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King's Cross Station
Author: Ella
Date: 10-16-11 07:37
King's Cross Station streamed with people going to work or perhaps school. It was a typical scene on any weekday morning. Even in the late morning, the train station seemed awfully busy. Today that was especially the case, for not only were ordinary folks going about their business, but Hogwarts students were arriving to take the Hogwarts Express back to school.
Ella had arrived with her father. They stood on Platform 9 3/4 and looked up at the Hogwarts Express. This would be the very last time that Ella would be taking that train to Hogwarts. She was a seventh year now, and she'd only get one more chance to ride the train after today––when it was time to return home at the end of the school year.
Dunstan had wanted to see his only daughter off to school, even though she was old enough to get to King's Cross Station herself. Ella didn't blame him for wanting her company. She wanted his also. For too long, he'd been so wrapped up in the drama that had been Delilah, that Ella and her mother had been cast aside. The neglect had ultimately led to Rosemary's suicide.
While Delilah had still been in the hospital, Dunstan had packed up all of her things. He'd given it a lot of thought and had decided that he'd wanted absolutely nothing to do with her anymore. Perhaps it was cold to kick out a person who'd just given birth to a baby, but Dunstan had figured she could move in with the baby's father. Next, Dunstan started divorce proceedings.
Ella was thrilled, of course, though she hated to see her father's heartache. For whatever reason, he'd genuinely loved Delilah, and now she had committed the worst betrayal against him.
She hugged her dad. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too, Ella," Dunstan murmured. "Will you write me when you get there?"
"The feast is tonight and I might not get around to it, but I promise I will send you a letter tomorrow sometime." Ella pulled away and studied her dad. "Will you be all right?"
"I'll be all right." Dunstan glanced at the train. "You best be off." The scarlet engine had begun to puff steam, though it wasn't quite 11 o'clock yet.
Ella gave her dad one more hug and then boarded the train somewhere in the middle. She was already wearing her uniform with her silver prefect badge pinned to the front so that any new students who needed help could identify her.
"Ella!"
She stopped and peered into a compartment, finding Francis there. "Saved you a seat," he said.
"Great! I've got to go to the prefects' compartment first, but I'll come back when the meeting is over. I have SO much to tell you."
"I have something to tell you too."
Ella smiled, though something told her she wouldn't like what he had to tell her. He had probably asked Ashleigh to marry him or something.
She stepped out of the doorway to the compartment and continued on to the front of the train, where all of the prefects would gather for their first meeting of the school year.
Shiny Red Engine Means Back to School
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 10-16-11 08:12
Eleven A.M on September 1st is ALWAYS one of the best times of the year for Hogwarts Students (even those who have to take the O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts) because it means that the shiny red engine will be leaving Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station in London and making the six hour journey to the station in Hogsmeade Village. It also signaled that the term would start tomorrow, after a night of way too much food, sweets from the trolley on the train, the sorting of the new arrivals into one of the four houses, and ultimately way too much excitement in one day.
However, I didn't mind it, and am looking forward to this year, because I will be able to (baring any detentions) be able to go to Hogsmeade and spend those Saturdays in the village shopping and getting some alone time with Arthur and even spending time in my own room because I moved into the village this summer. I LOVED the housewarming gift that I'd gotten from Marlow and her sisters, and currently, as I sat in the car waiting for Arthur, Kida and Whitney to get here, was wearing the autographed t-shirt from them. Dynamic Duo was definitely one of my favorite bands and not to mention full of cuties.
"Autographed…really? Who got you that, because you certainly didn't have it at the slumber party." Whitney said grinning as she plopped down across from me in the car after sticking her bag in the luggage compartment above our heads.
"Marlow and her sisters brought it over yesterday before Mom and I headed to my Aunt's. There is an autographed poster as well which is hanging in my room. You can see it on the first Hogsmeade trip when we head to the house for lunch." I said, and at the moment I mention food, more importantly my mom's home-cooking Arthur plops down next to me.
