|
|
(Miranda) Picky Sister
Author: Mildred
Date: 11-02-13 06:21
With a little bit of luck, the Drawlight sisters were able to find a quiet compartment just for the two of them. It was still possible to hear the sound of exciting conversations on the other side of the door, but the sound was muffled by the train's engine.
Miranda was eating a Chocoball, savoring the strawberry mousse and the clotted cream while Perdita was lost in her book. One last chapter and she would be done with it and Miranda knew there was no point in talking to her sister until she finished it. So she occupied her time eating sweets and giving some last adjustments to her school robes.
It has been almost a year since the two sister had been transferred from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic to Hogwarts, and yet Miranda was still having a hard time to adapt to the change. The people were different, the school robes were heavier due to the colder climate, the food had a different taste and she hasn't been able to make any friends yet. But she knew that was probably her fault for spending so much time with her sister. The two of them were almost inseparable and they had a hard time inviting people into their circle.
While Miranda had been sorted into the Gryffindor house, Perdita had joined Ravenclaw, which meant they didn't share the same dormitory or the same table at the Great Hall. Those were the only situations they were truly separated from each other, but Miranda knew that as they got older, each one would have to take their own path in life.
She was eating another Chocoball when Perdita closed her book and put it aside. She too had already changed to her school robes and Miranda thought the blue and bronze from the Ravenclaw house suited her sister. There were steps on the other side of the compartment and a boy passed by, in a rush. Miranda could not help to smile.
"Not in a million years," Perdita warned her, almost reading her thoughts.
"He is cute. There is no harm with appreciating the view."
"I don't think he was that attractive."
"That's because you are too picky."
"I have standards. Nothing wrong with it," Perdita defended herself.
Miranda just grinned at her sister. Perdita was a bit demanding when it came to boys. That is why Miranda thought at times that she was going to end up alone. No wizard was too good for Perdita Drawlight. Maybe she would end up with a Muggle. As the Hogwarts Express got closer to its destination the two sisters were discussing these year's classes and their upcoming preparation for the NEWTs. Perdita was eager to start her lessons, but Miranda was reluctant. She wouldn't mind if the summer had been prolonged for another month or so.
(Asher) Slytherin Second Years
Author: Jolyon
Date: 11-02-13 09:06
Asher lay across one of the seats in the compartment he shared with Malden and Bruno and dozed a little bit. The others shared the other seat and played a game of wizard's chess on a small, travel-sized board. Occasionally they whooped when they made a good play, making it impossible for Asher to truly fall asleep. He eventually gave up on napping and sat up, glancing out the window. He could tell that it was late afternoon by the position of the sun, but without looking at his watch, he didn't know how much longer they had to wait until the train would arrive in Hogsmeade.
Bruno made an excellent play, clinching the game in his favor. Malden's queen exploded in a dozen pieces, landing all over the compartment. The boys laughed and picked everything up before turning their attention to some of the snacks they had gotten from the cart earlier in the journey. They knew they shouldn't eat too much or they wouldn't be hungry enough to enjoy tonight's Start of Term Feast but nevertheless had trouble staying their hands when it came to all the sweets in their possession.
Asher sucked on a sugar quill and asked of Malden, "So did you find out if all those things that reporter wrote about your great aunt and grandfather are true?"
Malden shook his head. "I wanted to ask Granddad so many times, but I couldn't do it. I think there must be some measure of truth to it, but I don't know how much."
"Are you scared to learn that your grandfather might be evil?" Bruno asked.
"No, I'm not scared," Malden countered. "I just don't think he would tell me everything. Maybe when I'm older, but he's the sort who thinks children don't need to know everything."
"I would have asked him," Asher commented.
"Well, how was your week with Professor Kent?" Malden asked, turning the tables on Asher. "Have you learned to love him yet?"
"No," Asher flatly replied.
He might have gotten to know Jolyon better in the week they had been together, but their relationship hadn't gotten any better. It hadn't gotten any worse either. Asher simply wasn't interested in having a father figure in his life.
He did like his grandmother, though, but he wasn't going to admit that to anyone.
"And how was your summer vacation?" Asher asked Bruno, determined to get the topic off of his family life and onto somebody else's.
