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Apparently Parents Snog Too
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 05-17-12 05:45
As she was not eligible for the Apparition lesson this morning, she'd opted to get a jump start on spending some time in the village, that and she wanted spend a bit of time with her mum before she and Arthur met up for a late breakfast at the Crown & Cauldron, mainly because he had no intention of getting up early.
As she headed down the main lane through the village toward the turn off that lead to the residential housing she made a quick mental list of what she needed to buy while she was here today. Couple of new items from Gladrags (using a voucher her aunt had given her at Christmas), check out pending specials at Krum's if she decided to take up Quidditch next year again, check Twice Told Tales for a book for her collection as well as a new journal (though the study guide sale was tempting she didn't need them yet), and she also needed some new ink and another couple of quills. The list however, did not include some of the sweets she intended to buy from Honeydukes, and various other little delicacies she'd pluck up from Briar's as well.
She lifted a hand in greeting to one of her neighbors, Oreileah as she bustled out of the house amidst the chill pushing a pram that held her daughter, bundled up for the chilly weather.
"Good morning Miss Orei, how are you today?" Adina stopped to speak with her for a little bit, taking a few moments to coo over Meagan's bundled form.
"Doing quite well Adina, must be Hogsmeade Saturday. Getting an early start?" She said with a light smile, watching the third year Slytherin as she bent to grant Meagan the much desired attention.
"Yeah, going to meet Arthur for a late breakfast since someone decided to sleep in this morning, but now going to check on mum first. Have a good day and tell Jim that I said hello."
Adina headed down two more houses before skipping up the front walk and letting herself in the front door, shutting it behind her she headed into the kitchen.
"Mom!" She called, moving through the house wondering where her mum had gotten off to this early in the morning.
Stepping into the kitchen she let out a squeak of surprise as she caught her mom snogging a somewhat handsome man, that looked vaguely familiar, right there in the middle of the kitchen. This was NOT something she wanted to see first thing in the morning. The pair quickly pushed themselves apart and Elona at least had the decency to blush and her companion looked a touch sheepish.
"I wasn't expecting you so early love. Tea? Coffee?" Elona fluttered around the kitchen, pouring her daughter a mug of tea and then flopping down into a seat at the table, motioning for the still somewhat flustered gentleman to take another seat at the table.
After a sip of tea and a silence that seemed to stretch on forever, Adina was the first to speak. "Mum, seriously? When were you going to tell me you started dating your boss? Or at least started snogging him, not that I have the desire to be scarred with the details." A smile quirked her lips lightly.
Elona chuckled. "First off, Mister Newsome is no longer my boss, not since I got promoted to the head of the department, we are merely coworkers now, and about a month ago, just after you went back to school."
"Pleasure to see you again Adina, I hear your studies are going quite well." Patrick Newsome said, sipping his coffee.
Adina offered the man a smile, at least she liked him, which was already points in his favor. "Going well, another year or so and I will be taking my O.W.Ls and then going into N.E.W.T level course work. I've not yet decided if I am going to narrow down my courses yet, but then again it all depends on my scores from my O.W.Ls."
They talked for a little while, before a quick glance at the grandfather clock just off the kitchen alerted Adina that she had a few minutes before she had to met Arthur at the Crown & Cauldron.
"Alright, meeting Arthur, the lazy sod that is my boyfriend at the Crown & Cauldron for a late breakfast. Since he decided he wanted to sleep in. I will swing back by before we head back to the Castle later."
Quick hug from her mum and exchanged "love yous" and then Adina was off heading down back to the main part of the village and still managed to get to the restaurant before Arthur and snag them a decent table, which was good because the third, forth, and seventh years that decided to come somewhat early (and namely those who were not eligible for the lessons or going to the workshop were already milling about) were deciding to come in and grab something warm.
"Sorry I'm late. Had a hell of a time trying to find my gloves, they'd gotten stuffed under my bed some how." Arthur said planting a quick kiss on her cheek as he settled into the chair across from her.
"Already checked in with mum, and got the shock of my life as she was standing int he kitchen snogging Mister Patrick Newsome, the man that was her boss, and apparently mum got a promotion and is now head of her department, and Mister Newsome is no longer her boss."
