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Pink Houses (Wiggy & Glori)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 06-29-09 15:34
Wiggy's eyes scan Platform 93&Mac218;4 for his friends, wishing that Jack Emerson and he were going on to fifth year along with Deak Bennett. Deak's fifth year prefect for Ravenclaw so will start out the train ride with the other prefects but will then join Jack and Wiggy for the rest of the trip to Hogwarts. With differing schedules this term and with Wiggy in a different house than Jack and Deak, he isn't looking forward to the term as much as he might have in the past.
Prancing beside him, Wiggy's eleven year old sister announces, "I'm going to sit wherever you are, Wiggy."
"No, you aren't!"
"Am too!"
"Not!"
"Remember what I told you yesterday?" their mother Trina warns.
Yesterday.
Wiggy rolls his eyes at the threat his mum had made while they were in Diagon Alley. They'd pretty much had everything needed to start term, with only a few things left to get. The main reason for the trip, though, had been to get Wiggy's school robes altered. In the past few weeks he's grown three inches his shoulders have gotten broader.
While they'd waited Gloriaspasiana had been staring covetously at a confection of pink lace with a few pink rhinestones twinkling here and there. She'd lovingly stroked the soft fabric of the robes and asked Wiggy, "Are the Hogwarts houses going to be the same as always or new ones?"
Wiggy had shrugged, not really seeing what Glori's fascination with the pink outfit had to do with the houses at Hogwarts being reestablished. "The same, I guess."
Glori had sighed with a huge heave of her shoulders, fingers still caressing the silky pink robes. "That's too bad. A new house with two shades of pink for its colors would be so lovely. I think I'll owl Professor Dumbledore tonight and suggest to him how nice pink is for a house color. I'll offer to design the Quidditch uniforms using the two constrasting, yet complimentary, pink tones."
Wiggy snorted and rolled his eyes. Trust aspiring fashion designer Glori to want to have a brand new house and Quidditch team at Hogwarts for the sole purpose of pleasing her asthetics when it comes to things that are pink. "That would be an all girl house and team. Guys would not want to belong to a house that's represented by pink and pink and they certainly wouldn't want to play in Quidditch matches in all pink uniforms."
"Pink in all its shades and tones is perfectly fab. You have a pink shirt so what would be the difference in wearing it and wearing a pink Quidditch uniform?"
"A single, thin strip 'round the middle does not make it a pink shirt! It's mainly blue, green, white, and yellow."
"I'll dye it so that it's all pink then."
"You dye my shirt pink and all your girl dolls grow long, thick beards and all your male dolls will steal the high heels and dress robes of the girl dolls."
"If you do anything to my dolls I'll make your broom a bright rose petal pink."
"My broom becomes pink and I shave your head."
"I'll "
"Stop it this instant!" Trina commanded. "Another word from either of you unless I expressly ask you a question and you will go to Hogwarts in the morning with only the necessities. No spending money. No candy or other sweets. No games, no dolls, and," Trina said with a sharp look at Wiggy, "no broom."
The rest of the time at Diagon Alley had been very quiet, Glori and Wiggy knowing their mum does not make idle threats. It was also thankfully short. Once home, the brother and sister had been sent to their rooms to finish packing their trunks. That night had been spent with their mother and father in family time, something that not all that long ago they'd not been sure they'd ever have again, with Glori at Camp Lollipop, Wiggy at Happy Haven, and Trina at City of Hope, which was only liberated after the Battle of the Ministry.
Standing now with the sounds of scarlet engine of the Hogwarts Express filling the platform, his younger sister being a bloody pest, Wiggy just wants to find Jack and Deak and get a spot on the train so that Deak knows where to find them later. If needed, he'll wait until the train is leaving King's Cross Station to boot Glori from whatever compartment his friends and he decide on.
Thankfully, it seems that won't be necessary as Trina tells Glori, "Honey, why don't you find some of your own friends or make new ones. Or look, there's Hydrangea. Both a cousin and a friend all rolled into one. You two could sit together, leave Wiggy and his friends be."
"Okay, but only because I want to tell Hydrangea about the idea I sent Professor Dumbledore."
Wiggy whirls to look at his sister, mouth agape. "You actually wrote about wanting a new house just so you can have pink and pink as its colors?"
