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Last Day of Freedom
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 03-14-20 06:07
Sophie watched Wren from the window of her bedroom. He was walking over the property until he became a tiny spot in the horizon.
"Darling what are you doing up? Get back to bed," Jasper said entering the bedroom.
He was almost ready to go to work. Sophie sighed and approached her husband. He smelled to his cologne, a scent she adored. She couldn't help to adjust his burgundy robes.
"You are too good for me," Jasper told her with a smile. He kissed his wife then he conducted her back to bed.
He pulled the sheet up, not resisting passing his hand over her prominent belly. Perhaps sensing its father's touch the child kicked. Jasper smiled and then he kissed Sophie on the forehead.
"I need to go. Make sure you rest."
"I will," Sophie promised.
Her last day of freedom before the Poles agreed she needed to stay in bed until she got into labor had been yesterday at the Hogwarts Easter Egg Hunt. Sophie went with her father, her stepmother, and her half siblings to visit her siblings. It had been strange to be back to Hogwarts pregnant. Whenever she crossed with one of her teachers they would congratulate her. Not even a year ago they had been exhorting her and her colleagues to study hard for their NEWTs.
With the rift between her mother Sophie was afraid she would be alone in her pregnancy. But both her mother in law and Honoria had stepped in. Wilhelmina took care of everything. She prepared the child's nursery, and bought all sort of supplies for her first grandchild. She also took control of Sophie's life, making sure she ate well and had proper rest, freeing her from many social obligations. Honoria had organized a baby shower and visited Sophie often to check on her and distract her. Sophie was grateful to both of them. She was still having some troubles accepting her pregnancy and it helped not to think much of it and allow others to tell her what to do and make all the decisions for her. She wanted her baby to be born for she was already thinking about fall where she would finally start her Astronomy degree at St. Emrys. These thoughts would then make her feel guilty and a bad mother. Sophie was also hoping that as soon as she went to college, she and Jasper would move out of Pole Manor, with their child.
"Have you chosen a name for my nephew or niece yet?" Patricia asked, selecting a bronze egg from her basked. She had found it under her pillow, the first egg she collected. "Patricia Pole would sound lovely," she suggested.
"Jasper wants to honor his parents. If it is a boy we will name him Walter, after his father. Wilhelmina if a girl."
Sophie was not very pleased with the name choices. Jasper had made his decision without consulting her. He simply informed her about it. But Sophie felt she couldn't protest. After all she lived under her in law's roof. Everything she now had was theirs. They were entitled to have a grandchild named after them.
"I still think Patricia would be a better choice," she joked, opening the egg.
Inside there was a shower cap. Patricia was about to toss it away but Sophie explained it was magical. If she took a shower with it, when she took it off her hair would come out with a perfect hairstyle. All she had to do was tap her wand over her head and think about the hairstyle she wanted.
"Can you borrow it to me?" Eileen asked. "I didn't get anything special yet."
She looked down at her pile of prizes feeling a little bit desolated. So far she got a pink belt, some chocolate frogs and a stuffed unicorn. She was hoping to get tickets for the Quidditch World Cup opening ceremony and match. Everyone was pretty sure some tickets would be hidden in some eggs.
"Maybe..."
"Come on Patricia! I need it. My hair isn't as pretty as yours."
"What do you want it for? To impress Gareth Martini-Blackwell?"
"Stop it!" Eileen exclaimed, not liking to have Patricia teasing her.
As they kept going, Sophie turned her attention to Belinda. She was holding a minuscule fuschia egg on her fingers. She was toying with it nervously. Belinda was competitive but this year her egg basket was half-empty.
"You're awfully quiet," Sophie stated. Usually Belinda wouldn't miss a chance to tease Eileen.
"I'm just a little bit tense...The OWLs are just around the corner," she justified herself.
