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A Student Debates Joining Debate Club
Author: Declan
Date: 11-24-11 11:35
In between answering questions about the Debate Club and chatting with a few of his colleagues, Declan sits readings a spy thriller recommended to him by Hogwarts librarian Azaelia Bramble and by AJ Hodfuffer. When another student approaches, one who'd passed by several times throughout the day but hadn't stopped at his table or any of those around him that he'd noticed, Declan sets the book aside and stands.
"Hi, Errol. Interested in debate?"
An indecisive looks passes over the face of one of Hogwarts's newest students. After a second or two Errol Anderson gives a very slight shrug. "I'm not sure. What's involved?"
"I give everyone two or three topics to do some research on and we also work together during meetings to share information learned. Then, every few weeks, after everyone's had a change to learn something about the topics, we have a debate. At the beginning of the meeting names are drawn to debate either for or against. Sometimes we do one on one debates, other times we sit a panel. The argument one gives, whether for or against, must be rational, thought out, and fact based. We also talk about other forms and styles of debate. Interested?"
"Yeah, I mean yes, sir. I think so."
Mindful of whom he's talking with, Declan adds, "From time to time we do engage in debates with other debate clubs. Being able to attend a debate hosted at another school is not a requisite for being a club member."
That expression of indecision is back. Declan slides the sign-up sheet towards Errol and offers a quill. "I'd love to have you join if you think you'd like participate in something that requires boning up on a wide range of topics and being able to argue both an affirmative and a negative position on that those topics regardless of your own personal feelings."
Another couple of seconds and Errol accepts the quill. Appealing to a Ravenclaw using research as a hook is a little unfair but Declan doesn't mind a little stooping if it gets him people into the debate club who might want to stick around all term.
(Aralyn) Out for a Walk
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 11-24-11 11:52
Aralyn's room at the Hogsmeade Inn had gotten crowded, thanks to the addition of her brother, who'd had enough of life with the parental units in Ashton-Hotwell. Kristos, who'd lost quite a bit of income because of his accident, thought it best they share a room at the inn until he could regain his former financial stability. Perhaps later they could find a flat or perhaps even a house.
Aralyn certainly didn't mind her brother's company, but the room at the inn was just too small for two adults who actually lived there. Kristos was there now, picking his résumé apart and driving Aralyn crazy. She decided to take a page out of Lysander's book and go for a relaxing stroll through Hogsmeade.
She swept a simple black cloak over her shoulders and stepped outside into the cool, autumn air. It was a nice day for walking. The sky was blue without a cloud in sight.
She walked East unintentionally and eventually came upon Twice Told Tales. Aralyn debated going in and could even see Lysander at the counter. She didn't see Julian anywhere and had no idea that he was up at the school for Club Day.
Lysander was busy with a customer, and there were a few others waiting for help. Aralyn kept walking. Perhaps it was better he not see her today. She had a big bruise under her eye from where somebody threw a galleon at her face during one of her shows. At least she didn't have to wear her neck brace anymore.
Aralyn eventually came upon the residential part of town and walked until she reached the cemetery. Lysander had said that he liked walking among the old headstones. Aralyn soon saw its appeal. There were all different sorts. Traditional stones that were flat, vertical rectangles or had an arch on the top. Crosses of varying types. Statuary and even a few family vaults.
Some of them were old, from centuries past. Others were newer. Aralyn looked for names she recognized, but she didn't see any… until she came upon a simple stone near a large, old tree. She read the name in disbelief. It was an unusual enough name that Aralyn felt it couldn't be a coincidence, but it didn't make any sort of sense because Aralyn knew for a fact that the witch was very much alive. So why was there a headstone that read HERE LIES CHYLER THOMASON STRATFORD and the dates 1971-1996 in the cemetery in Hogsmeade?
Why Did I Tell Him That?
