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(Mark) Making Contact
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-04-09 09:13
The Hogwarts Express continued on its journey to Hogsmeade Station. Mark, seated in a compartment with Ivan Grimsby and James Lennox, unwrapped a chocolate frog and stuffed the enchanted sweet into his mouth before it could jump out of his grasp. It thudded against the roof of his mouth and then became still. Mark started chewing and reviewed the new wizard card he held in his hand.
Alberic Grunnion
1803-1882
Inventor of the dungbomb.
He sighed, already having one Alberic in his collection. Nonetheless, he stuffed it into his pocket and disposed of the chocolate frog package by tossing it onto the floor.
"We should be there soon," James remarked, glancing out the window. It was still perfectly daylight outside, but the position of the sun in the sky suggested it was late afternoon.
None of the boys had watches, so they really didn't know what time it was.
Mark stretched out his legs in front of him and tried to get comfortable. He'd been sitting for quite a while and his butt felt numb. He shifted in his seat, wiggled his toes in his shoes, and finally decided to get up and walk down the corridor a little bit.
"Going to use the loo," he announced, figuring he might as well do that while he was up.
"If you see the trolley lady, bring back a box of Bertie Botts, will you?" Ivan asked. He dug in his pocket for a few coins and pressed them into Mark's hand.
"Sure," Mark replied, sticking the coins into his pocket with the wizard card.
He stepped out of the compartment and started down the corridor in no particular direction. As he walked along, he peeked into the windows of the other compartments. He wasn't looking for anybody in particular. He was just curious who was there and who was seated with whom.
He walked a fair distance before finding his path blocked by the trolley cart. Removing Ivan's coins from his pocket, he held them out to the old witch and asked for a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans.
It was while making the exchanged that he glanced at the window next to him and saw his old friend Gus seated next to Kate Dewhurst. Across from them sat Johanna Steele and Felicia Flaversham. Three Slytherins and a Hufflepuff, all nons.
They appeared engaged in animated conversation, complete with excited looks on their faces and exaggerated hand gestures. Mark thought for sure none would notice if the train suddenly ground to a halt because they seemed so very distracted by their conversation, but then Kate's head turned and she locked eyes with Mark. They held each other's gaze for a very long moment, and then Kate announced something to the group and stood up. Mark stepped away from the door into the spot where the trolley cart had just been, and Kate exited the compartment and stopped in front of him.
"Did you want something?" she asked him, not angrily, just out of curiosity.
"What would I want with any of you?"
Kate shrugged. "You were just staring, so I thought I'd ask." She started to head down the corridor in the direction of the lavatory.
Mark followed. "Gus looks different," he commented. "So do you."
Kate kept walking but answered, "Well, he went through a lot. Physical labor, poor diet... everything to cause a person to lose an unhealthy about of weight. He's looking a lot better now. As for me," she paused and sighed, shaking her head, "I look at myself in the mirror and don't see a different person, but I feel like one."
There was a line at the restrooms so she turned back to Mark and appraised him. "You look exactly the same."
Mark shrugged.
Kate turned away from him. "You should probably talk to Gus. You used to be his friend, or something."
"Looks like he's got friends."
"Yes, but... for whatever reason, he really looked up to you."
Mark let the information sink in before answering. "I'm not sure we can be friends anymore."
Kate shot him a sharp look. "Why? Because he's not a pureblood? Because he's been held back to second year and you've moved on to third? Because he's friends with me?"
Mark felt himself become angry. He wasn't at all thinking any of those things but instead of disagree with Kate he confirmed every one of her accusastions.
"Exactly. He's beneath me. You all are."
The boy's lavatory vacated, so Mark brushed past Kate and stepped inside, slamming the door shut behind him. A little while later when he stepped out, she was gone. Still fuming, Mark stomped all the way back his compartment and sank down on his seat.
Ivan glanced at him. "Did you get my Bertie Botts?"
Mark groaned. He'd left them on the counter in the restroom.
(Azaelia) New Librarian
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-04-09 10:01
Azaelia Bramble had started at Hogwarts as a first year in 1992, along with her cousin Isolde Farnon and their soon-to-be friend Pyrrhus Fine. They'd all been Slytherins and played on the house Quidditch team. Azaelia's position had been chaser, and she'd even gone on to become prefect in her fifth year. Sadly, her parents had decided to move the entire family to Santiago, Chile midyear, and a reluctant Azaelia left Hogwarts for La Escuela de Hechiceria. She completed her wizarding education at the Chilean school of magic, learned to speak Spanish fluently, and earned the position of assistant librarian at the school upon graduation.
