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(Cornelia) At Breakfast
Author: Griet
Date: 12-18-06 07:19
Cornelia sat at the Slytherin table and poured syrup onto a stack of pancakes. She hardly noticed her older sister sit down next to her until Griet said good morning.
"What happened to you yesterday?" Cornelia asked. She cut a bite-sized piece of pancake and ate it.
"Nothing," Griet said, shrugging her shoulders. "I talked to Dumbledore in the morning, went to my classes and spent a good part of the day back in Dumbledore's office, working on that project he gave me last year after everything that had happened."
"What did Dumbledore say?"
Griet helped herself to some pancakes and syrup, too. "He told me he knew Oberon and Gervaise would suspect I told him about their trips to the Shrieking Shack. Dumbledore said he never acknowledged their accusation. He told me it's up to me whether I own up to it. The fact is, they blabbed about it to anyone in Slytherin who would listen to them, so I don't know why they think I did it and not someone else."
"They know they are on shaky ground, so I don't think they'll try and do anything to you... at least not in public," Cornelia said.
"I'm not worried," Griet replied.
Cornelia ate her last bite of pancake and quickly rose. "I need to run, or I'll be late to Transfiguration. See you later?"
"Okay. Bye."
Cornelia grabbed her books and left the Great Hall for Professor McGonagall's classroom.
Some Library Changes
Author: Bambi Fandango
Date: 12-19-06 18:31
Bambi munches on a sandwich while looking through one of the newest catalogs from an educational publishing company. Every now and then she stops to go through the check-out process for a student needing one or more books. If Irma Pince were here to see Bambi eating at the counter she'd be having a cringing snit fest.
Bambi does not allow food or drink in the main section of the library or in the special reserve sections but in the study carrels here and across the hall both are allowed. Bambi has made it clear that students are to clean up their trash and not leave crumbs or she'll take away the privilege. So far the policy has worked well, possibly because the students like being able to have snacks while studying and don't want to see the old policy back in place.
Bambi doesn't usually have food at the counter. She either goes into her office or takes a break from the library. Tonight is different because with the start of the new Hogwarts term, Bambi has implemented some changes in the hours for closing and working the evening shift.
The library will now close at 11 Sunday through Thursday and until 12 on Friday and Saturday. Students staying that late will be escorted with other members of their respective houses back to their houses. The change came after fifth and seventh years kept asking to be able to stay later to study for OWLs and NEWTs because of often not having the quiet they needed in their common rooms after library hours. After several discussions with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall the decision was made to change the hours but only because students studying for OWLs and NEWTs often stay up studying late anyway.
There will always be two on duty for the night shifts, tonight being one of Bambi's nights. Harkin is also working this evening. Wednesday it will be Harkin and Dorothy. The night after that will be Dororthy and Bambi, then Harkin and Bambi again. The schedule may change a bit within the next couple of weeks because Bambi has also been in discussions with the Headmaster about hiring a human assistant librarian. Harkin and Dorothy love their jobs but both think it would be nice if there were another human librarian and Bambi agrees.
Finishing her sandwich, Bambi makes some notations about books she might want to order from the catalog while contemplating whether to eat a slice of cheesecake now or a little later.
(Caden) Getting Mugged
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 12-19-06 19:38
The image of Caden's stepmother prophesying his dark future flashed over and over again in his mind. He analyzed every word, attempting to elucidate its meaning, but felt even more confused than ever. It wasn't just the message itself that had Caden wondering about not only his future, but also his past, but the messenger herself. If only Enid was still in his life. He could ask her about the prophecy, though perhaps she knew little more than he on the subject. Still, it would have been nice to know that she knew he had an important future ahead of him.
Though, perhaps she hadn't told him because his future was grim.
Caden tried not to worry, but he really couldn't help it. What would become of Ronan, if Caden's life took a drastic turn, for better or worse? Caden never told Ronan about the prophecy. For all Ronan knew, the orb was still intact.
Then there was Urania. Caden hadn't said a word to her about it either. He'd never even told her that he'd found an orb with his name on it in the Hall of Prophecy. Caden wasn't sure why he'd omitted that fact from any conversation they'd had together. He certainly had deep feelings for Urania. He thought he even loved her, though he'd not yet confessed those three little words to her yet.