"I said I was going to, so yes, I did."
Wiggy's about to make a sarcastic remark about how Glori shouldn't hold her breath waiting to hear back from the headmaster concerning such a bloody stupid idea. About to but doesn't because a large tawny owl flies swoops down over his head, drops a letter, then wings away. Seeing the dropping letter Glori had reached for it. She now holds it, a look of triumph on her face.
Holding the envelope up for Wiggy and Trina to see, Glori haughtily announces, "It's from Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts."
Glori rips into the letter, delighted excitement making her impatient. The glee dies somewhat when she scans the letter. Slightly crestfallen Glori reads aloud one sentence, "While there is merit to your idea, Miss Hodfuffer, at the present time the four existing Hogwarts houses are more than adequate for its needs."
Wiggy starts snorting, which quickly turns into out and out laughing. Glori glares at him as does their mother. Trina says in a tight voice, "Go put your trunk on the train then come back here and help me with your sister's." She adds in a no nonsense tone, "Now!"
Wiggy stops laughing just long enough to get his trunk to the train. Once on board, he starts laughing again while he finds a compartment for his trunk and doesn't stop again until he's nearly back to where his mother and sister await.
Almost Time (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 06-30-09 10:11
Deak follows Saffron, whose carrying Niccola, through the barrier to Platform 9 3/4 at London's King's Cross Station. He emerges on the platform for the Hogwarts Express to a scene of busy chaos and lots of noise, only some of that noise being made by the train. Deak reflexively comes to a standstill, eyes moving across the figures on the platform but then remembers just in time to move out of the barrier's direct path as Drake, Aaron, Sage, and Ophelia come through.
Deak wouldn't normally have taken the train today. With living part of the time at Hogwarts castle and parents who work there, Deak could have slept in and had a leisurely day. There have been times in the past when he rode the train, like when a first year and able to ride the Hogwarts Express for the first time.
Today he's taking the train because Deak was named one of Ravenclaw's fifth year prefects. Fingers of one hand go up to touch the badge on his shirt, the badge that he'll transfer to a robed uniform when the train is nearing Hogsmeade Station. It's not a rule that prefects have to ride the train but since most students do get to Hogwarts this way it's simply traditional for the prefects to start out the journey together, the head boy and head girl going over duties, filling in the newcomers and reminding the old timers how things like the house passwords are handled, and just other stuff like that. Deak will start out in the compartments the prefects always get and then partway through the trip he'll join Jack and Wiggy.
Ophelia spots Wiggy first, laughing as she says, "I think he's gotten taller since I saw him two days ago," then spying Jack she says of him, "Jack too. Or maybe I'm just shrinking."
Saffron grins at the younger woman, "Then I'm shrinking too."
Deak's already waving a hand and calling to his friends. Jack hears him and swivels around looking, tapping Wiggy on the shoulder and pointing at Deak and the group around him. Approaching at a near trot Jack points to one train carriage, "Wiggy's got us in there."
Deak turns to grab his trunk from where it sits between Aaron and he. Aaron starts to bend down to get the other end when Wiggy reaches for it. Hefting it up he says with a grunt, "Let me, Professor Miller."
"You want to do the heavy lifting, then by all means," Aaron chuckles, holding his hands back.
"Be right back," Deak tells them over his shoulder.
As they approach the train carriage Jack says, "I don't think I was expecting everyone to be with you, Deak."
"It had just been going to be Sage, who wanted to come see Georgia off. Get in another marathon snog session more like it. Anyway, yesterday morning Mum, well Saffron, suggested we make a day of it in London and they come see me off. Dad - Aaron - has that flat here in the city. Drake's been staying there. Ophelia too I'd wager."
Wiggy arches eyebrows at Deak. "I don't think I've ever heard you call them Mum and Dad."
"I do sometimes, more and more often, only just not around Drake."
"He'd get angry?" Jack asks.
"I'm not sure. Maybe upset, hurt; but I don't know. I hardly remember our parents. Uncle William and Aunt Ester were always uncle and aunt. I don't ever remember thinking of them as being like a dad and a mum. Being in Aaron's family and then having Saffron join and now I have a sister, even if she's not by blood, and Sage is more like a brother though I do tease him and call him old Uncle Sage... the point is, it feels like a real family. I feel like I have a mum and dad again."
