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An Error
Author: Cassandra Catesby
Date: 06-01-14 01:55
"We must entertain the possibility that she is telling the truth," the man said. He looked down at the limp form lying on the floor of the cell. "She has held out for far longer than any other I have interviewed. She never changed her refrain: It was not me."
One of his companions gave a small cough. "Upon further investigation, it seems that a Miss Catesby owns a bookshop in Knockturn Alley," he said. "A Miss Cassandra Catesby."
The first man looked at him sharply. "Cassandra with an s," he said, "as opposed to Callandra with an l?"
"I believe that to be correct," came the reply.
The man who had abducted her from Knockturn Alley remained silent, standing stiff with apprehension.
"An error then," the first man murmured. Neither of his companions replied. "Yet one that may work to our advantage. What she may not do for herself, she may do for her sister."
The one who had investigated further gave another small cough. "I understand Miss Cassandra Catesby has recently married," he volunteered. "Her husband is a Mr Kirley Mockridge. He works for the British Ministry of Magic."
The first man nodded. "Then send a message to Mr Mockridge," he said. "Inform him that we will return his wife if he will arrange the return of our property."
(Ravenscrofte Rare and Antiquarian Books, Knockturn Alley) Determination
Author: Kirley Mockridge
Date: 06-01-14 10:39
Kirley glared at the offending bit of parchment. He was more than glad he was staying at Cass' flat rather than at the townhouse, since he had no doubts he would have put a damper on the family Easter celebrations currently being enjoyed by Nephele, Valeria and Cloris, likely with Pip Hartcrofte in tow. The owl who had delivered it had disappeared rapidly, not giving him a chance to trace it back to whomever had taken Cass.
His hands rubbed at his cheeks, no longer clean-shaven, before running through his disheveled hair. He had contacted the Aurors to share the letter with them, and would do the same with Nephele and Pip later, once Valeria would be in bed.
He grabbed a blank piece of parchment, scrawling just a single sentence on it before he whistled for Bathilda. "Take this to Callandra," he said quietly. He followed the owl with his eyes for a long time, staring off into the distance. Whether Cassandra's twin would help or not, he was going to find his wife. And anyone who stood in his way would pay the price of it, he silently swore it. His thumb stroked the band on his finger as Malantha curled around his ankles. Picking the cat up, he studied her eyes. "We will get her back, I promise," he whispered. "And Merlin help those who try to keep her from me."
Easter in Greenwich
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-01-14 16:55
For the first time ever, the Dewhurst family Easter took place at Bronwyn's home in Greenwich. With no job to keep her busy and less income to satisfy her love of shopping, Bronwyn found the time to learn how to cook and to craft. Her mother was absolutely astounded at what Bronwyn had accomplished. Bronwyn baked a braided wreath with colored eggs nestled inside. She made a ham and various sides, like scalloped potatoes and steamed mixed veggies. Every potted plant in the house Bronwyn decorated with blown-out, festively decorated eggs hung with different colored ribbon. Flower bouquets in vases and other containers littered every surface.
"You've turned into a regular Martha Stewart," Siegfried announced.
"Who's Martha Stewart?" Toby asked.
"Is Desi not coming?" Bron's mother cut in. "I thought she might since Wolfie is here."
"She's off on some mission," Bronwyn replied, with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "It's some kind of longterm, deep undercover project. I don't know when she'll be done with it."
Wolfie was trying to get a bright blue egg out of the wreath, but it wouldn't budge because it was baked into the bread. His look of concentration, rapidly spreading to frustration, was somewhat amusing to watch.
"I don't think I would like it if you had a job that kept you away from everyone for an indefinite amount of time," Aemilia finally said.
"Oh, speaking of jobs. I've got an interview next week at the WWN."
"That's wonderful, but I wouldn't think you'd have to reinterview for your old position."
"Well, they gave my old position away when I went missing," Bronwyn said, "and the one I'm interviewing for is something new. It's for an advice show. I think that's right up my alley."
