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New Year's Brunch
Author: Marzipan
Date: 11-14-09 07:37
The Ravenscrofts quietly left Hogwarts on the morning of New Year's Day and went to a market not far from Marzipan's mother's South Kensington home. They perused the dairy and deli aisles, purchasing a variety of cheeses, sausage and cold cuts. These Marzi carefully spread over the pewter serving platter she'd gotten for Christmas from her Secret Santa.
Georgia FitzRoy had invited the entire family over for New Year's brunch, and when the Ravenscrofts arrived at the house, they already found it brimming with activity. Marzi's grandparents, James and Virginia Wildsmith, and her great grandmother Tullia Wildsmith had congregated in the living room with cups or coffee or tea. Weston's grandparents, Valerius and Florestine Ravenscroft were there too.
It had been over two years since their son Constantius had taken his own life after murdering Marzi's father in Australia. Valerius and Florestine seemed to be coping well, which was expected and understandable after all this time, but she imagined that the memory of their loss was still and always would be fresh, since no parent should have to bury their child.
Carolina was at the house with husband Caleb. She was all smiles as Marzi and Weston, who had gotten married with Carolina and Caleb in a double ceremony this past summer, arrived with the deli-laden tray.
Her younger brother Marius rolled his eyes. "Just tell them already."
Carolina shushed him playfully.
Marzi set down the tray on a nearby table and asked, "What is it, Carolina?"
"I'm pregnant!"
The two women shrieked and jumped up and down out of happiness.
Marius rolled his eyes some more and then surveyed the new tray of food. He plucked a cube of cheddar cheese off of it and popped it into his mouth.
Georgia came into the room at the sound of all the shrieking and came immediately to Marzi, whom she embraced warmly. In a quick flash of memory, Marzi couldn't help but think about how rocky their relationship had been for years. She was glad that they were on the best of terms now.
"I brought something for the table," Marzi said, once they'd broken their hug. She spied Marius in the middle of stealing a roll of salami and asked, "Well, Marius? How does it measure up?"
Marius nodded. "The deli inspector approves. So, Mum. Now that everyone is here, can we eat?"
"Yes, let's eat," she said. She ushered the family into the dining room, Marius bringing in the coveted platter of cheese and meats.
New Student
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 11-15-09 10:31
Professor Minerva McGonagall drew her cloak tighter around her neck and shoulders as she waited for a new student to arrive at Hogwarts. She'd been told to expect him at the precise hour it now was and waited for him outside the great front doors of the castle. It was quite cold, as could be expected for the beginning of January in Scotland. Days old snow covered the landscape and had become mushy and dirty in places.
Two shapes gradually appeared in the distance, the first a tall, broad man, the second a small boy who could only be Samuel Craven. Hagrid carried the boy's trunk, which looked small and insubstantial up against the half-giant's girth. When they arrived before Professor McGonagall, Hagrid spoke.
"The boy's father dropped 'im off at the gate. I invited 'im up ter the castle, but he said he had an appointmen' he didn' wan' ter miss."
"Thank you, Hagrid. Bring the boy's trunk inside, please."
Hagrid turned to Samuel. "Professor McGonagall here will take yeh ter meet Professor Dumbledore. He's Headmaster, and a better one yeh'll never meet!"
"Thank you, Hagrid," Professor McGonagall repeated, this time more sternly to emphasize his dismissal.
He went through the front doors, still carrying Craven's trunk.
"Come inside, Mr. Craven." The boy who up until then hadn't said anything followed Professor McGonagall into the castle. She introduced herself properly and told him about Hogwarts, the four houses, and house points. She led him to Professor Dumbledore's office, where the headmaster was waiting to meet the newest student at Hogwarts.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor Dumbledore greeted Samuel warmly. "I trust you had a pleasant journey here." He offered Samuel some lemon drops from a tin he had on his desk.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore already told you about the four Hogwarts houses. Now it's time to find out where you belong."