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 11-24-11 13:21
As always the Dueling Club has seen a lot of interest with a goodly number of students signing up. That's made the day pass by relatively quickly. It also helps that Kissy's got Ethan working the club table with her. They get along together quite well and though Ethan is still grieving for Rosamond, he's still a very charming colleague and when he gets to talking about his daughter his whole demeanor changes and his face lights up.
Ethan has that lit up look right now. There's a slight lull at the moment so Ethan is telling Kissy all about something cute Lilly had done just this morning. Grinning as Ethan finishes his story, Kissy blurts out, "I'm planning on having a baby within the year."
Why she told him Kissy can't imagine. AJ, Mariposa, and Declan know but there's little they don't know of what's going on in her life.
A lingering chuckle over Lilly's cute antic, Ethan says, "That's wonderful. I didn't know you were that involved with anyone."
"I'm not. That's the problem. I want to find someone but don't want to rush into a relationship just to start a family, though my parents would love it if I did. There's a Muggle procedure called in vitro. The woman's egg, a male donor, everything combined in a laboratory, and then somehow they implant the egg back in the woman. I really want to have a baby but since I'm not going to rush into anything with a man just so I can get pregnant, I'm opting for the in vitro. I want to time it to have a baby over the summer holiday."
"I can understand not wanting to rush into someone's bed just to get pregnant right away but waiting until you have someone you you love to share the experience is so fulfilling. This in vitro thing sounds sterile and clinical."
"That's what everyone who knows says but I'm thirty, Ethan, and the only men knocking at my door are ones my parents would send if I let them or barmy nut cases like Ryland Yaxley. He writes me regularly from Azkaban, you know."
Ethan visibly shudders but any response he was thinking to make is put on hold because two students have just come up to the Dueling Club table.
Possible Cold Coming On
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 11-24-11 14:25
Ginny closes her eyes for a moment only to be gently poked in the ribs. Without opening her eyes she asks, "Yes?"
"Are you okay?" her sister-in-law asks.
"I'm getting a headache and am starting to feel a little stuffy."
"You should go on and go then. There's not much longer left anyway."
Ginny opens her eyes then and smiles wanly at Majandra. "That would't be fair to you."
Majandra gives a snort of amusement. "Signing up members to the Photography Club is hardly challenging."
"Excuse me, Professor Weasley. Would I need my own camera to be in this club?"
"No, Queenie, if you don't have a camera, we have plenty of different makes and models that may be signed out."
"Then I'd like to join please."
Ginny's nearer to the clipboard than Maj. She leans to grab it then gets up to hand it to the girl Maj has called Queenie. After adding her name to the list, Queenie fixes her eyes on Ginny. "You play for the Harpies don't you?"
"Yes, I do."
"If I go get my Harpies trading card that has you on it, would you sign it sign it for me?"
"I'd love to."
Queenie hurries off leaving Ginny to grin at Maj. "Looks like I'll be staying at least a little longer, Professor Weasley."
"You know I wasn't trying to run you off," Maj laughs. "I have a pretty good bunch of in-laws I don't mind spending time with."
Ginny teases by saying with exaggerated envy, "That's so nice. I wish I could say the same."
Photography And Dresses
Author: Majandra
Date: 11-24-11 16:32
Even if Ginny hadn't used a teasing tone Majandra would have known her sister-in-law wasn't being serious. She considers herself really lucky to have inlaws she likes. Even somewhat boring, pedantic Percy is nice overly and seems to like her as well. Audrey, Percy's wife, is sweet and though she's spent less time with Audrey then the other inlaws, Maj hasn't found any reason not to like her.
"Speaking of inlaws, when are you going to let the rest of us know the date Harry and you have chosen?"
"I thought we had one we both agreed on and I simply hadn't said anything to Mum because it's been fun making her crazy over it. Mean, but fun. Now we aren't sure if that date is the best choice for us so we're doing a bit of rethinking."
"We can still get started on your dress and the attendants' dresses."
