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Sleepy & Emrys Fest Planning
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-27-10 16:33
"Bronwyn?"
"Bronwyn?"
"BRONWYN?"
Bronwyn jumped with a start and found herself face to face with Dylan Cornfoot, the manager of the WWN station at St. Emrys University. He had his hand on her arm and looked at her with concern plain on his face.
"I think it's about time you get a day job," he said, pulling away from her. "You just fell asleep during our conversation."
"I did?" Bronwyn rubbed at her eyes and then regretted the movement since she'd probably smudged her eye makeup. She pulled the trendy sunglasses that were currently on her head over her eyes and reached for the giant to-go cup of coffee at her elbow. Unfortunately, it was already empty.
In some ways, it was quite surprisingly that Bronwyn still held her night shift job at the WWN. She still didn't know much about heavy metal music, though she supposed she'd picked up a few things about it from having worked in a job where that was all she heard for half a year now. She still didn't much care for it, though, and she didn't understand how people like her best friend Desi did.
"I guess one of these days I'll apply for something new," she said. "I'm sorry about before. What were you saying?"
"I was just talking about the lineup for Emrys Fest," Dylan said. "I've just received confirmation from The Squibs and The Broomstick Boys. Did you here anything on your end?"
"The Wicked Wizards of the West are definitely onboard," Bronwyn said, thinking of Desi's boyfriend Xavier and his bandmates. "Also, Xavier Schoonmaker said he'd be up for doing a set with his side project Cleaver."
"Great. The girls will love that."
"Don't I know it," Bronwyn agreed. "I don't know for certain, but I'm sure I can get the band my brother-in-law is bassist for to play too. They've played all the previous years."
"Dynamic Duo, right?"
"Right."
"Good. Now," Dylan began, studying Bronwyn seriously. "You really ought to go home and get some rest. Isn't it well past you bedtime?"
"I usually do fall into bed the minute I get home from my Night Owl shift," Bronwyn said.
"Sorry I kept you up then."
"Hey, no worries. I'm really excited about Emrys Fest this year."
"Me too! Last year was great but this year will be even better. Now go home!"
"Okay, okay!" Bronwyn replied, laughing.
She made it home a short while later. The duplex was quiet and no longer had Sebastian as a houseguest. Following Arley's rescue, Seb had gone straight to Texas to be with his dearest friend. He wrote to Bron regularly to update her on what was going on, from Arley's recovery, to the legal entanglements in which the entire Montgomery clan currently found themselves.
At some point, after the court proceedings and everything else that went along with Arley's ordeal and that of his sister, he and Seb would return to New York, and Bron planned on visiting them there.
But for now, all she could think of was sleep. She tripped into bed and passed out immediately.
Trial of Decimus Clarke
Author: Carys
Date: 06-27-10 18:09
Never in all her life had Carys stepped foot into a courtroom, not even when her father had gone to trial for his involvement in his own son's death. She found herself in one now, testifying in the attempted rape trial of Decimus Clarke. The accused sat in the very middle of the room on a simple chair. It made Carys nervous that he wasn't bound to it. She could still picture clearly that day in the dark room when he'd pressed himself against her and torn at her clothing.
"Miss Hanham-Beauvais. How do you know the accused?" asked Tobias Beck, one of the Ministry of Magic lawyers assigned to the case.
Carys tried to find her voice, but she could barely make a sound.
"Speak up, dear, so that we can all hear you," Mr. Beck said with a kind smile on his face.
"I... I met him at St. Emrys University. We both work... I mean... he wrote for the school newspaper and I take photographs. For Emrys Everyday," she managed, feeling that she sounded like a fool. She didn't seem able to form complete sentences and only babbled.
"Were you friends with him?" Mr. Beck asked.
"I would say we were friendly," Carys replied. When she realized that friendly might imply something, she followed up quickly with, "That is to say I believe we were becoming friends, though I can't say I knew him all that well or for all that long."
Finally, a completed sentence.
"Did you feel that Mr. Clarke was interested in you?"
"Sometimes. He was always very nice to me. Smiling. Interested in my work. He liked my photographs. I... I don't know. He never said anything to me until that day, and I just didn't really think about it."
"And you didn't do anything that might have led him on?"
