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(Anthony) Brussels
Author: Beck
Date: 05-04-14 08:45
The house looked just the way Anthony remembered it, well-kept but unused. However, intelligence picked up by the Belgian Ministry of Magic suggested it was in constant use and wasn't simply the vacation home Dirk Dragonsblood had led Anthony to believe. Anthony wasn't under the impression that Dirk had ever lied to him, though. He suspected Dirk had no idea that his fugitive nephew had been living in the house for years.
Julien Peeters and the other Belgian aurors fanned out around the house. Anthony took his place within the circle, having been invited to participate in the raid due to his investigation on behalf of the British Ministry. With anti-apparition spells already in place, Landon's only method of escape would be to fight his way out of the house. He was completely surrounded, making escape difficult if not impossible.
The circle of aurors converged on the house. Anthony crept forward until he reached a narrow slit of a window just inches above the grass. He used a spell to rid the window of dirt and then peered into the basement room, which was dark and dingy and piled with old furniture and boxes. Along with an auror named Léa, Anthony worked to open the window and then helped her into the basement.
Léa dropped down into the room and lit the tip of her wand. Anthony came through behind her, though being much bulkier than the petite Léa, he momentarily feared he might get stuck. Once he was on the ground in the basement room, he also lit his wand and held it out in front of him. They checked for signs of Landon, but didn't find him or any indication he had been in that room.
Eventually, they made their way up the stairs and met with other groups of aurors, who had come in through the front and back doors, other windows, and even the chimney.
"We're missing something," Julien said in French, and then in English for Anthony's benefit.
Anthony looked down at the ground in the room they were standing in and then knelt to pull back a rug. He half-hoped to find a trap door, but there wasn't one.
The others got the idea and started looking around for hidden spaces. One auror went to a bookshelf covered in dusty tomes and started pulling them off the shelves, hoping one was actually a latch that would reveal a secret room. Another pulled paintings off the walls.
Anthony scanned the house, wondering where someone might hide. His eyes settled on the fireplace. The house had more than one, but the number of fireplaces did not match the number of chimneys…
As the idea took hold, Anthony marched out the front door and turned around to face the house, eyeing the positions of the chimneys. He walked swiftly around the house and then entered through the back door, heading straight for a fireplace set between that back room and the one next to it.
"Anthony?" Julien asked, sensing his English colleague was onto something.
Anthony pointed at the hearth. "No soot. No bits of firewood. Nothing. This isn't a real fireplace, not like the others."
Anthony looked at every inch of the fireplace and then reached out and touched the wrought-iron tool set standing next to the fireplace without any real purpose. Nothing happened. Not when he handled the poker, the broom, or the shovel. He thought for sure one of them would trigger a hidden crawlspace, but he'd been wrong…
Julien reached out and pressed a knot in the framework. There was the distinct sound of something unlatching, and then the bottom of the fireplace slid open, revealing a set of stairs.
(Pip's House) Disaster Averted
Author: Nephele Mockridge
Date: 05-04-14 13:04
Nephele managed to not see the Daily Prophet until rather late in the day for her. And once she did, the blonde had not reacted well. Her temper had not gone unnoticed and Pippin had quickly taken her into a training room where she could hex a simulacrum to her heart's content.
Once she was finished, sweat glistening on her brow, he studied her. "Dare I ask what prompted such outrage?" he asked with a teasing note in his voice.
"The Prophet," she answered woodenly. "They're talking about Revanche's murder in Ministry custody, and Slughorn's disappearance. Apparently, alleged first on the scene Nephele Mockridge was unavailable for comment."
"Darling, you know what the press is like, they're scavengers and blood-thirsty ones at that."
"Yes, but you also know this is going to cast attention on both Kirley and myself. With the supposed Death Eater activity on the rise again..."
"If anyone thinks you or your brother have done something so heinous," Pip started to reply, and then stopped.
"Alistair did." Nephele's eyes, normally sparkling with mischief, were cold and dull. "And it's not widely known, but father as well."
"A lot of people have family members who did those things, Nephele. It doesn't mean they paint themselves with the same brush."
"But that's just it, we believed it. Mother was all but marked, and we all grew up believing that pure-bloods are better."
"And now?"
Nephele shrugged. "Muggles have some good ideas, and I'm certainly not going to begrudge someone who has muggle parents, but I don't want to lose our traditions either. Our traditions are in danger of being lost, but the Death Eaters did that too. So I don't know what I think."
Pippin pulled her close. "It's okay to not know," he murmured. "Do you still want to hex the reporters?"
"Yes. But I won't. However, they do raise some valid points. What's the link?" Nephele said before her eyes grew wide. "Bex."
"What about him? Hasn't he just been suspended? Something about drugs?"
