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Wedding Details Still To Take Care Of
Author: Plum
Date: 10-24-11 14:21
Ruta Gamp makes a noise of such exasperation Plum looks up from her own work to ask, "Everything okay?"
Ruta sighs again but then replies, "Yes, I'm just going crosseyed. I'm translating a will and a number of the beneficiaries have such similar names and they are all listed numerous times that I keep having to back up and triple check I'm putting the right names down for each clause."
"Sounds like you need a break."
"Good idea. I'll go to lunch, have something chocolate and decadent, then I'll be ready to finish tackling this when I get back. Want to come with?"
"Sorry, but I have to meet Anthony. We've got wedding cake to taste and have to finish deciding on food for the reception."
"Less than a month to go. Are you getting nervous?"
"I think I've been nervous all along," Plum chuckles. "I took ages to decide on a few things."
"Just remember, few of us guests won't know some things are not exactly as they were planned so don't get overly stressed about all the little details. And, with those sage words, I am off in search of chocolate decadence with a small side of healthy salad."
A grinning Ruta grabs her purse and makes a hasty exit, eager to get her lunch break started. The office seems almost too quiet with Ruta gone but Plum doesn't want to switch on a WWN station because she's so near to being done with the contract she's translating into Mermish that she doesn't want to get distracted listening to music or one of those discussion or talk programs. She'd very much like to be done with this contract before going to the Reese-Emersons' to meet up with Anthony.
They've already got Briar's Bakery doing the cakes the cakes but need to decide on flavors. There's everything from the very traditional English fruit cake to gourmet flavors such as fudge truffle and amaretto almond cream. Plum's already had a sit down with Briar to decide on what her cake, the bride's cake, will look like, but Anthony still has to decide if going with a decorated cake what he'd like the groom's cake to look like.
They've also got to make a final decision on the food to be served at the reception and whether to have it served as a more formal sit down or a more casual buffet style. They've given the caterer an idea of what they'd like but now they have to do a sampling and get the final menu put together.
At least Plum got the bridesmaid situation decided. She'll have three - Daria, Kordelia, and Alanna who was chosen after Plum ended up putting Alanna's, Ariella's, and Katherine's names in a bowl and having Alex draw out a slip. Maid of Honor was selected the same way with Alex once again drawing Alanna's name. Katherine has a lovely voice so Plum and Anthony have asked her to sing a duet with Ophelia Darling Bennett. Ariella and Bronwyn are both doing readings. Alex is going to serve as ring bearer. Their father will walk Plum down the aisle if Evan is up to it.
Reaching the last paragraph of the contract, Plum makes herself work with care much as she'd like to rush through it and leave for the Reese-Emersons'. As much as has been decided and arrangements made, Plum feels like there are still a million things to do before the wedding and October 1st will be here in a blink.
Last Friday Class On The First Day Of School (Marion)
Author: Saffron
Date: 10-24-11 15:47
Locating the Professor Ravencroft's Herbology classroom isn't difficult as it's outside in one of the greenhouses. It's getting from Professor Somerset's first floor Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom outside and to the correct greenhouse in only a few minutes that proves challenging, especially when the closest staircase to the lower years DADA classroom decided to move while Marion was halfway down it. There was nothing she could do but wait for it to come to a stop, assess where the "new" landing was and figure out the quickest way from there to the ground floor then out of the castle onto the grounds.
Stepping outside on the heels of one of her new classmates Ellie Mae Chamberlain, who is also a dormmate, Marion comments, "Last class and then we can relax."
"If you count having homework already as being able to relax."
"It's Friday so it's not like we have to rush to finish it."
"I know but I'm thinking if I go on and get it done, I won't have to set aside time tomorrow or Sunday. It will be done and I won't have to stress about it."
"You know, that's not a bad idea. Do you mind if Hope, Callie, and Katheryn join us?"
"No, but which ones are they again?"
"In Transfiguration, Callie sat on my other side; in Defense Against The Dark Arts Hope and Katheryn were directly in front of us. Katheryn is a little taller with longer hair than Hope."
"Okay, I know who you mean. Have you know any of them long?"
"Most of my life. There are the four of us and two more, Lilith and Savannah, who both just enough younger they have to wait until next fall to start school."
"Were the four of you here hoping to get into the same house?"
"Yeah, but we made a vow that even if we ended up in different ones it wouldn't change our friendship. Good thing too but we got split between three of the houses. Did you know anyone starting this term?"
"No, not really. I mean I know a few in passing but nothing I'd call friendship with anyone. Is that the right greenhouse? There are more of them than I thought there would be."
