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That's What Mum's Are For (Tristan)
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 11-20-19 19:39
Arriving at the pitch before the flying and Quidditch workshop begins, Tristan and Tyler turn as one when Cammie Ling, a hand on one hip and head tilted to one side, addresses them. "You two left before me. How did I beat you here?"
"We went to the owlery," Tristan replies. "Getting Secret Santa gifts ordered."
"If one of you have my name I hope you're giving me the bath set I want."
Cammie has been putting photos with her name on them all over the Gryffindor common room and the Common commons. The photos show a large gift basket with a variety of scented shower gels, lotions, loofahs, bath salts, bath oils, bubble bath, and assorted other items. Tyler looks at Cammie and shrugs. "You want a bath set?" he dryly asks.
She rolls her eyes but laughs. "I'm guessing you didn't get my name but if you did, you wouldn't tell me." She looks from Tyler to Tristan. "You either."
Tristan can't help but grin. "I didn't get your name but if I did, nope, I wouldn't tell you."
"So maybe you did get it."
Tyler slings an arm around Cammie's shoulders. "Good try, Ling, but Tristan got Seth Weasley's name and I got Professor Black."
Cammie's nose crinkles. "Hard enough to figure out something good for another kid. I would be so lost trying to think of something for a professor."
Tristan's grin grows bigger. "That's what mums are for."
The other two laugh in agreement then the three start for the area directly beneath the start line for one of the obstacle courses. As they walk, talking about what they want for Christmas other than Cammie's massive bath gift basket, Tristan is proud of himself for having been able to find Seth a gift without resorting to begging his mother for help. He'd found a t-shirt for Seth that reads It's a Seth thing. You wouldn't understand. From the same catalogue Tyler picked out a sort of astronomy pun shirt for Professor Black, whose first name is Sirius like the star.
(Tessa) Shopping in Hogsmeade
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-21-19 18:26
Tessa and Blakeney strolled along the pop-up stalls set up along High Street and perused the offerings that were there especially for the holiday season and the Hogwarts students visiting Hogsmeade. Steady snow was falling, so some of the vendors had umbrellas or awnings set up over their tables, while others used charms to keep the snow off their wares. Tessa and Blakeney both had the hoods of their cloaks up.
"It's so magical!" Blakeney exclaimed, gesturing to the falling snow and the holiday decorations. "No pun intended, of course."
Tessa smirked. "Have you decided on anything?"
"No," Blakeney said, sighing heavily. "There are too many choices. It's a good thing we have all day."
Tessa groaned inwardly. Shopping with Blakeney was always a chore. She supposed it lucky that the sun set so early nowadays. Few wanted to be out when it was pitch black, because that meant there wasn't any sun to keep the already chilly temperature up. The shopping trip might feel never-ending, but the day wouldn't really be long in the end.
Just like every other Christmas season at Hogwarts, Tessa had once again put her name in for the annual Secret Santa gift exchange. This year she got Professor Hodfuffer, whose name she'd also drawn in her second year. Back then she'd gotten him high quality stationary, knowing that his other career involved writing novels.
She didn't want to repeat herself or get something else related to writing, but what could she get him?
"Oooh, foreign snacks!" Blakeney exclaimed, grabbing Tessa's snow dusted sleeve to lead her to a booth containing Christmasy foods from other cultures.
Tessa looked over the offerings and then got an idea. She had heard from someone that Professor Hodfuffer's pretty wife had ties to Mexico. The booth selling international snacks had Mexican hot chocolate, which was often served with cinnamon sticks or flavoring. Tessa was pleased to taste a sample. It was certainly different than the hot cocoa she was used to drinking.
In the end, she bought a jar of the Mexican hot chocolate mix and some macarons. Hopefully Professor Hodfuffer would appreciate her gift!
(Titus) Back to Hogwarts
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 11-22-19 02:00
One of the school's house elves made a sign for the ice-cream shipment to advance. Titus used his wand to drive a cart full of ice-cream containers down into the kitchens. There were four other similar carts waiting to be conducted. Florean stood there, watching Titus, as he took care of the carts. When he was on the third cart, and no one was around Titus muttered:
"A little help would be appreciated…"
"That would be out of character. I'm supposed to be an old man and your boss," Malden said. "Now hurry! We don't have much time."
