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(Titus) A Soft Heart
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 06-10-13 06:29
"I don't understand this. Here it says you should feel compelled into the light…"
Titus flipped some pages of the book entitled How to help ghosts reaching the afterlife, by Tobias Quigley, but he was having a hard time to find the information he was looking for.
He adjusted his glasses and looked up at the ghost of the girl called Moaning Myrtle. Titus had developed a fascination for her since the day she had expelled him and Anton from the second floor girls' bathroom when they were chasing Wendy Mills.
Petula and Valeria had told him how she was very annoying and irritating and that she didn't like anyone using that bathroom at all. Anton didn't seem very interested in Myrtle but Titus had tried to learn the most he could about her. He just couldn't understand why a ghost would want to live in a bathroom all the time.
If he was a ghost, he would travel around the world; or if at Hogwarts, he would pay a visit to the professors' offices and spy on them. He could play pranks on the students like Peeves did, and, if feeling generous, he could tell the students the answers of their tests and exams just to annoy the teachers.
It had been hard to visit Myrtle. During the week the corridor was filled with students, and Titus didn't want to be seen entering the girls' bathroom. He would try to see Myrtle at the end of the day. The first few times he was received with hostility. Myrtle would throw wet pieces of toilet paper at him and make the pipes burst out of the blue. Once, Titus had to tell Asher Kent that he fell on the lake to explain his wet robes. Asher just laughed; probably thinking Titus was mental for falling into the lake.
Titus' persistence ended up paying off: one day Myrtle just asked him what he wanted of her. He replied he wanted to be her friend and help her. The ghost was suspicious but she didn't attack him anymore.
His visits to the bathroom became even more frequent and he had gone to the library in search for a book that could help Myrtle. What it seemed to be a good manual at first was revealing itself to be a fiasco. Myrtle liked her bathroom and she didn't felt compelled to leave this world, like the book said she would. She also didn't have any pendant tasks or affairs needed to be solved.
"I give up," Titus declared closing the heavy book. "For now, that is," he added once he noticed Myrtle's teasing expression. She had told him before he could not help her. That she was happy with her life. But Titus could not help to doubt her words.
"Maybe there's a special spell or a potion..."
"A potion wouldn't work, silly Nott boy. I can't eat or drink. Are you all Notts so ignorant?"
"You know my family?"
"All arrogant and cruel, they were. Some would come in here to taunt me. But you're different. You're kinder. You have a soft heart."
"I'm not kind!" Titus said, although he could not help for his cheeks to turn red. He was not used to compliments. "Being kind is a weakness, my father used to say before he was arrested. "
"Silly Nott!" Myrtle said, throwing him a roll of toilet into his head.
"Hey, that hurt!" he complained rubbing his head to relief the pain.
"That's for you to learn," she said and then without anything else to add she disappeared from the bathroom, diving into one of the open toilets.
"Myrtle?" he asked, looking at the toilet, but keeping a considerable distant from it in case she would decide to repeat and splash water all over the place.
She was gone. Knowing it would be impossible to predict when she would come again, Titus picked up the book about the ghosts and he decided to return it to the library before Anton caught him with it and started to ask too many questions.
A Future In Quidditch?
Author: Estine
Date: 06-10-13 07:53
"So, what do you think you'll check out?" Sophie McCourt popped a garlic crisp into her mouth as she sat parallel to Estine Mignon on her bed. Already, the other Hufflepuff 1st year girls had gone off to do other things, which just left the two girls behind in their room. Neither girl really minded this too much. It was perfect for their lazy Saturday morning, as they snacked, relaxed, and talked. "I was thinking of looking at Ancient Runes. I might be interested in that in a few years."
"Seriously?" Estine waited until she had spoken before she put a crisp in her own mouth. She chewed what she counted as fifteen times before swallowing and smiling at her friend and roommate. "You're not turning Ravenclaw on me, are you?"
"No! I just think it would be fun to, you know, think ahead and stuff." Sophie McCourt pushed another crisp past her lips while her eyes fastened themselves for a second to a spot on the wall. It was only a second though. A moment later, Sophie was looking back to Esti with a smile on her lips as she chewed. "Plus, you never answered my question."
Estine, who had decided to give up her role of piggy in the girls' event of morning snacking, smiled. Her eyes squinted as she did while she nodded and adjusted her legs into a more comfortable position. "Well, I really like Fitness & Athletics. I think I'll probably stick to that."
"Oh, how original," Sophie spoke through a semi-full mouth before swallowing so that she could finish her statement. "Why don't you look into something new? You have no idea, you could be an amazing master at Divination."
