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Stewing (Orion's Flat, London)
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 12-12-12 05:03
Orion still fumed when he thought about the conversation he'd overheard at Driver's bar. It had been a week, but it still bothered him on a number of levels.
The most obvious was that it had upset Desi. She'd had to quickly stop him from going in and making the other man pay for what he'd said that had bothered her so much. But there was also the way Driver seemed to completely ignore that the two of them were together. Okay, so that was a recent development, and Driver believed it had been going on longer than it had, but still.
Just a few days before that, Desi'd cajoled him into going out to a Muggle store for a few things. Like some slippers because the hardwood floors in his flat always felt cold to her feet. He was used to it, but he wanted her to be comfortable in his space and warming charms weren't enough, so they'd used it to see how much better she was feeling. Her amusement at his discomfort had made it worth it, not to mention she was happy with the bizarrely colored things she'd chosen. Purple and black zebra print and fuzzy, certainly no natural fabric, but whatever made her happy.
And then to see her so upset by a conversation he'd overheard, courtesy of an Extendable Ear he'd been given at the office, who had taken to buying them from the Weasley Twins. It had been a definite test of his over-protective nature to stay out of there. But he had. Instead, he'd paced, and then taken her home, or back to his flat at least, to fuss over her a bit.
It hadn't helped that he was under the impression that Desi really wanted to take the chance to make it clear to Driver that the two of them were building something between them, and that hadn't happened. In fact, it didn't seem like she'd even reminded him that, as things stood, she wasn't available to be going out on dates with the bartender.
But then, perhaps she'd rather be with someone like Driver, who wasn't as protective as he was. If that was the case, maybe he should step back and let her go. It wouldn't be easy, but if it made her happy, then that's what he'd do.
All of these thoughts had been on his mind for the last week, and as a result, he'd probably been a bit distant compared to what he'd been since Desi'd woken up in the hospital. He turned his attention to the tea he was brewing, nodding when he realized it was just the way he liked it. He took a sip, without sugar, cream or lemon, and carried it over to the table. In a bit, he'd get started on breakfast. Cooking wasn't nearly as hard with a wand as it was the Muggle way, and he was good at breakfast. Not so much at the other meals though.
Club Day
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 12-12-12 05:24
The Great Hall was crowded with students due to Club Day. The possibility of joining a club or group was thrilling and soon Wendy discovered the variety of options the school offered.
"What are Gobstones?"she asked to Andrina, as she read one of the booth's signs.
Patiently Andrina told her what Gobstones were. Since Wendy was a muggle born there were still a lot of things she didn't know about the wizarding world. She thought by now she would have learned everything but she was wrong. It seemed that everyday there was something new to discover. She was grateful Andrina was always there to teach her.
The other day, before the Quidditch tryouts, she had explained to Wendy all about that sport. Wendy still found it confusing and somewhat comical. At first she thought the pitch would be used for football games and the high hoops were meant to illuminate the field and the stands. Andrina got shocked when Wendy asked if witches and wizards liked to play football and if there was any team at Hogwarts she could join. When she explained how football worked to her, Andrina said it sounded the most boring thing ever compared to Quidditch. But for Wendy, Quidditch sounded a brutal and complex sport, way worse than rugby.
"Once you assist a match, you'll love it!" Andrina guaranteed to her.
*
"I think I will pass that club," Wendy said after her friend explained her all about the Gobstones. She didn't think very appealing to be filled with putrid smelly liquid whenever she played that game. Although she had to admit it was a good learning method.
"Me too. Oh, look! Hogwarts Harmonies!"Andrina exclaimed and she crossed the Great Hall to a booth were Professor Flitwick was installed. In order to be at the students' height he had his feet on a stool and his cheerful voice echoed out loud.
"Ah, Miss Mills and Miss Fricks! Would you perhaps be interested in any of the activities I have to offer? There is the Dance Club, as well as the schools orchestra not to mention our famous choir Hogwarts Harmonies."
Professor Flitwick gave the two girls some details about each activity. Wendy didn't think she had any musical or dancing talent and so she politely refused Flitcwick's offers. However Andrina wrote down her name in the paper destined to the Hogwarts Harmonies sign ups. When they walked away she seemed very satisfied with herself.
"My mother was part of the choir when she attended the school. And so was my father. That's how they met, actually. Because of them, I know pretty much all the choir's repertory. They have fun songs, so I thought I should give it a try."
And then as if she had to prove her point she started to mutter the lyrics of a song that was about a goblin that drank a potion that made his hair beard grow and so for the rest of his life everyone thought he was a dwarf. Wendy could not help to laugh at the image of a hairy goblin.