By this time the trunk is stowed in the train compartment and the three boys are starting back to where Deak's family stands chatting up a few others there to see students off to Hogwarts. Near them is a girl with a familiar face bending over a massive trunk. Jogging away from his two friends, Deak approaches her, a broad smile lighting his features.
"Arista! It's great to see you. Give you a hand?"
Arista squeals and comes around the trunk to give Deak a hug. "I've LOVE some help, thanks!"
Wiggy and Jack reach them and start helping with the trunk as well, exchanging knowing glances. Since the first day of school when they were first years, Deak has thought Arista Lampwick the prettiest girl around. With her back at Hogwarts, it's a good bet that Deak won't notice girls that just last year he paid attention too.
Passing Sage in a lip lock with Georgia Copperpot, Deak tilts his head in their direction. "See. Told you."
Jack snickers, "I think maybe you're just jealous that he's spending this time snogging while all you've done since getting here is lug trunks to the train."
Wiggy moves to the side of the trunk Deak is on. "I can carry this end if you want to get re-aquainted with Arista," he says, eyes looking pointedly at Sage and Georgia.
Deak blushes, hoping Arista hasn't heard this part of the conversation. He smiles tightly at Wiggy. "Thanks, but I've got it," he replies, gripping the trunk more tightly.
A loud voice sends a call up and down the platform. "Fifteen minutes! Hogwarts Express is leaving in fifteen minutes!"
They push Arista's trunk in place in one of the compartments, Deak saying to his friends, "Best get the goodbyes made."
"You too," Jack says clapping Deak on the back. After all, it's going to be absolute ages before you see Niccola, Professors Sachaverelle and Miller again."
Fifteen minutes later, Deak's taking a seat beside Georgia, who's the other Ravenclaw fifth year prefect, and looking around to see who else got badges and who has been named head girl and head boy, the train whistling and chugging then with a lurch, the train is on its way.
Back on the Train
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 06-30-09 14:39
Isma never would have thought she would be excited to see that brilliant red engine and be on platform 9 3/4 again! Seriously! She was so overjoyed to be on that platform, to be climbing into that train that would take her to Hogwarts...a place that had returned to some form of normalcy after the hellacious place it had been the past two years beneath the previous Minister of Magic and those who supported her ideals.
This year, was going to be better than last, better than the one before it...better than any time spent at Happy Haven, and she would pass with flying colors this year and maybe even play quidditch.
Settling into a car, claiming it for herself, Blake and Eric...brief meloncholy settling when they realized they would be short one this her. The fantastic four was now a trio.
Blake and Eric settled into the car, the trio chatting wildly a few moments before quieting and settling in, waiting for the signal that the train was leaving the platform. "It definitely feels good to be back here, and not being carted off to some other place that isn't our intended destination." Eric said, shifting, and tugging his robes on.
Isma looked up, seeing the door open, a smile crossed her features "Arista!" Isma darted up and motioned the older Gryffindor into the car. "Sit down, there is pleanty of room."
Isma shifted and allowed Arista the choice of window or door seat. She chose the window and Isma plopped herself down in the empty seat across from the boys. "Aren't you glad to be back to normal?"
All four burst into giggles for a few moments and then settled as the train soon started moving, rolling out of the station and making its way toward Hogwarts and the Start of Term Feast which would be preceeded by the Sorting Ceremony of the new first years and the transfer students.
"I am not looking forward to my course load this year, but I'm guessing it could have been worse...at least I will actually be learning rather than doing chores and worrying about being cursed." Arista said, eyes sliding closed as she wrapped her arms lightly around herself.
"I know Arista, we all are quite glad that we are going to be doing actual school work this year. I think this is the first and last time we will -all- have been looking forward to school supply shopping."
The four settled into quiet conversation, and spent money on the sweet trolly when it rolled by.
Back To Hogwarts Afterall
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 06-30-09 17:59
Before leaving for King's Cross Station this morning, Margretta and Nolan Ravensdale had gone back over the ground rules with Zabrynna.
No seeking contact with Professor Douglass outside of the classroom.
