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With Molly
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 02-16-10 17:52
Molly cut a slice of blueberry pie and gently slid it onto a floral-patterned plate, which she handed to Hermione.
"Thank you," Hermione murmured, also taking the proffered cake fork, which she used to taste the pie that had come fresh from the oven. It was warm and absolutely delicious.
"You're quite welcome, dear," Molly said, as she also cut herself a piece of pie. "I'm very glad you stopped by for a visit. Arthur stepped out for the afternoon, and with all of our children grown and living in their own homes, it gets rather quiet around here when I'm alone."
As if to counter what Mrs. Weasley had just said, the family ghoul started to make a racket in the attic.
Molly smiled and rolled her eyes heavenward. "I guess it never does get too quiet around here, and I suppose I'm never truly alone. That said, I certainly don't want a full house again, but I do enjoy having my family near me."
"That's perfectly understandable," Hermione replied. She'd grown up an only child, and only knew through her experiences at Hogwarts and with the Weasleys what it was like to live with a lot of other people.
Hermione couldn't help but think about her deceased parents in that moment. She missed them terribly. Perhaps her face had visibly fallen, because Molly reached out to take her hand.
"You know that I have long considered you a member of the family," Mrs. Weasley said. "You always will be, no matter what."
"Thank you. It means a lot to me to hear you say that."
Molly smiled. "So, when do you suppose Ron will try to make it official?"
Hermione blushed. "We haven't talked about it seriously. I suppose I've been so busy trying to catch up with my studies and he's been so busy working that we haven't given it any thought. Or maybe he has and hasn't told me yet."
Hermione smiled. "Whatever may happen, I'm in no hurry to get married, but at the same time I feel ready to take that next big step if it were to happen sooner than later."
"Good. Now, tell me what's next for you and your healing program. I understand you have finished your review sessions and will soon pick up where you left off the first time around?"
"Oh, yes!" Hermione exclaimed, and she happily launched into what her next clinical rotation would entail.
Doing Homework On A Saturday
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 02-16-10 18:40
"Hey, I'm using that book."
Isabella firmly says, "No, you aren't."
I swing my legs around off the arms of the chair in which I'd been lounging and stand, reaching for the book Izzy has picked up. "Am too."
"This book has been untouched by you since you dropped it on the floor just before you collapsed into the chair more than half an hour ago. Since then you've done nothing but flip through a beauty catalog, trying to decide what new shade of lippy you want to buy. I, on the other hand, have been steadily working on the assignment for which we checked out this book and now need to look a few things up for that very assignment."
"Picking out a new shade of lippy is vair importantevuamente. We all remember well your own tre tragicnosity incurred when you applied a new lippy you had bought without paying attention to the shade."
Izzy sniffs, "Just because you do not think Precocious Primrose is my shade does not mean others think the same. Also, while lippy shade may be important, this assignment is even more so. As you are otherwise occupied with that catalog then there is absolutely no reason why I cannot use this book for reference, which I must point out is checked out in my name."
"Blimey, no need to have a dithering spazz, Izzy. If it is so vair important to you to use that book then by all means, go ahead. I shall wait with great patientnosity for you to be done so that I might finish my own assignment. While waiting, I will find something else in which to occupy my time, such as ordering a new lippy or writing my sex god boyfriend Sage Porter."
"You know, Georgia, you do not have to announce Sage's last name every time you utter his first name. We all know which Sage you mean."
"Why are you in such a stroppy huff, me bestest pally? Are you still on ye olde racke of lurve over the fact that you do not have a sex god boyfriend like my sex god boyfriend Sage Porter, nor any boyfriend at all for that matter?"
"I have plenty of dates, Georgia, and you know it."
"Frankly, a huge part of the problem is the sad state of your fringe."
Isabella's hand flies up to her forehead, fingers flicking her fringe. "What's wrong with my fringe?"
"The better question is what isn't wrong with your fringe? Once your fringe problemo is no longer a problemo, then the rest of your hair tragicnosity can be addressed. Also, you are in dire need of wearing boy entrancers every day to make up for your lack of eyelashes. Someone must have secretly hexed you, Izzy, because your face has gone all red and set funny, sort of murderous."
