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Finally
Author: Illyria
Date: 08-28-15 17:36
Illyria had seen the departing students off, either onto the Hogwarts Express or the carriage to the village, and then wandered back up to the castle to get the last of her marks turned into Professor McGonagall. After that, she putzed around her office and classroom in an effort to tidy up, toss out what she no longer needed, and start fresh for the new term. When it seemed like she wasn't accomplishing anything, she walked out of the castle and let her feet carry her to Brews & Stews in Hogsmeade.
It was still a bit early for lunch, but that was all right since the café offered breakfast and brunch fare as well as lunch and dinner. She ordered a ham, egg, and cheese crepe and a tall class of pumpkin juice and then relaxed in the sun from her small table on the sidewalk.
"So, how does it feel to have another school year under your belt, Madam Teacher?"
Illyria looked up from her casual people-watching to see Nathan standing on the other side of the round table. His hands were on the back of the chair there, and he grinned down at her.
"Hi, you," she said, rising slightly to meet him for a kiss. As he sat down across from her she answered, "It's hard to believe I've got eight years of teaching experience, and it would be nine, if not for my unplanned sabbatical."
"Would you ever go back to research?"
Illyria shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. I do miss tinkering with projects and making progress on my inventions, but teaching kids is very gratifying." She paused when the waitress arrived with her pumpkin juice. After the waitress took Nathan's order and walked away, Illyria asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to surprise you with a visit on your first day of freedom."
"How sweet, but you know I'm not really free, right? A teacher's work doesn't end when the students leave for the summer."
Nathan grinned at her. "I was teasing. Aren't you happy to see me?"
"That depends," Illyria replied with a grin to match his, "did you bring me a present?"
Nathan's grin widened, and then he reached into his pocket, pulled something tiny out, and gently flung it across the table. It landed next to Illyria's napkin and utensils. Illyria gasped at the sight of what she could only guess was the engagement ring she had been waiting for every since Urania had first told her about Nathan's intentions of asking her to marry him.
It was not the same ring she had snuck a peek at all those months ago, only for Nathan to give it to his mother as an Easter present. This was a round cut diamond set into a platinum filigree ring.
Illyria looked at Nathan questioningly. "Is this… are you… is this your idea of a proposal?"
Nathan chuckled and asked, "Do you accept? I know it's not conventional, throwing a diamond ring at you, but I wanted to take you by surprise, considering you've been waiting for me to ask you to marry me for a good while now."
"How did you know that?" Illyria asked.
Nathan kept grinning. "I know you saw the other ring."
"The one you gave your mother."
"The very same. It was meant for you, but when I saw you snooping––yes, I saw you––I decided to play a trick on you. The look on your face was priceless, by the way."
Illyria couldn't believe he'd known all along and had decided to make a game of it. "So, why not string me along even further?" she asked.
Nathan grew more serious. "I want to marry you, and I don't want to wait anymore. This has been a long time coming, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has!"
"So, will you?"
Illyria looked down at the glittering, brilliant ring and slipped it onto her finger. "Yes, I will."
Before Boarding (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 08-28-15 18:25
"Anything else?" Julian asks Caerwyn as they maneuver Caerwyn's trunk from those designated for Hogsmeade destinations.
"The cat," Caerwyn says of Velvet, the rescued feline Augustus Hodfuffer and he share.
Hearing this Gus comes from around a couple of other students on the Hogsmeade train station platform. "Here she is."
Grace reaches for the small carrier. "I have her."
Caerwyn ruffles his sister's hair. "Thanks."
"I wish I could go on the train with you."
"I know but you'll be riding it soon enough if you want."
Grace makes a face. "Maybe. Who wants to ride it the WHOLE day when I already live right here?"
Caerwyn grins at her as does Gus. "I know exactly what you mean."
Grace hugs Caerwyn then picks up Velvet in the cat carrier. "See you tonight."
Julian clamps a hand on Caerwyn's arm echoing Grace's words. "See you this evening. We'll meet you at King's Cross and go for supper somewhere. Be thinking of where we should go."
"Will do. Bye, and thanks, Dad. Thanks, Grace. See you in a few hours."
Gus makes his goodbyes as well as Grace and Julian leave with Velvet and Caerwyn's trunk. He and Caerwyn stand talking a minute then start down the length of the Hogwarts Express, helping to ensure as Head Boy and Seventh Year Hufflepuff Prefect, respectively, that boarding is going as it should.
Hearing his name over the din of excited students Caerwyn stops and turns to look. He spots Iola Carew striding his way, waving to get his attention as she calls his name again. He tilts his head in her direction as he tells Gus, "Catch up with you later."
Turning, he walks over to meet her. "Aunt Iola, hi. I wasn't expecting to see you today."
Iola kisses Caerwyn on the cheek in greeting before saying, "I was hoping we could spend a little time together and in a bit I could buy you lunch."
