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Announcement Concerning Hogsmeade (Harriet Snider)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 09-03-07 00:10
Harriet had poked her head in for the Friday night concert. The Kneazles aren't all that bad; not exactly Harriet's cup of tea but then most of this so called rock isn't. She'll stay awhile longer at tonight's concert. She's heard Dynamic Duo and finds them quite good.
Harriet even let Phinfilius Hodfuffer-Flefforfore know he may play with his band tonight. It is such a pity that young man has such an atrocious name and a Non for a cousin. A Non with an equally odd name at that. The stepsister has a decent sounding name but she too is a Non. Come to think of it, Harriet's seen him with another girl who is a Non. Her name is a color.
Harriet shakes her head. The name will come to her and if not, she'll look it up. She shall have to start paying more attention to how many Pure-Non couples there are. Why any of the Pures would want to lower themselves to date a Non is beyond her. Perhaps some of them are doing it simply to, as the teens say, get some; but again, why anyone would want to stoop to that level of desperation just for a little nooky is something Harriet cannot fathom.
Tucking into her breakfast, Harriet reads the paper while she eats. She doesn't normally take breakfast at her desk but Harriet got such early start this morning she thought it best to be cozy here in the office rather than sitting virtually alone in the large expanse of the Great Hall.
When she's done, Harriet finishes the paper then trundles down to the main castle entrance. She needs to be there before the first student ventures forth into Hogsmeade. Shortly after choosing the perfect spot from which to make her announcement Harriet is joined by Filch and his list of who has permission to go into the village.
Harriet has found she doesn't much care for the man. He wholeheartedly supports firm, strict discipline for the students but there is still something dodgy about him. Given time Harriet will figure it out.
Harriet is fairly quivering with the excitement of revealing another of the new rules. It is such a delight to see the disappointment on the faces of those swotty Nons. The day when they are removed permanently from this school will not be here soon enough. Harriet plans on having the entire castle scourgified once she's rid of them all.
A group approaches Filch, ready to give their names as having permissoin to go into Hogsmeade. Harriet clears her voice and with a smile, joyfully informs them, "Nons going into Hogsmeade have a total of one and a half hours from the moment they leave the school until they return. Any Non late in returning shall receive a two week detention."
Refusing to Let Snider Ruin a Good Weekend
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 09-03-07 02:47
Orei was not going to let Harry the Snide ruin her Hogsmeade weekend. She wasn't. Of course, a new rule had been laid down the moment the first group (which Orei was a part of), went to meet Filch at the Castle gates and give their names. Nons only had an hour and a half? That is like no time to enjoy the village, especially the third years who were going for their first time. This woman is completely mental and unreasonable. She heard a couple of nons sixth years try and complain, but they gave up before they got themselves a two week detention anyway.
She headed away from the Castle, she, being a pure and being one of those viewed privileged would have the whole day in the village. Which was good, but decidedly unfair. She'd pop into Briar's bakery, pick up a dozen blueberry muffins, and head to Aussie and Yuri's. Letting herself in, she would head to the kitchen, she didn't even have to warm the muffins this morning, as she'd snagged some from the first batch and they were still warm.
She'd set up breakfast for four, knowing that Aussie and Yuri hadn't left yet for whatever Quidditch related thing they had to do this weekend, and they would be eating breakfast with she and Brett this morning. Brett apparated in just as Orei set the last place and she went over and gave him a hug and a kiss. "Morning hon."
"Morning. Stopped at Briar's did you?" He said with a grin indicating the muffins that were piled high on a plate in the center of the table.
"Yeah, first batch of the day. Besides, it will make sure that Aussie and Yuri get something to eat before the head out for the weekend." Knowing that they would be, because the pair were always busy.
"What's this about making sure we eat?" Aussie said with a laugh coming into the kitchen, Yuri not far behind. Aussie greeted her brother and Orei and then caught sight of the muffins on the table and mock glared at Orei. "Are you saying that we usually don't have time to eat before we leave on long weekends?"
"I'm not saying it Aussie, I know it's the truth." She grinned at Aussie and Yuri, before settling herself down at the table. "Shall we then, breakfast courtesy of Briar's bakery."
The four ate and talked, Orei sharing some of the new rules at Hogwarts, those that had recently come down, like the rules for Quidditch (it'd been a couple of weeks, but still), also sharing that she was Seeker for the house team this season. Then she told them about the rules for the Hogsmeade trip. "Nons only have an hour and a half from the time they set foot off of school grounds. If they are not back in that time limit, they get a two week detention. That's the newest proclamation from Hairy the Snide. Gave that one out as the first group of us went to give Filch our names."
