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Second Year Transfiguration, Gryffindor & Ravenclaw
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 09-28-12 14:07
"In, in. Get seated. No time to waste. Some of you are going to want the full time allotted for this exam. There is an exam, facedown, on each of your desks. Do not turn turn it over and do not begin until I say."
As the Transfiguration exam is the first of the day for the second year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, most of them were waiting outside in the hallway when Sirius opened the classroom doors at roughly 9:48. Because of that, he does not, thankfully, have to repeat himself much. When everyone is present and seated Sirius moves to the front of the room and beings passing out anti-cheating quills. "Do not forget that on Thursday, the 6th of July, there is an all day lawn party at my house in Hogsmeade beginning at 10 in the morning and lasting until sunset, which as you know will be late. You are welcome to attend with or without your parents. We're on the Floo Network. Now, on to more pressing matters. You have before you one of four versions of the exam. The basic content of all four versions are the same but there are some slight variations. For example, a true-false question on one version might be worded to make the statement false but on all three other versions the wording makes the statement true. Got it?"
There are nods as well as verbal assents, this all being familiar to the second years by now. Sirius has employed the variations on the same exam for awhile and he's aware that some of the other professors do the same. It is, however, always good to remind the students of these things.
"You should have nothing on your desks now other than your exams, quills, and ink." His eyes go to a small desktop replica of a grandfather clock. "It's not quite 10 but I see no reason to keep you waiting. Once you are done, read over your exam to be sure you missed nothing. When you are sure you wish to turn it in, quietly gather your things, bring me your exam, and then you may leave. Any questions?"
Sirius scans the room for raised hands or faces that look as though they wish to ask something but are hesitating. Seeing one he gives a curt nod. "You may turn over your papers and begin."
The room fills with the sound of examination parchments being flipped over then with the scratch of quill nubs busily writing. Sirius moves to his desk, picking up a cup of tea to take a sip then remembering something he forgot to mention. "One more thing, class. I have no other exams to give today so I should have yours graded by this afternoon and your end of year averages completed shortly after if any of you want to come see me."
That said, Sirius takes another sip of his coffee and picks up the copy of The Daily Prophet he'd been reading earlier. Folding it to make it easier to carry, he starts a slow walk around the room, reading an article here and there but with most of his attention actually on the Ravenclaw and Gryffindors with their heads bent over the exams, faces furrowed with intense concentration. A few have tongues sticking out and as there have been times when Sirius finds he thinks better with tongue poking out, he's not about to interrupt a single one of them to mention their tongues are out of their mouths. A couple of them have somewhat blank expressions, which is something he does not like to see, particularly at this juncture in the term, but both students have struggled with the written material while doing quite well with the actual wand work. He wonders if either has been tested for dyslexia or one of those other disorders. Sirius moves to his desk to write a note to himself to check on their work in their other courses and if the same holds true in those classes as in this one, to speak with Minerva about what action they could take in speaking with the parents and getting those two tested before Fall Term.
Glancing at the clock again, Sirius announces, "It's 10:15. You have 45 minutes left."
As always with such exams, the time announcement, even one made early one, is met with an increased flurry quills moving across papers. Frowning into the dregs of his tea cup, Sirius takes a break from prowling around proctoring to brew another cuppa at a sideboard behind his desk.
Opening the Manor - Mockridge Manor (Cloris)
Author: Kirley Mockridge
Date: 09-28-12 16:41
Cloris smiled as she walked through the ballroom of the Manor house. She had one of the house elves at her heels, but she never could tell them apart. Such ugly little things, but so useful. "I want the room to sparkle," she said. "Use the 16th century silver. I want the dark periwinkle table cloths, the white and silver china. And decorations should be elegant and tasteful, but perhaps a tiny hint tropical."
"Yes, Mistress. What about invitations?"
"White with the dark periwinkle ink, and edged in silver, I think. The guest list has been finalized. The Minister himself should be in attendance, this is a cause near to his heart. Kirley requested a few invitations for some friends of his, he said he and Nephele will deliver those, so if you'd leave those at the Townhouse."
"Of course, Mistress. As you wishes."
Cloris frowned, thoughtful for a moment. The event would not be nearly as much fun without Lucius in attendance, and she'd included him on the guest list, or at least her private one, not the one she'd run past her son and daughter. "Leave Mister Malfoy's invitation on my desk, I will include a personal note this evening."
"Yes, Mistress," the elf replied, recognizing his dismissal when he heard it. He disappeared with a crack, leaving Cloris to her thoughts before she walked up to what had been her chamber when her husband had been alive. They didn't use the Manor house now, Kirley preferred the more informal Townhouse, but Cloris still kept some of her things there. She spotted a few gowns she'd worn to past events, and while she loved some of them, she knew she'd need something new for this particular event.
