought he would go to the Sweethearts Dance, but the nearer it got to Valentine's Day and the more he learned of his fellow second years definitely going, he thought that maybe he wanted to go after all. He eyed his schoolmates as they ate dinner in the Great Hall and tried to muster up the courage to ask a girl to be his date. When his eyes settled on Cecily McCallister, he thought it was now or never. Taking a sip of his pumpkin fizz, he got up and crossed the room to talk to her.
Haley watched her brother, not realizing what he was up to. She was planning on going to the dance, but she didn't have a date or anything. After all, she was only eleven. She did have a big group of friends, though, and was looking forward to hanging out with them and eating sweets all evening. It was going to be a fun night for sure!
Normally, going to a school dance didn't sound like any fun to Gavin. The fact that Belinda would be there looking pretty, and the chance that she might even dance with him, was the only reason he was considering going. Gavin had a huge crush on his brother's girlfriend and was diligently learning how to play the guitar so he could one day impress her with his skills. He wasn't yet good enough to play anything for her yet, but he nevertheless imagined himself wooing her away from Conrad on Friday with a romantic song. Thinking about it reminded him that Alys had agreed to meet with him to practice simple chords after dinner. Gavin rushed through the rest of his meal, departed from the Great Hall for his dorm to fetch his instrument, and then went to the unused classroom he and Alys usually met in to practice.
Breakfast
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 01-26-20 07:43
Noah and Seth sat together at breakfast. On Noah's plate was an egg scramble with bacon and potatoes. He quickly shoveled the food into his mouth and washed it all down with pumpkin juice.
"Why are you in such a hurry to get to Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Seth asked.
Noah, busy looking over at the Slytherin table, turned back to Seth and said, "I'm not. I want to catch my sister before class, unless you can tell me what I should get for your sister on Friday."
"You mean for Valentine's?" Seth asked.
"Yes, but mainly I mean what I need to get for the dance. Am I supposed to get her flowers or something, or what's it called… a corsage?"
Seth nodded. "Something like that. I'm not sure it's required, but if some girls have them, then I bet they'll all want them. I didn't take you for a procrastinator, Noah."
Noah frowned. "It's just that time got away from me. There's Sophia… let me catch her before she leaves."
He got up and crossed over to the Slytherin table. When Sophia noticed him, she raised her eyebrows and asked, "What do you want?"
As Noah explained what he needed, Sophia internally bemoaned the fact that nobody had asked her to the dance, which was now a mere four days away. She couldn't believe her brother had a date and she didn't, but despite her jealousy and disappointment, Sophia couldn't help but provide Noah with good advice. She even suggested they get together in the Commons to look over a catalog from Floriblunders Florist and get something ordered for Larkin tonight.
Before long, it was time for those with 9 am classes to depart. Charlotte, Mira and Fulvia were among the students making the mass exodus from the Great Hall to class. Charlotte and Mira each had dates to the dance, but poor Fulvia did not and made her displeasure quite clear. Then again, she was always kind of surly, and that probably didn't help matters much.
James had asked Charlotte to the dance a few days ago. Charlotte was both surprised and delighted to receive the invitation. Mira also didn't seem to think it weird that her friend would be attending the dance with her twin brother, which was good. The last thing Charlotte wanted was to create an awkward situation.
Charlotte was excited about the dress she would be wearing Friday night. It was a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was made of silver rhinestones and shimmered beautifully in the light. The skirt was tea-length and made of black tulle. To accessorize, her father gave her a pair of silver hoop earrings that had belonged to his wife. Charlotte knew how much Chyler had meant to her father and was honored to wear them.
The girls slipped into the History of Magic classroom and fell silent after getting settled in at their desks.
Courtroom Spectator
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 01-26-20 19:53
Harry sits off to a side to watch Veronica Dumbledore testify in the trial of Edantha Paulson, who has stopped using the Clarkly name. He'd been called to the stand earlier and as there's no plan to recall him, he's being allowed to watch the rest of the trial. Ron was here for a bit but is on a case and had to leave to meet with someone. Severus would be here to hear Veronica but he has classes and doesn't like to get a substitute unless absolutely necessary. Aberforth had been seated on Ron's other side but after Ron left he moved into the seat Ron had vacated. They're to let Severus know if Veronica's testimony goes into the afternoon when he'd be able to attend.
