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Christmas Shopping (Jordan & Saffron)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-22-19 20:39
Standing in Scrivenschaft's Quill Shop, Jordan looks over Joshua's list. Looking over Jordan's should Erik snickers, "Doesn't want much, does he?"
"Part of the list is ideas on what to get for him to give our sister. Some things are for him, like the parchment, but then this part here," Jordan points out a short section of Joshua's list, "are what he'd like to give the person he's Secret Santa for." Jordan suddenly grins at Erik. "No, it's not you."
Erik makes a silly face at him. "Anyone we know?"
"Yeah, actually. Magnus McCourt."
"What your brother wants to give him makes sense now."
Magnus McCourt is in Slytherin House and is well known to many around Hogwarts for his desire to be an award winning journalist. The Secret Santa part of Joshua's list is more of a guide, with items that an aspiring reporter/journalist might find useful. With Erik's help Jordan picks out a notepad, journal, two Slytherin themed quills, and a Slytherin themed ink pen. Erik and Jordan also pick out some neat ink pens that each have multiple colors of ink in them, also grabbing one each for themselves, Erik noting, "These are so much handier than using quills and pots of ink. Why don't we all use these things more?"
Jordan lifts one shoulder. "Same with pencils when you think about it."
As they make their way to the counter to pay Erik comments, "Seems like a lot to give for Secret Santa."
"Yeah, but other than the journal nothing costs much and even the journal is on sale."
Leaving Scrivenshaft's Erik asks, "Where now?"
"You have a girl's name, right?"
"Yeah. I didn't tell you who. Care to guess."
Jordan looks at his friend, puzzled for all of a half second, if that long. "No. Claire?"
"I have to get her two gifts, you know that? She's sort of family so I have to have something for her and Mum said I can't combine it with Secret Santa."
"I get that I guess. So, wait, you're mum is fine with spending part of Christmas with your dad's ex-wife?"
"I don't think she's always been that way but now they all get along and everyone's happy more or less. It's nice for my brother that his parents can spend a holiday together."
The two friends stop at one of the market stalls set up for the Christmas season. It's covered, which is nice with the falling snow, and it's warm. It's also set up to entice Christmas shoppers into the larger on the inside than it looks from outside space, with many of the shoppers today being Hogwarts students. Towards the back of the stall Jordan finds a display of perfume in decorative bottles.
Jordan has Maud Montgomery's name. As she's two years ahead of him even though they are in the same house, he only knows her to say hello in passing. He'd been stumped what to get her but seeing the pretty perfume bottles he thinks maybe perfume would be a good gift for Maud.
He doesn't realize he's lost track of time until Erik taps him on the shoulder. "You fall asleep standing up or what?"
"Sorry. I can't decide. Give me just another minute."
At last he selects a clear perfume bottle with a butterfly with wings that are edged in crimson. If asked, he wouldn't be able to say the perfume smells like a specific flower or spice. He'd only be able to say it smells like spring.
Locating a box with the perfume and bottle he wants he reaches for it, bumping his arm against a woman he'd somehow not noticed. "Sorry!" And then seeing who the woman is he says it again. "Sorry, Aunt Saffron."
"You barely touched me. There's no need to apologize. Say, what do you think of this one for Georgia?"
Jordan sniffs the decanter she holds. "Yeah, I think she'd like that one a lot. That one there," he points to a deep purple bottle shaped like a bouquet of peonies with a hummingbird hovering over it, "reminds me of Mum."
"I think so too but I've already gotten Sassy a gift."
"Maybe I'll get it then." Jordan reaches for one of the boxes but then notices the price. "Oh, that one's out of my budget."
Saffron smiles and waggles her eyebrows. "Good thing one of your aunts is around."
"I shouldn't take money from you to buy Mum a gift," he says when she offers him the galleons he would need.
"Think of it as a loan then. You can work it off by doing some things for me around the classroom."