But of course it were not the OWLs that had been causing her some anxiety. They had taken the vandalized bathroom door for examination, and there had been rumors that they were searching for the knife . Belinda had not yet get the chance to get rid of it. The knife was resting on her dormitory, in the deeps of her trunk. If the Aurors or a school teacher conducted a search they would most likely find it. Belinda knew she had the chance to get rid of the knife right after she had used it. But with the adrenaline rush and the sentiment of achievement she didn't think about that, trusting she would get rid of it sooner or later. Now she was trapped.
Maurice told her about the Room of Requirement but when Belinda passed by its location she had found an auror stationed there. It was like they guessed her intentions. She thought about tossing the knife to the lake but now with spring's pleasant weather there were always students wondering around the grounds not to mention aurors patrolling. Belinda couldn't take the knife to Hogsmeade and ask Maurice to get rid of it because all students were checked before leaving or entering the castle. Her next idea was to put the knife in a caldron after brewing a potent potion that could destroy it. But she couldn't do that on Professor Snape's class and to brew such a potion she would need specific ingredients that she didn't easily had access to. Belinda had also explored the idea of destroying the knife with her wand, but for that she needed a private place to do it and she just couldn't think of anything private enough. Hogwarts was now infested with Aurors. She could easily be interrupted. Another solution was to implant the knife on someone else's dormitory. It had to be a Slytherin because she had no access to the other house's common rooms. She thought about placing the knife under Magnus McCourt's mattress but she obviously didn't know which bed was Magnus' and no one would believe in his guilt. He was too much of a Muggle. Belinda's hope was that eventuality the auror at the Room of Requirement would abandon his post. Otherwise she didn't know what to do.
Sophie complimented Belinda's choker and she told her sister it was a gift from Conrad.
"Aren't you going to open your egg?" Sophie asked her.
Belinda did so. Inside there was a large package of pepper imps. She immediately thought of Gavin and decided to offer them to him. Belinda often found Gavin looking at her. She encouraged him by smiling at him or waving. From time to time she would even come to him when he was doing homework giving him some tips of what he should write, or for a quick random chat. She felt that he could be worth recruiting. Maybe his friend Festus too. But they were not the only ones. Belinda thought she had captured a spark of interest in Sophia Stratford's eyes. It was by chance she and her friends had been seated next to the girl when McGonagall made her announcement about the bathroom at the Great Hall. Sophia did not seem to enter in panic like most of the youngest students. She looked curious. Belinda didn't know who she was but she did some investigation to learn her name. She would be a third year next fall, eligible to go to Hogsmeade. Perhaps she would recruit her.
Sophie then focused on Elmer, who had just returned from the loo. He had opened all of his eggs by now. In one of them was a flying carpet. It wasn't the same thing as a broomstick but it could still reach a interesting speed. Everyone had been busy with their own eggs or talking that no one had noticed what he got. He was sure he would not be allowed to keep the carpet and so he quickly pretended he went to the bathroom. He rushed upstairs to the Gryffindor tower and stored the carpet in his dormitory. Elmer was already thinking about a chance of testing the it.
As she was speaking to Elmer Sophie spotted Wren, with Cecily. She went to greet them.
"Thank you again for your help with Cecily's dress," Wren said, when Cecily walked away to fetch an egg she had just spotted.
When his sister wrote to him asking for a dance dress, he had panicked. He had no idea what kind of dress he should get for Cecily and he decided to ask Sophie for help. They had gone shopping together, although at some point the shop's clerk thought they were a couple and congratulated them for their upcoming child. Sophie didn't make much of it but Wren felt extremely embarrassed. Because for a moment as he was in her company he did imagine what it would be like if they were together.
"You're welcome!" Sophie replied. "I was glad I could help."
"They grow really fast. I still remember when she was very little trying to brush a threstal. The brush was bigger than her hand! And now she goes to dances with boys."
Sophie laughed. Wren had been very curious about the boy who asked his sister for the dance but Cecily had not given him any details. Only that his name was Franklin and he was a Ravenclaw. Wren did not want to be a nosy brother but he had wanted to know more. Especially after he had received a letter from the school regarding the Dark Mark. What if this Franklin was dangerous? He did not even brought Parsifal to Hogwarts because he thought he was safer at home. Parsifal was desolated. He had been begging Wren to go to Hogwarts, visit Cecily and hunt some eggs.