So far Veronica's testimony has been background. Harry scootches up some in his chair so he can lean slightly forward when Veronica is asked, "How did you meet Miss Paulson?"
"She and I both joined the former version of the Knights Walpurgis around the same time. If I correctly recall, she joined two to three weeks before I did."
"The former version was associated with the dark arts was it not?"
"Yes."
"Were you aware of that fact when you joined?"
"No."
"Was Miss Paulson?"
"I don't know."
"Did you ever learn if she knew?"
"Eventually, yes."
All eyes turn to Edantha Paulson when she suddenly shrieks, clutches her chest, and falls with an echoing thump to the floor. Her barrister and several others rush to her side as the Wizengamot's Chief Witch orders the courtroom cleared. Veronica is escorted out, likely taken to a holding room, while Aberforth and Harry shuffle out with most everyone else, Harry wondering what trick Edantha is trying to pull.
Blast from the Past, the Sequel
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 01-28-20 18:49
"Remind me again what I'm doing here?" Rowan asked, looking at Dave Hatcher, a law enforcement officer with the Ministry of Magic. They were in a residential neighborhood in Folkestone, England.
Dave, who had bright blue eyes and blond, wavy hair swept into a short ponytail, smiled congenially and answered, "Probably wasting your time." He pointed at the townhouse in front of them and said, "We're responding to a domestic dispute. I've been here a few times in the last couple of months already. If you ask me, the wife's a total nut job. If I were the husband, I'd pack my bags and leave."
"Okay, and I'm assisting you because…?"
"The lady's convinced her husband's a dark wizard. Preliminary assessments suggest that's not the case in the slightest." Dave paused and waved his finger around the side of his head. "But the wife wants a certified dark wizard expert, AKA an auror, to be the judge of that."
"I see," Rowan murmured. "Well, let's get this over with, then."
They proceeded to the front of the house. It was two-story, with a white door and bay window on the ground level.
Dave knocked and called out, "Mrs. Meade! It's Officer Hatcher. I brought an auror like I promised."
The door swung open suddenly. Standing in the foyer was a woman with wild, dark brown curly hair. She had dark eyes, smooth skin, and a very short stature.
"He's trying to curse me out of the family!" Mrs. Meade exclaimed to Dave, but then she noticed Rowan and narrowed her eyes. "You look too young to be an auror."
Rowan smiled politely and said, "I'm much older than I look. May we come inside and talk?"
Mrs. Meade led them through the house to a conservatory, which served as the family dining room and had a few overturned chairs at the table. Mrs. Meade sat down at the head of the table. Dave and Rowan picked up some chairs and also sat down.
They asked Mrs. Meade, whose first name was Francesca, assorted questions. The more she talked, the more clear it became that she had lost her senses. Rowan was eager to meet her husband, the alleged dark wizard, and soon got her wish.
He appeared in the conservatory with a suitcase in hand.
"You can't leave!" Francesca shrieked, upon seeing him. She rose from her seat visibly shaking.
"I can't bloody well stay here!" Mr. Meade responded. "I don't feel safe in my own house. I want to take the kids with me."
"You can't take them away from me, Logan!"
Dave had quickly gotten up and asked Mr. Meade to put down the suitcase and chat with his colleague for a while. When Rowan didn't immediately react, Dave shot her a questioning look and then tipped his head to indicate that she should go in another room with the husband.
Rowan hoped her jaw wasn't on the ground. She collected herself and got up, indicating that Mr. Meade should follow her. He reluctantly went with her and then crossed over to the back door, which led to a deck and small stretch of yellowed grass. They stood on the deck, which was charmed to stay warm.
"You're the auror come to find out if I'm evil?" Mr. Meade asked, with a tinge of sarcasm evident in his voice.
Rowan nodded. The last time she saw this wizard was while shopping for school supplies with Willow after their curse broke and they were preparing to return to Hogwarts following a very long hiatus. Before that, Logan Meade had been her brother's roommate and Rowan's crush.
He obviously didn't recognize her, just like he didn't that day in Diagon Alley even though back then she'd looked just the way she had when she'd first disappeared. Would he remember her name, though?
"I'm an auror with the Ministry of Magic. My name is Rowan Westwick."
