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Getting Ready
Author: Kody
Date: 06-21-07 10:01
Kody adjusts the placement of one of his drums then experimentally plays to make sure each is exactly how he wants and needs each to be. A drumstrick cracks. Kody swears. He's got extras of course. It's just that that drumstick was fairly new.
Making a few minor adjustments, Kody plays again. Satisfied that he's got his part set and ready to go, Kody finally looks out across the area where Emrys Fest is taking place. Vendors are still setting up for food, drink, and souvenirs. Kody grins at seeing his sister Kordelia hanging out a Dynamic Duo shirt from a nearby booth that will be selling merchandise for whichever band is currently playing. There's another stall like it near Stage 2, where The Pixies band members are going on and getting set up as well. Kody can't blame them. Dynamic Duo's earlier than they need to be but when you're the first band on, you've got the luxury of not being as pressed for time, of being able to get things just so.
Seeing the direction of Kody's gaze, Drake says, "Pros and cons being first up. The most obvious pro for me is being able to kick back and enjoy the rest of the bands."
Phin thumps the top of his keyboard. "This sounds off. Does it sound off to anyone else?"
"Play a few bars and pay attention this time," Kody says.
Phin plays the opening of one of their songs. When he's done he says, "Okay. That sounded fine."
"Yeah, to me too," Drake says.
Anthony and Plum are nodding their heads and Kody's about to say something when a voice says from just in from of the stage, "Excellent! Looking forward to hearing you chaps. Caught you last year and was impressed."
They all say thank you, then do variations of open mouthed gapes as they watch the receding figure of Myron Wagtail, lead singer of the Weird Sisters. They all go into even more shock as they watch Myron buying one of their shirts from Kordelia.
Plum is the first one to speak, "I think I feel a little intimidate now, knowing one of the Weird Sisters is going to be listening."
Drake laughs a little nervously, "We've got time to run through a couple of songs, maybe even more than that but I see people starting to trickle in."
The members of Dynamic Duo take their places and begin playing a love song with an unbeat tempo, Muggle Love. A short time later, a few songs practiced, Dynamic Duo goes offstage to wait for their introduction as the first band playing the second annual Emrys Fest.
On Stage
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 06-21-07 14:59
While up on stage, the cheers of a crowd that kept growing, Phin got the rush of adrenaline he always does when performing. He could tell by the looks on Plum's, Anthony's, Drake's, and Kody's faces that they were feeling it too. Adding to the excitement of the moment was seeing Emerald right down in front clapping and singing along. Next to her were Phin's mother, her friend Forest, Emerald's family, Phin's father, stepmother, stepsister Jewel, and Jewel's boyfriend Bailey. Right next to them was Myron Wagtail of the Weird Sisters catching their set just as he said he would. Phin would have thought that Myron would have skipped the first part of Emrys Fest since the Weird Sisters aren't on until 8:30, one of the headlining acts.
Phin's eyes moved briefly back to Jewel and Bailey. That day on the Hogwarts Express, just before the train got in at King's Cross station, Phin felt as though he'd walked in on something important between those two. Later, Emerald had said she'd gotten that same sort of impression. Phin wonders what it was but has kept his mouth shut. Just because Jewel's his sister now doesn't mean conversations between Bailey and her are his business. It's not even as though he was supposed to be on the train that day anyway.
Phin rode the train instead of just walking into the village to the restaurant for one main reason - Emerald. It was a no brainer decision when it was between spending all those hours on the train with her and bussing tables for the lunch and dinner shifts at the restaurant. Not only did Phin get that time with Emerald but at King's Cross Station he'd gotten to see his father and Vivian before they, along with Jewel, left on a trip to the US. Then Phin had gone out to eat with Emerald, Olive, and the twins Jade and Hunter, and their aunt and uncle.
The song ends and Kody introduces each Dynamic Duo member. As the applause dies down, the band starts its last song of the set. Already waiting offstage are the members of Hex, the next band on this stage. Up next though, on stage 2, are The Pixies and once Dynamic Duo has packed up their gear, it's a full day hanging out with Emerald and friends.
