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Fits of Giggles
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 06-03-07 12:59
Reclining on her bed, Emerald tries to work up the energy to pulled her Astronomy star charts closer and study for tonight's practical exam. She's decided the OWLs are grossly misnamed. Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests is much better suited a name for the 7th year exams.
Ordinary Wizarding Levels.
Yeah. Right.
There's nothing ordinary about them.
Hellish Anxiety inducing Wizarding Levels.
The HAWLs.
Emerald giggles. HAWLs sounds like a disease. She giggles again then says aloud, "I'm suffering from the HAWLs," before having a complete fit of laughter.
"Share what's funny," Olivia requests walking into the dorm room. "I could use a good laugh."
Emerald sits up. "Oh, nothing really. You know how it is. Stress makes things hilariously funny that normally wouldn't even be worth smiling over."
Olivia sits down on Emerald's bed. "So share. I too am under stress, you know."
She grins at Emerald who grins in return. "Okay, well, I was thinking that calling these exams ordinary is stupid when they are anything but. I've renamed them the Hellish Anxiety inducing Wizarding Tests. HAWLs for short."
Olivia gives a small chuckle. "Sounds like an affliction."
Emerald laughs again. "That's what I thought."
The girls having a good giggle then wiping at the corner of one eye Olivia asks, "Not spending time with Phin?"
"I find him too distracting."
"If I had a boyfriend cute as Phin and nearing the end of two weeks of HAWLs, I think I'd let myself be distracted."
"You didn't have four years of magic to catch up on while learning a fifth year of it," Emerald reminds.
"That is correct but look, you've been doing really well in Astronomy, right?"
"Right."
"So take a break. Just an hour. Relax with your boyfriend."
Emerald makes a face then grins. "You're like the little devil perched on my shoulder, leading me into temptation."
Olivia grins then jumps off the bed, "That's me. Doesn't hurt that Phin saw me in the common commons and said he'd get me a couple of free meal's at his mum's place if I got you to come out of hiding."
Emerald starts giggling again but gets up and follows Olivia out of their room, through the Hufflepuff common room and out into the hallway. "Lover boy is still in the common commons," Olivia tells her. "I want to be sure to get credit so come on, we'll go there together."
They girls walk the entire way having a fit of giggles, only just getting control of themselves when the reach the common commons.
Another Week Off
Author: Nymphadora Tonks
Date: 06-03-07 15:02
Despite wanting to return to work this past Monday, Remus had convinced Tonks to stay home for another week. She couldn't argue with him, especially when he promised to do something with her everyday. On Monday, they'd gone into Muggle London and done some sightseeing. They'd gone to the Tower of London and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Tonks had had such a good time doing something touristy and non-magical with Remus that she'd suggested they go back to Muggle London the next day. On Tuesday, they visited the British Museum and then went to St. Paul's Cathedral. They spent this morning in Diagon Alley, shopping and sitting outside at a table at Delia's Deli. In fact, they were still there enjoying a late lunch.
"You'll be sorry to return to work next week," Remus teased, stealing a chip from Tonks' plate.
Tonks smiled but shook her head. "No, I won't. Truth be told, I'm itching to get back into the field."
She saw Remus frown slightly, and she reached her hands across the table and clasped one of his. "It's not that I thrive on danger," she said. "I didn't become an auror to risk my life everyday, even though I knew what I was getting into. I became an auror because I want to help people. I want to make the wizarding world a better place."
"You're remarkably noble and brave. Are you sure you weren't in Gryffindor when you were at Hogwarts?"
Tonks grinned. "I"m sure. I'm a Hufflepuff through and through. Just, loyal." She squeezed Lupin's hand. "Patient."
"That you are." Remus chuckled.
"Don't you miss your classes?" she asked him, pulling away from his hand to tackle more of her lunch.
"Yes. Next term doesn't start until October. That's a long time from now."
"Whatever will you do to keep yourself busy from now until then?" Tonks asked, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Remus laughed. "I'm sure I'll think of something."
Glad She's Not The Mother-in-Law
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 06-03-07 17:36
"Briar? Are you there?"
"I'll get her."
"Yes, do that, whichever one you are," the head of Lisette Valentine says from the fireplace.
A few seconds later Briar is at the particular fireplace where Lisette's head is visibly getting annoyed with the wait, no matter how short it's been.
"Yes, Lisette?"
"I've sent an owl but I'd like to know now rather than wait."
"Know what?"
"About this weekend."
"Lisette, I've not gotten the owl so I haven't a clue what you mean."
"Julian could have said something. How was I supposed to know he hadn't or that you've not received the owl?"
"You could have asked," Briar politely replies.
Lisette ignores the gentle chide. "I unexpectedly have Saturday free. I would like to spend the day with my granddaughter. Julian told me it's your weekend with Grace so I had to ask you; though, you know, seeing as she's my granddaughter I shouldn't have to ask for permission to spend time with Grace."