Then they went to check out other booths. She spoke to a student from the Drama Club who told her about the plays they did during the school year. The idea of acting in front of everyone intimated Wendy and she decided not to sign up for it. At her side Andrina kept speaking about the choir and tried to convince Wendy to join. She asked her not to make her sing in public or she would regret.
"You don't want the glass to break."
"You're exaggerating."
The Hogwarts Pet Society called Wendy's attention. There was a teacher there she did not know who presented himself as being Professor Kent. Wendy thought it funny that he shared the same surname as the twins in her year Arielle and Asher.
Professor Kent invited her to speak about her pet and Wendy told him all about Erwin and his deformed leg. She asked him if they would learn how to take care of owls. Wendy had Erwin for more than a month now, but she wanted to learn more about her pet. When Wendy first acquired her owl she went to a pet shop in her neighbor but when she asked if he had any special item for owls he looked at her as if there was something wrong and explained with a kind voice that owls where wild animals and humans did not take them as pets. Only later she realized she forgot owls were not a muggle thing.
Professor Kent promised he would teach her everything about owls and other animals if she joined his club. Excited with that perspective, Wendy took a pen from her pocket and signed her name on it. The teacher was surprised when she rejected the quill he offered her but Wendy explained she still wasn't used to write with them and she didn't want to stain the parchment with the lists of students interested in the club.
"Did you know there is a simple charm that fixes that?"
But, before he could explain the spell to her, an older student stepped forward and Professor Kent started to talk to him about his club.
"Come," Wendy told to Andrina, whose eyes were on a big spider in a jar at the Pet's Society table. "I want to pass by the Charms Club booth. I need to find the name of a spell and I think they can help me there. "
Investigating a Curse (Catesby Castle, Cornwall)
Author: Cassandra Catesby
Date: 12-12-12 05:27
Written with Kirley and Nephele Mockridge
With a soft *pop* three figures apparated onto an isolated stretch of the wild Atlantic coast of north Cornwall. Caught between the wave-lashed cliffs on one side and the bleak moor on the other, it had a timeless feel.
The medieval walls of Catesby Castle loomed up before them. The massive gates looked - and were - antiquated, but they also looked as if they could repel a rampaging barbarian horde.
Cassandra drew her wand and tapped the age-hardened wood, murmuring under her breath. There was a small shower of sparks and then the gates creaked open. She stepped inside.
The castle had been originally built by Ranulf Catesby in the 11th century AD and remnants of that construction survived in the modern building, although successive generations had added their own touches. As a result, the modern building was a hodge-podge of architectural styles with different wings - and parts of the wings - being built in different styles, and with turrents and towers in yet other styles jutting out, seemingly at random. Depending upon personal taste, this architectural confusion had been described varyingly as both glorious chaos and a gothic monstrosity.
It stood inside it's circuit of walls, what had originally been the bailey now transformed into gardens. The neglect of recent years had turned these into a wild tangle and roses rambled with unfettered and thorny abandon, tendrils catching on hair and robes as they passed by.
Nephele tugged her tresses away from a particularly persistent thorn. "This would be a herbologist's dream," she muttered.
Cassandra waved her wand again and the thorny tendril recoiled. "The roses always did have a mind of their own," she said. "One of my ancestors was a keen experimental herbologist and let's just say I have my suspicions that he may have tampered with them."
"It wouldn't surprise me. Apparently, that one likes blondes," Nephele said dryly.
Kirley snorted and kept an eye out for any more persistent plants.
At the front door, Cassandra went through the same routine as before, tapping it with her wand and murmuring the counterspell to unlock it safely - and without setting off any of the security measures. She breathed a sigh of relief when the door open.
"At least they didn't change the lock," she murmured.
The entrance hall soared upwards several storeys, a grand staircase sweeping dramatically up and around in a way that made the eyes water. Tapestries depicting events from Catesby family history covered the walls.
"That's helpful, that they've left it the same. I don't even let Mother into the Manor, but I have the house elves seal it instead," Kirley said with a shrug.
"Yes, but Mother is well, Mother," Nephele added. "Where is our best bet to find the books? As I doubt any of us really want to spend the whole day trying to find them and getting nothing accomplished."
"The library," Cassandra said. "I cannot think of any reason why they would be removed from there." She hesitated. "Maybe Aunt Idonea's chambers...? No." She shook her head. "I'm sure I remember Father instructing the house elves to go through those and replace anything that belonged to the family, rather than Aunt Idonea personally, in the correct place."
