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Visit from Jon
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 12-24-06 09:25
Ethan sat at his desk at the Ministry of Magic and went through some paperwork relating to some of his more recent investigations. He hardly noticed a person come up to his desk until the wizard's shadow fell over his paperwork.
"Hiya, Eth."
Jon looked pretty grim. There were bags under his eyes and wrinkles over his forehead. He looked worried.
"Jon. What's wrong? Is it Tatiana or the girls? Is it Aaron?"
"No, theah fine." He looked around, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand while shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.
Ethan gleaned Jon wanted some privacy, so he suggested they take a walk and get some coffee. Recently, a couple of stands had been set up around the Ministry as a sort of trial run to see if there was a demand and whether or not they would have any success. Ethan certainly didn't mind that there was a coffee stand just outside the Auror Office.
Once both had steaming cups of coffee in their hands and had walked a bit down the hall, Jon spoke what was dwelling on his mind.
"It's Susan. She's sick."
"Really sick?"
"Yeah. She's got Chronic myelogenous leukemia."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't know she had any symptoms of illness. She always seemed healthy when I saw her, which granted wasn't very much or very recently." Ethan hoped he didn't sound bitter over the fact that Susan still hadn't welcomed him into the family and that things were pretty much strained with everyone else aside from Jon and Rob. He genuinely was saddened to hear of Susan's illness.
"Is there anything I can do?"
Jon nodded. "Yeah. Weah all gonna donate bone marruh. It's thuh least we can do fuh huah."
"Okay," Ethan said. "I'll gladly do it. Just tell me when and where."
"She's back in Salem. Would ya come back with me?"
"Yeah." It would be Ethan's first time seeing his family's home in Salem. In a way, he looked forward to it.
"Thanks, Eth," Jon smiled for the first time and clapped a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"What's family for?" Ethan replied, smiling too.
Big Day
Author: Majandra
Date: 12-24-06 09:55
Walking into her Friday morning lab for Advanced Medicinal Potions for Creature Induced Injuries and Magical Bugs, Majandra walks to her work station. After putting down her book bag, Majandra pulls out a lab coat and makes sure it's covering her clothes. Today she doesn't want to chance getting anything on them that might do damage not easily or quickly fixed.
The person who works at the station facing Maj's, Ellie Elphick, walks by as Maj is pulling on the lab coat. "Morning! You look extra nice today."
"Good morning, Ellie. As soon as this class is over I've got to meet George and Miranda at the Ministry."
"Today's the big day?"
"Yes, today Miranda is officially ours, thank Merlin! If we were prospective adoptive parents in the Muggle world it would still be months yet. In fact, there would have been a good chance that although we found Miranda and wanted her, we wouldn't have even been granted temporary custody."
"I thought our government could be slow at doing things. I can't imagine how Muggles ever get anything done." Ellie flips open her lab manuel. "We're picking up with the flesh eating slug ointment from Wednesday, aren't we?"
"Yes, just have to go to the storage room and get our potions from Wednesday. Should be nicely set for the steps we have to do today."
Maj's words are confirmed with the professor walks in and after a good morning to the class, he goes over what they'd done on Wednesday and where they'll pick up with the potion making today. Having something to concentrate on helps make the time pass quickly for Maj who can't wait to get to the Ministry to make Miranda officially George's and hers.
Trying To Keep Busy
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 12-24-06 18:24
Sirius enters his office, tossing a leather attache case onto his desk. Dropping into his chair Sirius rubs his eyes then opens the case to pull out a stack of papers. Although the new St. Emrys term has only been in session since Monday, Sirius gave a pop quiz in a class today. He's not sure whether he actually wants to get the results or not.
Rifling the stack with one hand, Sirius also thinks about getting some lunch. He's not all that hungry, not having had much of an appetite since Mira's kidnapping, but he knows he must eat at least a little something everyday. Too many responsibilities, the most important being James, for Sirius to make himself sick from not eating.
Mustering up the energy to rise from the chair Sirius leaves his office for the nearest of the university's two canteens. There he gets a cup of chicken soup to go and half a ham and cheese sandwich. Back in his office Sirius eats automatically, not really tasting the food, as he grades papers. At least the papers graded so far are high marks.
The papers graded and recorded, Sirius decides to go on and head home, spend some time with James. At much as he hates to admit it, Sirius is even looking forward to the next stakeout watching for the copycat werewolf. Anything to keep busy and feel useful.
Running Into an Old Acquaintance
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-25-06 08:14
As Bronwyn left Yellow for her last class of the day, she accidentally collided into another person. "I'm sorry," she said, steadying herself on the wizard's nicely-shaped arm. "I... oh my god! Theodore? I haven't seen you since Hogwarts!"