"No!"
Her outburst caused her to blush. "No, sir. I just... I don't think I did anything, and if I did, I didn't mean it and certainly didn't know about it."
"Can you describe the moment when the incident," and Tobias Beck used air quotes when he said the incident, "occurred?"
Carys really didn't want to think about it. She'd somehow managed to stop crying everytime she thought about it and her time at Goen Bren, but she still hadn't gotten over it yet.
She exhaled a shaky breath and thought back to that moment in the dark room.
"I went in to work to develop some pictures. The office was empty because it was the weekend. He stopped by too and found me in the dark room. He put his hand on mine. I gently pulled mine away. He touched it again and... took me by the shoulder."
Carys could feel her voice slipping again.
"I started to say something... his name, I think... but then... then he tried to kiss me. I stepped away from him but I really had no where to go. He came at me and shoved me against the wall. He tried to kiss me again... and... I turned my face away so he started kissing my cheek and my neck and my shoulder and..."
The more she spoke the more highpitched her voice became. Her eyes started to well up with tears as she remembered everything with startling clarity.
"I tried to push him away and that's when he started pulling at my clothes. He was trying to... to..."
"It's all right, Carys," Mr. Beck said, raising his palms to stop her.
She choked back a sob and nodded her head.
"What did you do to save yourself?" Mr. Beck asked.
Carys sat and opened and closed her mouth a few times. Her face was wet, but she had somehow managed to control herself from shedding further tears.
"I pushed him away from me as hard as I could, and then I got out my wand and stunned him."
"Thank you, Miss Hanham-Beauvais. I only have a few more questions for you."
Carys nodded her head and did her best to answer the rest of Mr. Beck's questions. She hoped that what she had to say would land Decimus in Azkaban for a very long time.
Herbology Final - 6th Years
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 06-28-10 05:40
There were a small amount of sixth years that had to actually take his final exam, which was good because it ensured that they had pleanty of time to complete the exam in the allowed one and a half hours for the test. By small amount, there were a total of four, two from Ravenclaw and two from Slytherin: Stephen Hunt and Zabrynna Ravensdale; Phillipa Fox and James Lennox.
At promptly two p.m. he handed out the written portion of the exam. They would have thirty minutes to complete this portion. The remaining hour would be divided into presentation of practical knowledge. Once the time ran out for the written portion, he collected the booklets and then set up for the first hands on practical.
"Zabrynna Ravensdale." He called the sixth year Ravenclaw up to the front, and in front of her there were four different plants.
"Identify two of them and tell me what category they fall under, their scientific name, and if poisonous symptoms of the poison, if non poisonous something they are used in."
Zabrynna took a moment, before pointing to a fungi. "Death Cap, Amanita phalloides, and it is poisonous. The delay before onset of symptoms, coupled with the intitial symptoms' mimicry of influenza and other gastrointestinal viruses and the marked (albeit temporary) improvement of most patients beginning two or three days after ingestion, pose inherent problems in prompt diagnosis and treatment."
Lawrence nodded. "If caught early, what is a way to treat the onset of the poison?"
Zabrynna thought for a moment. "Doses of penicillian, and milk-thistle extract are two of the most common."
The exam continued until the time allowed had run out, all four students doing exceptionally well on their examinations. Lawrence bid them good day, and would spend some time between now and dinner grading the exams.
Decision Made
Author: Ella
Date: 06-28-10 06:46
After two very grueling weeks, the OWL exams were finally over and Ella now had a whole week of rest and relaxation before term officially ended. Since she didn't have any more classes to attend or tests to take, she wished that she could just go home already, but then again, she didn't want to miss the End of Term Feast. Regular meals at Hogwarts were great, but feasts were exceptionally good and not anything anybody should miss given the opportunity to attend.
She'd slept in quite late on Monday morning, so much so that she'd actually missed breakfast in the Great Hall and had had to scrounge something up in the Common Common Room. Somehow she'd managed to avoid Francis, who could talk of nothing but Ashleigh these days. At first, Ella had found it kind of cute and amusing, but now it grated. Didn't he have anything else in his head besides that girl?
