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Ready to Get Away
Author: Marzipan
Date: 03-18-20 17:56
Marzi observed as her fifth year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students moved through stations during an exam. Different plants or plant parts were situated around the main work table and in a few other places around the greenhouse. Each station was numbered and corresponded with a test question.
With it being the Wednesday before Easter, everyone was very much looking forward to a break. After loading the students going home onto the Hogwarts Express, Marzi planned on traveling to France with her children. It would be nice getting away from Hogwarts, which seemed rather claustrophobic nowadays.
Marzi also hoped that the news in France was less offensive than that in Britain. In addition to articles commending making places like the communities for nons heritage sites, there were all sorts of stories about groups like Wizards for Wizards, who seemed hell bent on making sure Muggle influences be removed from wizard life. Marzi wasn't sure why they were so upset about an institution like St. Emrys. St. Emrys helped wizards flourish. So what if the idea of a university originated in the Muggle world?
Marzi's Muggle ancestry was close enough to deem her a 'non' during that dark time 12 years ago, but it wasn't something she ever thought of or knew much about, since in her mind, it was far enough removed and she'd grown up in a completely wizarding household.
Even though she didn't necessarily identify as partly Muggle, she didn't have any problems with it and also knew how vital Muggles were to keeping the wizarding world going, even if others couldn't see that or didn't want to believe it as fact.
She was curious to see where it would all lead, though she suspected it would get worse before it got better or things went back to normal. All the more reason to get away for a little while, where things would hopefully be calm and peaceful.
(Azaelia) South American Trip
Author: Isolde
Date: 03-19-20 17:39
While conducting spring cleaning in her quarters, Azaelia stumbled upon her old painting supplies. Feeling inspired, she set up an easel and canvas and tested out various paints, many of which had dried up over time. With the good ones, she painted a nature scene with a dense forest, a lake, and a setting sun reflecting on the rippling water. Azaelia had forgotten how therapeutic painting was—second to reading, of course.
She planned on buying new paints and maybe getting into the regular habit of painting again, but she probably wouldn't get to it until after her trip to the Patagonian Desert. Isolde and Pyrrhus had surprised her with tickets to the Quidditch World Cup Opening Ceremony and the first round match between Norway and the Ivory Coast.
Azaelia had become admittedly antisocial ever since Robert was revealed to be a Death Eater, but she'd gradually grown more like her old self again while helping her mother deal with her own Death Eater problem. She wasn't exactly positive and perky, and never had been, not even in her youth, but Azaelia was definitely in a better place now.
She was really looking forward to attending the start of the Quidditch World Cup with her best friends. Azaelia was set to depart for Argentina on Saturday but not too early with the time change. Her bags were already packed.
Since she wasn't due back to Hogwarts until the end of April, Azaelia also planned on visiting her old stomping grounds in Santiago, Chile. She looked forward to that, too, and hoped to make happy memories there. She hadn't been "home" in nearly five years, and her last visit had been painful because it occurred in the aftermath of her parents' arrests. That trip she would probably make alone, since she knew Isolde and Pyrrhus wouldn't want to be away from their young children for too long.
There were still two more days of Winter Term to get through before Azaelia's trip. She hoped they would pass peacefully and hopefully Smirt-less as well.
Bed Rest
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 03-19-20 20:30
Jade sits down opposite the chair and ottoman where Emerald is ensconced with feet propped up. "How are you really?"
"Fine. Tired. But, overall, I'm fine. Poppy's fine as well. She's really wanting to make her debut."
"How long are you on rest?"
"Two weeks for now but could end up being for the duration."
"The new term doesn't start until the 28th so I'm free until then to help every day. After that I can help around classes. I may juggle a few things to open up some blocks of time."
"No, no. Don't do that."
"I want to if I can. Baron's going to help too. Hunter, of course." She waves a hand in his general direction.
From the doorway her twin speaks. "Add Marion to the list." He takes a seat next to Jade. "Isn't it bedrest not sit in your favorite chair rest?" he asks of Emerald.
She frowns at him. "Shhh. Don't jinx me. For now as long as I'm mostly off my feet it doesn't matter if I'm in this chair, on the couch, in bed, or wherever; however, it is possible that strict bed rest may be needed."
