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Hiring A Sitter
Author: S Snape
Date: 07-07-20 19:39
Entering the Great Hall with Selma, Harley is saying, "Remind me to give you the tourist brochures so you can pick what you want to do next weekend," when she hears, "A moment, Miss Croft."
Recognizing the voice Selma's eyes widen at Harley, who gives a subtle shake of her head to indicate she doesn't know why Professor Snape wants to speak with her. Without turning to make look at him in case he'd suddenly decide to call her over as well, Selma nods to the Slytherin table and hastily walks towards it. Harley turns around to walk the few steps back to the entrance where Professor Snape is standing.
"Evening, professor. How's Brian?"
"Good evening, Miss Croft. Brian is excellent. I shall be retrieving him in a few minutes to join the other professor's children for the feast. He is actually why I asked for a moment of your time. I was wondering if you would be available to babysit Brian from time to time this summer?"
Taken by surprise Harley says nothing for long enough to make the moment awkward, prompting him to feel the need to add, "This would be at my home, not here."
Harley finds her voice to respond, "Yeah, I mean yes, sure. I'd love to."
"Excellent. Thank you. I shall contact you early next week to discuss your rates and work out other details with you, as well as the first date I know I shall need babysitting services."
"Great! Look forward to it."
"Enjoy dinner, Harley," he says as a way to let her know she's free to continue on to the Slytherin table.
"You too, Professor Snape."
Harley joins Selma, shocking her friend into momentary silence when she tells Selma what Professor Snape wanted. At the hall entrance, Severus watches Harley for a few seconds then turns to go retrieve Brian from the Hogwarts daycare. He passes Dave on his way, nodding once to the teen, telling himself that next week he'll go in person to speak with the Crofts about Harley babysitting and while there finally discuss with Janie the common ancestor in their family trees.
End of Term Speech(es)
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-08-20 16:55
The Great Hall was decked in scarlet and gold to commemorate Gryffindor winning the House Cup. Minerva, naturally, was pleased that her own house had won not only it but the Quidditch Cup too. The wins were especially welcome because Gryffindor hadn't won either cup since 1996! These wins were long overdue and hopefully the next time wouldn't take another 18 years.
All four long house tables were filled with decadent dishes, and the students were heartily digging in while conversing excitedly about summer. The staff table was also full with teachers and their families enjoying the exceptionally delicious meals. Minerva ate her last bite from her first helping and turned to Filius.
"If you please…"
Filius raised his fork and tapped it against his goblet. The melodious chime that followed was loud and quickly silenced the room.
Minerva rose and addressed the assembled students and teachers. "Good evening and welcome to the End of Term Feast. What can I say about this year other than it passed too quickly? I hope you all thrived in your classes and in your friendships and I wish you all the best for the summer and beyond. Seventh years, you will be greatly missed and I wish you great success in your future endeavors.
"I would like to offer my congratulations to Gryffindor House for winning the Quidditch Cup."
She paused to allow celebratory whoops and hollers, polite clapping, and of course a few boos, both good-natured and not so much.
"Now for the unveiling of the House Points. In fourth place with 80 points is Slytherin."
There were a lot of displeased faces at the Slytherin table.
"In third place is Ravenclaw with 225 points."
The reaction was mildly enthusiastic.
"Hufflepuff comes in second place with 450 points."
There was a great deal of clapping and cheering, and several Hufflepuff got up to pat their friends on the backs.
"And in first place, with a whopping 720 points, is Gryffindor. Congratulations on earning the House Cup for 2014!"
The Great Hall erupted in a lot of noise. Minerva waited for it to die down and then said, "Have a very good evening and safe travels tomorrow. Now I think I might get a second helping of supper!"
She started to sit, but she paused halfway when Eunice and Eugene Smirt sidled their way to the front of the room from opposite sides of the Great Hall. Eunice was wearing dress robes to mark the occasion, though her style was decidedly questionable, with shoulder pads that jutted outward like knives. Eugene wore plain brown robes.
