|
|
Christmas Shopping
Author: Ella
Date: 02-13-12 18:29
When Ella first woke up, it was still dark outside. Without a class to attend, she considered rolling over and going back to sleep since she typically found it difficult to feel awake without the sun coming in through the dormitory room's windows. She quickly remembered what day it was, however, and got up to prepare for the second Hogsmeade trip of the school year.
She and Francis had made big plans for today. They wanted to start and finish all of their Christmas shopping so that they wouldn't have to worry about it later. Ella's list was quite small. She needed gifts for her father, for Francis, and for the name she drew for the annual Secret Santa gift exchange. She wasn't sure how many people Francis was shopping for, but she didn't think his list was very long either.
Ella quickly showered and dressed and then met Francis in the common room. He was standing by the fireplace, holding his hands before the flames.
They made the decision to have breakfast in the village rather than in the Great Hall and soon found themselves at Briar's Bakery. The shoppe wasn't very full yet, but more and more students seemed to be making it one of their first destinations. Ella and Francis were lucky enough to get an indoor table.
After their meal, which in Ella's case consisted of a blueberry scone and a cup of hot cocoa, they left and began walking aimlessly down High Street. Ella had no ideas about what to get people, least of all her Secret Santa person, but figured she would find something for everybody before the end of the day.
Besides the usual shoppes, a few stalls of various types had been set up along the street. Many sold Christmasy items like ornaments and gingerbread. These stalls weren't usual fixtures in Hogsmeade but were probably there today because the Hogwarts students were visiting the village.
Ella and Francis stopped by one of the stalls, lured by the colorful creatures spread across the table. There were all types, like cats and dragons, but it was the owls that caught Ella's eye. She found them very cute. The proprietor, a middle-aged wizard with callouses on his fingers, crafted leather in his spare time. The creatures were keychains, but could probably be attached to anything.
Unable to decide on which she liked best, Ella purchased two of the owls. She planned on giving them both to Johanna Steele, whose name she'd drawn for Secret Santa.
At a neighboring stall, this one featuring wooden objects, Francis found gifts for his Secret Santa recipient. He had drawn Professor Sacheverelle's name. At first, Francis was going to go with something relating to divination, but that would have been too obvious. Besides, Professor Sacheverelle probably had everything having to do with divination anyway, being a professor of that subject and all.
Ella had suggested something any witch might want or need, like perfume or some sort of accessory. What Francis ended up choosing was two sets of hair sticks. Both were made out of wand woods, which somehow made them more interesting to Francis, who didn't know the first thing about putting sticks in hair. He did think that Professor Sacheverelle had pretty hair, so hopefully she would like his gifts and use them sometime.
Their Secret Santa purchases now behind them, they began to think about what to get each other.
Starting Out Together (Hydrangea & Glori)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 02-13-12 18:53
Excited at the prospect of another Hogsmeade trip, third year cousins Hydrangea and Gloriaspasiana set out together the second students were allowed to leave school grounds. After a breakfast of chocolate covered doughnuts from the bakery intent on getting some Christmas shopping done. Each girl came with money saved along with money sent from home.
The first gift Hydrangea purchases is for the person whose name she drew for Secret Santa. She'd already had some gift ideas and once she had the name Hydrangea just needed to narrow down the choices even more. The one she'd decided on was advertised for a sale price at Krum's Completely Quidditch. Hydrangea owled off asking that one of the sports watches with green to be set aside for her. She could have asked Professor Krum to help her with that but she didn't want to impose on him. Hydrangea also could have sent money for the watch and have it sent to her but she wanted to wait in case she found something else between then and this morning.
Arriving at the Quidditch shoppe, she's looked around a little bit, looking to see if anything else caught her eye but also selecting a few other items as gifts for other people. By the time Glori and she leave Krum's Completely Quidditch Hydrangea has marked a few names off her list, including that of Arthur Fu's, the third year Slytherin who she's Secret Santa for.