"I highly doubt that," Esti spoke through a giggle. "I'm not exactly the best student, Soph. I'm like…okay. I'm just a nice person so no one notices. The only stuff I'm good at is sports. Why not do what I know and just work on that until I'm the best?"
Sophie, whose hand had been making its way to her mouth yet again, let her arm fall as her lips turned to reveal an excited grin. "Oh my Helga Hufflepuff! You should ask Professor Krum about learning Quidditch! I mean, you'd be a good Beater since its kind of like baseball, isn't it? And Chasers just throw quaffles around and get them into the hoops. That's like baseball too, right?"
"Probably more like basketball for the Chasers, but I don't know. I've never been into Quidditch. Gramma is, and I know Grappa is too. I just was always more interested in what my dad was doing." There was a shrug had on Estine's part as she thought about the idea of her playing Quidditch for Hogwarts. There was no doubt in the girl's mind that she would be all right at the sport. Not the best – no, but she was a quick learner. That meant something, didn't it? Maybe if Estine started now, she could be considered the best by her 6th year. "Okay, I'll ask. I'm okay at flying. Maybe he can give me some pointers when I talk to him today."
The other Hufflepuff in the room clapped with excitement. "This is going to be awesome. We'll win the Cup with you on the team. I just know it!"
Another smile crept onto Esti's face as she rolled her eyes. "Calm down there, biggest fan. Lower your expectations a little. We still don't know what's going to happen."
Astronomy
Author: Illyria
Date: 06-10-13 18:20
Even though Illyria's Astronomy classes were not electives or upper-level, she made a point of being on hand for Course Day. She had taught all years in the past and knew with confidence what the N.E.W.T.-level classes entailed.
Illyria sat at a table next to Professor Quigley with pamphlets Roland had sent over from the Wizarding Examinations Authority at the Ministry of Magic. Some focused on the Astronomy O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams. Others centered on Astronomy as a career, both with private institutions and at the Ministry of Magic. A few even dealt with Astronomy as a hobby.
Illyria let Celeste do most of the talking, since enrollment in the Astronomy N.E.W.T. classes depended entirely upon her own preferences. Some Hogwarts professors were notorious about how they selected which students were accepted into their upper-level courses. Others allowed anyone to enroll. Then there were those who fell somewhere in the middle.
Illyria straightened a pile of pamphlets entitled Exploring the Universe: Careers in Astronomy and glanced around the Great Hall. The tables set aside for Course Day were manned either by staff members or students. There weren't a lot of students wandering the room, but there were enough to make Course Day worthwhile in Illyria's opinion. She would have certainly benefited from learning about the different electives offered during her student years, as well as knowing what expectations the professors had regarding upper-level coursework.
She supposed she had done all right in the end, at least professionally. Her personal life was another story, but even that had improved in recent months.
Illyria looked up at the arrival of a group of students and smiled while Celeste welcomed them and inquired after their interests.
Overreaction
Author: Plum
Date: 06-10-13 19:36
Jordan Hodges rolls his eyes in his cousin Plum's direction as if asking, "Do you see what I have to deal with?"
The visage of a clearly perturbed Ava Hodges seems to grow larger, filling the fireplace. Eyes angrily narrowed she snaps, "How long have you known you wouldn't be coming for a visit?"
Jordan hedges. "I'm not really sure. With finals everything sort of ran together."
Ava looks to where Plum is sitting on a love seat, Alex at her feet playing with Jordan's new puppy and trying to ignore the argument going on. "Plum, when did Jordan take the job."
Plum really hates being put on the spot. Jordan is 23, not some wayward teen. She would have thought Aunt Ava would be happy he's decided to be responsible and get a job to help pay the expense of living abroad from home and attending university. Yes, it's a disappointment that he won't be coming home for the entire break between terms but it's not as if he won't see his family at all nor is he going to spend the time being lazy. Plum decides to tell the truth, but not all of it since Ava seems so hell bent on having a full on snit.
"Jordan put his application in less than three weeks ago when he heard me mention the company had an intern type position opening. He was called in for an interview about a week after. Beyond that, I don't know that much other than Jordan was given word on Thursday that he had the job."
"Three week? You've known for three weeks you might not be coming home?" Ava's attention is firmly back on her son.
"No, Mum. I have known for about three weeks that I had applied for a position. Look, is Dad there?"
"I just don't understand why you wouldn't have said anything when you knew I was looking forward to having you home and making a few plans."
"I didn't say anything because I didn't know anything for sure AND I was really busy with the term wrapping up."
