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(Caleb) The Girls' Expert
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 07-13-14 07:54
"Hector? If a girl holds your hand, does it mean she likes you?"
"Who held your hand?"
Caleb hesitated. He wasn't sure if he could trust Hector with this. But his friend had more experience with girls than he did. After all didn't he kiss Araxie Loren last year? Hector looked at Caleb with interest, ignoring the Quidditch magazine he had been reading.
"So?"
"Well…Sophie, I think. I'm not sure."
"What you mean you're not sure?"
"It's complicated."
"I have all day," his friend said and to prove his point, he tossed the magazine aside.
Caleb cleared his throat and started telling Hector what happened the day he had been at the Hospital Wing with hay fever. Madam Pomfrey had given him a potion that left him drowsy. But before he surrender himself to the sleep a blonde girl had seated next to his bed and held his hand. Caleb had the vaguely impression of hearing the name McCourt being pronounced, as the girl spoke with someone else, probably the school healer. However when he confronted Sophie about it, she told him she had no idea what he was talking about.
"Oh she's totally into you, no doubt," Hector declared.
"How so?" Caleb asked with fear. He always liked Sophie as a friend and he just didn't want that to change and turn into something else. Sophie having romantic feelings towards him was something Caleb thought as being repulsive. Not that she was ugly or was a bad person but he just couldn't be able to reciprocate such feelings. She was his best friend, for Merlin's sake.
"It's obvious, isn't it? She took advantage of your illness and your vulnerability to be closer to you. She's probably afraid you'll reject her, if she confesses her true feelings. Girls love these sort of schemes. They have a hard time going directly to the point. I read that somewhere. Anyway, haven't you noticed how she sits next to you all the time, how you two are always together? Have you seen her hanging out with other boys from her house?"
"Well, not really but that's because we…"
"...are close? And why is that so, huh? How many times did you want to study and she hasn't let you, always wanting to go outside to the grounds, or do something else with you?" Hector patted Caleb's back. "Way to go Quigley…"
"But I don't want her to like me…"
"Why not? She's pretty."
"I guess I'm just not into her."
Caleb decided to end this embarrassing and agonizing conversation and asked Hector if he wanted to go outside and take a look at the Quidditch workshop. Hector agreed and for the rest of the afternoon Sophie's name hasn't been mentioned.
Interrupted Breakfast (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 07-13-14 13:55
Twirling a strand of hair around one of her fingers Bianca mulls over whether she wants strawberry rhubarb jam or gooseberry with her toasted teacake. She ends up going with both, dolloping a little of one on top of a buttered teacake and a little of the other on top of another teacake. Catriona had nearly gone with the toasted teacakes as well but at the last second decided to have two American style blueberry buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. Drizzling the syrup over the top pancake she reminds Bianca, "Don't forget you want to pick up another NEWT study guide after we eat."
"I don't want to carry it around all day but if I think I'd forget all about it if I put it off until this evening. I'd sent it, or them, on to Hogwarts but I haven't had much luck sending anything of any size that distance. I'll charm it lighter or smaller I guess."
"Or, you could pay for them and ask if the shoppe will owl them to you tonight or tomorrow."
"Had not thought of that. If I only get one, I'll charm it but if I end up getting more, I'll see about having it all owled."
"This close to NEWTs do you want to spend money more than one? You already have several."
"I don't know. We've been studying all this time but I'm starting to feel the pressure. It's more than stress. It's anxiety. This morning getting dressed I thought I was going to have a panic attack."
"You should talk with Madam Pomfrey," another voice cuts in.
Without asking Polly Potts slides into the booth next to Cat. Bianca gives the newcomer a disdainful stare. "No one asked for your opinion." Her voice is hard.
Polly apologetically replies, "I'm sorry for intruding; but "
When Polly doesn't immediately finish the thought Cat asks more warmly than Bianca, "But what?"
"I'm lonely."
Bianca gives an unladylike snort. "Whose fault is that?"
Cat shoots Bianca a give her a chance look. Polly compresses her lips then looks down at the tabletop. In a small voice she says, "I knew this was a bad idea."