After a year of school librarian experience, she moved back to the United Kingdom and took on a position at the new Diagon Alley Branch Library, where she stayed for two years. When the manager of the Hogsmeade Branch Library disappeared, Azaelia was promoted to acting-branch manager. She kept the position for well over a year, never receiving a pay raise and finding herself and her resources stretched very thin, with the extreme shortage of staff and customers.
When Albus Dumbledore approached Azaelia with a job offer, Azaelia didn't have to think twice. She'd been to Hogwarts only one other time since transfering away––last January for the Career Day, where she'd represented public librarianship. Returning to Hogwarts indefinitely brought back many wonderful memories for her. She felt very much at home at Hogwarts, even if she had her own flat in London and wouldn't actually be living in the castle.
The library was just as Azaelia remembered it, though with obvious additions. Fish tanks, study carrels, and WWN transmitters for those who liked to study with soothing classical music in the background. The books were well-organized, even those in the Restricted Section, which until now Azaelia had never been allowed access.
Lysander Stratford, whom she'd known for many, many years, would be visiting the library regularly to complete an assessment of materials. Seeing him again reminded her of the good old days when she, Isolde, Pyrrhus and later Alexis Black would go to Hogsmeade together and sit in the secret room at Twice Told Tales. Too bad the room no longer existed! Azaelia had many fond memories from that time in her life.
"Ah, Ms. Bramble! I see a look of nostalgia in your eyes. Allow me to add to your happy memories."
Professor Dumbledore had just entered the room with Azaelia's cousin Isolde on his arm. Isolde had a small giftwrapped box in her hand.
"I wasn't expecting you to stop by again so soon after our meeting, Professor Dumbledore!" Azaelia exclaimed, "and I wasn't expecting you at all," she said to Isolde, whom she embraced.
Isolde smiled. "I know it's not technically your first day here, but with the students arriving shortly and it being the official start of term, I wanted to give you a congratulations-on-your-new-job present."
She presented Azaelia with the gift. Azaelia grinned and quickly unwrapped it, finding it to be a small jewelry box. She opened it and found a silver pendant in the shape of a book on a matching chain.
"Open it," Isolde instructed.
Azaelia opened the book and found a tiny photograph of herself, Isolde and Pyrrhus from their younger days on one side, and a picture of them a few years later with Alexis too.
Azaelia gasped. "Oh, it's perfect. Did you see it, Professor?"
She showed the locket to Professor Dumbledore.
"So long ago and yet I remember the four of you together as if it were yesterday," he commented fondly. To Isolde he said, "I will leave you with your cousin. The students will be arriving soon and I should ensure that all is ready for them. Ms. Farnon, you are welcome to attend the feast."
"Oh, no I couldn't, but thank you."
Albus smiled warmly. "I trust Ms. Bramble will make an appearance?"
"I'll be there for sure." Azaelia grinned.
"Wonderful. Until tonight, then. Ms. Farnon, have a good evening."
"Thank you."
Professor Dumbledore left to attend to his business. Meanwhile, Azaelia guided Isolde to her office and helped her cousin into a chair. Isolde walked stiffly due to her Quidditch accident and sometimes needed the assistance of a cane or person to keep her balance.
Azaelia sat down at her desk with a big grin on her face and put on her new necklace. "Back at Hogwarts... I really never imagined it."
"Remember when..." Isolde started, delving into stories from their past that had both girls smiling, laughing and sometimes longing for the good old days of their youth.
Time Flies
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 07-04-09 17:21
The train ride has seemed shorter to Christopher than it is because of spending much of the journey with a number from his year and a few from other years. The one compartment they'd mainly been using was so crowded that it hadn't taken long for the group to spread out among other compartments in the same carriage.
Not long after the sweets trolley was first spotted rolling from compartment to compartment, from carriage to carriage, Christopher had gotten up to go to the compartment where his trunk was located. He'd forgotten to get some of his money to spend on the many sweets offered on the trolley. While there he checked on his Persian cat, given to him by Catriona Amherst in this past Christmas's Secret Santa exchange. The very fluffy black and white cat, named Taranis after a Celtic god of thunder, was on his back in his cage, busily batting a toy Christopher's suspended from the top of the cage.
