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Fear
Author: Jane Linton
Date: 07-17-14 05:01
"This was a bad idea. Really, really bad…" Jane's hands were sweaty with the nerves. She was starting to regret signing up for the Dueling Club Inter-School competition. "What if I go up there and I can't remember any spell? Or what if I'll have to duel a seventh year? Oh Merlin… what if I am severely injured?"
"You'll do just fine, Jane. And they are not going to make you duel someone who is sixth years ahead of you. Relax."
Bowen was seated next to Jane. He didn't seem nervous at all. On the contrary his feet balanced in his chair with impatience. He was ready to start dueling at any moment.
"What about the part where you might get injured?"
"That's a risk you'll have to take. A lot of accidents can happen when dueling. People can lose a leg or arm, maybe even their sight. Or even worse: they go cuckoo! There are spells that can fry your brains. You just have to aim to the head and…"
Pelinore's arm stretched and his wand touched Jane's forehead. She let go an hysterical squeak and pushed his wand away from her.
"Stop it, you lunatic!"
The boy grinned with Jane's panic, and Bowen asked him to stop.
"You're not helping. Jane it's going to be ok."
Jane wasn't so sure about that.
"It's easy for you to say so. You're a Gryffindor. You're brave, daring and courageous. I'm not any of those things. I think I'm going to give up, I'm too scared."
She stood up from her chair, ready to tell the teacher in charge about her intentions. But, on that exact moment, her name was called. Jane couldn't quit now because it would be unfair to her opponent. With timid steps she walked into the stage, all eyes on her. It was as if her legs were made of jelly. On the other side of the stage was Pelinore. She didn't hear his name being called. The Gryffindor boy smiled at her with arrogance and he twirled a finger near his temple, reminding Jane what might happen in a matter of seconds if he choose to aim at her head.
After the bow, the signal was given for the duel to begin. Jane was so afraid of what spell Pelinore might use on her that she pointed her wand at him a said with all the strength she possessed:
"Petrificus Totalus"
Pelinore didn't stand a chance and he fell on the floor completely tied up. Some people laughed, others clapped their hands. Jane left the stage. More than being happy for winning, she felt relieved because she didn't get hurt. She went back to her seat, knowing she would start feeling nervous again once her time to duel again would be near.
Loss
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 07-17-14 13:43
Chance had been in bed for a week on doctor's orders. She had been cramping and in pain for days and nothing was making it any better. Today was different though, she felt more pain in her abdomen and she was curled in a ball in her bed crying.
Jonathan came in the bedroom carrying a cup of tea and he saw his fiancé laying there and crying. Setting down the cup on the nightstand he sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled Chance into his arms.
"Shhh, Baby, try and relax and tell me what you're feeling."
"Something is wrong Jonathan. I don't know what but something is wrong with the baby." As soon as the words were out of her mouth Chance had an overwhelming rush of pain come over her and she threw up.
"Okay we are taking you to the doctor again." Jonathan said as he got up from the bed and cleaned up the mess and got into clean clothes. "Come on Baby let me help you get dressed."
Jonathan helped Chance get dressed before he disapperated both of them to St. Mungo's. When he got there he put Chance into a wheel chair and checked her in.
Dr. Salinger walked into the room after Chance had been settled into a bed and was resting. He checked her over and then did the magical version of an ultrasound on her. He sighed when he saw the results.
"I am sorry to tell you that you have lost the baby."
Chance's eyes grew wide and she shook her head. Tears streamed from her eyes and she sobbed into her hands. Jonathan wrapped an arm around her and held her. Tears welled in Jonathan's eyes but he tried to stay strong for Chance.
"I love you, Baby!" He kissed the top of her head.
"I would like Chance to stay in the hospital for a day or so and then she can go home. I just want to make sure there are no complications and that the bleeding slows." Dr. Salinger said softly. "I am sorry for your loss." He added and then excused himself from the room.
*****
Time passed and Chance calmed a little and she wrote a note to Bronwyn telling her what had happened. Bron was the closest friend she had and she wanted her there with her.
Decision Made
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 07-18-14 11:38
Araxie,
Why did you not tell us that the nightmares had come back and that you hadn't been sleeping? I know you are still unsure about what you are remembering, and what you are actually learning about your father and potentially you are recalling information that could potentially get him out of Azkaban.
