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Tense Lunch
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 08-13-15 15:35
A dozen of traveling catalogs were spread at The Leaky Cauldron table. Nate studied one about Tibet, featuring a smiling Tibetan monk, while Tim looked to one about Morocco where a witch and a wizard where flying on a carpet, above the dessert.
"I think Tibet is a bit farfetched," Nate told his best friend.
"Imogen is adventurous. She could deal with Tibet."
"I know that. But you couldn't."
Tim opened his mouth, ready to protest, but he changed his mind and instead he agreed with Nate.
"You're right, Tibet isn't for me," he pushed that catalog aside and he showed the Morocco one to Nate. "This would be a better place to go, right?"
"Yes. I can see you and Imogen together on that carpet, holding hands."
"Stop teasing me, Nathaniel. You're just jealous that my girlfriend and I are going away for a week, while you'll be stuck at Yorkshire with my sister, trying to turn an old cottage into an inn," Tim's tone was sarcastic.
"And when Jenny and I get rich with our business, we are not going to lend you any money because you didn't believe in our vision," Nate replied using the same tone.
A waiter was passing by, and she asked if Nate and Tim wanted anything else to drink or eat. Tim asked for another butterbeer, but Nate refused. He had to go back to work after lunch and there wasn't much time left. There has been a rumor about a promotion on the Muggle Liaisons department and he was hopeful it was his. After a couple of years working as an assistant he felt he was ready for more responsibilities and a permanent spot on the department.
"Jenny is delusional about this whole inn thing and you are being an idiot for supporting her."
Nate was tired of Tim's critics. They were best friends and as much as he appreciated Tim's honesty about his true feelings about this project, he wished he would trust him and his sister and be a bit supportive. He took his wallet out of his robes in silence, and started to take the money of the meal from it. They paid the lunch at turns and today it was Nate's.
"I didn't mean to offend you," Tim said, noticing Nate's attitude. "But you know how I feel about this. I'm not going to pretend I think differently just to make you or Jenny happy. I'm an honest man."
"And I appreciate that. Jenny does too. But you keep pressing the matter, teasing us, and criticizing us, making allusions to it whenever you can. Just stop that. We rather you don't say anything. Can you do that?"
Nate looked Tim in the eyes and he nodded. He then apologized and he told his friend if he somehow forgot Nate's request and talked about the inn in any negative way, then Nate had his permission to cast him a spell that would seal his lips or glue his tongue to the top of his mouth the next time he mentioned such subject. Nate smiled and the tension was gone.
"So not Morocco?" Tim asked.
"Not Morocco, " Nate confirmed and that catalog was also tossed away. Then the next country that was analysed was Italy.
Asher, Arielle, and Jolyon
Author: Jolyon
Date: 08-13-15 18:08
Asher sat in a corner of the Slytherin Common Room with his body turned sideways in the armchair and his feet dangling over the overstuffed arm. Malden sat across from him in a similar fashion. Both boys were supposed to be studying for their first final, Ancient Runes, scheduled to take place in the early afternoon. While they had their books open in their laps, they hardly concentrated on the task at hand. How could they when freedom from Hogwarts was a mere week away?
The library probably would have been more conducive for their last minute studying, but only just. Neither boy could get his head into it. Asher and Malden daydreamed of summer vacation… of sleeping in, of no classes, of not having to study for final exams… Their thoughts were only of frivolous things.
Not so of Arielle, who despite not having her first exam until tomorrow night at midnight, was busy studying in the library. She realized that today and tomorrow were her best days to prepare for the rest of the week, which would be jam-packed with exams. Wednesday and Thursday would be especially full, as would Friday morning. Then it would all be over and assuming she passed, and Arielle believed whole-heartedly that she would, then she would advance to her fourth year at Hogwarts.
She had a system for her studying. She had devoted the first hour or so to Astronomy, and then the next hour or more to History of Magic. Since then, she worked on Care of Magical Creatures, which she thought she might review a bit more over lunch in the Great Hall. This afternoon, she planned on preparing for Charms, Fitness & Athletics, Herbology, and if time permitted, Transfiguration. That would leave Muggle Studies, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts for tomorrow. Then, she'd quickly review whatever she could before going to take her Astronomy final at midnight.
