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Arriving in D.C.
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 01-22-07 07:45
Traveling to Washington, D.C. from Scotland wasn't as easy as journeying from one city to another within the same country or to different countries on the same continent. Thankfully, Lysander had located an international floo that would simplify things greatly. He led Drucilla to the conduit, stepped into the fireplace and shouted "Franklin's Key!" as he threw floo powder into the grate. In a flash of green smoke, he found himself whirling and whirling until he wound up spinning out of a fireplace into a dim-lit pub near the Magical Library of Congress.
Drucilla followed moments later and dusted soot from her robes. Lysander gently took her by the arm and led her out of the building, down the street where the stately structure of the Muggle Library of Congress and the Magical Library of Congress stood. He took her to the back entrance of the building, which was only visible to a wizard's eye, and stepped into the familiar, mural-decorated lobby.
The same witch he'd met on his very first visit greeted Lysander. "Welcome to the Magical Library of Congress. May I help you find something?"
"You may help us find someone," Lysander replied. "Bastian Ironside. Tell him Lysander Stratford and a guest are waiting for him."
The witch nodded and disappeared from the foyer. She returned moments later with Bastian by her side.
"I wasn't sure I'd see you again," Bastian said, by way of greeting. He shook Lysander's hand.
"This is Drucilla Eternal-Black," Lysander introduced. "I apologize for our delay, and I appreciate that you have nonetheless agreed to wait for us to return."
Bastian said nothing to acknowledge Lysander's statement for a long time while he glanced over Drucilla. Then he said something quite unexpected.
"You realize the terms have changed after all this time?"
Lysander grit his teeth together and spoke so low to prevent the old woman from overhearing. "We didn't agree to any change in terms, or that there would be a change to them if the transaction wasn't made immediately."
"Need I remind you that this exchange you both are wanting needn't ever take place. Everything is on my terms. Take it, or leave it."
Tabby Trouble
Author: Cael
Date: 01-22-07 08:22
Cael sighed as he petted Squish. He was terribly missing his mother, today would've been the day he bounced onto her bed and screamed "Happy Birthday"! But seeing as how his parents didn't want him around anymore there wasn't any point in going home. He grinned to himself as he thought of his friend Mia. She was the exact opposite of a Slytherin student but yet she was in the house and he was in Ravenclaw. The hat made very weird choices but there had to be a reason it put him in his house.
As if he felt a presence, Squish leaped off the bed and ran out the door.
"SQUISH!" Cael yelled at the top of his lungs. He followed the distraught cat out into the corridor." Where are you going you crazy animal!" He saw the tabby run around the corner and dissappear.
Cael groaned as he turned the corner and couldn't see his beloved friend. "Squishie! Where are you?"
Right on cue, a bright tabby ran up and jumped into his arms. "Boy, don't do that again." He turned and carried the tabby off not noticing the strange markings on its forehead. N one noticed it wink either.
Never underestimate a woman's touch
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 01-22-07 19:06
I smiled calmly as I felt Lysander tense up beside me. I put a restraining hand on his shoulder worried he might lash out in front of the curious witch who had greeted us earlier.
“Gentlemen,” I said smoothly. “Perhaps this is conversation for more private quarters?” I nodded my head pointedly towards the witch.
Lysander gave a curt nod as he shoved his hands deeply into the pockets of his robe. I had to give him credit – he stayed true to his businessman persona.
Looping my arm through Bastian’s I let him lead us towards a group of murals that hid a secret door. Before walking through the door he stopped.
"Your wands," he ordered quietly.
"Really, this is ridiculous," sputtered Lysander.
"Here you go." I handed over my wand without complaint as Lysander grudgingly gave up his own.
I was surprised he didn't do a more thorough check, which was just as well since my real wand was taped discreetly on my inner thigh.
Bastian tucked the two wands into his robe. From there we walked in silence through many corridors and down a dozen or so stairs until finally we reached the basement.
“Welcome to the archives,” said Bastian grandly. “Before we proceed though I believe there is some unsettled business to attend to.”
“As I said before…” I cut Lysander off silently with a squeeze to his arm before laying my hand on Bastian’s shoulder.
“Mr. Ironside, even though Lysander is surprised by the change in terms I had already expected this. Let me show you what I have brought with me.” Pulling out a thin envelope I passed it over to Bastian.
“What is this?” Bastian eyed the envelope suspiciously. “This is not big enough to contain the amount we agreed upon. What are you trying to pull?”
I gave a delicate laugh that echoed inside the archive room. “My dear Mr. Ironside, why don’t you open it?”
Narrowing his eyes, he handed the envelope to Lysander.
“You open it,” he grunted.
Keeping the smile fixed on my face, I gave Lysander an approving nod. Carefully, he pulled open the tab and peered into the envelope. A soft hiss escaped his lips.
“Let me have that,” huffed Bastian as he greedily grabbed the envelope from Lysander's grip.
