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Course Day
Author: Blossom
Date: 03-29-18 18:52
Towards the time lunch service would normally end students were reminded there would be no lingering at the tables today. Even before the last student had exited smaller tables took the place of longer ones to form the Course Day booths.
When the Great Hall doors open once again Gideon, Larkin, and Seth enter together. Moving out of the way of other students the three scope out the four booths with information on the classes they are eligible to sign up to take third year. There is a fifth booth and they will stop by it but Fitness & Athletics is a class the triplets currently take and is one open to all years, not just to third years and above.
As they walk towards the Muggle Studies booth Larkin, continuing to look around, comments, "I keep expecting to see Aunt Maj with a booth."
"Me too, but I bet she'll help Professor Snape if he needs a break or something."
"If he doesn't want or need help, I'd stay home if I were her."
Larkin grins at Gideon's assessment. "Stay home. Sleep in. Though do you think Georgie would let her sleep in?"
Seth shrugs. "Maybe. Guess it would depend on what he would be hoping to do today."
Arriving at the Muggle Studies table, they greet Professor Miller in unison then listen to what he has to say about the benefits of Muggle Studies and how interesting a subject it is. After asking a few questions and thanking Professor Miller for some freebies he's handing out, Larkin, Seth, and Gideon move on to the Arithmancy & Divination booth.
After speaking with Professor Sacheverelle and getting more freebies, the trio head to Professor Hodfuffer and Ancient Runes. Lastly is Care of Magical Creatures with Professor Kent. The triplets find a spot where they can sit and mull over what they've learned and discuss which electives appeal most to each of them.
By the time the Weasley triplets exit the Great Hall, all three want to take Care of Magical Creatures but Seth is leaning towards Ancient Runes as his other elective, Gideon towards Muggle Studies, and Larkin is considering taking Arithmancy & Divination.
Kaycee - Pinched and Punched
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 03-31-18 12:21
Despite feeling certain that she wanted to keep her current electives (Ancient Runes, Arithmancy & Divination, and Fitness & Athletics as an optional class), Kaycee nonetheless wandered into the Great Hall to visit each of the elective tables. She had heard that the teachers present were giving away goodies, and Kaycee wasn't disappointed. After depositing her haul in her dorm room, she wandered outside to get a little fresh air.
It was still the dead of winter, so Kaycee didn't think she'd stay out for very long, but the sun was shining intensely. The bright sunshine beat the dark, drafty interior of the castle any day, though napping in front of a fireplace sounded nice too.
Kaycee wore jeans, a light gray cable knit sweater, and her Hufflepuff winter accessories, like her scarf and mittens. She had a cloak on over everything.
Apparently she wasn't the only one with the thought to enjoy the sunny day. Kaycee heard lots of voices and wandered over to where she saw other students gathered. There was a mix of houses and years. Some were kicking a Muggle football around, while the others clustered together and gossiped.
Kaycee saw fellow third year Julia Vernon among those paying mild interest to the football game. The two girls weren't friends, but they were friendly. Kaycee headed over to Julia, who saw her approaching and offered her a small smile of acknowlegement while still listening to another Slytherin girl talk about the holiday she would be taking over Easter break.
While passing other clusters of students, Kaycee suddenly felt a strong pinch on her behind. She immediately whirled around with her fist raised and made contact with Gerry's nose before she could stop herself. He staggered backwards, clutching his nose with both hands.
"Not again!" he muttered, having recently had his nose broken by a bludger.
"What did you do that for?" Kaycee asked, her voice shrill and angry.
"It's Saint Patrick's Day," Gerry muttered, using the sleeve of his jacket to stem the flow of blood coming out of his nose, "and you're not wearing green."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Kaycee asked. She didn't know anything about Muggle traditions, especially ones that were actually American and not Irish.
Gerry only knew about the tradition because he read about it in a book at his mother's library, and he'd only read the book because he'd gotten in trouble with his mother and she'd made him read as punishment. The book had been about the holidays of Ireland and had mentioned other cultural traditions concerning St. Patrick's Day. He supposed he'd remembered the tidbit so well because of the pinching, and Gerry was always up to tricking and teasing others.