Bianca looks as though she's going to make a flippant remark but stops at a shake of Cat's head. Polly makes as if to leave the booth but Cat stops her with a hand on the arm. She gently reminds, "Every time either of us have come to you, Polly, you made clear you were going to do whatever you wanted and we should sod off."
"I know. I'm sorry. I've made a mess of everything. The time at Happy Haven affected me more than I let on. Things between my parents were slowly falling to pieces and they were so involved with themselves that the help I needed from them wasn't there. I was feeling more and more unloved."
"Is that why you started dating any lad who glanced your way?" Bianca asks, her tone softer now, curious.
"I think so. I would feel wanted and it made me feel free, even if only for a little while." Polly shakes her head, staring intently down at her now clasped hands. "None of it ever meant anything real and I was always back to thinking I'm nothing. I can see now that I had something that I needed and I pretty much shat on it."
"What was that?" Cat asks.
"Two good friends who cared enough to try and help me but I kept pushing them away."
Cat looks across at Bianca, eyes questioning. Bianca nods so Cat asks Polly, "Want to order some breakfast of your own and talk more?"
Polly sniffles, nodding. "Yeah, I'd like that, thanks."
Cat is meeting Christopher today but not until afternoon so Bianca, Polly, and she will have plenty of time to start mending fences.
Lethargy (Jade)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 07-14-14 20:32
Stretched out on some grass, being decidedly lazy Jade thinks she could easily fall asleep and miss out on the rest of having time away from school. With finals nearing, a day out like this is much needed and she can nap on the grass back on the Hogwarts grounds some other time. Despite wanting to take full advanage of this Hogsmeade trip, Jade barely moves, remaining where she is, eyes closed against the sun, feeling even more lethargic.
She's pulled from her meandering, almost dream-like thoughts by the friend lounging on the grass next to her. "After today I can't associate with you until after the Quidditch Cup. As you are the enemy I shouldn't even be seen with you today."
Jade cracks an eye at Hufflepuff Natalie Jones. "Opponent."
"Opponent. Enemy. Same thing in this case."
"When Ravenclaw wins the cup, are we back to being friends?"
"When Hufflepuff wins, yes."
"Since Hufflepuff tied with Slytherin and Ravenclaw is ahead of both, we should be given the championship."
"You are hilarious."
"I do my best."
"I sort of want something from the bakery but I don't know if I have the energy to get up."
"I know what you mean. I think someone will have to float me from this spot back to Hogwarts."
"I wish an owl would think to come by about now. I think I've got some parchment in a pocket. I could sent off to Briar's for cake and somewhere else for other food."
Jade feels around on the ground about her, coming up with a gobstone sized rock. "You think we could temporarily transfigure this into an owl?"
"Don't I wish," Natalie sighs.
"Wouldn't happen to know an owl summoning charm?"
For the next minute Natalie and Jade try the few summoning charms they both know and are decent enough with though no matter how they work the charms to make one summon an owl, they have no luck. From her still prone position Jade then tries transfiguring the rock and though she does create an owl, it's tiny and still very much made of stone.
Natalie finally states, "We'll have to get up and go ourselves then."
"Looks like."
It's fully fifteen more minutes before either girl manages to do more than shift position. Once they do gain their feet they slowly meander in the direction of the bakery, both glad they don't have far to go.
Visiting with Bronwyn
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 07-15-14 14:03
"So how was your appointment at St. Mungo's?" Bronwyn finally asked as they stat sipping on Ginger Ale and talking.
Chance smiled. "It went well. We found out what we are having."
"And…" Bron asked excitedly.
"It's a girl." She answered and then glanced down to her every growing belly. She rested her hand on her belly and smiled again.
"Was Jonathan there?"
"Yes, but he had to get back to work after the appointment."
"Is he keeping busy at work?"
"Yes," Chance said. "So much so that I never see him. They have me doing light duty even though I can work up until I am six months, so the doctors say, as long as everything looks good still. But with my high risk I might have to be on bed rest for the last part of the pregnancy."
"That does not sound like much fun."