Wolfie started squealing, so Wotan scooped him up and thrust him into his daughter's arms. "Go to BonBon," he told Wolfie, who immediately settled down, seemingly mesmerized by the long, ruby-red strand of beads around Bronwyn's neck.
"Speaking of babies––" Bronwyn began.
"I'm not a baby!" Wolfie exclaimed. "I am four years old."
"And you are too big to be carried," Bronwyn said, setting him down on the ground. She turned back to her parents and said, "My old friend Chance is expecting her first child."
"How wonderful!" Aemilia exclaimed. Wotan said, "That's nice."
"Mmm-hmm," agreed Bronwyn. "I want to arrange a lunch date with Ariella and Chance, since they are due about a month apart. I think it would be good for them to share experiences and what not."
"That's a good idea," her mother said.
"Can we eat now?" Wolfie asked. "I want the blue egg. Can I have it?"
"Yes. It's all yours. Everybody ready to eat?"
"Yes!" Wolfie answered loudest for everyone.
A Funny Coincidence (Tamsin)
Author: Josie
Date: 06-02-14 14:17
After having Easter lunch with my family, I went outside to our small backyard. I sat at the wooden bench next to my mother's rose bushes. The roses were already starting to blossom and its scent reminded me of one of Hogwarts' greenhouses. I was thinking about the package of chocolate eggs I had sent to Penny and her family as well as the small bag with sugary quills I received this morning, alongside with an Easter card signed by Jake Nielson. My cheeks had turned red as my brothers teased me, Theon being the most cruel of all. The door opened and Edwin came to join me. I turned my face away from him, hoping not to be teased again. But Edwin had something else on his mind:
"Hey Tamsin, what are you reading?"
I looked down at my lap, where an old copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard rested. Without asking for permission Edwin picked it up and started flipping the pages, with curiosity.
"It's a book filled with bedtime stories, for witches and wizards," I explained to him. "I bought it at Twice Told Tales, a shop that sells old and vintage books at Hogsmeade. There's a copy at my school's library too. But what made me buy the book was this:"
I stole the book from my brother's hands and opened it on the very first page. There was a inscription inside, written in blue ink. The handwriting was small but very legible. I pointed it out to Edwin and he read it out loud:
"To our beloved daughter Tegan, on her first birthday. May this be the first of many bedtime stories we will read together."
"It's signed 'Mom and Dad', whoever they are. I just thought it was a funny coincidence because whoever this Tegan is, or was, she and I have the same birthday. Look here, right under the inscription, see? That's why I bought it."
"Interesting," my brother replied, touching he inscription with his fingers. He then carefully closed the book and asked if I could borrow it to him. "You know how curious I get with the wizarding world. I just want to make a quick read. I'll give it back to you, before you have to go back to school."
I nodded, giving him permission to take the book. I didn't really need it. Edwin stood up, and left the garden. Moments later Jack and Theon appeared with a ball and asked if I wanted to play a little bit with football with them. I accepted and soon my father and Calum joined us too. My mother stood by the door, cheering for us all. Only Edwin was absent, as he had probably locked himself in the bedroom he shared with Calum, having as company my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Meeting the New Boyfriend
Author: Jolyon
Date: 06-02-14 17:45
Jolyon stepped inside the foyer at 38 Polwarth St. There were four doors in the foyer, two on each side. The front two were to the flats in the building, while the back two were storage closets. Jolyon turned to the right and knocked on the first door, where the nameplate read M. Kent. Half a beat later, the door opened and there was Arielle, all smiles.
"Dad! You made it!" She gave him a hug and ushered him over the threshold. "Mum!!!" she then called out. "Dad's here!!!"
"Yes, all right," Merrie said, stepping out from the kitchen. She wiped down her hands on the front of the apron she wore and then extended them toward her ex-husband. "It's good of you to come, Jolyon."