"Then let's start with the library. Will the house elves help or are they all with your parents?" Kirley asked. The elves could be invaluable, at least with finding things.
"I've no idea," she admitted. "My parents left whilst I was in London." She raised her voice slightly. "Pooky? Minty?"
Two house-elves suddenly appeared in front of them. "Miss Cassandra!" one exclaimed; they'd always known the difference between her and Callandra even when others got it wrong. "You is home, Miss!"
"Yes, I am," she said. "I take it Father left you here?"
"We is to keep the Castle tidy, Miss," Pooky said proudly.
Nephele nodded. "This will make it much easier to find the books," she said.
"We're looking for the family records," Cassandra said to the house elves. "We want to look up something about the Catesby history. Do you know where they are?"
"Oh yes, Miss!"
"Maybe this will be easier than I thought," she murmured.
"More that we won't need to spend all day hunting and come back later to do the reading?" Nephele asked with a slight grin.
"Exactly," Cassandra said. "I don't think there will be a problem taking some of them out, but I didn't want to take the whole lot. There's shelves and shelves of them going back to the Norman Conquest and even earlier."
"We don't need that far, we just need the ones pertaining to the curse. Particularly the origins. I've a suspicion," Nephele said. Something about the names Cassandra had used when she told the original story, it had tugged at her, making her vaguely recall something about her own family history. That and while being a ruthless witch wasn't an uncommon trait in a number of families, those from the Parkinson line had a certain reputation.
The library was a good two storeys high with shelves that stretched from floor to ceiling. About halfway up, at first storey level, a mezzanine balcony ran around the outside of the walls, giving access to the upper level of books. The mahogany and brass balustrade on the balcony gleamed in the lamplight.
"These is the records, Miss Cassandra," Minty said.
"Which are the ones from the thirteenth century?" Cassandra asked.
"These ones, Miss," Pooky said. She thanked him and withdrew the first leather-bound volume. The ancient cover creaked as she lay it down on a desk and opened it carefully.
"Everard Catesby is the one we're after," Cassandra said. "It was his wife, Avelina, who was the first victim of the curse. The story goes that there was a lover's triangle. Everard got involved with two witches. He married Avelina, and her rival cursed her out of jealousy. A witch scorned and all that."
Nephele's eyes skimmed down the page. She was far better at reading old handwriting than Kirley, probably from the abundance of old potions notes she pored over. "This looks like it," she said, pointing to a section on the page but not quite touching it.
Cassandra mentally translated the antique language as she read. "Yes, I think you're right," she said. "It says here... 'Avelina's curse waxed and waned with the light of the moon'."
"Does it give the name of the rival?" Nephele asked. The persistent feeling that they should check the records at Parkinson Court nagged at her.
"The scribe's handwriting isn't great." Cassandra leaned forward and squinted at the squashed-looking text. "I think it begins with a P."
"Philantha, perhaps?" Kirley asked, looking over Cass' shoulder.
Nephele's eyes widened. "We need to go to Parkinson Court. I'm pretty sure there's a journal from around this same time period. It's been a while since I went through them, but I remember that name."
"We'll take this volume with us," Cassandra said, closing it. "Just in case."
"A sound idea," Nephele said, sounding distracted. She hoped Arsenius was in a good mood, though the cousins had always gotten along well enough.
My Reason for Living
Author: Melinda
Date: 12-12-12 14:50
Friday's were my longest days and yesterday had been no exception. I worked from eight to five helping Christian with his current case and most of my time was spent doing research and then four wasted hours in a court room where nothing had gotten done at the Ministry (the legal system at its finest) and then went home for about four hours before I had to head to Petals for my shift there.
We were busy on the weekends and last night had proved to be no exception (much to the dismay of many of the opponents to having a strip club so close to Hogwarts). I'd come away with decent money last night and had been surprised by seeing JSF in the crowd as well, and of course he was one of my best tippers (and I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the fact that his kid was friends with mine, or that we kissed on my birthday).
Things had also been a bit out of line between one of the wizards that was watching my show and the sudden appearance of his wife who didn't know that he was visiting a strip club on a routine basis but had some how found out that he had been at the club. Things had gotten a touch catty, and one of the bouncers had to escort the woman and her husband out before things had come to blows, more than likely between me and the extremely pissed off wife.
I'd gotten home around three with a mind-numbing, throbbing headache that simply had not wanted to quit and attempted to figure out why I worked both, and then I peeked in on my sleeping daughter and it all made sense again. I was doing this for her, everything I did was for her, every sacrifice I made was for her and always would be. Nothing would change that, no matter how old she got, no matter how independent she got - she would be my baby.
