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Meeting the Neighbor
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 10-24-09 12:12
I knew there was a reason Bronwyn had picked this neighborhood. One of her many, many Hogwarts crushes lived across the street. I can see why, even back then, she would have something for him. Still, he was our teacher what, half a lifetime ago? I only remembered him because of how often, and how long, Bron would go on about him.
“So,” I said, looking at Bron, “I think Professor Somerset should know about what you’re doing.” Bron looked at me in horror.
“If you do that, he’ll keep the curtains closed!” She cried.
“Then grab a box!” I said.
“But, my manicure…” Bron whined.
“Oh come on, you’re just going to get a super expensive one in the next couple weeks when my sister gets here.”
“But,” Bron looked at her nails, “They did such a nice job. It’d be a shame to ruin it after just one day.” I just sighed and turned towards the door and started walking. Before I could reach the door, Bron asked, “Where are you going?”
“Talk to Professor Somerset,” I replied without even turning around, “Back in a few.” I walked out of the room, and out of the house. I didn’t hear anyone trying to stop me. I continued across the street over to Professor Somerset’s house. A good knock at the door, and a few moments later, the door opened.
“Hello? Can I help you?” Ethan asked. He was now wearing a t-shirt, but it was well fitting, doing nothing to hide his muscular build.
“Hi, I’m Desdemona. I was in one of your classes a few years ago when you taught at Hogwarts for a short time. I’m pretty sure you don’t remember me.”
“A little, you’re a bit of a hard one to forget,” He said, obviously a little confused.
“Well, I’m here ‘cause my friend, Bronwyn, who was also in your class, and her husband Toby are moving in across the street,” I turned and pointed at Bron’s new house, “And they told me you lived here.”
“I saw them when I got home last night,” he said.
“Well, since they are busy moving, I figured, why not come over and invite you over to meet your new neighbors and stuff.”
Ethan thought about it for a moment, looked over at the house across the street, before answering, “Sure.”
He stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him.
“Oh, cause I might forget, you can call me Desi, everyone else does. My name’s too long otherwise,” I told him as we started walking over to Bron’s.
”Ethan,” he said, “If you don’t remember that is.”
“I remember, but I would have still called you Professor Somerset.” He chuckled a little.
”You’re not a student anymore, so you don’t have to.” We walked up to the front door, which was wide open.
I stepped inside and called out, “Hey guys, you got another house guest, come say hi!”
Gift Shopping
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 10-24-09 12:16
Fritz and Coco has begun the morning together, walking into Hogsmeade to get something for breakfast. They'd gone together to McFusty's to pick up a few things for Domino and for Pea and to get them each a check-up. Both animals are doing well and Coco monitors them closely but each had such a hard time while Fritz and Coco were at Happy Haven (Pea wasting away despite the Wynbourne's love and best efforts and poor Domino lost and all alone) that it's best to have a professional look them over every few months.
After leaving McFusty's the duo split up so they could get some Christmas shopping done without the other being right there. What Fritz doesn't know is that Coco's already got his main gift from her and it's already at his parents' house. Working for Indigo over the summer and also at Nutt's & Bolt's gave Coco more money to spend than in past years.
Coco did pick Fritz up a few other things today such as a Quidditch book from Twice Told Tales that is a companion to one he already has, a cap with the Humbatas logo, and some the newest in the color changing ink line. Fritz's main gift is a special cauldron that keeps everything chilled. There's a whole slew of potions that require cold, not heat and this cauldron is made just for that. No extra charms or spells required.
Coco picks up a few things for Papa Wal, Abe, Mitzi, Mr. and Mrs. Schnackenpfefferhausen, Fritz's cousin Otto, Mr. and Mrs. Wynbourne, Jared, Etta, as well as other friends. None are gifts she HAS to get today so she doesn't feel any pressure to hurry up and find something for each person on her list before the day is over. She'll have time once the holiday from school beings, there's owl order, and there's Muggle catalogs orders as well.
The only gift she wanted to absolutely have by day's end is for Basil Wynbourne. It's Basil's name Coco drew for Secret Santa this year. It's at Krum's Completely Quidditch that Coco found the gift she came back for an hour later after looking around more. She got Basil a pair of Quidditch gloves made from dragon's hide. The gloves are waterproof and are great against the cold while still allowing the wearer full functionality and mobility of hand movement. In other words, the gloves are great for grabbing a quaffle or, as in Basil's case, clutching a bat for hitting bludgers.