Sophie's mind returned to reality when Honoria appeared. She greeted Sophie and sat on the bed.
"How have you been feeling?" Before Sophie could reply her stepmother carried on: "I have some exciting news! The nephew of a friend of mine is graduating from Beauxbatons this summer and he will be back to England. I think he would be perfect for your sister Patricia! He is quite handsome!"
Sophie half listened to Honoria as she tried to convince Sophie of the qualities of her nephew's friend and to get her onboard her matchmaking projects.
(Paton) Denver Botanic Gardens
Author: Griet
Date: 03-14-20 16:17
Paton zipped up his fleece jacket and shoved his hands into his pockets. Although it was very, very sunny, it was also cold. He and Britney had just arrived at Denver Botanic Gardens. It was just one of many excursions they'd made since traveling to Colorado after Hilary Term ended at St. Emrys. Already, they had visited Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and gone skiing and shopping in Breckenridge.
Paton and Britney were staying at her childhood home. It was Paton's first time meeting her parents and he would soon get to meet her two younger sisters, Candy and Darcy, who this weekend were coming home for Easter break from Watling's Wizarding Academy. Paton already knew Britney's older sister, Ashley, who had visited the UK around Christmastime.
After Paton's roommate Archie turned down the opportunity to double date with him at a Christmas party, Paton turned to Franciscus. Franciscus was available and willing, though he worried that he and Ashley wouldn't be compatible and that the party would be awkward or boring. It turned out to be just the opposite. Franciscus and Ashley hit things off so well, they kept in contact via owl post after she returned to the United States.
He was slated to visit Wednesday and stay through the day after Easter Monday. Ashley wasn't the only person looking forward to Franciscus' visit. Paton was too. He and Britney had come up with more excursions around the state, including skiing in Keystone and taking a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Paton and Britney entered the Steppe Garden, which featured four sub-gardens for different geographic areas.
"Are you sure you don't want to go on your family's trip to Montenegro?" Britney asked, as she looped her arm through Paton's. "It sounds like a much more glamorous place than Colorado?"
"You only think that because you're from Colorado," Paton remarked. "I've never been before now and everything I've seen and done so far has been amazing and like nothing I've ever experienced."
"The train ride might be like your Hogwarts Express," Britney pointed out.
"Maybe, but the scenery would be different." He shrugged. "It's not that I don't want to go on holiday with my mother, but the problem is it won't be just her going. Her boyfriend doesn't like me, and his kids are just like him."
"That's too bad. What's not to like about you?" Britney smiled and kissed his cheek.
Paton grinned. "I knew I made the right choice when I picked this trip with you over Montenegro with the Flavershams, and I'm really glad Franciscus could take time off work to visit too."
"Oh, I really hope he and Ashley make it. Long distance relationships aren't easy."
"I guess it's good we're wizards who can travel from one place to another relatively quickly."
They made it into the Oak Grove next, where they wandered among big trees, and then on to the Monet Pool, where large lilypads and water lilies filled a shallow pool. After admiring the Monet Pool, they ventured into the equally lovely Japanese Garden.
Kaycee - Library Gossip
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 03-15-20 09:08
After lunch, Kaycee joined some of the other Hufflepuff fifth years in the library. Not only was it the last of week of Winter Term, which for some classes meant exams, but it was also growing ever closer to the OWL exams. Kaycee wasn't in panic mode just yet, but she figured she'd really start feeling the pressure with the start of Spring Term.
Despite their good intentions, all anyone could talk about was anything but their school subjects. There was talk about Easter hols: who was staying at Hogwarts, who was going home, and if leaving Hogwarts, would it be a "staycation" or a trip somewhere.
Kaycee was leaving Hogwarts for Easter break, but she didn't have any plans to travel anywhere. She did want to listen to coverage of the Quidditch World Cup, which was set to begin this coming weekend.
The other big topic of discussion was the now old news of the Dark Mark carved in the bathroom stall door. Rumors abounded over the source and meaning and what would happen next.