When Emerald shifts a tiny bit both Jade and Hunter jump up, Jade asking, "Do you need something?" while Hunter says, "What can we get you?"
She waves a hand at them to sit down again chuckling, "I leg is going to sleep so I needed to change position. You're both staying for supper? Phin and the kids should be back any minute with dinner."
"We don't want to impose," Hunter says as Jade shakes her head.
"Neither of you ever impose. Besides that if my mother-in-law is true to form she's sending enough to feed a Hodfuffer sized army."
"If you're sure," Jade replies.
"Positive. I know I just saw you both two days ago but catch me up on everything since then."
The twins both roll eyes at her then laugh, Jade saying, "I guess I'll go first."
A Nearly Completed Tragedy
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 03-21-20 13:14
Sophie's labor started shortly before midnight. She spent spent the rest of the night on the bed prepared for the birth or walking around the bedroom, supported by Jasper and Wilhelmina. She would clutch a table, whenever the pains came. It had been decided she would give birth at the Pole Manor, but entitled to the best healers and midwives. At the onset of labor, an owl was sent to St. Mungo's to fetch Healer Magnus O'Dell and his team.
A hospital clerk had placed the letter in O'Dell's desk, alongside the rest of his correspondence, not thinking that the envelop contained an important message. The healer only saw the letter at eight o'clock in the morning, only able to reach Pole Manor at ten, after an issue with the Floo Network. He had not yet had the time to renovate his apparition license. When he finally entered the room he walked into a nearly completed tragedy.
After eight or nine hours of agonizing and fruitless labor, during which Sophie had screamed and moaned, and strangely begged for forgiveness, she lay exhausted in a state of semiconsciousness. Jasper, who had no clue what to do, was in despair, and Honoria (who had arrived in the meantime), looked completely lost. Jasper and Sophie's father were both downstairs, nervously waiting for news. Wilhelmina had discreetly left the bedroom for a moment, and had instructed one of the house elves to draw a small obituary to be sent to the press as soon as she gave the order. Wren had been summoned into the house, and she told him to check the family's burial ground and to collect some flowers from the garden.
O'Dell immediately took charge of the situation. He sent Jasper and Honoria away, leaving just Wilhelmina inside, the one who seemed the least emotionally affected by the scene. He quickly examined Sophie and determined that the baby was in a breech position. It was too late for a cesarian, so the infant would have to be manually extracted from the mother's womb. O'Dell then used a spell on Sophie that increased the frequency and intensity of the labor once more. Then he ordered one of his nurses to assist the now seriously debilitated nineteen year old with heavy doses of some sort of soothing potion, as he undertook to remove the child.
Wilhelmina watched as O'Dell extracted her first grandchild. The baby was quickly delivered to another nurse, appearing dead. It looked immobile and very still. O'Dell abandoned the mother and focused on the child. It took him sometime, but he finally got the child to breath. Wilhelmina finally heard it cry.
"It is alive and it is a boy," O'Dell informed her.
"And my daughter in law?" She asked.
Sophie looked half-dead in the bed.
"She will be fully recover," O'Dell assured her. "Another half an hour and they would most likely not make it," he revealed.
He and his team continued his care around Sophie and the baby. Jasper was finally allowed to enter the bedroom, and he almost run to his wife's side, eager to see her and his newborn son. Honoria followed him while Wilhelmina quickly went downstairs to inform everyone else. On her way down she told the house elf to cancel the obituary and to announce instead to the world the birth of Walter Wilhelm Pole.
(Malden) The Hanged Man
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-21-20 14:32
Wearing his usual disguise while out and about, Malden stepped into The Hanged Man behind Bonneville. They navigated through the dimly lit interior of the pub, following the raucous noise to a back corner. Seated around a large round table and several smaller adjacent tables were members and supporters of Wizards for Wizards.
Malden spotted Cecil Jones seated on the far side of the large table. He'd already finished two mugs of beer and was halfway through a third. He looked up at the newcomers and exclaimed, "Welcome! Pull up a chair! Barmaid, another round if you please!"