She couldn't help but laugh at the shock on Arthur's face.
"It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been, at least they were only snogging and not..." She shook her head, banishing the image before it could even fully form, not something she EVER wanted to think about, EVER.
The pair talked a bit more and placed their orders with the waitress before all talking ceased at least between them and they enjoyed their breakfast, warming them from the inside out before they had to venture back out into the chill of the day.
Killing Time
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 05-17-12 12:14
She'd gotten here early, done some much needed shopping and had already taken some bags back to her dorm room and left them on the expanse of her bed to be sorted through later. Clothes from Gladrags, some books from Tomes and Scrolls, as well as a new set of gloves for Quidditch and replacement equipment that she needed, she'd also picked up something for her and Blake's anniversary this summer.
Blake wasn't coming down into the village before noon, because he wanted to put the finishing touches on his assignment for History of Magic. She was pretty much done with her homework and would spend tomorrow dealing with the remainder of her homework which wasn't much.
She still had about an hour and a half before Blake would be down here, and right now she was debating a mug of tea and a slice of cheesecake at Crown and Cauldron while she was waiting for Blake.
"Isma?"
She blinked at the sound of her name, and turned around offering Anita Tuck a smile as she came running up.
Anita slowed and fell into pace with her, taking a few minutes to catch her breath. "Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for helping me with the potions assignment. I really understand it more now."
"No problem Anita, quite glad that I could help. Just use the little trick that I taught you and it will make it easier for you to work through the potions," Isma said with a light smile. "I was just going to duck into the Crown and Cauldron for a cup of tea and a slice of their delicious cheesecake, want to join me?"
Anita pondered a moment and nodded. "Yes, that sounds fantastic. Though, I'm surprised you are here without Blake, is he alright?"
Isma laughed and nodded. "Blake will be down here in about an hour or so, he wanted to finish his History of Magic essay before he came into the village. He's missing out on play time at Blossom's but he'll deal, because he knows his parents will flip if his grades drop."
"Understandable, now about that tea and cheesecake." The two linked arms and headed out of the cold into the warmth of the restaurant, finding a table and settling down waiting for a member of the wait staff to come take their order.
Life After Hogwarts? (Deak & Jack)
Author: Kody
Date: 05-17-12 15:22
At a table outside of Briar's Bakery, Wiggy, Jack, and Deak discuss Puddlemere's next match while finishing off a pie they'd bought when Deak somewhat randomly states, "I have no idea what I want to do after Hogwarts."
He points with his fork. "You already know what you want, Wiggy. Professional Quidditch. Jack, you've talked about about being an Auror or in some other legal field. Me, I have no clue."
Not such a random comment after all.
Jack reaches for the pitcher of milk and pours himself more, a shrug in his tone. "The beauty of St. Emrys, or one of the other universities that have sprung up, is that you don't have to decide right away."
Holding out his cup for Jack to refill, Wiggy remarks, "It's also not true that I don't need to think about a career. I can't play Quidditch forever."
"Yes, but until then you have plenty of time to be thinking about it. When you do retire from the game, you won't need to do anything else unless you want because you'll have been drawing a huge salary along with all the endorsements you're going to get."
"Not to be crude about money or anything, but when you think in terms of it, you don't have to every do anything if you don't want," Jack says before chugging the rest of the milk.
"Yeah, I guess, but it's not really my money, and I seriously doubt Aaron would be fine with me sitting around leisurely all day."
Using his fork to pick up pie crumbs from the tin, Wiggy concurs. "Excellent point that. When you were looking at what N.E.W.T. level courses to take... Wait. That question won't work."
Deak nods. "I take pretty much everything."
"Why didn't you take Care of Magical Creatures these last two years?"
Shaking his head, Deak tells Jack, "I've not idea. I guess I didn't think about adding it though I should have. I do wish now that I'd know what a joke Herbology was going to start off being. I would definitely have dropped it."
They fall silent, none of them pleased with how Herbology began. After a moment, Deak asks, "More food or on to a round of Wizarding paint ball?"