"Yeah, pretty sure it's the right one. Look, that's Bernard from our house standing in the doorway."
The two girls step up their pace and are soon inside with the other first year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors. A few more straggle in after them but everyone's present when Professor Ravenscroft gets their first Herbology lesson underway.
First Class - 3rd Year Ravenclaw and Slytherin
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 10-24-11 16:14
Friday morning had come all to early for some, but I had been up before the sun. Yoga performed, devotions performed, and a shower taken before I ventured down to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast and then getting to my class a bit early to ensure that everything was as I'd left it.
My outfit, was a green antique sari dress much like the one I'd worn last night at the Start of Term feast beneath my profesor robes, and a pair of green kitten heels. Breakfast had been something on the go, a baked to perfection blueberry muffin with just a touch of sugar on the top, and an iced mocha in my favorite coffee mug.
At promptly ten minutes to nine my first set of students began filing in. They were third year Ravenclaw and Slytherin students. "Welcome to History of Magic." She said with a smile as they each found their places. Name plates magically enchanted to change with the start of each class.
Once everyone was settled, I moved to the front of the classroom and leaned upon the edge of my desk. A flick of my wand sent syllabi to each student. "My name as many of you remember from the end of term feast last year, is Karma Davyd. You can call me Karma, or Professor Davyd, which ever you are more comfortable with. Time to get a few technicalities out of the way, before we start with the lessons that will make up your school year."
I pushed away from the desk and my need to move began in earnest. Quick check of the roster ensured that all of my students were present. "Now, can someone answer me this question...what is history?"
Several hands shot in the air and I pondered a few moments before calling on an individual. "Adina?"
"History is a recording of the events in the past, but they are at the time they are recorded present events and not history." She said simply and that brought a smile to my lips.
"Very good. Five points to Slytherin, now, who can tell me a few ways of recording history both muggle and wizarding?" I said as I moved through the decorated classroom, pondering a few moments as several hands shot through the air.
"Beatrix." I said, and the young Ravenclaw smiled.
"Simple quill and parchment."
"Good, Lucy?"
"Recording it verbally?"
"Very good." After that we talked about timelines, and began with the History of Hogwarts and the background of one of the founding four of Hogwarts, Godric Gryffindor.
Punishment at Potions
Author: Phyllida
Date: 10-25-11 12:56
The Spore girls took breakfast solemnly at the Slytherin table, taking small, mannerly portions of everything – polite hesitance had been drilled into them during the course of the preceding summer. Ferne had arranged her gilded plate with an array of poached eggs, mushrooms, black pudding and golden toast, while Phyllida limited herself to oatcakes and kidneys. Her mother had already started to prattle on about wedding robes; how would she fit into them with a great big Hogwarts waist? She sipped on pumpkin juice; for all its sweetness, her face was sour.
Now with the news that her parents' ideal choice of a son-in-law, Ambrosius Nott, was engaged (to the Greengrass girl? Really?) she no longer had any motivation to abstain from overindulgence…and that black pudding looked particularly nice…
While nobody was watching, Ferne scraped her plate indecorously with a piece of toast. "Where is Malvern? We still haven't had any mail."
Phyllida looked up from her plate. Malvern, her rare, melanistic barn owl, was young and fast on the wing, and could be relied upon to bring news early in the morning. It was getting close to nine; if they hoped to make it to Potions on time, they would have to leave very soon. She finished her pumpkin juice.
"Guess there's no news today." She rose from the table, Ferne following suit, after finishing a last morsel of mushroom. Phyllida's stomach felt empty as a pit, and rumbled unappreciatively. She chose to ignore it.
They collected their course books – Advanced Potion-Making and the ubiquitous – One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi – and left the Slytherin table promptly. As Phyllida shouldered her back, straining under the weight of her new cauldron (pewter and gold alloy, superior apparently) she felt the flutter of feathers overhead and looked up to see Malvern's sable wings stretched above, circling anxiously. The barn owl dropped a letter on top of her pile of books with an apologetic screech, and took off skywards across the Great Hall.
"It's from Papa," confirmed Phyllida blandly, in response to Ferne's questioning gaze. "I'll read it later. Most likely Dame Phyllida paid him a visit to berate him about my subject choices. We have to hurry to Potions." She snapped the letter inside the front cover of Advanced Potions.
