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Gareth and Gerry at Final Exams
Author: Gerry
Date: 07-04-18 10:05
Gareth sat down in the Charms classroom and got ready for the first of many final exams. The bulk would be over after Astronomy on Wednesday evening. Thursday was a free day, and then Friday's exam was Fitness & Athletics, which Gareth figured would be a breeze compared to everything else. After that, his first year at Hogwarts would conclude.
Gareth had a busy summer ahead of himself. He already had tickets for Quidditch Con and Emrys Fest. In August, the Martini-Blackwells were going on holiday to Crete. Gareth had only ever been to France and Greenland, so he was looking forward to adding Greece to his list of countries visited.
To be honest, he didn't really remember being in Calais, because he'd not yet been three years old then. He went there with Gerry after being liberated from Camp Lollipop. Gareth couldn't even remember the family who'd housed him and his brother. He did remember the trip to Ittoqqortoormiit quite well, though, because that had been two summers ago for the Quidditch World Cup.
"Remove everything from your desks, please!" squeaked Professor Flitwick.
Gareth already had his desk clear. He waited patiently for Professor Flitwick to hand out the anti-cheating quills and test parchments, and got straight down to business as soon as Professor Flitwick announced, "You may begin!"
Gerry, meanwhile, was sitting for the final in his absolutely favorite class, Fitness & Athletics. He supposed it was good that there wasn't any physical demonstration involved, since not everybody was cut out for sports, though he didn't count himself among those lacking athletic inclination. He'd much rather show of skills than write an exam, though. At least he was fairly confident he understood all the rules and terminology associated with the various sports being tested on, even the ones that were strictly Muggle.
He glanced over from his test parchment, where he'd been working on an answer to a question about swimming techniques, and saw Kaycee busily scribbling away at an answer of her own. His part in her loss of memory during the Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin had never been discovered, or at least so he thought since no teacher ever questioned him about it. Kaycee never directly accused him of anything else.
Gerry guessed that Madam Pomfrey determined what had happened, but with only Kaycee's word against his and without proof against him, assuming Kaycee raised any suspicion against him of course, Gerry got away scot-free. If only he could perform magic over the summer, because Gerry really wanted to perfect the memory modification spell. He'd just have to make do with books. Good thing his mother ran the local library.
Lunch At The Ravenclaw Table
Author: Saffron
Date: 07-04-18 19:49
Sitting down for lunch Hope yawns. It's a big enough yawn her mouth feels stretched and the corners of her mouth hurt. It's only when her brother speaks that she realizes she's taken the spot directly across from him.
"What's got you so tired?"
Hope shakes her head as she yawns again. "I don't know. Maybe the last two weeks are still making themselves felt."
Bran nods. "I'm still a little draggy myself. Don't suppose you've reconsidered about stowing me away in your luggage for the Muggle Studies trip?"
"No," she laughs. "Pass that plate with the bubble and squeak." She thinks to add, "Please."
Bran passes over the requested plate asking, "What did you decide about university?"
"I'm going to read law as Dad suggested, with an emphasis on international politics. I'm not one hundred percent about it but I have to start somewhere with something. Thankfully, I'm not locked in if I decide it's not for me."
"I'm starting to think about being an apothecary specializing in animal care potions and the like."
"Really? That could be interesting. Why not veterinary healing?"
As Bran explains his thinking Jaclyn Rex, a little further down the table from Hope and Bran, is saying to a classmate, "It feels like we've been writing exams for a month and I've only had one final so far."
The classmate chuckles. "One for me too. Fitness & Athletics. What was yours?"
"Ancient Runes." Jaclyn has two on Tuesday, Muggle Studies and then at midnight there's Astronomy. Or would that technically be considered Wednesday? Doesn't matter she supposes. The rest of her exams are spread out two a day for the rest of the week. At least she'll be finished by lunch on Friday.
Jordan Blackthorn is also thinking about final examinations. It's hard not to when that's all that's going on this week. He's had two exams today, first Charms and then Transfiguration. Tomorrow first thing is Potions and right after that is Defense Against the Dark Arts. Two exams on Wednesday then one Thursday night, which means Astronomy, and lastly there's one Friday.