After spending time in the Commons, Ella had gone to the Owlery to send a note to Zane. He was still waiting patiently for Ella to decide whether or not she wanted to resume their relationship. She hadn't given it any thought the past two weeks for obvious reasons, but it had started to cross her mind since then.
It had taken less than an hour for Ella to receive a reply from Zane, and after lunch, she'd set out for the edge of the Hogwarts grounds where she and Zane always used to meet. He was already waiting there when she arrived.
Not having seen him in quite a while caused him to take her breath away. He looked quite good, all in black with his long hair pulled back into a ponytail and a cigarette dangling between his lips.
"Just a week more or so and you'll be free, right?" he asked, smiling at her.
"Yeah. I can't wait."
"How do you think you did on your NEWTs? Was it easier the second time around?"
Ella fell into the old habit of lying quite easily. "Different questions, but you know how it is. It was a lot of stress and I'm glad it's over."
They fell silent for a moment, taking each other in. Finally Ella said, "I've been giving us some thought."
"Yes?"
She stepped closer to the bars and wrapped her hands around them as she stared up at him. He was so much taller than she was, even with her standing on a slightly higher level of ground.
"I want us to try again," she said. "I miss us."
Was it even true, what she was saying? Yes and no. She had really loved being with him, but she had also moved on since then.
Zane dropped his cig to the ground and stubbed it out with his toe. Then he closed the gap between them, wrapping his hands around Ella's own.
"I was hoping you would say that," he said. He leaned down to kiss her.
Ella kissed him back, tentatively at first but then she remembered how exciting his kisses had been way back then and forgot all her doubts.
In Need Of A Nap
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 06-28-10 10:08
Christopher looks longingly out one of the History of Magic classroom windows. He's nearly done writing the final exam for the class with one short answer question that simply requires him to list the three most pivotal events in war between giants and trolls that took place 1,500 years ago and one longer essay question. Christopher has nothing against history but does a 4th year student really need to know such nit picking details of a way, that by all accounts had limited affect on humans both Wizarding and Muggle?
After having been cooped up so much in the hospital wing, ending up not being allowed out until last Monday, Christopher wants nothing more than to spend as much time outdoors as possible. He's been out some but found he had trouble concentrating much on getting any actual studying done. With final exams all this week and with having missed a great deal of the last couple of weeks of classes, Christopher needs to concentrate on his coursework and nothing else. Sadly for him that meant instead of being outside he's been in the library, the Ravenclaw common room, the common commons, the Great Hall, and his room with about the only time out of doors being something class related like going to Care of Magical Creatures and Fitness & Athletics.
The listing of the three pivotal moments of that one troll-giant war done, Christopher tackles the remaining essay question. He reads the question carefully then after spending a minute trying to think of the best way to start his response, he gets to writing. It's not an essay question that requires a long answer as Professor Binns essay questions go but it does take him a good five paragraphs with the shortest paragraph being eight sentences. When he's done, Christopher uses the remaining time alotted for this exam period to read back over the test, massaging his writing hand as he reads.
Several times as he's reading Christopher has to stifle yawns. He doesn't think they from the less than thrilling reading he's doing so much as they are brought on by his being so very tired. His level of energy just isn't back yet to what it was before getting sick that championship match weekend. He'd most likely be tired right now just from the normal studying and final examination preparation but after having been so ill, Christopher is exhausted. He had thought he'd be okay today with only Professor Somerset's Defense Against the Dark Arts exam and Professor Binns's History of Magic final. He guesses he thought wrong.
By the time Professor Binns is gathering up the test papers, Christopher's eyelids simply do not want to stay up. He's got three exams tomorrow but with one of them being Fitness & Athletics, which he doesn't think will be difficult, and with one of them being Care of Magical Creatures, his most favorite class of all, the only exam Christopher is worried about and the one which he'll spend the most time today studying is Professor Weasley's Potions. He thinks though that he can take a nap before supper and then dive into studying. If he tries to go study now he'll end up face down on his book and since he'd be going to the library where lots of others would be, it's a sure bet then that he'd also be both drooling and snoring. A nap in his room is much more appealing than being entertainment in the library.
His feet feeling like heavy weights, Christopher shuffles out of the History of Magic classroom, not at all unhappy that if things stay the same at Hogwarts next term, he'll have Declan Douglass's far more interesting History class to look forward too. Covering his mouth again as he starts yawning once more, Christopher turns in the direction of Ravenclaw House, blearily hoping he's awake enough when he arrives to remember the correct password.