"Really? Okay then!"
Jordan gives her an exuberant hug, takes the offered coins, then takes both perfumes to pay for them. Turning from the register he notices Erik looking at him with an expression that makes Jordan think his friend is both sad and disappointed. "What's the matter?"
"Someone offers you money to pay for something and you don't want to take it? Are you sick?"
"I just don't want Aunt Saffron to think I'm greedy, now do I?"
"I guess you have a point but still."
Saffron doesn't hear all of what's said but she has a good idea. Smiling, she watches them walk in the direction of Botanicals & Beyond then turns her attention back to the perfumes. She gets the one she thinks Georgia will like, the bottle it's in an absolutely gorgeous shade of teal. Saffron also gets a lightly floral perfume in a bottle that has two cute kittens chasing each other around and around the bottle. She doesn't really want to get anything for Dolores but Senna should give her a gift since Dolores is Senna's cousin on her mother's side.
The purchases made, Saffron turns in the direction of the gaming center. She'd worked a patrol shift earlier then got in a little child-free shopping, which included the two gifts she just bought and the Secret Santa present for Viktor Krum. She recently learned that Viktor has become a fan of the Muggle football team Manchester United. She'd checked with Muggle Mayhem earlier in the week to see if the store had anything related to Man U, as Aaron has told her the team is sometimes called. There was a small in-store selection and a larger catalogue from which to order. She'd picked up a cap and ordered a jersey, which she collected today.
It's time to meet up with Aaron to pick up the kids. He'll do some child-free shopping and then work a patrol shift as well. They'll meet up at the Crown & Cauldron this evening for supper.
(Willow) Run-in
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 11-23-19 12:41
Willow had gone to Hogsmeade to get a head start on her Christmas shopping. She hadn't realized until she arrived in the village that it was also a Hogsmeade trip for Hogwarts students, though now that she thought about it, it made sense. It was the first Saturday in December, after all.
As a result, the lines were a little bit longer in the various shoppes and at the different vendor stalls, but Willow presevered, systematically checking each person off her list.
When she finished, she decided to treat herself to mulled mead at The Three Broomsticks. As she was entering, someone was hastily exiting. He collided into her, causing her to fall backwards and spill her shopping bags everywhere.
Surprisingly, the fellow nearly continued on without stopping to help, but when he recognized Willow, a sly smile spread across his lips. He knelt, watching as Willow winced as she tried to get off her bruised tailbone.
"Hello, Westwick."
Willow regarded the wizard cautiously through the lazily drifting snow and said, "What has you in such a rush, Kilman?"
She got her legs beneath her and started picking up her shopping bags. Maurice didn't bother to help.
"I've got word that there's something to deal with back home, so i need to go check on it." One of his eyebrows arched. "Still with Hodges?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but yes." Willow stood and dusted snow and ice off her bottom.
Maurice also stood and made to go, but before he left he said, "Bad luck about your brother."
Willow had no idea that Maurice didn't say it to show sympathy towards her. It was bad luck for the Death Eaters that Ash was a snitch and hadn't died under worse circumstances.
Willow murmured, "Thanks," and watched as Maurice walked away. She bent to pick up her shopping bags, which had gotten wet from the snow, and nearly got a fright when someone came up behind her and said, "Hey."
"Oh, sorry," Rowan said, brushing snowflakes off her eyelashes. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Willow sighed and said, "It's okay. Hi, Rowan."
"Was that Maurice Kilman I just saw talking to you?"
"Yeah. In case you are wondering, he's still a jerk. Are you patrolling on official auror business or just coincidentally in Hogsmeade too?" Willow asked.
"Technically working, but I was going to take a quick break and get something hot to drink," Rowan replied.
"Join me, then," Willow said. They went into the pub, somehow found an empty table for two, and caught up over hot mugs of mulled mead.