Titus did not like to be bossed around, especially by Malden, but he was right. The clock was ticking.
After many intense rounds of preparation they were finally at Hogwarts for their second trial. They came to steal something the Dark Lord was very interested in acquiring but that it was not important enough for him to risk himself or his own Death Eaters in an attempt to get such precious object. And so Malden and Titus had been chosen for the job.
Coming up with a plan had not been easy. They would often disagree with each other in every little detail, like the best spell to use, or even the robes they should wear. They had to compromise in order to make it work. For Titus the worst part was trusting Malden. Maurice had been very clear in his instructions: they were in this together, whether they failed or succeeded. Nevertheless, Titus was convinced that if things somehow got wrong and their plan failed, that Malden would have no trouble in backstabbing him to escape.
In order to improve the school mood, Headmistress McGonagall decided to hire Florean to distribute free ice-creams to all Hogwarts students and staff. All Titus had to do was to cook dinner for Tiberius, and say a few touching words. Tiberius went to speak with Minerva and a few days later Florean received a personal letter from the Headmistress, with a business proposal. As Florean's worker, Titus' access to Hogwarts was granted. But Malden had to come as well. After a long discussion they decided to use the Polyjuice potion, so Malden could impersonate Florean. That morning, Titus had met the old wizard in the ice-cream shop. He stunned him and modified his memory, making Florean believe he had went to Hogwarts already. Titus stole a handful of white hair from the old wizard so it could be used in the Polyjuice potion. As a wanted wizard, Malden, could not just come along with them. At first they thought Malden could hide himself in one of the carts, but with so many aurors present there was the risk the cargo would be fully inspected.
They were not wrong. All the ice-cream carts were carefully examined by a pair of aurors. Both Titus and Malden had to present their credentials and were inspected as well. It was nerve wrecking to watch as one of the aurors inquired Malden. Would they sense something wrong in this Florean?
"Mr. Fortescue, it has been a while since I've been to your establishment," one of the aurors said. "But I used to go there a lot, that you even memorized by favorite ice-cream flavor. Do you remember it?"
Titus hold his breathe, his heart beating fast. He held his wand inside his pocket, in case he would have to stun the auror, if he realized the Florean he was talking with was an imposter. Malden looked at the auror, and smiled.
"Naturally, my son. Your favorite was vanilla. Why don't you have a bit?" he opened one of the containers and picked up a cone. He mounted the vanilla ice-cream, added some chocolate toping also available in the cart and offered it to the auror.
The auror thanked him and Malden asked the second auror if he too wanted an ice-cream. The second auror accepted a strawberry flavor one, which Malden ordered Titus to prepare. Then they were finally given permission to enter the castle, and the house elf came to assist them.
"How did you know it was vanilla?"
"I didn't. He glanced at the vanilla container more than once. It wasn't hard to guess he was dying to give it a try."
It was a little bit strange to go back to Hogwarts this way. Last time Titus was here he had a girlfriend and he still had his two eyes. Now all of that has changed. He finally transported the last cart into the school kitchens and Malden followed him. He had taken his wand out of his pocket.
"Ok, we're in," Titus said looking at Malden with his single eye. "Time for the second part of the plan. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Malden replied. "Let's do this and get out of here. We don't have much time."
(Patricia) Spoiled
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 11-22-19 03:02
"How about this one?" Patricia said, showing a sweater to Tom.
"It's pink!" Tom replied, wrinkling his nose.
"It's fashionable. I read that when a man wears pink it's a sign that he is confident."
"Your Secret Santa isn't a man yet. He's thirteen. You should pick something else," Tom advised.
Patricia continued to look for options for her Secret Santa. This year she got Jordan Blackthorn's name. Jordan was not a complete stranger: he was from her house, one of Ravenclaw's chasers and was a direct colleague of Eileen. But nevertheless it was somewhat of a challenge to pick a present for him.
"This?" She asked, picking up a faded black denim jacket.
"That's better. Much better."
Patricia paid for the jacket and left the clothing shop with Tom. They passed by Burger Wizard and Tom noticed the angry way she looked at the fast food restaurant. Anderson Acker had finally invited Patricia on a date. She had been waiting for this for a while and when last week he asked if he could buy her a meal she was quite excited. Today he told her they could meet at Burger Wizard for lunch and she was a little bit upset, although she did no tell Anderson so.