Unlike her cousin, Glori had not been at all sure what to get her Secret Santa recipient. Like so many others she'd been looking through catalogs and shoppe flyers looking for ideas of things to put on her own wish list and for presents to get others. She'd found a few cute things she'd like to get for her Secret Santa if she drew the name of another girl student. Then the actual name draw took place.
Glori wouldn't say she was disappointed in whose name she got. Far from it. It's that in her opinion Minerva McGonagall is someone exceedingly difficult to buy for. She'd ended up writing home asking for ideas. The very next day she got a package from home. Her father had found what he claimed was the almost perfect item. Fooglehauser said it was almost because he thought Professor McGonagall would prefer something more Gryffindorish in color. He suggested she take the gift into Hogsmeade with her, go to the Crown & Cauldron, and ask Phlagmelina to do a color change because she's better at that then he or Glori's mother Trina.
After Hydragea is done at the Quidditch shoppe Glori wants to go straight away to the restaurant so that Aunt Phlagmelina will have the gift to do the color change on when she gets a chance this morning. Glori plans on picking it back up while there for lunch. Hydrangea and she are meeting up with a few other friends and then they are splitting up so they can freely shop for gifts for each other. In the meantime, Glori plans on paying close attention to what catches Hydrangea's eye when they hit more shoppes after dropping off the tartan and thistle throw with their aunt.
Eating Is Just As Important As Gifts (Wiggy, Baron & Augustus)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 02-13-12 20:00
As usual for a Hogsmeade Saturday Wiggy sets out from Hogwarts with best friends Deak and Jack. What don't be the usual is that around two he leaves to join up with the rest of the Puddlemere United team for a match this evening against the Polish Grodzisk Goblins. Wiggy dislocated his shoulder at practice Thursday so isn't on tonight's line-up but he's expected to be there nonetheless. He's really looking forward to what should be a great game, though he does wish he had the full day to spend in Hogsmeade.
All week talk among a majority of students has been centered on the Secret Santa gift exchange and being able to Christmas shop in the village on Saturday. Wiggy thinks himself lucky to pretty much be done with gift buying already. He'd ordered a few things and picked other presents up when out with the Quidditch team. At a charity match in Luxembourg a few weeks ago, Wiggy had picked up several things he thought would make nice gifts. One of those is a matching gloves and scarf set that at the time he'd not had anyone specific in mind. After drawing Adriana Fairchild's name in the Christmas draw, he'd immediately thought of the set. He sucks as gift wrapping even using magic so thanks to little sister Glori, it's already nicely wrapped in blue paper with dancing snow people, a blue and white ribbon and bow, and a gift tag that Glori had made him write out himself.
With most gift buying out of the way, Wiggy will look around while in Hogsmeade but his main goal since he's not playing tonight is to indulge at Briar's and maybe a few other places as well. He's also got to remember to take something back for his cousin Barontaine. As a second year Baron couldn't come to Hogsmeade today and though their two aunts and uncle who have the Crown & Cauldron send them all things from time to time and though students regularly order sweets from village shoppes plus what's available in the commons, he'd still managed to get Wiggy to promise a huge slab of freshly made cake from the bakery.
Wiggy doesn't mind. He likes all his cousins and is always happy to help one of them out. Wiggy even helped Baron with his own Secret Santa gift. Baron drew Basil Wynbourne's name. Though Wiggy personally thinks Basil is an arse, to put it kindly, when Baron came asking Wiggy if he could and would assist him with Basil's gift, Wiggy agreed. Baron wanted to give Basil something Quidditch related so through Wiggy had gotten an equipment set. While it looks no different from the standard set used by many Quidditch players, this particular set was worn once in a match between Puddlemere and the Moutohora Macaws, a New Zealand team. Like the gift for Professor Fairchild, the gift was already wrapped though Baron had help with that from his sister Hydrangea, who used the same paper that Glori had.
While Baron is taking part in the flying and Quidditch workshop, Wiggy eating a second piece of cake (lemon cream this time, chocolate the first), and Glori and Hydrangea are walking to the Crown & Cauldron, Augustus is swallowing the last bite of a strawberry cream filled doughnut as he and Caerwyn step up to one of the temporary vendors set up along High Street.
