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Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 05-02-08 05:16
Johanna and her friends were preparing to go to the dungeons when they saw a 7th year Hufflepuff student with her luggage preparing to leave the castle. She seamed really down, her brown eyes reflecting sadness.
Other students who were nearby started to whisper to each others:
“That’s Ariella Beck. “
“Where is she going?”
“Maybe she was expelled!”
“No way! She’s a very good student and a perfect!”
Snider arrived and ordered the students to go away.
Johanna, Gus and Felicia did quickly what she told: they didn’t want that she catch them the Cruciatus curse.
In their common room they didn’t talked about what they had just saw. Soon or later they would discovered what happened upstairs. It was a matter of listening the other students’ conversations at dinner on the Great Hall.
Johanna sat on a chair and started finishing her essay on Comet West for Astronomy. Gus did the same. Felicia who had already finished her essay read an exemplar of “TeenWitch” that someone had left behind.
(Urania) Hard Times
Author: Illyria
Date: 05-02-08 07:33
Urania stood near the lakeside edge of Goen Bren and stared out into the distance, wishing she were free to walk out of the community and resume her old life in London. Although it was a lovely spring day, with blue skies over head speckeled with white, fluffy clouds. The sun shone wonderfully, but nevertheless didn't warm her skin very much. In the beginning, Urania hadn't put two and two together about why she always felt a bit of a chill and why she couldn't seem to raise her spirits, even when nothing at Goen Bren gave her reason to smile or think positively. A dementor passed into her line of sight, floating in the distance, seemingly sucking all hope from her body even with so much space between them. She turned away and walked slowly to her cabin.
Compared to most, Urania had been quite lucky so far. She hadn't been tortured once, though had endured verbal insults on a few occasions. Despite the mild depression brought on by the presence of the few dementors who patrolled the community, Urania still had her health. She ate the slop served in the dining hall, even when it tasted, looked, and smelled just awful. The food didn't sit well with everyone, but Urania's digestive system seemed strong enough to handle everything she ate.
She worked hard. In the real world, she'd been an unspeakable at the Ministry of Magic. Because there wasn't an equivalent position for Urania at Goen Bren, she took on an assortment of tasks, much like a day laborer. Some days she worked in the community's small garden, tilling the earth or pulling weeds. Other days she cleaned all the loos. Menial tasks such as those, which weren't always easy or exciting, Urania felt she could handle. There was, however, one job that made her feel extremely uneasy.
People had started dying at Goen Bren. Very few, so far, and the majority by the hand of the warden or one of his agents via the Killing Curse. Rather than be buried, the bodies were stripped of any valuables (usually consisting of earrings and little else) and then dragged to an area in the community now known as the Death Zone. The Death Zone was by no means a cemetery for the deceased. Urania and whoever else dealt with the dead were prohibited from burying the bodies. Instead, they were piled together and left to rot in the open air.
Luckily, the Death Zone wasn't too close to Building A where Urania slept, but other members of the community weren't so lucky. The foul stench of decay filled the air, making the inhabitants sick. Sometimes a gust of wind carried the stench to Urania's nose. Most of the time, she could handle it, but sometimes the uncontrollable urge to retch overpowered her.
She slipped into her cabin and went to the loo. Urania stared at her reflection in the tarnished mirror as she washed her hands. The same person she'd always known stared back at her, only this person looked hard and tired. She had seen many horrors in the last few weeks and unfortunately knew there was more to come.
Moaning and Groaning
Author: Griet
Date: 05-02-08 07:53
Griet moaned and turned from one side to the other on her bed. She had her scratchy bedsheet, blanket, and comforter pulled up to her neck in an effort to get warm. Griet wasn't sick with a bad cold or the flu; she merely felt the effects of the inevitable full moon, which would illuminate the night sky tomorrow after sunset. All her joints ached, and she had an insatiable hunger for a juicy steak. At the same time, she felt nauseated and sweated profusely.
