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Love Is In The Air
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 12-08-08 18:37
Walking with Anne down the clearest portion of Hogsmeade High Street, Zabrynna only half listens to her roommate dissecting the clothes worn by the other girls at last night's Hearts & Roses Ball. Zabrynna's inattentiveness might be because during the dance Anne covered all this already. A most likely cause of Zabrynna not giving Anne her full attention is the man walking just ahead of the two girls.
During the Valentine's ball, Zabrynna had asked each of the male professors to dance, even the student hating Amycus Carrow and the overly smug, full of himself Ryland Yaxley. With the exception of Declan Douglass, she'd picked songs with a fast beat. With Declan Douglass, Zabrynna waited for a slow song.
Professor Douglass had accepted but held Zabrynna at arm's length and tried chatting her up about dances and parties at Durmstrang and whether she'd had a boyfriend there. Nonetheless, Zabrynna now relives the feel of his arms around her. In the daydream, the talking that takes place is with lips right next to her arm and definitely does not involve any mention of Durmstrang or the boys there.
"Zabrynna?"
Hearing her name, Zabrynna stops, realizing Anne isn't right beside her. She looks back over her shoulder to see Anne staring oddly at her.
"I thought you wanted to go into Twice Told Tales."
"Sorry?"
Anne jerks her head at the building beside her as she reaches for the shoppe's door. "The bookstore. You wanted to stop in."
"Right. I wasn't paying attention to where we were, so didn't realize we'd reached it already."
With one quick, longing look back at Declan Douglass, Zabrynna turns around to backtrack to the used bookstore's entrance. As they go in Anne comments, "I wish I were several years older. Maybe even in my twenties already."
"Why's that?"
"Then I could date too gorgy for words Lysander Stratford or Julian Valentine," Anne replies, mentioning the Twice Told Tales owners.
"I thought you were all hot and bothered for Indigo McFusty."
"Him too," Anne grins. "Yet another reason to wish I were older. A very hot with well sculpted muscles reason. As long as we're here, I want to get another study aide for the OWLs."
Zabrynna wants another one as well to supplement what she's already got and what the Hogwarts library has but first she wants something else. It's actually good that Anne's got a brief distraction because Zabrynna's not sure she wants to explain what her main purpose in Twice Told Tales is.
Spotting one of the owners - the one named Lysander - just finishing up with helping another Hogwarts student, Zabrynna approaches.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for a book that would have love potions in it."
Mr. Stratford's eyebrows go up. "Love potions can be dicey to play around with and often don't work as you'd like."
Zabrynna has a ready answer and without Anne there to contradict her she gives it. "Oh, I need the information for a paper I'm writing. The books at the school library that I've found to be useful at all have pretty much the same information. If you have anything that might help me with this paper, I thought perhaps it would also be useful to add to my growing stack of OWL test preparations."
"I don't envy you having to take them," Mr. Stratford chuckles. "I do think we have just the thing for you."
He leads Zabrynna further back into the store. Halfway down one aisle he gestures to one section of shelving. "Any of the ones along here should help you out, this one in particular." Mr. Stratford pulls a fairly thick volume off the shelf. It's a little worn looking, bound in pale green leather that's embossed with in a much darker green.
"Thank you." Zabrynna gives him a dazzling smile.
"Good luck with your paper and the OWLs."
Zabrynna again murmurs, "Thank you," the book already open to the index, eyes scanning the page numbers given for love potions and information on them.
(Happy Haven) Active Participant
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 12-09-08 15:02
A beam of light slices across Ginny's arm, cutting her as effectively as a knife. Twisting and diving, Ginny curses the lack of good cover. Even a gnarled, bare bush would at least give a little cover. Most of the Happy Haven staff has been subdued but some are continue to tenaciously fight. There seem to be more of them then they were briefed there would be.
Some are also fighting dirty, though that's no real shocker. The rescuers are using spells that immobilize, stun, confuse, or bind whenever they're able. Ginny's had those types of spells thrown at her but others as well. The blood flowing freely down her arm and a similar, but longer, cut down one thigh is testament to that.
