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Another School Year Gone
Author: Marzipan
Date: 06-17-07 09:48
Marzi went to the Great Hall for breakfast, knowing that it would be the last time she'd get to see all the students together again before they departed Hogwarts for the summer. Some she probably wouldn't ever see again. Others would return next year, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Most of the other professors were there too, having clearly made an effort to attend breakfast so that they, too, could see off their students one last time. Noticeably absent again, however, was Professor Dumbledore. His great chair was empty, and Professor McGonagall sat beside it with a furrowed brow.
Illyria sunk down into the chair next to Marzi and poured herself a cup of tea. "Still no Dumbledore, I see."
"No. I wonder if he ever made it back last night," Marzi replied. She gestured towards McGonagall with a roll, which she then tore in half. "I don't think she knows anything, or if she does, it's grim. Look at her face."
Illyria looked over at the Deputy-Headmistress and sighed softly. "Let's hope it's nothing serious."
Breakfast passed quickly. Soon, it was time for the students to leave the castle for Hogsmeade Station. All of their trunks had long sat in the entrance hall and were now being loaded into the horseless carriages, which would take them into the village.
"Goodbye! Goodbye!" Marzi said, waving to the students as they filed out of the doors of the castle and climbed into the carriages that were lined up to take them to the train station.
Marzi and Illyria stood on the green grounds and watched the carriages as they moved farther and farther away, and when the Hogwarts Express finally pulled away from Hogsmeade Station, they turned and went back into the castle.
First Step Of The Plan
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 06-17-07 11:50
Everything has gone smoothly so far. Then again, everything so far has just been making sure everything was packed, eating breakfast, and getting on one of the carriages bound for the Hogsmeade train station. In the grand scheme of the plan, so far everything is nothing.
Estella, Rosalinda, and Gabby make the rounds bidding friends goodbye. Gabby lingers for a few minutes with Rolf. They were never truly, officially a couple but everyone accepted them as one. Gabby is rather pleased with the choice she made when selecting from the limited pool of boyfriend material.
Leaving the station behind, the three friends trudge to Fleur's house, grumbling about not being able to magically lighten their trunks now that school's out. There really ought to be included in the laws contingencies for just such situations as three young women having to physically drag their trunks across the village. Or if that's not possible, then there should have been a handcart available for them to borrow from the Hogsmeade station.
Fleur has already left for the day, whether to work or to Bill's bedside Gabby doesn't know. She left a note taped to the container of Floo power to ensure Gabby sees it. It's simply reads Sorry I missed you, take care, Love, Fleur. The note does remind Gabby to double check that she put one inside her trunk. She also needs to pull out the smaller, cloth suitcase she'd packed and stowed inside the trunk. It's the suitcase that she'll take to Marisol's and then on to New York.
The note Gabby's written and put in her trunk is one explaining to her parents, particularly to her mother, that she'd rather run away until she's of legal age or until she can become something she's read about, an emancipated minor, rather than return to Beaxbatons. What Gabby's hoping is that with the note and once she's been gone a couple of weeks, her mother will reconsider. Rosalinda will be in contact with Marisol who'll let Gabby know how things are going and when it's safe to come home.
Rosalinda Floos with her trunk home then comes right back. Gabby goes next, then Estella. When all three girls are standing once again in Fleur's houses, they then go one by one through the Floo to Marisol's.
Returning to Diagon Alley
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 06-17-07 13:09
Life was slowly falling back into place, he was waiting now to hear back from Eloise Sylvia Jaccard about that position in the Swiss wizarding school, hoping that despite his age and lack of experience he would indeed be a good candidate for the job. He'd had two choices, given his strongest subjects: Potions or Herbology. He decided to go for Herbology, because even in his time at Hogwarts, or even the school in Sydney, there had never been a male herbology professor.
He'd only sent the Owl last night, so there wouldn't be a response today...she wouldn't get back to him that fast would she? Either way, he needed to get out, get back into familiarity with the Wizarding World in London. He decided it would be a good idea to head toward Diagon Alley, he'd not been to the alley since his time in Hogwarts, and shortly after when he and Vera would come here on dates to the Ice Cream Parlor here.