She kicked off her covers, suddenly feeling hot. Even after all this time of transforming into a werewolf every month, Griet could not get use to all the pain and discomfort she endured. She wished she had the company of someone like her who truly understood, like Remus Lupin, to whom Professor Dumbledore had introduced her when she'd first become a werewolf. It had been a good half year or more since she'd last heard anything from her mentor. She imagined him now, just like her, writhing in bed, wishing for a miracle that would prevent the moon from ever rising.
"You look disgusting."
Griet rolled her head in the direction of the speaker and opened her eyes. "Thanks," she replied sarcastically, her voice sounding hoarse and weak.
Cornelia came forward and sat on the edge of Griet's bed, where she dumped out a number of things she'd just purchased in Hogsmeade. "I thought I'd interrupted my trip and check on you," she said. "I know how much you like going to Honeydukes and Briar's. Maybe these sweets will make you feel a little better."
Griet ran her hand over the candies, searching for something that actually sounded appetizing.
"Thanks. Are you going back? The day's not over yet and I don't want you hanging out with sick old me instead of having fun while you've got the chance."
"Of course I'm going back." Cornelia got up. "Any requests while I'm there?"
"No," Griet replied, "thank you."
Cornelia nodded, cast one last worried and half-disgusted look at her sister, and then left the dormitory room. Griet, deciding she really wasn't hungry for any of the sweets Cornelia had brought her, slipped back under the covers, knocking half of the candies onto the floor. She closed her eyes again and willed herself to sleep, even though she knew she probably couldn't.
Goodbye, Hogwarts
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 05-03-08 09:04
Ariella packed her things together in record time, not caring if her clothes wrinkled in her trunk or if papers wound up out of order. All she wanted was to leave Hogwarts behind and flee to the safety of her grandparents' home in Manchester. She shrunk her belongings to a more manageable size and quickly carted them out of her dormitory room, through the Hufflepuff common room and castle, and out the front doors, never once throwing one last look at the place that had been her home for nearly seven complete school years. She hurried down the sloping lawn and slipped through the gates to Hogsmeade, where she finally sat down and cried.
Lawrence was already waiting for her. He sat down next to her on the ground and slipped an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault alone," Ariella replied, sniffling. "I'm just as much to blame as you are."
"But I'm the adult," Lawrence went on, wanting to shift the culpability to himself and away from Ariella. "I should have stopped this completely the moment we found out I was to be your Herbology teacher."
Ariella shook her head. "I'm seventeen years old and have been since nearly the start of the school year. I'm an adult, too." She slumped into his side and sighed. "Just face the facts. There are two of us in this relationship, and we are both equally guilty or blameless for this outcome."
Resigned, Lawrence nodded before resting his chin onto her head. "Let me help you take your stuff home."
Ariella accepted Lawrence's offer but wanted to see Alanna first. As if sensing that Ariella wanted to see her, Alanna appeared, clutching several bags of purchases. When she saw the sorrowful faces of Ariella and Lawrence, and the fact that Lawrence had his arm draped possessively over Ariella's shoulders and that all her trunks were situated around her on the ground, Alanna's mouth made a giant O.
"Oh, no! What happened?" she asked, though she already felt she knew the answer.
"Snider caught us together," Lawrence explained.
"I've been expelled," Ariella answered softly, "and Lawrence has been sacked. Snider basically accused me of being a blood traitor, because of what Katherine and Toby did. I didn't deny that I supported them one-hundred percent. I think that's what ultimately did me in, not this," she said, gesturing to herself and Lawrence.
"I suspected she would have turned a blind eye to us if we were, what did she say? 'Purebloods of any merit' at all," Lawrence added. "She knew I didn't agree with her prejudicial policies."
Alanna's expression went from shocked to saddened to angry while Ariella and Lawrence talked. She balled her hands into fists. "I'll go talk to her," she stated determinedly. "I'll make her see the error of her ways."
"No," Ariella said, standing up suddenly. "Alanna, I can't let you do that. She'll already be keeping a close eye on you now. Don't give her the satisfaction of throwing you out, too."
"I don't want to sit back and let her get away with this."
"Please, Alanna." Ariella looked like she might cry again.
Alanna sighed. "Okay. I won't do or say anything, and I'll watch my back."
