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Running into Friends
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 06-04-09 17:36
In the lull between Cassandra's Orb and Basilisk, Fritz and Coco weave their way through the crowd in search of the concession stands. They grab something to snack on and more importantly something to drink and even buy a couple of T-shirts for themselves, which they pull on over their clothes even though it's a little too warm to layer.
The fifteen minutes between bands ends quicker than either anticipate, and they're still mulling about the various booths when Basilisk takes the stage. The acoustics on the sprawling lawn at St. Emrys are so good that they can hear everything without having to be up in front of the stage, so they hang around the stands a bit more until they've seen everything that interests them.
It's while on their way back to their spot, which hopefully hasn't been taken over in the meantime, that they run into Julietta Wynbourne.
"Hi, guys," Julietta exclaims. "Did you see my brother?"
"No, is he here?" Fritz asks.
"Oh, yes. I came with him but I've lost him in the meantime. He's with Alanna and some of her family members."
"Let's find them," Coco suggests, and the three begin weaving through the crowd. It's packed with wizards of all ages, though most are teenagers or in their early 20s.
While they navigate the mass of wizards in search of Jared, Fritz can't help but think about how if things had been different last year, he might be attending St. Emrys in the fall instead of returning to Hogwarts––not that he doesn't want to go back to Hogwarts. He does, very much. Fritz wants to make up the year he missed by being at Happy Haven. He wants to play Quidditch for Ravenclaw again, and he wants to wear the new prefect badge that arrived via owl post a few weeks ago. He wants to go to class, take his N.E.W.T.s and get his apparition license once and for all. Having just reminded himself about the test he failed, he wonders if he can just go to the Ministry of Magic and retest since he already went through the course. Then again, he hasn't apparated since those lessons and isn't sure he remembers how without making any mistakes. Something to inquire over when he has time.
"There he is," Coco exclaims, pointing to Jared who's got his hand clasped with Alanna's. They're standing with Ariella and Lawrence Masterson, whom Fritz and Coco know best as the Herbology professor for the pureblood students during that last year they were at Hogwarts. Anthony Beck and Plum Lancaster are standing with them, too.
Etta surges forward and taps Jared on the arm. He turns and spots Fritz and Coco coming up behind his sister.
"You made it!"
"We've been here a while," Fritz says, nodding his head to the others in the group. "What a crowd!"
"Yeah. It's packed."
They fall silent, listening to the music and singing along when they know the words. It's not long before Basilisk is done and there's another break between bands. The friends talk in earnest now, about Hogwarts, about other summer plans, about everything and anything until it's time for The Wicked Wizards of the West to start their set.
Talk
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 06-04-09 18:05
Turning from the window overlooking a bustling Muggle square in Mexico City Zabrynna asks, "Does it bother you when someone like me hardly says anything for the 50 minute session?"
Teresa Muñoz gives an elegant shrug of her silk clad shoulders. "I get paid regardless and the longer you, or someone else, takes to establish a real dialogue with steady progress on the pathway to healing, the more sessions I get paid to sit and wait for you."
"That's a little cold blooded."
"It is the truth. Does that make you angry?"
It's Zabrynna's turn to shrug. "I should be at Emrys Fest right this second with friends; not here."
"Is that what has you so angry?"
"You sure are hung up on what makes a person angry."
"Getting to the root of one's anger is always a positive step."
"Spoken like a psychological healer."
Muñoz smiles unapologetically but says nothing.
Zabrynna returns to staring out the window, watching with fascination as the Muggles speed by in their vehicles, oblivious to a world of magic with Witches, Wizards, and fantastical creatures. A bus lumbers by with an advertisement for tours.
"There's an advertisement on a Muggle bus for tours around Mexico City and beyond. There's a picture of a pyramid looking thing."
"That would probably be the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán. It is old, though of course not as old as some of the places in Asia and Europe. You should visit if you get the chance."
"The name sounds familiar. I think there's a field trip next Saturday."
La Escuela de la Esperanza de Artes Mágicas has quite a few activities outside of school hours but as yet Zabrynna hasn't done anything that wasn't mandatory or that her parents or Marisol's parents, Soledad and Matias, hadn't insisted she do.
