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(Aralyn) Michael Thomason
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 01-09-12 17:19
News of the Fall Fair had been in that morning's Daily Prophet, though most of the villagers had known about the annual event prior to the newspaper's announcement. Aralyn had heard it mentioned by Lysander, who'd said he would likely attend the Fall Fair with Charlotte.
She'd debated popping by Hogwarts for a visit herself. She'd not been on campus since the time Kristos had been Ancient Runes professor. Aralyn imagined that the school hadn't changed much in the years since her last visit, but she was curious about the Fall Fair. It hadn't taken place when she'd been a student at Hogwarts, nor during her brother's short tenure there.
Perhaps Aralyn would go later. She decided it might be wise to take advantage of the quiet in the village and run a few errands. In all likelihood, it would become crowded at some point, when many of the visitors to Hogwarts would probably flood Hogsmeade.
Thanks to Kristos having finally found employment, though not in his former field of study, communications, Aralyn had a little bit more income at her disposal. It still wasn't that much, since Kristos had merely found temporary work mucking out the owlery at the Post Office, but it would do for the moment.
She went to The Magic Neep to buy some groceries. Her room at the inn didn't have a kitchen, so she couldn't cook her own meals, but she wanted to have some fresh fruit and perhaps some cereal and crackers.
There was only one other customer perusing the stalls outside the building. Aralyn recognized him as Chyler's brother, Michael. She'd seen him a few times, both at the inn and at Twice Told Tales, but she'd not really gotten the chance to talk to him other than to say hello. Perhaps he could shed some light on why there was a grave in the cemetery with his sister's name on it.
She approached him and said, "Good morning."
Michael, who had been filling a small sack full of persimmons, turned to Aralyn. "Good morning. Aralyn, is it?"
"Yes, that's right," she said. "Finding anything good?"
"A few things," he said, tipping to her a basket he carried over one arm. "I can't get everything I want, unless I want to use Lysander's kitchen. I suppose he might not mind."
"Not if you cook for him and Charlotte. Speaking of them, I figured you might be up at the castle with them for the Fall Fair."
Michael shrugged. "I don't see why I would, other than to visit with some of my old professors, perhaps."
Aralyn found that comment odd. "Don't you at least want to spend more time with your niece? I get the feeling you don't see her too often."
Michael looked confused. "Charlotte's not my niece."
Now it was Aralyn's turn to look confused. "She's not? I thought Chyler was her mother."
"That's impossible," Michael said. "Charlotte's what? Five? Six? Chyler's been gone nearly nine years now."
"Oh," Aralyn said, her mind working quickly. She thought back to the date on the tombstone. 1996 was nine years ago. So, Chyler was dead. But why was Lysander pretending otherwise?
(Katherine) Taking Pictures
Author: Beck
Date: 01-09-12 18:08
Katherine strolled across the Hogwarts grounds and took snapshots of anything that caught her fancy, particularly things The Daily Prophet would find useful. Since joining the revered wizarding newspaper as a photojournalist, Katherine had photographed all sorts of things: crime scenes, political rallies, community events… She'd photographed a few Hogwarts events, too. This was definitely not new territory for her in that sense, though Katherine did feel somewhat out of place. She'd not attended Hogwarts herself and didn't share the same connection so many other guests had with the school.
She came upon a long line of people waiting at one of the food booths. Smells of breakfasty type foods, like scrambled eggs and sizzling bacon reached her nose. She breathed in deep and felt her mouth start to water. Katherine had eaten breakfast before leaving the house, but it had consisted of only a small amount of muesli and some berries. She decided to photograph the queue of people and get a couple of close of shots of the booth, the food being served, and satisfied customers savoring their freshly cooked meals and then go in line herself. Nobody said she had to work nonstop today. She could have a little fun and time to herself, too.
She moved a few paces forward when she heard somebody call out her name. Swiveling her head around to the source of the call, she saw Ariella approaching with Lawrence and his half-sister Maggie.