They made their way quickly down to the dungeon corridor, their feet finding the right staircase, by habit, that led down to the Potions classroom, deep within the cool, silent innards of the sprawling building. Phyllida liked this part of Hogwarts – it felt somehow older and more primal than the more elevated sections of the castle. Quiet, too. Phyllida liked how the arched stone walls threw her footsteps back towards her, creating a shuffling resonance that continued down the corridor in their wake.
They took their places in the Potions classroom, sitting at their usual desk. Phyllida arranged her brass scales and crystal phials neatly, opening Advanced Potions to the contents page. Her father's letter slipped out; she caught it before it fluttered under the table.
Her eyes fell to the spidery, cursive hand in which he had written her name on the back of the envelope: Phyllida Grimshaw-Spore. She noticed a tiny, almost imperceptible mote of ink upon the clean white paper. His hand must have shaken.
Professor Snape had begun the class – uncharacteristically, her mind was not on his words, but instead on the contents of the letter. She turned it over and edged her finger under the sealed fold. She glanced up to check on Snape's progress – he was writing a list of antidotes on the board – and returned, surreptitiously, to her task.
Ferne's attention had been drawn to her. "Don't," she mouthed, shaking her head, but Phylida persisted, and lifted the letter out, smoothing it across her book.
She read it first, not fully grasping its contents; read it again, her eyes widening in dismay.
"What is it?" hissed Ferne urgently.
"It's Ambrosius, he came to Black Friar's to ask – "
"Miss Grimshaw-Spore," spoke a voice in unmistakable staccato. "Passing notes in class? I would have expected more from the likes of you."
Both girls froze as Professor Snape approached their desk. He pinched the letter, holding it up, his nostril distorting into a sneer.
Phyllida tried to hide the mortification spreading in livid red across her cheeks.
"As enthralling as your nuptial prospects are," said Snape sardonically, "I believe you are still expected to graduate from Hogwarts first. Five points from Slytherin."
Phyllida dropped her head in shame.
"Please pack up your belongings, and move next to Mr. Ross."
Her eyes slid over the Hufflepuff boy who perked his head at the mention of his name.
"Promptly."
Phyllida packed up her cauldron and phials, and moved into the empty seat next to the Hufflepuff boy, refusing to look at his inquisitive face.
Unlikely Partnership
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 10-25-11 13:03
Nate found himself paired up with Phyllida, the girl he had met on the Hogwarts Express. He did not dare to contradict Snape and ask him for another partner, but the truth was he didn't think the rich Slytherin girl would be up to create today's potion. Of course that if she was taking Potions it meant she had a good grade at her Potions' OWL, but her immaculate expensive cauldron seemed to suggest she had never used it before.
He took notes with his quill ignoring Phyllida and she did the same. Nate thought she had lucky to be in Snape's class otherwise all the other students around them would already be gossiping about the professor's words on her wedding plans, whatever that was. Instead everyone was in an absolute silence, listening carefully to Snape's instructions.
Soon it was time to start making the potion and Nate turned to Phyllida.
"So how are we going to do this?" he asked, pulling his sleeves up, ready for work. The Slytherin girl didn't lose time and took the control telling him which ingredients to fetch first. As Nate started to prepare some beetle wings, Phyllida opened her mouth, ready to give him some indications on how to do so. But she stopped herself from doing so. Nate knew exactly how to prepare the ingredients and he worked in perfection. Her grey-green eyes sent him an approval glance as she herself prepared some more beetle wings.
Meanwhile, as they worked together, Nate couldn't stop noticing how glum this girl seemed. All her gestures seemed to point into some sort of melancholia and he found himself wondering if this was due to the letter she received. But the fact was she seemed already glum at the train and last night during dinner. He had noticed that when his eyes passed briefly towards the Slytherin table. Curious, he wanted to ask her if he could help her with anything, but he did not dare to make a conversation with Phyllida that was not about the potion they were creating.
Once Snape told them to stop, Nate used a spell to clean their table and the cauldron as Phyllida put a sample of their potion into a flask, identify it and put it on the professor's desk. The class then ended and Nate followed Phyllida away from the dungeons as she reunited with her friend, who Nate knew as to be named Ferne.
"Hey, wait!" He had to call her several times to catch her attention. Nate could almost swear she had ignored him on purpose.
"Yes?"
"I think we did a good job today. Maybe we can pair up again next class," he suggested.
"Maybe…" It seemed Phyllida was about to say something else, but Lilac showed up out of nowhere, and pushed Nate away from the two Slytherin girls.