He's glad that the tests are sort of spread out but he wouldn't have minded if the days he has two that one was in the morning and one in the afternoon rather than back to back. If it were one morning and one afternoon Jordan wonders if he'd wish they were both morning, back to back, so he'd have the afternoon free to study or sleep or goof off or do whatever.
Taking a fried meat pie from a plate as it's passed to him to pass along to someone else, he tells Erik Haaken, the person doing the passing, "I think I'm going to study a little after lunch then take a nap and then study more."
"Or we could play a game of some sort. I heard someone talking about getting in some footie."
"Yeah, could be fun."
"More fun than studying."
"We're Ravenclaws. We're supposed to like studying."
"Didn't say I don't like it. Just said it's not as fun as playing a game of some sort."
Erik's grin has Jordan grinning in return, his attention shifting when someone on his other side asks, "Is that milk in the pitcher in front of you?"
Monday Night
Author: Illyria
Date: 07-05-18 18:57
The night was clear for the Astronomy students taking their final exams. At the moment, the second year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students were standing at telescopes, charting what they saw in the midnight blue sky. It was a beautiful night for stargazing. If the weather had been less cooperative, the exam would have taken place in the classroom underneath the enchanted ceiling. Fortunately, the observation deck was the place to be this evening.
Illyria stood off to the side and switched her gaze between the working students and the brilliant stars speckling the night sky. One could see everything so very clearly.
This was the first of eight final exams. Another followed after this one: third year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students. Illyria had two more each on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. With any luck, the night would be totally clear for those exams too. She also hoped that Celeste would be equally lucky on Friday night.
Illyria had no great plans for the summer. With all her family in England again, they would likely be gatherings and playdates, but there were no big trips on the agenda. Illyria was at the start of her third trimester and just wanted to take it easy until the new baby came.
With the little one on the way, she and Nathan had already made some changes to the arrangement in their quarters at Hogwarts. Ian and the wee one would share a room, but Ian had gotten a big boy bed so that the baby could sleep in his crib. Ian was still getting used to his new sleeping arrangements, which Illyria and Nathan thought ought to happen before the baby came.
Because the baby was due in early September, Illyria had talked to Minerva about maternity leave and to have someone to fill in for her classes. Her first choice would have been Roland, but the third anniversary of his and Weston Ravenscroft's death was fast approaching. Always amenable to filling in for an absent professor, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank was on tap to step in when the time came.
Illyria checked the time and announced, "Fifteen minutes!"
The star-charting grew frantic all of a sudden. The fifteen minutes passed rather quickly for all involved, and then it was time for the second years to depart and the third years to take their positions at the telescopes.
Kaycee - Finals
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 07-06-18 07:50
Kaycee entered the Arithmancy & Divination classroom and took her usual seat. Today was her final exam in the class. She already had three exams down––Fitness & Athletics, Ancient Runes, and Astronomy––and seven more to go. Arithmancy & Divination was her only exam today, which meant she could spend a considerable amount of time reviewing for Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and History of Magic.
Fortunately, the disorientation she'd felt during the Quidditch match against Slytherin had completely dissipated. Kaycee was sorry she'd acted so strangely during the most important match of the season for her house team. She almost felt as if she were to blame for Hufflepuff's loss, but she also knew that she was being hard on herself. Being pulled from the match after scoring for Slytherin had been best.
Kaycee had gone straight to the Hospital Wing, where Madam Pomfrey had given her a checkup and asked the most unusual questions. What had Kaycee eaten and had to drink before the match? Who had prepared them, and did she ever take her eyes off her food and drink? Could she recount anything out of the ordinary happening to her at all that morning?
Kaycee had responded in kind, not recalling anything strange at all, though whenever something bad happened, she always wondered if Gerry and Will were somehow involved. Madam Pomfrey didn't indicate foul play despite the odd questions and ultimately stated that Kaycee must have been afflicted from disorientation due to stress.
It was a good thing Kaycee wasn't feeling out of sorts so far this week. What a terrible thing it would be to forget things in the middle of final exams!