"Do you have a little time tomorrow?"
"Sure, come over for lunch. Hi, Edith!" Maj greets a seventh year who's been part of the Photography Club before.
"Hello, I was getting ready to go to the common commons when I realized I hadn't signed your list. I didn't want you thinking I'm not interested this term."
"Excited that it's your last year?"
"Yes, but I also wish I could have finished last term when I originally should have. I know I could have dropped out and just taken courses at St. Emrys to make up for it but I didn't want to miss out on the seventh year experience and being an actual Hogwarts graduate just because of a year at Happy Haven."
"Well, Ginny and I love that you want to be with us again this term though with so much to do this term with NEWT level courses and prepping to take the exams, no one could blame any of you seventh years if you sat out of clubs your last term. That would take away from the seventh year experience but it would definitely free up some time for all that studying."
"As if I don't get in enough study time as it is," Edith says, amusement in her voice. "I'm wanting to get a new camera, Ginny, so first club meeting I'd like some input from you on the selection I've narrowed my choices to."
"Can't wait," Ginny says, returning Edith's smile.
Edith chats with Ginny and Maj a few more minutes before leaving to join friends in the commons. Alone again for the moment, Maj and Ginny return to talking about Ginny coming over for lunch tomorrow and then possible colors Ginny wants for her attendants' dresses.
Not Strictly Ballroom
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 11-24-11 17:53
Theodosia sponsors two clubs here at Hogwarts, the Athletics Club and the Dance Club. Both have generated interest today but as expected the Athletics Club is far more popular of the two. She hopes to devote a little more time to both this school year now that the Interscholastic Quidditch Tournament won't require meetings through the term or going out of town for half a week for most of the matches.
Fitness & Athletics is going well as are the flying lessons for the first years. She just wishes that the few who have a disdain for learning to fly would realize that it's something useful to know whether one actually likes doing it or not.
Zuberi finally seems to be back on track. His personality and demeanor are more like she remembers from before their parents died. His grades are improving. He's finally making friends here. He and Marjani both seem happy.
"What kind of dancing does the Dance Club do?" one of the first years from flying lessons but not Fitness & Athletics inquires.
"All kinds. We learn about different dances from all over the world and from different time periods."
The girl, who is one of those not overly thrilled at being made to go outside once a week to sit a broom, next asks, "Can we wear pretty dresses?"
"If you wish, yes."
"Will we do ballroom dancing and I could wear one of those pretty evening robes with heels?"
"We will do ballroom dancing and one club meeting we will decorate as if in a grand ballroom and anyone wanting to dress for the occasion will be welcome to do so. You may dress up for other meetings as well if that's what you want as long as whatever you wear doesn't impede you or any dance partner you have."
"Where do I sign?"
Theodosia slides the sign up list to her along with a quill, nudging the ink bottle closer. "Welcome to Dance Club."
Representing Charms Club
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 11-24-11 19:19
At the end of last term when Dante was observing Filius Flitwick's classes, Filius had mentioned the clubs he sponsored and Dante even tagged along to each. He'd enjoyed all of them but the only one he attended more than once was Charms Club. Before Filius left at the start of summer holiday, Dante volunteered to oversee that club. Though he likes the others they are music oriented. Dante has a decent singing voice and he even plays a couple of instruments but doesn't feel he has the knowledge or experience to lead a choir, band, or orchestra.
Dante mentioned Charms Club to Adriana Fairchild and she's interested but by then had already committed to working the Drama Club table with Julian Valentine, one of the owners of the vintage bookstore in Hogsmeade. She has spelled Dante off through the day when he's needed a break and she's already sat down with Dante to figure out something to present at the few few meetings.
Each day of teaching has Dante feeling more comfortable and confident. Putting in massive amount of time preparing for classes may have something to do with that.
He likes his coworkers, most of them anyway. He likes most of the students he's encountered and hopes that working with the Charms Club will help him get to know some of the younger students as well.
