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The Three Rosses
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 12-23-11 14:57
Archibald and Rosie Ross had never been quidditch fans. Nevertheless, they sat next to their only son, Nathaniel, knowing how much he liked the most popular sport in the wizarding world. Mrs. Ross, however, noticed that his son's eyes were not on the match at all. Instead of fixating on the red quaffle, he was looking at a red haired girl seated a few chairs bellow them.
"What is her name?" Rosie whispered, making Nate jump from his seat. He guessed what his mother was talking about, however he straighten his back on his chair and took a glance at the match.
"Are you talking about the chaser? Or the seeker?"
"I am talking about the spectator, four chairs bellow us."
"Mom there are tons of people here, you have to be more specific."
"Your mother is talking about the redhead over there," his father entered the conversation, pointing at Phyllida with his wand, only trying to be helpful.
"I don't know what you two are talking about," Nate crossed his arm, sulking, forcing himself to concentrate on the match. Someone scored and he clapped, giving exclamations of approval.
"Last time I checked you were an Hufflepuff, not a Gryffindor," his mother observed with a smile. "Now tell me what her name is, Nathaniel."
"Phyllida. But we are just friends. She is not my girlfriend or anything." Nate felt the need to clarify that. His parents, specially his mother, seemed eager to see him dating someone. Rosie didn't pressure her son anymore and the three Rosses watched the rest of the match in silence.
When the match was over Nate went to fetch some snacks, leaving his parents behind. Coincidence or not, Phyllida was in front of him in the line. Nate tapped her shoulder.
"Hey…" he greeted her when she turned around. "Where are your parents?" He had seen Phyllida alone or with Ferne, but there had been no sign of her parents. Nate had been curious about the Spores. Phyllida rarely mentioned them, even if they were one the most ancient families in the Wizarding world. Nate liked the fact that Phyllida did not brag about it. She actually disliked, maybe even hated, the love her family had traditionally borne for plants and Herbology. Nathaniel would often imagine her house as a greenhouse where all the furniture was made of plants. Maybe her parents would dress up with leaves or use plants in their robes as ornaments. Or maybe they simply had a flowery pattern in their robes. Whichever the option was Nate had a feeling they were somehow odd people.
"My father wrote that he would come. But he is not here so I guess he isn't going to show up. Or maybe he is just late," Nate could see in her eyes that she didn't really believe her father was late. Mr. Spore just decided not to visit his only daughter and his niece. Maybe he was not the type of man who enjoyed quidditch. But then again Nate's parents didn't like it as well and they have come just to see their son.
"Why don't you come and sit with us? I can introduce you to my parents."
"I'm not sure…" she hesitated.
"They are kind of odd, yes, but you're going to like them, I promise."
Phyllida finally gave in, but only after assuring Nate she was just doing it so she could have a better seat and watch the other matches. Nate knew deep down this was a lie, but he didn't argue with her. Being a gentleman, he paid for Phyllida's butterbeer and she forbid him to buy sweets under the pretext he would ruin his teeth and get fat. With reluctance Nate walked away from the food stand with only two butter beers on his hand. He handed them to his parents and presented them to Phyllida.
His father greeted Phyllida mentioning he knew her father from the Ministry of Magic. Nate made a mental note to ask him about Phyllida's dad later. Meanwhile his mother started to chat with Phyllida happily and somehow the topic landed on his person and his tendency for eating sweets.
"He just needs love, my Nathaniel." Rosie commented, her hand undoing Nate's curls. He blushed.
"Mom, please stop that…"
Phyllida was trying to be polite and not to laugh.
"He used to be a bit chubby. I will show you a photograph next time we visit. He looked like a cherub."
"Mom!"
"I was just chatting with your friend and being nice." Rosie sulked in her chair. Nate muttered an apology to Phyllida but something told him she actually wanted to see the promised photograph. Nate hoped for Merlin's sake that eventually she would forget about it.