"Paint ball, then food again," Jack votes.
Wiggy unends his glass to drain it of every drop of milk before agreeing, "I second that."
A few minutes later and the three friends are at Blossom's gaming center, debating whether to go on one of the courses as individuals or find some others and have a team competition.
Mournful Wailing
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 05-17-12 17:29
Fritz thought he would be asked to work all day at J. Pippin's Potions because it was Hogsmeade Saturday for the students of Hogwarts. To his surprise, he'd only been assigned to work a few hours until closing. The extra money was always nice, but Fritz hadn't minded having the morning off because it had given him time to do some required reading for his classes at St. Emrys.
His parents are out of the country, visiting Otto and other family in Germany, so Fritz has the house to himself. He is settled at the kitchen table, books spread open before him, with Domino sitting on the tile next to his chair. The kneazle is looking up at Fritz and plainly wants something, but he hasn't yet resorted to yowling.
Suddenly, a muffled wail sounds from somewhere upstairs. Both Fritz and the kneazle start. Domino's ears stick straight up and his whole body tenses. Fritz rises from his chair and stars up the stairs. Now that the initial shock has worn off, he knows what to expect.
He enters his room and heads straight for the closet, where Berthold Beatenberg's book is stashed. The ghostly visage is clearly visible, its face a mask of pain and streaked with glistening tears. Beatenberg continues to wail.
Fritz picks up the book and sets it onto his desk, somehow not feeling comfortable touching it when it seems so agitated. "What's wrong?" he asks it in German.
"Nein!", Beatenberg cries out over and over again. "Es kann nicht sein. Bitte! Bitte!"
"Was ist los?" Fritz asks again. He has a tendency to lose patience with the book, especially when it is being cryptically vague, but for some reason Fritz can't help but feel sorry for it today. "What's the matter?"
"Mein Herr, mein Herr!" Beatenberg cries out. "Mein Herr ist tot!"
At first Fritz doesn't understand. "Your master is dead?" Who is your––?" But then it sinks in. Fritz remembers the research he did on Berthold Beatenberg, who had served Gellert Grindelwald more than half a century ago.
"How do you know?" Fritz asks. He's suddenly nervous again. If it's true what Beatenberg is saying, then he either has some sort of sixth sense or there is a kind of magical bond between him and Grindelwald. He takes a giant step away from the book at the thought.
Beatenberg moans, "Ich weiss es nur."
The vague answer only heightens Fritz's suspicions. He wishes he never came into the book. He wishes Frau Hockenheim would have given him something else entirely or nothing at all. But then he thinks, what if the book had fallen into somebody else's hands? A Muggle wouldn't know what to do with it and would probably have a heart attack if Beatenberg ever made his presence known. And a different sort of wizard than Fritz might use Beatenberg to do some sort of evil––if Beatenberg was even capable of doing anything evil anymore.
Beatenberg cries out, "I want to die!" Then he falls silent and his face sinks back into the cover of the book.
Fritz waits several minutes and then cautiously approaches the book. The book seems perfectly ordinary now, though Fritz doubts that Beatenberg magically ended his life, if what he now was could even be considered life. He quickly seizes the book, carries it to his closet, and dumps it onto the floor on top of a pair of old trainers, one of which has a giant hole where the toe goes. He really should throw those out or make an effort to magically repair them the next time he's in a wizarding area.
Several more minutes pass and not a peep comes from Beatenberg. Fritz feels himself begin to relax and decides it's time to go to Hogsmeade, even if he'll be early for his shift at J. Pippin's.
---
German translations:
"Nein! Es kann nicht sein. Bitte! Bitte!" - "No! It can't be. Please! Please!"
"Was ist los?" - "What's wrong?"
"Mein Herr, mein Herr! "Mein Herr ist tot!" - "My master, my master! My master is dead!"
"Ich weiss es nur." - "I just know."
Not Feeling Well (Amorica)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 05-17-12 19:35
Though by no means empty, there are few others in the common commons today. The majority of students are either in Hogsmeade or at the pitch. The relatively low number left in the castle seems an even smaller number thanks to the students being scattered around the four houses, the library, Great Hall, common commons, and wherever else a student might be on this chilly Saturday.
