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Put Up Your Dukes
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-24-08 17:20
Hermione had spent a small part of the morning visiting with Majandra at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Poor Majandra was an emotional wreck now that the Ministry of Magic no longer considered her marriage to George valid. It certainly didn't help matters that she had extra hormones to spare on account of her pregnancy. Hermione could easily picture herself in her friend's shoes. She and Ron would never be able to legally marry now, and any children they had together would be considered illegitimate.
While in London, Hermione decided to run some errands of her own. She had an agenda for the trip, which began with a visit to Gringotts. As she made her way down the alley with determination in her step, she suddenly found her path blocked by a witch she hoped never to cross paths with again.
"Well, well. Here's something I wasn't expecting," gloated Bellatrix Lestrange. "And none of your friends around either. Perhaps it's about time we had a nice chat, don't you think?"
Fear instinctively gripped Hermione's heart. The last time she'd seen the former Death Eater had been nearly two years ago, in the lair beneath the Hogsmeade Cemetery where both Harry and Voldemort had died. Hermione couldn't stop herself from allowing her surprise to show.
Bellatrix flashed her teeth triumphantly. Even in such a public place where she probably wouldn't––or would she?––try something, she still managed to intimidate her enemies.
Feeling foolish, Hermione squared her shoulders in attempt to make herself seem more like the other witch's equal. Surely if Bellatrix tried to kill her right then and there, she would find herself with a oneway ticket back to Azkaban. Then again, maybe not. Hermione didn't quite understand the Ministry of Magic's logic behind setting known criminals free.
"I don't think we have anything to discuss," Hermione replied, coolly. "After all, why would you sully your reputation by speaking with someone of lesser birth?"
"My, my," Bellatrix drawled delightedly. "How cynical you've become. Are you disappointed that you can only be that blood traitor's whore and never his wife?"
Hermione's face flushed angrily. "How dare you––"
Bellatrix cut Hermione off with a shrill laugh. "Really, Granger, you need to grow thicker skin. I know a curse for that..."
"You really shouldn't be here," Hermione stated fiercely. "You should be in Azkaban!"
"Everyone who matters disagrees with you. Your opinion is worthless, just as you are." Her smile turned Hermione's blood cold. "Few will care if I rid you from the world, I think. Perhaps I'll not wait and kill you right now."
Officially in Denial
Author: Janine Fox
Date: 01-24-08 17:53
“Janine? Janine, are you out there?”
Janine sat in the living room sofa, deep in concentration as she read the newspaper. Perched on the edge of her nose was a pair of glasses.
“Janine? Janine I don’t suppose you’ve seen my glasses have you?”
Pushing the glasses up, she gave a long sigh before answering, “In here Harry.”
Harry walked out of his bedroom, scowling slightly when he banged his toe off the leg of a coffee table.
“Janine I don’t suppose…” He stopped suddenly and squinted at Janine. “Are you wearing my glasses Janine?”
Sighing again, Janine pulled the glasses off her face and held them out to Harry.
Still frowning, Harry took the glasses and put them on. Taking a seat beside her on the sofa he asked, “Do you need to see an eye doctor, Janine?”
“A what?”
“It’s where muggles go… never mind. Why were you wearing my glasses Janine?”
Sighing again, Janine held up the Daily Prophet and pointed. Bending down low to read the small print, Harry cursed softly.
“So I was reading it right,” Janine tried to say humorously but it came out flat.
“I didn’t realize you were looking for a job.”
Janine nodded sadly. “But it doesn’t look like I’m going to have much luck. It seems like this is turning into a trend. It’s almost best I stick it out at the university until the summer break. At least I have a job there.”
“Tutoring snotty Purebloods,” Harry spat angrily. “And don’t think I’m not on to that Pierre guy. I know it’s not Potions tutoring that has him owling you at all hours of the night. I should send him an owl in return. Or better yet, maybe I should make a personal visit.”