Izzy says through gritted teeth, "I have not been hexed. I have, however, been cursed with the continued presence of someone who can be utterly clueless."
I look around the commons while asking, "Really? Who?"
"Honestly, Georgia!"
"What?"
Izzy shoves the book at me. "Here. If you'd just have let me use this when I first picked it up without the argument, I'd be done with it by now and ready to finish that assignment. Since that was beyond your capablity I shall have to look up what I need later as I'm now due in the Great Hall. Professor Quigly asked me to do a shift with Astronomy for Course Day."
"I shall come ask you some questions then as soon as I fill out this order form for a lippy for me and one I am sending to Woolly in Azkaban."
"Why would Woolly need lippy in Azkaban?"
"One always need a little lippy, Izzy, and not knowing that is another reason you do not have a sex god boyfriend like I have in sex god Sage Porter. Also, by sending Woolly lippy I am reminding her of all she lost by being such a swot she deserved to be sent to Azkaban."
For some reason Isabella makes a strange sound, almost a frustraed growl, then with a roll of her eyes she says, "Do not come see me at the Astronomy table. Go bother someone else."
She turns and walks away, not indicating she hears me when I cheerily reply, "Really, it's no bother to come see you. That's what friends are for."
Translations:
lippy = lipstick
vair = very
importantevuamente = Spanish or maybe French meaning highly important
tre = vair
tragicnosity = more tragic than a tragic thing
dithering spazz = someone prone to nervous fits i.e. Isabella Hastings
sex god = Seriously? You want me to explain this yet again?
stroppy huff = a dithering spazz who's in a bit of a snit
racke of lurve = an older expression for this, from the times of that great wizard Merlin is on the shelf. Females with no sex god boyfriends such as Sage Porter, or any boyfriend at all, and thus unable to then get married, were said to be in this state. The phrase comes from the Latin shelvius spinsterinius with the spinsterinius portion having been dropped over the ages.
fringe = what American's call bangs
boy entrancers = false eyelashes
Woolly = Hairy the Snide = Harriet Snider
Many Options
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 02-17-10 14:08
“Care for magical creatures, Arithmancy & Divination, Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies…So many options! Oh I want to have them all!” Joanna Porter, also a second year student but from Ravenclaw, says with dismay to her house colleague and friend Roger Gesner.
“Move out you nerds!” Gus says pushing them away trying to find a break among the crowded Great Hall. Joanna and Roger look at Gus furious but none of them replies to his lack of manners. They keep their conversation about the subjects they want to have next year. Gus had lucky, because if it was a Gryffindor probably wands would be taken out of pockets and for sure someone would catch a detention.
“I don’t get these nerds. Why they want to have more subjects? If I could I wouldn’t pick any. I have a big schedule now I don’t need more classes or homework. “
“It’s part of your education.” Johanna tried to explain.”Besides it’s interesting, you will learn more things from other fields of Magic you never had access before.”
“Mark showed me his schedule. You are not going to believe the little amount of spare time he has.”
“But he’s a quidditch player, so he has practices. You won’t have those.”
“Thanks for reminding me of the fact I haven’t been selected into the team.”
“Maybe you should. Who knows if you would do a better job than this team?” Felicia said. The defeat against Ravenclaw last week was still fresh in the young Slytherins’ memories.
Johanna’s attention then turned to Professor Miller’s booth. She had heard he was a very good teacher, kind to his students. Unfortunately Johanna knew she wasn’t going to take his classes. She was half-blood and she lived all her life in the muggle world.
Felicia was excited with Arithmancy & Divinationand literally run to Professor Sacheverelle’s booth.
“Will I be able to see the future after taking this subject?” She asked serving herself of one of the cookies that were there. Professor Sacheverelle started to give Felicia some details of the course. Johanna heard with attention. It clarified her a lot. The idea she had of Arithmancy & Divination was completely different from the reality.
Gus quickly got tired and had walked away, after finishing his cookie. Felicia was still chatting with Professor Sacheverelle asking her several questions about start signs. Johanna then turned her attention to the Care of Magical Creatures’ booth. Since Professor Kent was busy with a fifth year Hufflepuff student Johanna decided to talk with Freya Abbott about that subject. She was a Head Girl and a Slytherin.