"Thank you, but I can't today. I'm riding the train."
Iola makes a noise that sounds much like a scoff to his ears. "You live in Hogsmeade. What possible reason would you have for riding the train all the way to London only to come right back? Is it a girl?"
"I'm a prefect. I don't have to make the trip but I should. Besides, even if I weren't a prefect, I would probably still want to ride, this being my last chance, unless my marks aren't as good as I think, that is." This last is said with a little bit of a nervous chuckle. Caerwyn is fairly sure he passed all his NEWTs and won't be expected to return to try again at seventh year but there's always the tiniest of possibilities something went wrong.
"Ridiculous, if you ask me." Iola, realizing she's sounding dismissive, patronizing, and condescending quickly adds in a more pleasant tone, "But I suppose understandable from the nostalgia standpoint. What about meeting for dinner?" she sweetly asks.
"I've already got dinner plans as well. Maybe we could do lunch tomorrow? I don't have a great deal of time between now and a trip the Muggle Studies professor does for seventh years. After that though other than working some at the bookshoppe I'll have more free time until term starts at St. Emrys in the fall."
"Tomorrow then," Iola says with a smile that to Caerwyn looks a little tight and forced. She names the restaurant and agree upon a time. Another peck on the cheek and she's off, maneuvering around the many students still clogging the train platform.
With a shake of his head, still unsure of what exactly his aunt is up to or what she wants beyond the pendant she claims isn't of huge importance yet constantly asks after, Caerwyn goes in search of Gus, suddenly hungry for a snack after all the recent talk of dinners and lunches.
Carters on the Train
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 08-29-15 05:43
There were four of them in the compartment, Cai, Angharad, Perla, and Aderyn - only half of them would be returning to Hogwarts on the shiny, red engine in the fall.
"I cannot believe that this is my absolute last time on this train. I'll miss it."
"I know it, I'll miss being surrounded by friends and listening for the squeaky wheels of the trolley coming down loaded with sweets that I'll eat and regret by the time we get to the Castle only to induce a food coma thanks to the Start of Term Feast."
"I'm going to miss you guys next year, seriously only seeing you on Parents Weekend and things like that is really going to suck. Who am I going to talk to when I have problems?" Aderyn said, grinning at her big sisters as she shifted in her seat, pressing her back against the wall and drawing her legs up beneath her.
"Well, you can always owl if you need help and Perla will be there as well, so you can always talk to her about how much you miss us." Cai said with a grin making all four of them chuckle.
"Because I'll be missing you both like crazy...especially you..." Perla said brushing a kiss against Angharad's cheek before settling into her seat a bit more.
The train had pulled away from Hogsmeade about thirty minutes ago and people were finally settled into compartments and talking and the Prefects and Head Boy and Girl were more than likely in their final meeting of the year, before they began rounds on the train like the did at the beginning of the school year.
The four girls fell into idle chatter between them, discussing summer plans and things of that nature while the train chugged along towards Kings Cross Station, bringing about the absolute final end of the school year.
(Titus) Friends
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 08-29-15 14:05
Titus looked at the landscape from the window. He had his feet on the seat and his arms around his legs. He had never felt so tense like this before in his life and he had never imagined he would want summer to be over already so he would be able to be on his way back to Hogwarts on this very same train. There were other students in the compartment, but they were caught up in their conversations and Titus ignored them.
He replayed on his mind the meeting he had yesterday morning, with a witch named Judith Foxcastle. He had been taken to an empty classroom on the fourth floor, because Judith wanted to make sure he would be in an environment where he would feel safe, when she would tell him some life changing news. At first, Titus thought someone else in his family had died. He imagined that Tiberius' body had been found at Endhope Abbey, or that his father had perished after a fight between some prisoners at Azkaban. But Judith started their conversation by presenting herself and saying that Titus would not be spending summer with his uncle and aunt. He remembered how he couldn't be able to hide a grin of satisfaction. The idea of escaping Casper and Cecelia's rules and spend his days at his family house doing pretty much everything he felt like, cheered him.
But things changed when Judith told him the rest of the story: no one of his relatives had his guardianship anymore and someone else would be in charge of him. Titus was confused for a moment but then he remembered the letter he had written to the Ministry of Magic.
"Listen, if this is about that letter…it was all a lie. My uncle and aunt didn't do the things I claimed they did. There is no need for such extreme measures..."
However, it seemed like the decision had already been taken. Judith revealed to Titus that they knew the message on the letter was not authentic, but that nevertheless this measure was needed. She explained that he would board the Hogwarts Express with most of the other students like usual. Then, once he arrived to London, someone would be there to fetch him. The first thought that came into Titus' mind was that once the train stopped at the platform 9 and 3/4 he would go straight away to the magical barrier, into King's Cross. He would mix with the Muggle crowd and whoever was there to pick him up wouldn't be able to find him. Then he would find a way to travel to Endhope Abbey. Tiberius would protect him there, and no one would be able to force him to go live with people he did not know. But Judith seemed to have the ability to read his mind because she advised him right away not to attempt any escape. She told him he would not succeed and by the looks in her face Titus knew she wasn't joking.