Contact
Author: Finley
Date: 11-23-19 17:42
Finley and Eirene had spent the day in Hogsmeade without Phoebus, because he was nursing a terrible head cold. Before departing from Hogwarts, Phoebus had provided them with a list of things he wanted them to pick up for him. He'd also given them spending money and joked that they not spend it all on themselves.
One of the things Finley purchased for Phoebus besides the things off his list and the gift she would give him at Christmas was specialty tea from Botanicals & Beyond to help soothe his throat and clear his head. The latter two she'd done with her own money, not his.
She also bought a gift for her Secret Santa recipient. Finley knew who Douglas Dippet was because of Quidditch, having just kicked his butt in the last match. She didn't want to give him anything Quidditch related, because that would be too obvious, and at first she had avoided getting anything that had to do with Hogwarts or more specifically, Slytherin House.
But while in Gladrags, Finley found an extremely soft, plushy bathrobe that she simply could not pass over. She nearly got the Gryffindor version for herself. When Eirene saw the Slytherin bathrobe in Finley's arms, she thought for sure it was her own Christmas gift.
"I'm shopping for you when we split up," was Finley's reply.
Eirene also found her Secret Santa gift at Gladrags. Her recipient was Finely's classmate Estella Finch. Eirene found a darling lace blue dress that would look gorgeous on Estella. Eirene had heard that there was to be a Valentine's Day dance later this school year, and the dress would be perfect for it, assuming there wasn't a red or pink dress code.
"I won't keep you from shopping for me," Eirene said, "so why don't we split up now and then meet up for supper before we have to head back?"
"Sure. Brews & Stews?"
"That works. See you in about an hour."
Estella left the shop first and went down one direction on High Street while Finley went the other way. She poked in and out of shops and looked at the different street vendors. Moments after she found the gift for Eirene, she had the distinct feeling she was being watched and got ready to whirl on her half-sister to tell her to stop spying, only it wasn't Eirene watching her. It was her father… Their father, actually.
The pair stared at each other for a while and then Finley crossed over to meet him.
"Hi, Mr. McLaggen."
She didn't even think about calling him dad.
"Hi, Finley. Do you have time to talk?"
"Sure."
She led him to the restaurant where she would soon be meeting Eirene. They both ordered something to drink and an appetizer to split between them.
"Eirene told me that you know the truth," Mr. McLaggen said.
"Yeah."
"Did she tell you that my wife doesn't know?"
Finley nodded.
"I'd like to keep it that way. It's not that I don't want you in my life or that I don't want to get to know you as my daughter, but I can't tell Chere. It would break her heart."
Finley understood. She didn't like it, but it wasn't her place to break up Eirene's parents. "So, what now?"
"I'll come see you when I can. Your last Quidditch match was amazing. You're a good player."
"Thanks. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are playing next weekend. Are you free to watch with me and Eirene?"
Mr. McLaggen nodded. "Yes, I think I can make time… and I'll see you over winter break?"
Finley nodded. "Yeah, I'll be home for the holidays."
"Good. Listen, I'd love to stay for dinner, but my wife is expecting me."
"It's okay. Eirene should be arriving soon," Finley said, though she was a little disappointed to have their meeting cut so short.
Mr. McLaggen smiled and fished some money out of his pocket. "Here. Your dinners are on me."
"Thanks. See you next weekend."
Mr. McLaggen got up and smiled wider. "Until next weekend. Bye, Finley."
A short while later Eirene arrived. She saw the second glass and the mostly eaten appetizer and quirked an eyebrow. "Oh. My. Merlin. You've been holding out on me. Who did you just have a date with?"
Finley started to roll her eyes and tell the truth, but it would be fun to tease Eirene. "Why don't you try and guess?"
Eirene was certainly up to the challenge.
Marking Off A Name (Ingrid & Alex)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-23-19 19:13
Ingrid makes an exasperated sound at the back of her throat prompting Rex to turn and ask, "What?"