Trouble
Author: Finley
Date: 01-29-20 18:40
With her Transfiguration textbook open on the table next to her dinner plate, Finley alternated between eating and taking notes. It was already the middle of February, and though the NEWTs still seemed like a long way off, Finley knew that the end of year exams would be there before she knew it.
She was making pretty good progress, since she wasn't sitting with any of her friends and nobody else at the Gryffindor table was trying to engage her in conversation at the moment. True, the Great Hall was noisy as it usually was at dinnertime, but the constant chatter all around her wasn't very distracting.
It all changed when Phoebus rushed over and sat down on the empty space on the bench next to her. "Finley, you have to go to the dance with me."
Finley put down her fork. "I'm already going with Pelinore, and you're supposed to be going with Eirene."
"Yes, I know, but I just broke things off with Eirene, and since I've already got a corsage ordered and my mum went through the trouble of sending me a new set of dress robes, I figure I should still go." Phoebus looked at Finley imploringly. "We're best friends. Let's go together and have fun."
"Wait. You broke up with Eirene?" Finley asked. If Phoebus had been single and Pelinore hadn't already asked her, then she would have gladly gone to the dance with him as friends. She wasn't about to tell Pelinore she'd changed her mind, and she for sure didn't want to go to the dance with Phoebus if he just dumped Eirene.
Phoebus nodded. "She and I argue a lot lately, and we had a huge row just now. I told her I couldn't take it anymore and that I wanted to end things."
"And what did she say to that?"
"Nothing," Phoebus replied. "She looked totally stunned."
Finley chewed her bottom lip. On the one hand, Phoebus had saved himself the trouble of attending a Valentine's Day dance with someone who intended on breaking up with him sometime afterwards. On the other hand, Finley could well-imagine that Eirene was upset because like Phoebus, she had gone through the trouble of preparing for the dance. Eirene had a dress, new make-up, and an idea for a fancy up-do.
"You have to take it back," Finley finally said. "You have to."
"I don't want to take it back," Phoebus said, sounding totally sure of himself.
"You broke up with her right before Valentine's Day. It's wrong to dump someone in the days leading up to it, especially if there are expectations." Finley shook her head, picturing Eirene going from stunned to absolutely livid. After all, Eirene was used to being the first and the best. Nobody breaks up with her. It's only ever the other way around.
"If you don't go apologize to her and make it right, then she'll probably lose it and join the Death Eaters."
Phoebus snorted. He knew that Finley wasn't being serious, but he understood her meaning plainly. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
"What did you just say?"
Both Finley and Phoebus swiveled their heads and saw Eugene Smirt looming over them.
"Nothing," Finley said, while Phoebus, who felt quite bold tonight retorted, "None of your business."
Mr. Smirt turned and waved over an auror. "These children need to be interrogated at once," he demanded, after the witch came over to see what he wanted. When she didn't immediately react, Smirt added, "They know something about the Death Eater recruitment program. I heard her say it." He pointed at Finley.
Finley shook her head. "That's not true at all."
"I heard you plainly. Now if you please…" He gestured for Finley and Phoebus to get up. They did, with Finley leaving her book, notes, and dinner behind. She cast a quick look at the High Table and saw Professor McGonagall rise to her feet, but the auror gently put a hand on Finley's back and steered her out of the Great Hall. Phoebus wore a stormy expression on his face as he silently trudged beside her, while Eugene Smirt looked like the cat who ate the canary.
Mountains Out Of Molehills
Author: Jet
Date: 01-29-20 19:51
"Knock, knock."
Robbie Obsidian peers around a large poster she appears to be studying. Seeing who is standing just inside the door she puts the poster aside and bustles over, arms reaching out. "Hello, hello! Hand her over. She clearly needs a cuddle from Auntie Robbie."
Petra obligingly hands over the tiny bundle that is Arden Galena Fyde, her name from the middle names of both grandmothers. "Hi, Robbie. Just to warn you, she has a nasty nappy."
"I've handled many a nasty nappy in my time." The older witch sighs, looking back through the archway that leads from the reception area to the main part of the ground floor. "I'd love to have more but my son has yet to provide me with grandchildren." She looks past Petra. "Is Matt delayed?"