Schedule an appointment if needing to speak with Professor Douglass concerning History of Magic. Another adult will be present for the meeting.
No spending money. Anything Zabrynna needs she must write either Margretta or Nolan and ask. One of them will send whatever it is Zabrynna requests if they deem it something she does in fact need.
No Hogsmeade weekends until further notice.
At any time, without warning, Zabrynna's room, her belongings, and her person may be searched by one of the professors who know what took place.
Any effort to speak of what took place or to even put it in writing to explain to one of her friends will result in Zabrynna experiencing extreme nausea.
Scanning the train platform for Anne and Philippa, the first she will have seen of either friend since what she'd done was discovered, Zabrynna supposes she can live with the rules, especially considering that she hadn't even known until she returned from Mexico last night if she'd be allowed back to Hogwarts today or if she'd be shipped off somewhere else, quite possibly right back to Mexico City to a Escuela de la Esperanza de Artes Mágicas.
If her parents or any of those involved at Hogwarts had decided Zabrynna couldn't continue on with that school, she hopes that at least she could have gone to a Escuela de la Esperanza de Artes Mágicas rather than stay at always cold, depressingly gloomy, very stark Durmstrang.
Zabrynna is thrilled to get to go back to Hogwarts and even more thrilled that she's going to be allowed to continue with History of Magic. Even if she can only have contact with Declan within the bounds of class, at least she has that. They could easily have taken that from her, either making it replace it with another course or simply taking one less class than she'd signed up for.
Beside her, Mariposa asks, "Do you see them?"
"No, so I guess they're already on board. The train is leaving in just a few minutes."
"So that's why there's hardly anyone on the platform," her sister says, not so much asking as stating.
"Yes, it leaves at 11 am for Hogsmeade."
Nolan taps the face of his pocket watch. "Two minutes. Give me a hug."
Zabrynna dutifully turns and hugs her father, kissing his cheek. She does the same with her mother and even hugs Marisol goodbye. She does these things because they are expected of her, not because she likes any of her family at the moment.
She boards the train at the carriage nearest. She quickly checks the few forward carriages for the compartment where Anne and Philippa are then starts down the length of the Hogwarts Express. When she finds them, Zabrynna taps on the compartment glass, wide smile in place and hand raised in a wave. Philippa jumps up with a small scream of delight while Anne motions for Zabrynna to hurry p and come in.
She's enveloped in a hug by both of them at the same time and she returns wraps her arms around them and returns the hugs, meaning this one. Seconds later she's dropping into one of the compartment seats, Philippa and Anne bombarding her with questions.
"Where have you been?"
"Why did you miss Emrys Fest?"
"Why didn't you write?"
"Why wouldn't your parents tell us anything?"
There are more questions, all hurled at her one after the other. Zabrynna finally holds both hands up, palms out. "Slow down, slow down! Take a breath, both of you!" she laughingly orders.
Anne sits back in her seat, arms folded. "Just tell us everything."
"Yeah, everything," Philippa voices her agreement.
They fix their eyes on Zabrynna, not blinking. She puts down her hands and gives the story her parents and she'd prepared, knowing her friends would be asking questions.
"The short of it is that when Mum and Dad decided that they weren't sure if they wanted me back at Hogwarts. I made it clear I didn't want to go back to Durmstrang. They decided I needed to try another school and sent me to a summer session at the same school my half-sister attended."
Anne asks, "Doesn't she live in two places?"
"Yeah, Mexico City and a wizarding community in Costa Rica, Playa de Colibrí."
"Playa is beach!" Anne exclaims. "Your sister lives near a beach?"
"A very nice beach and a beautiful rainforest."
"What's the rest of the name mean?"
Philippa taps Anne on the arm. "Stop interrupting so she can finish telling us why we've not heard from her in weeks."
"Sorry!"
"Okay," Zabrynna continues, "so Mum and Dad decide I have to go to a summer term at Mariposa's old school. Escuela de la Esperanza de Artes Mágicas, which is Spanish for Hope School of Magical Arts, oh and Playa de Colibrí means Hummingbird Beach, Anne. Anyway, the school isn't all that far from the Mexico City suburb Marisol's mum and step-father live when there and the school has a day program. They decided I needed to try another school and could stay with Marisol's mum and step-dad. They also decided that I didn't need outside influences making me miss Hogwarts even more. Mum and Dad wouldn't let me contact either of you that entire time so that I could fully experience what Escuela de la Esperanza de Artes Mágicas has to offer without my friends telling me they wanted me back at Hogwarts."