"Not too busy to go to at least one interview or to accept the position."
Knowing he's not getting anywhere with his mother and probably won't anytime soon, he asks again, "Is Dad home?"
Malachi's face appears in the flame next to that of his wife's. "I'm here, Jordan."
"I'm really sorry to mess up Mum's plans, Dad, but this is important to me."
"And you not coming home as promised isn't important to me?" Ava snippily demands.
"Ava, please." Malachi frowns at his eldest child. "I'm disappointed too but, yes, I understand. Let us know more about the days you said you think you will be able to visit. It's growing late here so I think it's something best left for the moment."
"Yeah, Dad, sure. I'll owl those dates in the morning."
"Thank you, and goodnight. You too, Plum and Alex." He's gone before Plum or Alex can say the same to Uncle Malachi.
Ava opens her mouth as if to start her tirade again, her head turning to look behind her. She makes an exasperated sound before returning her attention to Jordan's sitting room. "I know I've overreacted but you can't wait until last minute to let us know of changed plans when you've known for days. Don't forget to send that owl. Goodnight."
"I won't forget, Mum. Goodnight, sleep well."
The flat is strangely quiet once Ava ends the fire chat. Jordan takes a deep breath, mouths, "Sorry," to Plum, then crouches down near Alex, a hand going to pet the puppy's fur. "You ready to help me take this little guy to the park?"
Alex bounds to his feet. "Yes!"
Jordan gets the harness and leash and as Plum, Alex, and he are walking out the door with the excited, eager puppy, Jordan says, "I need you to help me give him a name too."
Alex spends the entire walk to the nearby park giving one name suggestion after the other with the name Alex, after him, being his favorite.
Visiting the Patient
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 06-11-13 18:14
Hermione turned the corner in the corridor and walked the short distance to Harry's room. She paused outside the door and peered in through the window, spying Ginny seated at Harry's bedside. Sensing Hermione on the other side of the door, Ginny looked up and then got up from her chair. She quietly crossed to the door and then slipped into the corridor, closing the door behind her.
"He's asleep," Ginny said. "Not because of the potions he's been given but because he's that bored. I would wake him so he knows you're here, but it's kind of nice not having to listen to him argue about how he should get discharged because he feels perfectly fine."
"Has he been that bad?" Hermione asked, walking with Ginny to the nearby waiting area.
Ginny fixed Hermione with a look that had her laughing and answering her own question. "Yes, I suppose our Harry is a stubborn one."
"Did Ron tell you about his attempt at convincing Harry to stay?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, and he's not confident he was the least bit successful."
Ginny nodded in understanding. Harry hadn't walked out of the hospital yet, but she fully expected him to fuss at everyone when he awoke from his nap. She shifted thoughts to the flowers in Hermione's hands.
"Are those for Harry?"
Hermione looked down at the bouquet. It was a riot of colors: bright orange and hot pink, bold red and deep purple, and a lot of intense green. She met Ginny's eyes and said, "Aren't flowers a traditional 'get well' gift when visiting someone in hospital?"
"And teddy bears and cards," Ginny said, "but when I think of Harry being ill, I don't automatically associate a bright bouquet of flowers with him." A wicked grin then passed across her face. "Let's see if he's awake."
The girls got up and went back to his room. Through the window they saw he still appeared asleep, but when Ginny opened the door and went into the room, Harry stirred and cracked open his eyes. He recognized Ginny by her flaming red hair but couldn't put her into focus until he put on his glasses, which he retrieved from the nightstand.
Once he could see properly, his eyes zeroed in on the flowers Hermione carried.
"What is that?" he asked.
"Hi, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "These are for you!"
She handed the flowers to him and wanted to tell him that she hoped he felt better soon, but she suspected he would tell her he already felt well enough to leave. She didn't want to open up a can of worms, so she simply sat down in one of the chairs in the room and told him that the bouquet included carnations, chrysanthemums and two kinds of lilies.
Harry looked at Ginny wordlessly. She beamed at him and said, "Pretty, aren't they?"
He looked at Hermione.
"You'll want to put those in water," she told him. "They'll last longer that way."
"Here, I'll take those," Ginny said. She went into the lavatory attached to the room and ran water into a drinking glass, which would serve as a makeshift vase until they found something more suitable.
"So," Hermione began, growing serious. "Who do you think attacked you?"
Why Is Potions Required?