"Echo and Matthew wanted to play on the swings in the park for a few minutes. As for Jet, he was burned fairly badly. That said, he has been extremely nitpicky when he can be convinced to go out with someone."
Petra laughs when Robbie says, "I've started giving Jet photos of Gethin and me with other people's children, including one of me with Matthew and Echo from Christmas. I need one with this sweet thing now."
Robbie coos over Arden while Petra moves around the reception area. "I wouldn't have known this is the same building if I hadn't walked through the front door."
At the same instant Petra says the words front door the front door opens again. Holding the door open with one foot, Matt ushers Matthew in with one arm. With the other he holds Echo who is very loudly asking, "Can go again?"
"Yes, sweetie. We'll go again later."
No sooner has he put her down does she run to hug Robbie around one leg. Only one because Matthew's wrapped around the other. Robbie pats them both on the heads then gives them both big hugs once Petra has taken Arden long enough for her to do so. During the doling out of hugs Jet and Gethin come through the archway from the back, which prompts Echo to make a show of getting more hugs, which in turn has Matthew wanting more as well. With Echo on one hip Jet gestures towards the space beyond the archway. "Ready for the grand tour?"
"I thought you'd never ask!" Petra enthusiastically replies.
Following Jet to see the progress of his soon to be open climbing gym experience, hopefully in time for the upcoming Hogwarts Hogsmeade Saturday on the 22nd, Matthew asks, "Have you settled on the name, yet?"
Gethin volunteers, "My suggestion is Climb Aboard."
"And mine is Rock On," Robbie tells Matthew and Petra before cooing at Arden, once more nestled in her arms.
Jet stops at a door into one of the climbing experience spaces. He says with a sort of shrug, "I'd thought something like Mountains Out Of Molehills, but I've been told," he looks pointedly at his parents, "that's too long a name." Hand on the door he says, "This is more a novice climb, based on the Southgate area along the Gower peninsula."
Jet swings the door open. Petra and Matthew both audibly gasp. When Jet shuts the door, though it's there and visible, it does blend so there is the immersive effect of being along a stunning stretch of a sheltered bay along the coast of Wales, dotted with caves, sea cliffs towering above them. Petra and Matt are so speechless that the only ones making noise are Matthew and Echo squealing with glee at splashing in the waves gently lapping along the beach.
(Anthony) At Work
Author: Beck
Date: 01-30-20 18:31
After finishing up a report on a case he just closed, Anthony turned his attention to news from abroad. It seemed that the Australian Ministry of Magic was no closer to finding the dark wizard Kilgore and his followers than the British Ministry was to finding Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Anthony was particularly frustrated because he worried that Ariella, Karina, and Adam were still on the Australian contingent's radar.
He didn't care as much about Kilgore getting captured or even killed, but Anthony really wished that the Mastersons and Charlotte Matthews would get caught. He found their freedom far more worrisome. In his mind, even the house-elf Elouise, surely still serving her master, was a threat.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do about it. Although there may be credible reason to worry about Ariella and the kids, there wasn't enough to justify 24/7 security, or any protection at all at the moment. The threat wasn't imminent, after all, and might not ever materialize again.
He stopped short of sighing aloud when rookie auror Anita Tuck appeared at his cubicle. "I signed up to work the Sweethearts Dance at Hogwarts. Did you?"
Anthony closed the folder on his desk and gave Anita his full attention. He shook his head. "No. I thought about it, but I didn't want Alex thinking I was snooping on his date with Dolly. Anyway, Ariella offered to watch Evan and Theresa so that Plum and I can have a date night."
"Oooh… what are you going to do?"
Anthony smiled and told Anita his plans, which included dinner at an Italian restaurant, an intimate concert on a London rooftop, and a night in a luxury hotel.
Kaycee - Spilled Ink
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 01-31-20 08:41
After lunch, Kaycee and Chip parted ways. Kaycee didn't have any Friday afternoon classes and decided to take advantage of the fact to study for OWLs in the library. However, Chip had Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures to attend. He planned on stopping by the library afterwards, in case Kaycee was still there. After all, he had NEWTs and could stand to do a bit of studying, too.