Finishing off a second muffin, she'd not been eating much, save for picking a few things up from the Pures Common Commons, and grabbing things occasionally from the Great Hall. She was really only in there for an actual lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays. Other than that she picked here and there, or had a house elf bring her a plate to the Gryffindor Commons after Quidditch Practice.
Shortly after breakfast Aussie and Yuri left Brett and Orei alone to finish getting ready to leave. "So, what do you want to do today?" Brett asked as they took care of cleaning up from breakfast.
"I need to get something to send to Mom and Dad, they are coming back from Japan tomorrow. Though, rumor has it that Dad will be spending more time over there, however, we won't be moving, which is good. Because, I wasn't going to be moving halfway across the world. Not this close to finishing here at Hogwarts. I've a year left, besides, I also have the world's greatest boyfriend." She grinned at Brett and kissed his cheek.
He laughed. "Well, glad you aren't moving to Japan." He wrapped his arms around her and led her out of the kitchen once the breakfast dishes were clean and put away. "So, what's going on with these concerts. I mean is she really going all out?"
"Yeah, she really is. Dynamic Duo is performing tonight, and there is a whole host of bands playing including Order of Merlin, Hex, The Wicked Wizards of the West & Cassandra's Orb. Something tells me, at least with Dynamic Duo, there wasn't much of a choice given in their coming to play. I think Charlie Weasley's band is playing too, but I can't for the life of me remember the name."
The pair settled on the sofa, they'd at least see Aussie and Yuri off before turning to the rest of their day.
Step One
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 09-03-07 12:52
Yellowing snaggle teeth, lantern jaw, sunken rheumy eyes of a nondescript gray, weathered skin like the peel of a dried apple, and shoulder length stringy, greasy, dingy brown that would do Severus Snape proud. Lucius thinks this is one of his finer disguises as he runs a gnarled finger along a crooked, hooked nose. Reaching for the pint of ale so hearty that Lucius is certain a spoon would stand up in it, he lets his eyes do a slow crawl around The Hanged Man. Since The Rotting Flesh opened, Lucius has preferred that establishment. That's probably why he chose this place today for initial contact with the Minister of Magic. If things go wrong, Lucius doesn't want to spoil one of his favorite haunts for when he's in disguise.
Lucius had let Euphemia where to come and when and told her she was to wear a floor length, red hooded cloak with a Welsh Green dragon as a crest on the left shoulder. Lucius wasn't overly concerned with whether such an article of clothing constituted part of the Minister's wardrobe. She's a Witch. If she didn't have anything along the lines of what he'd told her, she could conjure one up. She doesn't have to be good at sewing or design to create something that is passable for meeting Lucius.
From the table he's sharing with three men he's never seen in his life but who were more than happy to share the table when Lucius offered to keep the drinnks flowing, Lucius watches as a hooded, red cloaked figure steps inside. The person takes four steps in then turns towards a table with a reserved sign on it. The Hanged Man doesn't do reserved tables normally but for the right price having a small table set aside and kept clear of patrons was no problem.
The cloaked figure approaches, turning enough so that Lucius can clearly see the dragon crest on the left shoulder right where he'd told her to have it. She sits, keeping the hood up, close to her face. In other establishments, that might seem odd. In places like The Hanged Man and The Rotting Flesh such actions are so common no one notices anymore. Euphemia picks up the envelope, also with a Welsh Green dragon on it and slits it open to read.
As she's reading her next set of instructions, a drink is delivered to the table. Euphemia accepts it and gives it a sniff but doesn't pick it up yet to drink. She scans the letter and after reading it fully, puts it down and reluctently picks up the beverage and drinks it down. Euphemia waits the five minutes after drinking as the letter instructs her to do then takes a key that was in the letter and goes to the stairs to the room number that's on the key.
Five minutes later, when Lucius is certain that no one's followed Euphemia in nor was there already keeping tabs on her, Lucius rises as well. He pretends to stagger up the stairs but once out of sight of the pub patrons, Lucius walks in a perfectly straight line to the room where Euphemia had been sent. She was to have left it unlocked and turning the knob, Lucius finds that she did just that.
Euphemia is sitting on the bed, body starting to slouch and lean from extreme grogginess. "What was in the drink?" she slurs, looking at who's entered but eyes not able to focus very well.
"A sedative. Short acting but it will serve our purpose."
"Lucius?"
"Balthazar."
