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Patrol Duty Around Hogsmeade
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 06-25-19 19:50
Patrol duty is, for the most part, deadly dull. Dull enough in fact that Ron has to constantly remind himself to keep changing up the route he's walking so as not to become too predictable so make it more difficult to ambush him in the event of an attack while Hogwarts disgorges the bulk of its students to Hogsmeade station.
Ron and others had gotten an early start to ensure a clear path from Hogwarts to the train station, all around Hogsmeade, and the areas around the station and the village. They don't have much longer left before the students living in Hogsmeade are to their respective homes or for those taking the train to be boarded and the Hogwarts Express begins its journey to London's King's Cross Station. Another group of law enforcement personnel will escort the train.
Once it's out of sight, Ron and the others currently on patrol are officially off the clock, at least as far as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and train station security go. He thinks a few of them are on regular duty today. Ron worked last weekend so, thankfully, isn't on today once his shift here ends.
Once home and out of his work robes, Hermione and he have promised Rose and Hugo an outing. They're going to an outdoor children's show, where they'll also have a picnic, that Hermione heard about through her connections as Muggle liason. After that, who knows? It will depend on what the kids are up to doing and how much in need of a nap not quite three Hugo is. This evening at some point they may go to Fred's and George's shared pool for a cook-out. Thinking about the fragrant aroma of the grill has Ron's mouth watering.
Walking repeatedly through Hogsmeade, Ron periodically passes the staircase that leads up to the private club Pollux is a member of. After passing it the second time Ron started thinking about the club and what the connection between its strange symbol, at least one murder crime scene, and Harry's fugitive Edantha Clarkly.
Ron pulls his attention fully back to the task at hand when the signal is given that the train is about to pull out. He begins making his way to the station platform to take up an assigned position for seeing the Hogwarts Express off. It's not until the train is fully out of sight that Ron realizes how tense he's been, half expecting the supposedly resurrected Voldemort's followers to stage some sort of evil show here this morning.
Loudly expelling a breath, Ron stays on alert until another signal is given to dismiss those on duty. Officially off duty now, Ron heads for the bakery to pick up a biscuit assortment to add to the picnic basket, doing his best to put all thoughts of secret clubs and open murder investigations aside. The rest of the day is for family.
(Noah & Sophia) Hogwarts Express
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-27-19 14:16
The compartment Noah sat in on the Hogwarts Express comprised of several third years in different houses. Besides Noah, there was Austin Acker from Gryffindor, Patty Chalmers and Mona van Houten from Hufflepuff, and Akira Gunderson from Slytherin. Noah had planned on riding with Seth, but last night Seth mentioned not being sure if he'd board the Hogwarts Express or merely go to his cousin's house in Hogsmeade. Noah had certainly had the same option but had ended up on the Hogwarts Express in the end.
In hindsight, Noah sort of wished he'd gone to Hogsmeade with Charlotte. He'd have liked to spend some time with Uncle Lysander, if only to see if he could figure out why his dad didn't like him. Then again, it being a Sunday, his father would have probably just come to collect him and Sophia sooner than later, rather than let them hang out at Twice Told Tales all day. Maybe he'd get the chance to investigate over the summer.
Noah turned to look out of the window. The Hogwarts Express was very close to London. The rural scenery was gradually changing to more urban, and the train had even reduced its speed a little bit now that it was entering a more populous part of the country. It wouldn't be long before he would be home.
Sophia, meanwhile, was in another compartment on the Hogwarts Express. She sat with Cecilia Youngblood, David Peakes, and second year Slytherin Fulvia Flaversham. Sophia was looking forward to summer. Her family wasn't planning a trip abroad, but there had been talk of going to the beach. Sophia would much rather go to a warmer, sandier beach, but she would take what she could get along the English coast.
"Does anyone want to play Exploding Snap?" David asked.
"Eww, no," Cecilia said. "I don't want to get splattered with anything."
"Wizard's chess, then?" David asked.
"Did you bring a board?" Fulvia asked.
"No. Have you got one?" David asked.
No one did.
"Care to trade Chocolate Frog cards?"
The girls looked at the lone boy in the compartment with pity.
"Why don't you get us a last treat from the cart," Sophia suggested. "I'm sure the trolley witch is making her final rounds."
David nodded. "Any special requests?"
"No," the girls said in unison.
David loped off, sure to disappoint the girls with whatever he brought back to the compartment.