Busy Friday
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 10-25-11 15:35
Friday was going to literally be one of my busiest days, and one of three days each week that I would have classes until five pm, and go straight from my last class to meet up with Arthur for dinner in the Great Hall, a couple hours of study, and then do it all over again. It would only get busier when and if I chose to try out for the house Qudditch team, which at this point in time, on the first day of classes am already pondering against it because I wasn't yet ready to try and deal with juggling my grades and the sport. I might decide to do something else, and reattempt Quidditch for fourth year.
"Hey...Adina?"
I looked up and smiled. "Hey Marlow. Hows your schedule looking this term?" I asked, inviting her to sit down next to me on the steps leading up to the Great Hall.
"Busy as always. What about you?"
"It only gets busier when electives are thrown in. I've got to head to Muggle Studies in a few minutes, just was hoping to see Arthur before he heads to the Common Commons to try and find someone to play a game of Wizarding Chess with, since I have class until five."
Marlow nodded and we chatted for a few more minutes, discussing our current course work, and the things that we already have for homework in the classes we've had already today. "Alright, well if I sit any longer I risk loosing Slytherin points for being tardy to Professor Miller's class. I'll catch up with you later Marlow, if you want I think we are meeting up in the common commons to listen to one of the WWN stations tonight and just relax after the first day of classes."
"Sounds like a plan. I will see you later, have fun in Muggle Studies." Marlow pushed herself up and headed up the stairs toward most likely Hufflepuff house while I headed off toward the first floor location of the Muggle Studies classroom.
Slipping into the classroom with about five minutes to spare, I was pleased and yet annoyed because I didn't get a chance to see Arthur, but it was alright, I'd see him for dinner at five fifteen. Professor Miller started class promptly at three thirty and we went through a few things, including a Culture quiz, Muggle v. Wizarding which I did pretty good on.
When the writing assignment was handed out, I knew what I would be doing this weekend, pondering over what topics that I wanted to consider for my conceptions/misconceptions of the Muggle World by the members of the Wizarding World. Next week's class will be at Cloud's Kiss, which I was looking forward to.
Once five o'clock came around, we were dismissed and I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed out of the first floor classroom and headed to the Great Hall where hopefully Arthur would be waiting for me. Kida and Whitney wanted to head to the common room before meeting up with us for dinner, I'd also let them know that Marlow may or may not be joining us in the Common Commons tonight for our relaxation session.
"Hey, sorry, I got lost in a conversation with Mason over something and didn't get to the Common Commons until almost four." Arthur said, sliding his arm around me after taking my bag from my shoulder and guided me into the Great Hall and a seat at the Slytherin table. Already the smell of the delicious food made my stomach rumble.
"It's alright, I ended up running into Marlow and invited her to join us tonight in the Common Commons a little later. I think, I am going to schedule a run tomorrow, I will talk to either Professor Snape or Coach Batuti about it, and I think I may need them a bit more often while I settle into this new routine." I said, and Arthur nodded understanding fully.
"I also at some point might talk to Professor Black about stress and the urge to rather be in animal form than human form to deal with it." I said, as I loaded my plate with a bit of mashed potatoes and gravy, roast beef, and some glazed carrots.
"Sounds like a plan, and I would definitely talk to Professor Black." Arthur said, and we ate dinner before I headed down to the dungeons and went to my room to drop my bag off before meeting everyone in the Common Commons.
Is Friday Over Yet?
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 10-25-11 16:01
Food.
I hadn't eaten since breakfast aside from half a ham and swiss sandwich that I'd nicked from the Great Hall earlier before heading to Transfiguration at one. I'd spent my two hour break dealing with writing an response to the letter I'd gotten from my mother over breakfast that was discussing trivial things like what I intended on doing over Holidays, which I am not EVEN considering yet because the term just started this morning. Beyond that there was the concern over quidditch and my grades and important things of that nature, nevermind my grades didnt' suffer at all last year and Quidditch involved international trips for the tournament, and relocating my shoes after Griselle had decided to play with them while I was writing the letter out to Mum.
I was so distracted, that I hadn't even said hello to Blake or Eric when I sat down at Gryffindor table and immediately began filling my plate with food. After about five minutes, and nearly an entire slice of roast turkey breast later I finally sighed and leaned against Blake's shoulder.
"Hi. Sorry guys. Just hungry. Didn't actually get lunch today as you both well know. Even that half a sandwich didn't do much but get me through everything. I really am looking forward to the first Hogsmeade trip so I will have some sweets that I can keep in my bag for days like this." I said, and the two boys laughed.