“So what exactly do you want to know about Care of Magical Creatures?” she asked with kind.
“Is it dangerous?”
“Some accidents can happen of course. But that’s with every other class. Just do exactly what Professor Kent says and you’ll be good.”
“What type of creatures do we work with? I heard dragons were involved…”
Freya laughs.
“Oh no, that’s just one of those silly rumors Lennox likes to spread in the common room to the younger students. Don’t listen to him.”
James Lennox, a sixth year student liked to show off in the common room, usually trying to impress the younger students. Johanna felt a little silly to have believed in the dragons’ rumor.
“You start with simple creatures and as you advance in the course it gets tough and more interesting. Every class is a surprise. You never know what kind of creature you will study next. And some of them are actually rare!”
After some more chat it was time to visit the Ancient Runes’ booth. Like the others it was very crowed so Johanna waited patiently for her turn to talk with Professor Hodfuffer.
Distractions
Author: Illyria
Date: 02-17-10 17:13
Although Illyria no longer taught N.E.W.T. level Astronomy, she was on hand at Course Day to answer any questions about the class. It had been Celeste Quigley's idea to rope her into helping out, and it didn't bother Illyria in the slightest. Lending a hand to the event would help keep her mind off the fact that she had once again emptied out her bank vault to bail out Roland Gray.
Illyria's ex-boyfriend had admitted that the money he'd repaid his loan with hadn't been his at all, but he'd refused to give Illyria any details about the precarious situation in which he'd put himself. He'd claimed that it would be better all around if she didn't know, which aggravated Illyria to no end. She felt that he should be upfront with her since he owed her a significant amount of money––money that she'd decided she didn't want back anymore.
It wasn't entirely true. Illyria had always been more of a saver than a spender and had built up a nice little nest egg for herself. It might be money for a rainy day, but more than likely it would be something she could live off of when she was an old, retired witch. Illyria wanted to recover her lost funds, but she really didn't want to have to deal with Roland and his foolishness any longer. She believed it better to cut him from her life permanently than to find herself even more tangled in his problems.
She hadn't heard from him since giving him back the money and telling him not to contact her again. It was just as well, since now she could learn from her mistake and move on with her life.
"Professor Jones?"
Illyria realized then that one of the students had been trying to get her attention, probably for several minutes now.
She shook her head and cleared the vision of Roland walking away with her money from her mind. Her eyes focused on Kate Dewhurst.
"I'm sorry, Kate. I got lost in my thoughts."
"That's okay. You looked a little upset about something, and I just wanted to make sure you were all right."
Illyria smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem." She nodded her head to one of the other tables. "I think I'm going to check out Care of Magical Creatures again."
"Sure, I suppose it's still a little early for you to be thinking about sixth and seventh year Astronomy classes." Professor Jones smiled.
Kate went off to get more information about Professor Kent's classes before Course Day ended, which was scheduled to happen very soon. Illyria wasn't particularly looking forward to the end, because then she'd have to find something else with which to occupy her mind. She didn't want to dwell on Roland if at all possible, but she kind of knew her thoughts would inevitably travel to him, whether she wanted it or not.
Namiagus
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 02-17-10 19:01
With the core classes at Hogwarts now split between two professors, one teaching the first through fourth years and the other the fifth through seventh years, certain professors don't really need to be at this first ever Hogwarts Course Day. Transfiguration is one of the courses that every student must take through fifth year, only becoming an elective in sixth year. With Sirius being the first through fourth year Transfiguration professor, this means he's one of those teachers who doesn't need to be in attendance today. He's here because Minerva McGonagall asked him to be. There was no reason for saying no, so Sirius had gladly said yes and came early to help Minerva set up her table.
Sirius has talked to students about the requirements of NEWT level Transfiguration and about what professions require a solid Transfiguration base and which ones have minimum NEWT requirements. He's also fielded quite a few questions from students of all years about the work that goes into being an animagus. Sirius is somewhat surprised at how many of these questions he's getting given that it's something any of them could have asked him about at any time since school between in September. Maybe they all felt too intimidated to ask before now for some reason or they talk to Minerva about it since she's always been so open about her ability.
