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Confrontation
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 07-27-11 05:54
Before any of the children arrived from Hogwarts for the last Hogsmeade weekend of the school year, Julian and Lysander hauled out the crate of journals to give away with each purchase and made sure the shoppe looked tidy in time for opening.
With a few minutes to spare, Julian announced, "Going to pop upstairs to use the loo. Back in a tick."
"Sure."
Lysander moved to the window display to set up a few books that might entice the teens. He turned his back to grab another book from a pile he'd pulled off the shelves earlier. When he turned back around, he found Kristos Fox grinning at him through the glass.
Lysander crouched frozen in the window for a minute. It seemed the moment he'd been waiting for had finally arrived, but he also knew that he didn't have a lot of time before the village filled with schoolchildren. He had to act now or lose whatever chance he had at protecting himself and his daughter.
There was something in the way Kristos smiled at him, though.
And then it dawned on Lysander. Kristos knew. Kristos knew everything.
Lysander straightened up, toppling over some of the books on display, and went to the front door. He made no move for his wand and instead opened the door and barked, "Get in."
Kristos chuckled and followed Lysander's command. "My, my. So this is what special treatment is like. I'm getting into the shoppe before opening time."
Lysander wasn't amused. "What do you want?"
Kristos grinned even wider. "My niece."
Lysander did his best to keep his expression neutral. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Don't you?" Kristos was still grinning, but then his features altered completely. His expression darkened considerably and he practically growled, "How could you keep her from us, from Aralyn? What gave you the right?"
Lysander got in Kristos' face and hissed, "I did what I had to. Your sister was unfit to raise Charlotte. She left her on my doorstep, for Merlin's sake!"
"I sincerely doubt that, but even if that were the truth, that still doesn't give you the right to make Aralyn forget that she has a daughter!"
"Then tell me what you two were planning when Charlotte and I visited Santa Cruz."
A cruel smile touched Kristos' lips. "Now that's our dirty little secret."
Lysander shook his head. "You were planning on taking her father away from her forever. Death is permanent."
"I'm well aware of that. Are you claiming because you didn't off us, because you stole our memories instead, that you're the better person? You committed a serious crime, Stratford."
Kristos got in Lysander's face and tapped his temple. "I remember everything. The treatment at St. Mungo's worked. It was like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. A memory here, a memory there, and then a memory to link them together. I've got the whole picture now, right here in my head."
Kristos drew back and looked around the room. "So where is she, your darling DEAD wife? Oh, yes. I remember that Chyler is dead. And that only means that your girlfriend has been impersonating her to keep up your charade."
Kristos laughed all of a sudden. "Good on you, though, for finding a younger version of your wife. I bet she's a vixen between the sheets."
Lysander ground his teeth together.
Kristos grinned. "So, now you know that I know the truth. I'm going to give you a couple of options. A, you turn yourself into the authorities and Charlotte will wind up in my sister's care, or B, I kill you where you stand and Charlotte winds up in my sister's care. You've got three seconds."
Lysander didn't bother waiting until three. He whipped out his wand, and though Kristos did the same, Lysander was faster.
"Imperio!" Lysander shouted.
Kristos immediately relaxed and lowered his wand arm. He stood before Lysander, looking a bit glassy-eyed, and waited for a command.
Lysander swallowed. He'd been so certain that Kristos would never remember anything again. Damn that study at St. Mungo's!
He heard footsteps and knew that Julian had returned from the upstairs flat.
"Go to the cliffs and jump," Lysander finally said.
Kristos turned around and opened the door. The sounds of schoolchildren arriving in the village cut through the silence of the shoppe but were dampened when the door shut again.
Julian came up beside Lysander and watched Kristos as he walked down High Street. Eventually he fell out of sight, leaving Julian and Lysander only with their imaginations.
Lysander stuffed his wand in his pocket and said, "He remembers everything."
"Not for long, I wager," Julian murmured.
The door bell caused Lysander to very nearly jump out of his skin. Julian sidestepped him to help the student who'd just walked in through the door. Lysander suppressed his curiosity to follow Kristos to the cliffs and instead forced himself to go behind the counter.
Shopping and Lunch Date
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 07-27-11 15:29
Orei had decided to venture into the village during the day, she had time off work, and had completed her assignments and owl'd them into her Professors yesterday. Fingertips laced through her hair as she waddled through the village as it began to fill with students milling down from the Castle. It was a hogsmeade weekend and that meant that soon third through seventh years that had permission from their parents would be wandering through the village shopping and filling the establishments.
There would be purchases made for themselves to survive the remainder of the semester, new owl order forms to survive the passage of NEWT and OWL testing which would no doubt begin soon. Orei had only one thing planned today and that was ultimately lunch with Artemis at Three Broomsticks and beyond that she had some shopping she wanted to get done.
