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Paris, France
Author: Janine Fox
Date: 03-07-07 19:59
Janine sighed contently as she took Harry’s arm. The temperature outside was still a bit brisk, but clearly Spring had arrived in Paris, France.
“You’re sure you want to spend the whole vacation in France?” Harry asked in a voice that Janine could almost swear bordered upon a whine. “We can floo to anywhere in the world.”
“But that’s not playing by the rules,” teased Janine. “We’re muggling it after all.”
“Right, and why did we chose that again?” Harry murmured underneath his breath but Janine could still hear him.
Laughing, Janine gave his arm a quick squeeze. “Be glad. We are Pinky free this week! I’m sure there’s ways of taking advantage of this very rare occurrence.”
Janine felt Harry’s arm snake around her waist as he gave a throaty chuckle. “I can think of a few ways.”
“And besides, I didn’t get a chance to fully appreciate France the last time we were here. The only thing that stood out was how friendly the people are.” Janine looked up and was surprised to catch a scowl cross Harry’s face. “You don’t think they’re friendly?”
“Oh, they’re friendly alright.” A cat whistle echoed across the street. “A bit too friendly,” grumbled Harry.
Waking to reality
Author: Thessily
Date: 03-08-07 07:59
I moaned and slowly woke up. My body ached and it felt as if a thousand nails where pounded into my head. I couldn’t move. There where ropes bound around me. And then, I remembered. I had been kidnapped while out on a ride with Buttercup.
Fear gripped my heart as I once again tried to sit up. But, found I couldn’t. I whimpered and scooted towards the wall. Oh. My head hurt so bad. I wasn’t sure if it was from fear or pain. Or perhaps both. What was I doing here? Why had someone wanted to hurt me? Or kidnap me? I never did anything to anyone. I always tried to stay out of people’s way.
I looked around the room for the man who had kidnapped me. But I couldn’t see him. Okay. If he wasn’t near by, then I could try and escape. I thought as I began to wiggle my hands trying to get the ropes off my burning wrist.
“Aunt Eleanor…” I whimpered closing my eyes. “ Please.. Okay. Let’s get rational here.” I thought staring around making sure that the scary man that kidnapped me wasn’t near by.
“ Think, think.. Spell.” But for the life of me I couldn’t think. And that was when I started to panic. Good god. I was a Gryffindor and I couldn’t even get myself out of this mess? I asked myself. “ Okay. So what was that they said when you where scared and couldn’t get out of a mess? Oh yes.” I started to scream at the top of my lungs. Praying that some one would hear me screaming for help.
With Orei
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 03-08-07 09:39
Brett had been hoping Orei would come into Hogsmeade today. He'd Floo'd from the London flat to the Hogsmeade house in anticipation of seeing her. Kiril and Vanya nearly knock Brett over as he steps from the Floo, calling out his sister's name and his brother-in-law's. Getting no reply other than the two dogs barking more in happiness at seeing him, Brett walks from the living room to the kitchen.
On the counter is a piece of parchment propped up. Recognizing Aussie's handwriting Brett reads that Yuri is at the Humbatas stadium and that Aussie had some errands. She'll be back later and perhaps will get to see Orei as well. Brett grabs a banana to eat while trying to decide whether to wait at Aussie's or to walk the short distance into the heart of Hogsmeade and look for Orei. She'd been on the vague side about when - or even if - she'd take advantage of the Hogsmeade trip.
Brett's saved from making that decision when a knock at the front door is followed by Orei sticking her head in and calling out, "Brett? Aussie? Anyone here?"
Vanya and Kiril start jumping around and barking again, happy to see another friend. Brett ends up having to give them verbal commands to calm down just so he can get over to Orei for a hello kiss and hug. They move to sit on the couch, the dogs plopping down right on top of their feet, and Orei fills Brett in on all she needs to do today.
Before going to High Street to get Orei's errands done, Orei and Brett take the dogs for a walk along the residential lanes of Hogsmeade and over to the Humbatas stadium. Returning the dogs to flop happily down in the yard to snooze in the sun, Orei and Brett retreive the package she wants to owl and go to High Street.
Along the way Orei casually asks, "See anymore of Cecily Wright?"