Amorica Wenlock had slept in then came to the commons for something to eat even though she hadn't been all that hungry. After nibbling on a dry piece of toast and sipping on some honeyed tea, Amorica had curled up on one of the cozy window seats, listening to the WWN, fervently wishing she could better enjoy having such a prime, comfortable spot.
She must have drifted off because one moment an old Werewolf Code of Conduct song is on and the next a current hit by Cassandra's Orb is ending. Rubbing her eyes, Amorica shifts on the seat, hoping she wasn't doing something embarrassing like snoring. She jumps a little when a concerned face suddenly looms over her.
"Are you okay? You don't look so good."
Sitting up, finger coming back some fly away hairs, Amorica waggles her other hand back and forth. "Eh. So so. I thought I heard you say you were going to the workshop."
Hope Hyland sits in the space Amorica makes for her. "I think I'm getting a cold. My head feels stuffy. Is that why you didn't go?"
In the act of swiping a hanky across her sore, red nose, Amorica gives a slightly muffled, "Yeah." Stuffing the handkerchief back in her pocket she continues, "I'm starting to think maybe it's flu. I'm getting achy all over."
"I'm think I'm going to go see if Madam Pomfrey has something that will at least make the headache go away. Want to come?"
The idea of walking all the way to the hospital wing holds no appeal. Amorica just wants to go back to sleep. Nevertheless she replies, "Probably a good idea, especially if it is flu."
With no reason to put it off other than rapidly dwindling energy, Amorica forces herself from the window seat to follow Hope from the commons.
Bloody Foam
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 05-18-12 03:20
Almost every day after the Valentine's banquet, Johanna found herself alone with Gus because Felicia was too busy spending time with Baltus. They couldn't keep their lips away from each other for more than a minute and Professor McGonagall had lectured them more than once. Soon she would lose her patience and give them a detention. Gus had been playing with the idea of casting a spell to Felicia's lips so the next time she kissed Baltus their lips would be glued. Johanna laughed but called him cruel. Although she could see the head of the Gryffindor house demanding them to separate and they wouldn't be able to do so.
Johanna was not sure how long Felicia would stick with Baltus, but it was starting to become annoying to never have her friend nearby. She wanted to use her as a protection shield, showing the other girls she was not dating Gus. But with Felicia spending her time with Baltus, and Kate with Mark, Johanna would be stuck alone with Gus. Not that she mind being with him, but the other girls would look at her with jealousy, thinking they were dating. She was glad no one had jinxed her yet.
While Felicia went to Madam Puddifoot's with Baltus, Johanna and Gus went together to The Three Broomsticks. Johanna was hoping Kate and Mark might join them later. She ordered two butter beers and they sat at an empty table by the window. A group of Ravenclaw girls passed by them and Johanna felt their eyes on her, as they started whispering to each other. Probably commenting on the newest couple.
"I can't take much more of this," she told Gus, once they walked away.
"What?"
"People looking at us thinking we are dating." Maybe if they were really dating she wouldn't mind all those nasty looks. She would actually want them to look at her and her new boyfriend. She started to think of her and Gus as a pair. They wouldn't look bad at all. They sort of matched, actually. A smile formed in her face and she pictured herself with Gus. Maybe they could end up together…
"Well, hopefully that will change."
"Oh?"
"There's this girl I have a crush," Gus confessed as if it was not a big deal. He picked his glass and sipped his beer. A layer of foam rested between his nose and upper lip. For some reason Johanna wondered how it would be like to kiss it. But then Gus kept talking about his crush and she had to keep her eyes on his and pay attention to his words.
"My parents aren't strict when it comes to people from different houses so they won't mind if I date a Gryffindor. That is if I will end up dating her. She might not even like me. She is not like the other girls, she barely stares at me. It all started when I got late for Potions and Professor Weasley paired me up with her. We ended up talking about Quidditch. I thought everyone from the Gryffindor house sucked but she doesn't. She didn't get hysterical because she was talking to me. And lately this past week I have been thinking about her a lot. I saw her with her parents, last weekend. She didn't point at me and giggled like most of the other girls."