We'd been worried about you when you looked exceptionally tired and your uncle and I had been discussing when we left Hogwarts if things were getting too much for you. Have you decided if you wish to see your father at all and discuss what you've learned with him, however, if you aren't yet ready to see him face to face then at least write to him…
The letter went on, and at the moment Araxie was not entirely sure what she was going to do, but she was kind a happy that her best friend had done something, and written to her aunt and uncle about the nightmares that she'd had recently and the drawings that she'd been creating in the last few weeks.
She sat in the common commons, alone with her thoughts and the drawings, and the letter from her Aunt that had come this morning. Nichole had gone to the dueling thing and had promised that she'd check on Araxie around lunch time, if not a little after.
"I don't know what I'm going to do…" The words murmured as she looked over the drawings, copies had been made of them, and within moments she'd had them bundled with a letter to her father. She figured this would be the best course of action, he would be someone who could, and she hoped, would answer some of her questions and perhaps provide her a bit more information that would shed some light on the night she wasn't supposed to remember.
Leaving the commons she headed up to the owlery, and quickly sent off the somewhat heavy parcel to her father in Azkaban. She then ventured back to the common common room, and found something to snack on and start drawing something that wasn't filled with the darkest images of her mind, something that wasn't filled with the death of her mother. It was something to do to pass the time while Nichole was at the dueling competition or something, and it definitely beat the heck out of studying a bit more.
(Thadeous Andrews) (Tokyo, Japan) Obliviating a Source
Author: Xiomara Sofia Serano
Date: 07-18-14 12:01
Thadeous slipped an arm around his delightful female companion, pulling the lush flesh against him. "Tell me, have you learned anything new?" The words were whispered against the line of her neck, into shell of her ear before he would press a kiss there and slowly with draw his touch. Stepping away from the girl and allowing her a few moments of clarity. Their reunion had been swift, and very little information had been shared within those few minutes to lead toward the man's ultimate goal of destroying the woman who had imprisoned him within a painting so many, many years ago.
The blonde smiled, shifting ever so slightly, wishing to press herself closer to the retreating form of the man. However, her movements were hindered, and a pout soon replaced the smile, before she flopped down upon the edge of the bed once more. There was a light shrug of her shoulders, "I may have gathered some information about her habits, and more importantly about what she is currently looking for."
Something dark danced within Thadeous' eyes as he once again closed the distance between himself and the lushly curved blonde seated upon the edge of his bed. Though, there would be nothing gentle, nothing seductive or even remotely nice as his hand tangled within tousled tresses.
"Would you care to try that again sweet one, or would you prefer something a bit meaner happen to you…" The words spilling free of him, as he brushed his lips against her cheek, as the tip of his wand soon pressed against her abdomen, causing her to tense, causing her to whimper lightly and fear to rapidly replace the lust that had burned there moments ago.
"Alright….alright…" The words were stammered rapidly from her lips, as she quickly began spilling the information she'd learned from watching her target the last few days in Tokyo. She knew that the information was still valid, because she'd talked to the woman under polyjuice potion and knew that she'd be staying in Tokyo for several more days, and it would potentially give Thadeous time to begin formulating a plan, if not actually acting on it.
"Such a good girl you are…" Thadeous murmured, before "obliviate" slipped past his lips and the girl's features went blank. Another memory laid to rest upon the girl's mind before she was sent off and Thadeous left the hotel, plots and plans spinning within his mind of the potential downfall of Xiomara Serano and her spoiled little brat of a child.
You CAN Do It
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 07-18-14 13:32
Ashen faced the fifth year wheezes to Kissy, "I don't know if I can do this, miss. Not with everyone watching. Stage fright is why I only do things behind the scenes with Drama Club."
Kissy offers a smile of reassurance. "Pretend you're in Defense Against the Dark Arts with classmates dueling on either side of you or that you're in the Dueling Club room practicing while others come and go around you. Think how well you've been doing getting ready for today. You can do at least one match. Give it a try."
"You really think I can get through it?"
"I know you can."
He doesn't look as sure as Kissy would hope though he nods, even if it's a very slow, reluctant one. She pats him on the shoulder before clapping for the two on stage whose match has ended. As those two come down the stairs nearest Kissy, one of them limping slightly from having been slow in getting a shield up in time, she looks to the fifth year. "You CAN do this."