"I can't believe I am having a date at a fast food restaurant!" She complained.
"You're so spoiled," Tom teased. "You can't expect Anderson to be able to pay you a meal at a fancy restaurant."
"It's just a very unromantic venue. Why not Madam Puddifoot's?"
"Who knows? Maybe he doesn't like it there, while it's common knowledge everyone loves a good burger and french fries."
"I'm too well dressed to go to Burger Wizard! If I knew we were going there, I wouldn't have dressed like this."
Patricia was wearing one of her best dresses. She wanted to look at her best for the date. Her outfit would work well at Madam Puddifoot's or some other restaurant. But not a place like Burger Wizard. The place would be crowded with students and they would get not privacy. It was almost like eating at the Great Hall, but worse because they wouldn't be even using cutlery or drinking from proper cups.
Tom rolled his eyes.
"Sooo spoiled," he repeated.
Patrica chose to ignore him. Despite the fact the date would be in a very unromantic place, she was still looking forward to it.
(Malden) Second Trial
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 11-22-19 07:59
Initially, Malden wanted to search certain towers without relying on the assistance of any denizen of the castle, but realistically, it would take more time than he had under the guise of the polyjuice potion. Despite all their research, Malden and Titus did not know with 100% certainty where to look for the object they had been ordered to collect. Reluctantly, they reached the conclusion that they couldn't conduct the search in one visit without getting help.
They had mulled over making multiple trips to the castle, under the ruse of delivering more ice cream, but neither wanted to increase the risk of getting caught. Besides, Maurice had given them the assignment in September, and here it was December already. Time was not on their side, and Voldemort would run out of patience eventually.
The same house-elf who assisted them with the ice cream delivery became their target. After it directed the other house-elves on kitchen duty to empty the carts, it followed Malden and Titus into the corridor to answer a question they had posed about the food-themed portraits hanging on the stone walls. Luckily for the two, nobody else was around to witness Titus cast the Imperius Curse on the house-elf.
Malden held his breath when Titus asked the house-elf to lead them to the tower they wanted. The object in question not being a secret, both wizards knew there was a decent chance the house-elf would know about it, since they had more access to places in the castle than students did.
With a glazed-over look in its big eyes, the house-elf squeaked, "Follow me!", and set off down the corridor toward the stairs leading up to the Entrance Hall.
Malden and Titus exchanged looks, stowed their wands but kept them handy, and followed the house-elf upstairs. The Entrance Hall was fairly busy, since students were coming and going from Hogsmeade or the Quidditch Pitch, but once the trio climbed the Marble Staircase and continued up, up, up, the crowd thinned until they were very much alone.
The occasional ghost drifted past, portrait murmured a greeting, or suit of armor turned its head, but there wasn't a human soul—Hogwarts resident or member of law enforcement—around to witness the house-elf, former Hogwarts student, and proprietor of Diagon Alley's ice cream parlour roam the castle.
Eventually, the three got off the revolving staircase system and went down a darkened corridor. Malden had lost track of how many flights of stairs they'd climbed, and this was certainly a part of the castle he didn't remember.
The house-elf turned another corner and then went up a narrow, spiral staircase to a simple, wooden door. Using its own form of magic, the house-elf unlocked the door and led Malden and Titus into a small, circular chamber. It had narrow windows and flickering candles that dripped wax but seemed perpetually lit.
There, in the middle of the room, was a table containing two objects, the Book of Admittance and the Quill of Acceptance.
Malden pulled the door closed behind them and then produced a small coin purse out of his pocket. He enlarged it with his wand.
Titus went up to the book and hesitated. They had debated whether the artifacts in this room were alarmed, but no warning sirens had gone off when they entered, so maybe not.
He took a deep breath and then picked up the book, not realizing that nobody had ever laid hands on it since the four founders placed it there. Although it looked as ancient as it was, it was not brittle. Nevertheless, he placed it in the enlarged coin purse with care.
"Now the quill," Malden said.
"We were told to get the book only," Titus insisted.
"What good is the book without the quill? I say we get it."
Titus shook his head. "We don't know why he wants it. Maybe he doesn't care about future wizards. Maybe he's just looking into the names already recorded in the book."