At one point in time, Sirius would have been leary of anyone feeling him out about animagi. So few knew that James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and he had practiced in secret to be animagi so they could keep Remus Lupin company during the days surrounding a full moon. For years after leaving Hogwarts, the fact that Sirius is an animagus was still known by only a very few. It's the secret that allowed Sirius to become one of the few to escape from Azkaban prison before the massive breakout there some years later. Since being free and vindicated of the crimes he was imprisoned for, the knowledge that Sirius is an animagus has been learned by more and more people so that it's no longer any secret even though Sirius has yet to actually beomce registered with the Ministry.
Right now Gloriaspasiana Hodfuffer has approached Sirius and since she's only a first year he right presumes she wants to talk about animagi. "Hi, Professor Black. I was asked to bring you some tea and I want to ask you if it's really hard to become a namiagus."
"Animagus, and thank you for the tea," he says accepting the cup.
"Thank Professor Isuki. She asked some of use to bring tea around to all you other professors," Glori says with a smile, waiting expectently for her all important question to be answered.
"I'll be sure to do that," Sirius tells her. "As to becoming an animagus, yes, it's very difficult for most people. A very small few have such a natural gift that transfiguring come quite easily and the practicing they do is for gaining better control and for maintaining control. Some are naturally gifted but still have to put in hours of practice to fully learn how to be an animagus. For most, it's a very difficult feat of magic that takes years of dedicated practice and even then a good many never fully master it."
"If I want to become a nani, I mean animagus, what do I have to do?"
"I have a book you should read. It's very short but it's very informative. I'm pretty sure it's in my office." Sirius takes his wand and using the Accio spell, summons the book to him. Handing it to Glori Sirius says, "Read this today or tomorrow and come talk to me on Monday if you're serious about learning to be an animagus."
"Thank you! I'm VERY serious. I'll come to your office before class Monday morning. See you then!"
Watching her practically skip away, Sirius thinks that as determined a person as he's come to know Glori Hodfuffer to be, if anyone can master becoming an animagus, it's that girl.
What a wonderful day
Author: Linnea Rose
Date: 02-18-10 12:48
Thursdays was something she loved, because there was all these funny lessons she had and this was something Linnea thought will strolled around in the corridor waiting for the lesson in charms to start. Nothing seems to go wrong today, the weather was good and she was happy and yet so mystery with that smile on her face.
Linnea was eager to get in and was so full of energy that she couldn’t stand still and she though that all the people was staring at her which made her a little embarrassed.
Why can’t the lesson start so I can learn a new spell and try that several times, she jumped talking to herself loud in the head.
The corridor started to become crowed with students and Linnea stopped jumping and was standing next to the door when it opened the lesson began and everybody walked in.
Linnea sat down by the window and eager started to take notes and listen.
The lesson went on nice until the door suddenly open and in came Maria with a note.
-Sorry miss, it is very important that Linnea must get this letter.
She handed the letter to me and walked straight out throughout the door. I put the letter in my bag and thought I should read it when I got the time.
The letter was lying in the bag through the whole lesson and when the bell rang. I took the letter and started to read. The shock that hit her while read the letter was so enormous.
She though to herself when she dropped the letter in her bag again.
-No it can't really be true, grandpap couldn't have died, he was so healthy when we last so him...
She most talk to mama about this, why haven't they informed her about it sooner she might never have got the shock she now had. Best to send an owl to ask them straight away. This Linnea thought she might do after the lesson in potions, which she should go to now.
While in potions she tried to listen to the teacher but she was so occupied with the though of the letter laying in her bag. So it was hard to concentrated on the lesson.
When the lesson finished Linnea walked to a bench to sit down and write to her parents.
Dearest Mama and Papa
Hope everthing is well at home, me and Maria is well.
I have just this question, it might seem weird to write but I will only confirmed that I have heard everthing right.
I hope that I have heard wrong and hope you could confirm that the information that Maria gave me is wrong.
Yours sincerly
Linnea
She put the letter she worte in an envelop and put it in the bag so that she would take it to the owltower sooner.
After that she head to the lunch thinking that this day wasn't so wounderful after all.