Orei had already had a simple breakfast at Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop and at the moment was heading toward Twice Told Tales to see about finding a new book or two to read. "Good morning Lysander, Julian." Orei said, greeting the pair of men, as she waddled forward, hand upon her back.
"Morning Orei, need something else to read?" Julian asked as he moved forward and took her arm. She leaned lightly against him.
"Indeed, and I'm so very much ready to not be pregnant any more. Thankfully, she's due in August. Jim and I are already planning a wedding, though thinking of heading to the Ministry and doing a simple ceremony there before doing the big ceremony with friends and family."
Julian excused himself for a few moments as Lysander got busy with a sudden influx of students from the village, it looked like a group of seventh years, looking for anything that would give them an edge to get an outstanding on their NEWT level examinations as well as something to read, explore once the NEWTs were complete and the rest of the students were taking their final examinations.
After a few minutes, Orei waddled to the counter and set a trio of books upon the surface, they were mainly rune books and linguistic books. "You and Lysander are both invited to the wedding when Jim and I finally set a date." Orei said as Julian rang up her purcahses and soon enough Orei was waddling out of the expanse of the shop, just as a group of students wandered in.
She still had a few stops to make, including putting in an order for bread to be dropped off Monday morning to last most of the week. Beyond that she wanted something sweet, maybe a fairy cake or one of the turnovers that she adored. Not that her waistline needed any addition of sweets thanks to the healthy little wonder that was growing within her.
"Orie!" She stopped at the sound of her name and turned to look in the direction she'd been called.
"Arti! Hey hon. How are you? Ready for your exams?" Orei asked as she settled on a bench and Artemis settled next to her.
"No. But, I don't really have much of a choice. They are coming no matter what. Oh, and I can apparate now." She said with a grin and nudged Orei lightly. "How is Jim?"
"He's doing good, working and focusing more on his studies. He has a brief internship at St. Mungo's once Trinity is over and at some point we are working on setting a wedding date and honeymoon. I have already made my schedule as lax as I can and still keep my job and not fall behind when I'm almost done with my tertiary order studies." Orei said, taking a breath as the baby kicked rather sharply.
"Alright, I'm famished and I want to put in an order at Briar's. I will be sending munchies back with you to last you through NEWTs, even if I have to set up the owl order tonight when I get home."
Arti laughed and helped Orei up off the bench and they headed into Briar's which was already buzzing with activity. "I imagine Honeyduke's is just as bad."
They waited their time in line and within a few minutes had placed their orders for delivery, Orei had gotten a couple of fairy cakes that she would hand off to her house elf after summoning her. The remainder of the parcels would be sent home with the houseelf as well as she and Arti headed to The Three Broomsticks for lunch.
Eavesdropping
Author: Ella
Date: 07-27-11 18:02
Ella walked into the village alone. Francis had originally invited her to tag along with him and Ashleigh, but she had politely declined his offer, if only so that Ashleigh didn't have to put up with her presence. Ella really didn't want to be the third wheel anyway.
She had a few errands to run that should keep her busy for a while. Then she thought she might sit on a bench in the park and read a good book. According to The Daily Prophet, the morning would start out cool but then warm up into a beautifully, sunny day.
Because it was somewhat nippy, Ella wore a cardigan over a T-shirt and jeans. She carried a small, mesh purse over her neck and shoulder. Later, if she got too warm, she'd wrap the cardigan around her waist or banish it to the castle.
She headed for Briar's Bakery first. Not surprisingly, there was a line all the way out the door. Ella debated going somewhere else for a nibble to eat, but she really wanted something from the bakery to start her morning off right.
Inch by inch, she drew closer to the door. When she reached the threshold, she bumped into Francis and Ashleigh on their way out of the shoppe. Ashleigh was in the middle of conversation.
"What do you think his problem was?" she asked Francis. Neither had noticed Ella, but one of the outdoor tables had just opened up, so they took it before anybody else could claim it.
"I think he just didn't see you. He was probably deep in thought about something," Francis replied. He had a fluffy croissant with a packet of cream cheese and what looked like a mug of hot cocoa.
"He didn't even apologize for walking into me." Ashleigh bit into her custard danish.
"He probably had a lot on his mind. I don't think he meant to run into you," Francis replied.
"Why are you making excuses for him?" Ashleigh asked. "Do you even know him?"
"I think he was a teacher at Hogwarts when I was a first year, but that was a long time ago and he wasn't one of my professors, so I can't say for sure. I guess he looks a bit different after seven years."
Ashleigh opened her mouth to retort, but then she spotted Ella looking at them both. "What are you looking at?" she spat.