Katherine really felt for Maggie, as she had once been in the same shoes. Katherine had been born out of wedlock to a married man and his mistress, just like Maggie. Katherine's mum had also died early, though Margaret Spinnet had at least gotten to know the Becks a little bit before her untimely death. Still, it had been somewhat overwhelming to learn the truth about her family, about how she probably should have never even been born. But the Becks were such accepting people. They had made Katherine a part of their family, just as she had watched them do for Maggie. Maggie was a really lucky girl, though she may not realize it yet.
"I didn't know you were coming," Ariella said, giving Katherine a hug.
"Hey, no cuts!" said a Slytherin boy standing in line behind Katherine.
Lawrence assured the boy they weren't cutting. They were merely saying hello to a family member, but it was clear from the look on the boy's face that he didn't quite believe the Herbology professor.
"I'm actually here for work," Katherine explained, holding up her camera. "I couldn't resist the food, though. It all smells so good."
Ariella, Lawrence and Maggie sniffed the air. "Oh, it really does!" Ariella said.
"Totally," Maggie agreed.
"No cuts!" the boy reminded.
"We know," Maggie said to him, slightly less patiently than Lawrence had addressed him.
"Let's get in line," Ariella suggested, "and then maybe we can all hang out? Unless you don't want to…?"
"No, I'd love to," Katherine said. "I can take pictures and hang out at the same time."
"Good!" Ariella exclaimed. She took Lawrence by the hand and pulled him to the back of the line. Maggie followed.
A while later, Katherine had her food, and a little while after that, so did Ariella, Lawrence and Maggie. They found a comfortable spot on the ground, in direct sunlight since it was very cold outside, and ate their delicious breakfast together.
Balloon Pop Booth
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 01-09-12 19:31
When the list of game booths in need of volunteers for shifts had gone up, Kissy had naturally put her name down for the pop the balloons game, taking the first shift. Balloon popping happens one of two ways: either use a special weighted dart or using a wand. Where the participant stands for either depends on the person's age and height, and whether using the darts or a wand. The Great Hall is fairly full and buzzing with activity at the moment. Even with all the food booths for the Fall Fair scattered throughout the Great Hall and the grounds, a limited breakfast had been served for students and staff. It's natural for students to have stuck around as the game and food booths began going up, starting their rounds here rather than facing yet the morning chill outside of an early November morning in Scotland.
Kissy is leaning against part of the Balloon Pop booth, sipping some hot cocoa, looking as though she's people watching. She's actually thinking again about the Muggle artificial insemination procedure. She had been going to do it before now, giving her time to try again if that one failed before her window closed. That window is the one that would allow Kissy to have a baby during summer holiday and return to work either at Start of Term or shortly after. That window is rapidly closing. She's got the money for two procedures. If both were to fail she'd have to save up or take out a loan unless she wants to dig into the rest of her savings, which she does not want to do.
Much as she dearly wants a child and is starting to feel the pressure of hurrying up and having one now that she's thirty, Kissy would also like to have someone. Someone to share the experience with, to be a father to the child. She's got plenty of close male friends who would be all to happy to serve as father figures but that's not quite the same thing as an actual father. Every time Kissy has started to schedule an appointment, she's ended up deciding to think about it a little longer.
"What are the prizes, Professor Isuki?"
Kissy recognizes the boy from the Start of Term Feast's Sorting Ceremony but cannot recall his name or which house he's in. "Hello, "
"Hubert. Hubert MacBadger."
"Hello, Hubert. I knew I was forgetting something when we got the booth set up." Kissy looks around for the box with the display prizes. Locating it she starts pulling items out and hanging them for display. "There are stuffed animals; fancy changing inks; colored waxes with stamps - you know, the sort used to seal letters; certificates for candy and other foods; and there are joke items from Weasley's."
"How do I know what goes with which balloon?"
"That's the luck of the draw, or perhaps in this case that would be the luck of the pop. Each balloon has a slip in it stating what prize has been won. You get three tries per turn. if there are others waiting. If there aren't, you may take several turns though if you seem to be winning far too often, I will have to ask you to move along so we can save prizes."