"Bal... Balza... okay." Euphemia gives up trying to wrap a tongue that feels thick from the drug around the name Lucius has given her.
Lucius doesn't trust that she's not faking. He also doesn't trust that she's not got people waiting to come to wherever she is once she's said a certain word. Over the next few steps of the plan before meeting up with Bellatrix at a brand new, temporary, and thankfully pig free, BOO, Lucius hopes that the various spells and potions he'll use will ensure that the last step, the meeting with Bellatrix and Rodolphus is safe. Bellatrix will kill him, or at the very least make him wish he were dead, if Lucius has led her into some sort of trap to get her killed or, worse, back in Azkaban.
Grabbing the listing form of Euphemia, Lucius disapparates with the Minister in tow.
In Hogsmeade with Alanna
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 09-03-07 13:17
Ariella and Alanna went to Hogsmeade together, discussing Snider's latest proclamation in low tones. How unfair it was to deny the nons a full day in the village, but they weren't all that surprised it had come down to that in the end. In a way, they thought Snider was being rather generous in letting the nons go at all.
The girls went straight to Briar's Bakery to eat breakfast, since they hadn't gotten anything to eat in the castle. They'd already decided they would check out the two newest establishments sometime during the day. Perhaps they'd go to Bonus Fortuna to get their fortunes told after breakfast. They'd probably go to Burger Wizard for lunch.
It was rather cool outside, so they didn't sit under the umbrellas in front of the bakery and instead found a small table inside the building. Briar's Bakery was already getting pretty crowded, as most everyone who'd come to the village from the castle had had the same idea the Beck girls had.
Ariella ordered some hot chocolate to go with her pastry and sighed quietly to herself. She'd hoped that maybe she could spend some time with Lawrence this weekend, even though they would still have to be an arm's length apart from each other. Unfortunately, he'd sent her a message letting her know that he'd probably be in London all weekend long. He didn't elaborate on why, though she knew he'd probably tell her once he got back to Hogwarts.
They hadn't really gotten the chance to reconcile ever since Ariella's disappointment in Lawrence's choice for detention, but their relationship had definitely managed to mend itself––even from a distance. Ariella knew Lawrence was deeply sorry for what he'd done and that he'd never dream of doing something like it again.
"You're supposed to look happy today," Alanna remarked, over the din in the bakery. "We don't have to worry about classes or exams. It's a free day."
"I know, and I'm not sad. I just wish... well, I just wish things were different."
Alanna nodded and changed the subject. "Are you going to see Dynamic Duo tonight?"
"As much as I'd love to boycott the show, I do want to see Anthony, so yes, I'm going. You?" Ariella asked.
"Yeah."
Once they finished their breakfasts, they left Briar's Bakery and headed down the street towards Bonus Fortuna to get their fortunes told.
Time Limit
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 09-03-07 13:39
Fritz and Coco aren't the least bit surprised that Harriet Snider has once again ruined things for those not fortunate enough to be pureblood wizards, but they suppose things could be worse. Hairy might not have given them permission to go to Hogsmeade at all.
An hour and a half isn't much time for a visit to Hogsmeade, but Fritz and Coco know they will make the most of it. They'll have to leave early enough so that they don't get in trouble for showing up a second after their deadline, though. Neither one is really rebellious enough to blatantly seek out punishment for showing up late. They've also heard what sorts of detentions have been doled out to students recently, and they weren't very keen on suffering the same torture.
They walk briskly to the end of High Street, where they go to MacFusty's Pets. Coco wants to get some things for Pea and Hazel, and Fritz needs some food for Domino. Both feel very discouraged from leisurely strolling through the shop since they are on a time crunch. It's a real shame they can't really enjoy themselves as much as they'd like.
While standing in line, which isn't very long, Fritz realizes something. "You don't think Hairy will deprive us of our pets?"
Coco frowns and nestles Pea closer to her body. "She better not."
Fritz can well imagine Snider deciding to do just that––tell the nons they can't have pets while allowing the pures to continue to keep theirs. He hopes she hasn't gotten the idea and that he didn't just jinx things by wondering about it aloud.
After their visit to MacFusty's Pets, they run into Gladrags. Fritz would love to peek in at the new divination shop but he knows they don't really have time to sit down and have their fortunes read. Besides, there's a queu already forming out the door because a lot of people seem interested in knowing what their future holds. He can't help but wonder if things will continue to get worse for him, Coco and other nons or if somehow, things will improve.