Tomorrow was the Sweethearts Dance. Kaycee's aunt had sent her a really pretty dress. It was a floor-length, sleeveless gown made of dark navy tulle over rosy chiffon. The neckline was V-shaped, with the navy and pink tightly interwoven, whereas the long skirt flowed freely and would look particularly gorgeous if she twirled on the dance floor. A silver beaded belt complimented the outfit. Kaycee also planned on wearing a beaded headband and her hair down in loose curls.
She arrived in the library and went to an open table. After setting down her things, she went into the stacks to get a few books. Then she sat down and began to study.
Kaycee worked systematically through her courses, starting with Transfiguration, then Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Around the time she got to Astronomy, she decided to get up and walk around, since she had been sitting for a long time and could use a little break.
She left everything where it was and stepped out into the corridor. Kaycee walked straight down, looking at the different portraits on the walls as she went. In between classes, she often didn't pay them any mind, since she had a place to be and didn't want to dawdle, but there was no such rush now. Some of the portraits were empty, others were not. Some of the occupants said hello or engaged her in slightly longer conversation, but none kept her from her walk.
After a little while, Kaycee returned to the library to continue studying. When she arrived at her table, she discovered that all the notes she had meticulously taken were now covered in spilled ink.
Kaycee looked around but didn't see anybody paying any attention to her, nor did those at the nearby tables look guilty. Most were busy studying and looked to be doing so legitimately. Kaycee wandered over to a younger Gryffindor boy and asked if he'd seen anybody come to her table.
He shrugged and said, "I wasn't really paying attention."
Fellow fifth year Reginald Price said the same thing.
Kaycee supposed it was possible, since someone deep in concentration might not notice anything happening directly nearby. She went to the desk and told Ms. Bramble what happened.
The librarian walked over to take a look and asked if Kaycee had maybe left her ink bottle open and perhaps hadn't notice that it had been askew instead of flat on the table. Kaycee was sure she'd kept the bottle closed. She knew Ms. Bramble was asking to rule out all possible causes, even though it appeared obvious that the spill had been deliberate.
Kaycee recounted what time she stepped out for her break and when she returned. If Ms. Bramble knew who all had been in and out of the library at that time, she didn't say. Instead, she looked at the destroyed notes to see if she could recover them.
Kaycee had a feeling it was hopeless. She also suspected that it hadn't been Gerry or Will who had spilled the ink all over her notes. She had made a point of learning their schedules so that she could always be on her guard. Gerry had an early afternoon class on Fridays, but she knew he was unlikely to visit the library afterwards. In fact, she suspected he'd never set foot in the library in all the years he'd attended Hogwarts.
So if not Gerry and Will, then who, and was it the same person or people who'd charmed her flute to blow bubbles?
(Tessa) Waiting for Tonight
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 02-01-20 13:07
Tessa and Blakeney walked out of Herbology, opting to take the interior route, mainly because Blakeney worried that she might somehow sunburn if she cut across the grounds in the blinding sun. Tessa didn't feel the need to tell her best friend just how ridiculous the thought was. There was no way to catch a sunburn unless they got lost on the way from the greenhouses to the castle.
Of course, Blakeney still had plenty to fuss over, namely the fact that the Sweethearts Dance was this evening and she still had two more classes to take before she could start primping. Tessa might have pointed out that she herself only had one class remaining, but she didn't, if only to save her ears from another round of complaining.
Tessa was going to the dance tonight. Brom von Roon, a seventh year and roommate to Blakeney's date Bran Hyland, had asked her last week. Tessa wasn't sure if he'd asked a bunch of others girls before settling on her, or he'd wanted to ask her but hadn't gotten around to it. Either way, her plan upon his asking was to say no, but yes came out of her mouth instead.
It wasn't that she didn't like Brom. He wasn't bad looking and seemed nice enough. She just didn't want to surround herself by couples or have to watch and listen to Blakeney throw herself all over Bran. A quiet night in her dorm room was what she'd had in mind for the evening, but then her mouth betrayed her, and rather than let Brom down by backing out, she was stuck.
After agreeing to the date, Tessa sent an owl to Kate, knowing that her half-sister would do better at finding her a dress than Will would. Kate promptly sent over a burgundy, off-the-shoulder dress with a lacy, beaded bodice and low-high tulle skirt. Kate also included a pair of strappy, silver high heels.