Theodore Nott's furrowed brow relaxed and he smiled. "Hi..." He thought a moment. He didn't really make it a point to remember the names of people he didn't normally talk to, though he and Bronwyn had gone out on one date during his seventh year. "Bronwyn," he said, taking one of her hands and resting his other one on top of hers. "It's good to see you again. How are you?" He gently tipped his head in a direction away from the door so that they wouldn't continue to disrupt the flow of traffic entering and exiting Yellow.
"I'm doing great. How are you?" She frowned a little, remembering an article she'd read in the Daily Prophet from about a year ago. "I was sorry to read about your parents."
A dark shadow fell over Theodore's face. "Yeah, me too." He brightened again and said, "So what are you reading here at St. Emrys?"
"I'm still undecided, but I'm really leaning towards communications or something similar. I host one of the WWN programs here."
"Oh, right," Theodore said, nodding his head. "Love Songs with Bronwyn on Saturday afternoons."
"You listen to it?" Bronwyn asked, grinning.
"No," he admitted, "but congratulations on your success."
"Thanks!"
"Say," Theodore started, "I have to get to class, but we should get together someday and catch up on old times."
"That would be great," Bronwyn replied enthusiastically. For a former Slytherin, she'd found Theodore to be quite charming. She remembered him being very easy-going and not at all what she'd been expecting when they went on their date several years ago.
"Well, see ya." Theodore shot her a smile and walked away, disappearing in the throng of students around the entrance to Yellow.
Bronwyn gave a little wave and then headed to her Magic in the Roman Republic class.
Forced to be Blunt
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 12-25-06 08:25
Hermione had to make a quick stop at the library at St. Emrys before her Transfiguration for healers II class. She'd reserved several books (extra reading she deemed necessary for her classes) and wanted to pick them up so that she could read them over the weekend. Just as she was entering the library, a most unpleasant person was leaving.
"Oh, hello." Henry looked down his nose at Hermione. Shame that she was shorter than he.
She lifted her nose in the air. "Hello, Mr. Waltham. Please excuse me. I need to go to the reserve desk."
Henry stepped aside but then caught her on the arm as she tried to pass him. "Hermione," he murmured. "Wait."
"Henry, please," Hermione insisted, attempting to gently pull her arm from his grasp.
"No, I want you to listen to me for once in your life." He turned her so that she had no choice but to look at him. "Why can't we go back to the way things were before? We were good together, you and I."
"We were no such thing," Hermione replied frustratingly, again trying to pull her arm free from his grasp. "All we did was fight. All you did was insult me and my gender."
"You once told me that you constantly argue with Weasley. That you always have since the day you first laid eyes upon each other. Fighting clearly isn't the issue."
"You're right. It's not," Hermione admitted hotly. "The fact is I love Ron and I never loved you."
Henry let go of Hermione's arm. "I see." He looked dejected but at the same time had enough pride to keep himself from making a further fool of himself. "Very well. Goodbye, then."
Henry left the library.
Hermione couldn't help but feel a little bad for being so abrupt with him but it was the only thing that seemed to take with Henry. She'd told him time and time again that they were through and that she was with Ron. Breaking his heart seemed the only way to get through to him.
Sighing, Hermione turned away from the door and went to the reserve desk to pick up her books.
Tea with Urania
Author: Illyria
Date: 12-25-06 08:35
Illyria didn't have any classes on Friday nights, which was nice because even though she didn't have a life, in case she did, she might like to go out sometime. Presently, she had her youngest sister Urania with her in her quarters. Urania had a small bandage over her neck from the injury she'd sustained during her mugging towards the beginning of the week.
"They still haven't found the other mugger?" Illyria asked, sitting down next to her sister on the sofa. She set a serving tray on the coffee table and proceeded to pour two cups of tea.
"Not yet," Urania replied. "I gave them as close a description as I could and the sketch artist did a remarkable rendition of it. I don't have any doubt in my mind that they'll find him. It's just a matter of when." She accepted a cup of tea and took a sip.
"When are you going back to work?"
"Monday," answered Urania. "I didn't think I'd take so much time off but each morning I really didn't feel like going into work. It's not that I'm scared or that I haven't been sleeping well. I just wanted to take some time to myself."
"I understand," Illyria said. She took a sip of her tea. "And Caden? How is he holding up?"
"He's like a man possessed," Urania said. She almost smiled, though Illyria could tell there was some seriousness to what Urania said. "He keeps checking in at the Ministry to see what they've done to find the other mugger. I don't think he'll rest until that man is either in Azkaban or dead."
Urania sipped her tea again and then said, "He doesn't at all seem to be distrubed over the fact that he took a life. I think, even though it was self-defense, I wouldn't be able to sleep after killing a man. Taking a life is... it's big, you know?"