Gus had drawn Ethan Somerset's name for Secret Santa and since then he's had a few ideas on what to give. The one he's been stuck on the most is picture related. The vendor has a display that caught his attention so with a nudge to Caerwyn the two boys had ambled that direction. A few minutes later Gus has bought two things to give Professor Somerset, thinking the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor will like having more ways to show off pictures of his daughter, and Caerwyn is suggesting, "Let's drop stuff off at Dad's."
"Good idea."
"Then we can get something else to eat."
"Even better idea!"
Their next goal settled upon, they walk the short way to Twice Told Tales, Gus thinking he would like a slice of pie when they go for food again.
Public Display
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 02-14-12 07:02
Nate should have predicted that today, of all days, Hogsmeade would be the essence of chaotic. However, Nate had planned to come to the village to buy a gift for Adina Blackwood, the person whom he had drawn for Secret Santa. He had no idea what a thirteen-year-old witch would like to have for Christmas. He had no sisters or younger cousins to advise him, and he wasn't going to base his strategy on Phyllida as a model. Even if she was in Slytherin like Adina, there was still a considerable age difference between them. So he ended up deciding to buy her a quill at Scrivenschaft's . The quill of choice was long and green, and Adina would merely have to think in the colour of the ink she wanted, and the quill would write in it, even if the ink she had dipped the quill was black.
But even before the need for shopping this weekend had arisen, Nate had been planning to come to Hogsmeade. After the hidden kisses between himself and Phyllida, he'd decided to take the first step and ask her out on an actual date. They had been studying together at the common commons when he broached the topic.
"Hey, I have been thinking..."
"Oh Merlin! You've been thinking?" She'd laughed and jabbed him in the ribs with her quill. Nate had no idea if this was a good or a bad start, but after laughing he moved on.
"Stop that...I'm trying to tell you something important."
"This is frightening news," Phyllida teased him.
His cheeks turned red in frustration. "Just let me speak will you?"
"What?"
"Would you...er...go out in a date with me?"
She stopped writing on her scroll, and without any facial reaction she simply replied in a dry tone: "No."
The answer surprised Nate, but at the same time it didn't. Phyllida was a bit out of his league and he knew it. But those kisses had to mean something, right?
"No? Why not?"
"I don't like dates," she simply said, again in the same, dry tone.
"It's not a random date. It's with me..." Nate insisted.
"That's worse. You'll ruin everything."
"I have dated before. I know how it goes." Why did his voice have to sound so cocky?
"I'm not dating you. " She closed her book, and collected her things from the table. "I have to go. I'm late."
For what she was late for he had no idea, but he watched her go away, sensing the bitter taste of rejection in the air. Only moments later, he realized that a bunch of second year students had witnessed the entire scene, and he shooed them away, threatening to remove points from their house if they didn't disperse.
After buying Adina's gift, Nate decided to go back to the castle. But he couldn't resist having a Butterbeer first and so he head towards The Three Broomsticks, picking an empty seat by the counter. Only then did he notice that Phyllida was seated on his right.
"Hey…" he greeted.
"What are you doing here? Have you been following me?" she attacked him right away.
"No, I didn't. And the reason I am here is because…I want a kiss. Yes, a public kiss. With everyone watching. Not inside a dark cupboard or behind the hospital wing's curtains." Nate had no idea what was happening with him. It seemed he was under the Imperius curse or suddenly he had turned into a bold Gryffindor. Or maybe a house elf had put some fire whiskey in his pumpkin juice by mistake this morning and he was drunk. "I like you a lot, Phyllida Grimshaw-Spore, and I will kiss you right now in front of the entire pub."
(Maggie) Anti-School Day
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 02-14-12 14:52
The morning had dawned with the premise of snow at some point throughout the day, however, Maggie could care less. Today was one day she would be not focusing on the madness of NEWT level course work and she would be relaxing as well as shopping like a fiend for Christmas (not that she had many people to buy for).