He got up from his desk chair and retrieved a ratty-looking hat from a high shelf nearby. Professor Dumbledore handed the hat to Professor McGonagall, who, in turn, placed it on top of Samuel's head.
A transfer from Durmstrang Institute, are you? the Sorting Hat hissed in Craven's head. Interesting. Strong, bright... able to overcome most obstacles... a hard worker... You belong in... RAVENCLAW!"
McGonagall plucked the hat from Craven's head and returned it to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore said, "Now that that's been settled, Professor McGonagall will see to it that you receive a class schedule for the remainder of term. In the meantime, let me tell you a few things about your new home. Your head of house is Professor Filius Flitwick, one of our Charms professors, and your deputy head is Professor Jolyon Kent, who teaches Care of Magical Creatures here. If ever you should need anything or have any questions, they will be most happy to help you."
Dumbledore replaced the Sorting Hat on the shelf and turned to Craven. "Once again, Mr. Craven. I welcome you to Hogwarts.
RE: New Student
Author: Craven
Date: 11-15-09 16:03
The New student simply nodded his head, "Thank you sir, yes sir." He scratched the back of his head feeling awkward and out of sorts, when they left the office he asked the simplest of questions and he kept them minor and to the point.
Always Ending in Professor.
"Where do we eat professor, where shall I sleep professor." Etc. Etc.
He followed alongside her his eyes bleary from the trip his mind still on his fathers words. A soldier he would say a man against the dark arts even if he himself must use them... In Europe it was war all the time.
There was always villains in the dark.
He looked up at the professor and smiled a little, it may have seemed fake as if he was here to integrate. Trying to gain some unknown approval.
"Thank you for all your help professor."
New Ravenclaw Student
Author: Jolyon
Date: 11-16-09 07:20
Professor McGonagall flagged Jolyon down, when she happened to spot him in the hallway. She had with him a young boy Jolyon didn't recognize. He was soon introduced as Samuel Craven, a second year in Ravenclaw House, newly transferred from Durmstrang.
"Would you escort Mr. Craven to Ravenclaw Tower, Professor Kent?" McGonagall asked Jolyon.
"Of course," Jolyon replied, smiling down at the newcomer.
At that point, Professor McGonagall went off in one direction, and Jolyon and Samuel went off in another. They came to one of the many moving staircases in the castle and traveled up, and up, and up, until they reached the fifth floor landing.
As they walked, Jolyon told Craven a little about life and academics in the castle. Samuel listened and asked a few questions of his own, which Jolyon answered to the best of his ability.
On the fifth floor, they went down a short hall and then turned into a darkened stairwell, where they found a tightly winding spiral staircase. Jolyon led the way up, stopping before a door with a brass knocker in the shape of an eagle.
"The password changes on a weekly basis," Jolyon explained. "This week it's mollycoddle. Your house prefects or Professor Flitwick and I will tell you what it is each week."
There was a creak and a groan and then the heavy door swung open, revealing the blue and bronze Ravenclaw common room. A fire burned in the fireplace, before which were a pair of overstuffed chairs and a table with a reading lamp. Other chairs were scattered here and there.
The room was virtually empty, since the students who had gone home for the holidays weren't due back for a couple of days. The few who'd stayed behind looked up at Craven with interest.
"This is Samuel Craven," Jolyon announced. "He's new. Please make him feel welcome here."
The other students mumbled their greetings.
Jolyon put a hand on Craven's shoulder and said, "Let me show you to your room."
They went up another staircase along the back wall of the common room, veered right at the landing, and passed by one door. They entered the second room, which had five identical four-poster beds arranged in a circle around the room.
"My trunk!" Samuel exclaimed, spotting his at the foot of one of the beds.
Jolyon chuckled. "There you are. It looks like your roommates are all home for the holidays, but they should be returning soon. I believe all of the prefects are out of town as well, so if you have any questions until they return, don't hesistate to ask me. I'll see that Professor Flitwick stops by to greet you too."