Jocular [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 07-06-18 21:28
Fitzwilliam puts his head down on his folded arms. "It's still only Tuesday, right?"
"Right."
"Do you have to sound so happy?"
Sylvestor's face crinkles in confusion though that's lost on Fitz who can only see his arms and the table if his eyes are even open. "I have no idea what you mean."
"You sound all happy. Bright. Cheerful. Chipper. It's only Tuesday and we have ten thousand exams to go and you are being so bleeding jocular."
"Since when do you know words like jocular?"
"Jocular and humorous. What is there to eat?"
"Lift your head and look."
"Takes too much energy. You're eyes are open so share what you see."
"How do you know my eyes are open?"
Fitz sighs heavily into his arms. "I take your point."
"Liver and onions."
"No, really."
"Braised tongue."
"Funny."
"Knarl brain mousse."
With a massive heave Fitz pulls himself upright. "You're making me lose my appetite."
"Leaves more for me. Need lots to get me through writing six more tests."
Fitz makes a face at Sylvestor then plops his head back down on his arms. "Wake me when it's time for the next one."
"That's not until tomorrow morning."
"Works for me."
Grinning, Sylvestor shakes his head and reaches for some sort of sausage casserole.
(Ariella) Alanna Stops By
Author: Beck
Date: 07-07-18 11:20
"Look at this."
Ariella had just pulled a buttermilk pie out of the oven. She removed her oven mitts and turned to look at Alanna, who had a habit of dropping by the pie shoppe unannounced. She was holding a book entitled Kilgore: A Definitive Biography of Australia's Darkest Wizard.
"It's hot off the press," Alanna said. "I saw it in the window at Flourish & Blotts and had to buy it."
"And?" Ariella asked, knowing the real reason why her sister bought the book.
"Well, I haven't read it yet, but since I have all the free time in the world outside of work and helping with the kids, I'll get through it in no time at all."
"Great," Ariella replied. She knew her sister would let her know if there was any mention of her husband and sister-in-law in the book, though she wasn't sure she cared to know the details. Ariella wished she could say Lawrence was out of her life forever at this point, but they were still legally married. The divorce petition she'd sent with an owl to Australia had come back unopened.
On the advice of Alanna, Ariella had inquired with the Australian Ministry of Magic on how to get the petition to her husband, who was a wanted wizard and would not be easily found. If this failed, as she had no doubt it would, then she could proceed with a statement to dispense with the divorce petition.
"Thanks for picking up Karina and Adam," Ariella said, referring to the recently made arrangement between them. She didn't want to rely on her grandfather to watch two active children, especially at his age and without any assistance. Instead, she dropped them off at the Diagon Alley Daycare in the morning and Alanna picked them up in the evening.
She was glad the daycare had reopened after being shuttered for so many years. It was convenient having the children close, especially with Ariella, Alanna, and Katherine all working in Diagon Alley and able to drop in for a visit whenever they could.
"Sure," Alanna said. She checked the time on her watch and said, "Better head back. See you at home."
With that, she tucked the book under her arm and stepped out of the kitchen. Ariella watched the steam rise off the top of the pie and wondered if Lawrence and Maggie were mentioned in the book. Would their names simply be listed as followers of Kilgore, or would there be blurbs or even chapters about their lives and evil deeds? Ariella was almost afraid to find out, but she had no doubt that Alanna would give her a full account when she finished the book.
Sixth Year Final Exam
Author: Marzipan
Date: 07-08-18 07:42
Instead of taking breakfast in the Great Hall, Marzi fed herself and the boys in their quarters at Hogwarts and then walked them to school before going to the greenhouses for the only final exam she had to give this year. The sixth years trickled into Greenhouse 6 soon after Marzi got there herself. They all looked tired and yet also excited for summer, which was just a few days away from now.
Marzi waited till all of her sixth years were present and at their usual places around the central work table before handing out test parchments. "Like we discussed in the review last week, this exam is written and is not cumulative for the entire school year. It covers everything we discussed since Easter break."
Even though this announcement should not have come as a surprise to any of the sixth years, there were expressions of relief on some of their faces.
"Are there any questions before we begin?"
There were none, so Marzi said, "You may start."