Author: Majandra
Date: 06-11-13 18:31
Like others who teach mandatory courses for the lower years Majandra is nevertheless present for Course Day. Being there gives the Upper Years professors a little bit of a break from time to time and gives students someone else to speak to if they wish. In the case of Potions, Severus Snape has such a negative reputation that it hasn't surprised Maj in the slightest that some students have preferred speaking with her about the requirements for the NEWT level sixth and seventh year classes.
It is during one of those moments when Severus is taking a break, no longer even visible in the Great Hall, that one of Maj's students shyly approaches. "Hi, Mickey. Having a good afternoon?"
"Hi, Professor Weasley. Yes, it's been a good day so far."
Mickey Moon casts about as if looking for someone he'd rather avoid. Having a good idea of who that person might be Maj tells the first year, "Professor Snape went on a break a minute or two ago. He will probably be gone for a little bit."
Looking more than a little relieved at not having to chance an encounter with the notoriously snippily snide Severus Snape, Mickey ventures a question. "Professor, why is Potions required for five years?"
"Knowing how to brew a potion is so important to our way of life that Hogwarts wants to ensure every student has a good, solid foundation."
"Is that why we have to take some of the other classes for years too, like Charms?"
"Yes, exactly. No matter what you do in life, you need at least basic knowledge of certain charms and potions, and how to do at least rudimentary transfiguration."
Mickey gives a such a subtle nod if Maj hadn't been looking straight at him she would have missed it. She holds out a platter. "Biscuit?"
Mickey accepts a biscuit. "Thanks, professor, and thanks for answering my question." He turns to go, looking back over his shoulder as he does, "I'm going to go ask Professor Jones why we have to take Astronomy for so long."
Maj smiles, nearly chuckling aloud, as the first year walks off in the direction of the Astronomy table.
The Inheritance
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 06-12-13 04:56
Nate arrived to the Leaky Cauldron. His eyes looked around the establishment and he was finally able to locate Tim, seated by a table for two people. He waved and Nate joined him after they greeted each other with a shake of hands.
"That beard…when are you thinking of cutting it out?"
Since October that Tim was letting his beard grow and now it presented an impressive length. Yet it was still far from Dumbledore's one and whereas the deceased Hogwarts' Headmaster looked well on it, Tim just looked ridiculous.
"What do you have against my beard? It gives me a mature look. On the other hand Nathaniel , you have this cute little baby face and that is why only school girls like my sister would have crushes on you."
Nate rolled his eyes and asked the waiter for a butterbeer. Tim was already drinking his. They haven't arranged this meeting to talk about Jenny. Thank Merlin Tim wasn't mad with all that mess. Instead of acting like a protective brother who would jinx Nate for hurting his baby sister (even if that hasn't been his intention at all), Tim just laughed about the whole situation and now he took every chance he could to tease Nate. He was already waiting for the coffee joke to be inserted into the conversation somehow.
But today that didn't happen because Tim was more interested to know the news that Nate had included in his last letter.
"Tell me everything!" he demanded.
"It was a shock. I only met my great aunt Maud once or twice in my life. You know how in every family you have this odd relative no one likes to get along with. Well, that was her. We went to visit her at St. Mungus before she died. The funeral was small. I have to confess I felt a bit bad for her. She was a very lonely person. Then a few days later a lawyer comes to visit me at the Ministry of Magic and tells me that my great aunt had left me an apartment here in London."
"You're so lucky…"
"I had to sign some papers and now the apartment is in my name. But I just don't understand why she gave it to me, you know? My grandfather is still alive and he is her brother. They grew up together."
"Well he is not the one living with his parents, is he? You're starting a new life after graduating from Hogwarts. It makes sense you would get the place. "
Nate took a sip of his butter beer. His mother had the same theory as Tim, but he still thought this was too good to be true. Things like this never happened to him. He went to his pocket and took a golden little key out of it. It was similar to the ones used at Gringotts.
"Have you been there yet?" Tim asked.
Nate nodded.
"Yes. Last night, after work. The apartment is located in a Muggle building. There are other wizard families living there. The Muggles just don't see those doors on the corridor. The place is filled with old furniture, dust and spider webs. I don't think anyone has been living there in a long time."
"And you plan to move there?"
"Yes, of course. I'm almost 19, and I don't want to live with my parents forever. But first I need to give the house a good clean. "
"Too bad you didn't inherit a house elf too. But hey, now you can bring girls to your house whenever you want. Or you can give haven to your best friend whenever he needs."
"You will always be welcome, Tim," Nate assured him.
"Just be careful not to have a coffee pot in your new home. You'll never know…"
Tim laughed while Nate just sighed, wondering when these jokes would end.