Not that Ginny is complaining. She's still peeved that Charlie couldn't have found some way for her to help at The Mews last night. Ginny does understand that with The Mews mission they viewed it as an imperative that the fewer operatives working on the inside, the less chance there would be of the Ministry figuring out that the prison break there had help from the outside. Ginny understands that yet understanding it didn't make it any easier to be left out of yet another operation.
When Ginny learned of the plan to free the Hogwarts students deemed Nons, she'd jumped at the chance to be part of the rescue, to be active, to make a difference in the fight. Ginny's even taking part with a bit of humor. Her mask is a likeness of Minister Euphemia Smythe-Jones.
The staffer hurling the cutting curses at Ginny has left the cover provided by the door of one of the entrances into the building Ginny knows from the briefing to be the classroom buildig. Rising to a crouch, Ginny fires off a Stupify. Her aim was true until the woman skids on the icy ground. Before she can recover from the skid or get off another shot at Ginny, Ginny fires again, sending another Stupify at the woman.
Not immediately seeing anyone else to engage, Ginny starts back towards the Land Rover, eyes doing a scan of the visible area for any signs of straggling students.
Working
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 12-09-08 17:22
Ariella scooped a few chocolate dipped macaroons into a paper sack, scrunched the top of the sack together to seal it, and then passed it over the counter top to the Hogwarts student standing on the other side.
"That will be 14 sickles and 23 knuts," she said, smiling.
The girl fished in her leather coin purse for the money and eventually handed Ariella the correct amount so that no change was necessary.
"Thank you. Enjoy!" Ariella said, accepting the coins and depositing them into the register.
No sooner had the girl left did another approach the counter. With it being so cold out, the majority of the students in Hogsmeade packed into the various businesses, especially those that offered food and drink. It was Ariella's first Hogsmeade Saturday since starting her job at Briar's Bakery. She'd expected it to be somewhat busy, remembering her own days visiting Hogsmeade from Hogwarts, though she hadn't quite imagined the bakery to be so crowded considering the population at Hogwarts had shrunk considerably since last year.
She was glad to keep busy since it kept her mind off of more worrisome things. Ariella knew that Alanna would likely be in the village, and while Ariella longed to catch up with her sister, she knew she couldn't jeopardize Alanna's future. It saddened her to have Alanna so close and yet so out of reach.
What bothered Ariella more was the knowledge that Anthony was putting himself in grave danger. He, like so many others who had joined the Resistance Movement, had set out early this morning to rescue the students from Happy Haven School For Nons. Ariella longed to hear news about the rescue attempt and hoped that everything was going smoothly.
"Do you have any cinnamon buns leftover?" asked her next customer.
"Sure do," Ariella replied. "How many do you want?"
"Just one will be fine, thanks. And a cup of cocoa?"
"Sure thing."
Ariella busied herself with the job she was so thankful to have. She'd almost given up hope she'd ever find employment, but then Briar Rose, probably the nicest witch in Hogsmeade, had given her a chance. Ariella felt so indebted to Briar, though the bakery owner really didn't see it that way. She'd needed the help and had felt that Ariella was the right person for the job. Either way, Ariella was now gainfully employed and she couldn't be happier.
A Grand Time Shall Be Had
Author: Saffron
Date: 12-09-08 17:45
"More tea, Birdie?" Saffron asks her stepmother.
"Just a bit, thank you."
Saffron pours more tea in Birdie's cup then asks, "Da? Professor Snider?" She doesn't ask Sage if he'd like more. Saffron doesn't have to be a mind reader or clairvoyent to see he's itching to be gone to Hogsmeade.
Lohengrin holds out his cup while Snider shakes her head. "No, I don't believe so. I'm utterly stuffed from the wonderful dishes Lohengrin brought," Snider titters.
"I don't believe I've mentioned it yet, Harriet. My newest restaurant is opening in Brussels next weekend. Your name is on the guest list should you be able to attend."
Tittering again, Snider bats her eyes, "Why thank you, Lohengrin. Count on me being there."
Birdie simpers, "Lohengrin's openings are quite the most wonderful parties."
Saffron looks across at Sage who is barely hiding his disgust at the lovefest the other two women have been having with Lohengrin. Saffron shares his sentiment. It's bad enough that Birdie is in such thrall of their father but to have Harriet Snider fawning over him as well is stomach turning.