Bruno shrugged. "Nothing special. Rather uneventful, really. Is it time to change into our robes yet?"
"Too early, I wager," Malden replied.
"Yeah, I think we've got a couple of hours left," Asher agreed.
The boys looked out the window and saw the same scene pass them by, of fields and cows and and more fields and more cows. They were ready to reach Hogwarts and start their second years.
Summer Re-Cap
Author: Estine
Date: 11-02-13 12:11
It wasn't exactly the biggest surprise when Randal Mignon came to see his daughter off at King's Cross, but it was still awkward for the twelve-year-old nonetheless. The man had barely seen Estine all summer, first pawning her off on her grandmothers in the states before sending her to spend the remainder of the summer with Sophie and her mom. His reasons were understandable. He had to work and if she'd stayed with him, she would have had to watch herself. As fun as that sounded to most preteens, Esti was a social bird. She needed to have people around her at all times.
But still, even if her father wasn't around for most of it, Estine had to admit she enjoyed her summer. She got to see her family in humid Louisiana and tell them all about life in the United Kingdom, which they soaked up like no other. They loved hearing all kinds of stories from their little 'International Girl', or so they called her. Then, Esti was off to Maryland to see Granna and visit Grappa's grave. There wasn't as big of a family network up there, but it was still nice spending time with the closest biological connection she had to her mother.
The second part of the summer was the best though. As much as Estine hated to admit it, spending so much time away in either other states or other countries left her feeling somewhat detached from what family she had. Even if she'd only known Sophie McCourt a year, it still felt like her friend was closer to family than anyone back in the US was.
Together, the girls had practiced Quidditch and baseball, gone for walks, talked about everything they could think of, camped out in the backyard, told ghost stories under the full moon, and played almost every game that came to mind. It was like a constant sleepover to Estine. With her best girlfriend by her side, there was no way the summer could end on a sour note.
Esti even developed her first crush during the summer. The boy was Caleb Quigley, a classmate and Sophie's friend. Apparently, his aunt lived near the McCourts, so he would spend a lot of time there. That sometimes meant that he spent time with the girls as well, even if he never really enjoyed playing dress-up or having tea parties. He was a good help during Quidditch matches though, and Estine was a fast learner. There was many a moment where he would touch Esti in order to show her the proper grip of the beater's club. The favor was always returned when he was the batter during baseball.
Even now, as Estine and Sophie sat parallel to Caleb on the train, the former found her eyes drifting to his every once a while. His would dart to the window immediately, causing the girl to smile to herself as she rested her head on her best friend's shoulder.
"I'm excited for this year," she spoke softly to Sophie. "Feels like it has potential, like it's going to be different. Like, I can feel us growing up. We're not kids anymore. We are riding the cusp of teenagerhood."
Sophie linked her arm with Estine's as she rested her own head on top of her friend's. "At least we're all together for it. That's what matters."
(Mark) First Confrontation
Author: Isolde
Date: 11-02-13 12:41
For the first time in many years, Mark didn't share a train compartment with his friends. He would have skipped the ride altogether if he weren't a prefect. Being old enough and fully licensed to apparate, Mark could have traveled to Hogsmeade on his own and met the train at the station. Unfortunately, his duty as seventh year Slytherin prefect had forced him to endure a very awkward meeting.
Johanna, Gus, and Kate were all prefects too. Mark had deliberately waited till the last minute to enter the compartment so that he could be by the door and leave the moment the meeting ended. The other three sat together on the opposite side of the compartment. Kate wouldn't look at Mark, but Johanna and Gus both stared at him as if seeking for answers.
Mark ignored them and listened as Hunter and Olive gave their speeches. After welcoming the new prefects, giving some formalities, and making a schedule for patrolling the train, the head students dismissed everyone. Some of the prefects opted to stay in the compartment, but many left to find their other friends.
Mark's shift to patrol was scheduled for the end of the train ride. In the meantime, he found a place to sit with his cousin's husband's brother Mason and Mason's friend Boris. He would have sought out Taran, but he knew that Taran was likely sharing a compartment with the others. He would have considered Taran his replacement, except that Taran wasn't dating Kate.