Johanna was horrified with his confession. She tried to use her memory to recall the day Gus had been late for Potions and with whom he had worked with. All she recall from that class was Felicia telling her how Baltus was such a good kisser.
"Who is she? Do I know her?" she ended up asking.
"Yes. She went to Happy Haven too. I'm talking about Polly. Polly Potts. 4th year, Gryffindor." Gus had in his face a goofy smile now. Suddenly the foam in his face didn't look attractive anymore. Just stupid and ridiculous. For some reason Johanna wanted to slap him now, instead of kissing him.
Polly Potts?! He wanted Polly Potts, instead of her? How did that happen? And why? She was sure she was more beautiful and talented than Polly. Not to mention Polly was a Gryffindor. What did Gus see in her? Just because she did not act hysterically around him? Johanna didn't act that way too, but he didn't want to date her.
Suddenly she felt her cheeks burning. At the Valentine's banquet he had been her friend and colleague. But right now she only could see him as this really attractive boy she wanted as a boyfriend.
"Are you all right?" Gus asked preoccupied, that bloody foam still plastered in his attractive face.
"It's just too hot in here. I'm going outside to catch some air," she excused herself, standing up. Before she left she picked a napkin and handed it to him. "And clean your bloody face will you?"
Fantastic News
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 05-18-12 06:04
The village was crowded, but she wanted to have a chance to look at some of the properties that she and Christian had discussed for their business, already plans had been made, and their revised business plan for their translation and legal services business was in the hands of the loan officer at Gringotts so that they could get the start up money for the business.
At the moment, she was pushing the pram through the village, meeting up with a couple of friends that she still had attending the school as well as Professors that she'd had when she'd attended not too long ago. Meagan was cooing and giggling at the attention she got from some of the children, before she would drop Meagan off at Blossom's having need of the day care center this Saturday due to a couple of things she needed to get done without the fussiness of a seventh month old interfering.
Her first stop after dropping Meagan off at the day care was Gringotts, needing to get some money from her vault. Ducking inside behind a blast of chilled air, she quickly removed her hat and gloves, smoothing out any flyaway strands that had popped up when the knit cap had been removed.
She moved to the goblin at the counter and offered him a smile. "Good morning. I need to make a withdrawal from my vault please." She gave the goblin her number and the amount required.
"Miss McCoi-Raynor, it is a pleasure to see you this morning. Oh, and I have some delightful news. There has been a little surprise concerning your business plan."
Orei blinked, turning her attention to the gentleman that had stepped up to her, it was Mister Newton, the individual that was going over her and Christian's business proposal.
"Oh, and what is this little surprise Sir?" Fear bristled through her, afraid that they would be turning down her loan and she and Christian would have to struggle to get the business started.
"Ah, well, if you will come to my office when you are done here, we will discuss that. Though, I have a feeling you will be quite happy," he said and motioned to the location of his office so she would know where to find him. Though it was a location within the bank she was already familiar with.
After receiving the coin from her vault she slipped into Mister Newton's office and settled in the chair across from his desk, once the door was shut behind her she turned her gaze upon the man, no longer hiding the worry that gnawed at her.
"What is it? Has the loan been..." she fell silent when he raised a hand.
"Miss McCoi-Raynor, you have been given a generous donation by an anonymous source. There is an account waiting for a name, with the funds already in it. It requires your signature and that of Mister Evans. Your start up costs can come out of that fund, and I am not allowed to disclose the source of the money. So, you are no longer in need of a loan. If you and Mister Evans could come by and see me later this afternoon or by Monday at the latest we can get you set up."
Orei blinked, stunned for several moments, her mind flashing to possibilities of who could have given her and Christian such an amount of money. Then she shook her head, clearing the foggy feeling as she looked to Mister Newton. "Thank you, and I will contact Mister Evans soon, and we will gladly be here to get things situated."