She'd grabbed a quick bite with Adleiade and Matilda before heading down to the village to deal with a few things before things got too chaotic, because they all knew that the peaceful morning hours would soon become a thing of the past when the rest of the castle woke up and the rest of the third through seventh years began heading toward the village.
"I've got to grab my secret santa gift, though, am not entirely certain what to get Jade Green." Maggie said with a shrug. "I'm sure I will think of something, I want to get it today though while we are in the village. I've also got a couple of ideas for Lawrence, Ariella and Alex."
"Good. I've a couple of people I want to buy for. So, we will meet up at Burger Wizard around lunch time? Sophia should be down by then, and then head over for a game of laser tag before we make sure we've got all our shopping done." Matilda said.
"Right. That's the plan. See you around lunch time." Maggie said and turned, heading toward Botanicals and Beyond first as she had an idea for Jade Green's secret santa gift. She'd settled on a cute gift basket set up, along with a variety of teas to go with the two mug set. That done, she would head over to Zonko's to look for something cute for Alex.
After that she grabbed a couple of small things for each of her roommates, a bag of Bertie Botts for Nathaniel for helping to show her around when she'd first gotten here - nothing more than that for him as she did not wish to step on anyone's toes. Beyond that, she had ordered the gift for Lawrence and Ariella yesterday afternoon after she'd had dinner with Ariella and Lawrence in their quarters, and gotten a couple of copies of their wedding photos as well as one of the pictures of the three of them from Anthony and Plum's wedding.
That done, she checked the time and headed toward Burger Wizard to meet up with her roommates, carrying a few bags filled with gifts as well as a few things for herself - just little indulgences to get her through the end of term.
Encounter
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 02-14-12 18:52
Cold from standing outside in the light snow that has persistently fallen for several days now Emerald shifts from one foot to the other. When Olive is more than ten minutes later than the time she gave her older sister, the freezing Emerald gripes aloud, "Screw this," and turns to the nearby entrance of Dominic Maestro's, the bag she carries thumping her in the leg in the process. Browsing along the line of windows so she can keep watch for Olive, she stops to thumb through a book of songs by several popular rock bands. Her hand slips and the book falls open to a tune Phin always liked and that Dynamic Duo did a cover of.
With timing that couldn't have been planned more perfectly Phin steps up at that exact moment, reaching out to help support the book. Just as quickly he lets it go and takes a step back. After an awkward silence fills the space between them he finally musters a slight smile. "Hi."
"Hi, yourself. Helping at the restaurant today or is the band playing?"
"I'm going to help for the lunch rush. If everyone's able to make it around two, we'll play a couple of sets. Are you okay? You look tired."
Just what every girl wants to hear from an ex-boyfriend. Emerald starts to say something sarcastic but catches herself. Phin's question was asked because he still cares, not because he's trying to make her feel bad about herself.
"Yeah, I'm fine and yes, I am tired. Final exams at two universities, the traveling back and forth twice a week to the States wears a person down. How are you?"
"I'm good." Phin's eyes go to the bag she's carrying. "Taking advantage of the Hogsmeade Saturday sales?"
"They're Secret Santa gifts. Olive, Jade, and Hunter all put their names in. Aunt Blythe thought getting flannel sheet sets for whomever they drew would be nice; she just had to wait to find out who they each got so she could get something appropriate. Olive was supposed to meet me just outside but she's now," Emerald consults her watch, "almost twenty-five minutes late."
"You could have just owled the gifts to school."
"I know but I was thinking of coming to Hogsmeade today anyway. I thought it would be nice to see Olive and I could bring all their Secret Santa gifts. If second years could come into the village, I'd have asked the twins to also meet here at the time Olive gave. At least one of them would have shown up."
"Maybe Olive lost track of time or didn't get away from school when she'd planned."
"Yeah, probably, but that doesn't mean I like having to wait, and outside at that. I was getting too cold standing in one spot so came inside. Are you buying some sheet music?"
"I had been looking through some but I'm not looking for anything in particular. So," Phin begins then stops, his cheeks coloring.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"It's something."
"No, really."