We ate dinner discussing classes, and more than once I saw Eric looking over at someone at the Ravenclaw table. It took me a minute to realize who he was looking at before I whispered to him. "Is someone crushing on Hera?" I teased, offering him a grin.
"I don't know, I mean we did get paired up in Muggle Studies this afternoon and we have had a couple of classes over the past couple of school years." Eric said with a grin.
Conversation soon turned to Eric and Hera and other couples and the like around school and school work that we already have to do.
An Attempt at Friendship?
Author: Abdul Hazrat AlGunud
Date: 10-25-11 19:53
Abdul settled into the back of the Transfiguration classroom. He was trying to avoid drawing attention to himself. Earlier, in Potions class, Professor Snape had been unfriendly but that was not unusual. Professor Snape seemed to hold the entire student body in contempt. It was only his imagination that Professor McGonagall seemed to be looking straight at him when she spoke to the class about the importance of the responsible use of transfiguration magics. Abdul began scribbling fiercely, both to keep up with the professor's lecture and to escape her perceived gaze. It was easier to do so if he kept busy. When it became time to actually practice changing eye color, he was paired with another Ravenclaw student, Carlotta Calloway. Abdul was startled when she changed not only her eye color but her hair color as well. It switched long, dark and straight to short, blond and curly.
"Well, what do you think?"
Abdul was saved from having to think of a reply by Professor McGonagall. "Excuse me Ms. Calloway, what are you doing? I do not believe you were instructed to change you hair color, let alone hair style."
"Oh, I am sorry professor. I just wanted to demonstrate to Abdul how the spell works," this explanation was delivered in an innocent tone that was spoiled by the wink she sent in Abdul's direction. Professor McGonagall did not see the wink; nevertheless, Abdul did not think that she was convinced by the explanation.
"Your desire to teach your fellow students is admirable," the professor remarked dryly. "But in the future, I hope you will see fit to follow directions. Please stick to the lesson plan."
"Of course professor."
Carlotta's hair reverted to its original color and style. For the rest of the class, he and Carlotta practiced changing eye color. She seemed to be making an extra effort to be friendly. Abdul thought back to Professor Dumbledore's warning at the End of Term Feast. Did this represent a genuine effort at friendship? Or was there a more sinister motive at work?
Between Birthdays
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 10-25-11 21:00
Leaning against the door frame, arms folded, Griff asks, "Did you use the soap?"
"Course, Dad," Tristan says as if it's the silliest question ever asked. The fact that the last two baths he's had here at Griff's were of the dunk and splash variety with lots of bubble bath bubbles but no actual scrubbing action involving a bar of soap or the liquid soap until Griff got involved seems to have slipped Tristan's mind.
Griff moves to kneel by the tub, reaching for the shampoo, commenting as he does, "I have no idea how you got so dirty when you played inside since we got home."
"Mummy says I'm talented at finding dirt."
"Mummy is absolutely correct. You're extremely talented at it."
Eyes scrunched tightly together against the invasion of any stray shampoo Tristan asks, "Is my cake chocolate?"
"As that is what you asked for the day we ordered it, yes."
"Can I have some now?"
"You may not. If you eat some now it won't look nice for your birthday party. Tell you what though, since you ate all your vegetables at dinner, you may have a small piece of some of Mummy's leftover cake."
Carys's birthday had been just two days ago. With her friend Mindy Fort's help getting Carys out for some time at a spa Griff and Alun along with Carys's friends Elizabeth Ross and Juliet Davis prepared for a surprise party at Carys and Alun's
home in Carfiff. Working together they'd put together a decent sized guest list and had a nice turnout for a Wednesday evening party. They'd had plenty of food and Carys had insisted Griff take some of it home, including a portion of the leftover birthday cake.
The last of the shampoo rinsed from Tristan's hair, Griff helps his son from the tub, wrapping him in a big, fluffy towel then uses another to scrubs the extra moisture from the boy's hair. When done, Tristan scampers giggling down the hall to his room, towel fluttering behind him like a cape. Griff follows more slowly, thinking about how this child will turn five on Monday and wondering how exactly the time went by so quickly.
Entering Tristan's room Griff finds him already half dressed for bed. "Dad, what did you get me for my birfday?"
"That is a surprise."
"But you can tell me. I won't tell Mummy."
"Good try, sport. Let's go down and have a little of the leftover cake and some milk, then we'll read a couple of bedtime stories."
"Nine stories."
"A couple does not mean nine."
"Okay, ten then."
Laughing, Griff hoists Tristan over his shoulder and carries the giggling boy down to the kitchen for Carys's leftover birthday cake.