"What if that's part of the test, though?" Malden said. "The book and quill belong together. If we come back with only the book, we might fail."
Titus was torn between what to do. He wanted to follow the instructions as they were given, but he could also see Malden's logic. It could very well be part of the test. It could also be a lose-lose situation.
"Fine," he finally conceded. Titus picked up the quill and ink pot and carefully put them into the enlarged coin purse.
Malden shrunk it back down and put it back into his pocket. Then he pointed his wand at the house-elf and said, "Avada Kedavra!"
Green light enveloped the house-elf before it crumpled to the floor.
Titus cursed. "Do you remember the way back?"
"Sure," Malden said with a shrug as he pocketed his wand. "Just keep going down."
Titus shook his head but said nothing. They left the dead house-elf on the floor and exited the circular chamber. They went down the spiral staircase, down one hall and then another before reaching the familiar revolving staircases. They went down several flights before they ran into someone, and that someone was Professor McGonagall herself.
"Mr. Fortescue, Mr. Nott! Did you get lost on the way to the kitchens?"
Malden felt a panic flutter in his belly and put a hand to his throat. He might be able to fool aurors by using his own voice, but he would never be able to fool his great aunt.
Titus took the hint and said, "He's got acute laryngitis."
Malden held up his hands apologetically and smiled.
"Then I suggest you drink some hot tea with lemon and get some rest, but it is good to see you, and I thank you for our arrangement. One might argue that ice cream is not ideal for December, but I say every season is ideal for ice cream. Besides, I think we could all use something nice under the circumstances…"
Malden and Titus nodded, and then Titus blurted out, "I was looking for my brother. Is he patrolling in Hogsmeade?"
"Yes, I believe he said he would be taking a midday shift."
"Great, thanks," Titus replied, speaking a bit more urgently. "We need to pick up our carts, but I'll try to catch him before we head back to London. See you later!"
Malden wondered why Titus seemed so excitable all of a sudden, but then he realized what must be happening. The polyjuice potion was starting to wear off.
Malden quickly shook his great aunt's hand and then turned away, continuing down the stairs with Titus. Malden felt Titus stiffen beside him when they got to a more populous part of the castle, but the potion must have at least still been partially in effect because Titus didn't try to cover Malden's face or drag him into a dark corner.
They made it all the way down without incident and then continued on into the cellars. Once outside the kitchen, Titus barked, "Stay here!"
he disappeared inside the kitchen, leaving Malden to wonder what he looked like. He touched his face and realized that his facial hair had all but disappeared, but his skin still felt like that of an older man. His hands still looked old, too.
Titus emerged with the first cart, looked around and was relieved to see that they were still alone. He opened up the cart and told Malden to get in. It was unlikely that the aurors would check it on the way out.
Malden did as he was told. Titus slammed the door shut, leaving him in total darkness.
There was silence for quite a while, and then the cart began to move. Malden feared detection the entire time but he and Titus managed to exit Hogwarts without incident.
In Need Of A Better Broom (Carina)
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 11-22-19 09:52
Carina loudly expels air from between her pursed lips. From behind someone says, "That's not a happy sound."
Turning slightly Carina shakes her head and holds up the school issued broom clutched tightly in one hand. "It's not a bad broom but I want a better one. Need it."
"Big difference between want and need."
The remark is stated without even a hint of condescension. One thing Carina likes immensely of "cousin" Eoghan is his ability to talk to her without that patronizing tone adults often have when expressing such sentiments to someone her age. She smiles at him. "I know but I'm also very spoiled, which means it's harder to tell sometimes if I need something or just badly want it," she admits. "I know it's need this time."
Carina sweeps an arm upward, the gesture encompassing the various obstacle courses set for today's flying and Quidditch workshop. "I need a better broom to keep improving on the courses."
"I didn't think you had much interest in athletics."
"Because I don't take Fitness & Athletics," she nods then shrugs. "I sort of like the obstacle courses."
"You like the personal challenge," Eoghan correctly guesses.
"Maybe that's it." She shrugs again. "You aren't in Hogsmeade today?"
"I'm covering a shift there late for someone but today my regular assignment is here."
"Will you watch me do at least one course?"