“You know you can’t do that,” Janine whispered. Leaning against Harry, she felt his arm automatically wrap around her waist to pull her in closer.
“But you can’t keep doing this.”
“I don’t really have a choice, do I? I can tutor until summer or not work at all.”
“There are people who will hire you.”
“Not according to the Daily Prophet.”
Harry glared at the paper while mumbling, “Nons need not apply. How crazy is that? When are people going to take a stand?”
Janine closed her eyes, as if by closing them she could shut out the world outside their door. “I don’t want to think about it until summer,” she finally said.
“But Janine…”
“No, Harry. I can’t deal with it right now. I will continue to tutor and then… and then I’ll deal with it okay?”
Janine could feel Harry’s body stiffen, but he didn’t push things further. Which Janine was grateful for, because the last thing she wanted to think about was another fight, another war against evil. She wasn’t ready for that yet. She didn’t know what she would do if she lost Harry again, like she briefly did when he fought against Voldemort.
No. She couldn’t go through that again. And if living the next few months in denial helped her to delay the inevitable fight, then so be it.
A Second Meeting...Time Not Wasted
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 01-25-08 06:28
This meeting with Areilla was most definitely riskier than their Valentine's Day meeting, because there were going to be more students in the village, more staff milling about as well. There were higher chances of being caught, and being exposed. But, at this point, Lawrence wouldn't have cared. He was growing tired of being quiet, keeping his relationship with her secret, catching stolen glances, secret owls sent because of the taboo that now surrounded their relationship: professor and student.
They still had five months, before they could actually be together as a couple...in five months Ariella finished her time at Hogwarts. It was sad really that their relationship, despite the fact that they were both adult, pureblooded wizards would be shunned simply because she was one of his students. He understood the reasoning for it, because it would imply that she would easily get through his class because she was his girlfriend.
He was at this point just glad that they had managed not one, but two meetings in the course of two days and he'd gotten to spend more time with her than he had since the school year started and this twisted new version of Hogwarts came into existance.
However, he had reason to be very proud of her. Her lingocube was going into production, all be it limited, but production none the less.
"I want one when it's done. You know that right?" He said with a grin as he sipped his own glass of ale. They had given up holding hands after being spooked when an older wizard had come in. He checked his watch, Alanna was due in a few minutes anyway.
"When your lingocube goes fully mainstream I am throwing a celebration for you. Perhaps it will be just us, but it will be a celebration none the less." The last part of that had been whispered so only she could hear it.
She blushed a bit, and they then turned the conversation to other things. Soon Alanna arrived, and their conversation turned a bit toward the course work that was being given in Herbology, and the upcoming midterm that would be held in March.
Suggestion for Lunch
Author: Illyria
Date: 01-25-08 17:18
Illyria stepped off the last marble step of the grand staircase and turned for the Great Hall, where she intended on grabbing a bite for lunch. She'd only walked a few steps in that direction when the front door to the castle opened and a solitary figure entered the entrance hall. He shut the door quickly behind him to prevent any more cold than absolutely necessary from entering with him.
"Ronan. How was the Hogsmeade trip?" Illyria asked, changing direction to greet the boy who had until recently been her ward.
"Short, cold, miserable." Ronan shrugged and then began pulling off the outer layer of garments he wore.
"Did you buy anything?" Illyria asked, noticing he didn't carry any parcels.
"A sweet at Briar's. Hot tea at Madam Puddifoot's."
Illyria frowned. "Are you hungry? I was thinking of eating in the Great Hall, but if you'd like, I can see if the house elves will bring something to my office. We can eat together there under the pretense of working on an assignment for class, as it may be frowned upon for you to be seen going into my personal quarters since we're no longer considered family. I would hate for Professor Snider to find a reason to sack me and expel you."
"Lunch in your office sounds just fine," Ronan replied, no longer sounding dejected.