Judith said goodbye to him, assuring she would see him again
soon. Titus had marched back to the Slytherin common room confused and hurt. He wrote a letter to Tiberius and that night he took no pleasure in the End of the Year Feast. The food tasted like ashes in his mouth, and he hasn't even been able to eat any dessert.
Saidra, his cat, brushed her body against him and he remembered that he was at the Hogwarts Express. In a few hours he would find out about his fate, and he was pretty sure it wouldn't be nice. The door of the compartment opened and Susan Fricks made her way towards the empty seat in front of Titus.
"I went to the loo and I as I went back to my compartment I saw you. I thought about saying hi."
"Hi…" he replied.
She didn't seem to notice the depressive state he was at, as her eyes looked at Saidra. Soon she was petting the gray cat, which seemed to enjoy such attention.
"I didn't know you had a cat. I have a cat too. It's called Buttercup."
Titus couldn't help to laugh. He thought Buttercup was such a silly girly name for a cat. But he didn't tell her that. Susan then spoke again:
"Well I better go back to my compartment. Patricia must be wondering where I am. Have a good summer Titus! And don't forget to write," she kissed his cheek in a friendly innocent way and left the compartment.
Titus found himself touching the place where her lips touched his skin. He thought that even if the place he was going to would be awful, at least he would have a friend he could write to about it.
With Basilia And Leslie
Author: Fionna
Date: 08-29-15 20:27
Basilia holds McKenzie, her nose wrinkling. "Your poopy nappies smell worse than Dalton's did at the same age."
Fionna takes her daughter. "Truer words, though I think she'd give Nigel a run for the money," she says of Bas's son.
"He gets that from Malcolm's side of the family. If Malcolm's grandfather's gas could be bottled, that Fairchild woman would use it as a weapon."
Leslie, her face screwed up in disgust, waves a hand. "Can we please stop talking about bodily functions and someone change that nappy?"
"You want the honor?" Fionna asks with a somewhat evil grin, offering the baby to her cousin.
"Oooooh. Gag. You just had to bring that smell closer didn't you?"
Laughing, Fionna takes McKenzie to change her diaper and to look in on Dalton and Nigel who've played so hard already that they fell asleep on the floor, toys in hand. They're now on a pallet in the same room, which is just through from where the women have been chatting. Fed and now with a clean, dry nappy, McKenzie is well on her way to falling asleep as well.
McKenzie snug against her as the baby grows more drowsy, Fionna rejoins the other two ladies just in time to hear Bas ask Leslie, "How did you get that bruise on your cheek?"
Leslie's eyes roll. "A nasty witch hit me."
Knowing Leslie's history Bas wonders, "A jealous significant other?"
"Yes, but I'm not the one who was seeing her husband."
Fionna, seated again, looks at Leslie. "I've warned you that one of these day someone."
Leslie's eyes roll again. "Too bad you didn't also predict that when it actually happened it wouldn't even be because I was even involved."
"How did the woman make the mistake?" Bas wants to know.
"She only saw the other witch from the back and side and thought this person reminded her of me. She knows I tend to date people who are already in relationships so she jumped to a conclusion. She'd plan to hex me but luckily for me, she was so angry and in such a rush that she broke her wand."
"Luckily for the angry spouse, Leslie didn't retaliate with anything other than slapping her back." Realizing the baby is fully asleep, Fionna eases up. "I'll put McKenzie down and then we can see about something for lunch."
When she returns once more Leslie is filling Basilia in on the three men - two married, one engaged - she is seeing at the moment. Biting her tongue from yet again saying something Leslie's going to take as being overly judgmental, Fionna waits for Leslie to finish then asks what they'd like to eat, giving some options she knows she has there at the house and some ordering in options.
As they discuss these options Fionna finds herself wondering if not for meeting Jericho, if she'd have been like Leslie and dated anyone who caught her fancy regardless of the man's relationship status.
Day Before the Grand Opening
Author: Carys
Date: 08-30-15 10:51
Carys studied a display table with brochures and portrait samples. Now that she had officially completed her studies at St. Emrys University, she put all her efforts into launching her business. In fact, tomorrow was the grand opening of Hanham Photography.
"I know you want everything to be perfect for tomorrow," Juliet said, coming to stand beside her friend and business partner, "but I think you've rearranged everything a dozen times already this morning. The display looks good, I promise."
Carys pulled her hands away from a table-top easel she wanted to move and dropped her arms to her sides. "You're right. I'm being nitpicky now, but I can't help myself." She turned to look at Juliet. "I'm nervous about tomorrow, but not because I think things will go badly, though if not a single customer steps through the door, then I will be disappointed."