(Ariella) Family
Author: Beck
Date: 12-24-11 08:33
Ariella and Lawrence stood in line at one of the concession stands. One of the exhibition matches was currently underway. They could hear the announcer giving a play by play as clearly as if they were sitting in the stands, watching the match in progress. The cheering was quite loud, too.
The couple weren't the only members of their family at Homecoming. All of Ariella's siblings had made appearances, though some had already come and gone. And of course Lawrence had Maggie, who had spent most of the matches sitting with the other Hufflepuffs. She happened to queue up in the line right next to her older half-brother's.
"Hi!" she exclaimed, upon seeing Lawrence and Ariella standing next to her.
"Hi!" Ariella replied with a grin. "Hey," Lawrence said. "Are you enjoying yourself today?"
"Very much so," Maggie said, smiling. "We didn't have anything like this back home. It's nice to see so many people here."
Ariella nodded in agreement. She was glad to see that Maggie didn't seem to be upset over the fact that Homecoming was very much a family event and that she didn't have parents who could visit her for the occasion. Perhaps simply having Lawrence in her life, and by extension Ariella and the other Becks, was good enough.
Lawrence fished a few coins out of his pocket and passed them over to Maggie. "To pay for your snacks."
"Thanks," she murmured.
Both lines moved up a bit. Ariella looped her arm through Lawrence's and leaned into him to absorb some of his body heat. It was blasted cold out, but at least it wasn't rainy or snowy today. The weather certainly could be worse.
Eventually, both parties reached the counter and made their orders. Lawrence and Ariella ordered hot cocoa for themselves and a basket of hot, cheesy chips. Maggie got herself a butterbeer and a bag of popcorn.
"Won't you sit with me for a little while?" Maggie asked them, as they moved away from the crowd.
"Of course we will," Lawrence said. "Lead the way."
Maggie went to her box and climbed the stairs, with the two former Hufflepuffs following behind her. Soon they emerged at the top, where it was windy and even chillier than down below. They crowded together on the bench in attempt to get warm and enjoyed the snacks they'd just gotten for themselves.
Something There
Author: Ella
Date: 12-24-11 10:03
Ella touched down to the ground and climbed off of her broomstick. Gryffindor had just played against Ravenclaw and squeaked by with a win, thanks to a last minute goal made by Marjani. For much of the short game, the match had been tied.
This match had been the last Gryffindor would participate in today, which meant that Ella could put away her broomstick and enjoy the rest of Homecoming without having to come down to the Pitch again. Not that she'd minded playing in the exhibition matches today. Each one had been loads of fun, even as brief as they had been, and even though it was unbearably chilly outside today.
She just wanted to spend more time with her father. He'd arrived first thing in the morning. Having him in her life again, sans Delilah, was one of the best things to happen to Ella this year. She was glad that they were growing closer and not further and further apart.
The Yaos had also arrived early. Ella had seen to it that her dad sit with Francis and his family in the stands. She joined them whenever she could.
She stowed her broomstick in the locker room and then went to one of the boxes reserved for Gryffindor, where she found Francis, his mum and dad, and Mr. Harville seated together. They all looked up when Ella arrived.
"Nice game," Dunstan exclaimed, making room for her on the bench so that she could sit between him and Francis.
"Yeah, you did good out there," Francis said, grinning.
"Thanks," Ella replied, plopping down onto the newly made space.
It was pretty crowded, though, so she felt squished between the two. It didn't bother her so much as far as her father was concerned, but she was consciously aware that her outer thigh was pressed against Francis' leg. She and Francis had started flirting with each other since around the start of term. Mostly they teased, laughed and joked with each other. It looked innocent enough, but deep, down, Ella could tell that there was something going on between them.
And she liked it, too.
Whatever they had was progressing slowly, which suited her just fine. Things had progressed too quickly with Zane, and everyone knew how that had turned out.
Her dad shifted in his seat, making a bit more room for her, but Ella didn't want to move her leg away from Francis'. He didn't want her to either.
He offered her his popcorn. "Want some? It's still hot."
"Sure." She dug her hand in, scooping up a handful.