I picked up her teddy bear from where it had fallen on the floor and tucked it in next to her again. She stirred and murmured something in her sleep, before stilling again. I headed to my own room, grabbed a shower and proceeded to pass out until around noon when I woke to the scents of food cooking.
"Mom! Breakfast is ready..."
Which meant she had only been up for about an hour or so, God Bless Saturday mornings and sleeping in.
I rolled over and looked up, smiling when I saw her holding a tray that had breakfast for two on it. I sat up and motioned her over, helping her get the tray on the bed and then letting her climb on to sit next to me.
"Love you Mom!" Cam said with a smile as she motioned to the breakfast she'd made: eggs with cheese, bagel, and mixed berries in a bowl with a bit of whipped cream.
"This looks absolutely fantastic Cam. Thank you so much. Love you too."
"I just thought that you needed something special since I know that the weekends are rough for you work wise." She said with a smile and popped a berry in her mouth.
"Why thank you sweetie, that's so nice of you."
"And, I think you should not go to work tonight and instead go on a date with Remedy's dad. He's so cute and totally sweet on you."
I blinked and stared at my daughter. "Branching into relationship advice now are you kiddo? Well, truth be told, I kinda like Remedy's dad a lot."
Cam grinned. "I know, we saw you guys kiss on your birthday."
I couldn't help but laugh and deposit a fingertip of whipped cream on Cam's nose.
"Brat. But, we'll see about tonight. I can't promise anything because we were already short handed last night and we had a couple of incidents."
Cam frowned. "You work too much Mom, you need to go out and have fun. Seriously!"
It's days like today that I love my daughter all the more and wonder just how she ended up getting so smart so quick.
"I will see what I can do kiddo to start working a bit less."
She seemed satisfied and we soon settled into talking about plans for the day and finishing breakfast.
Getting Answers
Author: Blaise Zabini
Date: 12-12-12 18:51
It had taken some time to coordinate schedules and to decide where they would meet. Finally, they agreed on Pansy coming to the Zabini home, where they could ensure it would be properly warded and prevent any possible issues with being overheard.
Phyllida was seated in a deep, high-backed chair in the sombre drawing room, with Blaise seated opposite her, as Miss Parkinson emerged from the sputter of green flames in the fireplace, ducking to avoid the a giant, carved stone mantle. The younger witch untucked her legs, her eyes darting towards Blaise.
"Hello, Pansy," she greeted.
"Pans," Blaise said with a smirk. "How're things in your part of the world?" he asked, hazel eyes glinting with mischief as he took in the stylish robes and hair that had been perfect before the trip through the Floo.
A quick flick of her wand, and Pansy's robes and hair straightened themselves, soot disappearing rapidly. "Wonderful, certainly much better than they could be, Blaise," she drawled. "Phyllida, it's been a while." A third chair was quickly occupied as one of the house elves appeared with a tea tray and some small sandwiches and cakes.
"Oh, if we're talking about this, I might need something stronger. Blaise, don't be holding out just because we're ladies, I'm sure Phyllida could use a drink as much as I could."
Phyllida looked down demurely. "I don't really drink, but I'll have a Butterbeer." She winced, aware that statement only confirmed her schoolgirl image.
Blaise shook his head, fighting the urge to chuckle. The redhead really was too cute. "One Butterbeer, and a shot of Ogden's, I presume?" he said, getting to his feet as Pansy smirked in a self-satisfied manner. He got a shot for Pansy and got himself a Butterbeer along with Phyllida's, earning a calculating look from his old schoolmate.
"So," Pansy gave a venomous smile above the rim of her crystal tumbler, "Since dear Blaise is not above calling in favours when needed, how may I be of assistance?"
"Do you know anything about my father's activities during his 'retirement'?" Phyllida asked bluntly, her eyes flicking towards Blaise. He might have been better at questioning the prospective witness than she was.
Blaise nearly choked as he handed Phyllida her Butterbeer. "Well, while that isn't exactly how I would've asked, that is the heart of the matter. The Ministry is stalling on giving us the evidence, we were hoping you might have some insights."
Pansy tucked a strand of her dark bob behind her ear. "I'm afraid I can't tell you everything you must be dying to know," she explained, her sly, sharp features taking on a reflective cast. "I encountered your father in Hogsmeade, while I was teaching at the school. He seemed gloomier than usual - more careless with his outward appearance. I dare say he had quite forgotten himself when I found him at The Hog's Head. He was alone. My intrigue was piqued, I must admit." She gave a sly grin. "When I pushed him further about it, he said it was Ministry business, and that he was headed to the Western Isles. Grimsay, I believe, specifically."