Mark knew that sooner or later, his friends would corner him about what he had done to Kate. It wasn't that he feared the encounter but that he worried his true feelings would give himself away. He'd never wanted to hurt Kate, but it had to be done.
At long last, it was time for him to begin patrolling the aisle. Mark left Mason and Boris to their own devices and turned left down the hall, peeking into compartments as he went to make sure nobody was involved in any shenanigans.
After passing a great many compartments, Mark peeked into the one Kate and the others were occupying. As Mark had guessed, Taran was with their group. He was seated next to Johanna.
Gus happened to look up and saw Mark through the window. He quickly said something to the others and then got up to exit the compartment. Mark had already continued down the hall, hoping to avoid the inevitable confrontation.
"Farnon," Gus said. "We need to have a conversation."
Mark didn't want to stop but he didn't want Gus to think he hadn't heard him. "Now's not the time, van Tassel," he threw over his shoulder.
He knew Gus was following him, but Mark refused to take the bait, at least for the moment.
"You can't avoid this forever," Gus stated. "Kate is devasted, and none of us know what you were thinking. Who was that girl at Emrys Fest? Why were you with her?"
Mark rapped on the window of a compartment in which a couple were making out a little too fervently.
"None of your business," he replied.
He turned to move on, but Gus put a hand on his arm to turn him back. "What the hell happened to you?"
"Get your hand off my arm," Mark said in a low, threatening manner.
"I don't want to fight you," Gus replied, but he sounded ready for anything. He slowly moved his hand away and said, "Be honest, if not for me, then for Kate. She has a right to know why you walked out on her so unexpectedly."
Mark took a step forward so that he and Gus were face to face, though Gus was taller. "I came to my senses, that's all. Why would I limit myself to a Mudblood?"
Gus swung his fist, and it connected with Mark's jaw. The couple in the compartment next them were no longer making out. Instead they were both staring at Mark and Gus with their mouths open in shock.
Mark put a hand to his stinging mouth and stared daggers at Gus. He wanted to take points, but he knew that he hadn't behaved very well himself. Besides, taking points from Gus meant taking points from Slytherin.
Instead, he turned around and continued his patrolling, rubbing his aching jaw. After a while, he heard Gus turn and go back the other way down the hallway. Mark didn't feel bad about getting punched––he deserved it, he knew––but he did feel bad about alienating himself from his friends. He felt comforted in knowing that at least Kate had a strong support system.
Larkin & Blossom
Author: Blossom
Date: 11-02-13 14:35
"Muuuuum."
"I've told you I need a few more minutes, Larkin. Go out and play. Or, I think I can trust you to make it to the shop. Just cut across the playground to the park and cross over from there."
Larkin flops over one of the desks in the Hogsmeade Primary Day classroom Blossom's looking over, letting her head, arms, and legs dangle. "Mum, why do you talk funny?"
"Talk funny? What do you oh you mean my accent."
"Yeah."
When Blossom doesn't immediately respond Larkin lifts her head to find her mum expectently looking at her. She drops her head, rolling her eyes where Mum won't see as she says, "I mean, yes, Mum."
"As you know, I grew up in the United States, where great granddad lives. This is how some of the people from the US talk."
"They don't all sound the same?"
"Does everyone from here sound the same?"
Larkin thinks about that for a second. Making her hair swish wildly back and forth as she shakes her head in reply, "No, I guess they don't."
Clapping her hands together once Blossom announces, "Okay. I think I am done."
She's been going from classroom to classroom, inspecting that each has all the supplies and equipment needed for the start of the 2007 Autumn Term, which begins Monday. Enrollment is good and ads will be in the newspaper every day next week and the week to let people know late enrollment is possible.
Larkin pushes off from the desk, getting a head rush from standing up so fast after having her head dangling for a few minutes. Giggling, she skips over to Blossom, eager to get going. She didn't have to come with her mum but she was a little tired of all the boys, who are with Dad at Weasleys' here in Hogsmeade, called Zonko's, and Miranda wasn't home when they'd left so she couldn't even spend time with her cousin instead of coming. The only reason she's eager to go is because Mummy's work has been boring and because they're going soon to a restaurant with a dessert bar. Larkin is going to eat whatever veggies Mummy makes her have so that she can have a piled up plate from the dessert bar.