"Wearing green makes one invisible to leprechauns. I pinched you as a reminder that a leprechaun can see you and will pinch you."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Kaycee said. "I know you didn't learn that in Care of Magical Creatures class."
"No," Gerry replied. "I read about it in a book."
Kaycee looked astonished. "You can read?"
Gerry was about to say something ugly, when he caught sight of Professor Longbottom wandering over to make sure the group of students wasn't up to no good. The Herbology professor suspected something was up because the football game was abandoned, and everyone was focused on Kaycee and Gerry.
"Professor!" Gerry exclaimed. "She punched me!" He let go of his nose to show how badly Kaycee had injured him.
"He pinched me first!" Kaycee exclaimed. "On the butt!!!"
There was hysterical laughter from the gathered students at this proclamation.
Professor Longbottom didn't look amused. "Sickleby, Martini-Blackwell, follow me to my office. The rest of you disperse."
There was a great deal of muttering from everyone, but the clusters moved apart, some heading for the castle, others to the bank of the lake.
Kaycee shot Gerry an angry look. He smirked at her, looking devious and somewhat psychotic with all the blood on his face.
When it was all said and done, the pair lost twenty points each and was assigned detention with Professor Longbottom every week night until Easter break.
Why Why Why?
Author: S Snape
Date: 03-31-18 18:41
Dave finds a seat to slump in. He has his head thrown back and eyes closed for half a minute before sitting up a little to look over handouts he's gotten for each of the elective courses from which he must choose two to add to his class schedule for third year.
Why?
Why why why why why?
Aren't the ones he already has enough?
Dave sits up even straighter, sighing, fingers running through his hair.
"You look frustrated."
Harley sits down next to Dave who frowns at her. "And you sound cheerful. Too cheerful for someone having to add to classes to the list."
"Yeah, that part's not so great but I do like the sound of what I've decided on."
"Yeah? What's that?"
"Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy and Divination."
"Not Muggle Studies?"
"Why? I know lots about that. Not everything even though we're Muggle " "Muggle-born," Dave corrects. "Muggle-born," Harley parrots in a tone of one much put upon. "I asked Professor Miller what might be some things I wouldn't know and he mentioned things like money used in other countries, you know, like the dollar in the States but some others also use their own version of a dollar, like Australia. Between being Muggle-born and belonging to the Muggle Studies Club I thought I'd take another magic related class."
"Why Arithmancy and Divination," Dave has to check the wording on the handout he has, "and not Ancient Runes?"
"There's a little bit of Ancient Runes taught in the other. So what are you taking?"
"Dunno and don't want to."
"I thought you liked learning about all this stuff."
"I do but can't they just cram some of this into the classes we already take?"
"I'm guessing you're probably going to take Muggle Studies since it should be easy with less studying for you."
"Yeah. Probably. I sort of like learning more about magical animals but that's also one more class to trudge outside for in bad weather."
"Class might be inside though if weather is bad, like with Fitness and Athletics and how we're inside for Herbology."
"Yeah, but have to go outside to get to Herbology and sometimes for F and A. Sometimes F and A has us outside in the cold."
"Going to drop it then?"
"No, I love it."
"So stop complaining."
"You sound like Gran. You going home for Easter hols?"
Harley shrugs. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Cause, you know."
"I'm not seeing that woman."
"What if we have to?"
"I won't do it."
"If the judge says we have to visit, they'll make you."
"I'll scream and throw such a tantrum they'd leave me be."
"Huh. Good idea. I guess I won't ask Dad and Gran to let me stay here then."
Conversation switches back to what electives to take when Dave's friends Louis and Adiran walk up to talk about the various options. Harley tells the newcomers her decision and why then leaves the three boys to debate while heading for the Commons to join her roommate Selma for snacks and whatever game Selma has picked to play.
With Carter and Vallon
Author: Marzipan
Date: 04-01-18 07:17
After breakfast in the Great Hall, which consisted of hard-boiled eggs, fresh berries, and an Easter plait, Marzi and the boys returned to their quarters to bundle up for the Easter egg hunt taking place on the Hogwarts grounds.
Each boy had his own Easter basket. Carter's was blue and had a small, ceramic Swedish Short-Snout clutching one side of the handle. Vallon's basket was similar, though it was green and the dragon was a Common Welsh Green.