"That seems fair."
"Do you want darts, use a wand, or try both?"
"I don't know any spells or charms yet that would pop balloons I don't think."
"Ah, we have you covered there. This," Kissy produces from under the booth counter a wand that's been painted with bright to the point of flourescence yellow and green stripes, "is a special wand. It's got a charm on it just for popping these balloons. I would demonstrate the technique for using it if you want to give it a try."
"Why is it painted like that?"
"So that if someone accidentally wanders off with it, we know which game booth it belongs to. Each booth that's using some sort of special wand today has wands painted in a distinct color and pattern. For example, another booth's wand might be this same yellow and green but the pattern would be different or there might be stripes like these but not this green and yellow combination."
"I'd like to try both. The wand first, please."
Kissy shows him how to hold the wand then hands it to him, making a very small adjustment to his grip then pulls out the small practice board of balloons. "Aim towards the top part of the balloon you want to try. Tap the wand twice with your index finger while firmly saying, 'BURST!'"
Hubert practices a few times and when he feels he's ready, aims at the large board of colored balloons. He chooses a red one to start with but his aim goes high and he hits the board just above where the balloon is attached. He's more successful with his second and third attempts, winning a generous sized bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean and a coupon he can go redeem for a fairy cake at the Briar's Bakery booth, respectively.
Hubert next tries the darts as Kissy is showing another student how to use one of the special wands. He only breaks one balloon but as he seems rather thrilled at the prize of a Basic Blaze Box* from Weasley's Wizards Wheezes. Pleased with his take Hubert thanks Kissy and walks away munching on Bertie Bott's, debating what game to try next.
*The Basic Blaze Box contains an basic assortment of Weasleys' Wild-Fire Whiz-Bangs, which are wizarding fireworks.
Old School
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 01-10-12 18:12
Bronwyn, Desi, Arley and Seb strolled across the Hogwarts ground and took everything in. It was like old times, being there together. If not for the fact that they had all gotten older, they might still have looked like four Hufflepuff students enjoying the Fall Fair.
"How come there wasn't a Fall Fair when we were at Hogwarts?" Arley asked. "Or was there before I transferred in?"
"Nope," Bronwyn said. "In all seven years I attended Hogwarts, there wasn't a single Fall Fair."
"You're not saying you wish you were school-aged again, are you?" Desi asked, looking dubious.
"Is it really so bad that I feel a little nostalgic every time I step onto the Hogwarts grounds?"
Seb shook his head at Bronwyn in answer. "I was here only a short time, but I have good memories from this place." He looked over at Arley and squeezed his hand. "It's where we met."
"Yup," Arley replied, squeezing Seb's hand right back.
Desi rolled her eyes and muttered, "Get a room, why don't ya?"
Bronwyn shot her best friend a smile. She knew that Desi was still hurting over what had happened between Xavier and Bianca, but at least Desi wasn't a total recluse anymore.
She turned her attention to the lovebirds next. Arley and Seb had only planned a short vacation to England and Scotland, but it was turning into an extended stay. Bronwyn had heard murmurings that they were thinking about making the visit permanent.
"Hi, Bronwyn!"
She turned to the sound of her name and saw Karma waving at her.
"Karma, hi. Long time, no see!" Bronwyn said, moving in to give Karma a hug. "You remember Desi, don't you?"
Desi and Karma nodded in acknowledgement of each other. They had met at Bron's birthday party last spring, but hadn't really seen each other since then.
"And this is Arley and Seb. They attended Hogwarts with Desi and me and have been living in New York City since graduation. Boys, this is Karma. She's a teacher here at Hogwarts."
"Nice to meet you both," Karma said. "Where is Toby?"
"He has a match today," Bronwyn answered. "I would have gone to support him, but he suggested the four of us spend the day reliving our glory days," she added, waving at the other three. "Will you show us around a little?"
"Sure!" Karma exclaimed, leading the way across the grounds.