She went to the small desk at the front corner of the greenhouse, while the sixth years worked on their final exam.
Alaric had once again invited her and the boys to France. They were planning on visiting the Framboise family in mid-July, and then Alaric, Napoleon, and Dany would come to Hogsmeade in early August. Marzi very much looked forward to her down-time. She was also pleased that the children from the two families seemed to get on with each other well, even with the drastic age differences. It boded well for her future with Alaric, which seemed promising despite the fact that theirs was a long-distance relationship.
This afternoon, Marzi planned on marking the sixth years' exams. If she finished before it grew too late, then she would also submit her marks to Professor McGonagall. Otherwise, she'd complete her remaining tasks for the 2011-2012 school year tomorrow morning.
(Tessa) Astronomy and Boys
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 07-09-18 18:00
"How many rings does Neptune have?"
Blakeney licked chocolate pudding off of her spoon and asked, "Who cares?"
Tessa looked pointedly across the table at her friend and stated, "Professor Goode does, and by extension, Professor McGonagall, too. We've only got four exams left. It'd be a pity if you had to repeat your fourth year because you gave up on studying halfway through finals week."
"I'm not going to fail," Blakeney insisted, "and the answer is five. Five rings, and they're named Galle, Le Verrier, Lassell, Arago, and Adams. Happy now?"
"So you have been paying attention." Tessa grinned.
"I told you I'm not going to fail," Blakeney said. "Uranus has 13 rings, by the way."
Tessa, smirking, put the next notecard to the back of her stack.
"How many satellites does Neptune have?" she asked.
"The exam is tonight. Can't we just call it an evening already?" Blakeney then added, "14."
"Fine," Tessa said, grabbing the stack of notecards and slipping them into the side pocket of her rucksack. "We could study for tomorrow's two exams or Friday's one," Tessa said, "but I'm thinking you just want to do nothing till we have to head to the Astronomy Tower."
"You're exactly right. We're ready, Tessa. Let's just relax till it's time to go. Anyway, it's dinnertime."
"What do you propose we do besides eat?" Tessa asked, picking up her spoon and tackling her own bowl of chocolate pudding.
Blakeney cast her eyes a table over and said, "We could talk about boys."
"Who's got your eye?"
"It's not who has my eye but who's got yours," Blakeney said knowingly, but then she furrowed her brow and said, "Wait. That's not right, is it?" She thought about her words and said, "It's about who's got his eye on you."
"If you say Chip I'm going to hurt you."
"You know, for a Hufflepuff, you display awfully violent tendencies."
Tessa gave Blakeney a look. "If not Chip, then who?"
Blakeney preened with excitement. "Will Wentworth."
Tessa, shocked, looked over at the Gryffindor table and noticed that Will had indeed glanced in her direction. Upon meeting her eyes, he hastily looked away. Tessa turned back around to Blakeney and said, "I wish you'd kept that to yourself until after finals. I don't need any distractions."
"Okay, but do you like him?"
Tessa shrugged. She'd never thought about Will in that way before, but she didn't not like him, even if he was a bit of a cruel prankster. But who knew? Maybe she would take the time to get to know him better. She was long over Chip, and it probably was time to get back into the dating game.
Studying In The Commons
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 07-09-18 18:39
Cornington sets his Astronomy notes aside. "I'm done."
"We've hours yet."
He nods his head at Edmund Woodhouse. "I know but I can't take anymore. Maybe I'll look over Transfiguration. It's first up tomorrow."
"I've reviewed that already. It's what I was working on before supper. I wanted Astronomy to be fresher. I guess I should have waited a bit before going over it since there's still Charms to look over."
Charms is the other final examination the fourth year Hufflepuffs write in the morning. Friday morning at 10:45 they will take the Ancient Runes exam. With tonight's Astronomy that makes four to go for both of them. Cornington feels a little sorry for his brother. Leo's not finished with exams until Friday night at midnight. If the examination schedule looks to be the same for his sixth year, Cornington is giving serious thought to not having Astronomy on his schedule. He says as much to Edmund.
His friend looks at him in what could best be described as bug eyed. "You're bleeding serious? I didn't know there was Astronomy on Friday nights."