Saffron shoots Sage a sympathetic look. "I'm sure none of you will mind if Sage takes his leave. It is Hogsmeade weekend," she says for the benefit of her father and Birdie.
Lohengrin fixes his gaze on Sage. "Well, if you must. I do wish to speak at length with you regarding your NEWT preparation." Looking now to Snider he suggests, "Perhaps this coming week as my work with getting the new restaurant opened allows. I could bring some samples, such as that stuffed artichoke I mentioned."
"Yes, of course. Drop by anytime, Lohengrin. It's really a shame Hogwarts can't afford you. Our House Elves do an adequate job but I'm certain that some tips from you would do wonders."
If Aaron were here he'd be making whispered comments to Saffron about Harriet Snider being a brown noser.
"Oh yes, Lohengrin would shape them up in no time," Birdie affirms in a syrupy voice.
Lohengrin sits there preening, letting the two women shower him with more compliments. Saffron wants to gag. Sage suddenly stands, "I'm off then. Good to see you, Da," he lies, holding out a hand to shake.
Birdie holds out her hand to Sage, giving him an upturned cheek to kiss. Before she releases his hand, she tells him, "I've told my cousin's daughter, the one in Spain, all about you. I'll leave Saffron the contact information and you can drop Esperanza a note."
"Um, yes, all right," Sage says without much enthusiasm.
Saffron gives him a pointed smile then says, "Have a good time in the village."
Saffron has to force the smile to stay in place when Lohegrin says, "Birdie and I want you to come to the Brussel's opening next week. There's a young man we want you to meet."
Saffron has to nearly bite her tongue off to keep from blurting out, "No thank, I'm married."
Instead, she says with feigned interest, "Oh?"
"Samson Walters. A fine young man, and a distant relative of mine," Birdie supplies.
Harriet Snider, who despite claiming to be full is currently stuffing her mouth with more of the food Lohengrin brought, grins over at Saffron. "We can attend the opening together! We shall have a grand time."
Saffron says overly brightly, "Yes, I'm sure we will," already trying to think of an excellent excuse for begging off next weekend.
[Ha Ha] Laughing All The Way
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 12-09-08 19:22
I had hoped that my sex god boyfriend Sage Porter would come riding in to safe me from Ha Ha. I said as much while waiting with face pressed to one of the windows watching for the signal to be given.
"Sage was able to just causally slip out of Hogwarts this morning to come to Happy Haven," Isabella had asked.
"Why the sarcasm, Izzy wizzy? My sex god boyfriend, Sage Porter, could very well have sneaked out, joined the rescue squad, and even now waits impatiently to have his arms around me once more."
"Once more? When has there been a before?" Izzy had asked.
"Yes, Georgia, when might this have been?" Edith chimed in.
"I have been kissed by him, you know."
Catherine sniggered. "Yes, because Jared Wynbourne made him."
"I do not recall Jared's hands on my sex god boyfriend's lips, forcing them to pucker."
"Imagine that," Izzy said.
"Imagine what?" Catherine asked.
Izzy smirks, "Georgia said sex god boyfriend without saying Sage's name."
Edith joined their snickering. "Such an historic day this is in more ways than one."
"You are such a laugh, Edith, though why you lot find me and my sex god boyfriend such sources of amusement continues to elude me."
"That's our Georgia, delusional as ever."
"You are no longer my bestest pally Izzy wizzy. I hope I shan't have to remove you from the Ace Gang as well."
"Like you'd find anyone to replace me," she snorted.
"I won't need any of you once I am reunited with the sex god Sage Porter. I do wish I had my boy entrancers and some lippy to apply before the grand reunion."
"There's the signal," Edith cried out.
We heaved up the window and out we went, the wands provided to us by the people Coco Nutt had been in contact with out and at the ready. We'd all gone without real practice for so long we hoped we'd be able to remember any necessary spells under pressure should the need arise.
Our little group stayed in a tight cluster as we made our way to the rescue vehicle. Along the way I ask, "Do you think Woolly's going to be terribly upset that we won't visit her once we are free of here?"
Catherine laughs, "You say the stupidest things, Georgia."
"Stupify!"
