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The Dewhurst Family
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 05-27-07 11:31
Ethan was just about to leave the office to pay Viktor Krum a visit at St. Mungo's, when Bronwyn Dewhurst entered accompanied by her mother. Her expression suggested to Ethan that someone had used a Confundus Charm on her, but upon speaking with her, he was able to glean much more although she could hardly tell him anything.
He had, of course, heard that she'd gone missing several days ago, but had not been a part of the team assigned to her case. They were currently out of the office, so Ethan took the liberty to ask Bronwyn questions about the last few days.
"The last thing you remember is eating breakfast with your father on Monday morning?" Ethan repeated, jotting down the information into a notebook.
"That's right," Bronwyn said. "I remember we discussed my future... what sort of career I see for myself... and that we weren't particularly happy with the way the conversation was going."
"And after that?"
"And after that, I remember nothing," Bronwyn replied, blowing some hair from her face out of frustration. "The next thing I knew, I was at King's Cross Station this morning, unsure of why or how I got there."
"I came as soon as I heard," said a voice from across the room. Bronwyn, Aemilia, and Ethan turned their heads to see Wotan Dewhurst striding towards them. Bronwyn jumped up and hugged her father. "Daddy."
"Are you all right? What happened to you? Where have you been?"
Bronwyn allowed Ethan to fill Wotan in. It was Wotan who was then able to supply Bronwyn with some more information. "I told the aurors that someone contacted you via the floo. I don't know who it was, only that it was a man. You left to meet him, in, if I'm not mistaken, Diagon Alley."
"Some of your male friends were interviewed by the aurors on the case," Ethan said. "None said they were the ones to contact you."
"I don't think I'd leave for Diagon Alley to meet a stranger," Bronwyn responded. "And I don't think any of my friends would be behind what happened to me. Maybe I got intercepted en route to meeting whoever friend contacted me. I just wish I could remember what happened to me."
"Have you gone to St. Mungo's yet to get checked out?" Ethan asked. He didn't want to scare Bronwyn, but any number of terrible things could have happened to her over the past few days.
"No," Bronwyn said quietly.
"I recommend you go there now. They'll be able to see if your mind's been tampered with, which I think it has been. I don't know if they can give you your memory back, but it's worth a shot. In the meantime, I'll see what I can do about discovering what happened to you."
He saw the Dewhurst family off and then looked over his notes, eager to compare it with those from the other aurors officially on Bronwyn's case.
Another Mention Of The Curse
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 05-27-07 16:46
Kissy reminds her sixth years, "Practical exam next class meeting. Forty percent of the overall final exam. Don't forget. Be prepared."
The sixth years groan but Kissy thinks maybe that's more from the thought of the written exam than the practical. They all seem to enjoy the hands on work and Kissy have every confidence they will all do really well on the practical portion of their DADA final.
Kissy tidies her desk then leave the classroom. Typically on Fridays at this time she'd be welcoming the seventh years. They are done wiht their coursework now and yesterday they had their DADA NEWT so there isn't even an expectation of one coming to her for last minute help or advice. Waiting in the hallway, however, is a cluster of first years.
Seeing Kissy, Etta Wynbourne promptly asks, "May we get in some practice, Professor Isuki?"
"I'm always open to helping eager students," Kissy replies.
With a benevolent smile she walks to the hallway with the DADA training course rooms, the first years following closely behind. They've just turned the corner when some second years catch up.
"Us too?" Milo Martin asks hopefully.
"You are more than welcome to get some practice in," Kissy nods.
Reaching the first room, Kissy turns to survey the group. "How about you lot starting out first years against second? Second years have a larger range of spells and charms but there are more of you first years here."
This suggestion is met with a resounding, "Yes!"
Kissy opens the door and sends the mixed group into the room, following behind to station herself where she's able to supervise. Just before the first years start their battle against the second years, Jill Prewitt asks, "Is it true you won't be around next term?"
Kissy looks quizzically at Jill. "What makes you think I won't be?"
"The DADA curse," Jill solemnly states.
Putting a hand on Jills shoulder and bending to look the girl in the eyes Kissy assures, "There is no DADA curse. Hogwarts has just had an unlucky string of events where DADA professors are concerned. I have no plans to be doing anything other than teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts right here at Hogwarts come September."
Jill frowns slightly. "I hope so, professor. I like you!"
"I like you and all your classmates too, Jill. Now, run along. They're starting without you."
Kissy watches Jill scamper off to join her team. Shaking her head in amusement, Kissy takes up her supervisory position. This nonsense about a curse seems like it's going to persist no matter how often Kissy has said she'll be back next term.
School Ends and Summer Begins
Author: Janine Fox
Date: 05-27-07 22:54
Janine looked up when she heard the front door open, and then quickly hid her face to hide her smile. To quote a muggle saying that Harry often used on her, he looked like he’d just been hit by a truck. Or was it run over by a train? Either way, Harry looked like he’d had a rough day of training. It was adorable. The way his hair was mussed up and his clothes in disarray, and even the slight scowl on his face as he pushed his slightly too long hair out of his eyes – it was just so cute! Of course, Janine didn’t say any of these things out loud. Men on a whole didn’t exactly like being called “cute” and “adorable”. But Janine could still think it.