Brett had written Orei about Cecily, not because he thinks he needs to make Orei jealous so she won't look at anyone else, but because he wouldn't want Orei to be out on a day like today and have Cecily "accidently" run into Orei. Brett hates to think of what Cecily might imply to Orei about how well she's acquainted with Brett. He can also very well picture Cecily owling a note, signed or anonymous, to let Orei know that Brett's interests now lie elsewhere.
Brett shakes his head at Orei's question. "I've not even seen her from a distance in passing, thank Merlin. When we do see each other again, and we will because we'll have some classes together next term, if she starts bothering me again I'm going to have to be point blank. If she persists in trying to convince me to break up with you to date her, she can consider herself persona non grata around me."
"Is she smart?"
"She seems to be... most of the time."
"Is she pretty?"
Brett shrugs. "I guess. I mean she's nice enough looking I suppose but I've never looked at her in any sort of assessing way."
"Good," Orei states, good naturedly poking Brett in the ribs.
"Watch it or I'll be forced to tickle you until you beg for mercy," Brett jokes. They've now reached High Street so he then asks, "Owl Post Office first?"
"Yes, and then you can help me pick out a gift for my mother. Any suggestions on where to start?"
"Aussie really likes Botanicals & Beyond. Oh, does your mother like AJ Hundle books?"
"Oh, that's right, Professor Hodfuffer's doing a book signing today. At Twice Told Tales."
The package owled off, Brett is content to walk from shop to shop, holding Orei's hand, and listening to her talk. All too soon it's time for lunch, which means it's that much closer to the time Orei has to be back at Hogwarts.
The Eiffel Tower And More
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 03-08-07 13:05
Harry, already walking closely with Janine, gets closer still. That does nothing to stop the looks and whistles Janine gets. Frenchmen, if nothing else, are as bold as construction workers when it comes to appreciating women walking past. Or so it seems to Harry.
They arrive at the Champ de Mars, craning their heads back to look up at the Eiffel Tower. Yesterday, when Paris has been cloudy and rainy, Janine and Harry had spent the entire day roaming through the Louvre. Tomorrow are visits to the famous catacombs and touring Notre Dame Cathedral. Today, with its wonderful spring sun and the only clouds in sight are fluffy white ones, the couple are doing things out of doors.
They've already visited the Arc de Triomphe and strolled along the Champs-Élysées, both snapping a number of pictures. Now it's going up the Eiffel Tower, where they'll do what many tourists do - visit each level and take pictures of the same spots from the differing heights. Harry pays their fees and rather than wait in line for an elevator to the first level, Janine and Harry, full of energy, bound up the stairs.
With no rush to hurry up and say they've been to the Eiffel Tower, Janine and Harry take their time on the first level, reading the historical panels, stopping and looking at the panoramic indicators as they take pictures, seeing the observatory of tower top movement, looking with great interest at the Cineiffel and even going into the Paris-Tour Eiffel post office to get the special Paris Tour Eiffel postmark.
When they're ready to head up to the second level, they start for the stairs but in timing they couldn't have made more perfect an elevator going up had room for them. Janine and Harry take more pictures, look at the animated window scenes, buy chocolates from the specialty shop, look in the souvenir shops to see what merchandise in there three second level ones might be different from the ones on the ground and first levels. After they've got a good idea of what's to be had from the various souvenir shops and after they have been up to the very top, Janine and Harry will make a few purchases.
While still on the second level, the couple decide to eat. They debate between the snack bar and Le Jules Verne Restaurant. Deciding on the restaurant, Janine and Harry locate the south pillar to board the private elevator to the restaurant. Janine is thrilled that in anticipation of possibly eating there, Harry had made them reservations. What's more they're seated right next to some of the windows with their wonderful views.
Over lunch they talk about what they've already seen and what else they're doing while in Paris. After returning to the rest of the second level Janine and Harry stroll around a little more than catch the elevator to the very top. There, on the outside portion, they get someone to snap some pictures of the two of them together, one of the vistas of Paris spreading out behind them.