Tessa hadn't shown the dress to anybody yet, not even Blakeney. She had a feeling that Blakeney would approve, though. If Brom truly liked her, then she'd probably take his breath away, too. Tessa had never worn anything so pretty or grown up before, and though she still wasn't all that eager to attend tonight's dance, she was kind of looking forward to putting on the pretty dress.
Getting Ready for the Dance
Author: Philippa Hainault
Date: 02-02-20 02:23
There were only a few hours left to the dance! As soon as she was dismissed from the Fitness & Athletics class Philippa literally ran to her dormitory to get ready. Excitement dominated the corridors because all the girls attending the dance wanted to look pretty for tonight.
Philippa was asked to go to the dance by David Peakes. David was a Slytherin second year who approached her when she was leaving a Herbology Club meeting. She had been super flattered and also speechless when he invited her, but after an initial hesitation (that really only lasted for a split of second), Philippa said yes. She quickly wrote to her aunt asking for a dress. Aunt Margaret was obviously up to the task and she sent her niece a beautiful green dress, with long sleeves, and a matching green hair band. She also sent her a golden bracelet and green earrings.
Getting ready was a nerve wrecking process. All the girls wanted access to the available mirrors and the bathrooms. There were some cries of frustration when a spell to enhance a dress went wrong. A rumor ran in the corridors that someone's hair caught fire! There was indeed a burnt smell in the air at some point...
Philippa started to comb her hair by the mirror, wondering if David was a good dancer. She really hoped so but it didn't matter much. If Richard was here they could have danced together.
If...
There was the risk he would be sent to Durmstrang Institute. Although Richard was under Margaret and Maximilian's tutelage, they could be unable to send him to Hogwarts if their grandfather Ferdinand presented a motion expressing his will to have his grandson studying in another school. Philippa was worried because she had seen the way her aunt and grandfather had reacted on Christmas when that bloody uniform was sent. Ferdinand had the power to meddle in her brother's education. She guessed that since she was a girl he did not care that she had gone to Hogwarts.
She dropped her brush, went to her things and selected some nice writing parchment, a quill and an ink pot. She left the dormitory and installed herself in one of the common rooms tables. Almost everyone was getting dressed so there wasn't many people there. She hesitated, the quill suspended in her right hand. And then she began to write, the words flowing like a steady stream.
"What are you doing?" Nelson asked. She raised her head and couldn't help to grin. He looked very nice in his fancy gown! She felt bad because she had been so caught up on the dance, David, and her grandfather that she didn't even know if her friend was going with a girl to the dance or with a group.
"Writing a letter...I am almost done!"
"You are half-ready. You should hurry!"
"I will!"
She was already wearing her dress but she had no shoes and her hair was half brushed. She wrote down a few more words and signed the letter. Before she lost her nerve she put on a pair of boots and went outside to the owls' tower to send the letter to her grandfather Ferdinand.
(Asher) Sorry
Author: Jolyon
Date: 02-02-20 06:48
Asher sat on his cot with his back to the wall and his legs stretched out over the thin mattress. He read an old edition of The Daily Prophet. The library cart that sometimes made its way to his section of the prison had books, magazines, and newspapers, but the majority of the magazines and newspapers were out of date. They weren't so old that Asher felt like he was reading something no longer useful, though. Inside Azkaban, news of the outside world came in bits and pieces. Asher was glad to have an innocuous way of learning what was going on out there.
It was in reading old newspapers that Asher got the idea to write to Professor McGonagall. He'd seen several negative articles about the administration at Hogwarts in the aftermath of the student Death Eater recruitment controversy. He'd learned that not only was the Ministry of Magic supplying security at the school, but that the Board of Governors had also hired special consultants to determine which staff might be culpable. This was all confirmed by visits from his father, who was also under scrutiny, thanks to Asher, a confirmed recruit, being his son.
Asher realized how stupid he'd been. Not only had he thrown away his future, he'd endangered people he cared about and made life hard for many more. Writing to McGonagall hadn't been easy, but once the words came, he couldn't stop. He wished he could have told her about everything, but the enchantments placed on him by the Death Eaters prevented that.
Not that Asher wasn't trying to reveal all. He occasionally left his cell to meet with the authorities in an attempt to talk about what he knew. These visits were few and far between because of how dangerous they were and always took place with a healer or nurse present. The last visit had put Asher in the infirmary for days.