He sighs then taking a deep breath squares his shoulders to march resolutely up the stairs to take his place opposite someone he's dueled many times in class and in Dueling Club. They are evenly matched so this duel could go either way. It could go either way that is if he does more than stand there trying not to look nervous while thinking about being the center of attention.
As the two get ready, waiting for the signal to start, Kissy taps a seventh year on the shoulder. "You're up next."
The seventh year's opponent for the next match is on the other side of the stage so Kissy will wait until this duel is over to let her know or Ethan will give her a heads up as he's on that side of the raised platform upon which the two fifth years have each now cast spells at each other.
A tap on her own shoulder has Kissy smiling at her husband as he hands her a cup of tea. "Here you are. Need anything else?"
"Thank you. No, this is excellent for the moment." Realizing Cameron isn't carrying their son she asks, "Did you take Everett to the day care?"
Cameron shakes his head and makes a gesture taking in the audience as a whole. "I had more offers to hold him than I could count. He's over there somewhere charming several girls with his ability to pull himself up while holding onto their fingers and chairs."
At six and a half months old Everett crawls well enough he can be hard to catch. Though not walking he's very good at pulling himself into a standing position, which he's discovered is one of his favorite things to do since it brings a whole new set of objects into his reach.
Whatever remark to that Kissy might have made is put on hold as the current duel is already finished, the nervous, stage fright ridden fifth year victorious. As he comes off the platform he shoots Kissy a giddy grin. She smiles back then calls the names of the two seventh years up next.
Taking a seat next to Cameron, sipping her tea, Kissy waits along with everyone else for Ethan to give the go signal. In a bit, they'll switch up, him calling out the names and her giving the official signal to start each match. They'll take turns doing each job throughout the day, both of them also keeping track of each round's winner so that at the end of the day overall dueling competition winners might be announced.
(Franciscus & Paton) An Even Chance
Author: Griet
Date: 07-18-14 16:39
When their names were called, Franciscus and Paton looked at each other in surprise before taking the stage. They had both been standing next to each other and had fully expected to be paired with someone other than themselves. There was no rhyme or reason to their thinking. They'd just figured that as two boys who generally did everything together, including partner work in classes like DADA, that they'd face different opponents during the Dueling Club's Interschool Dueling Competition.
Franciscus and Paton took their positions on either end of the elevated stage, with Professors Weatherby and Somerset looking on since they were the staff sponsors of the club and the school's DADA teachers. Professor Somerset said, "On my mark, you may begin. Three… two… one…"
Franciscus and Paton waved their wands at the same time and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"
Not expecting it, Franciscus let out a loud gasp when his wand flew out of his hand and skittered towards the edge of the stage, where it threatened to fall into the crowd. He barely had time to rescue it from its precarious position when both boys were ushered from the stage.
The cousins met up again more or less in the same place where they had been standing all along. Paton looked pleased with himself but wasn't the sort to gloat or make fun of a loser.
"You almost had me," he told Franciscus.
Franciscus, perhaps a little more like his sister Cornelia than he even he thought, felt rather sore at having lost the duel. "Yeah, I guess," he muttered, looking away from Paton.
Paton dropped the subject immediately, sensing his cousin's disappointment. "Everything set for the big game?" he asked.
Franciscus continued to dwell on the loss of his duel, but the possibility of earning the Quidditch Cup this year eventually caused his mood to improve.
Impatiently Waiting (Olive)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 07-18-14 18:00
From a spot near one side of the raised platform serving as the dueling stage Olive sits with a spiced pumpkin juice, something she would never have imagined drinking back before her parents died and she learned that something called the Wizarding World existed.
Though there are some who have not yet had a first match, Olive is impatient for a second go around. Her initial duel had gone very well. She'd not won it with her first spell thrown but she'd won, which is the important thing. The match lasted a few minutes, with some very good back and forth before she'd taken the advantage. She enjoyed it immensely, even more so because she did win, and hopes her next duel is just as fun. With her taking another win, of course.
Roommate Bianca Bonfamille sits in the seat next to Olive. "I've a feeling at some point today I'll end up opposite Catriona."
Olive grins at her. "Jill and I are certain we'll end up against each other too. I told her I'll take her down but won't hurt her in the process."