Eunice raised her wand to her throat and performed the Sonorus charm to amplify her voice.
"Good evening," she said, from her position directly in front of Minerva, who was still standing in a sort of half crouch.
"I wanted to say what an interesting time we've had here at Hogwarts observing all of you. It has been most enlightening. You can be assured that Mr. Smirt and I have the school's best interests at heart, and we will strive to make improvements to all that is lacking. Have a wonderful summer, all of you, and be prepared for a better Hogwarts when you return in September."
Eunice turned to her brother, who merely raised his hand and gave a rather serious wave. Eunice ended the spell, turned on her heel and stared Minerva dead in the eye before she retreated back to the side of the room. Eugene mirrored her movements and went the opposite way.
Minerva sank down fully into her seat and turned to Filius.
"It's just talk, Minerva," Filius said, sounding very sure of himself. "Individuals like the Smirts have a lot to say but nothing to show for it."
"I'm inclined to agree with you. I'm just irritated she hijacked my speech."
Filius offered her a small smile. "To be fair, you were finished."
Minerva rolled her eyes and said, "Details, details. Now, pass me that basket of dinner rolls."
Making Room
Author: Gerry
Date: 07-09-20 16:58
Gerry and Will sat side by side at the Gryffindor table and basked in the glow of their house's win of not only the Quidditch Cup, but the House Cup too! Rumor had spread around that the last time Gryffindor won anything was before Gerry had even been born! Being a fifth year, he'd only experienced 4 years of loss to the other houses. It was probably a good thing that life at Hogwarts lasted only 7 years, unless one was a teacher. He couldn't imagine suffering through 18 years of losing to Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin!
"When's the dessert course?" Will asked. "I've had a little bit of everything by now."
Gerry looked at his friend skeptically. "Are you sure you can eat any more? You look like you're about to pop!"
Indeed, Will was sitting with his hands on his distended belly. He sighed and said, "I guess I'll use the time between now and dessert to digest a little. You're not full?"
"Getting there," Gerry admitted, "but I have the perfect solution to your problem."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
Gerry got a little bit of a mischievous grin on his face, looked around at both the other students in his immediate vicinity and then for any professor who might be close by or looking his way, before he pulled up the hem of his robes to reveal his belt, which he promptly unbuckled. He also unbuttoned his fly and pulled down the zipper.
There were a squeal from the girl sitting right next to him and gasps and giggles followed, but Gerry ignored them, dropped the hem of his robes, and said to Will, "See. I made more room for my stomach."
Will laughed, but he thought it was a good idea. He was in the process of lifting the hem of his robes, when Professor McGonagall swooped down on them both. Will let his robes go, but it seemed that the Headmistress wasn't focused on him at all. Apparently, she had seen what Gerry did and noticed the giggles and pointing from the girls sitting nearby.
"You do realize that I can take back the points Gryffindor earned, do you not Mr. Martini-Blackwell?" she stated sternly.
Gerry thought about feigning innocence. After all, his robes were covering him up. Instead he said, "I wasn't trying to be inappropriate, ma'am, I was merely trying to make it possible for me to enjoy more of this amazing feast."
Professor McGonagall wasn't moved. "Go to the lavatory this instant and dress properly."
Gerry got up, but he realized he was going to have a bit of a problem. With his robes over his other clothes, he couldn't easily grab onto his pants to keep them from falling to his ankles. He did his best, though, and shuffled noticeably awkwardly out of the Great Hall. Once he was in the Entrance Hall, he pick up his robes, grabbed onto his pants properly, and hurried into the lavatory.
Once he was seated beside Will again, his friend said, "You know what? You just lost our bet."
Gerry almost cursed aloud. After an entire term of perfect behavior, he'd thrown it all away on the very last day of school.
Last Night Of Term (Georgie)
Author: Majandra
Date: 07-09-20 18:11
Georgie looks over the food options closest to him. "What do I want next?"
"You have those scalloped potatoes? They're extra cheesy."
