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At The Dance (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 12-03-08 12:54
AJ stakes a stance at the back of the room, back to the wall, where he can survey most of the goings on without too trouble. So far the most he's had to do as a chaperone is stop someone from attempting to spike the punch. He let the boy off with a very stern warning but with the understanding that if the boy tries it again, AJ will turn him over to Yaxley. AJ thinks that put the fear into the kid, or at least convinced the student that the Valentine's ball doesn't need spiked punch.
He spots Saffron across the room and when she looks his way, AJ nods. Anyone paying attention would think it a nod in greeting. AJ's really letting Saffron know that the RV reached its first stop. In fact, it's most likely on the way to the next stop by now or could already be there. He'd have let her know earlier in the day but got busy and this is the first time he's seen her since this morning.
Just after breakfast this morning, in his quarters, with a spell in place to prevent unwanted listeners, AJ had asked Saffron why she was still under such close scrutiny. She'd told him, "Because of my father. Lohengrin doesn't want his reputation tarnished by a daughter known to have sympathy with the Nons."
"What about Sage?"
Saffron gave a brief, elegent shrug. "Because I'm under a house arrest of sorts, and still don't have my wand back, they think he'll keep in line out of deference to me. Little do they know, right? I'm dying to know. How is the RV going from Cloud's Kiss to its destination?"
"Drake. He's got the most driving experience of the lot and also has the most experience driving on Muggle roads the Muggle way."
"I thought it might be he but wanted to know for sure." She'd sighed then. "I wish my powers of divination worked perfectly again. I wouldn't feel so in the dark all the time."
"You'd be certain Aaron is all right."
"Yes, exactly."
Saffron had left AJ's office right after that. He'd stayed in his office the rest of the morning, only leaving at noon when his Friday office hours ended. After that, AJ had walked into Hogsmeade then apparated to where the RV has been taken. He'd helped with getting it ready before having to leave for an appointment with his publisher. That ended up taking the rest of the afternoon.
"Didn't bring a date, AJ?"
Yaxley's voice cuts through AJ's thoughts. He starts to make some snide comment about how Yaxley doesn't have a date either but decides to just give a straightforward answer.
"I didn't even think about it until a couple of hours ago."
"Not trying very hard to keep convincing me that Kissy and you are an item."
"It wouldn't have mattered what we'd done. You'd not believe we are still dating and you'd harass her about how it's only a matter of time before she caves in and dates you exclusively."
"Very true," Yaxley smirks. The smug smile turns to a frown. "Of course, there is that git Declan mucking about now."
"Kissy's not seeing him in that way and even if she were, that's her business, not yours."
The smugness returns. "Ah, that's where you are wrong. It's not a hard concept to grasp. Anything having to do with Kissy Isuki is my business."
"Kissy doesn't want you. Stop being an obstinant ass about it."
"Not obstinant. Just persistent and determined to achieve the desired results."
AJ doesn't bother with a reply. Giving up a spot he like a great deal, AJ moves away, relocating near one of the long windows, even though there's a little bit of a cold draft from it. Being chilly is small price to pay for not having to stand near Yaxley listening to that idiot's misguided assumptions and ideas.
Wallflower
Author: Ella
Date: 12-03-08 17:03
Ella stood against the wall and watched the crowd bouncing up and down to the fast-paced rhythm of Black Rose's current song. She'd almost skipped out on the Hearts and Roses Ball because she didn't have a date. She hadn't invited Zane, not because he didn't attend Hogwarts (though Ella wasn't certain that outsiders couldn't attend) but because she knew that everyone would scrutinize the relationship, especially the professors.
Zane might believe Ella's little white lie about being a seventh year, but the professors would take one look at twenty-something Zane and know he wasn't suitable for a minor like Ella. She narrowed her eyes, envisioning someone like Professor Yaxley blowing her cover. And what would Zane think of her, knowing she'd lied about her age, knowing that he'd put him in a precarious situation? She didn't want to think of it and shook the thought from her mind, just as an older boy approached.