Presently, the two were at Diagon Alley, having just left Delia's Deli and Restaurant. They strolled hand in hand, glad that Diagon Alley wasn't very busy because it was simply too cold to walk anywhere. They didn't mind the wintry weather too much, though it was freezing. Caden and Urania wanted to walk off their meals and also planned on stopping at the Leaky Cauldron for some warm mead.
"Oh, look at that," Urania gushed, pausing to admire a gown in the storefront window at Narcissa's. It was a set of ice blue dress robes that was form-fitted on the mannequin that wore it.
"I can only imagine how much it costs."
"I know how much you make, Caden Eastwick. You can't afford it." Urania sighed deeply and pressed her free hand to her chest. "It's gorgeous, though. I wish I could have it."
Suddenly, a pair of quick footsteps sounded from Knockturn Alley. Caden and Urania found themselves pulled roughly into a dark corner. Caden struggled for his wand but found one pressed to his throat instead.
He could hardly see in the darkness, but he saw enough to know that a blade of steel was pressed to Urania's throat.
The man who had Caden pinned to the wall spoke in a low, menacing tone. His breath smelled stale, but Caden hardly let that bother him as Urania's safety was far more important.
"We want all your money. All your jewelry. Anything else of value that might be on your person."
"You can take everything," Caden said, through gritted teeth. "Just don't hurt her."
Caden could see a set of uneven teeth flash in the darkness. "You're in no position to make demands."
"It wasn't a demand. It was a request," Caden growled.
The wizard smirked and started to pat Caden down with his free hand, taking all the money Caden had, along with the watch from his wrist.
Urania whimpered as a hand patted her down, lingering in places where it oughtn't have. All her money and jewelry were in the pockets of the thief when suddenly, the sound of someone apparating shattered the relative silence of the dark alley. Both men were startled by the sudden noise, which was their mistake.
Urania kicked the man who held her but cried out when he managed to cut her with the knife he had pressed to her throat. He didn't cut deeply, but even a surface wound hurt sometimes.
Caden, meanwhile, had closed his hand on a lose brick from the building against which he'd been pinned. He swung his arm forcefully and clocked the wizard against the side of his head. The thief crumpled to the ground and didn't move again.
Although the other thief may have still had the upper hand, he panicked and ran off into the darkness.
The brick Caden held glistened with blood. He dropped it at his feet and turned to Urania. "Are you all right?"
She nodded her head and tenderly touched her neck. "It's just a scratch."
He took her by the hand and pulled her into an embrace.
"Is he... dead?" Urania asked in a small voice.
Caden let go of Urania and turned to inspect the body on the ground. He knelt beside the man and felt for a pulse.
"I think we need to get help."
"He's still alive?"
Caden shook his head. "He's dead, but we need to report what happened. We need to tell the aurors so that they can catch the bastard who hurt you." He rose and turned back to Urania.
She was still a bit shaken, but she shook her head. "I'm okay, really."
"He took your things, and he should be punished for that," Caden remarked stiffly.
"I agree... Let's go to the Ministry together."
"No," Caden said. "You go. Get help. I'll stay and make sure no one messes with the crime scene."
"But Caden... what if that other guy comes back?"
"Don't worry about me. Just go."
"But."
"Urania. Go."
She still seemed reluctant but she nodded her head and disapparated on the spot.
Waiting
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 12-20-06 09:59
Kissy fidgets in her chair while waiting for the Wizengamot to convene. Beside her, Professor Dumbledore sits stock still, his eyes half closed. If Kissy didn't know better she would have thought he was dozing.
Sensing her eyes on him, Professor Dumbledore asks, "Are the students enjoying the stealth and diguise exercises?"
Kissy puts her hands on her knees in an effort to stop some of her squirming as she replies, "Yes, sir. Very much so. They're all also coming along very well with their dueling."
"If you don't mind, let me know the next day you'll be doing a fair amount of time with your hide and go seek game. I think I should very much like to play along."
Kissy grins for the first time in days. "I think the students would love to work with you, Professor Dumbledore."
They both go quite again, Kissy wishing fervently for her name to be called so she can get this over. The past two and a half weeks have dragged out for Kissy no matter how busy she's kept herself. In that time she's had to go through several more rounds of questioning concerning Traditions, her family, Kazuo Ito-Throckmorton, and Finnegan Fudge.
In these past days, without its leader and founder, much has come to light about Traditions. As Kissy had suspected the group was not as above board as it led others to believe. Fudge and a number of members used a combination of methods to obtain the finances and other forms of wealth had by other members. Those members who aren't all that rich to speak of were useful in helping with raising money through branches of Traditions such as Caring Hearts. Money from that charity did go to a good cause but only after Fudge and his cronies had skimmed funds.