Georgie's eyes go to the dish Gage's fork is pointing to. "Ummmm," he thinks. "You know, somehow I missed getting any of those. Pass them, please."
Sitting nearby Violet Verona wants to know, "Where do you have room for it?"
Georgie sniggers, "Not sure but it's not from undoing my trousers."
The cluster of first years join him in laughing though each is also glad that Gryffindor didn't lose any points over the Martini-Blackwell incident a little earlier. Georgie lowers his voice to say at such a hushed volume the others struggle to hear, "At least even if we had lost points it wouldn't have been enough to lose the cup."
Despite his extremely low whisper Myra Brecknock puts a finger to her lips. "Shh. She might hear and take enough to teach a lesson."
Georgie risks a glance at the staff table where Headmistress McGonagall is sitting in conversation with Deputy Head Flitwick. From them his eyes go to his mum and dad. His cheeks flame not from embarrassment at Myra's chastisement but at the thought of getting in trouble on the last night of term and in front of not only his parents but his sister as well.
Miranda is mostly a good sister but like most older siblings she can find enjoyment in tormenting a younger sibling. She'd be sure to bring up any such point loss a few times this summer. He wisely shoves some of the scalloped potatoes into his mouth to prevent him from immediately commenting again. When he does speak again it's to request, "Hannah, pass the Yorkshire puddings and gravy, please."
Stratfords x3
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 07-10-20 17:58
"What do you think Smirt meant when she said Hogwarts would be better next year?" Noah asked, before he shoveled a spoonful of scalloped potatoes into his mouth.
Seth shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not sure she even knows."
"Did you see the look on Professor McGonagall's face when Smirt started talking?"
"Yeah. I kept hoping she could leap over the table and knock Smirt down, but I should have known I'd be disappointed," Seth replied with a grin. "Pass me the gravy, will you?"
Noah handed the boat over and ate the various foods on his plate. He wasn't too disappointed that Ravenclaw had only ended up in third place in the running for the House Cup. Sure, it would have been nice to have won or placed better, but he couldn't complain. At least Ravenclaw wasn't in last place.
He glanced over at the Slytherin table, where his sister and cousin sat. It was going to be a long summer, especially if he had to listen to Sophia sour puss over the fact that Slytherin only managed to earn 80 measley points all school year. There were no plans for a family trip this summer, which meant brother and sister would be bored at home all day long. Perhaps they could visit friends or have friends over, and maybe they could go to Quidditch Con or Emrys Fest, but Noah just knew that this summer would not be one of his better ones. Oh, well.
*
Sophia truly sulked at the Slytherin table. She stabbed at the slice of beef on her plate and hacked at it roughly with her knife.
Cecilia frowned and remarked, "It's already dead, Sophia."
Sophia's knuckles were white as she held the knife and exclaimed, "So? I'm grieving!"
Cecilia's frown deepened. "It's only the House Cup, and anyway, there are four more chances for Slytherin to win before we graduate."
"I know, but it's not fair and it's not right. Slytherins are meant to be winners."
Cecilia sighed as she thought about sharing a compartment with Sophia on the Hogwarts Express. "The train ride home is going to feel really long tomorrow…"
*
Charlotte was also in a bit of a mood, but she felt more down than angry. It was a bit embarrassing coming in last place and with such a low amount of points overall. There was a huge different between 80 and 720 points, after all.
"I wish you'd ride the train with me tomorrow," Fulvia said.
"You could always hang out in Hogmeade with me and Mira," Charlotte said, "unless you want to invite Magnus to sit with you."
Fulvia twirled a strand of her hair and answered, "Perhaps I will." She immediately changed the subject. "Do you have any amazing plans for this summer?"
Mira shared what the Eternal-Blacks had planned, and then Charlotte said, "Astrid's taking us to Sweden again, just for a week or two."
"Oh, how fun. Are Swedish boys nice to look at?" Fulvia asked.
"Some are," Charlotte replied. "Isn't Magnus a Scandinavian type name?"
"Yes, but it's also Latin," Fulvia retorted.