"I heard that all our wands are going to get checked while we're standing in line to board the Hogwarts Express," Frederick said.
Kaycee shook her head. "My cousin said that it's too late to check everybody's wands. If they were serious about it, they would have done it within days of the Dark Mark's discovery."
"So it would be impossible to know who did it at this point?" Conrad asked. He checked his watch because he was planning on leaving as soon as his girlfriend got out of Care of Magical Creatures class.
Kaycee shook her head again. "Not impossible," she said, "but it would take a lot longer to investigate, and there are too many of us to make it an effective use of law enforcement's time."
"How do you know all this?" Frederick asked. "I mean, I know your cousin has been patrolling Hogwarts with law enforcement, but you seem really well-informed about auror procedures."
Kaycee shrugged this time. "I've been reading up on it. I kind of think I want to go into law enforcement after I graduate from Hogwarts. I'm not for sure, though."
Mostly she had read up on things because of how Gerry and Will had treated her ever since her first year at Hogwarts. It would seem that they hadn't been behind her latest troubles, though, which had her wondering if they were putting somebody else up to it or it was just a coincidence that she was the target of yet another prankster.
"Anyway," Kaycee went on, "I have the feeling that the official position is that the mark is somebody's idea of a sick joke. Don't you think that if it was Death Eater related, someone from the group would have taken credit for it?"
"Like You-Know-Who himself or one of his known followers?" Conrad asked.
Kaycee nodded. "If nobody claims it, then it's just a mark that could mean anything."
"I guess that makes sense," Frederick admitted. "After all this time, we don't know anything more about it… unless law enforcement is keeping things close to the vest on purpose?"
Kaycee shrugged. "That's always possible, but my gut feeling is whoever did it is a fraud," she said, not realizing how wrong she was.
Intruders
Author: Jared
Date: 03-15-20 19:40
After paying for the meal they'd eaten at the Crown & Cauldron, Jared holds the door for Alanna then offers her his arm. "Up for a stroll?"
Alanna flashes a smile. "Is that your way of asking if I'm tired?"
"Not at all. I was just thinking it's a pleasant evening and that a little bit of a walk might be nice."
She smiles again, leaning in to give Jared a quick peck on the cheek. "Lead on."
They slowly walk away from the restaurant down the short portion of High Street going west. When they reach the end they turn, walking back up the High. When they arrive at the intersection with the lane that leads to the East and West Lanes Jared gently steers Alanna that way rather than continuing along the High, looking in ship windows. She makes a small sound of surprise but otherwise just says nothing, seeming content to meander along, enjoying the evening and their time together.
Where West Lane and East Lane branch off the road they're on, they go down the East Lane. At one house where there is a For Sale sign Jared slows their already slow pace. "I've always liked this one."
Alanna squints in the gloom, nodding when she agrees, "It's pretty."
"Let's take a closer look."
"Do you think it's all right?"
"It's empty. What could it hurt?"
Hand-in-hand they approach the house, step onto the porch that goes across the front and wraps around one side. Peering into a large window next to the front door they can't see much because of the lack of light inside and out. Jared muses aloud, "I wonder if it's open," but upon trying the door finds it locked.
When he reaches up from the knob to above the door jamb Alanna, humor in her voice, asks, "What are you doing?"
"Thought maybe there would be a key hidden up here."
She outright laughs at that. "It's for sale. The estate agent has any keys."
"Then what's this?" Jared triumphantly asks with a flourish of his hand, holding up what even in the dim evening light she can clearly see is a key. When he puts it into the lock her hand shoots out to grasp his. "Jared! We can't go in," she chastises.
"Why not? No one's living here right now. We can look around then lock it when we leave and put the key back. No harm done." By this time he has the door unlocked and open and has stepped inside to an entrance hall.
Alanna follows with a squeak of protest but also giggles a bit giddily at the risky behavior. Jared lights the tip of his wand so they can better see as they take a tour of the rooms. After taking a good look at everything upstairs and down they return to the sitting room off the entrance hall Alanna saying, "It's really nice. I wouldn't mind seeing it in daylight."