Hand in hand, Blossom and Larkin leave Hogsmeade Primary Day, pausing long enough for Blossom to lock up, and walk across the school's playground, through the park to High and crossing over the lane, Larkin jabbering the entire way about school on Monday, who her teacher is, and the dessert bar she can't wait to get to tonight.
On the Train
Author: Rylee
Date: 11-02-13 14:58
The beginning of August had come with Mary returning home from her philanthropic trip to Israel. She had also come home with a continuing philanthropic project, Raz and Etana Kohen, two orphaned children whose family had been devastated by a bombing of their town in Israel. Since their arrival things have been interesting at the Marks home, most of the girls had come home to meet the siblings – and for the first time in ages there was a young male in the house. He was Rylee's age and all were surprised when a letter came for him from Hogwarts, for him to start at the beginning of the coming term.
Rylee and Aderyn had become good friends, and had even added Etana to their circle of friends and would be helping the girl when she came to Hogwarts next year because she was a year behind her brother.
Raz was still overly protective of his little sister and was not happy about leaving her for months at a time as they had previously been at least in connected buildings for schooling. Now, Etana would be dealing with a private tutor while Raz was attending actual classes, and wouldn't be there if his sister needed him. So, he was still having his doubts about attending Hogwarts, but ultimately as the month wore on and he received encouragement from his sister he agreed to go, promising that he would write to her daily.
Since they'd arrived at the Marks estate, the Kohen siblings had settled in well, and at the moment Raz and I were seated in one of the compartments of the Hogwarts Express with Gideon and Aderyn Carter. "It is almost time to change into our robes and that means we are getting close to the best part of the start of the school year."
"What's that?" Raz asked, not taking his gaze off the scenery from the window. He'd already nibbled on a few things that he could have off the sweets trolley earlier, and had been asking questions about the school and what would be happening when we got there.
"The Start of Term Feast. There will be mounds and mounds of food. Seriously covering the entire length of each of the house tables. There will also be loads of desserts too! Seriously, you will over eat there is no way around it honestly!"
Raz turned his attention away from the window and offered Aderyn a grin. "I'm just hoping that there will be something that I will be able to eat. I know already, that it will be difficult to attend Temple, but I have letters that will be coming for me weekly from my Rabbi."
"There will be something there that you can eat, trust me! If you can't find anything to eat at the Start of Term Feast, then the kitchen elves will ensure that there will be something for you to eat at breakfast and every other meal following the Start of Term Feast." I said, offering Raz a grin.
Raz nodded, and soon enough, a prefect knocked on the door. It was Broderick, Aderyn's older brother. "Time to get into your robes. Enjoy your first Start of Term Feast Raz." With that Broderick headed off to finish his patrol and the four of us soon started getting into our school robes.
"Your robes will have your house colors and such added to them after the sorting ceremony. You'll be riding over in the boats with the first years and other transfers, and I'll see you in the Great Hall."
In Another Compartment…
Author: Valeria Mockridge
Date: 11-02-13 19:04
Valeria leaned back against the seat in the compartment she and Petula had claimed. Anton had soon joined them, along with Titus, though he was still showing some signs of his injury from the summer. Niccolo hadn't been far behind, and most of the ride had been passed in fairly companionable conversation, mostly about professors and the like, as well as preparing Nico for what Hogwarts would be like. They'd all heard the murmurs, wondering who would be taking over for Professor Flint, but none of them had spilled the beans. Valeria knew her grandmother wanted to make an entrance and not even she would cross the Mockridge Matriarch.
They had already changed into their robes, Nico's not yet bearing a house crest since he was a transfer student and they had fallen silent. Anton and Titus were playing chess, though it looked like Anton was trouncing him soundly. Petula was flipping through an owl-order catalog and Nico was pestering her and Val herself had her Transfiguration text open on her lap. She knew better than to think her grandmother would go easy on her. It was more likely to be just the opposite. Cloris Mockridge would expect more from the Pureblood students, because they had not only grown up within magical households, but they carried tradition and ancient power in their very blood.