"So what's the problem, then?" Juliet asked.
"I think it's nervous anticipation. I want it to be tomorrow already."
Juliet grinned. "We can always unlock the doors today if you're that eager to get this show on the road."
Carys shook her head. "No, tomorrow is the day. I can be patient… I think." She forced herself away from the display table and sat down on the couch, where prospective customers could comfortably wait. Juliet sat down next to her.
For a while, they sat in companionable silence. Besides the launch of their business, both had a lot on their minds. Carys hadn't spoken with Owen since his revelation that he knew about her stay at Goen Bren. There had also been no news about Decimus Clarke, other than his release from prison. Carys feared that she would one day run into him, though he wasn't allowed anywhere near her per the terms of his release.
Juliet, meanwhile, thought about her fiancé. Jude had finally managed to secure a job as a maintenance wizard at St. Emrys. His efforts to get employed by the Ministry of Magic had failed time and time again due to doubts about his character, which stemmed from the sole fact that he shared the last name of a notorious criminal. He talked about changing his last name to Davis when he and Juliet married, instead of leaving her to be burdened with the surname Fairchild and all the unnecessary trouble it carried.
"You sent the advertisement to the paper, right?" Carys asked, thinking about work again.
"Yes, and the WWN will run a spot as well."
"Good."
It had been nearly ten years since the original photography studio closed. Tomorrow was not only a big day for herself and for Juliet, but also for Gaenor Hanham, in whose memory the grand opening would be dedicated.
How had ten years already passed since not only her mother's death but her brother's too? It had also been nearly ten years since she first met Griff. And so much had happened in the last decade!
Carys slid her eyes to the display again, but before she could get up and tackle it, Juliet put a hand on her arm and said, "Don't even think about it."
Cracking a smile, Carys dutifully remained seated, at least for the time-being.
Oliver Towneley
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 08-30-15 13:41
Ethan walked into Briar's Bakery with Lilly and a boy of eleven. The boy was the youngest of Ethan's eldest brother Alton's sons. His name was Oliver, and of the four Towneley siblings, he was the only one to show magical ability. The fact that he was a wizard became evident only in the last year or so and solidified when he received his Hogwarts letter. Perhaps his younger sister Emily was also a witch, but only time would tell.
It being late afternoon already, the display case at the bakery wasn't full anymore, but some treats remained. Oliver went to the glass and looked over the offerings, while Ethan asked the employee behind the counter for Briar's whereabouts. After learning she was upstairs, Ethan turned to Oliver and promised him anything he wanted when they came back down, and then they all climbed the stairs. It was a slow process, because Lilly didn't want to be carried.
Briar met them at the top as she was on her way downstairs.
"Ethan, what a pleasant surprise!" she said, and then she kissed him and then Lilly, who giggled and gave her a rather wet kiss in return.
"I've been showing my nephew around Hogsmeade and thought we would stop by for proper introductions. Oliver, this is Briar Rose. She runs the bakery, and Grace, the girl I told you about, is her daughter. Is Grace around?"
"Hello, Oliver! It's nice to finally put a face to the name!" To Ethan she answered, "Grace is with Julian today, so she might be at the book shoppe or maybe at his house." She glanced at the watch on her wrist and added, "They're having dinner in London tonight with Caerwyn, but I doubt they've left yet. Shall we track her down?"
"Only if it's not too much trouble," Ethan said. "They can always meet another time."
They went down the stairs, with Lilly going at her own pace while holding onto her father's hand. When Oliver's eyes went to the display counter again, Briar produced a bag and filled it with anything he wanted. Then, they stepped outside and went to Twice Told Tales.
Along the way, Briar asked Oliver what he thought of Hogsmeade. He found it both interesting and overwhelming, and to think that he would attend school at the nearby castle! He had never seen so many magical things, like self-stirring cauldrons and sweets that might affect more than one's taste buds.
His uncle had taken him shopping for some basic school supplies, like quills and parchment, and planned on taking him to some place called Diagon Alley for his books and uniform. Oliver was both nervous and excited about that shopping trip.
He also felt that way about attending a school of magic. He had NO idea what to expect, not like in regular school. Did Hogwarts teach arithmetic and history, too? Would the other students befriend him, even though he didn't grow up in the wizarding world? Fear of not making friends and not fitting in was why he was glad about meeting Grace. At least he would know somebody, whether she wanted to be his friend or not.
They arrived at the bookstore, with Lilly making a beeline for a cat stretched out in a patch of sun on a rug. Oliver studied the cat and wondered if it was magical, too. Then he looked at the bookshelves and books and wondered about them. Would he learn how to tell apart the magical and the mundane while at Hogwarts? He hoped so, because he felt painfully clueless at the moment.