"Oooh. Good one, Georgia. Direct hit."
"Why thank you, Edith."
"Where are you going, Georgia?"
"I should think it obvious, Izzy."
"Enlighten us."
"I'm going to check the Hun's pocket for lippy."
The Hun is a largish female guard named Honey. Sometimes I felt rather sorry for her unfortunate name to go with such a manly body as it just begs for the nickname Hun. I sure though that when the Hun was a charming, smiling baby, she did not looks quite so masculine. Let's hope anyway.
Catherine follows my dash over to the Hun. "Are you serious?"
"Of course I am. I used up my own lippy ages ago and it's not as though I could easily get more. I suppose it's asking too much that the Hun have boy entrancers and a little eye shadow as well."
Digging around in the Hun's pockets I strike gold. "See! Success!"
Edith, who had started laughing at me again - though really, I do prefer to think she's laughing with me - looks to where where a Land Rover sits. "Can we go now?"
"Yes, though I do think that in the future, female prison guards should carry more makeup on them. Most helpful of them, don't you think?"
Izzy said with a touch of exasperation, "You are definately a unique thinker, Georgia."
"It's good of you to finally admit it, Iz."
As we neared the Land Rover we had to slow as there were other students climbing into the vehicle ahead of us. Taking the lippy I got off the Hun I open it then sigh.
"What now?" Izzy asked.
"It's not really a good color for me. Can we go find another female guard to search?"
Edith chortles. Catherine starts giggling. Izzy puts a hand on my back and gives me a firm push towards the Land Rover.
Translations:
sex god = Sage Porter, my hot, hunk boyfriend, whom I greatly miss due to our forced time apart and who misses me even more greatly and who shall shower me with kissed once we are reunited
Ha Ha = Happy Haven
bestest pally = best chum, who is not, mind you, Isabella
Ace Gang = Edith, Catherine, former bestest pally Isabella, and me
boy entrancers = false eyelashes
lippy = lipstick
Not The Intention
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 12-10-08 17:14
Charlie stiffly walks from down one of the hallways in the St. John's Wood mansion. He enters a cozy, warm sitting room and gratefully plops down in front of the welcoming fire. Charlie gets settled in the chair, snuggling down, shifting to stretch his legs before leaving them extended to catch the heat of the fire. He stretches his arms, wincing at how stiff the shoulder is that was dislocated. It's sore as well but compared to how badly the shoulder hurt while dislocated, the soreness seems trivial.
Charlie's just gotten really comfortable in the overstuffed chair, sitting where the fire is warm but not stifling, with his eyes drowsily closed when he has the sensation of no longer being alone in the room. Charlie hadn't heard anyone come in but then, he has been half asleep.
"Coming to enjoy the fire?" Charlie asks without opening his eyes.
"I was but thought you were sleeping so I was debating whether to sit down or go to another room," Severus Snape answers.
Charlie opens his eyes and pushes himself more upright, wincing again at the pressure on his newly healed leg. Seeing the face Charlie makes, Snape says, "You do know I hadn't meant to inflict physical damage, don't you?"
To be honest, Charlie hadn't been sure. There's never been any love lost between Severus Snape and any of the Weasleys. Charlie's had the impression at times that the only Weasley Snape finds truly tolerable is Majandra and she's not a Weasley by birth. He'd not expected Snape to level a Cruciatus Curse at him, much less to turn around and do it again. Spells to make it look as though "Barny" had been taken unawares to be sure, but the Cruciatus Curse?
Charlie isn't sure how to respond as he's not sure he wants to admit the absolute truth when there is already some animosity between them. He ends up shrugging. "We wanted it to look real."
"Real, yes, but I never imagined that a short burst of a Cruciatus would snap a leg. How is it today?"
Charlie shrugs again. "Healed. Stiff, sore, but healed. I think my leg broke because I had the misfortune of hitting that cement floor the wrong way."
"I should not have used the curse the second time. Something else would have worked. A Stupefy perhaps." Snape's unblinking gaze fixes on Charlie. "I realize I've not yet said two things to you. The first is I'm sorry that you were physically injured as you were. The second is thank you."
Charlie waves a hand at Snape. "A thank you isn't necessary. You're an Order member. Even if you weren't, no one deserves such an existance."