I already knew what Bastian would see when he peered into the envelope. Not only did it hold all the money as previously worked out with Lysander, it also contained a few precious Black jewels that were worth a fortune on the wizarding black market. The jewels alone easily tripled the amount of the cash inside the magically charmed envelope that could hold much more than first perceived.
“Have we got a deal Mr. Ironside?” I asked in an innocent voice.
I could see the excited flush on Bastian’s face and already knew his answer before he managed to almost gasp the one word.
“Deal.”
I smiled slowly.
“Very well, Mr. Ironside. Very well. Shall we fetch my book now?”
I watched carefully as Bastian tucked the envelope into his robes. Again, I tucked my arm in his as he led me towards the lift that would bring me to my book. I could feel the excitement building inside me. I was a mere feet away from the book that contained the spell that could help me find my daughter. Of course, it was unfortunate that Mr. Ironside had to be greedy. As a former Death Eater it certainly rubbed me the wrong way. That he would even dare to think that he could pull something on me, a Veela! Some would say ignorance was bliss, but I had a feeling that before this transaction was complete bliss would be the last thing Bastian would experience.
“Will you be joining us on the lift?” I questioned Lysander as I kept my hand gripped on Bastian’s upper arm. After all, a Veela’s touch certainly had it’s way upon vulnerable men. And in this case, Bastian Ironside fit the bill nicely.
Late
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 01-22-07 20:45
Slowing his mad dash at full speed only when he reaches the door to the Great Hall, Phin slipped in as unobstrusively as possible. While these lessons for learning to apparate aren't like normal lessons - afterall, Phin had to pay a fee to take part - being late still isn't the best thing and it's also rude and disrespectful to boot. Phin can't believe he got so wrapped up in walking to Hogsmeade with Emerald that he forgot about the lesson entirely until Kody's mention of Daria deciding not to skip it.
Phin takes a spot in the back, blushing hotly with embarrassment when Professor Flitwick comes to stand near him, one eyebrow raised. Whispering to his head of house Phin says, "I'm sorry for being late, Professor Flitwick. I forgot until after I'd reached Hogsmeade that there was a lesson scheduled for this morning."
Professor Flitwicks flashes a grin at Phin and winks. "Forgetting everything else is easy to do when in the company of a lovely young woman such as Miss Green."
Thankful that that's all there is to it other than a pointed look from Professor McGonagall, Phin listened closely to Professor Twycross's repetitive mantra and focused on his hoop. No matter how hard he tries though Phin cannot accomplish a thing, not even a miniscule splinching. When the lesson comes to an end Phin's just about convinced he should have just stayed in Hogsmeade.
Daria comes over to him, asking why he'd been late. They exit the Great Hall together and head for Hogsmeade as Phin explains.
Apparition Lesson
Author: Thessily
Date: 01-23-07 10:16
I couldn’t get the hang of apparation. No matter how hard I tried and practiced. But I was down right determined to be able to do it one day. No one in my family could do apparate but my mother. I was not going to be like my father’s family. For all their worth, I hated each and every one of them. They were all mean, ugly and hateful. It was no wonder that mother divorced him. I was the only one who hadn’t ended up in Slytherin. Of course because I hadn’t ended up in Slytherin the family was in an up roar. Saying how, I as far too much like my mother for my own good. And I should be grateful that they took me. The truth was, I was far from grateful they had taken me in. I wished every day that I had been killed along side of my mother. But, I wasn’t. And there was no use crying about it. I was just going to have to be more like mama then like them. I told myself as I shifted in my position on the bench in the grate hall.
“ Practice.” I whispered as I looked around the hall. “ Practice. Destination, Determination and Deliberation” Smiling, I nodded my head and watched myself slowly began to apparate. But then, just as I almost had it, I came back and sighed. Well. There was always next time. I thought sitting up straight and smiling. I was going to do this. I thought if it killed me. I would learn how to apparate just to tick my father’s family off.
That wasn’t the only thing I was going to do either. I was going to put my name down for the Broom Racing Mock Trail. I knew that would really tick the Ware family off but I didn’t care. They didn’t want me to shine, but I was going to Shine. And I wasn’t going to be always living off of them all my life. I thought with another satisfy smile.
Decisions for the Future
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 01-23-07 12:26
Watching Gabby standing in front of a mirror while Wendelin Meek and she discuss the slight alterations to be made to the outfit, Rolf realizes he doesn't know if Gabby has plans to model into her twenties or if she has other plans. Rolf isn't even sure what he's going to do after graduating Hogwarts. He knows what he wants but both his parents want him to have a backup plan.
Rolf wants to go full time on his gaming designs and the components that go with the games. He's fully aware that he might have to get a job to pay bills and live on until he's truly established himself. Rolf does think he could swing things with only a part-time job because he's already got money coming in from the designs he's sold so far.