With a twist and a pop, she disapparated, heading to Diagon Alley to check Madam Malkin's, and Twilfit and Tattings, though she knew she'd likely end up at Narcissa's. The first Mrs. Malfoy had always had such excellent taste, and it was times like these that Cloris missed the woman. The sooner she found her outfit, the sooner she could get Lucius' invitation into the post with the others. Most others would not get such a personal touch.
A True Spore
Author: Ferne
Date: 09-29-12 02:23
In the beginning, she was smiling; the courtyard greenhouse she remembered from her childhood at Black Friar's Lane ascended in all the blinding brilliance of a glass pyramid above her head. Tentacular vines hung from their tethers in the iron ceiling struts, their cursive fingers reaching towards her menacingly. She was dwarfed by the giant foliage of the behemoth lilies, enclosed by all manner of magical and inane vegetation. The spice-rich scent of pollen filled her nose, and the enticing nectars of lily, hyacinth and rose wafted towards her. It was quiet but for the dripping of dew, and the soft pad of her own feet.
The floor was of smooth, jade-glazed tiles, tessellated into a border of curling leaves. She trod quietly along the path, ducking to avoid the plants she knew were poisonous or lethal; her feet were taking her somewhere, and she seemed hopeless to resist.
She peered around a cycladis leaf. The overhung path opened into a comfortable, octagonal chamber, bordered by acanthus and hydrangeas. A whole leopard skin was draped across the tiled floor; its glass green eyes stared at Ferne across the octagonal room.
Her uncle Phineus was seated upon a cane sofa, a pair of silver spectacles perched on the noble slope of his nose. His auburn hair was artfully combed and queued, and came into whimsically tight curls on either side of his temples. His favourite violet kid gloves held a copy of the Daily Prophet open before his eyes.
He saw her red head bobbing against verdant green, and lowered the newspaper. "Hello, little Spore. Where is your little companion? I hope she isn't trying to explore the East corridor again."
Phyllida wasn't trying to explore the forbidden East corridor at all, Ferne mused. They had given up long ago on penetrating the magical guardians that led along the dark oak-panelled, musty hallway. "No, Papa," Ferne answered. "She's in the library."
"I should respond to some letters myself," said her uncle, easing himself off the sofa. He shook his quilted house robes and righted his collar. He peered at her through his angled spectacles. "You look more like your mother every day," he said affectionately. "A true scion of Spore." He leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"See you at dinner, Papa."
As he walked off, the light seemed to dim; from the green path emerged a tall figure in crimson, her red-gold hair coiled on her head, turning her head towards Ferne, advancing slowly and menacingly. Ferne waited for the red phantom to approach, not moving a hair.
"How sweet," clipped her aunt, Phryne. Her eyes were grey and cold as a gravestone. "My little by-blown niece calls her uncle 'Papa'. Nobody knows who your father was, thank Merlin, probably some mudblood by-blow your mad mother dallied with. Every family has its cuckoo, and now that your mother has passed, I am afraid you are ours. But don't ever presume that you are a Spore - my Phyllida is Phineus' only daughter and heir. And don't presume to call him 'Papa'. He is your uncle, not your father."
But he is, she heard a voice in her mind reply, as her aunt's sharp face blurred out of focus, and the bright glasshouse turned dark.
Ferne shuddered, and the vision dissolved before her sleeping eyes. She woke, and felt the familiar comfort of her bed in the Slytherin dungeon, the greenish glow of the lake filtering through the leaded windows. She sighed. Ptolemy, disturbed by her sudden wakefulness, gave a perturbed growl, his huge yellow eyes round and lamp-like in the gloom. "Go back to sleep, pet," she said softly, tucking his fat, furry mass under her arm.
The Real Celeste
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 09-29-12 07:38
It had been two intense weeks with O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, and now it was time for the other students at Hogwarts to take their finals. Astronomy's sixth year final was scheduled for Wednesday,and since she had everything prepared for it, all she had to do was to wait. It had been Eugene who'd convinced her to speak to Dumbledore. He said that if she was really thinking about quitting her position at Hogwarts, then she should give the headmaster enough time so that he could find someone to replace her. Celeste knew her husband didn't want her to leave the school, and she felt the same way. She wasn't sure that she brave enough to show up the next school with a completely different physical aspect, however.
The Astronomy professor knocked on the door to Dumbledore's office, and he opened it himself with a smile.