Bonneville pointed to a pair of open seats at an adjacent table, where he and Malden sat. This gathering was more of a social event, rather than a rally like all the previous ones had been. A sportscast discussing the Quidditch World Cup ran on the WWN but could hardly be heard over the boisterous discussion taking place.
Malden could hear snippets of conversation, which covered the sorts of topics of interest to a group like Wizards for Wizards, like how it was about time to hold an election to get a new Minister of Magic and where a list of pureblood-owned businesses could get published so there was a reference of preferred establishments. Malden also heard someone talk about Death Eater activity at Hogwarts, which peaked his interest.
Malden knew about the mark carved into a bathroom door from Maurice and was glad that Belinda was carrying on Team Delta Echo's legacy in creative ways. There was all sort of speculation in The Daily Prophet about how the mark appeared. Had a young Death Eater recruit done it, or had a grown Death Eater broken into the school and left the mark behind?
What the news media didn't yet know and wasn't yet made public was a tidbit Malden had heard from a senior Death Eater named Gibbon. Ever since Adriana Fairchild's tenure as leader of the Death Eaters, Gibbon had worked undercover in the Minister's office using the alias Marshall Gibbs. Gibbon revealed that the investigation into the mark was slated to close soon, since there did not appear to be definitive proof that it was even supposed to be the Dark Mark. It was abstract in appearance and many who saw it were convinced it was nothing more than a student's idle graffiti. Not even experts on the Death Eaters could convince those who had doubts.
"So, Gary." Malden was pulled from his reverie when Cecil called out to him using his fake name. "Do you gamble?"
Malden didn't and wasn't sure whether he should admit it or not. Gambling seemed like something Wizards for Wizards might support.
"I never have," Malden admitted. Picking up on the commentating on the WWN, he asked, "Do you bet on Quidditch?"
"That's part of the reason why we're here. We're selecting our teams. Who would you wager on, Gary?"
Malden had a lot of time on his hands in between working in the kitchen at Maurice's grandfather's house and going out on excursions with Bonneville, so he often read the newspaper or listened to the WWN. He knew that Nigeria and Norway were the highest ranking teams and that the team from USA was also quite good this year, so he named all three.
"Wise wizard," Cecil said.
Fortunately, before Cecil could ask Malden how much he wanted to put down which would be impossible since he no longer had any money of his own, Bonneville jumped in and said, "You know, there ought to be a league Wizard for Wizards could get behind, a premiere league, where pureblood players don't have to sully themselves by playing with or against lesser players."
He had everybody's attention now. Cecil smiled and nodded slowly. "A premiere league… I like the sound of that."
And just like that, the conversation pivoted to the possibility of getting such a Quidditch league started. Various people named current professional players who were known purebloods.
Bonneville, looking smug, exchanged a knowing look with Malden. These wizards were sheep, easily led into supporting any idea placed into their feeble minds. As the charismatic leader of the group, Cecil knew it too, but even he could be influenced. Right now, he was Bonneville's pawn, and he didn't even know it. Malden was impressed and even more convinced that the Death Eaters would play a major part in changing the world.
Great Delight
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 03-21-20 20:52
Looking into her trunk Carina debates what else to pack into the small suitcase she's taking on Saturday. Spotting the binder for her Charms notes she pulls it out, wondering how she'd overlooked it earlier when adding all her other binders and textbooks. She'd rather not take any of her school materials home for the holiday but there are a few assignments. Carina plans on getting those knocked out the first day or two home. After that she'll be busy visiting Viola and having Viola visit her. She's never stayed overnight with a friend now had a friend stay overnight with her. She's excited about both but also a little anxious at having everything go just right. If she's a bad guest Viola won't want to have her back, maybe not want to come visit. If Viola does come and Carina is a bad hostess would word get out and Viola be her first and last houseguest?
After sliding the suitcase under her bed she changes into soft flannel pajamas then goes to brush her teeth. Back in the room Carina tells those roommates still awake, "Goodnight," the climbs into bed, pulling the curtains shut around her. With no Friday classes she plans to sleep in a bit and having the drapes closed will help mute the sounds of anyone getting up at a somewhat normal time.