The sad thing is that not all members were under a spell or the victims of a con. Some, like Kissy's parents, were attracted to the idea of going back to the traditional ways promised by Traditions. If that meant lying, cheating, and stealing to do it, so be it. Kissy had never thought of her parents as so corrupt but now knowing that Adamu and Nyoko acted of their own free will makes what they tried to do to Kissy all the more heart wrenching for her. At least Zen and his wife Akina weren't acting on their own. Zen's and Akina's Azkaban sentences will most likely be reduced now that this information has come to light to back up the claims they'd made at their trials.
Kissy's name is finally called. She stands, feeling her legs quivering slightly. Professor Dumbledore places a hand on her shoulder. "Remember that this is only a formality."
Kissy nods and steps forward, entering the courtroom. Although the official declaring of Finnegan Fudge's death an accident should not take very long Kissy had asked Professor Grubbly-Plank to cover all her Wednesday classes just in case things do drag out. Kissy takes a seat where directed, breathing slow calming breaths and telling herself this will all be okay.
Arthur Septimus Weasley
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 12-20-06 18:04
Leaving the McFusty Dragon Preserve, having arranged to have the rest of the day off, Charlie goes straight to London and St. Mungo's. Arriving at Sub Ground 2, Charlie makes his way to the neonate unit. Hendrika is standing near a window looking in on the room where Arthur Septimus Weasley lies sleeping.
Charlie kisses Hendrika then asks, "We're still good to go?"
"So far so good. He needs to have a check-up but Ellen," Hendrika says in reference to the nurse currently checking the vital signs of another baby, "says that unless there's a sudden set back before the check-up, we should expect to take him home in a short time."
"When will they do the check-up?"
"Any minute now. I hope they aren't running behind schedule," Hendrika wistfully says.
Arthur, already dubbed both Art and Little Arthur, has been in the neonatal unit since being born approximately six weeks early. His pediatric healer has kept Little Arthur this long to give the baby's lungs a chance to strengthen and for Little Arthur to gain some weight. On Monday Hendrika and Charlie had been told that they could expect to take Art home on Wednesday sometime around noon or a little after.
Charlie puts his arm around Hendrika, "There's the healer now and here comes Ellen with what looks like paperwork for us to do. I'm betting you'll be holding Art, ready to go home before I'm done with the paperwork."
(Caden) The Next Night
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 12-21-06 18:28
When Urania had returned to Knockturn Alley last night, she'd been accompanied by two aurors. They'd questioned both Caden and Urania at the scene and then again at the Auror Office at the Ministry of Magic.
The body had been identified as Marcus Ivrea, a man in his mid-30s who'd dropped out of Hogwarts during his fifth year. He'd been a trouble-maker in his youth and had garnered a string of misdemeanors during adulthood, occasionally landing himself in Azkaban, but never for any longer than a few months at a time.
Both Urania and Caden had given their best descriptions of Ivrea's associate. Unfortunately, Ministry records were not enough to identify that man. However, the aurors had assured Urania and Caden that they would do everything they could to apprehend the wizard and to return Urania's things to her.
Urania had had the small cut on her neck treated by the on-staff healer at the Ministry of Magic. Then, Caden had taken her home. He didn't see her all day today, with the exception of a brief conversation via firetalk. Neither had gone into work, both taking sick days.
Caden felt restless, knowing that the man who'd hurt Urania and who'd robbed her of her personal belongings remained free. He often replayed the scene in his mind of the other thug fleeing into the darkness of Knockturn Alley. Caden had never heard the man disapparate once shrouded in total darkness. Perhaps he'd never left Knockturn Alley at all.
Suddenly eager to get out of his home, where he'd remained virtually all day, Caden grabbed his coat, mittens, and scarf, donned them, and disapparated. He appeared in Diagon Alley just outside Narcissa's, where the mugging had originated.
Caden knew for certain that the wizards had come from Knockturn Alley when the mugging occured. He wondered whether Knockturn Alley was where they always worked, whether it was not only where they carried out their schemes but where they were headquartered. He'd hardly spent any time in Knockturn Alley in his lifetime and realized that he knew very little about it. He was suddenly curious and eager to investigate every nook and crannie. If the other wizard was there somewhere, Caden would find him. And that other wizard wouldn't like what would happen next.