Ariella nodded and then threw herself into her sister's arms. Alanna hugged Ariella tightly.
"I'm going to Gramps and Nana's now," Ariella said. "Lawrence is going to help me with my stuff. I'll write when I get there and hope that you actually receive my letter." She stepped away from Alanna and started picking up her stuff.
Alanna wished she could go too, but at the same time felt like she needed to stick around at Hogwarts. If not for herself, than for Ariella, who had always loved school and would wish to live vicariously through her sister.
Alanna waited until Ariella and Lawrence disapparated and then trudged up to the castle, feeling very much alone now that she was the only Beck left at Hogwarts.
Sick Child
Author: Plum
Date: 05-03-08 10:57
Trudging into Hogsmeade, carrying the ever heavier Alex, Plum thinks it's a damn good thing Dynamic Duo isn't playing at The Imperial Crown & Cauldron today. None of the bandmembers were in much of a mood to play, not when they have been forced a few times now to play a Friday or Saturday night Pures only concert at Hogwarts. Phin, Drake and Kody have missing family members. Antony's got family in prison and family on the run. And Plum... well, Plum hasn't had much desire to entertain a crowd for weeks.
There's more than all that, however, that has Plum grateful she didn't have to perform with the band today. Alex has been really fussy the past few days, enough so that Plum cancelled a date with Anthony for last night and another for today. Good thing too because Plum ended up being up with Alex all night. He'd fallen into a restless sleep early this morning but woke up a short time ago with a spiking fever. Plum took him to Madam Pomfrey who diagnosed the problem but much to the chagrin of both women, Madam Pomfrey was out of the main potion she needed to give to Alex.
Plum hadn't been able to find Evan in the castle so with Alex in her arms she started into Hogsmeade. Evan hadn't been drinking since Mary died from what Plum could tell but at the same time she suspects he's been sneaking alcohol. A niggling little voice in her head has Plum heading straight for the Hogshead Pub.
Entering into the murky light of the pub, Plum stops to adjust Alex on her hip and to murmur some soothing words into his ear, her eyes roving the interior for an Evan Lancaster looking shape. She spots him at table near the back wall. Or it looks like him from where she stands. The man is slumped over the table, several empty glasses scattered about his head.
Approaching the table, Plum sees that the slumped figure is indeed her father. Shifting Alex slightly so she can better hold him with one arm, Plum uses her other hand to prod Evan sharply. One of his hands spasmodically reaches for the glass nearest it but other than that, the prod gets not reaction, not even eliciting a moan.
Plum walks to the bar and asks the publican, a man who reminds Plum of someone else, "Is that one paid up?"
The man shakes his head. "Owes me for that last one."
Plum goes back over to Evan and shifting Alex more, she bends to rifle through Evan's pockets. Finding his money bag, she goes back to the publican and fishes out the amount the man says Evan owes. Stuffing the money bag into one of her own pockets she says, "I've got his money so if he wakes up and wants another drink, don't serve him. If he claims he was robbed tell him his daughter took the money so that she'd be sure to have enough to pay for his son to be seen at St. Mungo's."
Plum plunges her hand back into her pocket and digs out another coin. She slides it across the bar. "For your troubles."
Back outside, Plum draws in a deep breath of clean air, much welcome after the pub's interior. Holding Alex snugly, Plum disapparates for St. Mungo's.
Trying To Get Information From The RAC
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 05-03-08 18:18
When Doug Terbeek disapparated before the Snatchers could grab him, he'd ended up not going very far. Doug apparated into a closet in the office area of the Imperial Crown & Cauldron where he wait quietly - anxious, nervous, angry, and a myriad other emotions - to hear any voice he knew to belong to someone trustworthy. Unfortunately, the wait was one of a few hours.
Phlagmelina and I were, to say the least, more than a little startled when Doug, whom we know slightly through Phin and Jewel, bolted out of the closet and in a rush, made nearly breathless from impatience and anxiety, told us that Jewel had been taken. We got enough of the story out of him for me to have a fairly clear picture of things when I hurried to get to the Ministry.