"Great," Illyria said, smiling. "Let me scrounge up a hospitable house elf. Meet you there? The door's unlocked."
"Okay."
Illyria went off in search of the first house elf to cross her path while Ronan went to his former guardian's office. It wasn't long before she joined him and they had lunch together.
Order Meeting
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 01-25-08 17:05
Sirius apparates into a covered courtyard. One reason this newest of the Order of the Phoenix locations was chosen for this very courtyard. The house forms a U around a yard with one section covered. The open end of the U is shielded by a combination garage-toolshed. The courtyard good spot for apparating to or disapparating from.
Other reasons it was chosen is because there are Wizarding establishments dotting the neighborhood. It's easy to go to one of those places using the various methods of transportation those in the Wizarding community use and then, if needed, simply walk to this local.
They're careful never to do magic inside the house. It being a Muggle dwelling, even though no Muggles currently live here, there's no telling how closely the Ministry is monitoring magic use in the Muggle world. The home has no fireplace so there's no way the Ministry could secretly monitor the meetings via the Floo Network, should the wrong people within the Ministry learn of the meetings that is.
Sirius walks through a side door into a room that was probably used as a den when the house was last inhabited. Sirius, who'd been in a somewhat bad mood, breaks into a wide grin. He embraces his friend, exclaiming, "Remus, I didn't know you would be here! Is Tonks with you?"
"Tonks is stuck in Santorini working a case. She really wanted to come but with this meeting only having been called a few days ago, she couldn't find anyone to cover for her. This is a cozy place. Who found it?"
"Arabella Figg. She was visiting someone nearby and walking from there to a pub she saw the For Sale sign."
"Going to stay empty?"
"Elphias Doge is working on all that."
They turn at the sound of the door opening. Dedalus Diggle walks in with Hestia Jones right behind. Both are happy to see Remus and after they too ask after Tonks Dedalus asks, "Who else is coming?"
"Definately some of the Weasleys. Molly's bringing sandwiches and soup while Charlie said he'd bring drinks. Harry told me he should be here. Hagrid's coming. Beyond that I'm not exactly sure."
"What about Drucilla," Remus asks Sirius.
"I didn't even mention the meeting to her. I should have but... ," Sirius ends up just shrugging.
Sirius is saved from what could be an uncomfortable moment by Charlie walking in carrying bags holding a variety of drinks. Choosing a butterbeer, Sirius sits down on one of the couches the Order has brought in as temporary furnishings and starts quizzing Remus about life in Santorini.
In Attendance
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 01-25-08 18:25
Harry had spent part of the morning trying to cheer up Janine and the other part of the morning giving her plenty of space when it was clear his cheering up efforts were going nowhere. Harry retreated to a new Quidditch book he's picked up just the day before, only putting it down when time to leave for an Order of the Phoenix meeting.
Putting the book aside Harry asked Janine, "Are you going to attend?"
"Attend?" Janine looked momentarily puzzled before shaking her head and saying, "Attend. Right. No, I think I'll skip it. Or do you think I should go?"
"I don't think it's anything important, updates and that sort of thing I expect."
"Then I definately will skip."
Harry gave Janine a peck on the cheek then stepped outside to disapparate. He appeared in the courtyard of the house he'd visited one other time. That had been quite recently and he'd been with Sirius to help manually move in a couch and a couple of chairs. They didn't want to use any magic at the house other than the apparating in the courtyard.
Inside he found a few already arrived. Snagging a butterbeer, Harry asks Charlie, "Will we start soon, do you think?"
"We should be. I don't think all that many are coming. There's Mum. Excuse me while I go help her with the sandwiches."
Harry tags along behind, reaching Molly Weasley in time to hear her tell Charlie, "Your father and Fred are both sick in bed. I'm not sure who of the others will be here. Hallo, Harry dear. Would you like a sandwich? There's soup as well. Where did I put it? Charlie, I left it outside. I put it down to open the door."