While she was working her way through Care of Magical Creatures, Jolyon was in the stables making himself available to any student needing some last minute assistance with his course. He had three finals to give, one over the course of the next three days. At the moment, he didn't have anybody visiting, so he busied himself with mucking out some of the stalls.
His mind wandered as he did so, straying inevitably to Merrie. As he thought might happen, she had revealed her renewed feelings for him at their meeting at the Hog's Head. He had not agreed to anything, citing his interest in Lorrie still, but ever since that day, he thought about Merrie often. The more he thought about her, the more his feelings for her grew. He knew he would eventually have to reach a decision, something Jolyon found daunting. He didn't want to hurt Lorrie and he still cared for her, but Merrie was his ex-wife and the mother of his children.
Jolyon knew he couldn't put it off forever, but he also didn't have to address it right this second. Deciding to take a break from cleaning out the stable stalls, Jolyon got washed up and then headed up to the castle for lunch. His twins, meanwhile, wrapped up their non-studying and studying, and did the same.
Unprepared
Author: Gerry
Date: 08-14-15 17:34
Gerry and Will wandered out of the Great Hall after supper and took the long way up to the Astronomy Tower. Neither necessarily felt like killing time in the Gryffindor common room, the Commons, or the library. It wasn't so much that they didn't want to study, though that was certainly part of it, but that they both feared they might fall asleep before it was time to take their Astronomy final exam. At least it was scheduled for 10:30 PM and not midnight.
"It's good that we get a break tomorrow," Will commented, "especially since we'll be up late tonight. Not having to go to an exam by 9 AM is a big relief."
"Agreed," Gerry said as he nodded his head.
More than anything, Gerry wanted to sleep in and do absolutely nothing tomorrow, but he knew he probably should crack open a book or two at some point. His next two days would consist of three exams each. As Gerry was the sort to do the minimal amount of work for class, he had not done enough studying for finals. He probably wasn't even prepared for tonight's Astronomy exam.
He started to wonder if he might fail his first ever year at Hogwarts. It wasn't a thought that had really occurred to him until now. After a year of doing only what it took to get by in his classes, the reality that he probably should have done more was starting to weigh heavily on his shoulders. But was it enough for him to really hunker down tomorrow with all of his school books?
Probably not.
There was one exam he wasn't worried about at all, and that was Fitness & Athletics set for Friday. The optional class just so happened to be his best one. For some reason his parents weren't too enthusiastic over the fact that the only class he showed any interest in or talent for was one that wasn't even required.
Of course, if he wanted to be an auror like his dad, then he better improve his marks in those classes that mattered the most. Gerry wasn't really thinking about that just yet, though.
The boys eventually made their way to the Astronomy Tower but rather than go up the stairs and be extra early for their final, they sat down in a nook off to the side and made a little mischief while they waited for 10:30 to arrive.
The Scheduling Of Exams [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 08-15-15 14:27
Despite nearly being time to go to the Great Hall for lunch, Fitzwilliam digs into a massive marbled fairy cake. It's a large enough cupcake it could practically qualify as a small round cake fit for three or four people. Around a big bite he says, "O air ow zams un."
Sylvestor translates, parroting back, "No fair how exams are done."
"Yun," Fitz grunts in the affirmative.
Sylvestor more or less agrees with his friend. They'd had no final examinations to write on Monday. They have all day today with nothing but tonight is Astronomy. Tomorrow and Thursday are three back to back tests. Fitz is then finished but Sylvestor has Fitness & Athletics on Friday and not until after lunch.
On the other hand, having no idea what decisions went into creating the final examinations schedule, Sylvestor isn't sure what could be done differently. There are five years to schedule exams around. For the sixth years it can't be all the difficult because professors of the core courses only have them for testing as the fifth and seventh years are entirely done for the school year.
The professors for the lower years have four years of students with two sections each, so eight exams to be scheduled. Not only that, but scheduling has to be done in a way that no one has a time conflict with two exams being given at the same time on the same time.
The professors who teach the courses considered to be electives have three years to schedule exams around. Sylvestor isn't sure but has heard that like with Fitness & Athletics, for the regular electives students from the same year, regardless of house, meet together instead of the two sections with two houses each that the core classes do.