That said, she bid him good day and nearly floated from the bank. She disapparated and immediately appeared at Christian's flat. Neither he nor Daniel were home, so she left a quick message for Christian to meet her at the house if he got home before five o'clock so that they could go to the bank. She then headed back to the Village to get her shopping done.
People Watching, Sketching and Shopping
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 05-18-12 07:50
Sketchbook open she furiously scribbled and scratched with charcoal on the parchment pages. Gaze flicking rapidly up and down as she watched people milling about, capturing their hustle and bustle in the snow flurries that fluttered down from the dark sky from the window at Delia's Deli.
She brushed a hand through her hair, leaving streaks of charcoal no doubt. She took another sip of her pumpkin juice through the straw stuck in the cup at her right, then plucked a crisp from the basket and chewed on it as she looked over the sketch she made, a smile dancing upon her lips, quite happy with it. She checked the time, sighing, she still needed to head down to the art shop and grab some more supplies.
Cleaning as much of the charcoal off her hands as she could, she quickly finished her lunch and packed up her sketchbook and supplies and once again donned her gloves and hat, before stepping out into the chilly air of this Saturday afternoon. She loved the fact that she was allowed to be here without her Aunt or Uncle clucking over her or rushing her through everything. This, was her favorite way to spend a day - people watching, though it was much more enjoyable when the weather was warmer.
Idly she thought about saving her money and getting a camera and branching out into photography as well as focusing on her traditional art. She might be able to get one for this summer, before Emrys Fest and get some good shots while she's there, though she'd be there with Nichole. Pushing away from the expanse of the Deli and moving toward the art shop.
Ducking into the Art Shoppe she offered the proprietor a bright smile. "Good afternoon Mister Hawkins. How are you today? How is Misses Hawkins?"
The older man smiled and moved to give Araxie a light hug. "Good to see you Araxie, she could be doing a bit better, fighting off a bit of a cold. I on the other hand am doing wonderful, and quite glad that you decided to come in today. I've got some new paints that you will love, and even some new canvases."
They fell into their normal routine that occurred when she came in to the shoppe. "I won't be comin' in as often come the fall. I'll be getting my letter to Hogwarts at some point soon and I will have to get enough supplies to survive through winter hols and then will have to get more to survive until summer hols."
He chuckled and shook his head. "You'll survive Araxie, you always do. Did you get your studio painted?"
"I did! Everything is perfect and I've even got some of my Mum's old paintings hanging up that my Aunt found in storage." Faintest trace of sadness tinged the happiness that was in her voice.
Mister Hawkins smiled and hugged her lightly. "Good. You'll have to bring some of them in and show me when you get a chance," he said with a smile.
"I'll do that Mister Hawkins. Now, about those paints? I've got galleons to burn and I need more supplies." She said with an impish grin, turning the attention away from the rather dreadful subject of talking about her mother.
The next hour and a half was spent looking through the new paints and canvases and various other supplies and ultimately Araxie had to summon the house elf to help her get the items home. "Tell my aunt that I will be home for dinner. I've a couple other things that I want to get done." The elf vanished with a pop with all of Araxie's purchases, and she turned to Mister Hawkins.
"This, is for you, and you know how I feel about tearing pages from my sketch book," she pulled the sketch she'd done of him and his wife from a couple weeks ago when they'd wandered through Diagon Alley shopping.
"Araxie, you don't have to do that," he said trying to stop her from tearing the page out.
She brushed his hand away and pulled the page out with a flourish, a bit of lingering charcoal dust fluttering through the air. "I know I don't have to, but I want to. You and your wife have been wonderful to me every time I come into the shop. Thank you for helping me and showing me that I could find my talent again," she handed him the page which he gingerly tucked into a folder to keep it from getting ruined.
"I will frame it and put it up here in the shop. Thank you Araxie for being such a joy, you are welcome here at any time," he gave her another hug and then finally let her be on her way.
"Thank you Mister Hawkins. Have a wonderful day."
After stepping out of the art shoppe she headed down toward the bakery, wanting to pick up some sweets for herself and something for her aunt and uncle too for when she ultimately made it home. That done, she would head back into the Leaky Cauldron and hail a cab home.