When it was time to meet back up with Fritz, Coco was satisfied with what she'd accomplished. She would be fine just strolling around Hogsmeade with Fritz and not doing any other shopping or going to play something at Blossom's or if Fritz wanted or needed to shop more that would be fine too. She would simply enjoy being in his company without letting thoughts of studying for NEWTs interfere with a lovely day.
She arrived at the Crown & Cauldron eager for lunch and wondering if they'd be treated to music by Dynamic Duo today.
Craven Origins (2001)
Author: Craven
Date: 10-24-09 16:18
The young boy fell to his knees his breath heavy as it appears in the early daylight hours wafting like smoke… “Father please. Can I have a break?” His father Octavious Craven snarled. “No you may not have a break, be grateful. Most students cannot practice magic until they are within the grounds of there school.” The crisp German accent cut through the chilly January air.
“It is only because of constant talks with the ministry that you were exempted constant threats from old enemies giving me the right to train my son.” His wand twitched and the boy was up on his feet.
“You represent the finest house that of wisdom, genius I will not accept anything less than that from my son, now get into position.”
Samuel, brought his hands into the dueling position, the 11 year old held tears back from the pain he had been through already…
No time for brooms, no time for the pointless actions You were an aura or nothing in this family.
“Flipendo.” Cried the boy. The energy flew at the father who managed to dodge it barely, a smile was on his face impressed by his son’s ruthlessness.
However he would not just allow his boy a victory so soon in his life.
“Impedimenta.” Cried Octavious striking Samuel in the chest… He slowed down greatly and before Samuel could do anything more His father lit up the area with red light. “Stupefy.” The boy went flying striking the ground broken for now.
Moving forward the man looked down at his son impressed… “You will be ready come Durmstrang my boy.”
Relaxing
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 10-24-09 19:58
Isma, Blake, and Eric sat in the Gryffindor Commons looking through several Owl order catalogues. They couldn't go to the Village with the rest of the students their age - due to their last year spent in Happy Haven. She looked over a few items, she wanted to make sure that she had her Secret Santa gift delivered as soon as possible.
Isma had gotten Ella Harville as her secret santa, and didn't know exactly what to get the girl. Though, she was finding several possibilities in the catalogue she was looking through. Eric and Blake were both looking for gifts for their Secret Santas as well. Eric had gotten Gloriaspasiana Hodfuffer and Blake had gotten Cornelia Vanderbilt.
"I have no idea what I am going to get Ella." Isma sighed and pushed herself up from the table and pacing lightly.
"I've settled on a pair of dragon hide gloves, with the Slytherin house crest on them for Cornelia." Blake said, shifting, and taking a swig of his pumpkin juice.
"I found a sweater for Gloriaspasiana, as well as something for my mum." Eric said, pointing to the picture of the sweater in the catalogue.
"Alright. I think I will see what I can find for Ella, I mean I should know something about her after all, we are on the same quidditch team." Isma said, settling back into her seat and looked over the catalogue once more.
Special Delivery
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 10-25-09 03:24
Since she was on the second year, the trips to Hogsmead were inherited to Johanna. She spent the morning at the almost empty Slytherin common room finishing some homework. The Great Hall wasn’t so crowed as usual when she left the dungeons to lunch with Gus and Felicia.
The trio talks about Christmas. They’re all excited to spend some time with their families and of course to receive presents. Just when Johanna had finished the main course and was serving herself with some apple pie, a lonely owl enters the Great Hall and flies into her direction.
The bird drops a square box in the table and then flies away, but not without taking a bit of the apple pie away.
“An early Christmas gift?” Felicia asks reading the label of the box. “It’s for you Johanna.” And handles her the delivery.
Gus looks with curiosity.
“What is it? Open it!”
“It’s my Secret Santa present. I ordered it from a catalogue. Since I can’t go to Hogsmead I paid them to deliver it here.” She started to open the box with carefully. She wanted to see the gift to make sure it was the one she ordered.
“Who will get your gift?” Felicia asked.
“Professor Isuki.”
