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Last Feast
Author: Fionna
Date: 06-16-07 09:25
Fionna hands Basilia a napkin. "Here, dry your eyes."
Taking it, Bas sniffles. "Thank you. I never expected to go all maudlin."
Graham pats Bas on the arm. "Feeling a bit nostalgic myself."
"Yeah, same here," Malcolm joins in. "You look a little peeve though, Fionna."
"That's because even as well as I did with the SATs, I still think it's utter shite that my last year here was Quidditchless. What bollocks. Could have still had it. It's not as though there was an SAT event every bleeding weekend. And even if there were, what's wrong with games during the week?"
Bas sniffles again but through her sadness at this being their last feast ever at Hogwarts, she laughs as well. "Speak your mind, why don't you, Fionna. That's so atypical of you."
Graham pats Bas's arm again. "We should think about what we have to look forward to. Did Bas tell you, Fi?"
"Tell me what?"
"We decided to room together come fall."
Malcolm glumly says, "Didn't tell me either. I thought you and I were going to room together in a St. Emrys residence hall."
"Graham and I have a much better idea. He found a flat we can let that's not all that far from the school. It's two bedroom so we thought we'd ask you to share rent and take the other bedroom."
Malcolm considerably brightens, "That's all right then. You have living arrangements worked out, don't you, Fionna?"
"Yeah. Least I think I do. There's a space on the upper floor of the Terrortours building. I've stayed there before; in the building, not that particular space. It's a tidy little flat, perfect for me and extremely convenient to work."
"Your mum still got her nose out of joint about something?" Graham asks.
"Apparently. Dad says he thinks she's had her knickers in such a twist because not only did I grow up but I've got a mind of my own. Mum wanted her daughter to share the same interests, work in her shoppe and love it, eventually take it over. Real bitch for blaming me for turning out independent. She doesn't act this way towards Fergus."
"What about that cousin of yours?"
Fionna looks at Malcolm and shrugs. "Catriona Amherst? Fergus wrote me the other day to say Mum was all in a dither because Cat arrives this week. Mum wants everything perfect for Cat. Don't know why. It's not as though Cat's never been there before."
Bas suddenly shushes them. "McGonagall's going to say something."
The four listen to the speech, applauding where appropriate, glaring at the two snots who lost them so many points, and like everyone else in the Great Hall, wondering where Professor Dumbledore is.
Getting back to Life in London
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 06-16-07 12:01
Flooing into the flat he'd managed to purchase sight unseen while he was still stuck in Australia dealing with the execution of his Aunt's estate and finishing up the semester at Uni in Sydney, he would simply fall into the lush armchair near the fire. "Home, at last." He muttered under his breath, taking the glass of butter beer from Eloise the house elf who had appeared at his side. "Welcome Home Sir."
He waved her off and got up, all of his things had been moved in now for about a week, the house elf keeping things clean until his arrival. Sipping from the butter beer he made quick inventory of the items there, old photos from when his parents were alive, photos of him and Vera in the happier times of their relationship. He let out a sigh, he really did need to get rid of those, or at least stuff them in a box and hide the box somewhere.
He needed to write Angela, let her know that he'd gotten in alright. Then again he could always send word through the fire, but he was in no mood to mess with it right now. Sydney, his cat, lay curled up on the top of the fridge in her little cushioned bed. Indigent stare gifted to her owner as he moved about the kitchen making a quick shopping list of things that he wanted for dinner. His shopping list was quite small, considering he was now a bachelor and really had no one to cook for other than himself.
Again, another pang of regret at how things had ended with Vera. They still talked once in a while via owl or even muggle post, but it wasn't all that often. He could easily send Eloise to the market for him, but it was something he wanted to do himself, reacquainting himself with London and things here. So, once the list was made, he would head out.
He stepped into Epicurean Delights, a small upper end food store and grabbed a hand basket. His mother, had made certain that even though he was born of privilege and of pureblood, he would be able to take care of himself should he find himself on his own, so he knew how to cook and cook well. He'd grab a bottle of the finest olive oil, box of fresh pasta, loaf of freshly baked bread, a dozen and a half cherry tomatoes, bulb of garlic, jar of imported Grecian olives, and a mingling of fresh herbs: basil, oregano, and even some flat leaf parsley.
When he went to the counter and checked out, paying the clerk, as he was doing such he caught sight of one of the magazines that had been put back in its little metal holder backwards. The announcement, the advertisement that was displayed upon the back cover was for the opening of a new wizardry school in Switzerland...interesting, he plucked up the magazine and added it to his purchases. Paying the clerk, he would then head back to his flat.