"Not usually. I think it's mostly so that each of Professor Jones's, I mean Goode's classes can have the tower if needed without one of them having to share with the sixth years."
"Yeah, makes sense. You'd think as many towers are we have around here they'd make another one available for Astronomy when there's a lower year class at the same time as an upper year."
"You'd think. I don't know how professors managed back when there wasn't a lower years and upper years division."
"I forgot about that. I wonder what that was like. You think professors had to use time turners to meet all their classes and do appointments, office hours, duty, and whatever?"
"Dunno. Probably. How else would they manage it all and still have lives? Those that had lives anyway."
Edmund thumps a set of notecards he'd made to help him study for Charms. "I guess I'll get on this now. If we keep yammering away it will be time for Astronomy before we know it and I don't know about you but when we're done there I'm going straight to bed."
"Me too!" Cornington reaches for his own notes, determined to go over both Transfiguration and Charms before it's they have to leave the Commons for the dorm because of curfew. Once back at Hufflepuff House he'll decide whether to get in more Astronomy review or stick with the other two classes. Ancient Runes review can wait until tomorrow.
Scholarship
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 07-10-18 18:37
Fritz gathers up the sixth year Alchemy final exams and puts them in a file folder, which he secures shut. He leaves it on his desk for a moment to tidy up the classroom, now that the students have left and there aren't any more Alchemy class meetings. The Alchemy Club is also done meeting for the school year.
Fritz knows that he could tend to the classroom later this afternoon or tomorrow or even over the course of the summer, but he would like to get all of it out of the way now. He would much prefer to focus on the new school year when he next enters the classroom.
It's quick work getting the room in order, and then Fritz grabs the file folder and a few other personal items, exits the classroom, locks the door, and sets off for his office. All he does there is drop off the file folder. He'll come back after lunch to mark test parchments.
Fritz's next stop is the Great Hall, where he makes his way up to the High Table. The dining hall is mostly abuzz with excited chatter. The end of the school year is so very close, and everyone is ecstatic about the summer holidays. There are a few students who aren't quite done with finals yet, but even they are feeling summer fever.
Fritz glances up and down the four house tables. He spots both of the seventh year students to whom he's decided to award this year's scholarship, Hufflepuff's Mildred Campbell and Ravenclaw's Paton Shrewsbury. Just like before, the money will be delivered anonymously and can be used either for continuing studies or to get a head start in life as a responsible adult.
Every time he thinks about the money, Fritz invariably also thinks about Berthold Beatenberg, but now he thinks about Daniel Quappe, too. Fritz feels a bit sorry for Daniel, because had things gone differently, then Daniel might have gotten some of the money as an inheritance and Fritz would most certainly never seen a knut of it.
Oh, well. At least Fritz was trying to do some good with it. Hopefully Mildred and Paton would find their gifts useful, too!
Charlotte and Noah
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 07-11-18 18:28
Charlotte climbed up to the observation deck on the Astronomy Tower and paused in front of Professor Goode, who was assigning students to telescopes as they arrived.
"To number three, please," Professor Goode said, indicating to the third telescope along the edge of the tower. She handed Charlotte a star chart and a quill and sent her on her way.
Charlotte's roommate Fulvia Flaversham was already at number two, looking every bit the smug Slytherin. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, around which a large Slytherin-green bow was tied.
Cheyenne Wentworth was sent to telescope four, and so on, until every station was filled. After a few instructions, Professor Goode had the third year Ravenclaws and Slytherins start their Astronomy finals. For those students who didn't take Fitness & Athletics, this was it. For the rest like Charlotte who were enrolled in the optional class, they had one more exam to go, and it was bright and early tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, Noah was in Ravenclaw Tower. He was wearing his pajamas and was already in his four-poster bed, but he wasn't sleeping or even remotely tired. He sat crosslegged with the tip of his wand illuminated while he read a fiction novel he'd checked out from the library. He had to return it Saturday at the latest. Fortunately, the book was on the short side, so he was sure he'd get it done and turned in before he got in trouble with the librarian.