"Phin, it's something or you wouldn't be turning red and claiming it's nothing."
"I was going to ask if you're still seeing that Gavin guy."
"Sort of but not really."
"What does that mean?"
"We were never dating to speak of. We get together every now and again, that's all. Not that it's your business."
"I can't help feeling like it is. You know how I feel about you, Emmie."
"We aren't together anymore, Phin."
"Oh, believe me, I know that all too well. Problem is, I can't just turn off the feelings. You saying you want to break up and me having to accept that does not mean a switch flips from on to off. It doesn't help that I know you still care about me."
"This isn't about me."
"I disagree. It's about us. I love you. I know that at least on some level you love me too. I have given you the space and distance you said you needed. That doesn't mean I understand how you can love me but not want to be with me. You should be thankful I'm not some crazed stalker."
Realizing what took place involving a crazed stalker towards the end of the day the last time there was a Hogsmeade Saturday, Phin colors even more, looking highly embarrassed and looking around to see if anyone else heard him. He gives a small, dejected shake of his head, eyes now on his feet. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
Sighing softly, Emerald tells him, "I'm not sure of some things myself, Phin. I do love you but I also don't know exactly what I want yet in life. I was starting to feel tied down and started worrying that if I said yes to your proposal, even if we went with a long engagement that I'd never find out what it is I feel is missing."
Phin moves forward, closing the gap between them. "I would never want to tie you down, Emmie."
He drops a fleeting kiss on her cheek, so lightly brushing his lips against her skin that she could almost think there'd been no contact at all. Phin leaves her standing there in a rush of confused emotions.
She's still in the same spot when Olive shows up a minute or two later breathlessly apologizing, "I'm sooooooo sorry. I was thinking I'd told you in front of Tomes and Scrolls so was there waiting. As soon as I remembered I'd said Dominic Maestro's I came right away."
Picking Gifts for Beatrix
Author: Rylee
Date: 02-15-12 14:42
Saturday had come, another day that I could not go into the village, which would have made shopping for my secret santa all the easier if I could simply get to Gladrags and physically get my hands on some merchandise. Or even one of the other stores that lined the shopping district of the village located outside the castle gates.
Sweeping a hand through my hair I flopped down on my bed and flipped through the catalogue Mum had sent me yesterday, with potential ideas marked in a putrid bright pink so they would stand out (as if she had to use such a disgusting color). I pondered a few moments, I'd intended to get a moment to talk to Cornelia, Beatrix's sister and got some ideas on what to get the third year Ravenclaw student - that I'd never met, but it was not meant to be, so I went with girly type things. It would be interesting also to see who had selected me for this little event.
I pondered a few moments before creating a list of two things that I wanted for Beatrix's Christmas gift. I intended on ordering them right away since they were circled as acceptable gifts from the prize range I was given by my mother - which for most people would be an unacceptable and highly unusual price range.
When the order form was finished, I headed to the owlery and sent the order off. It would probably take about two to three days to get what I wanted for Beatrix, which would make it here a handful of days before the end of term feast.
Standing Out
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 02-15-12 18:30
Professor McGonagall navigated the crowd at Honeydukes, sticking out like a sore thumb amongst all the students who eagerly filled their sacks with every kind of sweet imaginable, from cauldron cakes to Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans. She drew very bewildered looks as she did not appear to be the sort to visit candy shoppes. Indeed, Minerva rarely did, at least not for herself.
What brought her into the sweetshop today was Madoc. As a second year, he was still too young to visit Hogsmeade himself and had begged his great aunt to pick up some sweets for his Secret Santa recipient, Hydrangea Marchbanks. After making sure that sweets was truly what Madoc wanted to get Hydrangea, and Madoc emphatically telling Minerva some of the treats he had in mind, Minerva had promised she would visit Honeydukes for him.
As per his instructions, she picked out an assortment of silly lollipops, including some shaped like mustaches and others in the shape of lips. They came in different flavors, too, like chocolate and bubblegum.