"I'll get it," Harry volunteers.
Harry fetches the container and takes it into the kitchen. It's there that he sees Remus talking with Sirius and Hagrid. Going over to greet all three with hearty hugs and handshakes, Harry wonders who else will be here and how long those present will wait before getting the meeting underway.
Plymouth vs Dublin
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-26-08 08:56
"Just remember. The Ducklings have won and lost the same amount of games you have. You win this match, you move up in the rankings." Isolde leaned on a cane and looked at the children who stood in a semicircle around her along one side of Plymouth Pitch. It was quite cool, and several children shivered openly. "You all have the potential to do great things today. I've seen it in your practices. Don't let nerves get the better of you. Simply set your mind right and you can achieve anything."
The referee blew on his whistle to signal that the game would begin shortly. Isolde had her starters mount their brooms and meet the other Quidditch players at center field. She, herself, hobbled to the referee, who stood next to a box and had his broomstick slung over one shoulder.
Isolde extended her hand to the coach of the Dublin Ducklings, Digby Clayton. Digby was extremely tall and lanky. He looked like the wind might snap him in two if it blew hard enough. His handshake was surprisingly firm, however.
"Good luck," Digby said, in a friendly manner.
"You too," Isolde replied. She turned and hobbled off the field, taking her position on the sidelines.
Plymouth Pitch wasn't very full. Isolde guessed the weather kept most spectators away from the match, and she really couldn't blame them. She wished she could move around a bit more to increase the circulation in her limbs. The majority of the spectators were parents who'd come to support their children. Little brothers and sisters had also been dragged along and whined loudly about the cold.
Isolde thought having a dome for winter time might be a good idea. The little leaguers didn't fly all that high so it really didn't matter if their airspace was restricted a little bit. Also, the bludgers weren't powerful enough to blast holes in the ceiling. She wondered if she could pitch the idea to someone and see what might become of it.
The referee released the balls and swiftly mounted his broom as the now-empty box seemed to skitter off the field on its own. Isolde cheered as the Polliwogs claimed the first possession of the match.
A Request
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 01-26-08 10:31
With business slower than usual for a Hogsmeade weekend, Lysander had been busying himself with rearranging some of the bookshelves to better market certain items. Occasionally, he paused to help a customer find a book or to sell one, but he mainly kept to the stacks.
"There you are," a voice as sweet as honey cooed. "Why haven't you written or popped your head in the floo? Do you have someone else on the side?"
Lysander turned and found himself facing a grinning Lysandra Somerset. All they'd ever done was casual dating. She knew that Lysander would probably never commit himself to a serious relationship, for fear of losing his love again as he had his first wife. Lysandra wasn't exactly in the market for a real relationship either, having been in an abusive one just before first meeting Lysander. All they ever wanted from each other was occasional companionship.
"I don't," Lysander replied, speaking the truth.
"I was only teasing anyway," Lysandra answered. "I'm actually here on business. The word on the street is that you're very resourceful when it comes to tracking down hard to find books. I wonder if you might be able to help me track down The Somerset Family Line. It's a single book handed down through generations, only it appears to have been lost a century ago. You might understand why this is so important to me. I made the five generation cut-off, but I want to ensure that my line is purer still in case the rules change."
"I'll see what I can do. Can you tell me everything you know about it?"
Lysandra removed several folded pieces of parchment from an inside pocket of her cloak and pressed them into Lysander's hand. "I wrote down what I could. Thank you, Lysander."
She leaned in to kiss his cheek and then left with a rustling of skirt and cloak. Lysander unfolded the parchments as he walked towards the front of the room, where he saw Julian pouring intently over documents of some sort.
"All right, Julian?" Lysander asked, coming up beside his friend.
"I don't yet know," Julian murmured, still reading closely.
Lysander noticed a bag behind the counter and raised a brow. He didn't want to interrupt Julian again but he sure wanted to know what was going on!