The family wandered outside, glad the sun was shining though it was still quite cold. Marzi carried a thermos of hot fruity tea with her, which helped a little to keep her warm. Since she wasn't planning on running around hunting for Easter eggs, she needed something extra to help combat the chill.
The boys went to the area cordoned off for children their age and immediately set to work. Marzi kept an eye on them and on others, since she was essentially also on duty as a teacher/chaperone. She didn't anticipate any serious trouble, especially with the added security around the school. In order to have the event, which also extended to families and Hogsmeade residents, the school had had to ensure that there were extra safety measures in place. Some people had raised a big stink because of the whole secret Death Eater at Hogwarts controversy.
For her part, Marzi wasn't terribly concerned. She knew Hogwarts was one of the safest places in all of wizarding Britain, and the added security would only help ensure that nothing went wrong.
Thinking of trouble had her mind wander to the saga of Heathcote Hamstead. He, like Robert Blackheart, was now in Azkaban. Ever the smooth-talker, Heathcote had tried to persuade the court that what happened wasn't as it seemed, but despite his efforts, he was sentenced to five years for swindling money and another five for the attempted abduction of Marzi in Hogsmeade back in January. Marzi didn't think ten years was enough, but it was certainly better than nothing.
She shook her head to cast aside negative thoughts and instead focused on a happier future. Alaric had invited her and the boys to visit him in France for Easter. Marzi was very much looking forward to the holiday.
Easter Egg Hunt
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 04-02-18 02:30
It was a sunny day and Hogwarts had opened its gates to the students' friends and family for its annual Easter Egg Hunt. Sophie had been counting the days because Jasper was coming to visit her. Her father did not seem to oppose to Jasper's courtship to his daughter and Sophie thought Honoria had vouched for him.
Sophie and Jasper were now walking together at the school grounds. Sophie was holding a basket and they were collecting eggs together. However, they did so with a certain laziness, since neither of them was much interested in them. Jasper was quite the gentleman, offering to hold the basket at one point, and later offering his scarf to Sophie, when a cold wind started to blow, as they headed north.
One of the topics they discussed was the last Quidditch game. Jasper considered it quite violent.
"I first thought how incredible it was that you were a seeker. But when I watched you playing the other day, I must say I did not like it at all."
"It was an intense match. I don't think I've ever played a match like that before. It isn't always like that," Sophie assured him.
"Perhaps. But seeing you like that, completely exposed to those bludgers has given me chills. You are precious to me, Sophie. I do not wish any harm comes to you."
She found herself melting. He was truly concerned about her.
"Well, I'll try to keep myself out of the bludgers' way. Conrad and Tessa will protect me too," she reassured him.
"You still might suffer a severe injury. Like that boy who was not able to continue playing," Jasper insisted.
"Gerry has recovered just fine. Besides there's always Madam Pomfrey to heal us."
"Maybe. I just think it is a brutal sport and I do not like that you are risking yourself. I don't want you to get hurt," he said. He took his hands and looked Sophie in the eyes. "You have played for several years and you already won a Quidditch cup. Perhaps next year you could leave the team, and give the chance to someone else?"
"I…" she started, ready to protest. She loved playing Quidditch and she wasn't interested in stopping doing so. But before she could express herself, Jasper kissed her lips. It was their first kiss and she felt completely overwhelmed by it. It was as if she had been crushed by a powerful wave or invaded by a whirlwind. She held tight to the sleeve of his robes.
"I don't want you to get hurt," he repeated in almost a whisper. "Do you promise to think at least on my request of quitting Quidditch next year?"
"I do," Sophie replied. After that kiss, she was in a position where she would do anything he would ask her.
Meanwhile, Magnus was having the time of his life. He and Ned were hunting eggs all over the castle. They have been told by some older students that some of the eggs could contain the most amazing prizes such as broomsticks, tickets to Quidditch matches, Quidditch related events and music festivals, jewels, potions, and even money! The two Slytherin first years had woken up at six am, eager to be first to lay their ends on those precious eggs. However so far they haven't had any luck. Magnus has won some chocolates, a black pointy hat, purple toilet paper and a plastic tiara. Ned got some Bertie Boot's beans, a huge useless Gothic styled hourglass and a Quidditch magazine.
