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Eau de Butterbeer
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 08-29-12 17:49
Ethan apparated to Hogsmeade and immediately pulled a handheld Wizarding Wireless Network device from his pocket. He tuned it to the channel broadcasting the Quidditch match between the British National team and Mongolia and adjusted the volume so that he could hear it without disturbing those around him. However, it turned out that he didn't have to worry about irritating others. He spotted several people carrying their own radios and soon discovered that many of the establishments were broadcasting the match for their customers and staff to hear.
Besides possessing the national team spirit that seemed to be affecting everyone nowadays, Ethan wanted to keep up with the match because Aveline was on the team. Of course, Ethan also wanted to support his former students, of which there were several on the team.
Because Aveline was busy, Ethan had dropped Lilly off at his parents' house this morning. He had agreed to patrol Hogsmeade for a good portion of the day, and though he could have done it with Lilly strapped to his back, he knew it would have been too much for her and too much of a distraction for him. Unsurprisingly, Ethan's parents were more than happy to look after their youngest grandchild.
The village was quite busy, as it tended to be on Hogsmeade Saturdays. This one somehow felt more chaotic, probably since it was the last trip of the school year and summer (as well as exams) were just around the corner.
Several of the more popular shoppes had lines all the way out the door. Ethan bypassed those for now, though he did keep an eye out for trouble, and then squeezed into The Three Broomsticks, where it was quite crowded. He stood in the doorway for a moment and debated whether or not to leave and try somewhere else, but then a path seemed to open up in front of him. He stepped forward on his way to the bar, when Madam Rosmerta collided into him carrying a tray of butterbeers.
The glasses all seemed to overturn on him, drenching his T-shirt and the handheld radio.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry about that!" Madam Rosmerta exclaimed. "It's a madhouse in here. I can't walk two feet without bumping into another person."
Ethan had knelt to help her pick up the glasses, which had somehow fallen to the ground unscathed.
"It's all right," he said, with a friendly smile. "I was just thinking the one thing I needed to do today was take a butterbeer bath."
Madam Rosmerta smiled. "Now you can check it off your list. Come into the back and I'll fix you right up."
She took her tray of empty glasses and Ethan took his WWN player into the back room, where it was also busy, but decidedly less crowded. Madam Rosmerta put the tray down and took the radio from him. The broadcast seemed much louder now that they were in a less noisy room.
"Take off your shirt," Madam Rosmerta said.
Ethan looked surprised. "What?"
"Your shirt. Take it off. I'll make it right for you, and then get you whatever you want, on the house."
"You don't have to trouble yourself. It was an accident."
"It will be my pleasure."
Ethan waited a beat and then peeled off his butterbeer-soaked shirt. He passed it to Madam Rosmerta, who got out her wand and not only dried all the wet spots but made it smell as if it were freshly laundered and not covered in eau de butterbeer. When she finished with it, she found him a towel to dry off his skin and the radio.
He put his shirt back on and said, "Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now, what will it be? Butterbeer?"
Ethan chuckled. "Sure, but preferably to drink, not to wear."
Starting Off With A Light Snack (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 08-29-12 18:38
Facing west down the High Street Jack asks Deak, "Where first?"
"I was thinking Briar's but anywhere's fine with me."
"Your last Hogsmeade trip as a student, unless you flub all your exams," Jack laughs, knowing Deak will do no such thing, "so you get to choose."
Deak amusedly snorts, "Thanks, I feel so special now."
"Too bad Wiggy's not here but if I had the option of playing in a match that could lead to a World Cup berth, I'd be there right with him."
"So would I. Cool shirt by the way."
Jack grins down at the t-shirt he's wearing, a gift from his cousin Kody from the Britain versus Jamaica match last week. "Thanks. You're is pretty cool too."
Deak's shirt, from his brother Drake who'd been at the match last week, is similar to Jack's but the color schemes are slightly different.