Once the groceries were put away, he quickly put together a resume, knowing that he would most likely be turned down because of his lack of experience, though he did attend and graduate from one of the more respected Wizarding Schools in the Wizarding World - Hogwarts. He would, once the application and the resume were finished he found the address, marked the envelope with the address and would send Eloise off with the missive to Miss Eloise Sylvia Jaccard.
Once that was done he would head back to his room and take a nap.
Dessert
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 06-16-07 12:21
Ariella helped herself to one more slice of raspberry cheesecake, deciding that yes, it would definitely be the last dessert she'd eat tonight, although many of the other cakes, pies and dessert dishes looked so yummy. She'd already eaten her fill, though, and didn't want to be sick on her last night at Hogwarts this school year.
Beside her, Alanna ate some chocolate pudding.
"Do you reckon he forgot about it?" she asked.
"Who?" Ariella questioned, not sure who or what Alanna meant.
"Dumbledore. Do you think he forgot about the feast?"
Ariella shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm sure he's busy. He has a lot of responsibility, not just here at Hogwarts but with the Ministry of Magic too. Something probably came up last minute, or maybe it's been planned a while. I don't know."
"It's too bad he's missing it," Alanna mused. "I think most of the seventh years are probably sorry they can't get a proper send off."
"Well, maybe he'll be around tomorrow morning to see us off to the train," Ariella suggested.
"Yeah, maybe."
It wasn't long before Ariella had crammed the last possible bite of cheesecake into her mouth. She chewed it slowly and then drained the rest of her pumpkin juice.
"I think I'm going to head to the dormitory now," she told Alanna.
"Wait for me. I'm almost ready." Alanna scraped out her bowl of chocolate pudding and then licked her lips. "Wait. I might still be hungry."
Ariella quirked a brow.
"Well, maybe not." Still, Alanna snaked her hand over to a plate of cookies and grabbed several, tucking them into a napkin. "Okay, now I'm ready."
Ariella laughed and got up from her seat. She had almost finished packing for tomorrow, but still had a little left to do. Alanna, on the other hand, hadn't even started yet. She didn't seem too worried, though, and would likely stay up all night with her roommates rather than get a good night's rest for tomorrow's long trip. She could sleep on the train anyway!
They left the Great Hall together and took the stairs to the cellar, where Hufflepuff House was located.
(Washington DC) ~ Last Dinner in America
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 06-16-07 12:26
“I do believe, we are already for the trip tomorrow.” Nicko Spicer said as he sipped on his wine glass at his favorite restaurant in Washington DC.
Cailyn, Nicko’s daughter only scowled at him. Yes she had told him she would go with him. After all, she didn’t have much choice in the matter. But she didn’t like the idea of moving out the country to a strange country she knew very little about. Even though it would be a wonderful way for her to make some friends and start over. She just didn’t like the idea of moving period. Then again, what sixteen year old did?
“Look, I know you don’t want to move Cailyn. But its going to be best for both of us. I mean, we can start over and forget about things.”
“Like mom?” Cailyn asked softly looking up at her dad. Nicko said nothing and grew quite for a few moments.” Dad, you can shut mom’s death out. It happened so many years ago. I know it hurts. I miss her too. I remember her a little bit. But dad, we have to move on.”
“Cailyn, your mother and I talked about moving to England a long time ago. And we agreed it would be best to do so. Its no surprising I got this position. And will you please stop arguing with me over why we shouldn’t move.” Nicko snapped finally growing frustrated with his daughter’s actions over the past few days.
Cailyn sucked in her breath. Stood up, slammed her fork down on her plated and walked away from the table.
“Were are you going?” Nicko asked now standing up.
“To the bathroom!” Cailyn snapped frustrated with her father and upset because he yelled at her. Tears were in her eyes. She was only trying to make her father see that they didn’t have to move because of her mother’s death. She knew her dad had never gotten over her mom’s death. And that he grew more quite by the day, but she liked Washington DC. And she liked America. She liked the way things were.
When she got to the bathroom, and shut the stall door, Cailyn sunk down on the toilet seat. She let the tears that had been threatening to come, spill down her cheeks and kicked at the wall a little bit. Then, she stood up and walked back out of the bathroom. After drying her tears she sat down and finished eating her dinner.
“What time are we leaving?” She asked Nicko who only sighed.
”Seven am.” He answered.
“Good. I’ll be ready.” Cailyn said.
“Oh and my friend Simon is coming with us.” Nicko added.
Cailyn only shrugged. She had no idea who Simon was and really didn’t care.