"That does at least give us a place to start, though I had hoped for more. Are you certain that's all you can tell us, Pans?" Blaise asked.
"He said nothing else, though it all made sense when I read the papers. It was such a damned good idea," she grinned, venomously, "using those good-for-nothing brats for testing. I dare say I'd have been involved, if I'd known about it."
Phyllida's brow furrowed. "I still don't think he could have done it. But Professor Snape thought him more than capable."
"Any of us are capable of things we wouldn't expect, especially once we know the reasons behind it. I mean, could any of us have imagined the way Lucius Malfoy dotes on his daughter?" Blaise said with a shrug. "And Pansy, please watch where you say things like that. I don't want to be bailing you out of Azkaban, again."
"Why, when you seem to enjoy helping young witches in need so much?" she asked, giving Phyllida a pointed glance. The redhead coloured, and sipped her Butterbeer blandly.
"Because helping you usually means I'm going to end up spending whatever you pay me on you eventually anyway, because I end up needing favors because you don't tell me everything the first time," Blaise said. "And be nice to Phyllida, or I might decide your help wasn't as valuable as it could be and send you one of mother's trinkets. The nasty ones from former mother-in-laws."
Phyllida gave an amused snort, but hid it carefully behind her glass. Her eyes fled towards the window.
"One of those could fetch a pretty galleon at Borgin & Burkes..." Pansy said with a mocking grin. "But I'll desist, if you insist."
"I'd rather save them for someone I want to take out myself. Merlin knows Mother's made good enough use of them over the years." Blaise took a long drink from his Butterbeer before winking at Phyllida.
Talking Things Out (Orion's Flat, London)
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 12-12-12 19:06
Something was bothering Orion. I wasn't entirely sure what, but I had an idea. He'd been distant ever since I went to talk to Driver. Admittedly, I didn't need a fancy degree to figure out that the two were related. I wasn't sure how, but I had a really good idea. Since I'm the cause of all of this, I better fix it.
So, I slipped into the really cute fuzzy slippers Orion was so thoughtful in buying for me, and went out to talk to him. Though the slippers help quiet my approach, he could hear me coming, and he turned as I walked up to him.
"Ok, spill it," I started, "You heard everything didn't you?"
"Yeah. I figured you could use some time to think about things, since you seemed rather conflicted when you two were talking."
"Great, so I can't have a private conversation with one of my... people I know..." I didn't know if I could call Driver a friend anymore, but I continued much more subdued, "And I wasn't conflicted, just emotional."
"You didn't ask me not to listen," Orion said with a shrug, "And I was mainly listening for threats."
I couldn't really help but smile at his attempt, "I know you better than that. I do appreciate you looking out for me, but eavesdropping on me is a little much. And you still haven't told me what about the conversation is upsetting you."
"You wouldn't be upset if some girl interested in me, that had nearly started a fight with you fairly recently, told you they were having dreams about a little one that looked like me except with her eyes or about dating me?"
"I'd have..." I looked down at my hands, "Probably showed less restraint then you did..." I confessed before looking up again, "To be honest, some of his dreams bothered me too."
"Some of his dreams were creepy."
"Very," I agreed as I sat down, "I know I should have said something about us to him, but I was bothered by what he said, and half of what I wanted to say went right out the window."
"I can understand that. But I think you need to tell him. Doesn't mean I like it, but you need to."
"I will. So, the whole part about me having a poor self image and a fear of my sister stealing my boyfriends didn't bother you in the least?"
"No," he said, "Cause I have no interest in your sister, she's not you. As for your self-image, you have to make the choice to change that when you're ready."
"Ah, I see..." I said somewhat disappointed.
Orion shrugged and looks over at me, "Your sister might be good at stealing your boyfriends, but Des, I feel for you, combat boots, multi-colored curls and kick-ass attitude. Not some picture perfect princess."
"Well... I wasn't going to accept any compliments... but I like that one..."
"So, am I forgiven for listening? At least since my purpose was to keep an eye out for you."
"Ok... forgiven."
Orion grinned as he tugged me closer to him. "Good. And I will try to curb my over-protective tendencies, but I can't apologize for watching your back, Des, not when I just about lost you."
"I know..." I snuggled up to Orion for a few minutes. "Ok! I'm going to go shopping with Bron!"
"Let me know if you buy anything good? Or better yet, show me later?"
"Maybe... If you're good." I gave him a kiss before getting up.