Rather than going on to sleep, Carina reads for awhile, hoping to finish the last several chapters so that she can return it to the library in the morning, maybe even check out something else. As she reads Carina keeps reaching out to touch the best prize yet from one of her Easter eggs.
Yesterday, Carina looked over her still large stash of eggs, carefully choosing a pale sky blue one that she swore had whooshing sounds coming from it, putting her in mind of whistling wind rushing past. To her great delight the prize that popped out is a racing broom. She would have been happy with a regular broom or a Quidditch-centric broom but it's a racing broom she's dreamed of. Carina adores flying the obstacle courses and a racing broom is just the thing to allow her to increase her times even more. She could have asked for one from her father but he would insist on it either staying home since first years who aren't on a house Quidditch team aren't allowed their own brooms or he would have made her wait until her birthday at the end of July or until the new school year begins. Carina usually gets what she wants but sometimes even she has to wait for whatever that might be.
Getting a broom this way she can use it here at school at least until leaving on the train Saturday morning. She can't be faulted for that, or at least she doesn't think so. Just in case, she's not said anything to anyone yet about it. If asked, she'll be truthful as she's not going to be found out in a lie by the wrong person and end up having points deducted from Slytherin but she's not going to volunteer the information, at least not yet.
Touching the broom again, having a need to keep checking to make sure it's really there, Carina turns a page in her book thinking that if she lets the broom keep distracting her she'll be up all night trying to finish these last few chapters.
Last Day of Winter Term
Author: Illyria
Date: 03-22-20 08:34
Officially finished with classes as of last night, Illyria wanted to wrap up Winter Term sooner than later, so after getting Ian and Nicholas up and to the school's daycare, she went to her office to get last night's exams marked. If she timed it all right and didn't get any interruptions, then she might be able to get everything turned in to Professor McGonagall by lunchtime.
Illyria needed to buy a birthday gift for her nephew Owen, who was turning 7 tomorrow. Owen had already told his parents that the only birthday gift he wanted was tickets to the Quidditch World Cup opening ceremony, which just so happened to be taking place on his big day. Unfortunately, he would not be getting his wish, but his birthday party scheduled for tomorrow afternoon would be Quidditch-themed. Illyria figured she would make her first stop at Krum's Completely Quidditch when she went shopping later this afternoon.
Not long after arriving in her office, there was a knock at her door. Without looking up from the test she was currently marking up, Illyria called out, "Come in."
Alexandra gently opened the door and poked her head it as if making sure she wasn't being a bother. When she saw her aunt busy working she said, "Oh, I can come back later. It's not important."
"Nonsense," Illyria said, looking up with a smile and setting down her quill. "Come in, take a seat, and tell me what's on your mind."
Alexandra smiled, shut the door behind her, and sat down in one of a pair of comfy armchairs on the other side of her aunt's desk.
"I don't have a present for Owen," Alexandra said. "Did you get him something already?"
Illyria shook her head. "I was going to shop for him this afternoon. Do you want me to pick up something for you? Did you have an idea for a present for him?"
"Well," Alexandra began, "I heard that there are souvenir Quidditch World Cup bracket posters that you fill in yourself as the finals progress. Do you think you could get one? I think there's probably kid-friendly versions of it, too."
"I'm sure there are, and you and I are apparently like-minded, because I wanted to get him something Quidditch-related too," Illyria replied, grinning. "I hadn't thought of anything specific, but I was definitely going to see what there is at Krum's. If I don't find a bracket poster, will anything else do?"
"Yes," Alexandra nodded. "Just pick something out for me."
"I'll see about getting wrapping paper and a card, too."
"Thanks," Alexandra answered. She was also finished with classes as of yesterday, so she planned on packing her trunk with items she planned on taking home for Easter break. Because her cousin's party was tomorrow afternoon, Alexandra would not be riding the Hogwarts Express with her friends, because the train would reach London well after the party started. Instead, she would leave Hogwarts with Aunt Illyria, Uncle Nathan, and cousins Ian and Nicholas when it was time to go to the party.
"I guess I'll leave you to your work," Alexandra said. "Thanks again."