With the wait I've had, I shouldn't have bothered racing to get here. No sooner did I reach the Department of Half-blood, Muggleborn, and Half-breed Registration and Regulation on Level 2 than I was made to take a number. While waiting I've also had to fill out a lengthy form for inquiring about the status of an arrested Non.
My number's called and I'm ushered into a cubicle where a man with florid features and a pasty complexion glances over the form I'd filled out. He riffles through some parchments then says, "Jewel Reily has been given relocation assistance."
Leaning forward slightly I ask, "What exactly does that mean?"
His eyebrows draw together in puzzlement at my question. Speaking more slowly he replies, "It means the person in question has been given aid in relocating."
"Jewel's a Hogwarts student. You can't just take her away."
"The information I have is that Miss Reily is seventeen; thus, Miss Reily is an adult. Besides which, even if she weren't, if the Ministry and the RAC wishes to relocate an underage person, then the person is given assistance in relocating."
With five of my nieces and nephews taken out of their homes in past weeks by the RAC, despite each being in the custodial care of a pureblooded parent, I'm all too aware that age doesn't matter to the Ministry when it comes to tearing families apart and sending people to wherever the RAC relocates them.
"Was Jewel charged with a crime? Is that why she was forcibly taken from Hogsmeade?"
"I cannot give out that information."
"She was simply walking around the village. What harm is there in that?"
"Why are you so concerned with a Non who is not even a relative?"
"She's my son's stepsister and her mother is currently residing in the United States."
"How did you learn that Miss Reily had been given assistance by the RAC?"
"Someone saw and later while at my restaurant thought to ask me what I knew."
"Name?"
"Pardon?"
"The name of the witness?"
"I don't know. Just one of the students."
"Did this student mention anyone else being given relocation assistance?"
"A boy was there but disapparated but I don't know who."
"Very well. I believe we're done here. Feel free to notify Miss Reily's mother that her daughter has been given relocation assistance but that it's pointless to petition for further information. Also, if you should recall the name of the student who witnessed the relocation assistance or learn the name of the young man who apparated away, do let us know."
With that I find myself unceremoniously ushered out. Returning to Hogsmeade, I start looking for Phin to find out if my son knew what Jewel and Doug were planning. If he did know, then for his sake it's best he's already gone back to Hogwarts because if not, I'm going to throttle him.
Ignoring the Rumor Mill
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 05-04-08 07:24
Orei was heading back to the Castle when she caught sight of Professor Masterson and Ariella Beck. She tilted her head curiously, they both had luggage scattered and the way that they were standing together...
Orei didn't say anything as she passed them. She wasn't stupid and could easily put two and two together...the pair had been a couple and from the looks of it Snider had found out and the outcome had not been one of a happy occasion. It was a pity Ariella wouldn't be able to finish her final month at Hogwarts and take her N.E.W.Ts.
Orei headed to the castle, she needed to drop off her purchases before she was going to meet Maddie, Tidus, and Artemis for a study session in the library.
She caught sight of a couple of first years who were gawking at the fact that one of their Professors had been sacked and one of the finest students this term was expelled. "Go on with you. You've nothing to do with what is going on." She shooed them off, sending them scattering. She knew they would be back, because they were nosey, and it was apparently a gossip worthy event.
True enough, there was gossip going on about the entire castle about what had happened....apparently Professor Masterson and Ariella Beck had been dating the entire school year.
Orei shook her head as she headed to her room and dropped her things on her bed. She'd send off a quick owl to Brett since she wasn't going back into the Village today because she had studying to get done.
Brett,
Thank you for today. I enjoyed just relaxing and spending the day with you, without worrying about Snider or anything else Hogewarts related. Professor Masterson and Ariella Beck are gone...Snider sacked Professor Masterson and expelled Ariella Beck. They'd been dating the entire term.
Anyway, have a study date to keep with Maddie, Tidus and Artemis. Will Owl you with the date the term is to end.
Love you,
Orei
Owl sent she grabbed her books and headed to the designated meeting spot for the study date w/Maddie, Tidus, and Artemis.