"I am so seriously looking forward to your mom's home cooking again." He said with a bright smile and a kiss to my cheek.
I grinned, leaning into him. "I see, so you are only with me now because of my mom's home cooking?" I teased and that got me tickled until I squirmed away and leaned against the window. "Brat." I stuck my tongue out at him and reclined in the cushioned seat.
"Hey!" Kida said, slipping into the seat next to Whitney after putting her bag up above and taking in my new shirt. "Killer shirt."
The four of us started talking, never mind we'd pretty much spent every waking moment together since I'd gotten back from Greece in August. "This year is going to be fantastic. Are you going to try out for quidditch again this year Adina?" Arthur asked, knowing well that my schedule was going to be full and my mom would be in a snit if I didn't keep my grades up.
"I'm thinking about it, but I want to see how I am managing this schedule before Quidditch trials start up." I said, smiling a bit, before pushing up and poking my head out the door to the car. "Hey Marlow…thanks for the shirt and poster." I said once more before Marlow waved and nodded before heading off to the compartment where she'd settle in for the ride.
I dropped back into my seat and sighed lightly, a content feeling washing over me, as I was greatly looking forward to this school year. New classes, as my elective choices opened up and I added several classes to my eight from last year. Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies were the two electives that Kida, Whitney and I had added, while Arthur had Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes to his course work.
The four of us started talking again, wondering what kind of food was going to be at the Start of Term feast, and what goodies we were going to purchase from the trolley later in the trip. All the while, the platform buzzed with everyone getting their things loaded, boarding the train and looking for friends to reconnect with and compartments to settle in for the journey.
Whistle While You Work
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 10-16-11 10:58
Writing a report for one of his cases Griff doesn't know he's whistling until someone from a neighboring desk looks over the cubicle wall to say, "Not to spoil your good mood, I don't mind the whistling but could you change up the tune every now and then?"
"Yeah, sure. Sorry about that."
Mindful now that he was disturbing at least one other person finishes the report, files it then starts on parchmentwork related to a different case. He wonders how many would be drawn into law enforcement of any sort if they knew exactly how much parchmentwork is involved with every single case. No matter how much desk duty he does today though, a pile of parchmentwork is not going to erode Griff's good mood.
Yesterday had been Carys's birthday. As it was also the anniversary of her mother's death, Griff was wanting to give Carys a special enough day that missing her mum would not put a damper on enjoying her birthday. The day has begun with Griff going over early to Carys's and with Tristan's help making her breakfast. Somehow even with the noise Tristan made while trying to be quiet as Griff and he prepared everything, Carys had slept through her kitchen being taken over. She'd woken up only when Tristan had made a flying leap onto Carys's bed when they'd gone to take the breakfast try to her. As Griff was carrying the tray, he couldn't readily stop Tristan from waking Carys up that way. It wasn't how he'd planned but it was quickly forgotten as Tristan babbled happily to Carys about fixing her breakfast and Carys listened with delight as she looked over the blue pancakes (Tristan's idea) and other offerings.
A little later Carys's long time friends Mindy Fort, Elizabeth Ross, and Juliet Davis came by to surprise Carys with a spa day that Griff had arranged. The spa is far far from Diagon Alley, where the attack took place during which Gaenor Hanham had been killed. From there they'd taken Carys to dinner, or so that's what she thought but really it was a surprise party Tristan, Alun, and Griff had put together with Mindy, Elizabeth, and Juliet in on it. Those three had been helpful in putting a guest list together, greatly adding to the list Griff had already come up with.
Tristan had been very proud of the gift he'd picked out all by himself for Carys, though she has no idea how close she came to an animated acromantula as big as Tristan.
The party had gone well and the good was great. Griff thinks Carys had a great time. Thinking about the kiss she'd bestowed on him at night's end has Griff whistling again, once more not even knowing he's doing it.