"Sure, I'll even go on break so I can sit and give your run my full attention. Are you going to ask for a new broom for Christmas?"
"First years can't have their own brooms at school unless on a house Quidditch team so I might wait until school shopping this summer. Do you have a Secret Santa at work?"
"Some departments do. I've heard about the one here. I take it you signed up."
"I did and I can't wait to find out who got my name and see what the present is! I got a professor, Illyria Goode. She's my Astronomy teacher. Do you know her?"
"I know who she is but other than having said hello a few times while patrolling, I can't say I know her."
"I already got her gift. When we drew names I sort of knew right then what I wanted to give her. She has two little boys. Have you seen them? They're soooo cute. Professor Goode's present is a set of holiday dishes I think are just as cute and maybe she and her family will love them for years and years."
They'd been walking as they talked and have arrived at the location where most students doing the particular obstacle course Carina is wanting to start with are taking to the air. The workshop assistant standing there gives Carina the go ahead. She turns to Eoghan with a grin. "Here I go!"
Carina flies up to the starting line, so eager to start she almost begins before the clock. As she tackles the first obstacle then races to the second she thinks that perhaps she'll ask for a broom for Christmas after all and use it at home until she can bring it to Hogwarts.
(Azaelia) Nimuë's News
Author: Isolde
Date: 11-22-19 13:14
"Azaelia!"
She turned and saw her mother waving. Sighing inwardly, Azaelia crossed busy High Street and greeted, "Hello, Mum. What brings you to the village?"
"Can I treat you to lunch? There's something I need to tell you."
Azaelia sensed that she wasn't going to like what her mother had to tell her, and she nearly told her to just say it right then and there. It was after lunch, however, and she hadn't yet eaten. They settled on the Crown & Cauldron, which had a wait but not a very long one.
While they sat in the vestibule and waited for their table to be ready, Azaelia asked, "What do you need to tell me?"
"We'll talk after we're seated," Nimuë said, glancing at the others gathered in the waiting area. "What have you got there?" she then asked, noticing the shopping bags at Azaelia's feet.
Azaelia really wanted her mother to get to the chase, but she suspected the conversation was meant for her ears alone. Why her mother thought it was a good idea to divulge secrets in a public place was anyone's guess.
She sighed and said, "It's my Secret Santa gift."
Her recipient this year was Ingrid Hyland. For Ingrid, Azaelia found a gorgeous, very feminine-looking coat in Ravenclaw blue. Along with the coat, Azaelia bought a purse that looked like a book cover as a nod to her own profession as the school librarian. She told her mother about the gifts and even let her peek into the shopping bags.
The hostess finally called the pair to their table. Once they were settled and had given their drink orders to a server, Azaelia got straight to business.
"Well?"
Nimuë fiddled with her menu. "I've discovered the identity of who Ally really is."
Azaelia looked up from her own menu and asked, "Oh? Please tell me you learned it from the Ministry of Magic and not on your own."
"It was your father, actually. He found out and wrote me."
Azaelia put down her menu and wordlessly waited for her mother to go on. Nimuë hesitated and said, "Turns out, they are in the same cell block in Azkaban. Her name is Elena Elphick."
Azaelia started to shake her head but then she said in a hushed tone, "Wait. Isn't she one of the Death Eaters who was picked up during the raid on their last headquarters?"
Her mother nodded. "Yes. Apparently she was a fairly new recruit, and she was tasked with bringing others into the fold, particularly witches and wizards who'd spent time in prison. Your father says she's still recruiting. There are plenty on the inside who are unhappy with the Ministry of Magic and would readily serve V––"
She stopped when the server came with their drinks and asked if they'd decided on what they wanted to eat. Neither had really perused the menus, so they dismissed him.
Azaelia picked her menu back up and asked, "Did she recruit Dad?"
"He didn't say in his letter."
"Mum!"
Nimuë shrugged.
"You know what you have to do, don't you?" Azaelia asked. "Do you want me to go with you again?"
Nimuë chewed her bottom lip and then nodded. "Yes. I just don't want to make things worse for your father."
Azaelia sighed. "He's in prison for murder, among other things. I don't think things can get any worse for him."
Nimuë nodded. "You're right."
They settled on what they wanted to eat, ate and talked about more pleasant things, and then set off for the Ministry of Magic together.