"No, it doesn't but if it means I have a healthy baby then I'll do it."
Bronwyn smiled at her friend. "So do you ever hear from Casey and Constantine?"
"Yeah sometimes. Casey is living in the states still and married with two kids and another on the way. She is due here any day now actually." Chance took a breath because she was not feeling well suddenly. Her stomach was starting to hurt and she pressed her hand to her stomach and then went on. "Constantine is engaged and living in Scotland. He also apparently just bought a home in Hawaii." Chance moaned softly to herself.
"Are you alright?" Bron asked suddenly forgetting what Chance had been saying.
"Yeah I think it is just morning sickness."
"I thought that only happened during the morning." Bron half asked and half said.
"No, it can happen anytime and it happens to me all the time." Chance shifted in her hair and then said, "Probably should get home and lay down for a bit even though I don't want to leave. I am enjoying spending time with you."
"Alright. Please let me know when you get home."
Chance nodded. Getting home Chance found that she was home alone and she didn't like it. She wanted Jonathan home with her, she was not feeling good and she just had a strange feeling. She wrote a quick owl to Jonathan at work and sent it off with their owl and went to lay down with her cat, Orion.
(Edgar) First Date
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 07-16-14 02:14
Edgar wasn't planning to go to Hogsmeade. However by lunch time he felt like eating at Burger Wizard and so he went to the village on his own. He thought about asking a girl out but he changed his mind and decided to just have his lunch and go back to the castle.
Edgar was giving the first bite on his hamburger, thinking about adding some more ketchup to it, when someone asked:
"Hey, can I sit?"
He put his hamburger down and looked up. She was one of Alcmene's sisters, but Edgar couldn't tell what her name was. He nodded, and the girl placed her tray with food in front of him. The resemblance with Alcmene was incredible, but her sister's hair was a bit longer. She also used a pair of earrings in the shape of little snitches, a thing Edgar has never seen Alcmene using.
"Thank you. All the other tables are occupied," she took a French fry from her tray and took a bite, with pleasure. "I really love these French fries. I think this is the best thing about Hogsmeade's trips: the Burger Wizard fries. My sister says they are too salty, but I don't think so."
She dipped the rest of the French fry in the ketchup and only then Edgar noticed she used nail polish. Alcmene didn't paint her nails. Once she finished chewing, she opened the container with her hamburger and gave a large bite.
"Oh Merlin, this is so good! I was starving. I spent the morning at the pitch, on Krum's workshop. I played as a beater and my arm is all sore from holding the bat for so long. Frankly I have no idea how you can do it."
"It's just a matter of practice, I guess," Edgar spoke for the first time. So she knew who he was. It wasn't that surprising since there was only a total of 8 beaters in the school and he played for her house.
"Too bad Gryffindor didn't have a very good season this year. But hey, at least the Quidditch cup is not going to belong to the Slytherins either."
"I know. My sister is a Slytherin and the two summers they won the Quiddicth and the House Cups, were insupportable to me. She would remind me of it constantly and she even offered me a Slytherin scarf as a joke, saying I could still swap houses if I wanted to."
"Alcmene says I'm more an anti-Slytherin than I'm a Gryffindor. And maybe she's right. I just can't stand them. No offense to your sister."
"None taken," Edgar assured.
The Acker girl devoured her hamburger, while she told Edgar about Professor Binns and how she didn't understand why he needed glasses if he was dead. He seemed not to be very good remembering his students' names as she called her Archer, instead of Acker. She spoke a lot and Edgar didn't have to say much. Once she ran out of things to say about the ghost teacher, she asked:
"Do you dance? I belong to the school's Dance Club and Professor Flitwick said we could ask anyone to come and dance whenever they want. There are more girls than boys there and we have to take turns to dance with them. So if you're interested, let me know."
Edgar promised to think about it, but he already knew he was not going to join the Dance Club. He would rather give bath to a baby troll. The Acker girl finished eating and she stood up thanking him for the company.
"We should have lunch again sometime soon," she told him and he nodded in agreement.