Cake Walk
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 01-10-12 18:48
As she's always done, Briar had volunteered to work the Cake Walk booth. She signed up for the first shift and has the last shift for the Briar's Bakery food booth, which is out on the grounds. Briar had come early, wanting to make sure all the sweets ordered her bakery had arrived intact, to over see the set-up of her bakery's food booth, and then to see what needed to be done for the Cake Walk booth to be ready for the start of Fall Fair.
Briar's Bakery is by no means the only supplier of cakes, pies, tarts, and other bakery goods. The House Elves who work the Hogwarts kitchen will have done a great deal and other wizarding owned bakeries most likely have goods here today, maybe even food booths. In between her two shifts, Briar hopes to try some of those other goodies. Not only will that allow her to see some of the other bakeries are doing but to also appreciate the products they put out.
Grace was coming up with Julian and as Lysander had said he wanted to bring Charlotte today, the four probably came to the school together. Five if Astrid came with them. Grace has been so excited about today, not only because of the games, rides, and food but because she adores getting to see Caerwyn. That she gets to see him in his element here at Hogwarts is all the better.
The Cake Walk is mainly the traditional Muggle game that Aaron Miller introduced Hogwarts students, staff, and visitors to several years ago but there's also an aspect that requires magic. When Harriet Snider was headmistress, she insisted that every game be 100% Wizarding. Nothing Muggle in nature allowed. The Cake Walk game consisted of making a cake, pie, or other baked good walk along a marked course. Anyone wanting to have a go at that part of the game will find it's more challenging than it appears.
At the moment, one student is attempting to walk a tart filled with rich chocolate mousse along the course and seven students and visitors are walking from number square to numbered square waiting for the music to end. Briar flicks off the upbeat song and everyone who'd been goin around and around freezes, looking down at the number beneath their feet. Briar pulls a slip of paper from a bowl and calls out, "Number 4! Anyone on Number 4?"
"Me!"
A girl holds up her hand, clearly excited at having won. Briar recognizes her as a student who's coming into the bakery before. Thalia she's called. Briar isn't sure of her last name.
Thalia comes over to the booth's table laden with goodies and selects a plate with a half dozen oogey, gooey baklava provided by a places that specializes in Greek food. Briar's had the baklava from there before and tells Thalia, "A very good choice. They make the best baklava in the UK."
Five of the seven from that round decide to try again and are joined by four more people. The boy making the chocolate mousse walk along the outlined course finally has a successful run on his third attempt. He walks away happy and promising to return, chocolate from the tart already smeared on his face from the first big bite.
Actually having fun
Author: Rylee
Date: 01-11-12 16:16
My D&G messenger bag slung over my shoulder, I looked through the expanse of booths at the Great Hall. I debated heading out to the Grounds and explore the booths that were there, but it was horribly cold out at this point in time, maybe when the sun had a bit more time to burn through as much of the cold as possible, but it was November and I highly doubted that it would do much to slake the frigidity of the season. I slid a hand through my hair, debating for a moment before heading over to perhaps do a round of the Cake Walk.
Part of me was glad that my parents hadn't bothered to show up for this particular event. My mother was off at a fashion expo thing in the States and my father was off in Asia for some business thing that I really, really had no idea what it was about but figured I would be showered in silks and my mother would have a new set of pearls from Japan if that was where he ended up. Shrugging my shoulders, I sighed and headed over to the booth that was being manned by one of the other employees of Briar's.
I listened and watched a round or two, before deciding to join the game. I got a chocolate cake, and worked it through course, waited for the number to be called for the positions that we were in. "Seven." I blinked a moment and looked down.
"That would be me..." I said with a smile, moving forward and moved toward the table where the prizes were located. I selected a small fruit filled tart with a chocolate flower resting upon it. The woman running the game said that it was a mixed berry tart and the flower was dark chocolate. "Thank you..."