"Ah Celeste, good to see you!"
"Good afternoon Albus," she greeted, although her voice didn't sound as enthusiastic as his. "I was wondering if I could have a word with you."
"Of course, of course. Why don't we go outside and talk? I was about to go for a walk on the grounds. The weather has been so pleasant these last few days and I want to see how Lawrence's plants have been growing. He was saying he just planted a tree that will grow dirigible plums by the fall. I am sure our students will be delighted with it, don't you think?"
Celeste didn't reply, and they walked in silence towards the almost empty corridors. Finals were being taken and they didn't want to disturb the students. They finally arrived outside. Like Dumbledore predicted, it was a great day: the sun was shining and it was possible to hear the birds chirping. He would stop here and there to admire some flowers and plants; it seemed like he was testing Celeste's patience. It was as if he had forgotten she wanted to speak to him, and they were nothing more but two old friends, appreciating the wonders of the school's grounds. Finally, she could not hold herself anymore and declared:
"I am going to send you my resignation letter tonight, Albus."
"I was wondering why it took you so long to do it, my dear Celeste."
Celeste had been trying to predict Dumbledore's reaction for a long time now, but this was not one of the possible answers she had imagined. She didn't know what to say, and remained in silence. The headmaster, however, had not finished yet.
"I think it is remarkable how long your cover lasted. I was counting you would approach me last fall. It is impressive how you managed to ration the main ingredient of the Polyjuice potion. You need to tell me how you did that."
"Eugene told you, didn't he?" Celeste finally replied.
Dumbledore chuckled.
"He did, but I already had my suspects."
"What gave me away?"
"Your wand."
Celeste took her wand from her pocket. It was a good wand, and with the years owner and wand had become attached to each other. However, this was not her real wand, the one that had chosen her, and she quickly pointed that out to Dumbledore.
"I know. But I always considered myself a man with a good memory; sometimes it is more a curse than a gift. Anyway it happens that I remembered a funny fact about the real Celeste Quigley. You see she used her left hand to cast spells. You on the other hand my dear, use the right one."
"I did try to use the other hand, but I just couldn't," she explained, disappointed with herself. She should have tried harder to portray Celeste in perfection.
"You have to thank Merlin that Harriet Snider doesn't have such a good memory as I do," he told her with a smile.
Celeste could not say if she felt relieved Dumbledore knew the truth or not. She told him that now he understood why she could not stay at Hogwarts and keep teaching.
"Why not? If I am not mistaken, you and Celeste had the same academic path, and that is the reason why you have done such a great job teaching Astronomy these past years. I haven't heard a single complaint about your performance. Both students and parents are pleased with your work here."
"That is not the issue. People know me as Celeste Quigley and I don't want that to change. But unfortunately my physical aspect will change."
"I am sure everyone would understand the reason why you had hidden your identity. But I understand you want to keep Celeste's name."
"She saved my life. What better way to honor her than keeping her name?"
They sat on a bench and Celeste found herself telling the entire story to Dumbledore. She felt like she owed him an explanation. It all happened when Euphemia Smythe-Jones had become the Ministry of Magic. Her real name was Allison Montgomery and she knew that as a Muggle-born witch, she was in danger. The snatchers were everywhere and she had heard rumors about places named City of Hope, Goen Bern, Q and The Mews, where the so called 'Nons' were being sent. Allison looked for refuge at her best friend's home. She and Celeste Quigley had been inseparable since their first year at Hogwarts and together they had dedicated themselves to the study of Astronomy. But Celeste was dying from cancer. It had spread very quickly all over her body, and she forbidden her husband Eugene to inform her family and friends about her situation. On her deathbed Celeste conceived a plan: when she died she would be buried as Allison in a muggle cemetery while the real Allison would take Celeste's role in the wizarding world. They would cut her long hair and preserve it so it could be used in the Polyjuice potion. She made Eugene promise that he would help and protect Allison, no matter what. He had sorrowfully agreed.
A week after she had died, an owl appeared, offering Celeste a teaching position at Hogwarts. Since no one had heard about Celeste's illness, they still believed she was capable of teaching. She'd wanted to refuse the job, but Eugene made her see that it would be suspicious if she did so. And so for more than a year she had taught at Hogwarts, pretending she was very pleased with the measures applied to the Nons. She had always been friends with Eugene, but that friendship turned into love. But they had agreed on never having children, not after they heard about the children who had been sent to Camp Lollipop.