"We are looking in the most obvious places," Ned said. "The special eggs must be somewhere out of reach to most students."
Ned's line of thinking made sense. Magnus agreed with his friend and they decided to go visit the owlery. Ned developed the theory that among the owl's poo and the mice skeleton, there might be some valuable eggs. Magnus knew the owls would not like to have their sleep interrupted by two egg hunters, but he was willing to give it a try if that meant receiving a special prize.
As they were crossing the grounds they were spotted by Belinda. She decided to follow them. The Delta Echo meetings she had been attending at Hogsmeade had really opened her eyes for the threat that Magnus McCourt represented to her family. He was a Muggleborn and it bothered her that he carried out her family name. She felt he had no right to do so, no right to attend Hogwarts and learn magic. When she learned about the presence of a Death Eater inside the school she did not feel afraid. She knew he would not hurt her or any member of her family. However, with Magnus around, some questions might arise about the purity of her lineage, and that was not acceptable.
The two Slytherin first years reached the Owlery. They debated who would enter first. Magnus offered himself. He used his wand to light the path ahead. Some of the owls opened their eyes, but closed them right away, as Magnus was not disturbing them too much. He searched around the Owlery, Ned finally gaining the courage to enter the division as well. Belinda remained at the door, silently watching.
"There it is!" Magnus whispered. He spotted an orange egg between two sleeping owls. There was a wooden ladder nearby. Before using the ladder, Magnus consulted with Ned, asking his friend if there was any spell they could use to bring the egg down safely. Unfortunately, as they were both first years, their knowledge on spells was somehow limited, and they couldn't think of anything to use. Magnus thought about making the egg levitate using Wingardium Leviosa, but he was afraid he would hit an owl by mistake, as the egg was so small. Finally he decided to use the ladder.
He climbed it slowly, his eyes on the orange egg. Once at the top of the leader, he reached out for the egg. Ned let go an exclamation of victory, when Magnus' hand closed against the egg. Magnus thought this was how a seeker must feel, when catching a snitch. This was his last thought, before he felt the ladder trembling. He lost control and fell down, hitting the stone floor. Everything went dark.
Belinda watched as Magnus laid unconscious on the floor. The owls had woken up with the noise, and started to fly around, in all directions. She watched Magnus' friend on his knees, trying to wake up him up. Then, not wanting to be spotted, she started to run down the stairs, before someone else appeared. She hadn't planned to jinx the ladder so it would fall. It had just been a thought that came to her mind when the situation presented herself, and she went for it. There was an evil grin in her face, and not the least remorse. She didn't think he was dead, but if he was, she would not feel bad about it. He was a Mudblood and he should have not come to Hogwarts. Her colleagues at the Delta Echo Club would be proud of her, if they learned about this.
As Belinda quickly escaped the owlery, Eileen was walking around the castle with Elmer. Some of her friends had invited her to go egg hunt with them, but Elmer had come to visit his sisters and he would not want to be parted of Eileen. He had never been to Hogwarts before, as he had always been too sick to do so. But now he was feeling well enough.
Elmer had already forgiven Eileen for being chosen to play in the Quidditch team. Now he was convinced that next year when he joined Hogwarts, he too would become a Quidditch player, despite his illness.
They were now at the Great Hall. Elmer was impressed by the enchanted ceiling and now he sat in all the four House tables. He was trying to get a feeling of what it would be like to be a Gryffindor, then a Hufflepuff like Sophie, then a Ravenclaw like Patricia and Eileen, and, last but not least, a Slytherin like Belinda.
"I love them all! I don't know which one I like the most…" he declared. "Oh look: an egg!" he exclaimed, finding an egg under the Gryffindor table. Inside there was a set with four miniature animals, which moved: a lion, a badger, an eagle and a serpent. If the lion and the serpent were placed closer to each other, they started to fight. Elmer laughed and so did Eileen.
"Now show me the classrooms again!" he demanded, putting the animals inside his pocket.
She sighed and repeated the tour around the school. Elmer could be very demanding and tiring, but she did not want to upset him. He was very spoiled, being the only boy in the family so far. She knew that he could throw a tantrum if refused something, and she didn't want that to happen at school, where her friends and probably the teachers could watch it.