"Thanks for the invitation. My mother sends her regrets. She's still under the weather."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but I suppose that means there will be more food and more leftovers for everyone else. Gaius loves to eat, doesn't he?" Merrie turned to Arielle. "Ask Asher to come out from his room, please."
"He's not going to listen to me," Arielle replied, but she went off to her brother's room.
For a brief moment, Jolyon and Merrie were alone in the room. He took in her appearance––she had dressed up in fitted rose-pink robes and had curled her hair––and was reminded why he had been attracted to her all those years ago.
Then the bathroom door opened a wizard Jolyon didn't know emerged. He was devilishly good-looking, with slightly-shaggy, blond hair, blue-green eyes, and the right amount of stubble to make a woman swoon.
"Darling, I want you to meet Jolyon," Merrie said, turning to the newcomer and reaching for one of his hands.
"Jolyon, this is Lancelot. Lancelot Gold."
Jolyon instantly hated the man. He thrust out his hand stiffly and mumbled, "It's a pleasure."
Lancelot flashed him a ne'er-do-well smile and said, "The pleasure's all mine."
They stared at each other for half a second, and then Arielle came back and announced, "Asher said he's coming."
"Wonderful. It's time to eat anyway," Merrie said. "Arielle, help me get everything on the table."
"I'll help too," Jolyon said, not trusting himself to be alone with Lancelot.
Lancelot gave a good-natured shrug and plopped down on the sofa. Arielle looked at Jolyon, who hoped his features did not reveal his true thoughts. Somehow, he had the feeling Arielle could see right through him.
Easter At The Burrow
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 06-02-14 19:21
It's a good thing the weather is nice. With Molly and Arthur, their six children, their six daughters-in-law and one son-in-law, and seventeen grandchildren, the Burrow's kitchen and living room would be crowded for the Easter meal. Using a sticking charm to keep the wind from whipping up the cloths covering the two long tables where they will all soon sit to enjoy the Weasley version of a banquet, Ginny watches on as some of the older children play a game of chase. After they've run off to another part of the yard, Audrey continues at a slow pace from the kitchen, Percy's and her daughter Molly toddling unsteadily alongside.
Molly stops to stoop, inspecting a rock. Audrey continues on, looking back over her shoulder to remind, "No putting rocks in the mouth, Mols."
Reaching the table where dishes and utensils are already waiting and from which the food will be served, Audrey sets down a stack of glasses. "Molly's going to start sending food out any moment now."
With a nod at Audrey, Ginny calls to Seth and Miranda who have both just run back this direction. "Tell the others we're sitting down to eat soon."
Miranda starts off to do just that while Seth does something typical of so many children. He puts a hand on either side of his mouth and yells as loudly as he can, "COME EAT!"
Ginny and Audrey exchange grins while Audrey swings little Molly up to take her to one of the high chairs. At the sound of the back door opening again, Ginny starts that way to see what she needs to do to further help but there's no need. A procession of some of her brothers and sisters-in-law emerge from the kitchen, each carrying a dish.
Ginny lets them pass before reentering, immediately moving out of Charlie's way so he can wheel Hendrika outside. Harry is just behind, a platter of ham in one hand and Jamie in the other arm. Ginny goes into the living room to get Albus and on her way back through the kitchen accepts a large bread basket from her mum to carry out.
Soon, the members of the large Weasley clan have plates fixed and are seated, ready to eat with the older children asking a question they've asked several times already today. "When are we having the egg hunt?" As with each prior asking they are told, "As soon as we've eaten and cleared the tables."
The twins have a pile of magic eggs similar to what the children have searched for at Hogwarts ready to hide. Ginny's certain some of the egg prizes aren't going to be as appropriate as they'd be if someone else was in charge of filling the eggs but at least with Fred and George being fathers, they won't have put anything in the eggs that could cause potential injury.
Checking that Albus is still peacefully napping, Ginny divides her attention between her own plate, helping Jamie eat, and the conversations taking place around her.
