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Blossoming Bruise
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 09-01-12 14:44
"You're sure you don't want to go to St. Mungo's," Isolde asks, moving in to peer closely as the still darkening bruise on Pyrrhus's face.
He shakes his head only to wince at the movement. "The team doctor cleared me."
"It looks really bad and it's getting worse." She gingerly touches the spot just in front of his ear. "There's more swelling."
In what would turn out to be the final segment of the match against Mongolia the teams had been tied at a measly 20 points apiece when after accepting a pass from Etch Morgan, Wiggy Hodfuffer had scored Britain's third goal. Mongolia had barely gotten the quaffle back in play when that team's seeker Bolormaa had spotted the snitch at roughly the same time British seeker Eunice Murray saw it.
For the next three or four minutes the winged ball led the two seekers on a merry chase, each coming close to catching it several times but neither managing it. The noise level of the crowd increased greatly as the seekers raced over the pitch, darting and diving. During that time Mongolia lost the quaffle to Britain when Aveline Boggs intercepted a pass. Mongolia was able to regain possession thanks to the aid of a bludger.
Py had his full attention on the chasers and the quaffle as Mongolia drew near, trying to also watch for beaters and bludgers. He made the mistake of allowing his attention to be drawn to the snitch and the two seekers as they also neared his position. That's when a bludger smashed him in the face and in the ensuing seconds of Py trying to shake off the effects of the hit, Mongolia was able to get the quaffle past him, once more tying the score.
None of that mattered, however, when almost simultaneously with that third Mongolian goal Eunice Murray edged past Bolormaa to capture the snitch, ending the match with a British victory, the score 180 to 30.
Pulling back slightly from Isolde, Py takes the hand that had been ever so gently touching around the edges of the blossoming bruise. The tightness from the swelling is becoming uncomfortable and he can fell it pulling back open the cut the team healer had sealed when examining him for signs of concussion. "If it will make you feel better, let's go to St. Mungo's. I actually wouldn't mind seeing what sort of pain potion they might give me. This is bloody painful. We can just as easily go to the victory dinner from there as from here."
Hand in hand they apparate for St. Mungo's, Py having spoken the truth about hoping they hospital gives him something to cut the pain that's been increasing as steadily as the swelling.
Crew Chase
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 09-01-12 15:38
Arlington and Sebastian had planned on going to the British Nationals Quidditch match alone today, but their plans had been slightly altered. Etch's parents had the boys for the weekend, but something had come up and Arley and Seb agreed to watch them again. Then Seb had wanted to bring Crew and Mase along to the game so they could see their parents play and give the boys back afterwards.
The four boys headed to the match, but only after they sat the kids down (especially Crew) to set some ground rules.
"First, you have to listen to Sebastian and me…"
"Uncle Arley, we know!" Crew rolled his eyes and started to run ahead to the stadium.
Seb grabbed Crew quickly and held the little boys hand, as he was holding Mase on his hip. "Remember the rules, Crew."
Crew sighed and walked quietly beside his uncles.
Arley couldn't help the smile on his lips as he watched Seb's interaction with the kids. "You're so good with them. It's amazin'"
"Thanks, you handle them well too." Seb grinned. Arley did take good care of his nephews, but the tough guy would freak out if he had to change Mase's diaper or wipe his nose.
Awhile later the match was still going on and Crew was getting restless. "Why can't I go play with Daddy?" He sighed and leaned over the banister to watch Fletcher flying, about to intercept a pass.
"Ya know this is your Dad's job, right buddy? Your Mom's too. You can see them after the game, but right now I need you to stay seated. Ya understand?'
"But I wanna go flying!" Crew folded his arms across his chest angrily.
"Crew! Sit down and listen to your uncle and I. Right. Now!" Seb responded in a firm voice. "This is a very important match, and everyone, including your parents, would appreciate you behaving." Seb shifted Mase in his arms; the two year old had fallen asleep not long after the match began.
The little patience Crew had was gone. He quickly jumped out of his seat and bolted through the crowd.