"He's the only common thread. He was your contact in the Aurors on the Gringott's break-in, he knew we were investigating the Wonderland Gang and that Camille Revanche was a lead, and he was handling Slughorn's disappearance."
"It's possible," Pip agreed. "But we don't know for certain."
"No, we can't prove it, but I'm willing to bet it'll come out in any investigation into his job performance and the drug use."
Pip nodded and stole a kiss. "Now perhaps we should turn that brilliant mind of yours to something more pleasant?"
"Such as?"
"Setting a date before our mothers start resorting to the Floo instead of owl post?"
She laughed and wrapped her arms around him. "After a bath. Want to wash my back?" she teased. But the joke was on her as she was swiftly caught up in her fiance's arms as they headed for the stairs.
Opposites
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 05-04-14 13:22
"Can you imagine what it would be like, to see glimpses of the future in a crystal ball?" Sophie asked Caleb, as she contemplated one of the polished surfaces of a crystal ball that Professor Sacheverelle had on her booth. She could see nothing there but fog.
"I read somewhere that it's hard to dominate such skill. You'll need years and years of practice, and it's not even granted that you'll be able to make it. You have to be truly gifted."
Sophie rolled her eyes in disbelief.
"I mean it!" Caleb insisted. "Arithmancy & Divination has to do more with intuition than logic."
She could tell that such idea was enough to make Caleb feel reluctant about choosing the subject has his elective for next year. He was more of a logical person and he liked things to be either white or black. As for Sophie, she actually thought Arithmancy & Divination was an interesting subject and by the information given by Professor Sacheverelle she was actually looking forward to get started.
"If you're not interested in taking it, then you should stop eating those biscuits and leave them for the other students," she teased.
Caleb chewed the rest of his biscuit with embarrassment. The two friends continued their tour around the Great Hall. They spent sometime by the Fitness & Athletics booth, and Sophie asked Coach Krum to try and convince Caleb to take the subject next year. Once again he felt reluctant about it.
The two friends couldn't be more different from each other. While Caleb found fascinating the Muggle objects displayed at the Muggle Studies booth, Sophie thought they seemed quite dull. The idea of having classes outside in the barn, and to be in touch with many magical creatures delighted Sophie. On the other hand, Caleb seemed to have lost some of the color in his face, as he read the list of creatures and beasts they would be learning at Care of Magical Creatures. Sophie considered that studying Ancient Runes sounded somewhat boring, but Caleb was very excited with such perspective. He seemed quite happy with the idea of translating runes who had centuries of age.
As they left the Great Hall, Sophie couldn't help to express her resentments about this:
"I was hoping we would be able to take more classes together, but it seems like we are the complete opposite of each other."
"It's not my fault that you have weird tastes," he teased.
"Me? You were practically drooling at the Rune Dictionary. If I knew you were so into it, I would have get you one for your birthday instead spending a lot of money at HoneyDukes on that large box with sweets."
Caleb grinned and the two friends exited the Great Hall, still teasing each other about their tastes.
If Nathan Were The New Bloke (Justin)
Author: Plum
Date: 05-04-14 13:35
Sitting along the wall of the Great Hall, a mug of spiced cider at his side and a plate with a few sweets in his lap, Justin tilts his head back as his friend and roommate Nathan approaches. Mouth full of a bite he'd just taken he grunts a greetings.
Nathan points at a nearby empty chair next to a small version of the tables that normally line the room. "You are allowed a proper seat."
Around the mouthful he's working on chewing and swallowing, Justin simply states, "I know."
"Then why here?"
"Because."
"That's it? Just because?"
"Pretty much."
"I bet it because you think if you appear sulky enough, some girl will come over and chat you up in an effort to cheer you up."
"Hardly."
"You're still considered the new bloke. You should take more advantage of it."
"Is that what you'd do?"
"In a heartbeat. I'd have several dates lined up a day."
"And very quickly be hated by many."
"You think?"
"You don't?"
"I guess that would be about right. It wouldn't be my fault for being so studly they throw themselves at me."
"If you are so studly, why would you need being the new guy to attract them?"
"There you go, bursting my bubble."
"Just stating the obvious."
"I cannot help that my studly charms are overshadowed by the likes of you, the new chap, and others like Gus van Tassel, who I've actually heard called the Slytherin stud."
"That's their team's keeper, right?"
"Yeah. Give me one of those." Nathan indicates a couple of mini fairy cakes on Justin's plate. As an afterthought he adds, "Please."
"Only because you said please," Justin says, handing him one.
"You thinking about changing electives?"
Justin shrugs. "I thought about it but I've decided Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures are fine. You?"