"Yes. I'm just glad he was with you when you were mugged. I'm afraid to think of what could have happened if Caden hadn't been there," Illyria said. She put an arm around Urania and hugged her close.
Talking With AJ
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 12-25-06 17:41
"I thought Kissy and you were dating," I say to AJ.
AJ shrugs, "Yes and no. We're really good friends and things have gone more that way than towards the romantic lately."
Dropping into the chair directly opposite my brother I pat his hand and say, "I'm sorry."
"No, don't be. I'm fine with it," AJ assures, squeezing my hand in return.
His tone and facial expression are such that I tend to believe AJ's assertion. Changing the subject I ask, "How's Phin?"
"He's good. Phin seems really happy."
"I worried about that, you know. His happiness. Phin tried to like Virgil's alma mater and while he made some good friends there overall Phin was so unhappy. When he started at Hogwarts I was concerned that he'd dislike it as much, or even more particicularly since it's a boarding school."
Donella brings out AJ's supper and I ask her to please bring me a slice of lemon pie. AJ then inquires, "How are things with Forest?"
Without meaning to, I grin broadly, the sort called ear to ear. "Things are excellent. Forest is great."
"I think he's nice and from what I can tell Mum and Dad really like him."
"Keep a secret?"
"Of course."
"When we started dating, we weren't really dating. I was tired of everyone wanting to know when I'd get a social life again and Forest was tired of the same thing. Our dating started out as a sham just so we wouldn't have to listen to well meaning people anymore."
AJ's eyebrows go up. "You're serious?"
"Very."
"You spoke like that's past tense. Does that signify anything?"
"That we really are dating now."
AJ chuckles. "I'll keep your secret and for what it's worth, I truly do like him and you seem much happier and buoyant than you've been for a long time."
I grin again then with a wink say, "Now to find you someone to date. Too bad about Kissy but it's great you two are still good friends."
Beaten At Chess
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 12-25-06 18:04
Phin grimaces when Wiggy makes a chess move that all but ensures the win. Still, he takes a long time looking at all possible options to prevent his younger cousin from taking the match. He takes so long Wiggy finally says, "It's a good thing we aren't playing with those clock things."
Phin purses his lips and wiggles them around before saying, "Okay, I concede. You win this one."
Wiggy chuckles a trifle evilly and smirks. "What do you mean this one?"
Deak and Emerald, who've been watching the Hodfuffer cousins since they'd begun playing just after dinner, laugh lightly. Phin puts on a show of mock anger saying to Emerald, "Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!"
Emerald makes an equally mock show of not being the least big chagrinned. "Can I help that I like backing winners?"
Deak and Wiggy laugh loudly at that. Wiggy moves his shoulders in a swagger, "Stick with me then because I'm about to beat him again."
"Ha!" Phin exclaims. "You know I've been letting you win. Setting you up for a major defeat."
Sniggering, Wiggy retorts, "Keep telling yourself that, Phin."
Emerald giggles and stands, "I'm getting something to drink. Any of you want something too?"
Phin grins, "Yeah, a chess partner I can beat."
Grinning across the board at Phin, Wiggy says, "All out of stock tonight, cousin."
Deak joins Wiggy in more snickering, Emerald walks away laughing, and Phin with a roll of his eyes, pretending to be put upon, says aloud, "Second and fifth years are supposed to show respect for sixth years. I'm sure it's written down as a rule somewhere."
What To Play?
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 12-25-06 19:10
Rolf looks around the common commons. Seeing three guys, one of them Jane's friend Phin, sitting at a chessboard, Rolf approaches. He reaches them about the same time a girl does. Rolf knows her name, he really does, but has one of those blank moments. Rolf's pretty sure he'd have had the same thing happen if he knew her well. He's simply never been good with remembering most names.
All four look expectently at him. "Hi," Rolf begins. "I'm working on a history based strategy game for the Invention and Design competition. I was wondering if any of you would be interested in playing to help me pin point areas still in need of work."
"Right now," one of the younger boys asks.
"If you're interested," Rolf nods.
They all exchange looks and the other younger boy says, "Phin here was looking for an excuse to not get his arse whipped again in chess."
Phin shoots his cousin a ha ha look then says, "Sure, I'd love to play."
The younger boys nod and say at the same time, "Me too."
From somewhere in the back of his mind Rolf suddenly dredges up the girl's name. "Emerald?"
"Sure, sounds fun," she agreeably replies.
Once at the table where Jane and Gabby are already sitting, Rolf goes through an explanation of the game for the four newcomers. With the way Rolf has set up the game it may be played individually or in teams and with there being three guys and three girls who'll be playing they decide to go the team route. Thanking them all again, Rolf takes notepad and pencil in hand to write notes for himself as he observes the six playing.