They reach Briar's Bakery and get in the already long line. They'd brought a portable WWN with them but turn it off because there are enough other wirelesses tuned to the match plus Briar's has it piping in the bakery and to those just outside that they don't need theirs at the moment. Though the line is long it moves fairly quickly. A short time later Jack and Deak emerge with two slices of cake apiece, a pie to split between them, and a variety of those biscuit balls, three dozen in total as well as having drinks. Finding a good spot to sit, they turn their WWN back on and dig in to their food.
During one of the station breaks Jack asks, "Anything you're wanting to do today other than listen to the match?"
"Stock up at Honeydukes, see what's new at the joke shoppe. Be sure to get more from Briar's before going back up to Hogwarts. Lunch. Snacks. If the match doesn't last all day, I wouldn't mind going to Blossom's. That new ten pins game is supposed to be ready and there's always wizarding laser tag and paint ball or whatever else there we're in the mood for. Just roam around. What about you?"
"It's like you were reading my mind."
With that settled, they give their attention to the match as they steadily make their way through the bakery sweets, loudly cheering for Britain and booing for Mongolia, not caring who they might be bothering since just about everyone else around them is also listening to the match.
Visiting At The Match
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 08-29-12 21:10
I had a long day planned. First, the Quidditch World Cup match, then going to hang out with Karma. I maybe should have skipped the match with Bronwyn. I mean, is it a Saturday if I can't sleep in? Well, if it's to hang out with Bronwyn, Siegfied, and Asa, and watch Toby do what he does, then I guess it's worth it. Besides, I can sleep in tomorrow.
Try as I might, I couldn't quite concentrate on the game. It wasn't that the game was bad, it was that my mind was on other things. I had been thinking about the letter I had been slipped by Driver. It seems that he was jealous of Xavier. Which is weird, cause Xavier's attitude seemed to change a little after we left. Like something was bothering him, but… I couldn't put my finger on it. I may be a good Auror, but I make for one lousy shrink.
Waiting for a lull in the noise, I turned to Bronwyn, "So, last week Xavier and I went to Driver's bar and…"
"You and who?"
"Xavier. We went to…" Bronwyn's eyes went huge as she gasped. Before she could start the barrage of questions something else suddenly popped in her head.
"Wait, how long have you and Xavier been hanging out?" She asked, with a mock look of anger on her face.
"Uhhh…" I thought for a moment, "A couple weeks, maybe a month or so. It's only been a couple times, why?"
"And when were you going to tell me about this?" She asked, now crossing her arms, continuing with the mock anger.
"Whoa, I hope she's not mad at me," Siegfried blurted, having just noticed Bronwyn's look.
"No, she's mad at me," I told him.
"Oh, good luck…" Siegfried said, scooting just slightly away from Bronwyn and me.
"So?" Bronwyn asked a little annoyed.
"What?" I asked.
"Xavier."
"Oh, right, so we went…"
"No, why didn't you tell me about Xavier?" She seemed to actually getting a little irritated.
"I forgot to. We're just friends, so it never crossed my mind to say anything. Sorry."
"It's ok. So!" Bron exclaimed lightening up, "Details! Did they argue with each other? They try to impress you? Did you flirt with both of them to make them jealous?"
"What? No… What?" I said, confused, "No arguing, Driver was nice, but professional, Xavier didn't seem to be doing anything different, and why would I do something like that?"
"Soo… then what happened?"
"Well, Driver seemed to talk a little weird to Xavier, like he was a bit tense or something. Xavier started acting like that after we left the bar," Bron was hanging on every word of my brief summery, "Driver also slipped me a letter before we left."
"He did? Can I see it?"
"Why?" I asked grabbing the letter.
"Because…" Bronwyn said snatching the letter from me before I even had it all the way out of my pocket.