As if sensing this thought of Zabrynna's, Teresa Muñoz says, "You do realize that the longer you resist, be it participating at school and school related activities or talking with me, the greater the chance of you staying in Mexico City come fall."
Heaving her shoulders with a sound that's a cross between a sigh and great exasperation, Zabrynna turns from the window and flops into a nearby chair. "Talk about something that makes me angry." Lifting one leg over the arm of the chair in a very unladylike manner and slouching down, Zabrynna says, "Okay then. Let's talk."
Unpleasant Meetings
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 06-04-09 20:44
When Arley finally showed up, late, I had almost forgotten that my sister was here. I got the bear hug from him and that’s when he noticed Bianca. He looked like he just saw a ghost.
“Oh my god…Bianca…” Arley managed, before giving my sister a once over. “So…umm, how have you been girls?” He was looking at my sister when he said it. After a moment, he looked at me and said, “Look…I’m sorry about everything that happened Desi. I missed you guys a lot. How’s it been goin’?”
“Hello, Desdemona! You look great; we have missed you a great deal. This must be your sister?” Sebastian cut in, “I am Sebastian Sjoblom, an old friend of Desi and Bronwyn from Hogwarts…and I know you know Arlington…” the last bit of it he said it like he instantly disliked my sister. Not that I blame him. She has that effect on people. Sebastian then moved closer to Arley, almost protecting him.
Arley blushed a little bit as he said, “Yeah…this is Seb, he’s my…”
“I am his boyfriend. We’ve been together since school. I take it you are all doing well?” Seb cut in again. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that Seb was jealous of my sister.
Arley looked over to Bronwyn and Toby and waved at them before once again looking at me, “Maybe we can talk about some things later, Desi? I owe you an apology,” Arley looked over at my sister, “I missed you Bianca, have you been okay?” Arley bit his lower lip “Fallon’s missing, no one’s heard from her in awhile.”
Seb frowned, “Okay, let’s just enjoy the music; we may save the serious conversations for drinks afterwards, yes?”
Sensing the perfect moment to finally get a word in edge wise, my sister beat me to the punch. “We all have people missing, my father, Bronwyn’s mother…” The way she said it there was no doubt that she was unhappy.
“BUT! We’ll talk about all that later,” I managed to finally cut in, “And Arley, don’t worry about it, we both have some apologizing and stuff to do, but again, that can wait.” I smiled at Arley, “Besides, what’s done is done and in the past. And, to answer your question, Bianca and I are doing just fine.” I smiled at the two, but I could tell Bianca was glaring.
I turned to Bianca, who was staring Seb down, I think, and poked her in the ribs. “Hey, play nice. Besides, don’t strain yourself, doc’s orders.” I could see Arley look a bit confused. Bianca decided to enlighten him…in her very blunt manner…
“July, last year, my father was forced to England by his work. With everything going on, I went to make sure nothing happened. We ended up being taken to a camp, and I ended up most of the time in a coma,” Seb went to cut in again and was stopped by Bianca’s Stare of Death. It’s scary; trust me. “We still don’t know what happened to my father.”
“Which, we’re told is a good sign,” I cut in, trying to lighten the mood, “And you should have seen Bianca when I picked her up, she had to wear my clothes when she left the hospital, it was hilarious.” My sister wasn’t happy with my attempt to stop her, as she turned The Stare on me.
“Isn’t it nice to see how fast she’s recovering?” I said with a smile, looking directly at her.
“Yeah… Hey, since when did you two actually…” Arley paused a moment as he realized no blows had been exchanged between my sister and I, “You know… get along?”
“Ever since I picked her up from the hospital,” I told him, “Life changing events do tend to change people…” I put my arm around my sister’s shoulders, but she just stood there with her arms crossed. Was about now I noticed Bron listening in on the whole thing.
“Anywho, we can all talk more about the serious stuff later, like Seb suggested, but my sister didn’t listen to,” I got an elbow to the ribs, “Ow, And we can actually include Bron and Toby too.
A Little Gossip, A Little Dancing
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 06-05-09 17:31
Leaning against Ron as she munches a sandwich, Hermione somehow also manages to hum along with the song vibrating the air around them. "Hand me a bag of crisps, please."
Ron peers down at the hamper. "Cheese or potato?"
