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Happy Birthday To Me
Author: Forest
Date: 04-30-08 18:32
Forest throws a waving jack into the discard pile. "Never asked you how you managed to get cards."
Aaron chuckles, a sound that echoes hallowly and sounds strange in a place filled with the overwhelming pervasiveness of Dementors. "I just happened to have a deck in one pocket when I was arrested. I don't remember putting them there and for reasons I'm not clear on, they weren't taken from me at any point during my time at the Ministry or when processed here."
"I like chess," Forest says, refering to the scratched into the floor chessboard between their cells that they use with pebbles and stones they've gathered in their cells, "but it's nice to have something else as a diversion."
Forest looks at the card Aaron's just discarded, double checks his hand, then draws from the pile. While studying his cards to figure out what to discard next he comments, "If our calendar keeping is right, today's my birthday."
"If you think that will make me let you win, think again," Aaron snorts.
"Aren't you rich enough?"
"That's true but looking forward to your soggy piece of toast tomorrow morning for breakfast really cheers me up."
"You know that if I win today, I'm taking half your runny, cold, lumpy porridge."
"You know, maybe instead of taking your not very toasted soggy bread at breakfast, I'll take your hard as granite roll at lunch or dinner. Whichever one comes with the rock tomorrow."
"We could use those things as weapons or tools," Forest muses. "Not sure how well one would work thrown at a Dementor's head but get a Wizard or Witch within range and we could do some damage."
"We have a new diversion now. Making up ways to off the guards and get out of here."
Forest's the one chuckling now. "Sounds like an amusing way to spend my birthday. Now hurry up and discard."
The Fifth Wheel
Author: Janine Fox
Date: 04-30-08 20:07
Janine frowned at her reflection in the mirror. The blond wig, although very different from her original hair, looked all wrong with her colouring. It screamed attention to herself rather than what she was going for, that being a look that made her blend into the crowd.
“That’s… interesting?” Hermione said doubtfully.
Sighing, Janine pulled the wig off. “Everything looks wrong. I might have to change the colour of my skin to make anything work.”
“Foundation might help but…” Hermione dug into her bag and pulled out a wig. She hesitated before handing the wig to Janine.
Janine raised her eyebrow in surprise but pulled the wig on obligingly. The afro wig, although complementary to her skin tone, seemed way too out there for Janine to pull off. She felt a hairstyle like that needed the right confident attitude to pull off the look, something Janine was sorely lacking at the moment.
“I’ve got one,” grinned the now blond Ron.
Returning Ron’s grin, Janine took the wig from Ron. Pulling off the afro she slid the new wig in place. Looking into the mirror again, Janine felt her grin slip off her face. The red, curly wig didn’t look too bad on her, but it instantly reminded her of Ginny. Ginny who had recently joined their group. Ginny with the fighting attitude and lively spunk. Ginny who had left earlier with Harry.
“I think that looks good!” Ron said enthusiastically. But Janine quickly pulled the wig off and turned away from the mirror.
It wasn’t that Janine didn’t like Ginny. She did. But that niggling fact still remained that Ginny was Harry’s ex-girlfriend, and no matter how nice she was and how well Janine got along with her it was hard to get around that fact. Especially when set up in the situation they were in now. Two couples. One Ginny.
Mistaking Janine’s frustration, Hermione said comfortingly, “I think your first idea is best. Cut it and lighten it with highlights. That will make a huge difference. Much more than these wigs.”
Giving Hermione a tight smile, Janine nodded. “I saw a place down the road. Maybe I’ll slip in there now.”
Ron frowned. “You best take Hermione with you. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“But that will leave you alone, Ron.” Janine answered logically. “Don’t worry. I’ve spent enough time in the muggle world with Harry. I should be fine.”
Ron continued to frown, but Hermione nodded her head slowly agreeing with Janine. “Send us a patronus if you run into trouble,” she said quickly.
“I will.” She gave Hermione a quick hug before leaving.