She got up to leave, but stopped when Illyria said, "Wait."
Illyria smiled conspiratorially. "Can I tell you a secret? Only Nathan, Ian, and Nicholas know, and I'm not sure if Nicholas truly understands."
Alexandra nodded. "Okay."
"I'm going to tell everybody at the party tomorrow, since we'll all be together, though I don't want to steal Owen's thunder or draw any attention away from him but," Illyria paused and smiled, "I'm expecting a baby."
Alexandra broke out into a wide grin. "You are?! Will it be a girl this time?"
Illyria laughed. "That I don't know, but we'll see."
Alexandra mimed zipping her lips shut and said, "I won't say anything until after you make your announcement at the party tomorrow."
"Thanks. I'll find you later after I get Owen's gifts."
"Thanks. Bye, Aunt Illyria."
Alexandra stepped out of the office then with a little spring in her step. She was the oldest of her siblings and all her cousins and was so very glad to know that another cousin was on the way.
(Magnus) School Newspaper Article
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 03-23-20 06:42
Magnus and Fulvia left Arithmancy & Divination class together. It had been their last class of the term and so they were officially on holidays. They had spent a lot of time together since the Sweethearts Dance. Magnus considered himself lucky. Fulvia was beautiful, sophisticated and cultured. She had gone to Italy and France, while he had only left England to go to Hogwarts, and he had only been to London to buy his school supplies. Magnus was ignorant about her ancestry so he thought she was a pureblood.
Fulvia frequently talked about her mother's side of the family with pride. Magnus adored to hear her speaking, even if she talked about herself most of the times. She told him about her 'stepbrother' Paton Shrewsbury and how she despised him. Magnus remembered Paton from Quidditch and even if he did not know him personally he quickly took Fulvia's side, offering to defend her if Paton bothered her again. Not that she needed someone to defend her, but Magnus was an adept of chivalry.
The last edition of the Hogwarts Herald was being distributed to the passing students. Magnus had written an article about the Easter Egg Hunt. He was hoping he could have written about the Dark Mark instead. Being a Muggle born he hasn't given the bathroom door case any importance. In the Muggle world people vandalized public property all the time, and they used bad words or anarchy symbols to shock. But he had noticed how much importance the school was giving to it. If he wrote about it, then people would for sure read his article. But, as he expected, Professor Hodfuffer didn't allow Magnus to do such a thing. And so he had written a bland article about the hunt. However he wanted Fulvia to see it, because there was a surprise in it.
He had picked the edition and passed it to her.
"Would you like to take a look?"
"I still got plenty of stuff to pack. I'll check it out later," she promised.
"Humor me," Magnus insisted.
Fulvia did so. His article was on the third page. There was a photograph of a family, at the grounds, then another of little children hunting the eggs in their specific area. And then...
"Oh! It's me!"
There was a large photo of Fulvia, seated on the grass, holding diamond pattern egg in her hand. Under the photo it said Third year Slytherin, Miss Fulvia Flaversham, one of Hogwarts' best egg huntresses.
Members of the Photography Club had taken photographs of the event. The school newspaper often used some of their work. When Magnus saw the photo of Fulvia he knew he had to use it. Maybe he couldn't write an article about her, as she had wanted to, but at least he could feature her in one of his works. He had made sure that her photo was the biggest of the page.
"Yes," Magnus replied, thrilled with Fulvia's reaction. "And I expect an autograph," he added.
Only Child
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 03-23-20 20:50
Carefully turning one of the chicken breasts Dudley glances through the sliding glass doors to where Mei is handing Aunt Marge a gimlet, straight with a twist of lime. Now flipping over one of the hamburgers he says to Harry, "Sorry. She invited herself over without notice and we couldn't get her to leave even when we flat out told her we were expecting dinner guests."
Harry grins over the top of his beer. "I saw the look on her face when we walked in. Christmas came early." He immediately apologizes. "Sorry. I shouldn't make fun even if she doesn't know I am."
Dudley is in the middle of taking a sip of his own beer when he suddenly snorts, causing some of the beer to spurt from his mouth. "Nearly came out my nose," he chuckles then explains the snort. "The image of Aunt Marge blowing up and floating just came to mind. I shouldn't laugh but it was bloody hilarious."