"Are there any cheesy potato ones?" Ron can hear the grin in Hermione's voice.
"As a matter of fact, there are."
As he pulls out the crisps bag with a flourish, Ron's eyes fall on some of the sweets tucked into the hamper. As handing off the crisps to Hermione, Ron reaches in and gets a slice of chocolate cake.
As he digs in, Hermione notices what he's eating and says, "The party went really well late night."
"Hmmmmph!" Ginny's sound of disgruntlement is so loud it carries across the picnic blanket to them despite the concert going on around them.
Putting his mouth close to Hermione's ear but making sure not to get any chocolate from the cake or its frosting in her ear, Ron says just loudly enough for her to hear, "Ixnay on the party talk around Ginny."
Turning her head and lowering her voice, Hermione's eyes got to Ginny as she asks Ron, "Why? What's the matter?"
Ginny gets up and flounces off, obviously in somewhat of a snit. Free to talk more openly, Ron tells Hermione, "You know how the party was to have been Thurday night?"
"Yes."
"That wasn't because it was the middle date of the three birthdays."
"It wasn't? I thought Thursday was first chosen for exactly that reason. Neville's birthday on Wednesday, Harry's on Thursday, and Janine's yesterday."
"That's what everyone who knew about the surprise party for Thursday was led believe by Ginny. Actually though, she first tried to plan it for last night. When Ginny approached the Foxes about having Janine be one of the honorees, Otis Fox coldly informed Ginny that on Janine's birthday the Foxes would be celebrating just them, as a family. He didn't indicated he considered Harry to be included."
"But the Foxes were co-hosts last night," Hermione says, clearly confused.
"After everything was set for Thursday, with Janine only knowing that Harry and she were invited to a small dinner with friends, Janine told her dad she wanted something special for Friday for Harry. Said she didn't see why they couldn't celebrate both her birthday and his as a family. When her parents didn't seem thrilled Janine apparently told them that even if it was just a family dinner, if Harry wasn't invited then not to count on her being there either. Rather than have to face Harry when it would just be his wife, Janine, and him, Otis did a mad scramble to get Ginny to change everything to Friday night."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"I noticed Otis Fox taking a great deal of credit for the party last night."
"Ginny didn't want to ruin anything for Neville, Harry, or Janine so she kept her mouth shut."
"You know she's in love with Harry, don't you?"
"Yeah, though she thinks only Charlie's aware of it."
"I like Janine."
Ron can hear the unsaid "but" in Hermione's statement. "I do to but if things are going to continue as they have between them, is it wrong of me to hope he'll end up with Ginny?"
Knowing she's not expected to actually answer that, Hermione turns to kiss Ron, then stands and holds out a hand. "I know dancing isn't your favorite thing, but dance with me."
Accepting Hermione's hand, Ron gets up and seconds later has both arms around her as the band onstage starts a slow, romantic melody.
Eavesdropping & Working
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-05-09 18:10
Bronwyn might have given the illusion that her attention was fully on the bands on stage––she swayed to the music and hummed along to the familiar melodies––but she definitely listened to every word spoken between Desi, Bianca, Arley and Seb. She knew bits and pieces of the soap opera-like history of the Americans in the bunch, some of the information having come from Desi's own lips, the rest from the diaries Bronwyn had read without permission. But she didn't know everything, and the tension in the air simply couldn't be ignored.
Arley and Desi were ever the diplomats, though, and kept things from getting ugly (and juicier). Bianca and Sebastian still seemed somewhat unnerved over the meeting, but they too turned their attentions to the music in attempt to enjoy themselves. Time passed by with relative quickness, and all too soon Bronwyn had to leave for her shift at the university's WWN station's booth.
She felt almost hesitant to leave the group, especially when she wasn't sure what might happen next, but she excused herself, quickly making plans to meet everybody at the Wyrding Way later, and left the crowd for work.
Werewolf Code of Conduct was in the middle of their set when Bronwyn relieved the person who'd been manning the broadcasting booth. She quickly got herself situated and then acknowledged the manager of the Wicked Wizards of the West, who then signaled for bassist Xavier Schoonmaker to come out from the relative privacy of a nearby tent and join Bronwyn at the table.