A Few Hires (Euphemia Smythe-Jones)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 06-21-07 18:26
The WWN tuned to the St. Emrys broadcast live from Emrys Fest, Euphemia sits tapping her feet to the beat. Those who know her, including her son, would be extremely shocked to know that Euphemia is a closet rock and roll fan, even of the genre of music that's often referred to as hard rock or metal. The Pixies are playing a particularly lively song, giving Euphemia the urge to get up and dance. It's a good thing she's in her private study where no one would ever enter without first knocking and waiting for her to give permission to come in.
Sitting down again, Euphemia reaches for one of the little cucumber sandwiches her house elf cook Delaney send up at Euphemia's request. She works her way through more of the applications she's received, feeling the pressure of the self-imposed timeline. Euphemia has to start making some decisions about who gets hired and get word out if she expects them to still be available for her project.
Randomly reaching for the pile she's made for potential Herbology instructors, Euphemia takes her time reading through each application again. Twice she does get up to dance around but for the most part she works without distraction. Of the ones in this stack, Lawrence Masterson is the only one without teaching experience of some sort. He's also not completed any formal training. He is, however, a recent Hogwarts graduate. A number of applicants for all the courses are but Euphemia, for reasons she can't explain, finds the thought of hiring a recent graduate with no real Herbology experience particularly amusing.
Reaching for quill and parchment Euphemia dashes off a letter.
Dear Mr. Masterson;
I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the Herbology position at L'Académie suisse de Magie, or in English, the Swiss Academy of Magic. There is, of course, the formality of an interview. Please let me know a date and time convenient to you over the course of this next week. A representative of the school will be in London and will have a room for conferencing at The Leaky Cauldron.
Included with this missive are copies of the texts you will need to begin planning lessons. I believe that as a Hogwarts graduate you are familiar with some of them as they reflect the current Hogwarts reading. Over the course of the school term, you will be able to read over texts on the market and make any changes to the curriculum as you feel is necessary.
Do not worry about language barries as language will not be an issue. If you do not speak French or German, that is quite all right.
Please let us know as soon as possible when you will be available to meet with our representative Jessice Rome.
Sincerely,
Eloise Sylvia Jaccard
Euphemai locates the box with the Herbology texts in it, puts the letter on top, then uses her wand to seal the box. When it's addressed, she sends another house elf, Ester, to owl it off. Going over to the short pile of applicants for Ancient Runes, Euphemia quickly picks out the one she'd more or less already decided upon, Urmaleen Closterfob. Getting a fresh piece of parchment, Euphemia begins writing Ms. Closterfob a letter.
Brief Delay Before Heading to Emrys Fest
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 06-22-07 08:25
Lawrence was just about to floo from his flat, when he was assaulted by an owl with an important message. He plucked the letter from the owl and quickly opened it seeing that it was from Eloise Sylvia Jaccard. He'd been hired...no more herbology experience than his lessons at Hogwarts and at Uni, and absolutely -no- teaching experience...she'd hired him simply because he was a Hogwarts Graduate? Okay.
Quickly he would pen a letter to Eloise Sylvia Jaccard, sending it back to her with the owl.
Dear Ms. Jaccard,
Thank you for hiring me. I am available at any possible day and time in the coming week. Monday afternoon would be good, as it will give me time to get things together for the interview. I can be at the Leaky Cauldron by one pm if that is acceptable.
Sincerely,
Lawrence
With the owl returned, Lawrence quickly double checked that he had the complimentary ticket from Bronwyn and headed to the fire place. Handful of floo powder later, he was at St. Emry's handing the person at the entry way to the Fest, his ticket. Now, he needed to find Bronwyn.
A Birthday and Emrys Fest
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 06-22-07 08:38
Madeline and Brett had met Orei at her house, wished her happy birthday and given her their gifts, and then together they'd floo'd to St. Emry's for the fest. Tickets in hand they'd arrived about thirty minutes early. Good! Which meant that they'd be able to watch the Dynamic Duo set up. They entered the area where the fest was going to be held and quickly made their way to stage one, they'd be darting back and forth between the stages, at least Orei would for the most part, she wanted to see as much as she could. However, all of them were waiting for The Weird Sisters at eight thirty tonight.