"Crap! Crew! Get back here!" Arley sprang out of his seat, and then called over his shoulder. "I knew I should have put a charm on him to keep him from running off!" Arley took off through the crowd after his daredevil nephew, who was already lost in the crowd. Seb had stayed behind with Mase incase the runaway came back to their seats.
Arley looked around and scanned the crowd. In one section he spotted his nephew climbing onto of the railing, the floor of the pitch far below them.
"Oh, that's not good…" As Arley pushed through the spectators, he thought he saw Bronwyn, Siegfried and his boyfriend not far away in this section. He made a mental note to talk to her after the match; he also noted that he and Sebastian should hang out with Siegfried and Asa sometime.
"NO! CREW STOP!" Arley grabbed his wand and caught Crew with a spell that left the little boy suspended in mid air. Crew had jumped over the railing and Arlington had caught him just in time. "C'mere kid." He pulled his nephew into his arms, applause ringing out around him as the snitch was caught, Britain had won! There was also some applause for his quick capture of his daredevil nephew.
"C'mon, back to Seb and your brother. We need to talk." Arley sat Crew down and gave Seb a quick kiss. "Caught him."
Crew just nodded, he knew he was in trouble with Uncle Arley, Uncle Seb and his parents when they found out. "I'm sorry…but Britain won!"
Arley just shook his head as they got ready to meet up with Fal and Etch.
Sebastian wrapped an arm around Arlington's waist and smiled. "Well, that's what Fallon and Fletcher get for naming their son Crew CHASE Morgan. His name fits him too well, and he is just like his parents."
Candy On The Brain
Author: Majandra
Date: 09-01-12 19:25
After the match between Britain and Mongolia, and after making sure Pyrrhus was all right, George and Majandra bid goodbye to other family members who'd been at the match and with Miranda and Georgie in tow left for Hogsmeade. After a somewhat late lunch and shopping for some new shoes for both the kids, Maj had a Hogsmeade Saturday patrol shift. George took Miranda and Georgie with him to the joke shoppe where he wanted to check in and to take care of some paperwork.
When done with the paperwork George, sitting on the floor with both the children to watch the newest pygmy puff offerings, bright neon colors with crazy patterns, playing in part of the giant display Weasleys' has here at its Zonko's location. "I'm all done so what now, my poppets?"
Georgie, standing up to half climb on his father to better track the movement of an electric blue pygmy puff with a bold lime green racing stripe down its back, suggests, "Candy."
Miranda rolls her eyes at him and makes a tsking noise that's scarily like those made by George's mother Molly. "Daddy doesn't mean food, Georgie. Let's go play in the park."
"Yeah, the park," Georgie parrots then adds, "and candy."
"Park and candy, huh? Let's go to Honeydukes, then, where you may each pick out two pieces of sweets and then we will go to the park."
Honeyduke's isn't far, just two shoppes down, but the street is busy and Miranda and Georgie both are constantly stopping to say hello to students they recognize from Hogwarts. Once in Honeydukes George would swear there are as many students in the sweets shoppe as they'd seen on the street just now. Knowing they are limited to two pieces of candy each the children, to George's silent amusement, are slow to pick out what to get, wanting to make sure they get the two they each really, really most want. They take long enough that a few of the sweets start appealing to George and when they get in line to pay, he's ended up getting a chocolate frog and a packet of pralined nuts.
At the park, George settles on a bench with some notes he's working on for a new joke product, munching the pralined nuts while Georgie crawls all over an apparatus with tunnels and three slides and Miranda and another girl around her age chatter like magpies while slowly twirling on a merry-go-round.
Both the kids are content for such a long time, when Maj's patrol shift ends she finds them still sitting in the park where she'd spotted them some time before. Sliding next to George on the bench she asks, "Having a nice time?"
"They seem to be. Not a single complaint or whine in ages and I've made enough progress on this that I think Fred and I will be able to start on the prototype midweek. All done?"