(Arielle) Feeling Cold
Author: Jolyon
Date: 04-02-18 18:17
Arielle grabbed an egg that was metallic copper in color and placed it into her Easter basket. She already had a decent haul and felt like she could quit hunting for eggs, only she knew if she gave up so quickly, then she might miss out on some excellent prizes. Arielle felt unreasonably chilly, though, and looked forward to going back into the relative warmth of the castle.
She felt an arm slip around her shoulders and turned her head to see Malden beside her. She nuzzled her ice-cold nose into his jawline and said, "Don't even think about it."
"What?" Malden asked, feigning innocence.
Arielle dropped her basket to the ground so that it was out of his reach and said, "You keep trying to steal my eggs."
"Would I steal from you?" he asked.
Arielle smirked at him and extricated herself from his embrace. "I believe you would do anything necessary to get what you want, in this case, hugging me to get at my Easter eggs."
She scooped up her Easter basket and flounced off to find some more. After a short while, the chill really started to get to her. She wasn't sure if she was coming down with something or just feeling extra intolerant today. Arielle started to tell Malden she wanted to go inside, but then she saw her parents and the new twins off in the distance.
The twins were in a double pram and were covered in blankets. Underneath the warm layers, they wore winter onesies that said Baby's First Easter on the front. Barrett's was green and Berenice's was yellow.
Malden saw Arielle's family approaching and stopped his own hunting to be polite and attentive, even though he wasn't in the mood to do any of those things.
"Did you find anything good?" Jolyon called out to the pair.
"We haven't opened any of our eggs, Professor," answered Malden.
"Waiting till later?"
Arielle answered, "I think we were just eager to get as much as we can, but I'm cold and thinking I might call it day."
"Won't you open one for us?" Merrie asked.
Arielle sighed and reached for the copper one. She pulled the two ends apart and was pleasantly surprised to see a shimmery, copper-colored dress emerge. The dress itself was short but long-sleeved. It was festive and stunning and Arielle thought she might try it on as soon as she got to her room.
At The Hunt
Author: Majandra
Date: 04-02-18 18:37
Georgie gently pokes his mother in the arm. "Mum, are you alive?"
Maj's eyelids feel so heavy she fleetingly wonders if she needs to physically pry one up to look at her son. Somehow, she manages a squint. "No, sorry."
The almost ten year old gives her an expression usually reserved by teens for adults who think they are being funny. "You were snoring."
"Then why did you ask if I am alive?"
"Because I poked you five times and you didn't move." Georgie doesn't mention that the first two times the poking was a foot nudging her side. "Why are you sleeping?"
Maj pushes up from the picnic blanket. "Because someone was up late into the night and then woke up this morning before the sun and had to let Mum and Dad know."
"But why would that make you want to nap now? I'm not sleepy."
"You're hyped up because you're excited about the egg hunt. Speaking of, what have you found so far?"
"This egg," Georgie pulls from his basket a bright purple egg with equally bright yellow dots of different sizes, "has the one toy Pygmy Puff I didn't have."
"So you've completed the current collection all on your own."
Georgie nods, face going from solemn to brilliant grin. He shows her another egg. "This one had a green fairy cake that looked like a dragon." With Charlie as an uncle Georgie easily and correctly identifies the dragon as, "A Common Welsh Green. I was about to die from hunger so I ate it already but I sort of wish I'd saved it for you and Dad to see. I want some for my birthday party."
"Briar may have made the fairy cake or one of the kitchen House Elves. Either way, we can find out and get you some dragon fairy cakes or maybe you want one big dragon shaped cake."
"Or both?"
"Maybe both."
"I'm going to go find more eggs. Are you going to start snoring again?"
Maj sighs. "That would be nice but I should go a few patrol rounds."
*****
While Georgie was talking with his mother Miranda has been running around grabbing up as many eggs as she can find. She's come close to bowling over someone else in her frenzied collection but managed to rein herself in each time. Last thing she wants is to get in trouble and be forced to give up eggs because she couldn't "play nice." As she's already eleven, Miranda has been hunting more in the area designated for Hogwarts students. She's not one yet because of her stupid birthday being in late September but come fall she will be a student and doesn't want any of them to remember her as the girl who fought over Easter eggs. Also, with Mum as a professor, Miranda could very well imagine starting first year already in detention for things done while going after prize filled eggs.