As she made her way to the hair salon, Janine found herself not focusing on a cut that would help her blend in, but a hair cut that would make Harry’s jaw drop. For the right reasons that is.
Box From A Friend
Author: Don Thomas
Date: 05-01-08 14:19
The sun was shining brightly through Don's window when her mother placed the box in her room. Don sat up to stare at it and then looked at her mother in the doorway. Madeline Poplar, a woman in her early-40's, was a tall woman nearing 5'8". She had long, thick brown hair as well blueish hazel eyes. To say Don resembled her mother would not be a stretch. Their hair color, eye color, skin color, main facial features, and quick metabolism were quite similar. Though some features such as Don's height and body structure matched her father's. Her father that had walked out on her mother. Don didn't want to think about that. Instead, she drew her attention back to the box. She got on her hands and knees and crawled towards the box. It was brown and wrapped in twine. There was no label on the box, which only increased Don's anticipation to open it.
"Scout and Rooster brought it to us. A note came with it."
Don became excited as soon as her mother had mentioned Scout and Rooster. They were her best friend, Nate Meyer's owls. Well, Rooster was his. Scout was his parents' owl. The box was fairly big. It must have been Mrs. Meyer's idea to use two owls to carry the package. Nate wouldn't have thought of that on his own.
He was one person Don already missed. From the times of just hanging out under the stars to times of starting a food fight at school just because they were bored, they'd been very close. Not being able to see him for the summer was different for Don. She wished she could apparate and visit him in Quebec. She was even tempted to floo there for a visit, but Don didn't have her mother or Mrs. Meyer's approval for that one. Without the approval, it would not only be a short visit, but quite an awkward one too. That was definitely not worth the extreme house arrest Mrs. Poplar would put Don under if she were to actually do it.
After searching for the note her mother had mentioned, Don looked back at her mother. "The note's not here."
"Yes it is."
Don looked around again. "Then it must be invisible because I don't see it."
"I must have dropped it. Let me go find it."
As her mother left the doorway, Don carefully unwrapped the twine and opened the package. An assortment of things were inside. All of it was memorabilia of their friendship. On the top of the assorted objects was a picture. It had been from their 5th year at Middleton Magic. Boys VS Girls had just ended. Girls had won for their 3rd year in a row, but Nate and Don knew it was just good fun. Nothing serious. Nothing to hate each other over. In the picture, Don was giggling and putting up a peace sign while Nate smiled and scratched his head. The picture made Don smile and want to cry at the same time. She placed it aside and continued looking in the box.
In the box, beneath the picture, was a dozen small bottles of silly string. Don pulled one out. The label read: Nate's Boredom Cure. Don chuckled a little to herself as she shot it at the doorway. Her mother was walking up when she did this and stepped back so that the silly string would not hit her.
"Real mature, Don. I found the note." Madeline handed the folded letter to Don before leaving the room again. Don smiled and unfolded it carefully.
Yo, yo, yiggidy yo.
So, summer sucks so far without you. I mean, no one's been loitering with me under the 'No Loitering' signs and it kinda really sucks to have to do it alone. To beat my lonliness, I have decided to get together a bunch of ish for you. It's all stuff that means something to me and sort of a way for you to never forget me.
1: Boys VS Girls picture. Awesome day! I mean like, A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!
2: Silly string. If you're as lonely as I am, this will help like crazy.
3: My 3rd year yearbook. It's the one you wrote all over. Seriously, 325 pages of you telling me how awesome we are and how much you hated Professor Lovell.
4: A picture of me playing my guitar. My mom took it. She thought you would like it.
5: Our notebook from Astronomy where we continuously wrote each other notes during class.
6: Penny the Piglet. You gave me that girly stuffed animal for Valentine's Day in our 1st year.
7: My favorite guitar pick.
Now that I have sent you some shizz to always remind you of me, I think you should do the same. 'Cause I don't want to forget you either. You're my best friend and the first person to ever talk to me at school. We're like...an ocean away and stuff, but I don't want to lose our friendship.