Mira sniggered into the roll she was nibbling on. Charlotte grinned. "And you, Fulvia? Do you have any great plans?"
In response, Fulvia flicked a spoonful of peas at Charlotte. Fortunately, none of the teachers, not even Professor McGonagall and her good eye for troublemaking, saw it happen. It wouldn't matter anyway, because Slytherin House didn't have anything to lose.
At the Feast
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 07-11-20 07:30
"Ravenclaw better win next year," Tom declared. "It's going to be our last year at Hogwarts. Can you believe it?"
"I don't want to think about that. Not yet," Patricia told him. "We have a whole summer ahead of us."
"Yes. You have a debutant ball to attend and I have a pool party to host."
Tom had decided to throw another pool party like he did last year. He didn't send any invitations just yet, but he told Patricia she was automatically invited.
"Do you want me to invite Anderson?" Tom asked, adding a slice of cheesecake to his plate.
Patricia glanced at the Gryffindor table, towards the place Anderson was seated. She found herself shrugging her shoulders. Their relationship had cooled off during the past weeks. Patricia had been so absorbed on her exams and on the ball that she had hardly any time to think or be with Anderson. Anderson himself did not procure her company or seemed to miss her much. The attraction Patricia had initially felt for him was gone.
"I might invite him, then," Tom sentenced.
A few seats away Eileen was seated with Bernice. She was having some chocolate cake, but like almost everyone she had made a pause on her meal to watch Headmistress McGonagall giving Gerry Martini-Blackwell a sermon about his conduct at the feast. She was glad Patricia hadn't noticed the episode, for she was sure her sister would question Eileen if she was sure about tomorrow.
Gareth had invited her to spend the day at Hogsmeade with him. Eileen had asked her parents for permission to do so and they agreed. It would be strange not to board the Hogwarts Express with the majority of the students but at the same time Eileen was thrilled to spend the entire day with Gareth. He lived in the village and he told her that without the usual students they could do anything they wanted without having to deal with lines and crowds. By catching the snitch during the Championship Match Gareth had become a very popular figure at school, especially among the Gryffindors. However Patricia was still not convinced about Gareth. She believed that deep down he had some of his brother troublemaker's nature. Eileen was glad her sister was boarding the train tomorrow.
At the Slytherin table, Belinda shared the same feeling of frustration as most of her house colleagues. It was humiliating for Slytherin to have been placed in fourth place, with only 80 points. But while most of the students were happy with the prospect of the summer holidays, Belinda was dreading them. She knew what would happen the moment her father learned she failed her Transfiguration OWL. There would be no Emrys Fest, no Quidditch Con and worse, no time with Conrad. They had made plans to go to the beach together, but she knew that was not going to happen. She was hoping that tomorrow she could have a compartment just for herself and Conrad, so she could spend the entire train ride alone with him.
Belinda didn't hear from Maurice again but that did not concern her. She was sure when the time come she would understand why she had to fail her Transfiguration OWL. She touched her choker, thinking about how much she had risked herself by carving the Dark Mark at the girl's bathroom stall, and how in the end she had gotten away with it. She smiled feeling a sense of power.
Then Belinda noticed Gavin, seated not so far from her. He seemed a little bit upset, and she decided to cheer him up. Gavin had been crucial to her, and she had further plans for him. She wanted him to be part of Team Delta Echo. Belinda knew he wasn't in good terms with his friend Festus Flaversham. She didn't know why, but it did not matter much. Festus was a half-blood, so he meant nothing. Gavin was better off without him. Belinda stood form her seat and forced a second year girl to scoop over, so she could sit next to Gavin.
"Hey," she greeted with a smile.
"Hey," he replied.
"Aren't you going to eat that?" she asked looking at his half full ice-cream bowl.
"I'm not very hungry," he admitted. He sent a furious look towards the Gryffindor table, where everyone was celebrating.
Belinda touched Gavin's hand over the table, in a reassuring way.
"Don't worry," she told him. "Next year we are going to beat them all."
Gavin smiled and she smiled back at him.