He didn't say a word as the girl left the establishment. Only then Edgar remembered her name: Amelia. He then also realized that this lunch could be categorized as a date, since it had just been him and Amelia, without anyone else. Edgar drank the last bit of his drink, trying not to give much importance to what just happened. He stood up and cleaned up his tray; he couldn't help to smile. For better or for worse he had had a date with a girl, for the very first time.
(Mark) Thoughts
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-16-14 17:49
Mark and Capri had spent the entire day in Hogsmeade, visiting the various establishments and enjoying each other's company. Other than the near come-to-blows with Gus van Tassel earlier in the morning, the day had passed relatively peacefully. It had helped that Mark had managed to avoid Gus and the others all day long––a difficult feat, considering the small size of the village.
It was hard to say who he was really avoiding, though: Gus or Kate. Gus made him the scapegoat for everything these days. In many ways, Mark really couldn't blame him, even though it had gotten very old by now.
The matter of Kate was a different story. It wasn't so much that Mark didn't want to see her. He simply didn't want to see her with him. Hugo. But then he had to remind himself that this is what he wanted. He wanted her to be happy, and Hugo seemed to do just that.
Fortunately, only 1 1/2 months of term remained and then he wouldn't have to see them together anymore.
"Knuts for your thoughts," Capri said, noticing how pensive her boyfriend was at that very moment.
Mark hedged the truth and wracked his brain for a decent answer. He came up with, "The future." He squeezed Capri's hand and explained, "We've got NEWTs soon, then graduation. I haven't made any inquiries at the Ministry yet, but I really should if I want to ensure I have a position by the time we are sent home."
He thought about how he wasn't sure if he wanted to live with his father after graduation. All Mr. Farnon did nowadays was badmouth Mark's mother.
"Maybe we should look for a place," he finally said.
Capri brightened at the thought. "Really?"
"Yeah, I mean, assuming we have the income to pay for it."
Capri nodded. "If we both find jobs, then I don't think that'll be a problem. I should start looking asap too."
"Let's head back to the castle," Mark suggested, since it was getting late anyway.
After The Workshop (Lauren)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 07-16-14 19:22
Lauren takes the cold compress from her eye, squinting over at her friend and fellow Gryffindor Leonine Marchbanks. "Does it look bad?" In the last scrimmage of Professor Krum's workshop, she'd taken an elbow to her face.
"Puffy and red but it's probably going to turn black and purple. Might even swell more if you don't keep that compress on it. You really should go see Madam Pomfrey now."
"In a minute. How are your fingers?"
"Stiff but getting better." Leo had gotten his fingers caught between the quaffle and a bludger in the same scrimmage match. "At first I thought something was broken but I'm sure now that nothing is."
"You should still have them checked. They could swell enough you can't hold a quill to finish homework."
"Having an excuse not to do homework. What a tragedy." Leo takes a bite of one of the biscuits he'd nabbed from the refreshments table.
"Maybe I can use having limited vision as an excuse."
"If Professor Snape were our teacher I can just hear him telling me to use my other hand and pointing out to you that you have one eye that works reasonably well."
Lauren visibly shudders. "I hope he's not still here when we're fifth years."
"He probably will be. He's been here since forever."
"You think Snape will end up like Binns, dying here at Hogwarts, becoming a ghost, and keeping on teaching like nothing's changed?"
"Probably. Maybe Professor Flitwick too."
"You think? I guess that wouldn't be so bad though. Professor Flitwick's nice." Lauren swipes one of Leo's remaining biscuits.
Leo eats the last cookie before saying, "That was a nice snack. Let's go get supper now."
"Might as well. Things here are done," Lauren says of the flying and Quidditch workshop.
"Maybe we should go see Madam Pomfrey first."
"Nope. I'd rather have supper now than be put off eating anything by whatever nasty potion she makes me drink."
Leo nods in agreement. "Good idea. I can eat with my other hand."
The two get up from where they were sitting on the pitch sidelines and start the walk back to the castle, Lauren remembering to hold the compress to her face the entire way while Leo constantly works his injured fingers, trying to keep them from stiffening to the point of being unable to use them.