A lot of classes for a lot of years to schedule exams around. He has no idea if the current schedule is the one that's always been in use but probably not. Fitness & Athletics and Alchemy haven't always been taught. He's heard that in the past, there have been other electives from time to time and that once upon a time Divination and Arithmancy were two separate courses.
Thinking about all this, particularly his own exams, gets Sylvestor to thinking about how his first year at Hogwarts is almost at an end. That also means Edwina's first year at Hogwarts will soon be upon him.
Swiping a forkful of Fitz's massive fairy cake, making sure to get a heft portion of frosting, Sylvestor wishes his sister would go to some other school. Is there one in the frozen far reaches of Siberia? Or how about Antarctica?
Sylestor doesn't hate Edwina but like many an elder sibling finds the younger one to often be a pain in the arse. He wouldn't put it past Winnie to find a way to be Sorted into Slytherin just to annoy him.
Licking what's left of the frosting from his fork he states, "Guess I'll go on to lunch and then I suppose I should look over Astronomy."
Fritz, a small glob of fudge frosting on his nose, sighs, "You know how to spoil a perfectly good mini cake experience, don't you?"
"You're the one who brought up exams and how unfair they are."
Fritz gives a shrug of agreement, cramming the rest of the marbled fairy cake into his mouth, chewing loudly as he walks beside Sylvestor to the Great Hall.
(Titus) Study Time
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 08-15-15 15:18
Moaning Myrtle's bathroom was not the most indicate place to study, but at least it wasn't crowded with other students. Titus had brought a large green pillow from one of the sofas of the Slytherin common room, and sat on it, instead of the cold bathroom tiles. He was studying Arythmancy & Divination, the exam he was going to have after lunch. Myrtle had already made her appearance. She teased Titus, flushed some toilets, threw him some wet toilet paper, and then she left with a frustrated moan because she was being ignored. On another occasion Titus wouldn't mind talking to Myrtle, but right now he needed to focus on his exams.
Usually he was not this zealous when it came to his studies. For the past two years he had done his revisions either at the Slytherin common room or outsider, at the grounds. He would not mind if the noise was too much. He would just close his book and try again later. Or he would get distracted outside, laying on the grass and just rest, delaying his study for after dinner. But this time was different. He felt the urgency to have satisfactory marks on his examins because he was sure his aunt and uncle would make his life harder if they were not up to their expectations. The letter he had sent to the Ministry of Magic didn't seem to work because he had received no reply from them, whatsoever. Maybe they knew it was fake and they simply ignored it.
Titus continued reading about crystal balls, their utility and how to properly store them. He really needed to pull this off, otherwise he wouldn't be allowed to visit Quidditch Con. Titus had been saving the money of his allowance and he had gathered enough money to buy his ticket. Not going to Hogsmeade had helped him not to spend his pocket money, but he was also proud of his control not to order sweets or any other stuff by mail.
The door of the bathroom opened. Titus raised his head from his book, ready to send whoever it was, away. But it was just Susan. Unfortunately she was not alone. She brought another Ravenclaw friend with her. Both were carrying pillows with them. Titus had told Susan about his secret study lair, yesterday evening, but he never thought she would actually want to join him and study in the bathroom. He was only bragging to her, he was not serious.
"Hello Titus! This is my friend Patricia. We were studying Astronomy together at the library but we were being too loud and we were invited to leave…" Susan looked like she had committed a serious crime for being expelled from the library. Titus had to tell her it was something pretty common, especially during examination periods. "So I thought we could come here. Do you mind?"
Titus shrugged his shoulders. He didn't want Susan or her friend Patricia to be here with him, but at the same time he had no authority over the bathroom. If anyone wasn't supposed to be here that would be him, since this was the girl's bathroom. Susan placed her pillow on the floor and Patricia copied her, not very convinced about this idea. Titus could read that in her face. However she ended up getting used to it, and while she and Susan talked about planets and constellations, Titus carried on with his study, ignoring the sound of the girls's voices.
Paton, Franciscus, Beatrix
Author: Griet
Date: 08-16-15 07:45
Paton and Franciscus exited the Great Hall after an extra long lunch. They had extended their stay because neither wanted to do anymore studying for Ancient Runes. They had looked over their notes and quizzed each other a little before lunch. Both figured that if they didn't know it by now, it was far too late.