Harry caught her gaze and raised an eyebrow. “What’s so funny?”
“Funny?” asked Janine innocently as she slipped out of her chair to plant a smacking kiss on his cheek.
Again Harry raised his eyebrow but this time didn’t question her. Instead, he snaked an arm around her waist and said, “You’re in a good mood.”
“Mm’ hmm,” murmured Janine as she snuggled closer.
Dipping his head, Harry asked not so innocently, “I don’t supposed Pinky and Rocko…”
Before Janine could answer, a loud bang of the backdoor announced the arrival of Pinky and Rocko back from a walk.
“For crying out loud, it’s worse than having kids,” Janine overheard Harry say under his breath as she moved away from him. In a more normal tone he asked her, “So what did you do all day?”
Taking a seat on the couch and kicking up her feet she answered. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.”
“Huh.” Apparently this was not the answer Harry was expecting.
When she asked Harry the same question, a wide grin spread over his face. He sat down next to her on the couch and crossed his arms behind his head. “Well Janine,” he stated dramatically. “I could tell you.” A pause. “But then I’d have to kill you.”
Rolling her eyes, she thumped a pillow into his face.
Chuckling softly, he pushed the pillow away. “Did you talk to your boss?” he asked more seriously.
Groaning, Janine sunk lower into the couch. “Yes, but don’t worry about our vacation. I told him I couldn’t start for a couple of weeks.”
Harry turned, his face still serious. “You don’t need to work there you know.”
Sighing, Janine sat a bit straighter. “Yes Harry, I do. The work sucks but it pays really really well. And I need that money to pay for school. If I work at the owlery during the summer, I can get by during the school term working for Remus.”
“I know that. But I hate to see you doing something you hate. You know I can…”
Janine raised her hand, silently cutting Harry off. “No, you can’t. It’s not that I don’t appreciate your offer, but you know I can’t take your money.”
He gave her one last serious look before lightening the mood by saying jokingly, “I’m always being rejected.”
Janine laughed out loud as she pressed closer to him. “Not always,” she murmured softly.
“Oh really?” Harry said lowly as his arms started to move around her. “That’s funny because I can clearly recall last night when you…”
“Harry and Janine! Harry and Janine! Pinky make ice tea. Brrrr, it’s really cold! And Rocko wants to play catch with Harry. Harry will play catch with Rocko right? Because Pinky already told Rocko he would.”
“For the love of…” Harry groaned as he pulled away from Janine. Before getting too far though, he whispered in her ear, “The vacation is going to be Muggle, right?”
Laughing, Janine playfully swatted his arm. “Definitely Muggle,” she agreed.
Partial Success
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 05-28-07 10:39
As it happened, the healers treating Bill Weasley had not thought to use a bezoar on him. They'd tried everything else under the sun, and to no avail. Hermione knew it was sometimes easy to forget about something simple, especially when one was under extreme stress. Often times it was much easier to make things more complicated than they needed to be.
The bezoar did not have the desired effect, as it did not pull Bill out of his coma and make him right as rain again. However, it did stop his worsening, which was more than Hermione could have asked for. He even looked better in his comatose state, as if he were merely sleeping peacefully.
Fleur was very grateful to learn that her husband probably wouldn't die, at least not anytime soon. Hermione's suggestion had afforded them all more time, and she intended on making the most of it by finding a way to cure Bill 100%.
She happened to be at work, sifting through materials when a thought struck her.
"Have you ever been to Egypt, Alistair?" Hermione asked her boss, who was busy working at a nearby table.
"Once, years ago. I traveled there with my wife. It started out as a pleasure trip but turned business after a day, when I met a fascinating apothecarist in Cairo. He had the most exquisite library on all things herbology, potions and medicine."
"Are you still friends?"
"Oh, yes. We haven't seen each other in years, but we still write."
"I am very interested in his library," Hermione said. "It has occurred to me that perhaps the powder that poisoned my boyfriend's brother is indigenous to Egypt. I wonder if your friend might be able to help us?"
"I'd be glad to write to him and see what he knows," Alistair replied, smiling.
"I would appreciate it."
A little while later, Hermione went to visit Viktor. It had been a while since they'd last talked, so they had a lot of catching up to do. Hermione told him all about her new job, about her upcoming clinical rotations, and about her desire to help Bill. She listened as Viktor told her about his life, including the unwanted excitement that had landed him in St. Mungo's.
And when they were finished getting caught up, Hermione expressed her wish to meet Viktor for lunch or dinner one day soon. He promised to do just that, and then she left him to return to work.
(Siegfried) Theory of Arithmancy
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-28-07 11:09
Siegfried had had the morning off, since he didn't take Ancient Runes for one of his electives. He was glad for the break, because it allowed him extra time to study for the Arithmancy N.E.W.T. he was about to take. He, like the other students of Arithmancy, waited in the entrance hall. Lunch had long ended in the Great Hall, and the tables had since been removed and replaced by individual desks. The students merely waited for admission into the Great Hall.