"Orei...what else do you have planned for the summer?" Madeline asked, as they were waiting for Dynamic Duo to take the stage.
"Mom and I are going to be doing a little traveling, probably heading to Ireland for a little while, because that is what I wanted for my birthday from Mom and Dad." Orei said, leaning against Brett. "What about you Madeline?"
"Probably just going to stay at home and do nothing really. Don't really have any major plans. Mom wants me to start thinking about Unis to go to, but I really don't want that stress right now. I mean I still have two years left..." She shook her head and turned her attention to the stage because Kody and Phin were now on the stage along with the rest of Dynamic Duo.
It was ten on the dot and Emry's fest soon began, Orei couldn't help but dance to the entire set that Dynamic Duo played in their time on stage. Now, however she was faced with a choice...The Pixies on Stage Two, or wait the entire time for Hex on Stage One. Decisions, decisions. Madeline would make the choice, as she was an avid fan of The Pixies. Stage Two it is then.
Back in Britain
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 06-22-07 10:29
Gabby adjusts her hat then asks Rosalinda, "Are you sure thees eez where Estella said?"
"Positive. She's probably just late because of the crowd."
Gabby nervously looks around, certain that at any moment her mother will appear right in front of her, yelling at Gabby for having run away. Gabby had gone to America with Rosalinda's cousin, doing her best to play tourist in Muggle New York while Marisol and her boyfriend Robbie did whatever it was they had planned for their trip. Estella had owled once to say that Gabby's parents were concerned and that Gabby's mother was visiting her and Rosalinda daily to demand to know Gabby's whereabouts. Maman had even harassed Rolf Haaken but Gabby had kept knowledge of her plans to a bare minimum. Maman finally accepted that Rolf knew nothing.
Since returning to Britain two days ago, Gabby has hidden out first at Marisol's then at the home of one set of Rosalinda's grandparents who've gone off for a three week trip to the Bahamas to visit some relatives there. If Maman would just do as the letter Gabby had left asked and let it be known that Gabby does not have to return to Beauxbatons then Gabby would be more than happy to come out of hiding and to stop trying take steps to be an emancipated minor. Maman is not budging though, insisting more than ever that Gabby WILL go to Beauxbatons.
If the worst happens and Gabby is forced home and then forced to Beauxbatons, she will refuse to attend classes, refuse to leave her dormitory room. Maybe she'll even refuse to eat. Even if Maman wins and gets Gabby back to that school, Gabby is not going to simply give up. She hates being this stubborn and hates putting her family through all this. Gabby is not, by nature, a manipulative person. She simply can't think of any other way to convince her mother how serious she is about wanting to stay at Hogwarts.
The most horrible part of all this subterfuge is not being able to see Fleur and check on Bill. Rosalinda and Estella have kept abreast of Bill's condition and how Fleur is holding up but it's not the same as going in person.
Gabby spins around suddenly, pushing her large sunglasses up higher and pulling her hat down lower. Charlie Weasley has just walked by. She doesn't think he saw her though. It's probably a good thing she's died her hair a chestnut brown and is wearing shoes that gives her the appearance of being slightly taller. Charlie's performing here today and Gabby would not be at all surprised if a number of the other family members, particularly Ginny and Ron, are in attendance.
Coming to Emrys Fest is not the best idea in the world but it does make for much easier meeting with Estella and Rosalinda. And if she is spotted, the huge crowd that will only get larger as the day wears on will make it harder for anyone to catch up to her before she gets away.
Giving A Statement
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 06-22-07 12:22
Lysette Valentine, in a voice that borders on supremely bored, asks the law enforcement officer, "Is this really necessary?"
"Yes, ma'am, it is."
"My son has given a statement once. Can't you see he needs his rest?"
Tired of being talked about as if he's not there, Julian speaks up. "Mother, I'm up to having a conversation that probably won't take very long. Besides that, I believe it's standard procedure to do a follow-up in case more details are remembered."
"That's correct, Mr. Valentine. This is just a routine visit but one that's necessary."
Julian turns his head in the direction of the man's voice. Since waking up in St. Mungo's five days ago, Julian's not been able to see. The healers haven't been able to say whether the damage is permanent or not. They aren't even sure what's causing the blindness.