Back at Hogwarts
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 10-16-11 11:24
Blonde hair pulled back into a thick plait, Isma triple checks everything on the luggage cart that her dad would be pushing into the station from the car. She went to shut the door, before she could get the door shut she was hit with a fluffy, black, grey and white ball. "Sorry, Griselle..." She murmured, petting the newly acquired kitten, and letting it settle upon her shoulder.
At the moment, she was dressed in a brand new Broomstick Boys t-shirt from Emry's fest and a pair of black dress slacks, but toward the end of the trip she would be dressed in her Hogwarts uniform. "Alright, now that I've got Griselle, I've got everything." With that said, the trio pushed through toward Platform 9 3/4 and the shiny red Hogwarts Express.
They quickly got things loaded, and Isma said good bye to her parents until Homecoming and Exhibition in October. She quickly boarded the train, with a wave toward a few who were boarding a few cars down. Isma then moved through the bustling hallway, Griselle down off her shoulder, and was curled in her arms.
"In here." Came Blake's voice and that made Isma smile, she figured he'd have saved her a seat in the quickly filling train.
Isma ducked into the compartment, shut the door behind her and settled on the bench near Blake while Griselle quickly clambered up to settle next to her, in a ball of fluff. Isma gave Blake a kiss and the pair reclined holding hands.
"I think Eric should be here soon." He said, and flicked his gaze to the opening door of the compartment.
"Speak of the devil." Isma said with a grin.
"We were just talking about you, wondering how much longer you'd be or if you'd end up missing the train." Isma said sticking her tongue out at Eric before she gave him a hug and then let him move into the compartment and settle on the seat across from Blake and Isma.
(Mark) All Aboard
Author: Isolde
Date: 10-16-11 11:53
When Mark first arrived at King's Cross Station, he'd anxiously looked around for Kate. He'd wanted to see her, of course, but not in the presence of his parents. Luckily, the platform had been incredibly crowded, making it near impossible to find anyone. He'd said goodbye to his parents and boarded the train, pausing to wave at them from one of the windows.
He filed down the center aisle, peering into compartments for a place to sit or for his friends. He didn't see Gus, Johanna and Felicia anywhere. Then Kate materialized right in front of him, as if by magic, though all she'd actually done was step outside one of the compartments.
"Hi," she said. "We're all in here." She pointed at the compartment to her right.
"Hi," he said back. He stepped forward to maybe hug her but then he hesitated. All they'd done at Emrys Fest was dance and hold hands. Before he could make up his mind, she reached for his hand and led him to the compartment.
Johanna and Felicia were all smiles at the sight of Kate and Mark holding hands. Gus and Roger, who was the newest member of the group, simply glanced up and said, "Hey."
"Hey," Mark started, but then seventh year Slytherin John Worsley saw Mark and tapped him on the shoulder.
"You can socialize later, Farnon. We have a prefects' meeting up front. You don't have to put on your uniform yet, but you should at least wear your badge."
Mark thought a prefect's badge pinned to a T-shirt looked silly, but he didn't say as much. "I'll be right there," he told John.
John nodded and continued to the front of the train. Mark, meanwhile, turned back to his friends and said, "I guess I ought to be going." He reluctantly let go of Kate's hand to fish his badge out of his backpack. He tossed the backpack on the upper shelf in the compartment and pinned the badge to his shirt.
"Tell us everything when you get back," Gus said. "Even the secret stuff."
Mark grinned. "Maybe."
Not wanting to delay any longer lest he get in trouble with John, Mark slipped out of the compartment and made his way to the front of the train. During that time, the train gently pulled away from Platform 9 3/4 and began its journey to Scotland.