Workshop
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-03-07 14:05
Viktor had brooms, rings, and other obstacles for the aerial obstacle courses on the pitch sidelines early this morning. Also on the sidelines were boxes with sets of balls for Quidditch later. As students trickled down for the workshop, Viktor went on and got them flying through the most basic of the ring courses he'd used when first getting students interesting in putting their names in for the SAT broom events. As always, a few of his friends from the Bulgarian national team have come to help. There are also a couple of Humbatas, a Chudley Cannon, and former Hogwartian Oliver Wood who plays for Puddlemere.
As assistents arrive, Viktor puts them to work, breaking the students up into small groups. As more students arrive, he assigns them to one of the groups, doing his best to keep the numbers relatively even. When one girl shows up with only a light jacket Viktor's about to ask her name when Theodosia interrupts.
"Catriona, you may want to go get a heavier jacket. What you have on is fine for down on the pitch but in the air you'll freeze."
Viktor waits until the girl has nodded and is skipping back up to the castle before turning to Theodosia. "I can handle the vorkshop attendees, thank you."
"So you weren't going to tell Catriona she needed something warmer?"
"That's not the point."
"There you go getting all prickly again for no good reason, Viktor."
"Perhaps it vas your rudeness that made me that way."
"Pardon?"
"Rudeness. Discourteousness. Ill mannered."
"I know what rudeness is. How was I rude?"
"You interrupt. You are alvays interrupting."
"I'm not allowed to speak to my own students?"
"I did not say that."
"I suppose you don't want my help today."
"You suppose correctly but as you are in charge of the pitch and all things flying and Quidditch related, if you vish to help, I really cannot stop you."
"I do wish to help. I'll take the next five and form a group."
"No matter vat five?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think you know."
Theodosia sighs with extreme exasperatin. "Yes, Viktor, any five."
"Very vell."
Viktor says nothing else to Theodosia as she collects the next five students arriving at the pitch, knowing full well he is being every bit as rude as he says she is.
Another Setback
Author: Nymphadora Tonks
Date: 09-03-07 14:06
Tonks had moved into Lupin's home in Blackpool months ago. She hadn't changed a thing about it because she liked it exactly like it was. Remus had lived a bachelor's lifestyle for ages, but his taste in furniture and interior design didn't require a woman's touch. Besides, Tonks wasn't much into that. The flat she'd let for years had just been a place where she'd gone to sleep every night. She hadn't cleaned it very often and had hardly learned to cook. Now she had Remus to do all that for her and the funny part was that he didn't even mind.
She was lounging on the sofa listening to a Quidditch match on the wireless when she noticed Lupin had a peculiar expression on his face. He held a letter in his hand. Tonks had heard the owl pecking at the window earlier.
"What's the matter?" she asked, sitting up and shutting off the wireless.
Remus frowned, and deep lines etched across his forehead. "I've been sacked."
"What?!" Tonks asked, surprised and outraged. "Why?!"
He looked grim, making a thin white line with his lips. Remus looked up from the letter at Tonks. "The Board of Regents doesn't want a werewolf teaching at St. Emrys."
Tonks narrowed her eyes. "You mean Minister Smythe-Jones doesn't want a half-breed teaching at St. Emrys. So she's finally extended her reach to the university. That's bullocks!"
"Tonks," Remus sighed, taking the few steps necessary to reach the couch and sit down beside her. "Deep down, I always feared this would happen, even without our current Minister at the helm. Nobody wanted a werewolf teaching children at Hogwarts. Why should it be any different at St. Emrys? I am a liability. I don't look at this as me being a half-breed, even though in this case that is exactly why I've been sacked."
"But you love teaching!" Tonks exclaimed. "Why give up? Fight for what you want?"
Remus was calm and spoke softly. "You know I could never win. Perhaps it's time for me to take an early retirement."
"Remus..."
Tonks dropped the letter into his lap and took her face with both of his hands. "I'm fine. I'm just sorry I can't provide for you. Are you sure you want to put up with me?"
"Of course! I can take care of us," Tonks replied adamantly. "That is, until I get sacked for being a half-blood."
Remus actually smiled. "You'd put up a fight."
"I definitely wouldn't go easily."
Remus put leaned back and put his arm around Tonks, drawing her towards him. "We could both just leave Britain. We could move to Greece or to Italy. Maybe Alaska or northern Russia where there's more sunlight than moonlight. We could just leave this injustice behind and start a new life somewhere else. What do you think?"
Tonks wasn't completely adverse to the idea but didn't want to make a decision immediately. She didn't want to give up on her life here, even with the troubles she'd encountered recently, but then again, maybe starting over new was just what she and Remus needed.