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(Caden) Time's Up
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 05-26-07 15:12
The sacrifices continued throughout the morning and early afternoon, pausing only briefly for snack and bathroom breaks. So far, Caden was very impressed with his followers. He hadn't expected to find such loyalty, especially when he hadn't been leading them for very long. The last leader had "reigned" for years before Caden had killed him.
Gudgeon had just finished draining his victim of all her blood and had sent the crystal bottles onto the now-full shelf. He used Mobilicorpus to send the body into a neighboring room and then took a seat next to the other men who'd finished their sacrifices.
Caden looked in front of him. Only a few men remained. Next in line was Theodore Nott. Nott seized his girl and dragged her in front of Caden. She let out a stream of expletives that seemed unsuitable for her lips, and then she set her angry gaze on Caden himself. All the other girls had been scared, but this girl was both scared and angry. Caden liked that.
Nott brandished his wand and prepared to slash at the air, when Caden noticed a bandage wrapped around Nott's hand.
"What happened to your hand?" Caden asked suspiciously.
"My hand?" Nott lowered his arm and looked at his wrapped hand. "I burned it," he stated slowly, "a few days ago."
Caden rose to his feet. "Show me."
A hint of a smile tugged the corner of Nott's lips. He slowly unraveled the bandage and then showed his palm to Caden.
Caden hissed when he saw the pentagram burned into Nott's flesh.
"You know what this means," Nott sneered. "Your time's up."
And before Caden could react, Nott fired the Killing Curse at him. Caden dropped dead, like all the girls before him.
There was complete silence in the room, as the men and remaining girls tried to take in what had just happened. Then, someone spoke.
"He has the mark. He has been chosen to lead us."
Another wizard said, "What would you have us do with the rest of the girls, with your girl?"
Nott stared down at Bronwyn, who looked at him as if she'd never seen him before. "I want them obliviated and abandoned somewhere."
"And the bodies?" Gudgeon asked.
"I want them abandoned somewhere else. Including his." Nott nudged Caden's body with his toe. Then he looked around at everyone and said, "Well, what are you waiting for?"
Meeting Sapphire
Author: Thessily
Date: 05-26-07 17:32
I sat quietly on the bench in the court yard watching the other students with my chin in my hands. My home work was sitting beside me untouched and my little kitten kept rubbing up against my legs wanting attention. She had followed me down to the courtyards even though I had tried to lock her in the Gryffindor Towers. My aunt had sent me a letter saying she did not want me to spend the summer with Krystal’s family and I couldn’t help but wonder why she as keeping me so close to her. Was it because she felt guilty with what had happened over Shane? I wondered looking down at my wrists were the scares still were marked into my skin from his torturing.
I could still feel the ropes digging into my skin and his knife cutting into my face. I shuddered and opened my eyes. Clearing my mind, I looked down at my home work. I really needed to study for my tests and do my homework. But I just couldn’t concentrate. I stood up and gently picked up my kitten.
“ Chole, I think you and I should go for a walk.” I said softly snuggling my little kitten into me and walking into the hallway from the courtyard. I wandered down the hallway with my bag filled with homework and my cat, and didn’t pay much attention to the stair cases changing. Soon I found myself on a floor I had never been on before and stood still for a few moments.
“ Hello..” I heard a young girl’s voice whisper behind me and swung around jumping a mile high. “ You must be lost. People don’t come up here you know.” She said as she took hold of my hand. “ Don’t be afraid. I wont hurt you.” She added seeing my pale face. I was standing in front of a little girl no older then I would say ten years old. Only, she wasn’t alive. She was a ghost. And sure I knew Hogwarts was haunted. I mean ghost freely game in and out of rooms but I had never really come face to face with one before.
“ My name is Sapphire.” The girl went on to say as she led me down the hallway. “ I died of a fever back in the 1700s. At least, I think that is how I died. I don’t really know. One day I was really sick and in bed. The next well… You know.” Sapphire said.
“ Thessily.” I said following the ghost through the hallway and to the stair case.
“ You need to pay better attention to the stair cases. You don’t want to end up some place bad.” She whispered in my ear and disappeared as I walked onto the stair case.