Ella turned around to face forward and entered the bakery. When she first met Ashleigh, she'd found her disgustingly nice. Now all she seemed to be was a raging bitch. Why couldn't Francis see that?
Ella shook her head to clear thoughts of Ashleigh, Francis and the anonymous former Hogwarts professor from her mind. Instead, she looked in the display cases to see what she wanted to eat.
Troll Dance
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 07-27-11 19:23
Isabella, Catherine, Edith and I left first thing to come into Hogsmeade, wanting to make the most of the day. In good spirits all around we'd done a new dance the entire walk, the Troll Dance. There are different variations depending on whether we are being river trolls, mountain trolls, or forest trolls but the basic steps are stomp stomp left, stomp stomp right, raise pretend club over head and grunt, large hop forward, small hop back, grunt, grunt, wave club, repeat all steps.
It's vair fab. So marvy in fact we might perform it at Emry Fest for an adoring crowd. We'll having them cheering and adoring us on like mad cheering, adoring things.
Once in town we Troll Danced our way in line for sweets at the bakery. Standing in line Edith suggests, "We should get clubs to make the dance even better."
"It's too bad trolls don't have horns. Wearing horned hats would be double cool with knobs," Catherine says.
I ask, "Why don't we wear horns anyway? Would be fabbity fab fab."
"I bet if we look around in some of the shoppes we'll find something good to use a clubs. Might even have horned hats at Weasleys'." Isabella says all this with a look up and dwon the High, ending with her gaze next door on the joke shop.
"As long as we're done by the time I'm meeting my sex god boyfriend ,"
"Sage Porter!" three voice say in unison.
Unfazed I continue as normal. "And I don't want to spend time with him looking for clubs and horns."
"That is because you will be too busy showing your red bottom," Edith giggles. "Speaking of, you going to show yours for Edward, Catherine?"
"Maybe."
"Rather than displaying red bottomosity, you should all come on a nature walk with Wilbur and me," Isabella says.
"What, Izzy? No red bottom for Wilbur? Poor former titchlet, current sex god in training."
"He's not in training, Georgia."
"Ooooer. Do tell."
"Right now you need to turn around and place your order."
I spin around and see that, sure enough, Edith has ordered and now it's my turn. "A slice of that lemon cake, please."
A few minutes later we're back outside, on a spot of grass, eating scrumdiliuptious bakery treats. Izzy sees this as a chance to change the subject off of whether or not she hows Wilbur the red bottom.
"Georgia, what was that owl you got this morning that had you making faces?"
"Oh, just something some Mum. My barmy little sister is requesting another statue of Merlin to go with the one she's already got, the one she calls Sandra. Even battier Vati has entered his clown car in a derby during the hols. We'll be seeing a few of the Muggle relatives, like that cousin I've mentioned Tallulah."
"Just as long as it's not at the same time as Emrys Fest," Edit says taking a bite of something with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.
For the next several minutes while we finish the sweets we talk about our summer holiday plans, which for Edith means getting to spend time with her hunky Fortescue Fitzmorris, to whom I am sure she shows a honking huge red bottom.
When Catherine sees we are all done she jumps up, "I'm ready to go shopping for troll clubs and horned hats."
As we are so near Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, we decide to start there. The sooner we can find the perfect accroutrements, the sooner we can start perfecting the Troll Dance in time for Emrys Fest.
Translations:
vair = very
fab = fabulous, darling
marvy = marvelous, even more fabulous, darling
double cool with knobs = vair vair vair marvy times 100
fabbity fab fab = fab cubed
sex god = self explanatory but if you need a visual, run go look at Sage Porter, but only look
red bottom = having a red bottom is how females of some species attract the males
red bottomosity = having the red bottom
titchlet = someone younger who may or may not be smaller/shorter
sex god in training = almost there, but not quite
barmy = insane
battier = more barmy
Vati = male paternal unit
clown car = all things Muggle obsessed Vati's microscropic three wheeled automobile
Mystery Solved
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 07-28-11 10:13
Johanna, Gus and Felicia were at The Three Broomsticks waiting for their butterbeers. Although they were three, they have claimed a bigger table because they were waiting for Kate, and maybe Mark. Johanna and Felecia were determinate to play matchmakers so they could join Kate and Mark. Like always this passed unnoticed to Gus. He just kept bragging about last Quidditch game and how he was injured in the head.
“I always thought you were a little bit mental, but now after you hit your head in the hoop I’m completely sure about that.” Johanna joked.
Gus crossed his arms annoyed but still he was able to reply:
“Then what are you still doing here? Why don’t you go meet your nerdy friend Gesner?”