Nodding to the tender behind the counter of the Leaky Cauldron, Lawrence would head back to the brick wall, wand pulled from his pocket and tip tapped upon the block sequence that would gain him entry into the shopping district behind the Leaky Cauldron. He smiled when the wall opened up and the busy shopping district met his gaze.
Moving through, the wall closed up flawlessly behind him. He would take a moment, before begin moving through the throng of people. His stomach rumbled, and he realized that he'd not yet eaten breakfast or anything really since about six the night before and it was nearly noon now. Heading toward Delia's Deli and Restaurant, he would slip within and settle at a table.
Ordering a roast beef sandwich, chips*, and bottle of water he would settle back and look out the window watching as people milled about. In about a month's time this place would be busier than anyone could imagine as the children that would be attending Hogwarts would soon come to get their supplies. He remembered during his fifth year, seeing all the first years come in and look absolutely horrified and amazed at everything that was going on. Parents muttering about this and that, and realizing that their pounds and such would not purchase their children's school supplies, but that they had to go to Gringotts and convert their money.
He sighed, finishing off his meal he would remain within the restaurant for a little while, contemplating what he needed to buy. He'd have to visit Flourish and Blotts, and quite possibly Scribbulus Everchanging Inks and get some new inks. He'd need to stop by the Astronomer's Nook and procure another telescope because his had been broken in transit, and that was what really irked him because it had been his Father's telescope. Oh well, such is life.
He stepped out of Delia's and headed toward Flourish and Blotts, but was nearly attacked by an owl before he could get two steps away from Delia's. He'd pluck the parchment from the owl, offer it a treat and let it be sent upon its way. Opening the parchment he would look it over, smiling, everything had been tended to and the money had just been added to his account this morning. All he needed was to go to Gringotts and sign the paperwork to ensure that indeed all was well. So, change of plans, Gringotts would soon be entered.
He would speak with the Goblin at the counter, who would nod and quickly get the manager of the bank. Coming out, Lawrence offered the man a smile. "Thank you for your time Sir." The two disappeared into an office, and after several moments of conversation and signing of official documents, Lawrence tucked the parchment with his new account balance into his jeans pocket and headed out of the bank. Stepping next into Flourish and Blotts he would get what he needed, several packs of parchment, some quills, scrolls, a few leather bound journals. Paying for them all he would then make his way toward Scribbulus' Everchanging Inks and get several bottles of varying colors which all changed pretty much with every word written.
All business taken care of, he would stop at the Ice Cream Parlor, order a mint chocolate chip cone and then head out of Diagon Alley and back toward his flat.
Back to Work
Author: Nymphadora Tonks
Date: 06-17-07 13:46
Because Tonks' intelligence on the alleged London location of the Resistance was limited, she put all of her efforts into researching more about the Taipei office after returning to work following her leave of absence. She knew that Remus was reluctant to know that she would be re-immersing herself into the same line of work that had nearly gotten her killed, but she also knew that he respected the passion she had for her job. Tonks had known what she was getting herself into the moment she signed up for Auror Training. Her job was dangerous, whether she was going after the Resistance or some other dark wizard or group of dark wizards.
From office #9 (Algiers), Tonks had recovered a number of documents relating to the Taipei location. She passed along some of the information therein to Ministry contacts in Taiwan, who were able to supply her with more. She was almost ready to step back into the field again, but would wait another week or so before heading to Taipei. Tonight was the full moon, and Tonks intended on taking off work early so that she could be with Remus before his transformation.
She was so busy working on her research and planning that she didn't notice the shadow that had fallen over her desk until she looked up by chance. Berwyck Oldridge stood before her and studied her with an inscrutable expression on his face.
"Your name?"
"Tonks," Tonks replied.
"Nymphadora Tonks," said Oldridge, eyeing a note card he held in his had. "I thought so. You're one of Albus Dumbledore's vigilantes."
Tonks opened her mouth to retort but Oldridge spoke before she could even make a sound.
"What is your ancestry?"
"My ancestry?" Tonks queried.
"Your ancestry. Are your parents wizards?"
Tonks paused heavily before answering. What did it matter whether they were or weren't? "Yes," she finally replied.
"I see." He made some sort of notation on the note card and then looked down at her work. "What is your assignment?"
"I'm researching a true vigilante group with the goal of shutting down one of its foreign offices."