When at last the pair are ready to leave, they buy souvenirs and debate on where to go next. They have plenty of time before catching a boat from the Pont de l'Alma for a late afternoon into evening Bateaux Mouches tour along the Seine. They might return to the Eiffel Tower after that to see it lit up and to go up and see Paris from up high at night. They decide to take everything they've bought today to the hotel and then, even though it's not an outdoor thing to do really, Janine and Harry head to the La Sainte-Chapelle, a gothic chapel built in the mid 1200s. They're told it's a beautiful place to see and a good way to fill that time until needing to be at the Pont de l'Alma for the boat tour.
Appreciating Aunt Blythe
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 03-08-07 15:15
Olive and Emerald had gone home for the spring break-Easter vacation, or as Emerald's learning to call vacations and breaks around here, holiday. With so many specials and sales going on in Hogsmeade today, Tuesday, April 10th, and with there being a chance to hear Dynamic Duo with Phin taking part play today, it hadn't been difficult for the twins, Olive, and Emerald to convince Aunt Blythe and Uncle Woody to spend the day in the village. Olive had immediately peeled away to be with the 1st and 2nd year Slytherin group she'd have been part of if she'd stayed at Hogwarts for the break. Uncle Woody took the twins to check out some of the things to do at the new place called Blossom's.
Emerald was to meet Phin just before the band's first set at his mother's restaurant. Emerald ended up spending the morning with Aunt Blythe. For the first time since Christmas, the two had a heart to heart conversation that led Aunt Blythe to say, "Emerald, if you're still having so much depression, which I know isn't helped by having the stress of trying to catch up with your classmates and be ready for the OWLs, then perhaps its time to talk again with a counselor and even consider taking an anti-depressent."
Aunt Blythe let Emerald think about that while they looked through a rack of sales robes at Gladrags. She found other things to talk about, giving Emerald the time needed. Just before leaving Aunt Blythe to go meet up with Phin, Emerald had said, "All right. It can't hurt to at least try that."
Sitting now in the garden at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron, enjoying the last set Dynamic Duo's playing, Emerald looks over to where her aunt and uncle sit having lunch with the twins. If her parents can't be around, Emerald is glad that the sister her father never told them he had wanted the four Green children enough to take them in and be so good to them. Much as Emerald hates the thought of taking an anti-depressent, she knows Aunt Blythe is right to suggest it and that it's just another of the many ways to show how much Blythe cares for Emerald's well being.
When Phin's free to walk around Hogsmeade with her, Emerald's going to ask if he minds very much helping her find something for Aunt Blythe - and Uncle Woody too - to show her appreciation.
With Brett
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 03-08-07 16:41
Gift for her mother procured, a signed copy of Professor Hudfuffer's newest book tucked securely under her arm and Brett's hand in the other, the duo headed back to Aussie's for a quiet lunch and peace and quiet in which to spend the last of Orei's time in Hogsmeade for the day.
"Two more years..." Orei murmured, curled against Brett on the sofa in the living room where the two had settled after eating a simple lunch of sandwiches and pumpkin juice. "Why does it seem like forever?" She questioned softly, looking up at him.
She'd been smitten with him for some time now, and despite the age difference, they really were rather good for each other...or so she thought. "Always does when there are obstacles in the way." Brett said, arm curling lightly over Orei's shoulders. "Ready for O.W.L's?" He asked, knowing how stressful they had been when he had to take them his fifth year.
"As ready as I can be right now. It's only April, spring term starts in a week and besides O.W.L's won't be until June. I've some time to study, and not stress out..." She said, reclining against him further. She looked at the clock, sighing. She only had about two hours left before she had to head back to Hogwarts and thus leave Brett for now.
"Well, I will gladly offer any help that I can to make sure that you are ready for them." Brett said. "We should probably start heading toward Hogwarts..." Looking down at Orei, knowing that neither of them really wanted their time together to end...because they only got to spend physical time together every time she came to Hogsmeade, all else was through owl'd letters.
"Alright, I want to stop at Honeyduke's anyway and get some sweets to last the rest of the week before the new term starts." Orei said, obviously not thrilled about having to go back just yet. "Tell Aussie and Yuri I said hello and sorry I missed them both."
Soon enough the duo was headed back toward the castle, brief stop at Honeyduke's to obtain a few bags of sweets and such to tide Orei over until the start of the new term. They stopped near the gates of the school, Orei leaning into Brett and kissing him lightly, truthfully not wanting to have to head back into the castle. "Will owl you with the date of the next trip alright?" She pressed another kiss to his cheek and hugged him, before reluctantly turning and heading onto the Castle grounds. She'd turn once and wave to him, before she vanished into the Castle.