"What's the matter, Val?" Petula asked, looking up from her catalog and shooting a quick glare at Nico.
"Just thinking about Transfiguration. Grandmother's not going to go easy on any of us just because of our blood, she's going to hold us to a higher standard," the blonde said quietly.
Anton looked up. "And we won't disappoint her, we are better than the muggleborns."
"Yes, of course we are, Anton, but that's not the point. I'm just glad she's not teaching History of Magic. Though she might be better than Professor Morgan."
Petula bit back a snort. "Who wouldn't be? But seriously, Great-Aunt Cloris probably has forgotten more history than most professors."
"Because we're supposed to know it. Being a Pure-Blood is more than just knowing your lineage and not dirtying up the line. We know our world better, and we know those who have died to protect it from the muggles. All of us have family members who were hurt or killed because of muggles. I know some are fascinated by them, but they're dangerous to our kind. Every one that finds out about our world is a risk," the blonde said.
Petula nodded. She'd heard the same thing as she grew up. Just as they both knew that most wouldn't understand that Pure-Blood Supremacy wasn't so much about hating muggles, though they didn't care for them, it was about protecting their own traditions. "So we need to be sure we don't let Great-Aunt Cloris down then," she said with a slight smirk. "I don't particularly want to be blasted off the Parkinson Tapestry."
Valeria snorted. "Please. Grandmother likes you, and she kept control of the tapestry. Something about saying your mother wasn't getting her hands or wand on that bit of family history until she did more to provide an heir."
The brunette scowled. "Ewww. Those are my parents," she drawled as Valeria laughed.
Visiting With The Dippets
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 11-02-13 20:06
A glance at the table where Grace sits with cousins Douglas and Deborah and Briar sets down two cups of coffee and one of tea at the table where her half-brother Byron and sister-in-law Bethany sit, a slice of caramel walnut cake between them.
Sliding out a chair to sit she offers a small, amused smile. "If you were coming to Hogsmeade this evening, why did you have Duncan ride the train?"
"It was sort of a last minute decision." Byron stirs cream into his coffee.
Bethany cuts a look to her husband before admitting, "I burned dinner beyond salvaging. I was outside playing a game with Doug and Debbie and lost track of time. Being outside I didn't smell anything right away."
Briar looks to Byron but before she can ask the obvious question he fills in the blank. "Some friends and I have a Quidditch team for a charity tournament. We were practicing."
"Well, no matter the reason, I'm always happy to see you; and, you do know if you ever want or need Duncan to skip the train, you're welcome to bring him here and we could get the carriage to pick him up or he could walk to the station to join everyone there."
Bethany cuts off a bite of the cake slice. "We know but thank you for verbalizing the offer. As long as we are here, we thought we'd talk a little about Doug's birthday cake. I know it's not until November but the way time seems to be flying, I just know if I don't start talking with you about it now, the day before the party will get here and I'd realize I didn't even put in the cake order."
Byron pulls out a few pages of parchment with some sketches. "Some Bethany did, one or two I did, and Doug helped with one. As you can see, he wants a Hogsmeade Humbatas themed party and cake. We're hoping his interests don't change between now and the first part of November. Being eight, that might well happen."
Briar gives the laugh of a parent all too familiar with the quickly shifting interests of a child. After they've spent a few minutes discussing options for the cake, Byron asks, "Are you dealing better with your friend's death now that it's been a little while?"
"I am, thank you. I would have been upset under normal circumstances, but having her die so soon after she was certain she was going to be murdered was such a shock."
Bethany frowns. "I still find all that odd."
Byron mirrors her frown. "Mrs. Leach dying?"
"Thinking someone was after her, going into hiding, all of it," Bethany clarifies.
"Only to die from an aneurysm, something that could happen to anyone."
"Mummy, I want some more." Debbie holds up her glass, now empty of milk.
Talk of Kristen Leach's sudden death is put on hold as Briar gets up to get Debbie more milk and one more biscuit for each of the three children. While up, a customer comes into the bakery, soon followed by another. When Briar rejoins Byron and Bethany they are talking about a possible outing for tomorrow, inviting Briar and Grace along.