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End of Term Speech
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-12-16 13:43
Professor McGonagall sat in the center of the High Table with Professor Flitwick to her right and Professor Black to her left. The Great Hall was decorated in green and silver banners to mark Slytherin House's successful clinching of the House Cup. Giant platters of decadent dishes filled each of the four house tables and the staff table, and the clinking of cutlery on china was proof that the End of Term Feast was as delicious as it looked.
After swallowing a juicy bite of roasted chicken, Professor McGonagall rose to her feet while Professor Flitwick used his fork and goblet to silence the room. The tinkling noise he produced was loud enough to be heard over the din of conversation, and soon the Great Hall was completely silent.
"Good evening, and welcome to the End of Term Feast!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "First, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Slytherin House for not only earning the Quidditch Cup but also the House Cup. Well done!" She clapped her hands together and smiled at Professor Snape, who was on Flitwick's other side, and also at Professor Quigley. The Slytherin students, meanwhile, roared loudly at their double victory. There was a smattering of applause from the other house tables.
"Quidditch certainly was interesting this year, wasn't it?" Professor McGonagall continued, after the noise died down. It had been a tight race between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw to see who would join Slytherin at the Championship match, and then despite Hufflepuff's victory at the final, Slytherin still ended up on top due to number of points earned throughout the whole season.
"As a reminder in case you missed the previous announcement, there will be no Quidditch next school year." There were a few boos and groans, but not many. "Instead, Hogwarts will once again be participating in the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament. Please spend this summer deciding which events you are interested in, because we will hit the ground running when term resumes in September. Trust me when I tell you that the SAT is an experience you will never forget. You will learn a great deal, have a tremendous amount of fun, and make lifelong friends." The other teachers at the High Table who had been around ten years ago were all nodding their heads in agreement.
"I do have some departures to announce," Professor McGonagall went on more gravely. "Professor Morgan has decided to leave us to spend more time with her family in India, and Professor Mockridge is also leaving us to do more traveling and to also spend more time with her family. Thank you, both, for your service, and good luck in your future pursuits."
She clapped her hands, and those in the room followed suit.
With the recent news about Professor Masterson possibly having joined a dark wizarding group in his native Australia, Professor McGonagall decided to also announce that he would not be returning next school year. The exact circumstances of his absence were still uncertain, but all signs pointed to him never resuming his position at Hogwarts. For his sake, Professor McGonagall hoped he was innocent. She hated to think of her former student and later colleague going dark.
"I would also like to thank Professor Grubbly-Plank for stepping in for Professor Masterson during his absence." She paused to clap for the substitute teacher and then said, "I regret to inform you that Professor Masterson will not be returning next school year."
The news of his possible affiliation with dark wizards had not been publicized yet, so his absence raised a lot of questions and generated gossip and rumors from those who knew nothing about where he'd gone.
Professor McGonagall spoke quickly over the rising murmuring and said, "So, for those of you returning to Hogwarts next school year, expect to see three new professors." She had already placed the job advertisements and felt confident that all three positions would get filled by September 1st.
"For those of you leaving as seventh years, or for other schools and adventures, I trust your time at Hogwarts was filled with happiness. Know that you will be missed."
She gazed at the room and thought about the passing of time. Every year seemed to go by faster and faster. It didn't seem like that long ago that the seventh years had been first years. Now they were all grown and ready for whatever adventure real life threw their way. Professor McGonagall sighed. Another year, gone…
She composed herself to announce, "Have a great summer!"
Hogwarts Graduate Fund
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 08-12-16 16:14
Before Fritz opens his mouth to state what's on his mind, Coco says, "I know."
Fritz's expression morphs into a smile and he asks, "When did you get so good at legilimency?"
Coco laughs and replies, "I don't have to literally read your mind to know what you're thinking, Fritz. You're right. This is weird."
This is their first End of Term Feast seated at the High Table instead of at the Ravenclaw table. Despite Fritz being a Hogwarts professor (now with one year's worth of experience!), he still feels a bit disappointed that Slytherin won the House Cup. It would have been amazing if the Great Hall had been decorated in blue and bronze to coincide with the completion of his first year as Alchemy professor. Oh, well.