I said, and moved away from the table, weaving through the other games and things. I took a moment and debated, before moving to stand in line at the balloon pop game that was at the moment still being manned by Professor Isuki. As my turn came, I listened to the explanations, and decided to try the darts first. Three attempts and I managed to pop a balloon, I got a coupon for a sweet of my choice from the Briar's Bakery booth. Then I tried with the wand, and I was somewhat more successful popping three balloons, one on each of my tries.
I'd gotten a bag of Bertie Botts beans, and a slip of parchment that when I unrolled it read: Think of a garment, your favorite type, close your eyes and tap the box thrice with your thumb or something similar to that and upon following the directions on the slip of parchment morphed into a wonderful designer jacket. I even giggled in delight and slipped the jacket on and decided that it would be high time to head out and see what things were out on the grounds for the fall fair.
Horn Of Lurve
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 01-11-12 19:18
"Georgia, why are you wearing your Viking helmet?"
"Because, Edith, I am on the horn of lurve. Frankly, I am shocked that Isabella has not been wearing hers as well."
"Why could I be on the horn of lurve?"
"Poor Izzy Wizzy is still in deep denial."
"How many times must I tell you that there is nothing to be in denial over?"
I look to Edith and Catherine. "See. Deep denial."
"For that last time, Wilbur and I were never a couple so there was no breaking up to be done AND Sage did NOT break up with you. He's simply giving you more free time to focus on getting through this year and the NEWTs."
Catherine suddenly squeals, "THEY'RE HERE!"
Edith and she take off the short distance between where they'd been standing and the main school gates through which two young men are walking. Edith's boyfriend Fortescue Fitzmorris has graduated from his Muggle school and is at a Muggle university playing footie for the school and Catherine's boyfriend Javier Precatado somehow got special permission to visit from Escola Mágica de Brasil, from which he graduates in December.
Several minutes later Izzy and I are stumping along behind our overly happy friends. I put my arm around her. "Fear not my bestest pally o'mine, I will keep you company today. Me and my insane sister when Mum and Vati show up. Thank Merlin they are not coming in Vati's clown car. And perhaps, if we are lucky, Libby will leave Sandra behind for a change."
"Isabella! Isabella!"
We stop and turn, a huge grin spreading across Izzy's face. A tall boy with perfect mocha skin comes bounding across from the gates.
"Jelani! I didn't think you could make it."
"I was able to my plans."
Izzy turn to me. "Georgia, you remember Jelani from when Hogwarts played Okapi École de Sorcellerie? Jelani, this is Georgia."
"Hello, Georgia! So nice to see you again."
"Hi, Jelani. Tres vair cool you are here."
"Edith! Catherine!" Isabella is calling out, tugging Jelani with her as she waves and walks in the direction the others are going.
I am slower, wondering when exactly Izzy Belly went from being in the most dumpity of dumps to pining for Jelani. It is true that I am the only one on the horn of lurve. 'Tis lonely on the horn. I must create a special dance. Over Christmas hols I will teach it to cousin Tallulah, who will then go perform it at that performing school of hers. She will receive the highest of marks based on my being so low. It will serve as a vair nice juxtaposition if the sadness is conveyed with a jiggily jiggity jig.
Perhaps a jiggily jiggity jig performed while eating sparkly blue candy floss, the blue helping represent the blue of sadness. I just must have it all eaten before the barmy Libby arrives and demand I share with her and Sandra even though as a dressed up Merlin statue, Sandra cannot eat.
Translations:
horn of lurve = It is like being on the rack of lurve. Only it's pointy.
footie = football, you know, that sport that those wacky Americans oddly refer to as soccar
Vati = my male parental unit
clown car = a tres, vair small three wheeled vehicle, which aspires to be a real car; Vati owns one as part of his all things Muggle fixation. Just how fixated is he, you ask? He married a Muggle born woman who surely must have been bespelled to fall for someone who would think a clown car is the most awesome thing ever.
tres vair = very very
candy floss = known in some places as cotton candy
barmy = mental, such as my little sister Liberty who dresses up a Merlin statue as a girl and calls it Sandra