Shibby,
Nate
Don smiled as she put the letter aside and began emptying the box onto her bed. Once it was emptied, Don grabbed the metal whistle she normally wore around her neck. She placed into the box carefully as she looked for something else to put in there.
In Snider's Office
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 05-01-08 18:03
Ariella squeezed her eyes shut for a moment as Lawrence guided her from The Three Broomsticks to the castle. They had done so well all school year, only to have their clandestine relationship found out with barely more than a month left of term––and by Snider, no less! Just remembering the Headmistress catching them together, even when she hadn't seen them kissing or holding hands, created an uneasy feeling in Ariella's stomach. Her professors had always held her in the highest regard with respect to her conduct. Never in all her years at Hogwarts had she ever gotten in so much trouble as she found herself in now.
Her feet and Lawrence's steady arm around her shoulders allowed her to reach her destination. Ariella didn't think her mind could do the job on its own. They reached the stone gargoyle that led to Snider's office. The revolving staircase was already there and swept them upstairs as soon as they stepped onto the bottom step. Half a moment later, it deposited them outside Snider's door. Lawrence squeezed Ariella's shoulder affectionately and then raised his other hand as a fist against Snider's door.
"Enter," she commanded.
They stepped inside the office and approached Snider's desk, where she sat in an enormous, throne-like chair. Her magic carpet and chair hovered nearby, so that she only had to take one or two steps on the ground before climbing into it, if she wanted to go anywhere with exerting herself too much. The dread Ariella felt only heightened with each step she took closer to Snider's desk. Somehow it dispelled a trifle when Lawrence finally removed his arm from her shoulders. Although they were no longer touching, Ariella nonetheless knew that he was still there for her.
"Professor, let me explain," Lawrence began, but Snider held up a fat palm and looked at Ariella.
Ariella's breath caught in her throat.
"I want to hear from Miss Beck, first."
Ariella spoke up, albeit in a small, timid voice. "Professor, Lawrence and I have known each other since he was a student here at Hogwarts. We reconnected last summer and started dating. Neither one of knew that he would become my teacher."
"Be that as it may," Snider responded coolly, "your relationship should have ceased to exist the moment you learned you were to be student and teacher." She leaned back in her chair and went on matter-of-factly, "If you were purebloods of any merit at all, I might be able to overlook the inappropriateness of this situation."
"What do you mean 'purebloods of any merit'?" Lawrence asked, raising his voice slightly.
Snider ignored Lawrence's outburst and instead turned to a file on her desk. She held it up, and Ariella immediately saw her name written in red script on the tab of the folder.
"Contrary to what you might think, this isn't your student file. Oh, no," she said, smiling now, "this is a copy of your official file from the Ministry of Magic. Perhaps you were unaware that the Ministry of Magic is keeping a very close eye on all its citizens, but especially those of dubious loyalty."
She thumped the front of the folder and explained, "I have files on all students and staff here, pures notwithstanding. It is through my personal observations and such official business," she thumped the folder again, "that I can best judge your character."
Both Ariella and Lawrence were shocked to know that the Ministry of Magic had files on not only them, but others. It was as if a wizard's right to privacy no longer existed.
Snider opened the folder and ran a finger looking not unlike a plump sausage down the first parchment sheet. "Your half-sister got herself imprisoned for protesting for the rights of nons at St. Emrys University."
She turned to another parchment and pressed her bulging fingertip to a certain line on the page. "It appears that your brother is hiding a wanted half-blood."
Snider looked up at Ariella, closing the file folder as she did so. "You have blood traitors in your family."
"And you would judge my character based on the actions of my family?" Ariella questioned, suddenly somehow feeling emboldened.
"Not necessarily," Snider replied, a slight smirk toying at her lips. "Do you object to their actions?"
"No, I support them whole-heartedly."
Snider waved a hand in the air. "It's just as I thought." She sighed, almost dramatically. "Pity the NEWTs and your graduation are so near."