"She still has no idea what happened I take it?"
"None. Those people did a good job of that," Dudley says in reference to the two people from the British Ministry of Magic's Accidental Magic Reversal Squad who'd restored Marge to her usual somewhat hefty self and modified her memory. "That not so little accident you had with your," he double checks to ensure Marge is inside, well out of hearing the cousins talking, "magic is sort of the usual, right?"
"With underage wizards and witches, you mean? Yeah. Not sure how usual blowing someone up like a balloon is but accidents happening are fairly common."
"Mei keeps telling me that but I'm having trouble grasping that as being normal, even though I witnessed a few things around you. Mei, you, her family all said that there would be a strong likelihood of magic in any children we have." Dudley looks out into the yard where Iris, Butler, and Evans - Dudley's and Mei's three oldest - are playing with Jamie, Albus, and Lily. "There have been a couple of small things that seem with Iris. She's not quite 8 yet but Mei said with some kids incidents start early."
Harry watches Iris and Jamie taking turns chasing each other. If Iris is indeed a witch, with Mei and Dudley now living in England, with her late spring birthday to Jamie's November one, she'll start Hogwarts a year before he does. Albus and Butler are just opposite if Butler is a wizard. Born in the same year, Albus has an early birthday versus late in the year Butler but Lily and Evans should be in the same year at Hogwarts.
The glass door slides open. Ginny with the fourth Dursley child, Marigold, on her hip says, "Mei sent this platter."
"Thanks," Dudley says as Harry, who's nearer, takes the platter. "Perfect timing. Everything's just about done."
While Dudley gets everything off the grill, Harry and Ginny get the children inside and hands and faces washed. Unsurprisingly, Aunt Marge has settled herself at the head of the adults' table. After the children have their plates and are eating and the adults have all sat down and are passing platters, Marge fixes Harry with one of her stares that adds to the overall impression of grumpiness. Though looking directly at Harry she addresses Dudley. "I did not know you and Harry ever saw each other, Dudley."
"We see some. More so now that we've moved back from Hong Kong but still not that much what with jobs and children."
"I see." To Harry she says, "Do you have a regular, steady job, Harry?"
Aware of Ginny's be nice expression aimed at him Harry politely replies, "Yes, ma'am. I'm an investigator of what some refer to as cold cases."
"I've heard of those. You mean to say you try to resolve such criminal cases?"
"Yes, ma'am, that's exactly what I do."
Marge makes a sound that's half strangled, half startled. "And where do you conduct these investigations?"
"Wherever they take me so all over the UK, sometimes to Europe. I work primarily out of London but I have to follow the clues of a case no matter where they may lead."
Mei tells her, "Harry and I actually ran into each other in London the other day, which is when I invited the Potters to dinner."
"It had been awhile since we'd been able to get together. Since losing my only other cousin I'm more aware than ever of how important it is we stay in touch," Harry adds.
"Your only other cousin?"
"Yes, on my father's side. He had a sister. She was estranged from the family so no one knew where she was when my parents died. Didn't know she'd married and had a daughter."
"A sister. Your father's sister. Who had a daughter," Marge states in an odd cadence.
"Right. The daughter was called Adriana. She died... Wow, it will be three years at the end of May."
"That can't be right," Marge forcefully says.
"Yes, three years. She died at the end of May 2011."
"No, not when this person died. Who she was. Your father was an only child. I'm quite certain of it."
"It's easy to have thought of him that way. His sister, Anne, left right after she left school. She was a little older than him. Just up and left and didn't contact him or their parents."
"You are mistaken, young man. I clearly remember Vernon and Petunia telling me that your father had been a late in life only child, rather spoiled and doted on." That Marge could make being spoiled and doted on sound criminal is rich given how she doted on the overly indulged Dudley when he was a boy. "I am quite certain that if you ask either Vernon or Petunia they will each tell you that James Potter was an only child not that he was thought of as one because of a flighty sister."
Stunned, Harry looks to Ginny who shrugs ever so slightly while shaking her head. She has no idea either what Aunt Marge could be going on about.