The longer Asher was behind bars, the more he came to realize that he would have liked a career in law enforcement. That would never come to be, not with his record. Just what might he do once he got out of Azkaban? Would anybody hire him, with his reputation so tainted?
"Why so glum? No sweetheart on this Valentine's Day?"
Asher looked over at Nicolas, who was standing at the bars of his cell with his forearms leaning on the crossbars.
"Is it Valentine's already?" Asher asked. He easily lost track of time in prison. He shut the paper, swung his legs around to put his feet flat on the floor, and set the paper on the mattress. "Did you write to your wife?"
"And threaten her safety when the Ministry tracks down the owl?" Nicolas asked incredulously. "I'm not a traitor, or stupid."
Asher shrugged. "I dunno. You are in prison."
Nicolas pointed a long finger at him. "Careful. You've nothing but enemies in here. How do you know there's not a hit on you?"
Asher shrugged again. "I'd be dead already, wouldn't I?"
Nicolas grinned evilly. "Perhaps." He turned away then and went to his own cot.
Asher watched him for a moment and then looked down at his clasped hands. Had he realized that Valentine's Day was approaching, he might have considered writing a letter to Alys. He wouldn't know what to say to her, other than "I'm sorry" over and over again. A part of him hoped that she had moved on, but a small part of him was jealous that she might be dating somebody new. Not that they'd truly been a couple. Either way, he didn't deserve her and knew that not writing to her probably was the best thing for the both of them.
Meeting
Author: S Snape
Date: 02-02-20 18:59
Ron Weasley scurries into Aberforth's sitting room. "Sorry. I got pulled into something at the Ministry just as I was trying to leave."
Aberforth gestures to an assortment of drinks on the table. "Help yourself if you want." He sniffs, making a face. Rising he goes to where his grandson plays on a blanket spread on the floor. A flick of his wand is followed by another sniff. As he sits back down he remarks, "Don't know why Veronica gave me that massive stack of diapers."
Harry Potter chuckles. "We do the actual nappy change even though we've spelled whatever away. Ginny's always insisted."
Turning from where he's filled a pilsner glass Ron says, "Us too. Hermione always liked making sure every nook and cranny got cleaned on their tushes and though the spell cleaned the diaper she wanted to put it through another wash."
Severus can't help himself. He dryly asks, "Tushes? Is that the anatomically correct term?"
Aberforth snorts, "This one's tush will just have to wait until a bath later. Did you learn anything, Ron?"
"Yeah, though it's not much more than we already know. Paulson is still locked down in a room at St. Mungo's. Looks like one of those spies within the Ministry that we've been unable to root out was able to slip her something."
"So she wasn't faking?" Severus asks. He'd not been there to see what happened for himself but Aberforth was kind enough to let Severus view his memory of Edantha Paulson's collapse.
"I thought she was at first but when it started looking like she wasn't I wondered if Veronica had something to do with it," Harry flatly states, casting an apologetic look at Aberforth.
Aberforth gives a half-shrug. "I can't say I'd be surprised if it turns out she did. I usually don't know what to make of that girl." His eyes go to Brian, a fond expression settling over his features. "She surprised me with this little one but I'm glad she did. Never thought there'd be someone to carry on the Dumbledore name." Looking to Ron he asks, "Has a decision been made about her?"
Ron shakes his head. "Supposedly, Veronica was going to drop a huge bombshell during her testimony. No one I've talked with seems to know what exactly the bombshell was. Is. All I can find out is that the disclosure has the potential of greatly reducing any prison sentence she might receive, maybe even freeing her altogether."
"I tried poking around yesterday and today to learn more but have been shut out," Harry tells them.
The four men talk a few more minutes before Severus gets up, placing his now empty glass on the table. "I should return to the castle. There is a dance tonight."
Ron and Harry simultaneously rise as well Ron saying, "I need to get home as well. Valentine's date tonight."
"Me too," Harry says with a nod.
The two younger wizards leave just ahead of Severus who turns to Aberforth and pulls from a pocket a toy appropriate for a soon to be one year old child. "This is for Brian."
Leaving the Hogs Head, Severus can't help but hope that for Brian's sake as annoying as Veronica can be, she gets off with no sentence or a very light one.