Jared pulls her in close, slipping his arms around her. "That could be arranged. The listing agent is Georgia's mum, Connie Copperpot."
"Was that on the sign? I don't remember her name being on it." Alanna steps back to better look up at Jared's face. "How do you just happen to know Mrs. Copperpot is the listing agent?"
Jared grins at her, the glow from his wand giving him an impish appearance. "Confession time. I need to get out of that dingy little flat. Mrs. Copperpot has shown me a few places. Of the houses I've seen so far I liked this one best and thought you might too. I arranged with her to leave the key."
Alanna swats at his chest but is laughing. "You rat. Letting me think we were intruders." She turns serious. "You care what I think about your housing choice?"
"How can I not when I'm hoping it will be your house too." He steps farther away, fumbling into his pocket and going to one knee, his other hand holding his lighted wand aloft. Holding out and up the ring he's retrieved from the pocket Jared asks, "Alanna, will you marry me again?"
(Tessa) With Brom
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 03-16-20 18:40
After their respective morning classes, Transfiguration for Tessa and Charms for Brom, they met up in the Commons and sat side-by-side at the bar sipping tall glasses pumpkin fizz. Brom had brought a copy of the newspaper with him and had a furrowed brow.
"Why so serious?" Tessa asked. "Too many exams this week?"
Brom sighed and shook his head. "Not really. I almost feel like this week has been easier than most, since it's mainly been exams and not an overwhelming amount of homework and reading."
"Then what's the matter?"
Brom pointed to one of the newspaper articles, which looked like an opinion on how pureblood-owned businesses ought to be celebrated. There didn't appear to be any comparison to businesses owned by half-bloods or Muggle-borns and no obvious slight that purebloods were better, but the overall meaning of the article was clear.
"My uncle owns a pub in Dublin. In my dad's last letter, he wrote that someone came asking to see about Uncle Lou's heritage. He was at the Mews Community for Nons way back when. My uncle thought the whole thing was very weird, but now it's starting to make sense, at least to me." Brom pointed at the article again. "I think they want to 'celebrate' pureblood-owned businesses by having people go there instead of to businesses like my uncle's."
Tessa frowned. "I know I wasn't in the wizarding world when all that went down, so what I know is from history class and talking to friends only, but didn't removing 'nons' from everyday life result in a shortage of goods and cause the economy to tank?"
Brom nodded. "Yeah, something like that. Not enough workers to go around, I think. But I'm not sure history is going to repeat itself in the same way. I think the idea isn't to round up 'nons' again but to make sure the right sort of people know where to shop."
"I don't think that will even work," Tessa said. "There's got to be more mixed wizards than not nowadays, and as such, more businesses owned by people like your uncle."
Brom sighed. "You're probably right. I just don't like the way things seem to be headed. I don't remember Camp Lollipop much, but I don't want to be in that kind of situation again.
Tessa nodded. "Most of that," she nodded her head at the newspaper, "is just talk, I think. People like to give their opinions but that's it. I think we'll be okay." She smiled and took his hand. "Want to go to the Great Hall for lunch?"
"I think that's a fantastic idea, but I'm actually feeling a bit tired and might just go to bed before ultimately having to go to Muggle Studies class."
Tessa frowned. "Are you sick? Do you have a fever?"
Brom smiled lazily at her. "No, just want to get my afternoon nap in before I have to go to class. I've got a sandwich half on my bedside table that should tide me over."
"Okay, I guess I'll sit with Blakeney. I'm hungry, and I do have Potions and Care of Magical Creatures next, so see you later. Have a nice nap." She pecked him on the cheek, and they parted ways until later in the afternoon.
Gavin and Belinda
Author: Ellis
Date: 03-17-20 17:51
Gavin waited in the Commons for Festus, who wanted to set out together for Bowtruckle Island with some supplies, like non-perishable snacks and games. They'd already left behind a couple of waterproof tins and containers, some of which they'd hidden under foliage and others they buried in the sand. So far, the island was just a place where they could get away and not be bothered by anyone, though they'd had some close calls with law enforcement.