“I was supposed to, but he cancelled the date.“ He had touched the wound.
“Again?” Felecia asked and Johanna shrugged her shoulders.
Whenever there was a trip to Hogsmead Roger would ask Johanna out but at the last minute he would cancel giving all types of excuses. Or he had a delayed essay to conclude, or he had a meeting with a teacher or he had to feed his cat that was ill. Johanna tried not to be furious about his excuses but she knew sooner or later she was going to explode and demand him a real explanation. And that seemed to be happening right now. She ignored Felicia’s speech about how men were all idiots, stood up and left the crowded The Three Bromsticks.
Johanna walked in furious steps without really seeing anything in front of her, wand in her hand. She ended up bumping into Professor McGonagall.
“I’m sorry professor.” Johanna excused herself.
“Where are you going in such a rush Miss Steele? Is something wrong?” Professor McGonagall asked, a little bit worried and maybe suspicious that she was about to get herself into trouble.
“I’m going back to the castle and see my friend Roger Gesner. I know he isn't here, so he probably might be at the library or at the common commons.”
“Well, of course Mr. Gesner isn’t here.” McGonagall replied, adjusting her glasses. “I would be extremely preoccupied if he was.”
Johanna looked to the old witch confused.
“Mr. Gesner doesn’t have permission to leave the castle Miss Steele. I didn’t receive any written authorization from his parents, so the trips to Hogsmead for Mr. Gesner are interdicted .“ McGonagall then left, in a fast pace, probably already late to some compromise. Johanna stood there for a while feeling a little bit stupid. Whys hasn’t he told her about this?
She put her wand in her pocket and walked slowly back into the castle, still trying to contain her rage. Like she predicted Roger was at the common commons, reading a book.
“We need to talk.” She said, hands on her hips and furious eyes. Roger looked up in panic and closed the book. “Why haven’t you told me you couldn’t go to Hogsmead? I made a fool of myself every time I went there, telling my friends I couldn’t hang out with them because we had plans, but then you cancelled them.”
“I’m sorry.” He looked down ashamed. “I just didn’t want to make a fool of myself. Everyone is allowed to go to Hogsmead and my parents don’t let me, they say I’m too young. Guess they’re just afraid something like Happy Haven happens again. Anyway I remember how excited you get about it, how you love to visit all the stores and so on. I just didn’t want you to be stuck in here with me when you could have fun out there.”
Johanna looked astonished at Roger and then she explained him he could have told her that from the start, that then she wouldn’t be mad at him. He apologized one more time and she told him he was forgiven and that if he dared to lie to her one more time she was going to jinx him.
Then she decided it was time to move on and she changed the subject, askin him what book he was reading.
“The History of Wizards Chess and Some Famous Plays by Thea Brown.” He told her.
Johanna sat on the couch and started to flip a few pages of the heavy book.
“Gus is right, you’re really a nerd.” Roger was about to open his mouth and protest when Johanna said in a whisper. “But I like you that way, so don’t change.” He blushed a little bit and then he dared her for a chess match, that she accepted.
Last Workshop of the School Year
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 07-28-11 14:48
So far the last Flying & Quidditch Workshop of the school year has gotten off to a good start. There are still students showing up and as they arrive Viktor puts them in one of the already formed groups depending on whether they are interested in just getting better at flying or are wantinig to improve at Quidditch.
Theodosia Batuti emerges from the equipment room carrying more brooms for those who don't have their own. As the only first years allowed to have their own are on the Quidditch team, and as a good number of other non Quidditch team students in other years don't have brooms at school either, the bulk of the brooms used by students at these workshops are ones belonging to the school. Viktor had brought out a bunch of the brooms when he first arrived this morning but he'd passed the last one of those out a few seconds ago.
Reaching to accept the brooms he tells her, "Perfect timing. Thank you."
"It's a beautiful day for this. By the time the last of the late sleepers realize it's too pretty a day to stay cooped up inside, you may end up with a fairly large turnout. I'd stay and help but Elias Bitfield from the Salem Witches Institute and I are still haggling over the practice schedule for the Beauxbatons pitch and we're rapidly running out of time."
"Vere are you meeting?"
"Beauxbatons so that Donatain Boulanger might mediate as needed since it's his pitch. If I'm not back by the time workshop ends, lock up for me?"
"Of course."
"Thank you! I'd best be going."
Just after Theodosia takes her leave another two students approach Viktor wanting to participate. He has this pick out a broom each and assigns them to a group then looking towards the castle he sees others making their way this direction. Viktor's really wanting to get into the air himself but while waiting for the new arrivals busies himself getting more equipment for each of the groups, such as the spinning aerial rings for any of the group leaders to use if they wish.