The popcorn was still hot, and very buttery too. Francis passed her a napkin so that she could wipe her hand clean and then offered her a sip from his hot cocoa. She realized she was putting her mouth where his had just been. The thought sent her pulse racing.
"Thanks," she told him, handing him the cup.
"You didn't just give me your germs, did you?" he teased.
"If I did, you gave me yours first," she responded, with a grin.
"Last match is about to start," Dunstan announced.
Ella and Francis turned their gazes to center field.
The Marks at Hogwarts
Author: Rylee
Date: 12-24-11 12:59
Today had dawned and my spirits couldn't have been higher. It was a weekend, thankfully which meant that most of my family would be arriving for the Homecoming and Quidditch Exhibition. I'd gotten dressed in one of the new outfits that my mum had sent me in anticipation of this exact event.
We'd spent the morning catching up and I'd gotten gifts from my sisters, all six of which had come with my parents. They'd all gotten permission to come from their respective schools, though only my two oldest had been able to apparate by themselves into the village. We'd all then piled into a row in the box for Slytherin and watched the exhibition matches that had been going on.
"I never understood the draw to sports." I muttered to my sister Emily.
"I know, you've always been the girly tpye Rylee even when you were an toddler, you hated going out and playing. Merlin help if you ever got dirty." My sister Michelle said passing down the bag of popcorn.
"I bet you even pitched a fit when you had to take flying lessons didn't you. Assume that is something that mum and dad signed you up for just to make you suffer." Jasmine said with a smirk sipping from her cocoa.
We were talking during a lull in the matches, but the final exhibition match was going to be starting soon and as much as it meant that time with my family would be over, I would be glad to get out of the stands and back inside. The wind was seriously starting to cut through my cashmere sweater set and my Armani jacket.
"Shut up Jasmine." I said petulantly, only proving her point. "Why in bloody hell does this have to be outside? I mean isn't there a way to play this stupid sport indoors when the temperatures are frigid?"
"Rylee Sofia, would you please shut up and enjoy the day with us." My mother shot me a warning glare and then turned her attention back to the match that was about to start.
"I'm going to get another cocoa and maybe some cheesy chips." I said pushing up from the bench and pushing past my parents and sisters. I headed down to the consession lines and waited patiently for my turn, though I desperately wanted to retreat to the warmth of the Dungeons and Slytherin house and curl up in my bed. I'd spent an hour arguing with my parents to see if they could press for me to get access to the village trips but they flat out refused to even suggest such a thing to Headmaster Dumbledore and they did not seem to think that I was worth preferential treatment as my siblings did not get such treatment when they were first years at their respective schools.
Footfalls came up behind me, and I looked up and offered a smile to Gideon as he passed by with his own order. "Hey Rylee, enjoying the day?"
I shrugged and took a step forward as the line moved. "Its alright. I'm just ready for it to be over as time with my family tends to be overwhelming. I mean, I am the first one of my family to attend Hogwarts and so it is some monumental thing for them to be here and it does little to benefit me."
Gideon rolled his eyes. "Lighten up Rylee, it isn't the end of the world and not everything has to be about you. I'll talk to you later."
I rolled my eyes as Gideon walked away with his younger sister and I sighed, maybe he was right, but right now all I wanted was sometime to myself away from my sisters - made me glad I was not living at home any more - however, I'm missing the freedoms that I had at home - I could go shopping when I wanted to.
I got my chips and my hot cocoa and headed back to the box and settled next to my sisters again. I would attempt to enjoy the remainder of the day that I had with them.
(Maggie) A Good Day Comes to an End…eventually
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 12-24-11 18:25
Homecoming. It was a fitting word, because in a way she was coming home, she had found the last bit of family that she had that was even somewhat blood related, and through him a huge family in the Becks. It was more than she'd had growing up for the most part when it was just her and her mom and whatever guy her mom had been seeing.