"I never thought to change anything. I just came for whatever free there is and things like these fairy cakes that for some reason taste better here than in the commons. I also thought it a good opportunity to walk around and allow some of these girls to view my studly form. You know, like Tamsin Branstone and Eden Jenkins."
"That's very specific of you."
Nathan is the one shrugging now, reaching to lift another sweet from Justin's plate and popping it into his mouth before Justin can protest.
Rendezvous
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 05-04-14 17:33
Choosing Hogsmeade as a rendezvous point was not what Lee had in mind when he agreed to meet with a wizard known only as X. As it was not his meeting to arrange and since he had also not been among the negotiating parties, Lee could only accept things for what they were. He just hoped the exchange would run smoothly.
He went to the arranged location––a bench in the park with a view of the slide––and waited. Exactly five minutes later, an inconspicuous wizard dressed in navy robes and a matching cloak sat down on the bench next to Lee.
"Spring's a long way off," the wizard murmured, brushing some imaginary lint from his shoulder.
"Only if the weather doesn't follow the calendar," Lee replied.
Accepting the code phrase, the wizard reached into an inside pocket of his cloak and removed a package so small it wasn't even visible when he revealed his hand. Lee reached over to shake the wizard's hand, accepting the package without anyone else being the wiser. He stuffed it into the pocket of his coat and said, "My employer will get back to yours."
"I hope the sample is well received."
"I'm sure it will be."
Lee left first, turning down High Street in the direction of the library. No sooner had he reached the post office, that the door swung open and a familiar figure emerged. She recognized Lee immediately and smiled big.
"Lee? Lee Sickleby?"
Lee threw a look over his shoulder and was relieved to see the wizard he'd met in the park moving in the opposite direction and already well out of earshot. He didn't want him seeing him with anybody else, especially somebody exclaiming his real name loudly and excitedly. Lee turned back to face the witch who'd called his name and stepped onto the landing of the storefront to greet her.
"Bronwyn, hi. It has been a long time." He leaned forward to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"You look…" She paused to take him in. "good," she finally said.
"And you're married," Lee said, grinning at her. "Toby's a lucky man."
"He is, isn't he? So, what's your story? No wedding band, I see, but are you dating anyone? Is it serious?"
Lee laughed and shook his head. "No, I'm not really dating anybody, but I guess I have a date tonight. Remember Alaia Rothstein? We bumped into each other last weekend. We're meeting at The Leaky Cauldron to catch up."
"Well, if your social calendar isn't too busy, I would like it very much if we could have lunch sometime."
"Yeah, definitely."
"Well… not that you need much preparation," Bronwyn began, looking over his body appreciatively, "but I'm sure you want to get ready for your date with Alaia. Tell her I said hi."
"I will. Nice seeing you again, Bronwyn."
She flashed him another smile and then headed down the lane. Lee watched her for a moment and then headed his own way, patting his pocket to ensure the small package was still there.
Everyone Uses Charms
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 05-04-14 17:46
Dante gives Waldo Smee a hopeful smile. "Not having Charms on your schedule in the fall could be mistake."
"It's not because I don't like you as a professor," Waldo assures.
"This isn't about me, Waldo. It's about you and your future."
"Don't all the professors say that if they know someone might not sign up for their classes?"
"I can't speak for anyone else."
Waldo gives a sure, sure sort of smirk.
Dante explains, "No matter what you do in life, you will use charms and spells, even if only around the house."
Waldo's smirk leaves his face as he considers this.
"During sixth and seventh year you'll learn both some wordless charms and some wandless ones."
"I could just learn them on my own or take something at St. Emrys."
"Yes, you could; but, learning on your own can be difficult unless you're extremely gifted at charms and spells and if you wait until St. Emrys, you'd be behind your peers."
"I'll learn some of that in other classes, like Transfiguration."
"You will, but only some."
"But wouldn't that be enough for me learn on my own what I didn't take in Charms."
"I have no idea. It might but it might not."
Waldo admits on his own, "I'd have to be motivated enough to do it on my own or take a course later."
"Yes."
"So I might as well go on and get it over with."
Dante chuckles. "You don't have to make it sound like torture."
"Sorry, Professor Knight. I didn't mean it that way."
"And I don't want to make you feel I'm strong arming you."
"You aren't."
Student and professor talk for another minute before Dante sends Waldo on his way with a bag of caramel corn and the parting words, "Give it some thought and talk with your parents for their opinions."
Alone for the moment, Dante walks the short distance to the refreshments table to get something hot to drink for a throat that's beginning to get a tiny tickle and is slightly sore.
Moving Out and On
Author: Jefferson
Date: 05-04-14 19:21
Lawson dropped a box down in the middle of the new flat, smiling as she looked around. "Damn, Jeff, even I have to admit this place is pretty awesome."