Christopher spent a few minutes playing with Taranis before returning to his friends. When passing a compartment along the way, he notices for the first time that Cat Amherst is inside. Rapping on the glass, Christopher waved, poked his head in and said hello to her, Bianca, and Polly Potts, whom Christopher doesn't really know. Polly had been in a different house, Gryffindor to his Ravenclaw, the year behind, and was designated a Non. That meant her second year was spent at that place Happy Haven he's now heard so much about. Catriona spoke of Polly often but until seeing Polly with Catriona and Biance once this summer, he'd not been able to really put a face to the name.
Christopher didn't linger long though he wouldn't have minded staying. It's just that he was expected back to play chess against Hadrian Rabnott. Unless the game going on when he'd left to get his money ended much quicker than usual, he figured he'd be getting back just in time to see its end and to get sweets from the trolley.
Sure enough, Christpher's estimate of the timing was just as he'd thought. He watched as Etta Wynbourne finished trouncing Daniel Gelson, bought as much from the trolley as his allocated money allowed, then settled in for the match against Hadrian.
Between the chess games, exploding snap, talk of what the house Quidditch teams would be like this term, eating lunch and all the sweets, next thing he knew someone, Jill he thinks, was saying, "Time to change. We're almost to Hogsmeade."
Going Through The Motions
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 07-04-09 19:35
Olive couldn't wait to get to King's Cross well before the 11 am departure time of the Hogwarts Express. She'd been up well before anyone else in the Greene and Green household, even fixing breakfast for everyone. Once at the train station, Olive had danced around impatient for her friends to arrive.
While she wasn't looking forward to being separated from Jade and Hunter again, or her aunt and uncle, Olive's excitement at being able at going back to a Hogwarts as it should be and being able to try out, and of course make, the Slytherin Quidditch team and of seeing her friends every single day was enough to keep her effervescent even when waving to Blythe, Woody, Jade, and Hunter as the scarlet train engine pulled the Hogwarts Express from the station.
Emerald, on the other hand, only woke up when Hunter came into her room and repeatedly shook her by the shoulder, saying over and over, "Olive says get up. Olive says get up."
Emerald had finally rolled out of bed, not snapping at her brother only by an extreme sheer force of will, reminding herself that he was only doing as Olive asked. Hunter left the room but when Emerald still didn't come down for breakfast, Jade came bounding into the room to find Emerald standing in front of a full-length mirror, holding clothes but not yet having made a move to get dressed.
Blythe had finally come, gently prodding Emerald into action. Even then Emerald only poked at her food and once they got to London, to King's Cross, she was the last through the barrier to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. She'd stood as if in a stupor, staring in the direction of the train, only dimly aware of when Phin slipped up behind her with a present. Pale green stationary and emerald green ink so that she could write him every day and he promised to write her daily as well.
She thinks she only made it to the carriage where the other prefects were gathering because Phin had taken her by the hand and walked with her there so he could say hello to a few like Coco and Fritz. When the initial prefects meeting ended Emerald stayed where she was, looking out at the scenery steadily passing by, not really listening to the conversation of those others who already remained.
When there's a flurry of activity around her and someone patting her on the arm to say, "You might want to change soon. Won't be long until we arrive," did Emerald stir. She'd blinked owlishly at the growing gloom on the other side of the window and wondered when it had started getting dark. Moving mechanically on automatic, Emerald got out her robes and slipped them on over her head, remembering to move her prefects badge from her blouse to the robes.
Sitting down again, Emerald resumed staring out the window, her thoughts already miles away again.
(Ariella) Patent Pending
Author: Beck
Date: 07-05-09 13:19
Ariella sat at a writing desk in the living quarters she shared with Lawrence at Hogwarts and reviewed the paperwork Arlan, her husband's solicitor, had owled only yesterday regarding the restoration of her patent on the LinguoCube, a language translation device she'd invented for the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament's Invention & Design competition. She'd lost her rights to the invention upon being labeled a blood traitor last spring. Now that anyone's support of wizards with impure lineages mattered very little, Ariella had every opportunity to regain what she'd wrongfully lost.