When Professor Miller opened the doors to allow them entry, Siegfried felt a flutter in his stomach. It wasn't like this was his very first N.E.W.T. exam, so he more or less already knew what to expect. It was, however, the knowledge that if he didn't do well, his future might not go as planned, which unsettled him a little bit. Not that Siegfried really knew what he wanted out of life.
At least there was one thing that no longer worried him. His father had sent an urgent owl to Hogwarts around lunchtime, informing Siegfried that Bronwyn had come home this morning. The letter had stated that Bronwyn had experienced memory loss and that she was currently at St. Mungo's undergoing tests. Siegfried hoped that nothing awful had happened to Bronwyn over the past few days, and he hoped that she would recover all her memories––if she even wanted them back.
He sat down at his assigned desk and waited for Professor Miller to instruct them on what to do with the test booklets. When it was time to scrawl his name on the front, Siegfried did so, and when Professor Miller said to break through the seal, Siegfried slid his quill through it. He opened the booklet to the first page as soon as Professor Miller said "You may begin."
The first question asked Siegfried to distinguish between character numbers, heart numbers and social numbers. He gave it some thought, not wanting to rush into writing out an answer, and then pressed his quill to the parchment to make his response.
9 Days
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 05-28-07 11:42
Professor Dumbledore sunk into a chair in the visitation room at Azkaban, which had seen no damage during last month's mass breakout, and waited for a guard to escort Severus Snape into the room. Snape entered a few minutes later, nodding his head towards the guard who remained in the doorway, and sat down opposite his friend and employer.
"You look well, Severus," Dumbledore murmured, scrutinizing Snape's face.
"I am counting the days to my release," Snape relied with a wry smile, "9 days remain."
"I am certain you will be very glad to leave these gloomy walls behind you, and I am also happy that you will once again return to Hogwarts. Horace suffered a heart attack over a week ago and cannot resume teaching classes. We all have been filling in to help him during these last few weeks of term."
"That is unfortunate," Severus replied.
"He is recovering nicely, and wishes to retire formally now. He intends to announce his departure at the End of Term Feast, if he is well enough to attend, which I dare say he might be. Horace never was once to turn down a feast."
Snape chose not to comment on how Horace's penchant for feasting may have led to his current predicament.
Dumbledore spoke again. "If you'll have me, I'd like to be here for your release."
"That isn't necessary, but I accept your offer." Snape leaned back in his chair and changed the subject. "We receive little news of the outside world. Has there been any news on the escapees?"
"None," Dumbledore answered gravely. "The Lestranges have remained quiet since their flight from Azkaban, and even Greyback has been unusually lowkey. However, I cannot imagine either Bellatrix or Greyback keeping to themselves for very long. They thrive on being in the public eye."
"Let us hope that their desires to be the center of attention lead them back here," Severus commented. "Sooner or later, she has to slip up."
Dumbledore quirked his white eyebrows and smiled. "I must return to Hogwarts." He rose, and Snape rose too. "I will see you in 9 days."
"9 days," Snape repeated.
Dumbledore left the visitation room, and Snape was escorted back to his cell.
Are We Done Yet?
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 05-28-07 16:10
Belladonna Barkwith causally leans on the main counter as Griff tidies up after a customer decided against purchasing half the items he'd brought to the register. "I've been wondering, what's the story with Jacob Hawthorne and you?"
The question was longer in coming than Griff expected. Still, hearing Jacob called by the last name of Hawthorne still sounds odd and takes Griff a moment. Reaching for a folded up dust cloth under the counter, Griff starts polishing the counter top as he shrugs.
"Not much to tell. Jacob is my uncle and also my godfather."
"You never mentioned you had any family."
"Jacob and I lost touch awhile back. I had no idea where he was or what he was doing."
"Any other family around?" Belladonna quickly adds, "Forgive my nosiness. I'm simply curious."
"My father had a half-sister but they had a falling out when I was really small. I don't know where she is or what's become of her. I don't even know if she ever married or has kids."
"Other than some distance cousins scattered about, Mercutio and I have only each other."
A crashing of crates from the back room has Belladonna amending that statement to, "There's Barnabus of course. Thank Merlin he's Mercutio's relation and not mine." Belladonna leans closer over the counter. "So, you and Sinead are truly finished?"
"We are. I do miss her though."
"You know, I'm not currently seeing anyone either."
Much as Griff hates to play into Belladonna's not so subtle hint, as long as he's still on the mission he's got to be nice to this woman who thinks she's one of his bosses. So, forcing a smile Griff replies with a wink, "If I didn't know better I'd say you're wanting me to ask you to dinner."
Belladonna nearly purrs when she replies, "Pick me up at my place, 7:30. Dress casually."
Belladonna slinks away into the office, leaving Griff to thinking about how soon this mission is to being complete - if things keep going well - and how soon that means he doesn't have to associate with people like Belladonna and Mercutio. Most of all, it means finally seeing Jacob locked up on several counts of murder along with the illegal activities he's up to with Belladonna and her half-brother.