Philippa frowns, "That wasn't very nice of them. They could at least have let us know you wouldn't be at Emrys Fest or told us themselves where you were the dozens of times we dropped by and stuck our heads in the Floo looking to speak to you. They also ignored the owls we sent until Anne and I both said we were reporting you as missing."
"They didn't tell me that part."
Anne nods, her head bobbing up and down hard enough to make her hair fly around her shoulders. "Even then all they'd say is you were gone for the summer and for us not to expect to hear from you until school started."
Zabrynna pulls a face, her jaw set in a hard line. "I so hate them right now."
Philippa and Anne nod in agreement, "We don't blame you, they simultaneously chime with empathy.
Anne suddenly remembers something, asking in a rush, "Where's your trunk? Did you stow it in another compartment before coming to look for us?"
Zabrynna's trunk is already at Hogwarts. Not only did both her parents search it but Professor Dumbledore is going to search it as well. She's got her robes to change into in her purse, which is one of those that's much large on the inside than it appears. Her mum gave her the purse this morning for that purpose, insisting just before they left that it get searched as well because Zabrynna had had it in her room, out of their sight, while packing things into for today.
Zabrynna smiles at her friend and says, "Yeah, another compartment. I didn't want to lug it around while looking for you. I'll go get my robes from it to change when it's time."
The story out of the way, neither Anne nor Philippa having any idea that a huge part of the whole story has been left out, the girls sit back to enjoy the rest of the train ride, quizzing Zabrynna about Mexico City and the people she met there and classes she took, discussing what house Zabrynna will be sorted into, and Anne and Philippa filling Zabrynna in on what all she missed while gone, going into great detail when talking about Emrys Fest.
Crowded (Etta)
Author: Jared
Date: 07-01-09 18:38
Jared had gone with his parents to see Etta off at King's Cross. Alanna had come as well because she and Jared have plans together for the day. While there they'd taken the opportunity to bid friends like Coco Nutt and Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen good luck for the coming year and had looked on with amusement as Georgia Copperpot nearly missed getting on the train in time because of how busy she was kissing Sage goodbye.
Watching the Hogwarts pull out of the station, Jared had said to Alanna, "It's so strange to be standing here instead of on train."
Nodding in agreement, Alanna had remarked, "I know!"
Even before leaving King's Cross Station Etta had located her group of friends, pleased beyond words to have Jill and Olive back even if they would be the year behind her now. She fervently wishes Cora was back as well but at least now they're in touch again and plan to write regularly.
Jill, Olive, Alexa, and Etta found a compartment together, directing those with their trunks to it. Spotting Jenny Gabble they'd included her in their compartment as well. The train had hardly left the station when they are invaded by Hadrian, Hunter, Alastor, Daniel, and Christopher Chant.
Alexa looks around at their crammed into the compartment and spilling out into the aisle. "It's a good thing the younger cousins haven't found us yet."
Jenny asks, "How many younger ones are there?"
Etta laughs at that. "Don't get them started on how many Wenlock cousins there are. Anyway, I'm guessing you're wanting to know how many of those cousins are new students this year and on the train."
"Yes, that's what I meant."
Daniel shoves his way to sit between Alexa and Jill. "Just two this time. There would be three if Cora Fields had come back. Her sister Aubrey would be a first year."
Etta asks, "One of the two is your brother, Alastor?"
"Yeah. Jasper's around somewhere.
Alexa provides the other name. "Liannah MacDougal. I didn't see her on the platform but I can't imagine her missing the train."
"Have your cousins in Australia always lived there? One is our age. Dillane."
Jill nods at Etta. "Yeah, Dillane's our age. The Darlings have always been in Australia and the Riveras have always been in South America. Cousin Pilar would be in our year."
Jenny laughs, "I'm confused already."
Etta grins in reply, "See, I told you not to get them going about their Wenlock cousins."