"Yes, and a little tired. Even though we had a late lunch, I'm also a little hungry after walking it all off."
"I can cook, we do eat out, or we can take something home. What sounds good to you?"
Georgie is suddenly right there, arms hugging around both his parents' legs. "Pizza, Dad."
Ruffling his son's hair George says, "You picked the snack."
"'Randa's turn to pick?"
"That would be nice."
Georgie turns and talking loudly to Miranda, who's now on a swing, "Pizza, 'Randa?"
"Yeah!"
Georgie turns an innocent smile to his father. "'Randa wants pizza, Dad."
Maj has her lips pressed together, a grin trying to break through. George nudges her with his shoulder. "Don't laugh."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Pulling Georgie into her lap she says, "Pizza it is then. Is there a particular kind you want, Georgie?"
The four year old thinks about it a few seconds before solemnly replying with a nod, "Candy pizza."
"Maybe for dessert but we'll have to see what kind the restaurant has."
Hopping down to run play more, Georgie says over his shoulder, "Okay, Mummy."
George starts chuckling when Maj remarks, "You know, candy pizza actually does sound pretty good right about now."
Finally Talking to Ember
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 09-02-12 08:41
Karma and I had left the Italian place and headed over to the apartment where Karma had left the sleeping Ember Morgan. Karma was right about one thing, it cut lunch short. At least I had the chance to eat first. Once we reached the apartment, it wasn't hard to find Ember. She was awake, sitting quietly looking out the window. Dexter having decided to give her some space.
Karma went over to Ember, snapping her back to the present. As Karma made the introductions, it was clear Ember was still thinking about it. I was introduced as a friend, not an auror, although it was mentioned shortly afterwards. I suggested that after the hospital, the three of us head to my place. It was completely private and safe. After all, who'd think to look for Ember there?
The trip to St. Mungos was thankfully brief. I allowed Karma to be with Ember during the exam while I waited outside. They prescribed some potions for the pain and to help her sleep. I had a quick word with the doctor alone just to confirm Ember's story. Not that I didn't trust her, but as a matter of procedure.
After the hospital Ember, Karma, and I went food shopping. I had told Karma that since I burn water, my kitchen tended to lack many raw ingredients for cooking. Ember was quiet most of the time, but Karma and I managed to get a few answers out of her as to what she liked to eat. Karma made sure to get what didn't have to make it.
When we arrived at my apartment building, they both complained about having to walk several flights of stairs. They did pretty good, but we went rather slow too. Once inside I had Ember sit in one of the chairs for the kitchen table, which had a full view of the kitchen. Karma got to work cooking, while I sat down next to Ember.
"Ember," I said to her quietly, "Can you tell me what happened last night?"
Ember sat quietly looking at her hands for a while before answering. I waited patiently until she looked up, "So I went out with this guy. We were supposed to go to dinner, but he ended up taking me into the woods not far from campus." A shudder ran through her body.
"Did he say anything or force you to go?" I asked trying to get more information.
"Well I asked him where we were going, he said 'to have some fun' and he grabbed me by the neck and threw me to the ground. I should have stunned him but I was in shock."
"It's hard to keep your wits after something like that," I said to comfort her, "What happened next?"
"Yeah it is. I kind of blurred it out, trying not to think about it," Ember pulls her hair up, revealing a dark bruise from where the guy tried to choke her. "He did this from holding me down, then he…" she sniffles before she managed to finally finish, "… he raped me"
"I know how hard it can be to talk about something like this..."
"It sucks, Desi! Why'd it have to happen to me?"
"So you can tell me who this guy is so I can get him and make him pay for all the bad things he's done," I told her. I figured if she had a solid reason behind the question always asked after something like this, she'd be able to recover a little faster.
"His name's Alex something...I honestly don't remember his last name. Maybe it would be easier if you went to school with me and I pointed him out?" She asked. She was nervous about seeing this guy again.
"Yeah, we can do that. Later, when you're ready to go back."