He picks up his goblet, which is filled with sparkling pumpkin juice, and gazes out at the students dining at the four house tables. His eyes spot Mason Jeffers at the Slytherin table and Rowan Westwick at the Ravenclaw table. Fritz decided to award those two seventh years a sum of money to be used either for continuing studies or to simply get a headstart in life as a responsible adult.
Fritz decided to give the Hogwarts Graduate Fund anonymously rather than attach his name to the gift. Only a handful of people know where the money originally came from, and though it is legally his, it is tainted from being associated with a one-time dark wizard. Fritz did tell Professor McGonagall everything, and both to his surprise and expectation, she approves of his decision to do good with it.
Mason and Rowan will receive their award on Monday. It will be transferred from the Gringotts bank vault he set up in Hogsmeade for the fund to their own vaults, unless they don't have one. Then other arrangements will be made. He hopes they will find the gift welcoming.
"Pass the roasted potatoes, please," Coco asks, drawing Fritz from his thoughts.
He reaches for the large bowl and holds it near Coco's plate. She scoops a few cubes of herbed potatoes next to her meat and then scoops a few onto Fritz's plate after asking if he also wanted some.
"Another thing we can both agree on," she says, as Fritz puts the bowl down and picks up his fork, "is that we're lucky to get to be at a Hogwarts feast. Just when we thought those days were done…"
She smiles wistfully, and Fritz grins back at her.
I'll Think About It
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 08-12-16 20:42
After Professor McGonagall's speech Declan leans close to say in Zabrynna's ear, "You should say something to her tonight."
"But I don't know if I want to."
"Want to what?" Mariposa, on Zabrynna's other side, asks.
Zabrynna gives Declan a see what you've done look. Ignoring her he looks around to Mariposa to say, "I've been trying to convince your sister to put in for the lower years History of Magic position."
"That's a fabulous idea!" Mariposa exclaims.
AJ chooses that moment to give his opinion. "You should apply, Zabrynna."
"I don't know anything about teaching," she protests. "Knowing a bit about history is one thing but getting that information across to a room full of students is quite another."
"You've been conducting some of the seminars at the museum."
Zabrynna turns her full gaze on Declan. "That's not the same."
"Sure it is. You're informing others about an historical time period or person or event."
"People who've paid to be there, who want to be there. People who aren't being graded."
"You're still serving as an educator, a teacher."
Mariposa points out, "You're doing well enough with it you keep being asked to do more of them."
Zabrynna counters, "Or I'm simply one of the few whose schedule is flexible enough and one of the few who doesn't whine or gripe about doing the educational programs."
Declan, Mariposa, and AJ say nothing to this but she knows that's because this is not the time nor place for an intense debate that could turn into an argument. She sighs and says, "I'll think about it, all right?"
Appeased for the moment Mariposa asks Declan how his one final exam went this past week.
Etta Visits
Author: Jared
Date: 08-13-16 21:04
Lying on the floor, feet up on the couch Etta yawns. "We're certainly living it up. Life in the fast lane. I'm not exactly sure what the fast lane is but so many use the expression."
Sprawled in an comfortable armchair Jared tells her, "It's one we got from Muggles. Something to do with their automobiles but I don't know how the expression came to be use."
They go quite a moment, listening to a WWN program. Etta yawns again. "I can't believe I'm this sleepy at this time on a Saturday night."
"We did a lot today."
"Your friend Gitta makes a good tour guide. Did we do all of her tours?"
Jared chuckles. "Several of them. There are some others. Some overlap with others, but I guess you noticed that. Gitta is still practicing the spiel for each and still practicing fielding questions she gets from people in her tour groups."
"Her mum's one of your coworkers, right?"
"Yeah, you met her yesterday when I was showing you the office. Heike Albrecht."
"Right. I have it now and now that I do, I can see that Gitta resembles her mum somewhat. Anything going on there?"
"With Gitta?"
"Yeah."
"No, other than we've become friends. She has nothing against blokes but seems to date more women than men. She doesn't think her mother knows but Heike does."
"Does Heike care?"
"Not that I can tell. I don't know why Gitta hasn't said anything to either of her parents but I'm not going to pry. If she tells me why, then great. If not, that's great too."
"So not Gitta but anyone else?"