Relaxing with Meagan
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 10-16-11 13:33
Two months old. I still cannot believe that Meagan is two months old. She is so pretty, and showing already that she was going to be a smart little girl as she gets older. She loves her little rattle booties, and is slowly discovering that each time she wiggles or kicks her feet the sound occurs when they rattle. At the moment she was sitting her swing, drowsily suckling on her binkie. She'd had her bottle and while she was getting ready for her nap, which probably would end up being in her swing because unfortunately she's proven that if she's in the swing and falls asleep and someone tries to move her, she wakes up and then nap time is no longer an option.
While my darling angel decided that she was going to finally settle down for her mid-day nap, I took it upon myself to have a cup of coffee (my first) and turn my attention to the Daily Prophet which I'd yet to get a chance to read. Jim was at work, and I was debating loading Meagan into her pram later this evening and watching the Hogwarts Express come rolling in. Eleven years until I was going to be taking her shopping for supplies for her first term at Hogwarts. I was looking forward to it, but at the same time, I didn't want her growing up that fast.
I was, however, finding it easier to settle into the routine that my leave had become. I'd already told the Ministry that I would be back at the end of St. Emry's Michaelmas term ends and the holidays are over. So, I'd be back shortly after the first of the year.
They wanted me to take the remaining six months that was allowed for my maternity leave but, I figure getting through the next term and juggling coursework and baby would be enough for me while Meagan was still young and more dependent on Jim and I than she would be when she's six months old and I would feel safer leaving her at Blossom's daycare for the day while Jim and I were at work. I would send her to my parents or Jim's parents for daycare, but they all work and that wouldn't be fare to have them try and deal with her as well.
For now, however, I was enjoying the peace and quiet of sleeping baby. Finishing reading The Daily Prophet, Meagan was still asleep, it was only about noon or so, and I had about forty five more minutes until she would wake up, so grabbing the baby monitor I headed into the bathroom to take a quick shower and change out of my yoga pants and tank top from my run with Meagan in her stroller earlier this morning.
When I got out of the quick shower, I made a quick salad and had lunch before getting a fresh bottle made for Meagan and waking her up, by stopping the motion of the swing.
"Hello sleepy head…" I said with a grin as I lifted her from the swing and immediately went to change her nappy and then it was bottle time. "I have a surprise for you little miss. When daddy gets home, we are going to go out to the village and watch the shiny red Hogwarts Express come into the station. When you are older, you'll get to ride the engine too. It was one of my favorite things about each and every school year." Megan cooed merrily and her chubby little hands clutched at her bottle while I settled in my favorite rocker.
Eavesdropping
Author: Mildred
Date: 10-16-11 13:38
Mildred went to platform 9 and 3/4 with her grandmother. Once there,the little witch felt herself lost beyond the crowd. There were students from every age accompanied by parents, siblings and other familiars. Friends hugged each other reuniting themselves after a long summer. Worried fathers checked the luggage and loving mothers hugged their children, telling them one more time to write home regularly.
Mildred looked to her grandmother who was caught up in a conversation between another elder witch. She wished her mother was here, or her father. Probably she wasn't the first student going to Hogwarts without having the presence of her parents with them, but still she couldn't avoid feeling a little bit down with her situation.
She freed herself from those sad thoughts when someone bumped into her. "Sorry." A tall boy apologized, not even bothering to look twice at Mildred, as he kept moving his way. Mildred observed him greeting a group of friends. She watched the girls that were also tall. Probably they were on their sixth or seventh year, she thought.
Mildred looked to her side. Her grandmother was still chatting. She wanted to get aboard the Hogwarts Express, somehow afraid it would leave without her. But she didn't know if it would be polite to interrupt the conversation to say goodbye to her grandmother. Since the wand incident at Ollivander's that she had ignored Mildred completely. That had suited the little witch, since she found herself better off without her grandmother's presence. She would stay in her bedroom reading her new school books, as well as going outside for walks when it wasn't very hot.