Playing Beater For A Change
Author: Kody
Date: 08-30-12 15:21
Though he usually plays chaser, when being scouted for the British National Team, Kody had let it be known he'd play whatever position he was most needed in. When asked to show what he's capable of as a beater, he'd been more than happy to oblige. That he did make the National Team as beater did come as something of a surprise but Kody wasn't about to argue. He made the team and that's all that matters.
Last week's match against Jamaica had gone well, a tight, exciting match that had the two teams tied in goals when Eunice Murray caught the snitch for Britain. The Jamaican home crowd had not been pleased but if there were any overzealous demonstrations of poor sportsmanship on the part of the crowd, Kody never heard about it.
Today's match is a "home" game for Britain but there is a nice sized contingent in support of Mongolia. Both teams have a lot at stake today and the spectators know it. Each team has one win. Winning today ensures moving on to the bracketed, single elimination portion of the World Cup Tournament. Losing means having to play another match in which winning is mandatory to move on.
Right now, both teams are scoreless and Mongolia is in possession of the quaffle. Chaser Gantulga has just caught a pass and is making a drive towards British keeper Pyrrhus Fine. Kody positions himself in line with a bludger, hitting it with enough force to send it the distance needed to Gantulga.
The hit is good, allowing Aveline Boggs to steal. The action shifts away from the British tended hoops as Kody accelerates to catch up with the bludger he'd just hit while also paying enough attention to what the chasers are doing to know who he might need to target next.
Last Trip of the Year
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 08-30-12 15:31
There were plenty of people listening to the match on portable WWN receivers, and many of the establishments had it piped in and even outside so I didn't bother bringing my own portable player with me. Hopefully Britain would beat this team and continue along in the double elimination portion of the tournament. The highlights that I'd read from the Jamaica match last week had been fantastic and Wiggy had done some awesome flying during that match.
I'd already had breakfast at Briar's with Eric and we'd split so that he could do somethings - probably play a game of paintball or the new ten pins game at Blossom's while I got some other things done. I needed a couple more quills and a few other things to finish out the school year and I wanted to go into Gladrags and get a few new outfits to start off the summer hols with. We were going to meet up later in the day for a late lunch and then probably go play a couple of games after before going back to the Castle.
"They are doing brilliant and Wiggy is doing awesome as are Fletcher Morgan and the others on the team. Seriously, I can't believe that my History of Magic teacher is dating Fletcher Morgan's brother - that is absolutely awesome, and sports commentator Bronwyn Beck is married to Toby Beck who is also doing absolutely awesome in this match."
My brother Broderick rolled his eyes as I gushed at the hotness of the men on the British National team, after checking out in the sweetshop and heading outside. "I swear Cai, you are decidedly one of the most boy crazy girls I have ever met. You make me laugh everytime I hear you gushing about these hot guys you are never going to get a chance to meet and won't give you the time of day."
I stuck my tongue out at Broderick as I headed down toward Krum's to grab some awesome new British National Gear and then probably head to meet Eric since it was nearing the time that we were supposed to get together for a late lunch. Hands full of bags filled with my purchases from the last Hogsmeade trip of the school year and things that would keep me sane until the end of the term and I could get home and probably spend some time with Eric and Aderyn.
Eric and I headed into Crown & Cauldron for a bite to eat and managed to get a table and settled our self in the booth and within moments managed to get our orders placed and our drinks delivered after a few minutes.
"So what do you want to do after lunch?" Eric asked as the waitress arrived with our meal.
I added the dressing to my grilled chicken salad and pondered a few minutes before answering his question. "I think I want to head to Blossom's and play the new ten pins game and maybe see if we can get some teams together for laser tag."
"Sounds like a plan."
We talked about the finals that were coming up at the end of next month and summer plans and various other things while we ate our late lunch. After paying the bill we headed toward Blossom's for some gaming.