"I've been thinking hard for days on what to get for Alys and have been to every shoppe at least twice and am still no closer to deciding. We meet up, walking into one store, and boom! you have your Secret Santa gift picked out and are ready to pay for it."
Rex rolls his eyes at her. "I can't help that I happened to walk up to that shelf just as Vincent was saying how much he wanted this sweatshirt."
Ingrid makes the sound again. One side of Rex's mouth quirks up in what Ingrid thinks of as a lip shrug, mostly because when he does it he is also usually lifting one shoulder up in a half shrug. "Have you at least narrowed down what to give Alys?"
"I haven't narrowed down for anyone on my list except a skirt for Hope."
"What do you know about Alys other than she's a seventh year with a million brothers and sisters?"
"Roommate of Estella's. Smart. Pretty. Seems nice."
"So basically nothing. Favorite color, food, animal, blah blah blah." Rex points a finger at her, wagging it as says, "Knowing she may have had something going with Asher Kent doesn't count."
"Oh, didn't she work sometimes at Dominic Maestro's?"
"So maybe that means she likes music."
Ingrid's face scrunches up, an indication she's likely deep in thought. "Fiddle? Violin?" she finally says. "Something like that."
"Those are the same I think and what about it?"
"She plays." Ingrid snaps her fingers. "I have it now. Come on." She grabs Rex by the sleeve and tugs him to the register for him to pay for the Ravenclaw sweatshirt he's giving Vincent Oliver for Secret Santa.
A short time later they're at one of the temporary kiosks where Ingrid picks up a pair of violin shaped earrings. "See? Perfect!"
Pleased to have Alys Ellis's name marked off her list she declares, "Time for a snack break."
"I have no argument when it comes to getting food," Rex tells her, obligingly following her to the bakery where he gets an apple and pear tarte tatin big enough for three or four people to share though Ingrid knows he'll likely only let her have a few bites. That's all right. She's got her own sweet to plow through, a slice of plum nectarine blackberry pie.
(Belinda) The Favorite Ellis
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 11-24-19 03:46
"How was the rehearsal?" Conrad asked.
"I think we made some progresses," Belinda told him, as they entered Honeydukes.
During Team Delta Echo's meeting, Belinda had the chance to speak with Maurice alone. She noticed how he kept looking at the castle, as if he was waiting for something to happen at any moment. Belinda told him she was having a hard time controlling the group's mood. The school was stuffed with aurors and the security measures were quite intense. Most of them were afraid to get caught, while others were eager to do something more than to sit tight and do nothing. Belinda was part of this second group. She wanted to do something more than pretend she was in a band. She shared with Maurice an idea of something the team could do inside the school. Something harmless, and simple, no magic involved. But something that would be enough to raise some concern. Maurice listened to the idea and he told Belinda he would report such plan to his superiors and latter get in touch with her. Belinda was hoping her idea would reach the Dark Lord's ears.
Belinda started filling a bag with several types of sweets.
"Do you think your brother likes Pepper Imps?"
"Which brother?"
"Gavin, of course! I'm getting him some sweets."
From all Conrad's siblings, Belinda liked Gavin the most. She saw in him a possible future member of Team Delta Echo. As a first year he was still young to be part of the ranks, but then again Asher was older than Belinda and he had betrayed the Dark Lord as soon as he had the chance. Age did not mean anything.
Belinda's Secret Santa was also a first year. Belinda had to ask around in order to learn who Myra Brecknock was. She finally learned that Myra was a Gryffindor, and she had an older brother who was a Hufflepuff. His name was Joe and Belinda knew from the Dueling Club, which both attended last year. If Myra had seemed a potential Team Delta Echo member like Gavin, perhaps Belinda would have made an effort to get to know the girl and offer her something she might really want. But she thought the girl was not really worth the effort, and so Belinda bought her a backpack, with the letter 'M' on it. It wasn't a very interesting gift, but it was useful.