Once Smythe-Jones had fallen, there was no reason to continuing with her cover. But she decided to keep it. She lied to Eugene and said it was because she felt saver using this protective mask. The truth was, she was afraid that once she looked like her old self again, Eugene wouldn't like her anymore. And so she kept playing the role of Celeste. She assured Dumbledore that the only thing she kept from her friend was her name, and the way she looked. Because otherwise she was just being herself. Now that she was running out of Celeste's hair for the potion, she didn't want to face her colleagues. She could not picture Minerva's face once she knew the truth. Or Illyria. Or even Severus. Not to mention the students. It would be a scandal.
"I think you have been reading too many books by Agnes Flowers," Dumbledore said with a chuckle referring to the romantic book author, who had written the famous book Love in Bloom.
"There will be no such thing as a scandal. What can I do to convince you to stay? A new telescope for the astronomy tower? Or perhaps I nominate you the assistant head of the Slytherin house?"
Celeste laughed.
"You are tempting me. But I am still not sure. I need some time to think."
Dumbledore nodded and then he invited Celeste to continue their walk around the grounds. The conversation topic changed to the Quidditch World Cup. Celeste learned that Dumbledore was a great fan the seeker from Denmark because they shared the name 'Wulfric'.
Big Idea
Author: Blossom
Date: 09-30-12 15:19
With the children old enough to sit at tables or in high chairs busy with their lunches, Blossom stands with some of her employees, a few who are also family, as they watch over the children and before they too join them in eating. "I have an idea I want to run past all you. I was going to wait till our next meeting but if I have some input now from I'll have a better idea of whether it's worth taking up time during a meeting with everyone present."
Blossom's sister-in-law Hendrika who's been back working full time here since the term at St. Emrys ended looks up from wiping a spill of apple juice. "Sounds important."
"It is, or I think so anyway."
Stepmother Azaria laughs lightly. "Don't leave us in suspense. Wait a moment. Do. Carl's about to make a huge mess."
"Let's sit down and eat," Blossom suggests as they wait on Azaria.
All of them present getting helpings of today's chicken and noodle casserole, veggies, and drinks and stopping to see to various of the children, it's a few minutes before they are all seated, eyes on Blossom's as they wait for her to tell them her idea.
"Okay, here it is. Some of our regulars are reaching the ages to be a little old for 'day care.' Take my triplets for example. They're going on seven. What if we expand and offer more formalized schooling? I've already done some research to see what the Ministry requirements would be. We have the room. What do you guys think?"
"There's that school, Charm School," someone points out.
"I know, but a good many children of age for it don't attend. I have no idea why but then, I don't know much about that institution. It's on my to do list. We wouldn't have to be big or trying to compete for their business, if there even would be competition."
Azaria bobs her head. "It's worth looking into. We already offered structured care. This would just be taking the next step. When are you looking to open if we do it?"
"September. Finding additional staff can easily be done between now and then. This building has plenty of room and we can also expand if needed. The third floor, excuse me, what all of you think of as the second floor, is only used for the offices. We could use the entire space and move the offices if needed. We can't wait overly long to make a decision though and get the paperwork done the Ministry requires because we'd want to advertise, set an enrollment end date so we have an idea of number of textbooks needed, and that sort of thing. That's something else, sorting through the various texts out there and finding what we'd want. I've done a little actually, but there would still be a great deal to do."
"I say yes, let's do it," Hendrika says. "The next meeting is Thursday, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then I say you present your idea when all of us are present and between now and then we can get even more information. What can I do to help?"
Blossom smiles at Hendrika. "Thank you for offering. If I sent home several books on mathematics, do you think you'd have the time to look through them and decide which would be the best series to work with?"
"Once the kids are asleep, I don't see why not and Charlie can help."
"Excellent, thank you."
As they finish up lunch and get the children ready for what comes next on their various schedules - play time for some, reading time for others, art, etc. - Blossom assigns other tasks that will help make the presentation Thursday that much more organized and not seem quite as last minute as it is.
Exam Review Over Supper (Liannah & Jasper)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 10-01-12 18:29
Entering the Great Hall, Liannah spots her cousin Jasper at the Hufflepuff table so angles that way instead of immediately joining friends at the Ravenclaw table. Taking the seat to his left she ask, "How was Care of Magical Creatures?"
"Fine, I think. There's nothing that I had trouble with though I could have misremembered something."
She reaches out to tap the Astronomy notes he's got in front of him. "That's tonight for you?"
"Yeah. You had it last night, right?"
"Right. It's challenging but nothing you shouldn't be able to handle. I can go through your notes with you to let you know what to focus on."
"That would be good but what if your exam is different from mine?"
"It's possible but I could still go through with you if you want."
"Yeah, okay, thanks. You had one this afternoon, Transfiguration?