Fun
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-08-07 17:53
Minerva had just spent the last hour and a half at Blossom's, where her small group of Gryffindor girls had played rounds of both laser tag and paintball. The wish to take part in the activities had surprised Minerva, as she believed young ladies wouldn't be interested in such entertainment. However, in seeing the jubilant faces of other students exiting the building, sometimes bearing the marks of assault by paint, drew the girls to the new Hogsmeade store, with Minerva reluctantly agreeing to allow them to have their fun. Honestly, she didn't see the appeal.
She practically had to pry the paintball wands from the hands of the girls to get them to leave Blossom's. Minerva wanted them all to go to the library, where an event just for teens (and tweens) would shortly be underway. The girls were a bit hesitant about entering a library on what was supposed to be a fun day, but once they got inside and were seated at tables specially conjured for the event, they realized that the library could be a place of fun too.
The children's librarian, Dulcia Zavala, doubled as the teen librarian and hosted the program presented to those gathered in the library.
"Welcome to the chess challenge!" Dulcia exclaimed. A dozen or so chess boards and pieces appeared on the table in front of every pair of young adults. "You will play the person seated opposite you. The winners from each pair will play each other until one person remains. That person will win his or her own wizarding chess set. Any questions? No? Then begin!"
Professor McGonagall moved into the stacks while the challenge took place, perusing some of the titles but occasionally stepping out from the shelves to keep an eye on her charges. The girls seemed to be having fun, even in a library!
Being Questioned
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 03-08-07 18:16
The alarm and uneasiness Lysander had felt after murdering the Stolojans and Augustine Ravenscroft receded more and more everyday. It seemed very unlikely that news of the absence of Ravenscroft or the discovery of his body in Japan would make the Daily Prophet, as the old wizard, though native to the United Kingdom, had lived in Tuscany for years. The Stolojan case had made the papers, of course, but so far no one had come to Lysander's door... and with any luck, no one ever would.
With it being a Hogsmeade trip, Lysander found himself far too occupied with the goings-on at Twice Told Tales and the appearance of AJ Hundle for his scheduled book signing to really worry about whether or not law enforcement was on to him. He manned the checkout counter and occasionally helped customers located a particular book. AJ Hundle had a large fanbase, particularly female, who'd flocked to the used bookstore to catch a glimpse, get an autograph, and perhaps even a photo of the mystery writer.
The bell over the door jingled, as it did regularly the last few hours. A pair of men found Julian first and murmured something to him. He looked to Lysander, who happened to head towards the counter with a book a customer wanted. Lysander, meeting Julian's gaze, slowed to a stop and said to the customer, "Here's the book you wanted, same edition and all."
"Thank you very much," the woman gushed.
Julian said, "I'll help you," to the woman and to Lysander said, "These two men would like to speak with you for a moment. They're from the Ministry of Magic."
Lysander tried not to convey any of the panic that had suddenly crept into his body. He smiled pleasantly at the men and said, "Why don't we go into my office?"
The journey from the checkout desk to the office seemed forever long, and Lysander walked as if his shoes were made out of lead. When he got there, he allowed the men to enter first and then closed the door behind him. He moved around the back of the desk and gestured with his hand to the two chairs in front of it.
"Please, sit."
"We won't take up much of your time, Mr. Stratford," one of the men said. Neither sat. "Do you know Vladimir Stolojan?"
Lysander debated whether to lie or tell the truth. In the end, honesty won. "I met him once or twice."
The man who'd spoken nodded and pulled a ledger from the inside of his coat pocket. He flipped it open to a marked page and said, "According to this, you conducted business with Stolojan a few times." He looked up at Lysander. "You purchased some knives from him."
Lysander felt a lump in his throat and hoped his voice didn't sound stiff. "I did, yes. I read about what happened to him in the Daily Prophet. Is that what this is about?"
"We're just trying to touch bases with everyone who's been in contact with Stolojan over the last year or so," replied the same man.
Then the other man spoke. "Did you have any contact with his daughter?"
Again, Lysander debated whether to lie or tell the truth. "We went out on a few dates shortly after we first met," he finally said.