Charms Final
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 06-29-10 13:41
Tuesday. Which meant Isma, Blake and Eric had three more days of exams before they were officially done for the year. Their final exam being Astronomy on Thursday at 1030 PM. Yesterday had been relatively easy, as they'd only had the one final at 9AM, and that was Transfiguration with Professor Black. Today, however, was Charms at 9 and then Herbology at 2.
The three of them had been up early, had breakfast in the Great Hall and were currently quizzing each other on information for the exam as they walked from the Great Hall to the classroom for the exam that was slated to begin at nine, they had about thirty minutes before the exam was going to begin, but they wanted to get there early and use the few extra minutes to review once more.
At exactly nine am, with everyone in their seats Professor Ivy began the examination for the class full of second year Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students. The exam was a two part thing, a written and a practical (a common theme amongst final examinations and standard tests it would seem!).
Isma had just finished her final question, which was: Name four charms, their incantations, and what they are meant to do. She chose Lumos, Alohomora, Scouring Charm, and Rictusempra.
Lumos - causes a light to emit from the end of the caster's wand; Lumos. Alohomora - causes a locked door to open; Alohomora. Scouring Charm - it cleans things; Scourgify or Tergeo. Rictusempra - known as the tickling charm; causes a person to laugh uncontrollably; Rictusempra.
That done, she would bring her test booklet up to Professor Ivy, and wait for her assignment for the practical portion of the exam.
"Demonstrate the proper wand motions and incantation for the Lumos spell." Professor Ivy said, shifting, to watch the young Gryffindor go about her practical examination. Exceuted flawlessly, she would be dismissed, and would linger outside, back pressed against the wall waiting for Eric and Blake to finish their exams so they could head to the Common Commons and study for Herbology at two.
DADA Final
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 06-29-10 18:55
Like his students, Ethan rather looked forward to summer holiday, but not for the same reasons. He didn't have any grand trips planned or lazy days in store. He just wanted to use the opportunity away from his classroom to further investigate Meadow, and it would be all the better if he could get to the bottom of it by the time term resumed on the first of September.
With OWLs and NEWTs the last two weeks, and final exams all this week, Ethan had hardly had any time to visit Knockturn Alley and spy on Meadow where she worked and lived. He just wanted to get Darkest Magick out of her hands, in case she planned on using it for nefarious purposes. Then again, why else would anyone possess such a book? It existed for the sake of committing less than saintly deeds.
Ethan was well-aware that the book had been in Meadow's possession long enough for her to do plenty with it, but right now there was little he could do. While his first year Hufflepuff and Slytherin students wrote their exams in his classroom, he stood outside in the hallway and tested each student individually on practical self-defense.
Currently, Perla Moore stood opposite her DADA teacher. Ethan held a thick textbook in his hand, and he knelt to place it on the floor. He moved to the side of the hall and said, "You might remember that sometimes it's useful to summon an object towards you when you are involved in defending yourself from a dark wizard or if you find yourself in a dark situation. Demonstrate the correct spell for summoning an object, if you please."
Perla raised her wand, pointed it at the book and enunciated clearly, "Accio textbook!"
The large tome flew off the floor and sailed right to Perla. For a moment, Ethan feared he'd made a poor selection in using the heavy book for the exercise, but Perla caught it easily without getting bruised or knocked over.
"Nicely done," Ethan said, collecting the book from her.
"Good. Now I want you to stop the enchantment I've placed on this tin," Ethan said, removing a small, narrow tin box from his pocket. It sparkled brightly like a disco ball, even though it should only have had a simple silver sheen to it.
He set it on the floor and stepped away from it.
"Finite Incantatem!" Perla said, causing the tin to stop flashing.
"Good job. And why might you use this spell in Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"Because there might be a curse or something equally bad you need to stop," Perla said, "though it might not always work, depending on what that curse or dark spell is."
"Correct. You may go back into the classroom. Send Linnea out here, please."
"Yes, sir," Perla said. She ducked into the classroom, and a moment later Linnea came out into the hall to test her practical skills.