Well, gee that was a short conversation. I thought looking at the spot were the young girl disappeared from. I couldn’t help but wonder who Sapphire was and what had happened to her. Did she really die from a fever? She seemed nice enough. I hoped I could meet up with her again.
Visit From Ron
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 05-26-07 18:58
Viktor shifts in his bed, surprised somewhat to have Ron Weasley visiting him without Hermione or Harry. While Ron had long ago put away any jealous feelings he'd had towards Viktor because of Hermione, the two had never been as friendly as Viktor is with Hermione and Harry and even Ron's sister Ginny. Viktor gives a brief nod to the lone chair in the room.
"Please, sit down, Ron."
"Thanks."
Ron first hands Viktor a wrapped gift then takes the offered seat. "I only just heard that you had shown up, a bit worse for wear, but alive."
"Vorse for vear almost sounds an understatement as much as I hurt. Vat's this?" Viktor holds up the gift.
"Open it. If you like it, I picked it out. If you don't like it, Ginny did the picking," Ron chuckles.
Viktor slits the paper on one end where it's spell-o-taped then works the box out of the paper. He finds a paperweight made from an old snitch, its wings periodically stretching out to flutter, the plaque on the base engraved to read:
Viktor Krum
World's Greatest Seeker
Viktor laughs. "This is vunderful, but Ginny and you did not have to get me anything."
"Right. We didn't have to. We wanted to. Ginny would have come with me but she had a prior engagement to use her words."
Ron stays a little while longer, Viktor asking him about Hermione, Harry, Harry's friend Janine, and asks after Ron as well. Ron in turn makes small talk, never once asking Viktor about his ordeal though Viktor can tell Ron's dying to ask. One day soon he'll have to sit down with his friends and speak of it but for now Viktor doesn't even want to think about Lyric screaming threats and vile words at him with she was arrested this morning.
When Ron leaves Viktor is grateful for the renewed silence. Apparating in his physical state served to tire him even more, doing it from the place where he was held and then back again with Hugo Grelleir in tow has left Viktor feeling like sleeping for a week.
Seventh Years Should Go First
Author: Fionna
Date: 05-26-07 19:56
While waiting to take the DADA NEWT practical exam, Fionna had grumbled under her breath about how the 7th years should get to go ahead of the 5th years. The 7th years are, afterall, graduating. They should take precedence over all those ickle 5th years. Stupid chits should be the ones having to wait the longest.
At one point while waiting Fionna had even turned to Rolf Haakan to ask, "What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You used to be such a nicely dark and quiet boy. Now you're just quiet and way too nice."
"That's only because you think all Slytherins should stick only with other Slytherins. I did used to think that way."
"So what happened?"
"My step-sister. She's sort of a force to be reckoned with."
"But you're also dating a 4th year who also happens to be Hufflepuff."
"Jane made me see that my horizons could be expanded. That bloke you love working with, the one from Terrortours, he wasn't Slytherin was he?"
Fionna had blushed, wondering if Rolf had noticed her like of Jericho Japes then who else did? She'd mumbled in reply, "No, don't think so." She paused then said only slightly more loudly, "I get your point."
Rolf had grinned then nudged her. "Our turn finally."
Fionna had been pointed to Professor Brecknock. The NEWT examiner had her display her skill at both defensive and offensive charms and spells, ending their session with having Fionna attempt a patronus. Professor Becknock had said, "If you can't, no points off. It's a skill many continue to have trouble developing into adulthood. I am always delighted and amazed when a student of any age successfully pulls off a patronus."
Fionna had pointed her wand, imagining there was a Dementor descending upon them. "Expecto Patronum!" she forcefully exclaimed, more than a litlte pleased when an almost fully formed Abraxan appears.
Professor Becknock clapped, "Well done! Well done!" then beaming still at her, dismissed her from the Great Hall.
As Fionna walked out, she mentally ticked off another test down, seven more to go if she includes both the written and practicals she has left to do.
Truth And Honesty
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 05-26-07 22:50
Opening the kitchen door as quietly as possible, Sirius slips inside, nearly tripping on Wendy in the process. The cat, now fully grown with long, lustrous, sable colored fur, mews in greeting before looking pointedly at her empty food dish. Sirius fills it then runs a hand down her soft back, still finding it hard to believe this was the scrawny stray that helped eavesdrop on Dolores Umbridge one time.