"I was lucky it was for sale, and Orion told me about it the other day." He said as he carried another box through the fireplace. The move had come somewhat suddenly, he and Melinda had decided it was in the best interest of everyone if they took some time apart. Jefferson had agreed to move out, and Lawson was right behind her brother. Remedy was going to be thrilled, she had refused to write her father for the past few weeks, and the move would ease tensions with the eleven year old.
"You're okay, right?" Laws questioned, an actual hint of concern in her voice for once.
Jefferson offered a slight smile to the younger witch, "I told ya, Laws, it was for the best. I have to put my family first, you included. Something's been off with Remedy since before she went to Hogwarts. She was pulling away and that makes sense now. Aside from me working more, I think living with another family was too difficult for her."
"Rem and I rarely talk, but she told me it was hard for her, because even though she never knew her mother, she felt like she was betraying her." Lawson said with a frown, she and her niece weren't close, but that statement had the rowdy brunette shed a few tears. Before Jeff could respond, there was a knock on the door.
Orion poked his head inside. "Need help or did I manage to miss the lifting and unshrinking of boxes and other hard work?" he asked with a grin. He was glad Jefferson had bought the flat near his, Saggita and Remedy were already pretty close at Hogwarts, and the girls would like being close in the summers too.
"Hey, Orion. We could still use a hand, I've got a few things left back at Mel's. If you're offering, I will gladly accept the offer." Jefferson offered a hand to his friend, "Thanks again for the heads up on this place."
"You're quite welcome," Orion said, shaking Jeff's hand. "Tell you what, since I don't think me going to Mel's is a good idea, I'll start getting boxes here unshrunk, if you want to go shrink down the rest and bring them." There were certain women that Orion just knew he should not spend any time around, because he knew his mouth would get him into trouble. He found now that he wasn't portraying characters ordained by his bosses, he had a much harder time keeping his opinions to himself.
"Okay." Jeff said, trying hard not to laugh. He knew Orion had no intention of being around his new ex. "I'm sure Lawson will keep ya company."
Lawson blinked as her brother flooed back to Hogsmeade. "Have we met?"
"I don't think so. Orion Howell, at your service," he said with a slight bow. Releasing his wand from the holster on his wrist, he started to unshrink the various boxes.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Howell. I'm Lawson." She said and continued to go through the boxes, sending them to each of their respective rooms.
"Please, it's Orion," he said, finding a box that had to be Remedy's and sending it into the room that looked to be hers. "I hear Mr. Howell and I think I'm in trouble."
Lawson was about to say something and flirt a little bit when Jefferson came back through.
"Alright, this is everything." He turned to his younger sister and shook his head. "Lay off, Lawson, he has a girlfriend."
"Yeah, and she's an auror," Orion added with a teasing grin. "But we're kind of on a break right now. She's so busy with work and there's just not enough time in the day." It didn't really make a difference, he still wasn't looking.
Lawson just shrugged and excused herself to unpack in her room.
"I love her to death, but my sister is trouble. Had I really known my parents, maybe she would make more sense." Jeff sent the last of the boxes to the kitchen before taking a seat. "Thanks again for the help, you should have made Driver come too," he teased and then continued, "so you and Desi are on a break?"
"Yeah. She's so busy, and well, it just seemed the best idea for now. I still care about her, but with everything, I think it's just the only thing we could do. And Drive said he'd be by, he had to check out something at the bar," Orion said, sitting down at the table.
"That makes perfect sense to me. If you have busy schedules and not much time to be together, it's for the best. Can I get you a drink?"
"Water would be good. I over-did it a bit last night on the Ogden's. It's why I was late," Orion said.
"Probably why Drive's late too, we both hit the bottle a little hard last night."
"All in moderation my friend." Jefferson wasn't one to talk, lately he didn't take his own advice when it came to alcohol and moderation. "You two spend a lot of time together?"
"Oddly enough, yeah we do. He started helping me with demonstrations when Des was too busy, and somewhere along the line we actually became friends," Orion said with a shrug.
"I'm glad that worked out for you both." He checked the time and turned his attention back to Orion, "After the emotional train wreck Lawson and I may go grab lunch out, you're welcome to join us if you'd like?"
"Sounds like a plan to me. As long as it's not Burger Wizard or anything at all resembling fast food," Orion said with a laugh. "Want me to ask Driver if he wants to go too?"
"Sure, he can join us. I despise fast food, and there's a great place nearby."
"Then I'll give him a shout and we'll all go," Orion said.
Jefferson nodded and went to find Lawson while Orion got in touch with Driver. It was still early in the day, but it felt as if three days of drama had passed in just a few hours.
Everything was looking up now, and he, Lawson and Remedy were finding another fresh start.