Unfortunately the scorn between grandmother and granddaughter meant no visits to Azkaban. Mildred wanted to see her father at least one more time before she went to Hogwarts but since she didn't exchange a word with her grandmother she couldn't ask her for it. As the days passed the despair got bigger and finally, at the breakfast table, Mildred took her eyes off her toast and politely asked her grandmother if she could take her to Azkaban. Her grandmother only took a moment to face Mildred, and then she went back to her cup of tea. Mildred found herself ignored and on the verge of tears as she pushed her plate away, not hungry anymore. Moments later her grandmother turned her attention back to Mildred again and announced that if she wanted her to take her to Azkaban she would have to finish her breakfast. Mildred had never liked her grandmother as she did that day.
She saw her father and promised him she would write regularly. He promised, if allowed, that he would write her back. They spoke about Hogwarts houses and her father told her how to avoid Peeves, the poltergeist. Mildred also promised to work hard and get good grades, as well as not getting herself into troubles. It was hard to say goodbye, knowing she would only see her father again at Christmas break.
However Mildred was very excited to go to Hogwarts, make friends and learn new things. The red train was calling for her and for her surprise, her grandmother seemed to notice because she said:
"What are you waiting for girl? Go on board or all the good seats will be gone. I expect a letter once you're sorted. " Mildred nodded and with a shy wave she entered on the train with her luggage.
Students laughed and moved between compartments, greeting friends and classmates. Mildred wondered around not sure what compartment to pick.
"Slytherin, that's the best house, no doubt. All my family is in there and so will I." Someone said.
"What if you don't end up in Slytherin? You know it's possible, right?"Another voice replied.
"You two are moving too fast. Can you explain the Slytherin story again? This is all new to me."A third voice sounded.
"I'm sorry, I forgot you're a muggle born."
Mildred didn't mean to eavesdrop but she just couldn't avoid. By the glass she noticed they were about her age and so new students as well. Taking a deep breath, Mildred entered in the compartment, trying to smile and fight her shyness as all the eyes stared at her waiting for her to speak.
Brief Encounter
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 10-16-11 13:42
Bending to retrieve a quill she's dropped Zabrynna ends up nearly toppling off the step she's on. She steadies herself with one hand just as someone bounds up the stairs behind her to offer support. Turning and looking up to offer thanks the words catch in Zabrynna's throat when she finds herself looking into Declan Douglass's eyes.
"You okay?" he asks.
"Yes, thank you."
She'd hardly seen him over the summer and those few times she had were usually at Mariposa's. Zabrynna had hoped that between the continued therapy and hardly seeing him anymore she'd be past the unrequited lovesick phase; but, no. Her pulse has quickened and she's suddenly feeling flushed all over. Bending again to get the quill she'd dropped, Zabrynna edges up the steps, putting a little distance between Declan and her.
"I wouldn't have thought to see you at Hogwarts today," Declan remarks.
"I was finishing up some work for Professor Hodfuffer - AJ, I mean."
"I thought he'd finished what he needed for that non-fiction."
"He did. This is research for one of his mystery series."
"As prolific a writer as AJ is, it would be easy to assume he's a hack and that his books are all formulaic and on the badly done side but they aren't. I wish I was half as talented."
"Don't sell yourself short. You're extremely talented."
"If you were still a student I'd be forced to tease that you are only saying that to help your grade."
"So put in a good word for me with my history professors at St. Emrys when term begins."
"So you decided to go."
"Yes, but I'm working too. I'll be helping AJ as needed and I've got a job in a dress shoppe."
"That's great!"
"Speaking of the dress shoppe, I should go. I've a shift just after lunch and I want to finish what I'm working on for AJ before going."
Zabrynna climbs the few remaining stairs with Declan going back down. He'd only come up the flight when passing the staircase and seeing her wobbling. With a quick glance back over her shoulder she suppresses a sigh. Maybe it's time she agreed to go on one of the many dates Anne, Philippa and Mariposa are forever trying to set her up on. By the time she reaches AJ's office, Zabrynna is resolved that she will not only take one of them up on their offers but she will not find massive faults with whatever male she finds herself on a date with.