Rolf's father Olvir wants Rolf to get on with either the British Ministry or the Norwegian one. Rolf's mother Kimbra thinks that Olvir's idea is excellent but also has been pushing Rolf to consider enrolling in one of the colleges at St. Emrys University. Jane's put in her two knuts with the opinion that St. Emrys is the way to go. Hank is couldn't care less one way or the other if he tried. Both of Rolf's stepparents think th ideas of a Ministry job or enrolling at university are both excellent options.
A hand waves in front of Rolf's face. A smiling Gabby says, "Zank you for be-eeng patient. Weedeleen and I are done. Eez there eenywhere een particular you are weeshing to go?"
Rolf takes Gabby's hand in his. "How about we go get something warm to drink?"
"Zoundz good to me," Gabby says agreeably before bidding Wendelin goodbye.
As they walk closely together, Rolf's arm around Gabby to help against the cold he asks, "Are you going to make a career of modeling, Gabby?"
What Career To Have?
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 01-23-07 18:00
Gabby had promised to do a fitting on the fall 2001 line of clothes Wendelin's wanting to have ready for Gabby to do a photo shoot in during the next Hogsmeade weekend. Rolf was kind and patient enough to wait for Gabby during the fittings. Gabby knows that in part it's because Rolf and she are dating if that word could be used for the hanging out Rolf and she do. It's also in part to Jane and Doug being occupied this morning with an apparition lesson. If they'd been in town as well, Rolf would probably have spent the time waiting on Gabby with them.
Thankfully Wendelin doesn't take overly long so Gabby is soon ready to go, asking Rolf what he'd like to do now. He suggest getting something hot to drink, which sounds very appealing to Gabby. As they walk to The Three Broomsticks Rolf asks Gabby a question.
"Are you going to make a career of modeling, Gabby?"
Gabby shakes her head as she answers. "No, eet eez just zumtheeng teemporaree. I eenjoy eet but have turn down manee offers for thoze times I am not at school. Eet eez...," Gabby thinks of the word that best fits, "a diversion. Notheeng more."
"What might you like to do then?"
"Per'aps be a clotheeng designer? Or a nurse? There are so maneee theengs of interest. I am not certain yet wheech path to pursue."
Rolf simply nods at this and they walk in silence, heads bent against the cold wind that's suddenly picked up. Once at the pub and drinks of hot cocoa ordered, Gabby asks Rolf for his thoughts about his own future.
Surprises
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 01-23-07 19:57
Lysander remembered his last trip on the lift and vehemently shook his head. "I'll keep my feet planted firmly on the ground, thank you," he said in response to Drucilla's question. "Besides, that thing is hardly wide enough for the three of us."
"Actually, it holds more than it looks. Magic, you know," Bastian commented.
Lysander didn't care if it could fit twelve elephants AND Bastian, Drucilla and himself. He wasn't stepping foot on it again.
Drucilla chose not to delay any further. "Let's go," she instructed Bastian.
The older man nodded and used his wand to operate the lift. First it went sideways and then traveled upwards, until it reached the location of Drucilla's book. From Lysander's vantage point on the ground he saw Bastian lean over the side of the railing and pull the now-familiar unmarked leather box from the bookcase. Bastian set it on the small shelf on the lift itself and opened the box so that Drucilla could view the book for the first time with her very own eyes.
She gasped and then nodded. "Yes, that is the correct book. Thank you, Bastian."
Lysander thought he detected a hint of something other than honest thanks in her voice but she did nothing to indicate she felt anything other than grateful for finally having the long-awaited book in her possession.
Bastian toggled the lift so that it lowered to the ground and then moved back to where Lysander stood. Drucilla snapped the leather box shut and gripped its handle, pulling it off the shelf like it was a briefcase. She stepped off the lift and handed the box to Lysander.
He accepted it without question, although it seemed odd that she would let it leave her own hands after waiting so long to get them on it in the first place. It had seemed a desperate matter from the very beginning. Why part, even for a second, from what she'd so longed to acquire? The answer came quickly. What she did next surprised Lysander, but he dared say it surprised Bastian even more.
Drucilla turned to face the older wizard, who'd yet to leave the lift, and lifted up the hem of her robes. Baffled, but definitely interested, Bastian quirked one of his old, bushy eyebrows and allowed a grin to creep across his face. In a flash, Drucilla had her wand, her real wand, in her hand.
"Imperius!" she hissed.
A blank expression replaced the goofy one that had been on Bastian's face.
"What are you doing?" Lysander asked, somewhat alarmed, but Drucilla ignored him.
She stepped back onto the lift and reached for Bastian's pocket, where he'd stowed away the envelope she'd given him as well as the two wands he'd taken for security purposes. Drucilla stole them back and then commanded in the silkiest, deadliest voice, "You will ride the lift to the highest level and jump over the railing to your death."
She whirled around. "Let's make a hasty exit, Lysander." She pressed his wand into his hand and took the leather box from him before gliding from the room.
Lysander hurried after her, casting only one look over his shoulder to Bastian, who'd already disappeared into the stacks with the lift.