Sirius makes sure Wendy's got plenty of water in her other dish then retrieves a butterbeer for himself. He carries it to his study, leaves it there to go up and check on James, then returns to his study. Picking up the butterbeer, Sirius takes a long pull on it, savoring the liquid as it rolls across his tongue. The whole time he's taking the drink, Sirius's eyes are on that scrap of parchment with the address written in blood.
This morning Sirius had come damned near close to slapping Drucilla. The surge of rage was the strongest he's felt it since escaping Azkaban and wanting to kill Pettigrew. Sirius scared himself with the intensity of his anger this morning. Yes, there's something fishy going on with Dru, but to be so enraged that he came bloody close to hitting her, his own wife?
Sirius had instantly stepped back. He saw the fear in Dru's eyes, not realizing until later that it wasn't fear he'd strike her because she had no idea such a thing had even crossed his mind. It wasn't until several minutes later when Sirius was within the confines of his study that it occurred to him that Dru's fearful expression had been brought on by the realization that the address on the paper was written in blood. That's when it finally sunk in for Sirius that Dru's not acting. She's not playing at some mind game for reasons not yet revealed.
At least that's what Sirius's gut was telling him. A short time later he left the house with James, dropping the child off at Blossom Weasley's day care center. James was so happy to see friends and play with others his age that he hardly noticed his father leaving. Hours later, James was so tired from a day of play and structured activities that he was equally happy to snuggled against his father's chest and drop off to sleep before they made it home.
After getting James settled, Sirius had left again, first making sure Dru was there. He didn't like leaving James alone with her, not after the way she ignored him for so long and then when she did give him attention it was for something that had them in that storage room and James screaming his little lungs out. Home again with a vial of veritaserum, Sirius sits in silence in his study, drinking the bottle of butterbeer and staring at the parchment. When the butterbeer is finished, Sirius switches to drinking water, alternately looking at the vial of veritaserum and the address on the parchment.
When he's sure of keeping his anger in check, Sirius is going to ask Dru to take the veritaserum. He should have done this ages ago. Unless Dru is truly a superb actress and unless she's thought to take a counter potion for something like veritaserum, the matter of whether she's lying or not will be settled. Sirius would like to trust his instinct that told him much earlier today that Dru has been honest. It's just that his dear wife hadn't acted with what appear to be honest, above board intentions when she took their son into that storage room, dismissing Thelma for the day.
After the honest issue is settled, Sirius is going to find out what's on the other end of this address. Find out why it would have been in the store room. Merlin only knows why it's writtin with blood and how that came about. If Dru can't tell him, Sirius isn't sure that particular part of this mystery will eveer be solved.
Finishing the glass of water, Sirius locks the vial of truth serum and the parchment with the address in a desk drawer then treads softly up the stairs to the room where he's sleeps when not sharing James's room.
Confused
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-27-07 10:06
Bronwyn sat on a bench at King's Cross Station and watched as people walked by, some tourists with cameras around their necks and maps in their hands, others workers dressed in smart suits and carrying brief cases. There were even students with rucksacks on their backs and bulky MP3 players protruding from their pockets. Bronwyn watched them go by, and watched the trains go by, wondering what had brought her to the station.
The trouble is, she couldn't remember.
Bronwyn last remembered arguing with her father about a future career path while they ate breakfast. Had she simply walked out of the house and wound up at King's Cross Station? But King's Cross wasn't the nearest station to Bronwyn's home––Hammersmith was.
Had she disapparated for King's Cross then? Why couldn't she remember?
And why did she feel as if she'd been wearing the same clothes for several days?
Bronwyn felt extremely lost and confused, and scared too. She looked around, as if trying to find someone who might be able to tell her what had happened, and when she realized there was no one but the people going about their own business, she decided she ought to go home. If anything, her parents would make her feel warm and safe.