Ariella shook her head. "I don't understand..."
Snider grinned, spreading the caterpillar that was her mustache across her entire face. "I will not tolerate blood traitors at my school, nor do I condone your actions with Professor Masterson. You are hereby expelled. You have one hour to vacate the grounds or I will have you arrested for trespassing."
Ariella felt too shocked to relax. Lawrence, however, had no trouble voicing his opinion. "Professor, please! Give her the chance to finish out term."
Snider wouldn't be swayed. Ariella merely put a hand on Lawrence's arm and then slowly turned to leave Snider's office and hurry to the Hufflepuff common room to pack her things. She really didn't want to end up Katherine's cellmate at Azkaban. When Lawrence started to follow her, Snider called him back sharply. After all, she hadn't doled out his punishment yet.
Leaving Hogwarts Again
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 05-01-08 19:00
The whole meeting with Snider had him on edge, and it only irked him more that the disgusting creature that had been made Headmistress of the school would not let Ariella finish out her final term at Hogwarts. She would be forced to take some sort of equivalency exam to get the credentials that other students finishing out their terms at Hogwarts would get. The lacking of privacy on witches and wizards (pure and non alike) also irritated him, but the ruin of Ariella’s future was his fault...well, not entirely his, but he should have put a stop to their relationship when things got out of whack at the beginning of the school year.
Not only that, but she was a blood traitor? Not possible. So she didn’t support the ideals of the ministry, was that so wrong? But to be marked a blood traitor because she supported the members of her family? That was just stupid.
Lawrence had intended on going after Ariella when she fled Snider’s office, but that commanding tone in the witch’s voice had him turning back to her. He still had to face the music and he had a feeling his punishment would be just as severe as Ariella’s.
She spent some time looking over Lawrence’s file, which was a touch more extensive than Ariella’s because it no doubt had information from when he was a student at Hogwarts and probably even from when he was in school at Sydney.
“Professor Masterson, your file is extensive, covering your time at Hogwarts, but seemingly nothing else. You transferred into Hogwarts your fifth year, from Sydney no less. They were quite unwilling to divulge your information, or the information of your parents. I find this, as does the Ministry rather unsettling.” Snider said, and that worm of an eyebrow squishing together as she narrowed her eyes on him.
“My life before moving to Britain is not a matter of Ministry security Professor Snider, so what happened in my life in Sydney is not in any way, shape or form relevant to this particular matter now is it?” Lawrence said in a rather clipped tone. He did not need to rehash the death of his parents.
“No, you are right, it is not.” Snider said, letting her gaze drift back down to another file on her desk. “This is your personnel file for your employment here,” She said as one pudgy digit scanned the page looking for the needed information. “It seems you’ve already had one mark against you Professor Masterson. With that sit in before the Christmas holidays, and that of course was in excuseable that you tolerated the insubordination of so many students. But, this however, is the final straw.”
Lawrence took a minute to fully comprehend what the grotesque woman was saying. The final straw was he being…He barely had time to formulate the question before Snider continued.
“You are here by terminated of your position Professor. You, like Miss Beck, are to be off grounds within the hour or you will be forcefully removed.” Snider said and slammed the file shut, and then dismissed him with a wave of one pudgy hand.
Lawrence sighed and he moved out of the office and headed to his quarters. He quickly packed his trunks and headed to the green house and left a note pinned for Marzi.
Marzipan,
I know we’ve not spoken much over the term, and I apologize for it. I’ve been sacked; I’ve no idea who will be finishing out the term for me. I’ve left a package outside the door to your quarters, feel free to give the treats within it to your class as I can not now give them to mine.
Cheers,
Lawrence
P.S. The items in the package are: raspberry tartlet, boysenberry jam, cranberry scones, key lime pie, and a mixed berry pie.
With that Lawrence and his things were soon off Hogwarts grounds where he would wait for Ariella and help her get her things home before going to his flat with the promise of coming by later.