"Hey, want to dance?"
Ella blinked. Since Hogwarts had grown smaller, she'd gotten acquainted with students she might not have previously known. She knew this boy's name was Stephen Hunt and that he was at least a year ahead of her. He hadn't been in Gryffindor last year and he didn't share her common room now.
"Umm..." She hadn't planned on doing any dancing. Ella had been interested in seeing the band and grabbing a bite to eat and drink, but honest-to-goodness socializing and partying hadn't been on her agenda.
"You've been standing in the back since as long as I've been here," Stephen went on, not unkindly. "Don't you want to join us on the dance floor? The band's really good, aren't they?"
"Yeah, they are good," Ella admitted. She looked Stephen over very quickly. She didn't want his attentions if they were amorous, but his intent didn't seem to be romance. He genuinely appeared keen on involving her in the fun but would leave her be if that was what she really wanted.
"Okay," she finally said. She placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her into the pulsating throng, where she joined in and soon had a smile on her face.
Leaving The Mews
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 12-04-08 18:51
Charlie's not exactly sure how long he was on the stockroom floor before he starting easing himself over to where his wand is located. It wasn't an overly long time but was at least five, possibly even ten, minutes. The pain is enough that for Charlie, it feels more like hours.
He's only about halfway to reaching his wand when he nearly jumps as an unexpected voice asks, "Barny? How'd you end up in here?"
Charlie rolls partially over with a great grunt. Llewellyn Milton, a man about twenty-five years older than Charlie, stands with his wand at the ready. Now that he's not concentrating on retrieving his wand, Charlie notices for the first time the sounds of what can only be people battling.
"I was checking on someone assigned to some work in this stockroom," Charlie with Barny's face explains.
Llewellyn kneels by the man he believes to be Barny Bartlesby. "Your leg's obviously broken. Anything else?"
"I think my left shoulder is dislocated."
"Your wand?"
"It got thrown over there, I think behind those crates." Charlie levers himself up enough to point with his good arm.
Llewellyn stands then steps over Charlie, within seconds he's got the wand and is back at Charlie's side. "I'm pretty sure I can get your shoulder back in its socket."
Charlie nods, grimly setting his jaw for the new wave of pain he knows is coming. Llewellyn points his wand at Charlie's left shoulder. "On three, all right?"
"Yes."
"One," Llewellyn says then utters a spell. Charlie's face goes pale and he grunts more loudly than he up to that point. Llewellyn says non-apologetically, "Sorry. Was better that way."
"I'll have to take your word for it," Charlie dryly says through gritted teeth.
"Is it feeling any better?"
"Yes, the pain is lessening a great deal. Thank you."
"Let's see if we can get you up."
Llewellyn positions himself so that Charlie can put his right arm around Llewellyn's shoulders but then the other man says, "Wait a moment."
Llewellyn puts a sturdy crate next to Charlie. "I think it would be easier to get you seated on the crate and then standing rather than going from the floor to standing with a broken leg."
"Good idea."
Charlie is soon standing, leaning heavily on Llewellyn for support. Only then does Charlie ask, "What brought you to the stockroom?"
The older man stops the half-walk, half-drag he's doing with Charlie. He purses his lips as if in thought before finally saying, "I was avoiding having to engage anyone in a duel. Never been good at it. Also, this will sound cowardly, but in case the community members aren't averse to using killing curses, I was hoping to avoid being a target. I came in this building because the fighting seemed to be moving away from it. The stockroom door was open and I saw movement along the floor."
"What if I'd been a prisoner?"
"You know, I was so curious to see what who was on the floor that it never crossed my mind."
Charlie starts to chuckle but ends up choking off a groan when his leg gets a jolt. They'd reached a door that goes out behind the building and a gust of wind caught the door as it open and tried to slam it shut again.
Charlie's vision is swimming again, much as it did in those seconds after Snape hurled those two curses at him. He's busy trying to catch his breath and ride the fresh wave of pain and doesn't notice that Llewellyn has come to a complete stop. Charlie does notice when Llewellyn lets Charlie go, leaving him propped against a gnarled, barren tree.