He made another notation on his card. "Very well. Carry on." And then he walked away.
Tonks followed him with her eyes, wondering what that had been all about. She'd seen the relatively new head of the department before but rarely had he butt his nose into the business of those far beneath him.
"Wanker," Ethan Somerset said under his breath. He leaned over one of the walls separating his cubicle from hers and sipped on a mug of coffee.
"I take it you don't like him very much," Tonks expressed, turning to look at Ethan.
"He and I definitely don't see eye to eye," Ethan responded sourly.
Tonks looked towards Oldridge's retreating form again. "I have a feeling it'll be the same for me."
Feeling Uneasy
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 06-17-07 13:54
I sat on the couch feeling uneasy. Sirius had gone to the kitchen to make tea. Earlier, he had taken James to Blossom’s so he could play with the other children. I figured this meant Sirius had plans for the day since he still wouldn’t allow James to stay alone with me during the day.
Sirius had been acting strangely all morning. He kept looking at me, then would look away and then would dart a glance back again. It was almost as if he were struggling with a decision.
He’s going to kick me out. That was my first thought. It was obvious that he wasn’t pleased with me. If it weren’t for the fact that I didn’t know anyone outside the house, I would have left long ago. But as it was, I hadn’t had any visitors the whole time I’d been “awake”. No friends. No well wishers. No one. It left me with a feeling of isolation – with no one to turn to except Sirius.
And now he too was turning me away.
“Drucilla.”
I jumped a bit as Sirius entered the room. He carried a tray, which held two cups of steaming tea. Silently, he sat across from me and placed the tray on the coffee table between us. The whole time he kept his gaze on me. I tried not to squirm on the couch. Carefully, he took one of the cups and placed it in front of him. He then lifted the second cup and held it up to me.
I hesitated, feeling apprehensive. Stop being ridiculous, I thought to myself as I took the cup from him.
Still watching me, Sirius murmured, “Drink up Dru.”
I held his gaze unsure of the look in his eyes. Very slowly I raised the cup to my lips and took a sip.
At Bill's Bedside
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 06-17-07 14:19
"So that's when Baniti told me that it could be cursed mummy powder. Now, I'm not sure if he means a mummy that's been cursed and then ground into powder of if the powdered mummy was cursed. I'm still trying to find that out, but it's a good lead to go on. I do hope I find something for you, Bill. Everyone is so worried about you."
Hermione sat at Bill's side and talked his ear off. He wasn't responding to any of her words, but she wondered if he could nonetheless still hear her. She visited him everyday since she happened to work at St. Mungo's and because she'd never really waned herself of the habit of being by a patient's bedside for at least a few minutes everyday.
"Now if only I knew where to look," Hermione thought aloud to herself.
"Knock, knock." Ron entered the room, expecting only to see Bill. He brightened at the sight of Hermione at his brother's bedside and immediately stooped beside her to drop a kiss onto her cheek.
"Keeping Bill company, Hermione?"
"Yes, and keeping him in the loop. What's that?" she asked, pointing at the Twice Told Tales sack Ron had in his hand.
"I stopped by your flat to bring Crookshanks a toy. I'd gone by the new pet store to pick up some things for Pig and Hero. On my way back, I happened to see this––" he pulled a book from the bag "––in the display at the bookstore."
Hermione took the book from Ron's hand. It was an original copy of An Authoritative History of the Chudley Canons.
"I got it at a discounted price!" Ron exclaimed, extremely pleased with himself.
"That's good then," Hermione replied. Her eyes caught on the Twice Told Tales bag again. "I wonder..." she murmured to herself.
"What?" Ron asked. He took the book bag from Hermione, dropped it into the bag, and then went around to Bill's other side to sit in the chair there.
"I think I know a place to start looking for the manuscript that Adallah stole from Baniti."
"Be careful, Hermione. I don't want him to go after you next. It's bad enough he's got Bill on his list. Speaking of, Mum and Dad went to talk to aurors today about getting Bill some protection, just in case Adallah decides to come here and finish the job."
"That's a good idea," Hermione responded, "but I don't think you have to worry about me. I hate to say it, but he might have made it impossible for me or anyone else to ever help Bill. Still, I'm going to try to see what I can find out." She looked at the clock on the wall and sighed. "Unfortunately, it'll have to wait. I have to get back to work."