The truth was, they were prepared for their exams––all of them. Some material they knew better than others, but the boys hadn't slacked off in the slightest. After four years at Hogwarts, they knew what was expected of them and also knew that starting next school year, there'd be an increase in their workload, due to the OWLs. And it would only get worse after that, with the final two years at Hogwarts being NEWT-level.
The two Ravenclaw boys made their way up the marble staircase and then to the junction where many different moving staircases met. They hopped on the correct one that would take them directly to the third floor, where Ancient Runes class took place. The classroom was about half-full when they entered. Paton and Franciscus took their seats and put away all their things, since Professor Hodfuffer would provide them with all the materials they would need to complete the exam.
Not much longer after that, the classroom filled up with the remaining fourth years enrolled in Ancient Runes. Professor Hodfuffer handed out anti-cheating spells and test parchments, gave a few instructions, and then stated, "You may start."
While the boys set to writing their Ancient Runes exams, Beatrix lurked in the Great Hall and watched Ash talking with some of his friends at the Slytherin table. Rowan had long left the chamber to go to the library and study, with Beatrix promising to meet her there eventually. In truth, Beatrix felt like the third wheel nowadays. Rowan and Lon were usually attached at the hip. It got on Beatrix's nerves and also made her feel inadequate because she couldn't get any boy to like her, especially the one she wanted most.
It wasn't so much that Rowan and Lon couldn't keep their hands off of each other, because they really weren't overly affectionate in public places. It was just that they were always together and Beatrix was always alone. But, she did her best not to show her feelings because she vowed to be kinder and gentler, especially towards Rowan. She figured her best way of avoiding conflict was just to minimize her time with them. Staring at Ash across the crowded Great Hall was merely a bonus.
When he got up and wandered out of the Great Hall solo, Beatrix hastily got up and followed him at a slight distance. She smiled inwardly when he didn't go down to the Slytherin common room like she suspected he might. Instead, he walked out the doors and made his way over to the lake.
Beatrix followed as quietly as a mouse and ducked behind a tree when he stopped, used a spell to dry out the grass, and stretched out it. Although the trunk was thick enough to hide her fully, she pretended to choose the spot as a good place to study and quietly pulled a few items from her shoulder bag. She also dried the ground and then sat down with her bag against the tree and then peered around it, only to find that Ash was no longer there.
"Hey."
Beatrix jumped right out of her skin and turned around to see him standing over her.
"Hi!" she exclaimed, flushing scarlet. "What in the world are you doing here?" she added hastily and with a little laugh.
"Thought I would enjoy the outdoors while it wasn't raining. Pity the weather turned overcast during the very week I don't have to spend every waking moment in exams on in the library studying."
Beatrix smiled weakly. "Yeah. That really is unfortunate."
"And what brings you outside on this less than pleasant day?" Ash questioned. His eyes danced, suggesting he knew exactly why she was there.
She decided to give him half the truth. "I just needed some time away from Lowan."
"Lowan?"
"Lon and Rowan." Beatrix shrugged. "I like them both, but sometimes I wish he weren't around as much."
Ash pointed at her books. "Studying for finals?"
"That's the plan," she said. She gazed up at him through her lashes. "Want to help me study?"
Ash dropped down into the grass. "Sure. What do you want to start with?"
"Well, I've got Herbology first thing in the morning…" She handed him her book and smiled. "Thanks."
Finley and Eirene
Author: Finley
Date: 08-17-15 16:58
Finley glanced at the hourglass on Professor Mockridge's desk and sucked in a quick breath. Not much time remained, and she still had at least ten questions to answer on her Transfiguration final exam. She decided to quickly read all the questions and answer those she could, leaving those that required a bit more thought for the very end––if she didn't run out of time first.
Professor Mockridge called out "Time!" all too soon, and before Finley could put down a period at the end of her sentence, her test flew away and landed in a neat stack on her teacher's desk. Finley frowned and put down her quill. She glanced over at Phoebus, who also appeared to have been in the middle of jotting down his answer, because he still had his quill posed in the air as if in the act of writing.
Well, if she wasn't the only one not to complete the exam, then she wouldn't feel all that bad about it. Unfortunately, it was the first of eight finals, and it already hadn't set a good precedence for what was to come. She got up when Professor Mockridge dismissed the class and met Phoebus in the corridor, where they fell into step together and made their way to the Great Hall for lunch.