"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not dating anyone, not interested in anyone, and have no plans to even look around?"
"You have to at some point."
"Do I? What if I'm happy with things as they are?"
Etta snorts, "Says the man who has told only a handful of people that he's left Britain and even less know where he's working and living."
"How about we talk about your love life for awhile?"
"I don't have a love life."
"Then you shouldn't try to fix mine."
"Unlike you, I want a love life. I've simply had a string of one date and done."
"Maybe you're being too picky."
"At least I'm picking, unlike some."
Being siblings, Jared and Etta could go back and forth and around and around for hours. Rather than continue, they both go silent again, broken only when the WWN program ends and Jared says, "Pick another program. I'm going to make a snack. If you want, we can play a game. Chess, cards, there are some other board games in that cabinet."
When Jared returns with popcorn and butterbeer, Etta has a strategy game set up and has tuned the WWN to a broadcast from a club where a new band is just getting started on its first set. Paying attention to the game and listening to the band, which turns out to be pretty good, they talk little except as required by the game and to make comments about the band.
At the Feast
Author: Illyria
Date: 08-14-16 11:49
"Are you certain you'll be ready to return on the first of September?"
Illyria looked at Marzi and shrugged. "Well, no… but I'd like to be here if everything goes as planned." Her baby was due in a month. If it arrived timely and without complications, then Illyria hoped to be at the Start of Term Feast, even though she'll only have given birth approximately one month beforehand.
Nathan, seated on Illyria's other side, leaned forward to look at Marzi and said, "The fortunate thing about our work schedules is she can be home with the baby during the day, and I can take over in the evenings when she's in class."
"That is convenient," Marzi admitted with a grin, "though there are good daycare options both here at the castle and in Hogsmeade."
Carter piped in, "I like going to Miss Blossom's. It's fun there."
Vallon, who had gravy on his face and was ravenous despite having eaten a lot at his uncle's wedding reception earlier in the day, added, "We get to go places and play lots of games. Is your baby a boy who can play with us after he's born?"
Illyria smiled. "We don't know yet. It'll be a surprise for everyone."
Vallon considered the news and said, "I like surprises, unless they are bad. I think if your baby turns out to be a girl, then it won't be a good surprise."
Illyria laughed. "I think it'll still be a good surprise. And who knows? Maybe she'll be just as fun to play with as a boy."
Vallon didn't seem convinced. Carter said, "Only if she likes to play our games and not with dolls."
"Yeah!" Vallon concurred.
Marzi smiled at her boys and said, "I don't know if you remember, Vallon, but you used to be obsessed with a doll."
Vallon looked affronted. "Nuh-uh!" he protested.
Carter laughed. "Dolls are for girls."
The doll in question had actually been a cursed Ash Westwick, who had graduated from Hogwarts last year. His sister Rowan was graduating this year.
Illyria felt a kick in her belly and put a hand to her side. Boy or girl, her baby was an active one!
Good News
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 08-14-16 14:43
Capri sat working on a manuscript when there was a knock on the office door. She looked up and smiled to see her brother and his girlfriend Divina standing there.
"Hi." She said waving them into the office. "Come in, sit down." When they were seated she asked, "What brings you by?"
"I just wanted to tell you something." Amyas said softly and took Divina's hand. Capri smiled and looked between the couple eagerly awaiting the news. "We are adopting Andromeda's baby."
Capri's smile faltered only slightly but she knew this was the best solution. She was happy for her brother and Divina – her only reservation was that the two had only been dating a few months. She knew that Amyas loved Divina and Divina loved him but she hated to see anything happen that would break them up – she knew just how hard it was to have a baby.
"Congratulations!" Capri said her smile back in full now. "I know this was a big decision but I think it is what is best for Andromeda."
Divina nodded her head. "My sister had a baby very young and she…well…she," Divina paused for a moment then went on. "She killed herself over the stress and her anxiety. I would hate to see anything happen to Andromeda."
Amyas looked at his sister and bit his lip. He could not believe that in a few months he was going to be a father. He then looked at Divina and smiled at her as he squeezed her hand gently.
"Well this certainly is good news and I think we should go out and celebrate." Capri said. The other two nodded their heads and they headed out to go have something to eat and maybe even a few drinks to celebrate.