"Still, thank you. Now, I believe I shall turn in. I ate a little of the broth Molly fixed me, had a very long soak in a very hot tub and think that I shall like nothing more at the moment than to crawl into the warm bed I've been given here. Good night."
Charlie inclines his head. "Good night. Sleep well."
Charlie watches Snape leave then gets up as well. He'd planned to spend the night here at the mansion but now wants nothing more than to sleep spooned against his wife tonight.
(Katherine) After The Mews
Author: Beck
Date: 12-10-08 17:45
Katherine tumbled out of the floo and took in her new surroundings. She'd arrived in a cottage with a stone fireplace, wood floors, and plaster walls. A window patterned with stylized circles was embedded into an adjacent wall, and a couple of tiny potted plants sat on its thick ledge. The room was sparsely furnished, and yet it had a homely feel about it.
Also, it had the distinct stench of farm animals.
"Welcome, welcome," came a voice from the room's doorway.
Katherine turned her head in its direction and saw a tall, bearded man in graying robes leaning against the door jamb. He was just as he'd been described to her and truly a welcome sight. For the first time since the revolt at The Mews community for nons, Katherine felt safe.
"Thank you," Katherine replied, taking a tentative step forward. Despite the relief she felt at being there, she was still a bit skittish around unfamiliar wizards and places. She had gone through quite an ordeal since her arrest and subsequent transfer from Azkaban to The Mews, and it would probably take some time to recover from the experience.
The old wizard smiled. "No need for that." He pushed off from the door jamb and took the few steps necessary to properly greet Katherine. Holding out his hand he said, "I'm Aberforth."
Summoning up some courage, she slipped her hand into his and shook it firmly. "I'm Katherine."
Aberforth let go of her hand and gestured for her to follow him out of the room. "Well, Katherine. I'm sure you would like nothing more then to rest, eat a hearty meal, soak in the bath..."
"Oh, yes," she replied, suddenly enthusiastic. "I did get a couple of delicious meals and a nice rest after leaving The Mews, but while I'm no longer in the rags I was wearing before, I haven't gotten the chance for a proper soak in the tub. I would LOVE one."
Aberforth chuckled. "Then take one. The bathroom is the last door at the end of the hall. The door adjacent to it is a bedroom that you can use as long as you need it. There is some clothing in the wardrobe, but I'm not sure it will fit you properly."
"That's okay," Katherine replied, indicating to the pair of jeans and T-shirt she currently wore. The jeans fit all right but the shirt was two sizes too big. "Clean clothes in any size is better than what I had to wear everyday while at The Mews."
They went about halfway down the hall when Aberforth said, "I'll leave you to it now. Perhaps I'll fix something to eat. Do you have a preference?"
"Anything," Katherine replied, smiling. Her intial uncertainty had all but disappeared, mainly due to Aberforth's friendliness and hospitality.
She hesitated and then said, "I know that I'm not supposed to contact my family directly, at least not the ones in England, but I would really like to see if I can get to my half-brother in Australia."
"I think that's a fine idea. When would you like to go?"
"As soon as possible," Katherine replied. She was certainly grateful to Aberforth and the other individuals who had helped her so far, but she wanted nothing more than to be with family.
Aberforth nodded thoughtfully. "Then it should be so."
Katherine's face lighted up with another smile. "Great." She started to turn for the bathroom but then she paused and faced the wizard again.
"So, where exactly am I?"
"Kalmar, Sweden," Aberforth replied, "by the Baltic Sea."
Katherine's expression went from surprise to pleasure. "Oh, cool. I've never been to Sweden before."
She found it especially marvelous because as far as she'd been concerned, she never would have seen any place other than The Mews ever again. Glad to have proven herself wrong, she turned on her heel and walked into the bathroom with the hint of a skip in her step.
Katherine came to an abrupt stop when she found a long-eared, black and white goat chewing on a piece of hay by the bathtub.
"Flopsy! Give the girl some privacy, eh?"
The goat, like a dutiful pet, heeded its master's call and trotted past Katherine out the bathroom door. Baffled, she locked herself in the bathroom and then set about preparing herself a relaxing bath.