Beginning the process of reestablishing her rights had been on her mind for quite some time, but the idea had been placed on the back burner in favor of other issues, like her desire to take the NEWT exams and her hope to one day begin taking university-level classes at St. Emrys. Lawrence's initiation of the return of her patent had taken her by complete surprise, though in hindsight she knew him to be giving and very much an enabler and that his involvement really shouldn't have shocked her in the slightest.
Lawrence came into the room with a towel around his waist. He'd just taken a shower after doing some work in the greenhouses. He dropped a kiss on the top of Ariella's head and looked over her shoulder at the paperwork she studied.
"Everything in order, do you think?"
"I don't quite understand all the legal mumbo-jumbo, but I had my grandfather look it over earlier and he thinks it all checks out." Ariella smiled and turned around her seat, while Lawrence started to pull on clean clothes for the Start of Term Feast.
"I know I've already said it a dozen times, but thank you for taking care of this for me."
Lawrence shot her a grin. "I know how much that patent meant to you and how upset you were when they took it away from you. Getting it back is the least I could do."
Ariella glanced at her watch and then gave one last cursory glance at the documents on the desk. "I'll sign everything in the morning and then owl them back to Arlan," she said. "The students should be arriving soon, shouldn't they?"
"They shouldn't be far from Hogsmeade at all," Lawrence commented.
"It's strange being back here, but not as a student and not even as a teacher," Ariella murmured. "I almost feel as if I don't belong."
Lawrence closed the gap between where he'd been changing and Ariella's chair and placed a hand on her shoulder and used his other to raise her chin. "You do belong here. If you didn't, Dumbledore would probably be the first person to tell you so."
Ariella found herself smiling. "I can't see him kicking me out the way Snider did. He'd do it a bit more tactfully, and maybe make it seem like it's my idea and not his." She let out a light laugh.
Lawrence smiled. "I don't think you have to worry either way."
Ariella knew it wasn't an issue but she still couldn't help but feel strangely out of place. She shot her husband a reassuring smile and rose to rummage through the wardrobe to see what she might change into for the feast.
(Anthony) Patience
Author: Beck
Date: 07-05-09 13:51
Since starting his job as an auror for the Ministry of Magic, Anthony had found himself in court quite a bit––not as a witness or an auror involved in any particular case but as an observer of the legal process. Only one visit to court was not the direct result of work. Just yesterday, Ryland Yaxley, former Deputy-Headmaster at Hogwarts and Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms instructor, had gone on trial for the murder of Plum's mother Mary Lancaster.
He knew yesterday had been especially hard for Plum, since she'd had to recount in vivid detail the last moments of her mother's life and what had happened immediately thereafter. The one consolation had been that Yaxley had finally gotten what he deserved and that he would likely never get the opportunity to ruin another life again.
Many of the other trials Anthony had observed contained similar charges: murder, torture, and other crimes against humanity. Most wizards on trial had been involved in Euphemia Smythe-Jones' pureblood movement, but a handful of others had gone to court over unrelated issues. Anthony found each trial fascinating in its own way but longed to see more than just the courtroom or the auror office, where he read policy and procedure manuals, reviewed case documents, and looked over other paperwork aurors dealt with on a daily basis in a bid to familiarize himself with the process of report writing, etc.
He knew that he was a rookie and couldn't expect to be thrown out into the field immediately, but he most certainly preferred being on a case than going through his orientation within the Ministry itself.
Not that he hadn't been assigned to fieldwork yet. He'd gone on a few investigations––light duty such as searching property for evidence.
Anthony knew that he shouldn't be impatient. He may have informally battled dark wizards as a member of the Resistance Movement, but he would get an opportunity to do so in a legal capacity soon enough. With the proper training and experiences, he would hopefully learn how to do his job efficiently and as safely as possible.
After all, he did not want to end up like his parents.
He knew through their deaths that it didn't matter how experienced an auror one was, death happened and was to be expected, but accidents were much more likely to occur to those who lacked patience and discipline. Anthony didn't want to be the rookie whose great mistake cost him or somebody else his life. So, he would continue to observe court proceedings, review paperwork and embark on light field duty, taking whatever came next in stride.