Dante also is settling nicely into the flat the school provided. It's slowly starting to look homey and comfortable. He supposes he should thank Karma for some of that. One afternoon after finishing here at Hogwarts, Dante was in Hogsmeade doing a little window shopping. He ran into Karma and next thing he knew Dante had bags with more throw pillows, a couple more area rugs, another easy chair ordered for his sitting area, a number of large fluffy towels, and a new coordinated spread and sheets for his bed.
Surprisingly, his brother has even sent payment towards Dante's loan. It wasn't much but as Dante was not expecting a single sickle back, a little is something of a great deal.
Club Day is is nearly over but there are still plenty of students milling around. Two who look to be around twelve or thirteen are coming his way so Dante gets up from his seat, ready with a smile and to answer any questions they have when they reach the Charms Club table.
A Fateful Encounter
Author: Abdul Hazrat AlGunud
Date: 11-24-11 20:23
Abdul stood in the shadows of the battlement, trying to remain inconspicuous. Professor Dumbledore had requested that Abdul meet with him on Saturday evening, atop the Astronomy Tower. It seemed highly unlikely that anyone would venture to the top of the tower, nevertheless it paid to be cautious. The near encounter with Mr. Filch the previous evening had made Abdul wary of taking the secrecy of these meetings for granted.
As if he could take any for granted. Professors Dumbledore and Flitwick had both impressed upon him the need to take precautions regarding his own safety. The events of the previous year had made it evident that much of the world around him could not be taken for granted. The stability and consistency of objects and events were things that most people took for granted. Abdul envied them for their ignorance. Ignorance protected them from the truth. He gazed up into the night sky. The stars still shone and the moon still provided light, but it was the blackness that drew his gaze. Most people only saw the planets and the stars. To Abdul, all of those minuscule points of light merely served to emphasize the vastness of the void. To most, that vastness was merely empty space between the stars. But Abdul knew better, he had seen evidence with his own eyes of the nameless entities that dwelt in the abyss. He had heard their sibilant whispers. The tentacles of inky blackness seemed like they were reaching out to devour those faint pinpoints of light. The stars seemed to fade as the blackness writhed and twisted in horrid, almost recognizable patterns. Abdul tore his gaze away, looking instead down at the stonework of the tower. A Muggle phrase came to mind, something about while looking into an abyss, the abyss also looked into you. He briefly pondered the phrase. Perhaps the Muggle had known something of this awful secret. Abdul wondered how this Muggle had dealt with the knowledge.
The silence enveloped Abdul as his thoughts turned inward. Carlotta Calloway represented an enigma. She seemed to be going out of her way to befriend him. His exposure to girls his age in Damascus had been limited. It might be nothing sinister. From what he could tell, the girls at Hogwarts were different from those who attend the Al Kafilah Academy. They were much more forward. This line of thought inevitably brought him back to Grace. She had been friendly and outgoing as well. And she had paid with her life.
FLASHBACK: (December 21st)
Snow coated everything; the tree limbs, the tops of the lamp posts and the high, slanted roofs of the buildings. One of the buildings, the Magic Neep, was doing a brisk business. A constant stream of customers were buying potatoes, beans and sides of lamb which hung in a display window. Everyone bustled with energy and brimmed with good cheer. It made Abdul feel like an outsider, which he was in many ways. Most of the students had left Hogwarts for the holiday, returning to be with family. He was one of the few students who remained. The quiet and the solitude were quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the school year. The only interruption had been the injury of the groundskeeper, Hagrid, during an expedition into the Forbidden Forest. The groundskeeper had been badly enough injured to require hospitalization in the infirmary. This provoked a wave of interest among the remaining students and staff. But things had quieted down after a few days, returning to the holiday induced silence. He shook off the feeling of melancholy and lengthened his stride. His destination, Hogsmeade Inn, lay just around the corner.