Delusional
Author: Declan
Date: 08-30-12 18:46
Since AJ said a few things to him the previous Saturday, Declan hasn't been able to stop thinking about what specifically was said and what compelled AJ to say anything in the first place. As far as Declan knows he's never shown anything toward Zabrynna other than friendly interest and friendship? Before that it was an interest that went beyond having been her professor. It was an almost morbid interest born from what she'd done to him. That Declan can now view Zabrynna as a friend without any rancour or suspicion is something that, at one time, he never thought would be possible. To have AJ imply Declan feels something more is just absurd.
Or, it would be if there weren't some truth to AJ's inferences.
Exiting Brews & Stews with a fresh cup of coffee, Declan strolls to that end of High Street to make sure no students are off this way up to things they shouldn't be, an internal argument raging about how much he's willing to admit to himself. He knows he's got feelings beyond friendship for Zabrynna. He tells himself it's more of a big brotherly concern and caring.
Turning to walk in a westerly direction down High Street, Declan thinks, "You're a delusional idiot."
"Huh? Are you talking to me, Professor Douglass?"
Declan feels heat rush to his cheeks at having spoken aloud an internal thought. Offer the student a sheepish smile of apology. "Sorry, no. Just thinking out loud."
Continuing on, acutely aware now of keeping internalized this war he's having with himself, he feels his cheeks grow even hotter when his thoughts stray to the holiday party at AJ's and Mariposa's where an older woman caught Zabrynna and he passing each other under mistletoe. She'd called them on it and had them kiss. Declan is fairly certain that was the exact moment he truly began deluding himself about his growing feelings for Zabrynna.
What would fully admitting all to himself, and even to AJ, accomplish? Not a hell of a lot, as far as he knows.
Taking another sip of his coffee and deciding to get something to go with it, Declan takes himself and all those thoughts weighing him down towards Briar's Bakery.
Worries
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 08-31-12 13:20
"Can you turn that thing off? I am trying to think," Celeste asked Eugene.
They were on their living quarters at the castle. Eugene had his radio tuned into WWN and he was listening the match between Great Britain and Mongolia. Generally Celeste would listen the match with him with interest but not today. She was very upset and unfortunately Eugene didn't seem to share the same worries as hers.
"There's nothing to think about. You are running out of hair and soon the Polyjuice potion will not work."
"We are running out of hair," she corrected him. "I think the best thing to do it's to quit when the school year finishes. I still have enough hair for that."
"You can't be serious. Quitting teaching here? But you love this job, Celeste. And you have been done a great job with your students, just look at their O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts results these past years! I doubt Dumbledore will let you quit. You're a good teacher he won't accept your resignation letter."
"Well, he will have to!"
Eugene looked somewhat amused, behind his glasses and turned on the radio once again. Celeste was barely hearing the commentator but by her husband's face she noticed things didn't seem good for Britain. Or maybe it had just been a fowl committed by one of the players. She couldn't tell. Her mind was somewhere else.
Once she ran out of hair for the Polyjuice potion there was nothing she could do to prevent her real identity to be discovered. Of course Celeste was not ashamed of who she was and all these few years she had been herself unless for her name and looks.
"Dumbledore will understand if you explain him the situation. And so will your colleagues. No one will see you as a fraud, darling. You have nothing to worry about," Eugene said as if he was reading her mind and then he turned down the radio and went to hug her wife. "Hey I had an idea, would you like to go to Hogsmeade and have some butter beers?"
"No thank you. I don't want to waste any hair I have left at this point."
"So you will be confined here while everyone is out having fun? Wait, that's why you claimed you were indisposed during the Spring Social? So you wouldn't have to take the potion?"
"Better safe than sorry. I don't want to risk running out it before the year ends."
Eugene sighed and sat again on the couch and then he patted the empty seat next to him.
"I don't like this idea but I know there's nothing I can do to make you change your mind. So let's just stay here and listen to the match. Merlin, I hope Murray gets the snitch…"
She smiled and sat next to her husband, enjoying his company and trying to pay attention to the match.