Double Cool With Knobs
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 06-16-07 13:21
Between forkfuls of chocolate cake, Isabella Hastings asks me, "You have your Emrys Fest ticket yet, Georgie?"
"I owled off for it days ago. Should be waiting at home for me. Unless Vati has spazzed mentally again and put it away without remembering where."
Carlotta Calloway, a mere 2nd year, asks, "Who's this Vati I've heard you mention before? A brother or something?"
"Vati is my mentally unstable, dresses like a clown father. Vati is German for father."
Izzy laughs. "Well it's Georgia's version. I think the actual word is vater."
"What do you know of German, Izzy wizzy?" I fix my bestest friend with my bestest glare.
"More than you, apparently," Isabella cooly replies, not phased in the slightest by the eyes boring into her. "Back to Emrys Fest, I've got my ticket. Where do you want to meet up?"
Edith, that would be Edith Parr, suggests, "What about at the main entrance like last year?"
"Cor, but I'm vair, vair happy we don't have to have our parents in tow this time around. We are far too mature to be seen in their company."
No one contradicts my assessment. Catherine Scott only says, "When I wrote Mum asking about it, I told her I'd be going with Izzy. I think if I'd said I was coming 'round to your house first Georgia, she'd have said no."
Edith asks, "Why are you going to Georgie's first?"
"Make-up help."
"She's hopeless with boy entrancers, even the charmed, self applicating ones."
Catherine nods, adding, "I've got nice sparkly ones."
"Vair chic."
Much more chic than mine. They would look better on me as well but Cate does need the added help of the sparkly entrancers. I go off on a little day dream about how many sex gods would ogle me if I were to wear Cate's sparkly entrancers. Probably a vair good thing I shan't be wearing them. Snapping out of my little dream I remember to ask, "Why would your mum not let you go if you were coming with me?"
Cate looks at me as though I'm barmy. "The flirty incident at Christmas."
Oh. Right. You know, it's not my fault that Cate's uncle thinks I have a thing for him. I tripped and fell right into his lap. Now Cate's mum thinks I've got the Horn for her brother. Her married brother at that. One little accident and I'm branded a tart.
Okay, well, there is also that other incident that same night over the Christmas hols when my wool jumper caught fire and I flung it quickly off. The sweater had had a built in over the shoulder boulder holder. It was vair, vair cold that night. I shall never live down being in my nuddy pants from the waist up, with nippy noodles for all to see.
Actually, even more embarassing was having Vati fling his new Muggle style suit jacket around me. True, it was sweet he wanted to help me get covered up. But could he have conjured me something? He just had to throw that clown costume piece with it's bright oranges and loud yellows on me, calling even more attention to my plight.
At least with summer holiday almost here, I do have Emerys Fest with all those yummy sex gods running around to look forward to. The entire day will be double cool with knobs.
Edith yawns and stretches. "No room for another bite."
Izzy gets up. "Me either. Georgie you shouldn't linger either. You've not packed the first thing."
"Always put off what can be done later, I always say."
Cate giggles, "Unless there's a sex god involved."
"Wise words, Cate. Vair wise words," I say in total agreement.
Translations:
vair = cool
Vati = my father, the barmy wonder
boy entrancers = false eyelashes
sex god = this is self explanatory; if I must explain it, you are too young to understand
Horn = a thing for, hot for, lusting after
over the shoulder boulder holder = bra
nuddy pants = nude
nippy noodles = extremely cold
double cool with knobs = excellent in the extreme
A Date To End The Mission
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 06-16-07 15:20
Ruth looks pointed at the clock. "A little on the late side, aren't you?"
Griff exhales loudly. "Jacob dropped by again. I thought about saying I had someplace I needed to be but then he would have asked questions, maybe wanted to tag along. At's bad enough he asks after you as it is."
"Do you think he suspects the lie about me being an adoptive aunt?"
"Not that I can tell. He has asked why I've not tried to kill him."
"And your reply?"
"The truth as it fits into the life of Griffin, the Wolfsbane & Belladonna employee. He's doing business with them. More money for them that I help out with means more money for me. I'm not going to be so stupid as to get rid of part of my meal ticket."
"Did he have a comment on that?"
"Jacob was amused that I've become so money-centric. His theory is that my time with no family or funds of my own has molded me into being closer to the person he thinks I should be. I still won't turn my back to him. Never know what that man has up his sleeve."
"Well, late though you are, let's get down to business. A decision's been made to let you bring the mission to an end. A week and a half from now on Saturday the 14th, we move in. That means you're going to have to get confirmation for us beforehand on where all the major players will be that day."