"How did your relationship end?" the same man asked.
"We didn't have a relationship," Lysander said truthfully. "It was just fun."
The man jotted down some notes into a tablet and then looked to his colleague. "I think that will do."
The other man nodded and held out his hand. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Stratford."
He moved to the door first and opened it, stepping into the busy part of the store with his colleague just steps behind him. Lysander took a moment to let his nerves calm and then exited the office. Julian caught his eye from the counter. When Lysander didn't look too panicked, Julian resumed attending his current customer without casting too much worry over his friend. Lysander couldn't decide whether or not he'd just passed the test. The men hadn't seemed to suspicious... and what reason did they have to be? So Lysander's name was in some black book. It didn't make him a murderer.
He knew he'd just have to wait and see what would happen next. Only then would he know whether or not he'd gotten away with murder again or whether he'd purchased himself a one-way ticket to Azkaban.
Ronan's Discovery
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 03-08-07 18:42
When Ronan had stepped off the Hogwarts Express on Saturday evening, he hadn't been surprised to find himself completely alone. Caden hadn't been expecting him and in fact believed Ronan to have stayed at Hogwarts like he'd suggested. Ronan had navigated through Kings Cross Station on his own and eventually stepped out into the chilly London air wondering how to get home. It had eventually dawned on him to flag down the Knight Bus.
He'd arrived home to an empty house. After lighting all the lamps, Ronan had discovered his home to be in complete disarray. Clothing, papers and other items had littered the floor. There'd been broken glass on the linoleum in the kitchen. Dirty dishes had towered in the sink. It had looked as if a slob occupied the home, a slob who only came into the house to deposit dirty clothes on the floor in exchange for clean ones to wear and then left again to go who-knows-where. Ronan had been completely shocked, because although Caden wasn't a clean freak by any means, he'd never let the household chores go to such an extent, ever.
Ronan had spent the entire night cleaning up Caden's mess and wondering when Caden would get home. At first, Ronan had figured Caden might be spending the night at Urania's, but when Caden had stumbled home the next morning just before dawn covered in blood and competely drunk, Ronan had quickly realized that Caden was in some sort of trouble.
The first words out of Caden's mouth had been "What the hell are you doing here?", and then he'd passed out cold on the newly cleaned floor in the living room. He'd woken hours later with a groan. Ronan had moved him to the couch where he'd been able to sleep off his hangover more comfortably.
"I thought I told you to stay at Hogwarts?" Caden had said with a groan, after noticing Ronan for a second time.
"Did you ask me to stay because you didn't want me to see what had become of this house? Because you didn't want me to see you covered in blood and drunk off your arse?"
"Yes," Caden had said. "I didn't want you to see any of this."
"Is that even your blood, Caden?" Ronan had asked.
"It's better if you don't know."
"I think you better tell me," Ronan had demanded. "You owe me an explanation."
"I don't owe you anything," Caden had barked, rising precariously from the sofa. "If anything, you owe me. I've cared for you the past four, almost five years. Without me, you'd have wound up in some orphanage."
"Maybe I'd be better off in one," Ronan had countered, raising his voice loud enough that he'd felt satisfaction at seeing Caden wince from the noise. "You're obviously not fit to be my guardian if you can't look after yourself and especially if you've taken to committing murders."
"You better watch your tone, boy."
"Or what? You'll beat me bloody?"
Caden had clamped his mouth shut. He hadn't wanted to get into an argument with his only family... his only family besides Enid, that was. With a sigh, he'd sank back onto the couch and said, "You're right. It's not my blood, but I didn't kill anyone. I... I got into a bar fight. I broke two noses. I was a complete fool last night."
Ronan had seemed to accept Caden's explanation. He'd sat down on the coffee table in front of Caden and said, "Why did you get into a bar fight?"
"I lost my job and Urania broke up with me. I guess I've been a little down lately. That's why I didn't want you to come home. I didn't want you to see me like this and get worried."
Caden had studied his younger brother for a long time, hoping that Ronan would accept everything he'd said. Although some of it had been true, Caden hadn't been completely honest with Ronan and never would be. Ronan didn't need to know about Caden's new life. Ronan needed to continue to live in blissful ignorance.