Questioning Drucilla
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 06-17-07 16:07
It had taken Sirius awhile to get past the anger. When he finally was at the annoyed, ticked off stage, Sirius decided it was time to use veritaserum on Dru. The big question was whether to do it openly or do it sneakily. The sneaky method won out.
Sirius watches Dru drinking the veritaserum spiked tea. All he has to do is wait the short time for its effects to be felt. Taking a sip of his own tea then setting the cup aside, Sirius shifts in his seat.
In a very casual, off the cuff manner, Sirius asks, "So, you really don't remember what you were doing with James in that storage room, Drucilla?"
Dru looks a little dazed. In near slow motion she puts her teacup down and shakes her head, brow scrunching up in thought. "No. No, I don't recall."
"What do you recall?"
"You enraged. The baby crying. A tremendous headache."
"What's the address on the parchment?"
"Address?"
Sirius pulls out the parchment he's carefully kept all this time and holds it up for Dru to see.
"I don't know. I remember seeing the parchment but I don't know why it was there or what the address is."
"You honestly don't know why the address is written in blood?"
"No, I don't, and it scares me you'd do such a thing."
"Me?"
"You wrote the address didn't you? And you've been angry with me that I might know you did dark magic."
"I didn't have anything to do with this address, Drucilla. You did."
"I did not! Why would I be doing dark magic?"
Sirius sighs. "That's what I'm wanting you to tell me, Dru. Why were you doing dark magic and why did you have James involved?"
Where's Julian
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 06-17-07 16:43
Briar walks down the stairs from the flats above Twice Told Tales. She finds Lysander at the counter ringing up a sale. "He's not there."
Lysander hands over a few sickles in change to his customer then turns a perplexed expression towards Briar. "He's not? I thought he had slept in. If Julian isn't in his flat and if he didn't come to your place this morning, I can't imagine where he is that he didn't say anything."
Briar crosses her arms and leans back into the counter. Blowing out a loud sigh she too looks puzzled. "I can't imagine where he is either. Julian promised Grace he'd spend part of this morning with her since she's not cleared by the Healer yet to go back to Blossom's. Julian was going to do quiet things with her like read all her favorite stories."
"If he shows up, I'll read him the riot act for you," Lysander promises.
Briar chuckles. Thanks. It wouldn't hurt for hiim to get it from both of us. I'm off home to check on Grace then will be at the bakery."
At the cottage, Aegean shakes her head before Briar can even ask if Julian's come yet. A pouty Grace sits on the floor of her room stacking blocks then pettishly kicking them over. Briar kisses Grace on top of the head. "Daddy's just running late, sweets."
Briar sits with Grace long enough to read two stories to her then leaves for the bakery. She's just reached the High Street when Maisie comes rushing towards her as quickly as her elderly legs can carry her.
"Briar! Thank Merlin! Minnie and I were bird watching and found Julian."
Nice, France
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 06-17-07 21:45
Janine flips over onto her stomach, drowsily requesting, "Lotion on my back, Harry?"
Harry puts his book aside, having the flash of thought about how Hermione would be both shocked and amused that Harry is reading a book that has nothing to do with Quidditch. Squirting the sunblock onto one hand, Harry starts applying it to Janine's back. He looks out at the intensely blue water on this stretch of the Côte d'Azur beach then says, "I can't believe it's been nearly two weeks already."
Janine sleepily murmurs, "Me either. Tomorrow it's back to the real world. No more daily lazes on the beach."
"We should go over to Monaco again this evening."
"We spent far too much there last time."
"What do you mean we? You set your losing limit at 20 euros," Harry chuckles. "Come on, it will be fun. Another excuse to wear one of those new evening gowns with matching shoes you bought. Last time for a long while that we won't have Pinky trying to tag along with us."
"That alone is a good reason," Janine agrees. "All right, but I'm not going to be a big spender at the tables."
Harry, done applying the lotion, chuckles again at the thought of Janine ever being a big spender, especially at gambling. Reaching for his book, Harry tries not to dwell on the fact that in just a few days he'd be undergoing the rigorously intensive training at Stanford & Howard he got a taste of just before coming on holiday.