Finley only had one other exam today, DADA directly after lunch. Then she had three tomorrow and three on Friday. At least her last one would be the least stressful of the bunch, or so she hoped. It was Fitness & Athletics, which generally was a very fun class.
Finley and Phoebus eventually made it to the double doors leading into the Great Hall. They reached them the same time as first year Slytherin student Eirene McClaggen, who had her nose in a book and did notice anything else. It was a wonder she hadn't tripped over anything or bumped into anyone.
Eirene's first final exam had taken place last night. She felt fairly certain she had aced Astronomy, as well as Transfiguration and Potions, both of which she'd had this morning. This afternoon she had Herbology, hence the Herbology book open in her hands. Eirene wasn't inherently intelligent, or she might have landed in Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin. She did well because she had the ambition and couldn't settle for anything less than being the best. In order to be the best, she had to study the most and until she knew all the material backwards and forwards.
Somehow, she made her way to the Slytherin table, where she sat and helped herself to food while never letting her eyes leave the pages of her Herbology textbook. She'd get an O on the final if it was the last thing she did!
Wenlock Cousins And Finals
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-18-15 18:36
Getting up from a table in the Commons shared with a few friends, Lauren sees her oldest sister sitting at a table across the room and walks that direction. Reaching Liannah she asks, "How are your exams going?"
Looking up from Astronomy notes Liannah, sounding tired, replies, "I've done well, or I think I have. I've still got seven to go though so ask me again at the end of the week." She gives a half-smile then asks, "How about yours?"
"Six down, four left. I think I've done all right enough that Mum won't ground me from anything this summer. You've still got seven? But it's already Wednesday night!"
"I've had five. One on Monday, one on Tuesday, and three earlier today. I've got Astronomy tonight, four tomorrow, and two Friday."
Lauren shakes her head. "That's too many. I'm glad I'm not a Ravenclaw with an urge to take every class offered."
Liannah smirks, "You aren't a Ravenclaw at all."
"You know what I mean."
Someone steps up beside Lauren. Their cousin Amorica, looking sleepy, smiles at them both. "I'm off to bed soon. I'm already shattered from all these exams but am not even half way done."
Liannah nods. "Same here."
"My week feels off because of the exam schedule. I don't understand it."
Lauren shrugs, never having given it much thought. "Feels off to me too but I decided it's because I have all these classes that usually meet two times a week but this week only once."
Liannah explains, "The final examination schedule is based on whichever day a class is a double. For those classes that only meet once a week, it's the usual time. Or I think it is on those classes."
"Ooooh. It all makes sense now," Amorica says with a bobble of her head. "I don't know why I never saw that before." She smiles at them both again. "I'm off to crash or at least I hope I can sleep. Goodnight!"
"I'm heading to bed too," Lauren tells them. "I'll walk out with you, Amorica." Lauren tells her sister goodnight, hefting her bookbag onto her shoulder.
As Lauren and Amorica exit the Commons they pass another of the Wenlock cousins, Jasper. He seems to be in such a rush he doesn't even notice them. With exams on the minds of all but the fifth and seventh years and with everyone tired from so much studying and test taking neither girl is hurt by his lack of attention that he doesn't even say hello.
Jasper is walking so fast he ends up skidding to a stop at the table where Liannah still sits, nearly crashing into it. "Sorry!" he exclaims. "I nodded off without meaning to."
Liannah's lips turn up in a small smile of understanding. "I thought maybe that's what happened. That, or you lost track of time."
With the exception of the Muggle Studies class Liannah takes, her schedule and Jasper's is identical. Not only cousins but the best of friends, it's not unusual for the two of them to study together, particularly for an exam. The plan for this evening is to quiz each other for the Astronomy final tonight and then in whatever time they have until needing to be to that exam for midnight, they'll work on what they can for the four finals they have tomorrow: History of Magic, Transfiguration, Potions, and Fitness & Athletics.
Jasper leaves the table long enough to grab something to drink. Rejoining Liannah he pulls out notecards he's made for Astronomy, grabs a cardamon spice biscuit from a plate Liannah has on the table, and asks where she wants to begin.