"I can't believe you're trading me for a younger Ellis," Conrad joked.
Belinda laughed and kissed his cheek.
"No chance. You know you're my favorite."
(Alanna) Answering Questions
Author: Beck
Date: 11-24-19 09:27
Anthony reached over and took Alanna's hand. They were seated side-by-side in a conference room at the Ministry of Magic. Across from them was Anthony's colleague, Connor MacRoth. He had a quill in his hand and was looking down at the very full parchment pad on the table in front of him.
"Let's go with one more question and then we'll stop for today," Connor suggested.
Alanna nodded. "Okay."
She and Anthony had come to the Ministry just after lunch. After months of managing to avoid answering the Ministry's questions, mainly thanks to her long recovery, Alanna was finally ready to talk about her ordeal. She knew she couldn't put it off forever, and besides, it was important she share her story. The Death Eaters were still out there somewhere, and she wanted to help the investigation any way she could, even if it meant reliving some of her darkest days.
It was Anthony's idea that they come on a Saturday afternoon, when the Ministry wouldn't be quite as busy. Connor had readily agreed to the meeting but had nearly asked Anthony to wait outside the conference room with Jared. He might be an auror, but Anthony was also Alanna's brother and really shouldn't be a part of the investigation. Anthony argued that he wasn't there to work, he was there to offer his little sister support.
In the end, he prevailed and sat next to Alanna while Jared waited patiently in the hall.
Connor's questioning started at the very beginning, when Voldemort first revealed himself to be very much alive during his raid on Diagon Alley on the first of July in 2012. Despite the torture she endured, Alanna hadn't lost her memories. She recounted what happened at Diagon Alley Daycare and how she wound up at the then-Death Eater headquarters, which was later discovered and identified as Killeevan Abbey in County Monaghan, Ireland.
Connor was less interested in the abbey itself, since it was no longer a factor in the grand scheme of things, but he did want to know if she'd heard any Death Eater secrets, what dark objects she might have seen that weren't confiscated during the raid, and most of all, who she could identify as a Death Eater or Voldemort Loyalist.
He'd supplied a list of known and suspected Voldemort supporters and included photographs where possible. Alanna positively IDed some, but many had worn masks in her presence. Try as he might, Connor couldn't determine if Bellatrix Lestrange had been among the Death Eaters at Killeevan Abbey.
There were some faces Alanna could remember that were not included among the photographs Connor had her study. He said he would arrange for a sketch artist to get Alanna's descriptions of those particular individuals. Obviously, the Death Eaters had been recruiting, and there probably were new dark wizards associated with the group that were not yet on the Ministry's radar.
"Was there ever any discussion about a Death Eater recruitment program at Hogwarts?" Connor asked, consulting his notes.
Alanna shook her head. "Not that I heard, but there was one young wizard who tortured me a lot. I don't think he was school-aged, but he looked baby-faced. Fresh out of Hogwarts, if I had to guess."
"He wasn't one of these two, was he?"
Connor slid over two photographs, one of Asher Kent and one of Malden McGonagall. Both had been at school for much of the time Alanna was held against her will, but they could have been at Killeevan Abbey during their summer and winter breaks.
Alanna shook her head. "It wasn't them, but that's not to say they weren't there and just wearing masks."
Connor jotted down some notes and said, "We'll need to get a sketch of this other young wizard. Are you free to come in next week? Monday?"
Alanna nodded. "Yes."
She made an appointment for 9 am and then she and Anthony left the conference room and joined Jared in the hall. Jared slipped an arm around Alanna's shoulders and asked, "Are you okay?"
Alanna nodded and honestly answered, "Better than I thought I would be. I thought it would be awful reliving things, but it almost feels like it happened to a different person. Also, I really want to help. Maybe my next career should be in law enforcement." She was kind of joking, but she said it in such a serious way that had both Anthony and Jared shaking their heads.