Larkin jumps down from a low tree branch. Triumphantly holding up an pretty egg with swirls in three different shades of pink. "Got it!"
Miranda sets her basket down to jump up and grab hold of the branch. "My turn." There's another egg there, one in shades of brown that almost got overlooked because of how it blends with the tree's bark. She'd spotted it while looking up to follow Larkin's progress after the pink egg. Miranda badly wanted the pink one but Larkin saw it first.
As the cousins hurry along towards a bush where they see several eggs Miranda asks, "You think I'll get put in Slytherin?"
"Don't think so but it could happen," Larkin shrugs. "Why?"
"'Cause I want ALL the eggs. I want to grab them all up before anyone else and yell, 'MINE! MINE! MINE!'"
Larkin sniggers. "Yeah, okay. You could get Slytherin."
This gives Miranda pause for all of a whole second. She decides she'll act more Gryffindorish later in the day, after she's found all the eggs possible for her to find.
Future Plans
Author: Griet
Date: 04-03-18 18:20
Franciscus and Paton sat on the steps leading up to the castle and examined their haul. Both had a mix of foil-covered chocolate eggs and the kind that contained prizes. For the moment, they concentrated on unwrapping the chocolate, though they were eyeing the bigger prizes and wondering what they won.
"Are you really not going to go to St. Emrys in the fall?" Paton asked.
Franciscus balled up a piece of brightly colored foil with his fingertips and then pitched the rubbish into his Easter basket, knowing he'd probably get caught if he littered. He didn't want Ravenclaw to lose any House Points, after all.
He shook his head. "I don't think university is for me," he answered.
"But who will be my roommate?" Paton asked.
Franciscus grinned at him. "You have to make friends sometime, or we can get a flat off campus and live there together."
Paton frowned. "Are you sure not going to university is a good idea? You're a Ravenclaw. You're supposed to like school."
"Ravenclaws make good choices," Franciscus said. "I don't want to delay getting into the workforce, and I want to do it with an apprenticeship."
"How very old-fashioned of you," Paton commented.
"Any idea what you want to do?"
"I plan on figuring that out during Easter break," Franciscus replied. "I'll come up with some options and write some letters and see what happens." He looked at Paton. "So have you gotten word from St. Emrys yet?"
"Not yet," Paton said, "but I can't imagine I won't get in. Oh, bother."
He just noticed Fulvia, who wore a frilly pink Easter dress and matching shoes with kitten heels. She was accompanied by her horrible little brother, her father, and Paton's mother.
"You're blocking the way!" Fulvia exclaimed.
There was plenty of room to climb the steps, but Fulvia was being a brat because she could be. Paton didn't budge, but then he saw Fulvia's father glowering at him. He got up, as did Franciscus, and the two moved to the stone railing to allow the others to pass.
"Aren't you both a bit old to hunt for Easter eggs?" Flavius Flaversham asked.
"No," Paton said.
"You ought to be, considering you're close to graduating… if you pass your NEWTs, that is."
"Oh, Paton. Why don't you share some of your eggs with Fulvia and Festus?" his mother suggested.
Paton felt his skin grow hot. He wanted to argue but then Franciscus said, "Oh, I'm really sorry Aunt Autumn, but we are actually donating all our eggs to the sick children at St. Mungo's. It's something for Paton's application to St. Emrys, you know. Charitable work, and all that."
He started to edge up the stairs and nudged Paton so that he would move away from the foursome.
"Oh, is that right?" Autumn asked, surprised and pleased all the same.
"I think they are lying!" Fulvia said, but Paton and Franciscus were already at the door and didn't stop when Flavius murmured something in agreement with his daughter. The two seventh years booked it indoors and hurried up the many flights of stairs to Ravenclaw Tower.
Prizes
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 04-03-18 18:46
Jacinda, whose third birthday is in early May, runs on her chubby toddler legs for a yellow egg she's seen in a tuft of grass trying to shoot up in the late March chill. AJ follows closely behind. For the most part Jacinda hasn't needed help spotting eggs but has needed assistance in retrieving some of them. Being in a section geared towards children her age, few eggs are hidden high, almost all of them at toddler head height or below.