Upon seeing the Deputy Headmistress in the sweetshop, most of the students controlled their language and behavior so as not to get reprimanded and sent back to the castle. Professor McGonagall left Honeydukes without incident and then sent her purchases up to the castle, where they joined the gift she'd purchased earlier for her own Secret Santa recipient, Jasper Jenkins.
She had gotten him a classic leather book satchel. Hopefully he would find it useful.
After seeing her purchases off, she patrolled the village, looking out for trouble where it was to be found but hoping to find none at all.
In Hogsmeade Shopping Of Course (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 02-15-12 18:38
Catriona had spent some time alone with Christopher this morning. They'd strolled hand in hand, Christopher not complaining at stopping to look in more shoppes than they usually visit when together because like Cat he was trying to get some Christmas shopping done. It was while they were together that Cat found something she liked for the person she drew in Secret Santa.
Cat had gotten Olive Green's name. Since those students who'd been forced attend Happy Haven School For Nons were able to return to Hogwarts, Olive has been in the same year as Cat. They are friends but not friends so while she did find selecting a gift for Olive something of a challenge, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Helping matters was help she got from Olive's sister Jade, who is younger than Cat but is also in Ravenclaw. She also went to Olive's friend and fellow Slytherin Alexa Wenlock to get Olive's clothes and shoe sizes.
It turned out that Cat hadn't needed those sizes but she had needed the information from Jade that Olive has a June birthday. Cat found a pretty claddagh pendant necklace with a June birthstone. Based on other jewelry she's seen Olive wear, Cat thinks she'll like it.
When Christopher and Cat split up, him to go meet some of his mates for either wizard's laser tag or paint ball, she to continue shopping, Cat had gone to McFusty's to get treats or toys for the pets of various friends and family. From there walked the length of High Street on her way to Brews & Stews for lunch with Bianca and Polly. Along the way she did more shopping, finding a couple of books for Polly, a warm, fuzzy sweater for Bianca, assorted candies for friends, a silk blouse for her sister Leslie, and for Christopher two joke from Zonko's that the Weasleys have just introduced and that she thinks Christopher will love. Her main gift to Christopher is coming courtesy of her dad. He was able to get some tickets to the next Quidditch Con at such a ridiculously low price he had to check to make sure he wasn't being scammed. Two of those tickets will go to Christopher.
Reaching Brews & Stews, she heads into the warmth, hungry for one of the restaurant's hearty soups, maybe something cheesy. Bianca's already there with Polly arriving within a minute after Cat. They talk about their shopping so far, each being careful not to say what they are giving the other two, and who else on their lists they hope to find something for today.
Girly and Fun
Author: Jolyon
Date: 02-15-12 19:07
Like some of his colleagues, Jolyon was in Hogsmeade chaperoning the Hogwarts students as they enjoyed their Saturday in the village. Also like the others, he was on the lookout for Christmas gifts to get his friends and family, as well as for the Secret Santa gift exchange.
Jolyon had drawn Marlow MacDougal's name. Marlow was a second year and a Hufflepuff at that, so Jolyon didn't really know her at all. He did know many of her cousins, including his coworker Aaron Miller. Jolyon didn't go to Aaron seeking gift advice, though. He went to Jill, who was a student in his fifth year class. He figured Jill was more likely to have insight into the mind of a twelve-year-old girl than Aaron would.
Jill's advice had been quite mind-boggling at first. As a girl, Marlow would appreciate something girly, but as she was still somewhat young, she would take pleasure in something fun too.
Luckily, while patrolling in Hogsmeade, Jolyon came upon one of the temporary stalls that had a few items he thought fit Jill's suggestion of something girly yet fun. The proprietor sold soap and shampoos of varying kinds and scents. What drew Jolyon's eye were soaps with owls on them. They almost looked like tasty biscuits. He wound up purchasing those as well as soap shaped like pigs and monkeys. The pigs smelled like watermelon, and the monkeys like bananas.
Jolyon thought about buying a few other animal shaped soaps, but ultimately left the stall with only a set of owls, pigs and monkeys. He spent the rest of his shift keeping an eye on things and looking out for gifts for his family.