"Thanks Desi, I owe you for this." Ember leaned over and hugged me. I hugged her back, she needed the comfort. I'm not touchy feely, but at times like this, I can deal with it.
"If there's anything else you need to tell me, you can do so at any time. You also don't owe me for this."
"I feel like I do, you're helping me take this jackass down!"
"No, it's my job, and my pleasure, to take him down. You'll owe me for the self-defense lessons I'm going to give to you and Karma so if you run into another jackass, things will end with them in a huge amount of pain." I saw Karma look over at the sound of her name, but she didn't say anything.
"Yeah, self defense would be helpful! Have you been to one of Driver's fights yet?"
"No, I haven't. I won't teach you to fight, not like that at least."
"I know, but I'm ready to learn. Once I feel better though. It still hurts."
"I won't rush you. Things will get better."
"Thank you, Desi."
"You're welcome Ember."
Good Food and Good Company
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 09-02-12 10:33
Lunch had been cut short, which I expected given the subject matter of what had happened, but it was something that needed to be handled immediately. There had been no question about what needed to be done, so we'd gotten Ember from the apartment, I'd given Dex a quick update on what was going on and told him I'd see him later tonight, after a quick kiss we were gone and heading to St. Mungo's despite Ember's nervousness about the whole situation.
I'd gone into the exam room with her and assured the healer that helped her that she would take the potions as required during the next week or so and would bring her back in a week for another check up. Potions obtained we headed out of St. Mungo's, I comforted Ember a bit while Desi spoke to the healer to get information from her, as well as a copy of the procedures for the investigation file, and things of that nature.
Once we were done at St. Mungo's there was a stop to get food to cook at Desi's apartment, which apparently had little more than frozen pizzas since she has the ability to burn water. Getting ingredients for curried chicken, somewhat similar to the dinner I'd made at the apartment last night, we'd headed to Desi's apartment and yes, there were complaints about walking up so many flights of stairs – but I needed the work out, hadn't had a proper one in some time and I needed to start dancing again truth be told.
Once we were in the apartment, I left Desi and Ember to talk about the attack and set about cooking up the chicken curry and rice with bread and a glass of wine for each of us. I looked up briefly as I'd heard my name from Desi, and figured she was talking about the self defense lessons she was going to be giving somewhat soon. Bringing the food to the table after a few minutes, I sat down next to Ember.
"Ember, if you want, we can owl your professors and get your work sent if you aren't ready to go back yet. Explain to them that you aren't feeling well, and I'm sure that they will understand, so that way you don't lose an entire term's worth of work," I said and she nodded.
"That might be a good idea, because I'm not sure I'll be ready to go back come Monday, but I'm not sure how long I can stay away without getting points knocked off my grades," she said after a few minutes.
"Understandable, but under the circumstances I think they will be a bit more forgiving, especially when the dean is notified of what this idiot has done," I said squeezing Ember's arm lightly.
We talked a bit more and learned why Desi preferred a muggle apartment over one in a wizarding section of the city – internet, television and frozen pizzas – all good reasons in my opinion.
"How was the match going while you were there Desi? Dex said something about Arley and Seb bringing the boys to the match to watch Fallon and Etch play, and that of course had to have some craziness given Crew's constant activity."
"I didn't see either of them, but I've no doubt that they were there. The match was alright, we weren't winning, we weren't losing. It spent some time for a while tied. I'm not sure who caught the snitch because I had left to meet you for lunch."
"Right, I'll probably get the highlights from Dex when I get back to the apartment, or it will be the only thing talked about when I get to the Castle," I said, finishing off my curry and sipping my wine.
We talked and just relaxed for the remainder of the evening, eventually Ember and I headed back to the apartment and listened to highlights of the Quidditch match which Britain had won!
In the Tea Shop
Author: Ella
Date: 09-02-12 12:03
Ella walked up and down the aisles at Rosa Lee Teabags, following Francis as he stopped every so often to study the selection of teas available. He had picked up the habit of drinking tea while studying and had developed a taste for different flavors, the more exotic the better. While they walked, they talked about what they would do this summer.