Off to their right and slightly behind Mariposa strolls along carrying the newest family member Javiar Nolan Hodfuffer. When Jacinda stops to gather another egg, this one a spring green with tiny pink and purple flowers, AJ turns to ask, "Want me to take him for a bit?"
Nodding Mariposa smiles. "He's getting heavy. We'll soon have to start putting a featherweight spell on him."
No sooner have they made the switch then Jacinda holds out the latest egg to her mother. "Ope." When Mariposa is slower than Jacinda would like in taking the egg to open it the toddler looks downcast. "Peees?"
"Don't be so impatient, hija preciosa," Mariposa replies with a chuckle.
Egg now firmly in hand she gently prises it open. Out pops a raven haired doll in a dress the same green as the eggshell and with pink and purple flowers identical to the ones decorating the outside of the egg. Jacinda's eyes go wide. "Me!"
AJ looks from his daughter to the doll. "You're right, Jacinda. She looks like you."
Mariposa is nodding in agreement, wondering if a spell of some sort transformed the doll to look like Jacinda, perhaps one based on her touching the egg. If so, since Mariposa opened the egg, how would it know to look like Jacinda and not her? She gives a small shake of her head. She was born into the Wizarding World and has known magic all her life yet there are so many things she does not understand.
At her age Jacinda doesn't care about the how of it, she's just thrilled to have a new doll that looks like her. Clutching it to her, she announces, "Me Cinda."
"Your baby's name is Cinda?" AJ clarifies.
Jacinda's head bobs up and down and is still bobbing when she shoots off having spotted another egg close by.
In another section Margaret sits cross legged on the ground, wishing the cold of it didn't make it also seem damp. Augusta Rushworth settles next to her. "Why couldn't Hogwarts be in one of the warmer territories of the UK, like Bermuda?"
Margaret thinks over a response only to shrug as she says, "Wasn't a territory when Hogwarts was founded."
"Could have moved it."
"At least for the cold months," Margaret agrees.
"Even summer here is cold, or at least I think it is. I'm opening one egg. Just one for now."
"If just one for now, are you hoping for something to eat or some other kind of prize?"
"I'm feeling a little peckish so a snack would be nice." Augusta studies the many eggs in her basket, ultimately picking out one that's plain white but with a simple raised decorative rose pattern encircling the mid-section about where the egg would pull apart.
When the egg is opened they stare at the prize for several seconds before Margaret quips, "Well, that's a small snack for you."
"Small. Right."
The prize is a three tiered white cake with roses circling each tier.
"Why would such a big cake be a prize?" Augusta wonders aloud even as she discovers several forks and plates have spilled from the egg. The plates are plastic but also white with a rose pattern.
Louis and a couple of his friends appear, almost if by magic Margaret would have said aloud if not for the bad pun ribbing she'd endure for it. Having heard Augusta's question about the cake's size he tells her, "It's so big so you can share."
She laughs and gestures for the boys to sit. A minute later all of them are eating the cake from the plates, Louis stating, "Does anyone have an egg that might hold milk to go with this cake?"
Real Food (Jordan)
Author: Saffron
Date: 04-04-18 18:58
Erik eyes an egg shaped jelly, pineapple flavored based on the color, then rubs his stomach. "I never thought I'd say this but I think I need real food."
Jordan pauses in the midst of unwrapping an Easter version of a chocolate frog, a chocolate bunny. "Chocolate is real food."
"You know what I mean."
"If you aren't going to eat that jelly I will."
"I'm going to eat it just maybe not now because," Erik heaves himself off the bench under one tree that despite the still cool weather is starting to bud, "I'm going in search of real food."
Jordan makes a face, his lips drawing together in a pucker, much like earlier when he'd eaten an entire handful of sour jellybeans. "I'm going to wait until supper in the Great Hall. I think I'm going to go find more eggs."
"You think there are any left?"
Jordan makes a broad, sweeping gesture with one arm. "As many out there still looking and who seem to be finding something, yes, maybe lots still there."