"Yes, it was okay. I know I missed a couple of small things that I got mixed up."
"I have that tomorrow. I can't wait for tomorrow to be over because then I should be done."
"Unless I've looked at my schedule wrong, I don't have anything Thursday but have exams on Friday. It hardly seems fair that you have two whole days off."
"You had three yesterday and three today, right?"
"Right, and two tomorrow and two Friday."
"I only had two yesterday but when Astronomy's over I will have had four today and I have four tomorrow. I think I'd prefer your schedule."
"I see your point. We have Fitness & Athletics and Potions tomorrow and you said you have Transfiguration. What else?" Liannah asks, trying to go over the list in her head of what Jasper's schedule is like.
"History of Magic."
"I don't have it until Friday, along with Charms."
"You should be fine with Charms. I'll go over it and History with you on Thursday." Jasper repositions the Astronomy notes so Liannah has better access to them. "Okay, let's start with Astronomy and then you can tell me about Transfiguration."
Now that she's going to be spending supper helping Jasper, Liannah checks out the nearby food choices and then up and down the table to see what all is being offered. Food on her plate, Liannah asks, "Do you have your study guide? That's the easiest way to start."
"Here." Jasper pulls out the sheets to lay between them, trying not to drip gravy from the bite of potatoes and gravy he'd just scooped up.
Liannah makes quick work of going over the Astronomy with Jasper. Before they get to dessert they are going over the Transfiguration study guide with Jasper thinking he'll have plenty of time to get in a good Astronomy review and go over material for tomorrow before the 11 pm Astronomy final examination start time.
Dinner with a Friend
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 10-01-12 21:33
"Since when do you eat Indian food?"
"Uh… Since the one time Karma cooked it," I answered.
"You had guests?" Angela asked a bit surprised, "That wasn't family?"
"Yeah, what's surprising about that?"
"Desi, you don't ever have guests," she said with a flat expression.
"Obviously I do! I have foreign food in my kitchen," I said excitedly, "And they cook too!"
"So!" Angela said with a bit of an impish grin, "Who's this Karma person?"
"She's got a boyfriend," I told her, "Other than that, she's a teacher, a student, and she's from India."
"Exotic," she said, "So, you two close friends?"
"Not really close. Bronwyn met her first, and Karma and I started to talk and hang out more when we conspired for Bronwyn's birthday."
"That sounds like fun, why wasn't I invited?"
"You were at work. Besides, you would have been disappointed at meeting Karma. And her boyfriend."
"True…" Angela sighed," Maybe I should move to England. Sounds like all the good ones are here. You, dreamy Bronwyn, exotic Karma…"
"You are impossible…" I said with a sarcastic sigh, "How is my sister?"
"She's doing really good," Angela said, "She's making some huge improvements. Her therapist said she's really come a long ways."
"Good. I'm glad to hear she's finally doing well."
"What about you?" Angela asked.
"What about me?"
"Are you finally seeing someone?" she asked.
"No, I'm not."
"Why not?"
"I don't know…"
"You're interested in someone!"
"So?"
"Why don't you say anything, or do anything?" I didn't answer her question. So, she continued, "Ok, what are you afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid. Just don't know what to do."
"Well, you could walk up, grab them, and plant one."
"You ever do that?" I asked.
"Yup. Last time I wanted to, I was pretty sure she'd drop me after dealing some serious damage," She was looking right at me when she said it.
"And you would be right."
"So, tell me about this guy you're interested in," She probed, changing the subject.
"Well…" I started, but wasn't sure where to start, "I guess there are two."
"Two!? Wow! Go Desi!"
"Wait, one of them is a coworker and we're just friends," I said defensively.
"What's he like?" She asked, now reminding me of Bronwyn.
"I guess…" I thought a moment, "He's sorta like James Bond, I guess."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, he's undercover a lot. He just happened to get forced into an investigation of mine. And to keep his cover intact, I guess, looks kinda like we're dating."
"Interesting. So, you're not dating the coworker, but it looks like it."
"Right. We're just friends."
"And the other guy?"
"He's a bartender, really nice…"
"And?"
"And what?"
"And? What happened?"
"And… nothing… I haven't seen him in a while."
"Why not?"
"Cause…"
"Cause you're going to be late getting back to work if you're not careful."
"You're avoiding the question."
"Yes, I am, but it's nearly 9, and your lunch is over."
"Stupid time difference. This isn't over Desi." Angela left with an accusing glare and, but I wasn't worried. I knew she wasn't going to follow through with anything. Not like Bronwyn. She would be someone I would have to worry about.