Awkward Train Ride
Author: Finley
Date: 06-27-19 18:13
Somehow, Finley, Phoebus and Eirene had found themselves in the same compartment on the Hogwarts Express. The months of awkwardness between the friends had continued since Easter break, so it was somewhat surprising the three had decided to sit together for the long journey back to London.
What ended up happening was a frank discussion about what they'd learned about each other. Eirene said she planned on confronting her father about his affair with Finley's mother. Finley said she would inform her mother that Eirene knew everything and to expect additional fallout. She had already gotten divorced. Now she was likely to find herself embroiled in scandal in their small town.
Finley sort of hoped that she could spend the bulk of her summer with Theo and Leroy. She still thought of Theo as her dad, for whatever short time she knew him as such, even though Eirene's father was her real father. She supposed she could possibly get to know him over the summer, but she wasn't sure if she should interfere with everything so fresh for the McLaggens.
"Finley McLaggen does have a good sound to it," Eirene remarked.
"I'm not changing my name. I'm Finley Pride. I've always been Finley Pride, even before I knew I had any family at all."
For a change, Finley actually missed the orphanage. Even if she could go back, she was on the verge of aging out. She supposed it lucky she'd turned out to be a witch. Hogwarts had given her a future. She's not sure what she would have done in the Muggle world.
Eirene frowned. "I'm not suggesting you change your name. I'm only saying that my last name sounds good with your first name. So… who is picking you up at King's Cross?"
"Mum, I'm guessing," Finley said. "You?"
"Mum, as well. I guess that's good. It won't be weird, or will it?"
"It won't be weird because your parents don't know you know," Phoebus interjected. "I'm really glad I'm not directly involved in any of this. I can just be the good boyfriend and best friend."
Eirene sarcastically said, "Thanks for being so supportive," while Finley gave him a look.
"We're almost there," Phoebus said.
Sure enough, the train began to slow as it came upon King's Cross Station. Finley looked out the window and desperately hoped for a drama-free summer, but deep down she knew it to be unlikely, considering Eirene had a major bomb to drop on her family, which come to find out was Finley's family too.
Jared's Couch
Author: Jared
Date: 06-27-19 20:16
Jared stirs when hands tap his feet. When he moves his feet a body settles in the spot made. Without opening his eyes he says, "Hi, Etta."
"Thought I'd find you here. This couch is officially yours."
"It's the comfiest for stretching out and not in a high traffic area so, yes, I tend to select this one, but that doesn't make it officially mine."
"But it is officially yours. There's a plaque with your name on it."
"Ha ha."
"Seriously. Right along the front of the couch below the level of the cushions."
Opening his eyes, Jared swings his legs around and sits up. He bends to peer at the front of the couch. He sits back up, eyes gone wide. "You ARE serious. When did that get there and who?"
"At least a couple of weeks. Some of Ala, er, her regular caregivers."
Jared tiredly runs a hand over his face. He sighs. "Not sure if I should be amused or touched or offended." He pauses then adds, "You can say her name. It's silly of me to expect everyone else to tiptoe around her name when I'm within earshot."
"Yet you still won't say it."
Jared opens his mouth then closes it only to open it again. He does this several times. He finally says, "I can't. Not yet anyway." He quickly changes the subject. "You're done for the day?"
"Yes, and came to invite you to dinner."
"Tonight?"
"No, last Monday."
Jared makes a face at Etta who makes a face right back. When he doesn't immediately respond she points out, "All you're going to do otherwise is lie on this couch until the wee hours when you finally drag yourself home or maybe even stay all night, going home with just enough time to shower and change before going to work."
Sighing again, Jared nods. "Yeah, okay. Just let me peak in on her."
"If you don't show within the next ten, fifteen minutes, I'm coming back to drag you to my house."
"I'll be there. Want me to bring anything?"
"Just yourself."
"All right. See you in a few."
Etta gives Jared a quick hug before walking off in the direction of the nearest Floo. He hauls himself off the couch then trudges the short distance to her room. Easing the door open he checks to see if anyone else is there. Seeing no one, Jared enters the hospital room, just as quietly easing the door shut. At her bedside, he takes hold of one of her hands, willing her to open her eyes or at the very least make some sort of movement. He watches over her a minute and then another before reluctantly letting go of her hand.
He leaves the room as quietly as he entered, walking down the corridor to use the same Floo that Etta had.