Erik follows the direction of Jordan's gesture then looks towards the castle. "I'm going to run see if there are any little sandwiches at the commons then I'll come hunt more."
Claire and her roommate Dani just happen to be passing by the bench just then. Hearing what Erik has said Dani puts a hand out to stop Claire for a moment. "My mum is just there and she's got some sandwiches."
"She'd share with me?"
"Yeah, you're my friend. Come on."
As he can egg hunt the short distance to where Dani's mother has a picnic blanket spread out, Jordan goes with his friends. This turns out to be a good choice as he finds five eggs, one of them with what looks to him to be tiny snitches flitting about so maybe it's got some cool Quidditch related prize, maybe even a racing broomstick!
The others locate eggs along the way as well, speculating what each new find might hold. Once to Ms. Hodfuffer's spot and has some "real" food, though he would still argue chocolate is real food, Jordan is doubly glad he came along. He hadn't realized until taking a bite of sandwich that he was hungry for something that isn't sugar laden.
Polishing off the sandwich, Jordan thanks Dani's mum again then, unable to wait any longer to find out what the egg with all the little snitches on it holds, he opens it, almost needing help to get a grip on it in his haste. He's initially disappointed when a broom doesn't come out or a set of game balls, or any of the shin guards and other gear that can go with playing the sport.
What came out is a rolled up parchment.
"Quidditch Con pass, maybe?" Erik speculates.
Claire offers, "Tickets to a match," while Dani theorizes, "Gift certificate to somewhere like Krum's."
Dani's mum says with a smile, "You won't know unless you look."
Jordan unrolls the scroll, thinking any of the ideas put forth would be good. What he has gotten turns out to be better in his opinion. Not as good as a top of the line racing broom to call his own but the scroll is an invitation to attend a run Quidditch camp, where there will be members of several professional teams, over the summer hols.
Coming for real food was a great idea afterall!
End Of The Day
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 04-05-18 19:06
Sylvestor has opened a few eggs, preferring to hunt for as many as he could find rather than spending the hunting time opening them. Fitzwilliam has done much the same. One of the eggs Fitzwilliam opened they were sure was chocolate because the outside of the egg looked exactly like a chocolate egg. Sure enough the egg, which was on the smallish side but not tiny, held a box of egg-shaped chocolates that must weight over a stone. Fitzwilliam had taken a few pieces of chocolate and given Sylvestor some before the boys stuffed the box back in the egg and closed it. Amazing how once back in the egg, the egg feels as though it weighs next to nothing.
One of the ones Sylvestor has opened he's chuffed about beyond words. The prize is two concert tickets to one of his favorite groups. If Mum and Dad don't insist one of them going with him, he's taking Fitzwilliam. Edwina will probably complain but she can find her own concert tickets.
The official hunt time is almost over so Fitzwilliam and Sylvestor start making their way across the grounds towards the castle. Supper will soon be served in the Great Hall and despite having had snacks throughout the day the boys are ready for the meal and to hear what prizes others have gotten from any eggs so far opened. Along the way they both continue searching for eggs and from the way others are slowly walking and stopping now and then, they aren't the only ones with that thought.
Nearer the castle Libby is saying goodbye to her parents and the Cheeky Monkey. Her cat, still a kitten really, Loch, wends around their legs. Georgia crouches to pet the cute Scottish Fold telling Libby as she does, "I've decided to go with your dress choice. I rather like it."
"Mine has to be crimson."
"We're thinking the colors will be a light blue, sort of a robin's egg blue, and a creamy yellow."
"Sounds pretty and my crimson dress will go with those colors."
"You're stuck on crimson."
"I have to wear the dress."
"But it's my wedding."
"Your point?"
Georgia sighs and rolls her eyes, standing back up. She looks at their parents as if to say she's your child. Libby smiles sweetly then hugs then each goodbye. "See you Saturday," in reference to the start of spring holiday.
When the Copperpots are nearly to the gate Georgia says, "You know I'm working a spell that will have Libby thinking her dress is scarlet but everyone else will see it as its true color."
Connie and Bob laugh heartily only to just as suddenly stop, neither wanting to contemplate Libby's show of temper were she ever to find out she'd been duped. Good thing such a spell is likely not possible.