Llewellyn runs at something, Charlie can't see immediately what it is, the tree partially blocking his line of sight. When he does manuveur himself around, he sees a Dementor leaning over someone. The man stops, raising his arm and Charlie can clearly hear him say, "Expecto Patronum!"
Llewellyn's patronus is that of a small dog. Pekinese Charlie thinks. He'd laugh if the situation weren't so serious.
The Dementor takes off, driven away by the silvery form of the small dog. Llewellyn starts forward, towards the woman on the ground but stops. He does this start-stop several more times before turning and coming back to get Charlie.
As he puts Charlie's arm around his shoulders again, Llewellyn says, "No matter what a person thinks about Nons, no one deserves the horror of a Dementor's kiss."
Charlie starts to ask why Llewellyn didn't make sure the woman didn't have one of the makeshift ones before coming back for him but Llewellyn speaks again before Charlie says anything.
"I'm not sticking around for the aftermath. I used to buy into the whole purebloods are better way of thinking. This job and what's been happening the past couple of years have made me see things differently."
A rallying cry rings out across The Mews. Llewellyn frowns. "What are they saying?"
Charlie makes sure he's hearing correctly then tells him, "They've countered acted the apparition restriction."
The two men look back and sure enough, the woman who'd almost been victim to the Dementor's kiss has stopped her progress the other direction to go around the building and winks out of sight with an aubible crack.
Llewellyn looks at the face of Barny Bartlesby. "With the restriction gone, I'll get you straight to St. Mungo's for that leg."
Charlie nods and they two leave the Mews with their own CRACK.
Llewellyn helps Charlie sit in a waiting room chair. "I'll say goodbye here."
"Thanks for your help, Llewellyn."
Llewellyn leaves without another word. Charlie waits a few seconds then with great effort stands on his own and disapparates. He knows the Order has Skele-Gro so there's no reason for him to sit around wearing Barny's face any longer.
Ready For A Break From Dancing
Author: Fionna
Date: 12-05-08 16:32
Black Rose is playing a fast paced song and like many others in attendance, Cat is on the dance floor. She'd never thought much about whether she's a good dancer or not until tonight when she walked into the commons with Christopher Chant. Cat suddenly felt self conscious but after a few dances, realized she was fine and that Christopher didn't ask her to the ball because of any dancing skills she may or may not have.
The song comes to an end and Cat feels hot and thirsty. She smooths down the front of her robe, dark ivory with sprays of pastel flowers patterned on it. Just after Cat Chant had asked her to the Hearts & Roses Ball, she'd written her mum who'd promptly sent the dress robes as a gift. Aunt Moira had sent dress shoes, stylish yet comfortable and perfect for dancing. Her sister, Leslie, had owled Cat a lovely set of hair combs and some heart shaped earrings. Even Fionna had gotten into the act of making sure Catriona was properly kitted out for her first real date. She'd gotten permission to come do Cat's hair and apply very light makeup - enough for Cat to feel very grown up yet still appropriate for a twelve year old.
Another song starts but Christopher leans in and asks, "Want to get something to drink?"
"Yes!" Cat replies, glad to have a respite from the dancing. They've danced to all the medium and fast songs and to two of the slow ones. Cat doesn't mind overly much that they haven't danced to more of the slow ones because while she likes Cat Chant and is still giddy over the fact that he asked her to the Valentine's ball, at her age, Cat isn't ready for all the closeness so much slow dancing requires.
Walking off the dance floor with Cat, she realizes that's not just thirst, she's hungry as well. She points to one of the tables laden with food and motions towards it. Understanding her meaning, Christopher changes direction, following Cat first to get food then once they're at a table, he gets them each a drink. Digging in to all the scrumptious food, Cat munches happily away, sitting near enough to Christopher to sort of hear each other and also taking time to take a good look around at what the other girls are wearing.