"If Britain makes it to the World Cup, and the match happens to be here, then I think we should make every effort to go," Ella said.
"Agreed," Francis replied. He picked up a box of hibiscus tea, studied the label for a moment, and then dropped it into his basket.
Both had applied to attend St. Emrys in the fall. Francis knew exactly what he wanted to study, but Ella had no clue. She honestly wasn't even sure she wanted to continue her education. School had never really been her thing. Ella supposed the only reasons she'd decided to enroll in university was because Francis would be there and because it was a way to delay entering the real world, at least a little bit.
She glanced at Francis, who was studying a box of strawberry-flavored tea, and wondered why they got along so well. They had nothing in common, other than both belonging to Gryffindor and being very close to graduation.
He put the box back on the shelf and continued down the aisle, turned the corner, and went up the next one. Ella trailed behind him, but lingered at the storefront window, gazing out at the people passing by. It was evening, but it was still quite sunny. Most of the people she observed were students carrying sacks of merchandise from the various shoppes in the village. Ella looked out the window for a moment longer and then started to turn the corner and follow Francis up the aisle, when she stopped in her tracks.
In the shadowy doorway of shoe store across the street, Ella spotted a tall, dark figure. He was leaning against the wall of the front stoop with his arms crossed. She recognized him anywhere.
"Ella?"
She turned her head to look at Francis. "I said I'm ready when you are. Are you okay?"
She turned back to the window, but Zane was gone. Ella took a breath and said uncertainly, "Yeah, I'm okay, and I'm ready to go."
She tore her gaze from the window and followed Francis to the checkout counter, where he paid for his tea. When they stepped outside the shoppe, she kept her eyes peeled for her ex-boyfriend, but she didn't see him anywhere.
Being Paternal
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-02-12 12:26
The turnout for the Quidditch & Flying Workshop had been good. With the great weather and the need to work off some energy and stress as finals approach, a good number of first and second years showed up as did others who for various reasons couldn't not go into the village or did not want to go. Some joined later in the day after having been in Hogsmeade. Probably helping with the turnout was the WWN Viktor had playing loudly enough for anyone at the pitch to hear the Britain versus Mongolia match even over the noise generated by the workshop.
With the hour what it is, Viktor calls what's most likely the last break. The groups break apart as students and helpers alike move to the tables with drinks and food. That's when Viktor notices Marjani on the side of the pitch, reclining on a long beach towel type blanket. Grabbing some lemonade he goes to flop on the ground beside her.
"You are back earlier than I expected."
"I was getting a headache but I didn't really want to go hole up on my bed."
About to tell her he's got some headache potion in his office off the locker rooms if she wants he notices her brow looks slightly moist. Thinking she might have gotten a little warm in Hogsmeade and walking back added to that he asks, "How long have you been here?"
"At least half an hour, maybe longer."
His own brow knitting together Viktor reaches a hand out to touch Marjani's brow then one of her cheeks. "You feel a little warm."
"I'm fine. Really. Just a headache."
"You are sure?"
"I am a little hot, of the sort that if we were inside I'd say the room felt stuffy, but that's all."
"It is a nice day but you should not be as warm as you feel to me if you have been lying down or sitting for thirty minutes or more. You have a headache. You should go see Madam Pomfrey."
"Right now?"
"Yes, and I shall go vith you."
"You're turning W's into V's again. You're either tired or worried."
"Perhaps I am both. Let me tell someone I am leaving for a brief time."
Marjani puts a hand on Viktor's arm to stay him. "I can make it on my own. Stay here and finish out your workshop."
"I vill see you to the Hospital Ving then return here. I vill not miss much here."
"You're going to insist, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Fine then," Marjani sighs, sitting up fully then standing in preparation to go, picking up the towel and folding it while she waits for Viktor. He talks with two of the people helping today and a minute later, give or take, they are walking together in the direction of the castle.