Bianca giggles. "That's so nice of you."
"I'll show you the same courtesy should be get paired."
"Why thank you," Bianca says with another giggle before glancing around. "With Zuberi being Krum's family I thought he might show up to support you."
"He wanted to but today's a day he'd already committed to helping out at that orphanage in Sierra Leone Professor Dumbledore got him started as a volunteer. That work is so important to him I told him not to back out of today on my account."
"Have you ever gone with him?"
"A couple of times when we've been on break. There's so much work to be done there. Upkeep on the older buildings. New structures to build. Security charms to maintain. Clothing and educational materials to find funding for not to mention food. Trying to find good, permanent homes for the orphans and making room for others who've been found and brought there. All the while staying hidden from certain groups of Wizarding folks and Muggles alike."
Bianca gives a shake of her head. "I had no idea it was that intense."
"I thought I had an understanding from everything Zuberi had told me and from meeting some of his friends, like this one guy Karamoh, but until I went with him I truly hadn't a clue."
"Maybe I'll have to go sometime."
"You should. Everyone should see something like that at least once and lend a hand."
Catriona Amherst joins them then. "What are you two talking about?"
Bianca quickly replies, "About how I'm going to beat you if we duel against each other."
"Ha! Dream on."
Olive grins from one to the other. "Just keep in mind I'm going to beat you both so be prepared."
The players on the platform change yet again, Olive sorry her name still isn't called for a second match, the three girls soon joined by Jill Prewitt, exchanging friendly banter on who among them will do the best overall today.
Observing
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-18-14 18:58
Professor McGonagall sat in the Great Hall and watched the dueling competition with avid interest. She may have been a professor of Transfiguration for most of her teaching career, but she was an accomplished dueler in her own right and had a fondness for Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had to be, or she probably wouldn't be an effective member of the Order of the Phoenix.
It had been a while since they'd had a meeting. With the trouble currently taking place in the world, especially so very close to home, they probably should make a better effort at coming together. It was difficult without a proper leader, though.
Minerva invariably thought about Albus, whom she missed very much, even nearly two years after his unexpected passing. What would he be doing about the spike in dark wizardry, courtesy of Adriana Fairchild and those loyal to her? Having been a mentor of sorts to that very person, would his tactics be different than they had been with Voldemort or even Grindelwald? His portrait could only give so much in terms of insights. Besides, the painting was a pale comparison to the real thing.
Her eyes briefly drifted away from the stage, falling first on Severus, who was watching the proceedings with his arms folded across his chest. Minerva couldn't help but think about the time he and Gilderoy Lockhart held a competition similar to this one. That had been so very long ago!
She continued to sweep her gaze around the room and saw both of her great nephews. Neither had gone up to duel yet, though perhaps neither would and were only present as spectators.
Minerva noticed Achilles Sims next and was suddenly reminded about the accident Mildred Campbell had been involved in two weeks ago during the annual Spring Social event. The mother of Achilles had been the one to notify staff regarding the incident, in which Mildred had allegedly slipped in the restroom and bumped her head against the sink.
At face value, this had seemed a likely account of what had happened, and even under questioning, Mildred admitted it was so. It was only after Madam Pomfrey relayed her findings upon treating the young third year for her injuries, that all may not have been as it seemed. Madam Pomfrey's examination suggested Miss Campbell became unconscious not from the bump to her head but via a spell. A thorough search of the bathroom where the incident occurred also showed no evidence of water or an otherwise slick floor.
Madam Pomfrey's findings put a cloud of suspicion over what Mrs. Sims claimed as the only witness to the accident and also had them wondering why Mildred would maintain the original statement as truth. As far as Madam Pomfrey could tell, the girl wasn't suffering from memory loss or the effects of a memory charm, though the nurse had not done a thorough check on the latter. If Mildred was lying about what had happened, then why? Was she simply embarrassed about clumsy footing or was something sinister holding her back from speaking the truth?
Because Mildred maintained it had been an accident, Madam Pomfrey considered the possibility that she had made a mistake in her findings (though she was rarely wrong and knew it too). Professor McGonagall didn't push the issue either, but she didn't like knowing that one of her students might be under duress for reasons suspicious in nature. She also hated to think that a parent might have harmed a student.