Meanwhile, at the Gryffindor table, Elmer was celebrating with the rest of his colleagues. He was happy with his house's victory and it was amazing to see the Great Hall decorated in red and gold. He was looking forward to go on holidays. His brother in law had invited him to go on a hunting Nogtail trip with him. Usually this kind of activity would be forbidden by his father, but Sophie seemed to have convinced their father to let Elmer go hunt with Jasper. Even after Guildford's birth his father was still very cautious about Elmer's health but he seemed to have opened an exception for the hunt. None of his sisters had been invited which made it even more exciting for Elmer. It would be an all man hunting event and he was very much looking forward to it. It was going to be a great summer.
Plain Jane
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 07-11-20 19:55
Dante knew that Eugene Smirt was still seeing the woman he'd observed meeting up with Smirt for a dinner date. For some reason he was still slightly surprised when she came with Eugene to the End of Term Feast. No one had noticed her when the Smirts first made their presences known at the feast, Eunice making a point of making a speech, thankfully short, before Minerva McGonagall had even had a chance to sit down. It was only after, when Eugene made the unusual move of coming to the head table to sit down, bringing his date with him. It was unusual not because he has a date but because Dante has rarely seen either Smirt taking a meal in the Great Hall when the majority of students and staff are present.
Eugene selected the two chairs towards one end of the table, right next to the dateless Dante. Dante doesn't normally dwell on his lack of relationship or even just casual dating but he can't seem to help it when Eugene is around. The woman, her name of Jane almost seeming a cliché given her plainness, turns out to be exceedingly nice. So nice in fact Dante can't imagine what she sees in he dull, fusty, tedious Eugene. Cutting her a slice of a strawberry rhubarb pie as Jane asks, "Do you have any summer plans, Dante?"
Handing her the plate he replies, "I'm one of the chaperones for the Muggle Studies Club trip for seventh years and I'll also be going to Ouray, Colorado, with my family."
"Ouray? I know of Denver, and Boulder, and Colorado Springs, but not Ouray. Is it O-o-r-a-y or r-a-e?"
"O-u-r-a-y. I believe it's named for a Native American, but I could be mistaken. I've got a travel book on it but haven't had a chance to do more than thumb through the pages. I hope to get some real reading done in it starting tonight."
"Why there and not one of the well known cities?"
"We lived there for a short time when I was an infant. I don't remember it but my brother apparently has some great memories of the area. When we were discussing locals for a family holiday Ouray was one of his suggestions."
Dante leaves out the part where Peter distinctly remembered a cabin while Tamara has a vague memory of it. They'd both thought the cabin rented or that their parents "borrowed" it for a time but one of the items they discovered just this week while continuing to go through yet more newly discovered belongings of their parents, was a deed to some land with a cabin. No document pertaining to the sale of the land and cabin was found. Looking into whether the deed was still valid was easy.
Cutting into a slice of a chocolate cheesecake with a layer of caramel and nuts, Dante asks Jane, "What about you? Any summer plans?"
She cuts her eyes to where Eugene is standing with head close to Eunice, deep in discussion about only Smirts know what. Her attention back on Dante Jane grins. "Gene wants to get away, just the two of us. He said he'll plan it all and tell me what sort of clothes to pack but will leave the destination a surprise. He's romantic that way."
At Dante's raised eyebrows she lightly giggles. "I know he doesn't seem the sort but, really, he is. He's completely different from his work persona and from how he is around his sister."
The few times Dante has been around Eugene Smirt away from Smirt's so-called work, he's not found Eugene to be anything other than exactly like he is at work. He refrains from saying so as it is highly possible that the Eugene he presents to Jane IS different.
He is not at all shocked when Jane adds in the manner of one taking someone into a confidence, "I can't say I care much for her. I do try, though, for Gene's sake."
Dante nods in understanding. "She isn't the most popular person around here."
Seeing Eugene starting back their way Jane says nothing more about Eunice, instead requesting, "Would you cut me the tiniest sliver of that delectable looking black forest cake?"