She decided not to apparate. In her current state of uncertainty, she didn't exactly feel confident enough to make it home in one piece. She walked out of the station, navigated her way towards the Leaky Cauldron, and then went straight to the fireplace. She flooed home, arriving in her living room just as Aemilia Dewhurst was passing through with a tray of dirty dishes that had been scattered around the room the last few days. Bronwyn's mother dropped the tray, causing every dish to break, and threw herself at her daughter, hugging her close.
"Oh, Bronwyn! Where have you been?"
Bronwyn felt tears well up in her eyes, though she didn't know why. "I don't know. I can't remember anything since this morning when Dad and I got into it over breakfast."
Aemilia looked into Bronwyn's face. "Darling, that was five days ago. You've been missing since Monday."
Una and Randy
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 05-27-07 10:40
Harry had visited Viktor Krum early this morning, almost too early for Harry but he's got to be the responsible adult now and get up for something other than Quidditch practice or classes. Although not initially schedule to begin the post-graduation training with Stanford & Howard, they'd asked Harry to come in this week afterall. Next week though Harry's got plans alreayd made that include being lazy and hopefully a beach without a sunburned Pinky popping up every half second.
Walking to the Stanford & Howard lobby, Harry says hello to the receptionist, whom he long ago learned is named Nancy, then continues down a hallway, reaching a door to a stairwell. Taking the stairs down to the lowest level, Harry walks into a large, spacious room used for hand-to-hand combat training. The woman he's been working with, Una Fletwock, waves Harry over to where she's talking with a very tall, very thin man.
"Harry, come meet Randolph Patrick."
"Call me Randy," Harry's instructed as a large, bony hand envelops his. "Everyone who says you look a great deal like your father wasn't exaggerating."
"You knew my father?"
"I worked with him a few times. 'course he was going by Romulon Greco on those missions but I had actually known James back at Hogwarts. Different years and houses but we played against each other in Quidditch."
"Did you know my mother as well?"
"I knew who she was and admired her from a distance. Like many school boys at that time I had a crush on Lily Evans. I'm sure you've heard many times that you have her eyes."
Harry smiles, wishing not for the first time to have seen those eyes himself, not from a memory of his mother dying or from photographs. Not even from the mirror of Erised. Seeing her in ghostly form when Voldemort first returned in body wasn't the same. Her eyes didn't appear as green then.
His throat suddenly feels constricted. Harry sounds choked when he says, "Yes, I've been told that alot but so far I've never tired of hearing it."
Una informs Harry, "When you're back from holiday, you'll be working with Randy."
Randy grins, his grin as thin as the rest of him. "I'll let you try and figure out what we'll be working on. See you in a couple of weeks."
Harry would like to protest having to wait to find out what instruction Randy will be giving but Una's already got Harry by the wrist. "I'm working you overtime today since you'll be bugging out on our sessions to go galavanting off with your girl."
Next thing Harry knows he's staring up at the ceiling, the thick mat the only think keeping Harry's back from screaming in pain. Una flashes a wicked smile at Harry as she bends over him. "Up, Potter. We don't have time for you to lie about gazing dreamily at nothing."
Theory of Ancient Runes
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 05-27-07 11:09
Alanna entered the Great Hall after the tables had been arranged for the Ancient Runes OWLs and NEWTs. It would be her fifth OWL this week, or ninth, if one considered the written and practical exams as two separate OWLs. Alanna was therefore understandably exhausted, yet also glad that the first week of exams was nearly over. Luckily, she didn't take Arithmancy. Otherwise, she'd have another exam this afternoon to worry about.
She settled into the second desk in the front row, this time between Iris Audley and Crispin Cooke. The amount of students taking the Ancient Runes OWLs and NEWTs was noticeable smaller, as not everyone was required to take the course.
Hagrid stood at the front of the room and waited for everyone to take a seat before he started reading the Ministry-approved instructions for the exam. Alanna checked to make sure that her two quills were in good shape and that her bottle of ink wasn't dried up, while Hagrid began passing out the test booklets.
At his instruction, she wrote her name on the front and then broke through the seal. He turned the hourglass over and announced, "Start!"
Alanna opened her test booklet to the first page and read the first question:
1. Define and interpret the rune Fehu.
That seemed easy enough. Alanna started writing, making sure not to leave anything out before moving on to the next question.