Gavin sat in a chair near the door and was surprised to see Belinda enter, sweep her gaze around the room because she was probably looking for Conrad, and then settle on Gavin. She crossed the short distance to him and sat down in the empty seat beside him.
"I haven't see my brother if that's who you're looking for," Gavin said.
Belinda gave a soft shake of her head, causing her pretty hair to fall over her shoulders. She raised a hand to the choker around her neck and said, "I just wanted to go somewhere away from everyone else."
Gavin looked around the room, which wasn't crowded but not nearly empty either. He looked at Belinda again and asked, "Why did you pick the Commons of all places?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm not thinking straight right now."
Gavin studied her profile and then realized he had the perfect solution for her. Not only that, he would get the opportunity to be alone with her where nobody else would likely see them.
He stood up and confidently held out his hand. "Come with me," he said.
Belinda looked a bit startled, but she smiled faintly at him and took his hand as she rose from her seat. Gavin led her out of the Commons, through the castle, and across the grounds to the place where the old canoe was hidden underneath the bushes. He hauled it out and grinned.
"Ta da!"
Belinda gently nudged the canoe with her shoe and said, "It doesn't look like it'll float."
"Oh, it will. It does. Help me push it to shore and I'll show you a secret place I know about."
He and Belinda shoved the canoe to the edge of the lake and then got in. Belinda was pleasantly surprised to discover that the canoe had no problem on the water and was even more intrigued when Gavin led her to Bowtruckle Island.
They got out after reaching the island. Gavin pulled the canoe out of sight and then gave Belinda a quick tour. She seemed far more relaxed now, and Gavin was glad he'd made her feel better. Maybe she'd finally realize she was with the wrong Ellis brother…
Something out of the corner of Gavin's eye suddenly caught his attention. He turned and peered through some tree branches when he noticed that someone was on the opposite shore. When Gavin realized it was only Festus, he stepped out in full view, which was when he saw the angry look on his friend's face. After all, Gavin had committed treason. He'd shared the island with someone else, and that someone else was also a girl.
Brighton And Saint-Tropez (Viola)
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 03-17-20 21:07
Viola opens one of the eggs collected Sunday during her first Hogwarts Easter eggs hunts. She's not opened that many yet but of the ones she has by far the best prize is a mirror that she can look into as normal but shows her the back of her. She used it this morning to French braid her hair, finding it ever so much easier to do well when able to see the back of her head while doing the braiding. The egg she just opened, which had a Swiss cheese appearance, has packets and packets and packets of different flavored cheese straws. She immediately opens one then offers her roomies packets. Only Carina takes her up on it with a quiet, "Thank you."
Viola pats her bed for Carina to join her. "Have any plans for the holiday?"
"Not really sure if we're doing anything. We do have a house in Saint-Tropez with a private beach."
"Nice. Better than having to share sand in Brighton."
"I've never been to Brighton."
"Makes us even," Viola laughs. "I've never been to Saint-Tropez." She confesses, "I only sort of know where it is. South France but that's it."
Carina gets up long enough to rifle through her trunk, disappearing into it up to her ankles. She reappears with a huff of expelled air answering, "No," to Viola's, "Do you need help?"
Returning to Viola's bed she opens an atlas to a map of France, pointing to a spot along the southern coastline. "Right there."
Viola studies where Saint-Tropez is on the map, looking up when Carina says, "If we go, maybe you could visit."
"Wow! That would be cool! If you go or not, maybe you could come for a day or two to Brighton."
"That would be fun. I'll owl my father in the morning."
"And I'll write Mum."
They both turn their heads and sigh in unison when one of the roommates announces, "Time for Astronomy."
Gathering their things Viola and Carina traipse from the girls' dorm with their roommates and out of Slythering House with the first year boys, making the loooong trek from the dungeons to the Astronomy tower, Viola excited at the prospect of visiting Saint-Tropez. She hopes her parents and Carina's father say yes to them visiting each other over spring hols.