(Katherine) Seeking Employment
Author: Beck
Date: 07-05-09 14:20
"These are really quite impressive," Barnabas Cuffe, editor for The Daily Prophet, expressed as he flipped through a portfolio of both color and black and white photographs taken by Katherine Spinnet. Some of the work came from her time in Brisbane as a photographer for the Australia-Wizarding Times. The rest came from shots taken since returning home: Wizards going on with their lives post community experiences. Businesses rebuilding and reopening. Reconstruction and the return to normalcy in all of its many forms.
"Thank you," Katherine replied, not in the least bit humbled by the editor's praise. She knew the quality of her work and felt she deserved a position with Britain's main wizarding newspaper. The only reason she'd taken so long to apply was because there'd been a hiring freeze to allow all former employees to reclaim their old positions. She could have applied elsewhere and very nearly did, but in the end had used the time in the interim to find herself.
Katherine had both lost and gained much in the last few years. She'd lost her mother to a brain aneurysm and gained grandparents, two brothers and two sisters at nearly the same moment. She'd very nearly completed a college education only to get arrested, thrown in prison and later transfered to a community for "nons" and blood traitors like herself. She'd spent time in hiding with some of her family and found work in a field she loved. And now she was back to where she considered home, even if it had only been home for a relatively short while.
She'd briefly debated going back to New York, where she'd lived most of her life, but the thought of being somewhere where she no longer had any family left her feeling lonesome. If she learned anything over the past couple of years, it was that having family and being around them was so very important. One never knew what could happen to tear family apart, and it could happen in an instant.
Katherine had considered finishing out her degree at St. Emrys, but then did she really need it to get the career she wanted? She'd already worked in the same field in Australia and had credentials and good work to show for it. She found that she really didn't care to return to the university, even as nice as it had been. She wanted to work, to earn money, and to build up a nice life for herself.
It was how she eventually came to find herself in Mr. Cuffe's office.
"We're definitely short on photographers at the moment," he mused, "and you obviously have the experience and have taken courses in photojournalism to boot. I'd say we could use you on our team. Consider yourself hired, Ms. Spinnet!"
Katherine beamed. "Oh, thank you! Thank you very much!"
Easy Decision
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 07-05-09 15:56
August Hodfuffer and Caerwyn Valentine had had a choice. Caerwyn could spend the night with Gus and they'd take the Hogwarts Express from London to Hogsmeade. Gus could spend the night with Caerwyn and they would kill time in Hogsmeade waiting for the train to arrive. While the boys thought about and discussed alternate options, neither thought to ask parents why only those two were presented.
If leaving from London on the Hogwarts Express, the boys would have to be clean and presentable and at the train station no later than 10:55 if they were to catch the train, which pulls away from Platform 9 3/4 in London at promptly 11. If staying in Hogsmeades, they could sleep late, eat breakfast late, play until lunch even if it meant doing something grimy, eat lunch, play more, have snacks, play more, clean up, and then meet up with others from Hogsmeade by either catching a ride on the carriage that mades a round through the village or walking to the train station.
Gus nor Caerwyn found the decision all that difficult to make. Another day of playing Wizard's lasar tag, of playing Wizard's paint ball, of helping Briar do something with the broken cookies, and a varied assortment of other things that did not involved sitting in a trai compartment all day. The downside, of course, was not getting to see who's new to the train and to see their other friends. Still, in the grand scheme of things, another day of making mischief around Hogsmeade was far more appealing than the Hogwarts Express.
As the early afternoon wanes into mid-afternoon with late afternoon fast approaching, two very gritty, very grimy boys hurry to where Caerwyn lives flat above Twice Told Tales. They shower and change into school robes. Caerwyn's sister Grace and cousin Charlotte want to shower the boys with hugs and kisses before Julian Valentine helps them with their trunks onto the carriage that's waiting in front of the shoppe. Caerwyn makes a show of putting up with the girls' slobbering on him but secretly loves having two little girls who look up to him and adore him.
Their trunks on the Hogsmeade carriage, Gus and Caerwyn choose to walk to the train station, quickly deep in discussion on what house they'll each be sorted into. Reaching the station, the giant of a man, Rubeus Hagrid is there, and upon seeing them he says, "Yer both to go with me. Anyone not sorted goes across the lake in boats. Stay roight there fer now an' you can 'elp me direct the others when the train arrives."
Grinning at the huge man, Gus and Caerwyn crane their neck to look as far down the train tracks as they can, each wanting to be the first to spot the Hogwarts Express approaching Hogsmeade Station.