Julian's got some other injuries as well. His hands have burns that are taking much longer than usual with magical medicine. The healers feel that's because the burns were caused by dark magic they don't know and don't understand. Between the burns and the mysterious blindness, and having been unconscious for days, Julian's stay at St. Mungo's has been extended so that one test after another might be done.
Officer Hatcher, whom Julian envisions standing there with a parchment pad and pencil poised to take notes, requests, "Start at the beginning, please. With finding the book, that is."
Julian reaches for the glass of water on his bedside table, Lysette guiding it into his hand. After taking a sip Julian says, "I'd been to an estate auction, buying some books and other things. One of the lots was a set of boxes simply listed as children's books and miscellaneous items. I've a daughter so I bought the lot with her in mind, thinking to put any that didn't suit her up for sale in our children's section or donate elsewhere. I hadn't given much thought to what the miscellaneous items might be. One of the items was a book titled Geheimzinnige Zilver. Very old."
Julian pretty much sticks to the facts, leaving out a few details and only altering what absolutely has to be altered. "I could tell something was odd about it right then. I wanted to open it and read it but at the same time I sensed that would be a huge mistake. I wasn't sure what to make of it or if I was perhaps imagining things. I put the book away in a closet until I could decide what should be done with it..."
Julian fills in the pertinent blanks, ending the telling with the last thing he remembers in the clearing was as the book was burning he got a searing pain in his head. Next thing Julian was aware of was being here at St. Mungo's.
Office Hatcher thanks Julian then says, "Next time you think you have a dark arts book on your hands, be sure to call the Ministry to dispatch it for you."
Julian nods. "If I get my sight back, you can be assured I will do just that."
Arrest
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 06-22-07 15:05
Belladonna Barkwith laughs at some comment the leader singer for The Wicked Wizards of the West has just made. When the band launches into its next song, she claps her hands with delight. She grabs Griff by the arm and says loudly in the direction of his ear, "I'm so glad we decided to do this!"
Griff is too. If it helps with today's objective then he's more than glad. He's thrilled. While wishing he could be at Knockturn Alley, at the same time, it's probably best that he's here with Belladonna as things play out.
Mercutio and Barnabus were to be at the shoppe today. Jacob would be there this morning, providing a short window of opportunity to arrest him. Here at Emrys Fest, some law enforcement personnel, possibly even Hit Wizards or Aurors, will quietly approach and arrest both Belladonna and Griff. Since Mercutio is not likely to give up his sister's location so quickly and if that idiot Barnabus doesn't say anything about her being at Emrys Fest, then the story will be that someone who knew the raid was taking place this morning but wasn't part of the detail, saw Belladonna here at Emrys Fest and alerted those assigned to the case.
Griff will be arrested just for show. It will be awhile yet before Mercutio Wolfsbane and Belladonna Barkwith learn that their trusted employee is a government agent. As for Jacob, Griff doesn't care what Jacob ever learns. Griff just wants Jacob locked away for good in some dark, dank, very cramped and uncomfortable cell. Or, if Jacob gets killed somehow, Griff won't be bothered by it one bit.
A hand cups the arm away from Belladonna. Turning his head to look, Griff finds himself face to face with none other than Head Auror Forest Woods, someone he knew of before but only very recently met. On Belladonna's other side, someone has moved in as well and there are at least two people behind them. Wands are out and pointed, but each person is highly aware of the scores of people around them.
One of the people behind them leans in and says in a no-nonsense voice, "Belladonna Barkwith, you are under arrest. Please don't make us stun you. Griffin Price, as an employee of Wolfsbane & Belladonna you are also being taken into custody. Please come peacefully, both of you. If you resist, we will simply be a group of friends helping their two drunken companions out of the festival."
Belladonna glowers but doesn't do anything to prevent her wand from being taken from her. Griff also allows his wand to taken without saying a word. He sighs loudly and gives Belladonna an accusatory glare as his hands are secured behind his back. In the middle of the group of law enforcement people, Belladonna and Griff are escorted well away from the crowd then each is taken to the Ministry via side-along apparations.