Griff's already shaking his head. "I know for a fact that Belladonna already has tickets for Emrys Fest that day. She's hinted that she wants me to go with her."
Ruth taps a finger thoughtfully against her chin. "That might work well. She'd be out of touch with her brother and that idiot cousin. Get what details you can and let me know, sooner is better. Could be we'll just need to go in early or late, after that festival is over. If not, we'll push the time table back, or forward if we really must."
"What about Jacob?"
"He's part of the sweep. You've got to pin down a location for him that day though if we're going to get him. Now, how about some tea and let's have a look at the newest pictures of Tristan that Carys owled the other day. I've got them right here for you."
Moving On
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-16-07 18:31
Bronwyn hadn't recovered any of her memories from the time she went missing and had learned from healers and Ministry experts on memory charms that she probably wouldn't ever remember what had happened during that time. Perhaps it was just as well. What if terrible things had happened to Bronwyn during that time that would traumatize her, if she remembered? Yet at the same time, she loathed having a gap in her memory. It was as if someone had stolen a piece of her life.
Nevertheless, she tried to move on with her life. Toby had written her everyday for a week, threatening to come see her (not that she would have minded). Unfortunately he had a series of exhibition games just about everyday and couldn't get away without missing them. He'd almost thought to pass them all up to see Bronwyn, but she'd assured him she was fine. She didn't want him to be on the outs with his teammates.
She went back to work, immersing herself in the remaining planning for Emrys Fest. The music festival at St. Emrys was just over a week away. Bronwyn really couldn't wait. Last year had been so much fun.
After that, she planned on going to Australia with Anthony, Alanna and others to see Toby and some of the sights in Brisbane. Wotan Dewhurst had almost forbidden Bronwyn to go after what happened to her, but Aemilia had reasoned that Bronwyn would probably be safe going in a group. Aemelia knew that Bronwyn had her heart set on going, especially since it had been about six months since Bronwyn had last seen her boyfriend Toby.
It was late evening and Bronwyn was in the studio at St. Emrys, looking up the contact information for some of the sponsors with whom they'd yet to finalize things. She lifted her head at a frantic tapping on the glass window and saw her father Wotan standing there, looking worried and angry.
Bronwyn sighed quietly to herself and rose, just as Wotan entered the room.
"Do you know what time it is?" Wotan asked.
"Dad, it's not that late, and I'm not a little girl anymore, remember?"
"It's after dark, Bronwyn, and I don't like the idea of you being out alone when there's no daylight. Come, you can finish whatever you're working on in the morning."
Bronwyn wasn't about to argue with her father. She grabbed her purse and followed him out of the room.
Do You Hate It?
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 06-16-07 22:25
Brett stifles a yawn but not quick enough that Aussie doesn't see it. "Am we boring you, little brother?" she teases.
"You're never a bore. Either of you. I've been putting in some long hours and late nights."
Yuri asks, "What exactly does your job have you doing?"
Brett, who took a job to fill the time between semesters at St. Emrys, gets up and gestures for Yuri to follow him. "You too if you want, Aussie."
They go into the spare room of the flat, used by Brett as a combination storage space and home office. Yuri had used it for workout equipment when he'd lived in the apartment. On a table is a scale model still in the process of being built.
"Normally I just help out wherever I'm needed, even if it's only to sharpen quills or refill ink pots. I'm around the architects so much that I'm picking up loads of useful information, the sort you can't really get from a class."
Aussie nods. "Practical things gained only from experience on the job. I - we - know exactly what you mean."
"The lady I've been working under the most had a family emergency. This model is due in a few days to present to the client. When the emergency came up, we'd just gotten a huge list of changes the client wants made so pretty much the model needed to be built from scratch again. The job of doing that fell to me if we're to make deadline and if Vickie is to be able to handle her family emergency. To get things just right and to the proper scale and to make changes as the client sends them in, takes lots of time and patience. I don't know how Muggle architects handle it."
"Are you hating it?" Yuri asks.
"No, on the contrary. I love it. It's stressful, definately stressful but I love the creativity and getting things perfectly to scale, working out all the little details. I know for sure I made the right decision pursuing architecture."
Aussie suddenly yawns and Brett feels another of his own coming on. Aussie loops an arm around Yuri. "Time for us to go. You going to see Orei off from Hogsmeade station in the morning?"
"Of course."
"Come early enough for breakfast if you want."
"That would be great, thanks."
Brett walks with Aussie and Yuri to the Floo, Aussie promising him homemade blueberry pancakes in the morning.