Brighton Beach
Author: Griet
Date: 06-03-14 17:48
Griet and Tucker stood at the edge of the beach where pavement met smooth, multicolored rocks and gazed out to the deep, blue sea. Although it was nice and sunny, being on the water put a chill in the air. Griet wore a sweater dress, boots, and a long coat. Tucker wore a casual suit.
He touched her arm and said, "Are you sure you want to do this? We can turn back now."
Griet let out a deep breath and weighed her options. She didn't feel perfectly well, since the full moon had only taken place two nights ago, but she didn't feel awful either. Griet wished she could say her decision to come to Brighton had been spur of the moment, but the reality was that she had a morbid curiosity about Clover's wedding.
She shot Tucker a reassuring smile and said, "Yes, I want to do this."
He nodded and took her by the arm. The beach was covered in pebbles, and though they were smooth and compacted, they did not make for easy walking. Griet was glad her boots had flat soles!
They eventually came upon the small wedding party, which included the Blakelys, Philip and Jana, Morgan and his girlfriend Kaya, Kelly who had grown up since Griet last saw her and now was a woman in her early twenties, the Smith parents, and Gervaise. The bride and groom matched in cream. Clover's robes were long-sleeved and she wore a cloak fastened with strings of pearls. Oberon wore a linen suit.
Clover's face lit up when she saw Griet. "You're here!" she exclaimed, stepping carefully over the rocks to greet her old friend.
Griet gave her an air kiss on the cheek when Clover leaned in for a hug. Then she gave a stiff hello to Oberon and a slightly less stiff one to Gervaise.
For a moment, Griet wondered who would be officiating the wedding, since the only people present on the beach were family and friends, but then Morgan cleared his throat and said, "I think we can get started."
He moved behind and between the bride and groom, who turned to each other with smiles on their faces and held each other's hands.
Tucker slipped an arm around Griet's shoulders. She leaned into him and listened to Morgan commence his sister's wedding ceremony.
Lupins Having Easter With The Eternal-Blacks
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 06-03-14 19:04
Nymphadora Lupin, who still prefers that most call her Tonks, accepts a lemonade from Drucilla asking as she does, "Have you decided if you want to know the sex or not?"
Dru's hand drops to a belly that in the beige slacks and red short sleaved jumper is just starting to show. "At first we thought no because we have baby things for eitherl but then we thought yes since that does make picking a name that much easier."
"Remus and I flip flopped when I was pregnant with Hope," Tonks says in reference to the Lupins' daughter who is about five and a half months younger than Zaria. "We'd decided no, we'd be surprised but then I went in for a checkup, Remus with me, and when asked if we wanted to know, we both couldn't say yes fast enough."
Dru chuckles. "How have I not heard this before?" Her eyes shift to the front yard where the children are playing. "Krasimira, if you pull Marmalade's tail one more time, I'm giving him permission to nip you."
"Muuuuum."
Dru's response is a hard stare. Mira huffs, gives Marmalade a gentle pat then runs to join James and Teddy. Giving her attention back to Tonks, Dru explains, "Mira is a bit miffed that Marmalade has not succumbed to her charms as all the other boys have."
"I hadn't even realized you'd gotten another cat until today."
"He's only been with us since Wednesday. Wendy wasn't sure at first about having a kitten around but within a day you'd have thought she'd given birth to him herself."
"Does anyone else but me think how ironic it is that Sirius's animagus form is a dog yet you have cats for pets?"
"We've had that mentioned before," Dru says with a grin.
Tonks doesn't have a chance to say more because Sirius opens the front door to say, "We're ready if you are."
Remus and he have been hiding eggs in the backyard. The women rise from the porch's stop step, Dru reminding Sirius, "Make sure James and Mira don't start before we can get there with the Zaria and Hope."
Tonks adds, "That goes for Teddy too."
As expected, hearing the hunt is ready to begin the three older children make a mad dash to get to the backyard first, Drucilla and Tonks following much more slowly with the two year olds Zaria and Hope.