Kissy Isuki had been her DADA teacher when Johanna was at her first year. She enjoyed her classes a lot, especially the ones that involved the obstacle course. Now she taught the older students but Johanna used to see her every day at the teachers’ table during the meals.
It’s been quite a challenge to find a gift for professor Isuki. At first Johanna though on something related to DADA and magical defense but then she thought that maybe the professor had a big variety of magical artifacts and probably they would be expensive.
She wrote to John asking for suggestion and he came out with an interesting list. Johanna ended up deciding to buy her a watch. Opening the box she looked at the nice model she had bought, happy with her choice.
“Cool watch! It’s a pity professor Isuki isn’t our teacher anymore, or you’ll get a better mark for sure. Or maybe you would buy her something more expensive.”
“Gus! This is not a bribe. “ Johanna reprehended her friend.
He shrugged his shoulders and concentrated on his desert, a chocolate cake. Johanna closed the box and putted it in her pocket. Now all she needed was to find a nice wrapping paper and she could send her gift to Professor Isuki.
Re: Craven Origins (2001)
Author: Craven
Date: 10-25-09 05:51
Durmstrang was not a painless time in his life, no it was rough and horrible, in some cases, but he overcame his many weaknesses. Strong against his fellow class mates in both his house and others, he excelled at charms and the dark arts.
Potions were slightly harder but he learned... Eventually. He gobbled up history, and avoided muggle studies all together not because he hated them but simply because he could not be bothered.
He held for the most part purity of blood but it mattered little in the grand scheme of things because he avoided groups and conversing with those groups.
No friends, only acquaintances. Only loyalty for allies but even than... His father had said the other aura's did not understand evil had to be brought down by evil. This world is full of the soft hearted because people like us make the ultimate sacrifice... Our souls.
So never become to close he would whisper. The only thing that binds you to them is magic, and your sacrifice and there uncaring stares.
Helping
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 10-25-09 11:11
When someone knocked on his door, Ethan put away his weights, pulled on a shirt and padded downstairs. He opened the door to find a young woman standing before him, one who looked vaguely familiar, but only because of her unique hairstyle and color choices. She introduced herself as Desdemona "Desi" Diamond, who had been in his Defense Against the Dark Arts class a long time ago.
Ethan had come home from Hogwarts last night to find a young couple moving in across the street. It was late enough that he hadn't wanted to officially welcome them to the neighborhood, though he was sure he recognized at least one of them as another former student of his, Bronwyn Dewhurst.
When Desi suggested he come across the street and lend a hand to the newcomers, Ethan didn't mind at all. He slipped on some shoes he had by the door, grabbed a jacket off the peg on the wall, and followed Desi to the duplex across the street.
She let him inside, where he met Toby first. "Welcome to the neighborhood." Toby had been in his seventh year, when Ethan had first taught at Hogwarts.
Bronwyn Beck née Dewhurst bounded down the stairs and greeted him breathlessly. "Hi, Professor Somerset!"
"You can call me Ethan now, you know."
Bronwyn tried it out and found that she liked saying his first name very much. She shot Desi a suspicious glance that Ethan couldn't decipher.
"Do you need some help getting things moved around?" he asked her.
"Oh, yes!" Bronwyn said. "That box right there needs to go upstairs. I'll show you exactly where to put it."
Ethan picked up the box in question and carried it upstairs, placing it in the exact place and at the exact angle Bronwyn wished it. She had him go up and down the stairs quite a lot, but he was in great shape and didn't have cause to protest.
It wasn't long before everything was where it needed to be. Now the boxes just needed unpacking, which the happy couple could likely handle themselves.
"If you ever need anything," Ethan said, as he headed for the front door, "just let me know."
"Oh, we will!" Bronwyn gushed. "Thanks so much for helping."
"No problem."
With a smile, he headed outside and back to his place. It was still early enough that he could go to Diagon Alley and do some much needed shopping. He wanted to get Christmas gifts for his family and needed something for Jack Emerson, whose name he'd gotten for the Secret Santa gift exchange.
It didn't take him long to find a suitable gift. Sometimes Jack's homework assignments had doodles in the margins. Ethan wasn't sure drawing was an actual hobby of Jack's, but he obviously did it from time to time. Perhaps he would appreciate a set of sketching pencils.
Ethan would wrap the gift at home and then stick it under the large Christmas tree in the Commons on Monday morning.