As of this morning, Noah was finished with finals. He'd had two on Monday, three on Tuesday, none on Wednesday, and then his remaining two today. He knew he ought to be tired, but then yesterday hadn't involved any testing, only studying, and he had nothing going on tomorrow, except for reading his library book and packing his trunk.
His sister Sophia would be starting at Hogwarts next year. Noah wondered where she would end up, Ravenclaw like him, or Slytherin like their father, uncle, and cousin Charlotte? He'd certainly be shocked if she landed anywhere else.
Taking A Break
Author: Blossom
Date: 07-11-18 18:31
Seth motions towards the bar, "I'm getting some milk. Anyone else want something?"
"A biscuit of some sort if there are any left," Gideon replies. It's late enough that it's nearly time to clear out for the night.
Larkin yawns as she says, "Milk too, please." With the yawn her response is garbled but not so much that Seth has to make her repeat it.
Next to Larkin Cynthia Yewbeam requests, "A biscuit for me as well if it's not too much trouble."
Seth nods and makes for the bar and Cynthia turns to Larkin, "Glad to be able to sleep in tomorrow?"
Larkin shakes her head, sending several bobbing curls across her face. Brushing them back she tells Cynthia, "We've got Fitness & Athletics tomorrow. It's at nine."
Cynthia makes a face. "I knew there was a reason I skipped taking that class," she laughs.
"It's rather fun."
Cynthia grins at Gideon. "You would say that. You're a boy."
Larkin returns Cynthia's grin. "I like it. Or mostly."
"I'll have to take your word for it. If you have an exam to write in the morning, why aren't you studying?"
"We did already. Got it out of the way before supper. Thanks, Seth," Larkin says, looking up as her brother places a glass of milk in front of her.
The other two thank him as well, Gideon shuffling a desk of cards. "Ready for another hand?"
At nods from the others he deals, glad that he joined Seth and Larkin earlier to study for F&A. He'd been going to put it off but now he's glad he didn't. Better to sit relaxing this evening then spending another night prepping for a test.
Unknown Symbol
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 07-13-18 21:00
Harry looks up at the knock on the cubicle door accompanied by Ron saying, "You're here late."
"You are too."
"Had a fire chat with someone at MACUSA. I set it up so thought I should be polite and be one with the off hour."
"I tried going to bed but was too restless. I decided to come finish some parchmentwork that's piled up."
By this time Ron has seated himself on the edge of Harry's desk. "Want to grab a snack somewhere?" he asks while idly flipping through one of the files.
"Yeah, just let me finish this paragraph and sign it so I can get it in the OUT basket. What sounds good?"
"There's a late night chippy that's good, or if wanting a sweet, there's a place that does a cheesecake assortment and has ice cream."
"Chippy sounds good but so does cheesecake."
"Could do both if you're not in any rush. They're near each other." Ron taps a photo from the file he'd been looking through. "This the bloke you pegged for some of your cold case murders?"
"He was. Maybe he did them and his death is unrelated but though I have nothing to go on I think there's a link."
"Gruesome way to go." Ron bends for a closer look at something in that particular photo. "This symbol looks familiar."
"Symbol? I don't recall any symbol."
Ron taps the photo again. "Right here. Down low on the wall behind him."
Harry pulls the photo around to look at his. He bends close, peering at the mark Ron says is a symbol. "Huh. Hadn't noticed that. I don't think anyone else did either." He opens a drawer and removes a magnifying glass, taking a closer look. "You know it you say?"
Ron shakes his head and shrugs. "It's familiar but right this second I can't place where I'd have seen it. I'll have to think about it."
Harry nods, pushing the photo back towards his friend to he can finish the the report he'd been working on when Ron came in. Ron studies the symbol using the magnifying glass, even going so far as to draw it onto a clean sheet of parchment before returning the photo to the file and closing the file. Standing when Harry does, he shoves the parchment in a pocket. "I wish I had Hermione's memory."
Grinning Harry replies, "You could have but it would require several dark charms for which I'd have to arrest you."
"And I'd go willingly because I'd need protection from Hermione trying to kill me," Ron grins back, following Harry out of the cubicle to the nearest bank of lifts.