Xavier was quite good looking with wavy dark hair, chocolate brown eyes and the whitest, most dazzling smile. He spoke with a polished British accent. "Nice to meet you..."
"Bronwyn," Bronwyn supplies, melting as she shook his hand and took in his good looks.
"Bronwyn," Xavier repeated. Her name sounded wonderfully coming from his lips.
"So, we're about ready to go on the air," she said, after mentally reminding herself that she was married. Still, she could look at and admire the musician sitting opposite her.
"Smashing," he said, with another sexy grin.
Bronwyn giggled and then got down to business. "Afternoon, all. Bronwyn here. Emrys Fest is going great, and you'll never guess who I've got with me right now. Okay, I'll tell you. It's Xavier Schoonmaker from the Wicked Wizards of the West who just played a great set."
The interview went on with the sounds of Werewolf Code of Conduct in the background, but soon they finished their part in Emrys Fest. Bronwyn's interview with Xavier ended all too quickly. He departed after depositing a kiss on the back of her hand in true gentlemanly fashion, leaving her swooning.
It wasn't long before the Kneazles got on stage and started off with their newest hit "Hex on the Beach". Bronwyn knew the words and sang along when she knew she wasn't on the air. She didn't want to submit anybody to her singing. While it wasn't quite atrocious, it wasn't particularly good either.
The Kneazles were the second-to-last band to play. They would be followed by the headliners of the afternoon-long event, The Weird Sisters.
Twinges of Jealousy
Author: Blossom
Date: 06-05-09 18:21
Watching Emma Crusher laughing at something Phin's said, Daria wants to scream. She never disliked Emma, not even after Emma left Kody broken-hearted. Afterall, if Emma hadn't broken up with Kody and left as she did, the door may never have been opened for Daria.
A door Daria went through but later passed back out of and kicked shut.
That door has been open again, with Daria on the threshhold but not entering all the way in.
Bloody hell! Things have been complicated enough without Emma showing up.
Kody's first love.
Kody's first love who trampled on his heart.
Daria snorts then is immediately glad that it wasn't a very loud snort and that the music of Emrys Fest is as loud as it is. Her mind goes off on a tangent, wondering who difficult it is to keep the noise from disturbing the Muggles of Stratford-Upon-Avon. That tangent is dropped in a millisecond when Emma says to Phin, "I haven't mentioned it yet but I LOVE Dynamic Duo. I well remember when the band was formed. You've made a great addition."
Daria resists the urge to roll her eyes but only because Kody's own eyes are on her. Instead, she smiles sweetly "So, Emma, with the introductions to everyone you hadn't met," Daria gestures exspansively to take in the somewhat large group mingling around, "you never did say what you've been doing lately."
"After the relationship I was in fell apart, I decided it was time for a change. I'm back in London, am working, and will take some courses here at St. Emrys when the next term starts."
Daria couldn't help noticing that when Emma mentioned her relationship status, Emma's eyes cut to Kody and lingered.
Ophelia is asking what courses Emma is planning on taking, leaving Daria's mind free to wander again.
Daria reminds herself the same way she reminds everyone else that Kody and she are NOT a couple. If Kody wants to start seeing Emma again, that's his business. It would of course mean the end of the friends with benefits thing Kody and she have going.
Daria inwardly shudders. Merlin, how she has always hated that phrase. Friends with benefits. It sounds awful even if it does aptly indicate that those involved in such a status are friends but have something more. Something more without being attached at the hip as significant others.
Daria turns to the stage as the set ends, joining in the rousing applause given The Kneazles.
Great. Fifteen minutes without music to make polite when really, Daria would like to slap Emma and tell the girl to stop looking at Kody like he's her prey.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Daria starts running through the list of reminders again. She and Kody are not a couple. She once broke Kody's heart as badly as Emma did, maybe even worse. She has not right to these feelings of extreme jealousy and possessive she's been experiencing since Emma Crusher showed up.
Daria's own eyes stray over to where Kody is talking with Drake and Aiden Darling. Her heart constricts at the thought of Kody with Emma again.
Okay.
Maybe it's time to admit there is something beyond the friends with benefits deal.
Daria just hopes she can have a serious talk with Kody before Emma has a chance to sink her hooks into him again.