Entering the front door, he paused to wipe snow from his shoes and glance about the common room. There was a fire burning merrily on the hearth. Various customers occupied tables scattered through out the room. Abdul was unsure about the best way to locate the person he wished to meet. He was spared the need to make an intrusive and obvious search of the room, when the burly individual who had accosted him outside of Twice Told Tales emerged from a shadowy corner. Glancing in Abdul's direction, he made his way to the bar, paid for a bottle and then wandered back to a table set against the far wall. Taking the hint, Abdul turned first to the hearth to warm himself and then wandered over to the bar. Selecting a butterbeer, Abdul plotted a seemingly aimless course to another table against the wall, set one over from the stranger's table. They sat with their backs toward each other. The silence seemed to last for an eternity.
"So, it was as I predicted. The shopkeepers would not assist you."
"You said that you had information about Clarkash Ton," Abdul responded. He was in no mood for small talk. Nor did he particularly care for the stranger's tone, which contained a hint of mockery.
"Indeed I do young wizard. Ever impatient are your kind," the comment ended in a throaty, rumbling chuckle.
"I did not come to speak of character flaws."
"I suppose you did not."
This statement was followed by the thump of a bottle being set down. The scraping sound of a chair being pushed back followed. "When I reach the door, stand and make your way outside. We will speak further but not here."
Outside, the scenery had not changed. But Abdul heeded neither the weather nor passersby, so eager was he to speak to this stranger. Muttering a quick apology, he dodged through a mixed group of adults and children who had stopped to window shop. He barely avoided colliding with a tall man who hoisted his daughter onto his shoulders. In his haste, he failed to notice a diminutive figure who detached himself from the group to peer thoughtfully after the hurrying student.
Abdul kept the figure in sight until the stranger abruptly took a right hand turn, stepping in-between two buildings. Abdul followed, vaguely noting the fast-paced music and cheers emanating from the building on the left. The stranger leaned against one wall examining Abdul with a thoughtful gaze.
"I was not sure if you would come. Your brethren have little stomach for this sort of knowledge. Most of the teachers at the school do not understand the full importance of this knowledge. Those few who do, will not share it. They are too frightened. But not you."
The question behind the statement was obvious, if unstated. Abdul chose to answer elliptically. "I do not fear knowledge. Knowledge alone cannot harm me."
"Good. You do not shrink from it. But what will you do with it? Clarkash Ton only recorded fragments of the Nakotic manuscripts but even those bits of arcana can grant great power. Aaah, I see you know of the manuscripts."
Abdul realized that he had let his composure slip. The stranger had done most of the talking, probing and testing for responses. The entire conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice piping up from behind.
"Abdul, I thought I recognized you."
Turning quickly, Abdul saw Grace walking toward him. "Aren't you spending the holidays with your family? And what are you doing here? You are not thinking of going inside are you? My mum says that it is "not a proper place."" This last sentence was delivered with a frown that implied disapproval mixed with puzzlement.
Grace was now standing beside him, looking at the stranger. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
For the first time, Abdul began to have misgivings about his quest to uncover information about the Nakotic manuscripts. Events were happening too quickly. He glimpsed a familiar figure on the street staring at the trio. Professor Flitwick was walking toward them, wand in hand.
The stranger snarled, "So, a trap." His arms caught both Grace and Abdul in a bruising choke hold. Abdul's last glimpse was of Professor Flitwick raising his wand, when a flash of light obscured everything.
PRESENT:
The appearance two figures startled Abdul from his reminiscence. One was Professor Dumbledore. The other proved to be Professor Isuki. "Good, you are early. I asked Professor Isuki to join us. She can serve as a spotter, as well as providing a few pointers on your technique of blocking hostile spells. Let us begin."
Abdul drew the jambiya and assumed a modified Tahtib stance, suitable for either casting spells or physical combat. He would bury the memory of that fateful day underneath the weight of training, until the next time it chose to resurface.