"Why don't you both come over for dinner? I'm sure Plum won't mind," Anthony said.
Alanna exchanged a look with Jared, who nodded and said, "Sure. We don't have any other plans."
They flooed from the Ministry of Magic to Anthony's house, and once there, Alanna filled in Jared and Plum on her meeting with Connor.
Anyone Have A Time Turner? [Bertie, Edwina, Libby]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 11-24-19 19:59
Before popping half an onion ring into his mouth Bertie sighs, "I'm not ready for the day to be over."
Pushing her spoon around in what's left of the tomato bisque she'd gotten, Libby agrees. "Me either. Anyone know where we can get a time turner before curfew to be back on school grounds?"
Edwina giggles. "We could use it to keep going back to fix mistakes on exams."
"That would come in handy when we take OWLs. If only we did actually have one."
"I would go to Florida to Disney World and use it to make my holiday last until I had done everything I wanted as many times as I wanted."
Edwina reaches for one of Bertie's onion rings. "Disney World. Professor Miller's mentioned it in Muggle Studies."
"And at Muggle Studies Club," Bertie nods.
"It's a given we're all doing the club's trip when we're seventh years. Where do you think we'll go?" Libby sops up the dregs of soup with what's left of her grilled cheese sandwich.
"Maybe we should push for Disney World," Bertie chuckles.
Bobbing her head up and down Edwina adds, "Or on of the other Disney parks." She puts her crumpled napkin down beside her plate, only crumbs left on the plate to indicate she had had a sandwich. "I suppose we should get going." Reaching for shopping bags she wistfully says, "I wish I knew how to send this all ahead of me. I'll get there eventually, or at least hope I will."
Libby slaps a hand onto the table top. "That last gift I bought... " She rummages around in her own bags, at last producing a small clutch she'd gotten for the Cheeky Monkey. "Much bigger on the inside but we won't be able to get everything in I don't think."
They got most of their purchases into the clutch, including all three Secret Santa gifts. Libby has Eileen McCourt, sister of her roommate Belinda. She'd thought of asking Belinda for ideas but decided to only do that if she got stuck. While Libby did get Eileen a gift today, she's not sure about her choice so may end up needing Belinda's assistance. Libby got Eileen a selection of thick, fluffy, plush socks to wear around her dorm room, the Ravenclaw House common room, or even the Common commons.
Bertie had needed suggestions from Edwina and Libby for what to give the person for whom he's Secret Santa: Kaycee Sickleby. He had hoped Edwina in particular would be helpful as she and Kaycee are dormmates. With their guidance he'd picked out what Edwina referred to as a sweetly pretty skirt adorned with sunflowers. She pointed out that the yellow of the flowers against the black background of the skirt are Hufflepuff colors without being in your face obviously Hufflepuff. He just hopes Kaycee likes the skirt and has a top to wear with it.
Edwina also bought a skirt to give as a Secret Santa present. She has Eirene McLaggen's name. As Eirene is both a Slytherin and a sixth year, neither she nor Bertie know her that well. Libby knows Eirene a little better so shared with Edwina what she could. As he's a sixth year and a Slytherin she'd thought of asking Sylvestor for information but stopped herself before she said anything. Knowing her brother he'd scoff at her, telling Edwina he has no idea what girls want but if she were a bloke he'd say get her a Quidditch jersey. If Eirene played Quidditch for sure he might suggest a jersey but otherwise, his only help would be to say ask Mum what she thinks.
While helping Bertie pick out a gift for Kaycee, Edwina found a really cute and extremely affordable black skirt with cut outs along the lower third. Eirene can wear the skirt as is with just about any top or she can wear a colored slip so that there are pops of colors visible through the cutouts.
Almost everything stowed in the clutch, Bertie offers to carry the one bag, which now also has the clutch in it. The leave Brews & Stews, trekking to Briar's Bakery to select desserts to eat while walking back to Hogwarts.