Anticipation
Author: Griet
Date: 12-05-08 17:50
Griet climbed into bed and pulled the threadbare covers to her neck. She instantly regretted the movement, because it had bared her toes. Sitting up, she pulled the blanket over her feet and then curled into a ball after laying back down again. She lay in her ball for a few minutes and then rolled over to her other side. After a few minutes more, she rolled onto her back and stared into the blackness where the ceiling might be.
She just couldn't sleep. The anticipation of what was to come busied her mind to such an extent that it surpassed all the physical and mental weariness she otherwise felt. Griet imagined everyone else couldn't sleep either, and heard the proof of her imaginings from rustling blankets and squeaking mattresses in the dormitory room.
The big event was literally just around the corner. Griet couldn't wait for it to all go down and instinctively wrapped her right hand around air as if she were grasping the wand she'd been given by Coco Nutt some weeks ago.
Of course, she was afraid of what might go wrong. Would people get injured? Would they get killed? Would she die?
Another fear gripped her heart. If she made it out, where would she go? And what would happen on the full moon? Would she have access to the Wolfsbane Potion? She shuddered and rolled onto her side, curling into a ball again. The next full moon was sooner than she'd like and didn't give her any time to plan for her safety and the safety of others. What if they all made it to safety and then she injured or killed one or more of them? She couldn't bear the thought.
She rolled onto her back again. Maybe she should just elect to stay behind. She could sacrifice herself for the greater good.
But she really didn't like that idea. She wanted to get away from Happy Haven, no matter what.
She sighed and did her best to put thoughts of the big day and its potential consequences out of her mind by putting something else into it. Griet and Oberon had kissed more than once since that first day in the kitchens, but they were not a couple, and Griet liked it that way. She hadn't told anybody what had happened, and as far as she knew, Oberon had kept mum about the kissing too. They didn't like each other at all, but they did like kissing each other. Go figure.
Griet wondered if Oberon was still awake. Was he thinking about kissing her too, or were his thoughts on more serious matters, such as the great escape all the students at Happy Haven had planned.
Griet rolled her eyes at herself. There she went, putting that thought into her head again. She rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes. She knew it would be a long while yet before she would fall asleep, but maybe, just maybe, she'd eventually get in some much needed shut eye.
Transfiguring
Author: Kody
Date: 12-05-08 18:19
Christopher Emerson steps back to admire the handiwork of the small group of people currently standing around what used to look like a Muggle recreational vehicle. They'd all joined together in transfiguring the vehicle to look like a Muggle vehicle called a Land Rover. The task required all the combined effort of those gathered because while wanting the outside to look like something just big enough for a few people, they'd needed the integrity of the inside of the RV to remain the same, magical space used to transport students to the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament events at other schools.
Drake stretches and yawns. "That took a lot out of me, I hate to admit."
Nathaniel Emerson, brother of Christopher and father of Jack, places a hand on Drake's back. "You should go on and get some rest. Time to go will be here before you know it and you're doing most of the driving there and back."
Kody adds jokingly, "We expect you to help with the fighting so no slacking just because you're the designated driver."
Drake screws up his face is mock horror. "Drat! You figured out my scheme."
Several chuckle then Kordelia turns serious. "Are we really ready to do this?"
Gawain Wynbourne states, "We'd better be. From everything Coco's told us, it's been bloody near impossible to be patient for the stage to be set."
Laura Reese-Emerson sighs, "I wish I were going with you. I'd promised months ago to help with this charity event. Little did I know they were going to change the date on me last minute and if I were to cancel my involvement, some needy people will be let down."
"You've done a great deal to help with this, Laura. AJ wishes he could have done more too." Furnella Hodfuffer comments.
"Yeah, Mum, you've been a great help. You'll be with us in spirit. That counts for something," Kody tells his mother.
"Well, somehow in this case, I don't think it counts all that much. Something I can do is feed everyone before you all get some rest."
Everyone is starving after expending the energy to transfigure the RV and making other last minute arrangements. No one argues as they follow Laura from the large shed where they'd first brought the RV up to the Reese-Emerson house to the food waiting inside.