Clues On Simon Rivera
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 06-22-07 17:22
In the past few days that they had arrived in England, Simon Rivera had been very quite. In fact he had been to quite and he kept to himself. Cailyn thought this was as odd because when they were on the ship he was anything but quite and shy. She was certain he was up to something. But she didn’t know what.
She sat in one of the huge window seats that adored her bedroom high up in her father’s mansion. She had the WWN playing and she had a notepad with her quill pen in her hands. She was trying to work out her problem with Simon and make notes on him. A good sleuth always took notes she thought. And since Simon Rivera came into her life she was playing Girl Sleuth just like Nancy Drew.
First clue: Simon River is not her father’s business partner. So what is he really to her father.
Second Clue: He’s far too quite right now.
Third clue: He asked to many personal family questions.
Forth clue: She didn’t like him.
Okay so those clues were pretty stupid. But that didn’t mean anything. He could still be a bad guy. In fact, she knew he was a bad guy. She just had to catch him at it.
Suddenly, there was a crash outside of her bedroom. Cailyn jumped up and ran to the door. When she opened it, she gasped and she saw Simon, running down the hallway.
“ I wonder what that was about?” She said out loud stepping into the hallway and looking around for clues.
In the corner of the hallway was a broken vase and Cailyn found her fifth clue. She thought it was a very good clue too.
Entrancing Boys
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 06-23-07 00:15
"Georgia, my boy entrancers are stuck together. I can't see!"
How Catherine's wailing whine can be louder than the tres excellent, double cool with knobs music by the Wicked Wizards of the West is beyond me. It's vair annoying to hear her and not the music. Still, being the vair good friend I am, willing to make supreme sacrifices, I turn to Cate, grab the area around her right eye, and jerk her entrancers apart. Despite her protests and continued wails I repeat with the left eye.
"I told you that you didn't need extra glue," I say, stating what is now obvious.
"Oh, cor but that hurt!" Cate slaps my arm. "Why didn't you tell me there were sex gods so near?"
Izzy smirks, "Georgie was planning on keeping them all to herself."
"Your mouth was too broken to say something yourself, Izzy wizzy?" I retort.
"Izzy is suffering from the great Cosmic Horn just as Georgie is," Edith inputs.
"Like you don't have red bottomosity of your own," Izzy says pointedly to Edith.
Cate shrugs. "Who care who's more on the rack of love when there are so vair many sex gods to choose from? All I ask is that if my boy entrancers get stuck again, one of you let m know to at least stand coolly about as if there's nothing wrong."
Izzy suddenly stands up a little straighter. We other three swivel our heads around to see what's caused it. Edith spots him first. "Sage Porter. It's really no fair that Professor Sacheverell has both a husband as sex god worthy as he is and a brother who brings out the Horn in all of us."
"He is single again," I point out. "Sage. Not Professor Miller I mean."
Cate sighs, "It's been long enough for him to be over whatsherface. And look, he's with Jim, Jared, and Titus"
"We must pretend to have no interest," I announce. "That will help ensure they wants us."
Isabel asks, "How are you so sure of that, Georgie?"
"My mum's book Turn Practically Any Prat Into A Prince Without Using Magic. It says if you don't have a nervy spaz around a boy, in fact, if you act as though you do not have the Horn at all, he will want you all the more. So, mild glaciocity, girls. Cate, don't bat those boy entrancers at then. Let them work naturally on their own. Izzy, chest less out. Edith, stop puckering your lips. Let us all gaze upon the vair nice visages of The Wicked Wizards of the West."
We gave our attention to stage 2, cool as the people who live in Iceland-a-gogo, pretending not to have the Horn as the four lads from Hogwarts pass by.
Translations:
boy entrancers = false eyelashes
double cool with knobs = excellent in the extreme
vair = very, just tres better sounding
sex god = a person of the male persuasion who is vair sexy, and is, worthy of minor god status; well, okay, maybe that last part is exaggerating but you know what I mean
Cosmic Horn = lusting after
red bottomosity = the red bottom is something a female baboon gets to let male baboons know she is avaible
rack of love = must I explain everything?
nervy spaz = nervous spasm