She felt home with Lawrence and his wife, happy that she was studying at Hogwarts and had made friends with so many people. She'd been cheering with the other Hufflepuffs earlier during their exhibition matches, and while one of the matches not involving Hufflepuff she slipped down from the chilly expanse of her box and got something at the concession stand - and proceeded to drag her brother and his wife up with her. Yeah, she also failed to mention that she was in one of the colder parts of the box.
AFter this exhibition match Lawrence and Ariella headed down to the staff box again and met up with a couple of other people while I met up with Adelaide Adams and her family for a little while and then William Reade invited me over to meet his parents after the last exhibition match before everyone had to start saying good bye to their family.
After William said good bye to his family he and I headed back into the castle for the evening. He was cute that much was certain, but I couldn't start thinking about boys...they would just be a distraction and I seriously didn't want to screw up my grades because I was involved with a boy. Lawrence would probably blow a gasket, as of right now William was just a friend, and I'm cool with that.
"Give me five minutes to drop a few layers and I will meet you in the Common room for a game of Wizarding Chess." Maggie said as she and William parted ways and headed to their rooms to get a bit more comfortable before returning to the common room to spend a few hours before turning in for the night.
William and Maggie spent several hours playing wizarding chess and talking about any and everything they could. He retired for the night before she did, and she remained curled on the sofa for a little while longer reading a book she was in the middle of before heading up to her room for the night.
Towards The End Of The Day (Marion)
Author: Saffron
Date: 12-24-11 22:38
"CJ, share with your brother." Clarence DeMarco gives his older son a stern look. CJ purses his lips, his forehead wrinkling with a frown but nonetheless offers the bag of popcorn to Clark.
At the same time Margeaux DeMarco is asking Marion, "Do you need me to send more ink or quills?"
"Ink, no. Quills, yes. And can I have some colored parchment?"
"May you."
It's on Marion's lips to ask, "I don't know, may I?" but as that could lead to her mum threatening to have Aunt Saffron and Uncle Aaron putting restrictions on her, Marion dutifully parrots, "May you? I mean, may I?"
"Do you have a color preference?"
"Hufflepuff colors would be cool, though I bet if you sent me black parchment none of the ink I have would show up well." She brightens, "You could send me black parchment and yellow ink."
"We'll see. With the colder weather do you want me to get you another quilt?"
"Ummm, yeah, I mean, yes, please, and send my fuzzy slippers? I only brought the pink mules. Oh, what about my costume?"
"Costume?"
"I wrote you about how we can wear fancy dress to the Halloween Feast."
"That's right. I'd nearly forgotten. I should have brought your costume with us so you could try it on. Let me send for it."
Margeaux summons the costume and while they wait for it to arrive, Clarence takes CJ and Clark for one last turn on a kiddie ride brought in for today. Marion and her mum go towards the locker rooms, thinking to use the girls' changing room there. It's not long before Marion has her costume on and is modeling it for Margeaux so her mum can see if any alterations need to be done.
"You must have grown a little because the hem should be just brushing the floor. I'll let it out a tiny bit. Is it too snug across the back? Move your arms like this."
"It feels fine, Mum."
"Put on the accessories. Let's see if they'll do."
Everything fits well. There's just the letting out of the hem a small amount. "I'll owl this back to you in a day or two."
"Thanks, Mum."
As they exit the locker room to meet up with Clarence and the two boys Margeaux tells Marion, "Lilith and Savannah may come with us to the Fall Fair."
"I still don't see why they couldn't start us in September. Lilith is eleven now and Savannah will be in three more weeks."
"Because the requirement for starting first year at Hogwarts is to be eleven by September 1st."
"It's still dumb."
"Don't start with the attitude, Marion. It's been a perfectly lovely day so far."
Marion rolls her eyes but only because she knows her mum can't see her doing it. "Fine, whatever."
"Marion," Margeaux warns.
"What?"
"You know what."
"Yes, ma'am."
They locate the other three DeMarcos then start for the castle where they are to meet up with Callie Blackwell's, Katheryn Finch's, and Hope Hyland's families again before it's time for them to tell the girls goodbye.