One thing was for certain: she had her eye on Mildred and hoped that if she had something to tell her, she would do it sooner than later.
A Wee Bit Hungry (Kurt, Estella, & Bran)
Author: Saffron
Date: 07-19-14 15:41
"Be proud of yourself. You did really well."
Estella sulkily replies, "I lost."
"But you held out for nearly five minutes. That's a long time compared to how most of these first matches have been going. Mine was over in seconds."
"Because you won with your first spell."
"Only because I don't think he was really ready."
"But you won."
Kurt gives a shake of his head, repressing a sigh. Clearly now is not the time to try and bolster Estella. Leaving her to her pout he goes in search of Bran who'd said something about getting something to eat. He locates his best friend mulling over sandwiches, reaching him just as Bran gives a visible shrug and picks up two of the offerings.
"Have they started second matches yet?" Bran asks.
"Is there is sound barrier over here by the food to keep you from hearing who's dueling?"
"No, I've just not paid much attention while getting food."
Kurt eyes Bran's piled high plate. "Only a wee bit hungry, are you?" he dryly states.
"You know I didn't eat breakfast. I was too nervous. Since having a match and being nervous for however many others we'll all have, instead of still not being hungry I feel like I'm wasting away."
Kurt sniggers a little before saying, "To answer your question, yes, second duels have started. We all should be called just anytime now for new matches. I hope Estella wins, unless she's up against me, because she's still bothered at losing the other."
"But she did so bloody fantastic."
"I've tried telling her that."
Just then Bran's name is called for the next match. He shoves his plate at Kurt and jobs in the direction of the nearest steps onto the platform, pulling out his wand as he goes.
Selecting an apple slice from Bran's plate, Kurt meanders back over to where Estella and other friends wait and watch, his eyes on the stage to see how Bran does.
Waiting and Watching (Marion, Lilith, Savannah, Katheryn & Callie)
Author: Saffron
Date: 07-19-14 16:06
Hope, who had signed up for the dueling competition only to scratch her name off the list an hour later and who then spent days dithering over whether to re-add her name, sits clapping for her brother. Bran won his first match against his roommate and quasi friend Brom von Roon so he has some confidence going into another match. The drawback, though, is this second opponent is a second year to Bran's being a first year. Still, neither Professor Somerset nor Professor Weatherby would pit Bran against someone slightly older if they didn't have faith in his ability to handle himself well even if he ends up losing.
To the second year's surprise, Bran not so handily wins. He has to fight for it but Hope thinks maybe the second year is overly smug and feeling superior at going up against a mere first year.
Sitting next to Hope, Marion claps for Bran as well. Marion had signed up for today's competition but had to back out a few days ago. She hadn't wanted to but Madam Pomfrey would have gone over her head if she hadn't spoken with Professor Somerset herself.
A few days ago Marion had slipped on one of the staircases and cracked her head pretty badly. Because she had a fairly severe concussion, even though she'd be recovered by Saturday, Madam Pomfrey didn't want Marion dueling, not in class and not in the Dueling Club's big competition. Even though she's extremely disgruntled at only being a spectator, Marion didn't want to miss a second of the goings on, especially with some of her friends taking part.
Also seated nearby are Lilith and Savannah. Both are participating today with Lilith having lost her first match. It was against Savannah, which means Savannah won her first match. Both are anxious, in a good way, to get up there again for another duel. Lilith is glad it won't be against Savannah, or shouldn't be anyway. If she does have another head to head with Savannah, Lilith is determined to win. Of course, then Savannah will say they need a third duel, even if outside of the competition, to break the tie.
Over getting drinks and something to nibble on Katheryn says to Callie, "I hope I don't go up against Wesley Varnum. I think he's cute but when I beat him he might not like me. If he likes me now that is. Who do you think you'll be against next?"
Names being announced have them stopping to listen and then Callie turning with a grin to Katheryn. "Mystery solved."
She leaves her drink with Katheryn, eager to take the stage. Her opponent is a boy in her house and year who she thinks is overly full of himself. She very much hopes to take him down a notch with a quick victory against him. If the match lasts more than one or two spells exchanged that would be fine too. More fun and challenging that way. The main point is that she win.
Mounting the steps, Callie practically bounds up them to get to the starting position so the duel can begin all that much sooner.