Lisette, who always sounds imperious, is beginning to come across as downright queenly. Briar forces down the comment she'd dearly love to make about how a grandparent's rights do not supercede those of the parents. Instead, Briar forces an overly bright smile.
"Grace was to have gone to a birthday party on Saturday but the child's come down with chicken pox so the party has been rescheduled. I'm sure Grace would love to see Grandmummy for the day."
"Excellent. Have her ready by 9 am sharp."
Without so much as a please or a thank you, Lisette's head vanishes from the flames. Briar sighs and thinks it's really not such a bad thing Julian and she didn't get married afterall.
Study Once More
Author: Skyler
Date: 06-04-07 13:52
Sky headed straight to library after dinner. She only had two more test left and she was going to make sure she passed them. Luckily the last few test she knew she did alright on, but not as well as she could have had she just paid more attention. As she entered the library she noticed it was full except for one table toward the back. She left a half smile slip across her face as she sat down.
"Finally I can study alone," she muttered to herself. As soon as the words left her mouth a boy sat across from her she looked up at him. He was from her house but a different year which one she didn't know or care.
"Hey beautiful," he said. Sky gave him a dirty look and rolled her eyes.
"Come on, talk to me," he continued, "are you shy?"
"Yeah, that's it. I'm shy. Now shut up," Sky replied dropping her eyes to her book. She was irritated with him hitting on her. Most knew better.
"Wow, you're uh, you're mean..." he told her, Sky huffed and looked back at him.
"Well aren't we a brillant one. Now be on your way," Sky said looking away. The boy sat there a moment looking incredibly shocked.
"Go, shoo," Skyler said waving her hand. He picked up his things and left. Sky shook her head.
"What an idiot," she said outloud.
"Uh.." Sky looked up expecting to see the boy from before but to her surprise it wasn't. It was Jet Obsidian.
"Not you, sorry," Sky couldn't believe she was actually for a split second embarassed.
What Would Happen If It Were Cloudy?
Author: Jared
Date: 06-04-07 20:47
Jared follows Titus and Ronan out onto the terraced portion of the Astronomy tower. A number of fifth and seventh years are already there and right behind Jared are several more. Spotting Jim and Sage, the three Gryffindor move out of the walkway to stand with the two Hufflepuffs. Jared shoots a smile Alanna's direction even though she's not looking his way and even if she were, she's probably too far away to see him smiling at her in the dark. Still, Jared smiles at her and he'd swear that he can still feel a tingle on his cheek where she'd kissed him in thanks for her birthday present.
The students are milling around, waiting for the OWL/NEWT examiners arrive to begin the Astronomy exams. Titus tilts his head back to look up the twinkling stars. "What do you suppose they would have done if the rain and clouds hadn't cleared off for tonight?"
They all look at each other shrugging and shaking their heads. Jared ventures, "Have us take it inside with a clear sky charmed into the ceiling?"
"I wonder if the ceiling in the Great Hall has a memory," Sage muses aloud.
"You mean like if tonight had been too cloudy or even still raining they could make the Great Hall show us a clear, night sky from earlier in the week, or something like that?" Jared asks.
"Yes, exactly what I mean," Sage confirms.
Jim nods toward the entrance onto the towertop. "Here comes Professors Tofty and Brecknock. We can ask them."
Jared playfully shoves Titus. "You go ask. You brought up the question."
Titus shoves Jared back then calls just loudly enough for his voice to reach the two professors, "Professor Tofty, Jared here wants to know what would happen if it were raining or overly cloudy tonight. Where would we have the Astronomy practical?"
Jared rolls his eyes, laughing low as Titus elbows him good naturedly in the ribs.
Astronomy Practical
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 06-04-07 21:19
It's not long after everyone has gathered at the top of the Astronomy Tower, that the four examiners split the students into three groups. The first two comprise of OWL students, while the last consists of all the NEWT students who take Astronomy. Fritz and Coco find themselves in the second OWL group and are shepherded into the Astronomy classroom with the NEWT students, while Group 1 gets ready to take the practical portion of the Astronomy OWL.
Professor Isuki keeps an eye on the students gathered in the Astronomy classroom, and eventually gets the signal to send the second OWL group to the platform. Fritz and Coco scramble to their feet and follow the other students onto the platform. There isn't any trace of the other OWL students, who have already left the tower via the spiral staircase.
The Ministry officials pair off all the students, because there simply aren't enough telescopes to go around. Fritz finds himself teamed up with Rebecka Surman. He resists the urge to ask her about Ryan's apparent mental breakdown, although Fritz is really curious about what happened after Ryan fled the Great Hall mid-exam the other day. Fritz has been too busy studying and taking exams to hear any of the gossip that might have been going around the school.
Professor Tofty hands out star charts to everyone. Professor Brecknock makes sure everyone has a quill and reminds them to raise their hands if they need a new one during the course of the exam. While Professor Huntingdon reads the instructions, Fritz glances up at the sky. Rebecka makes a few adjustments to the telescope and then nods at Fritz to take a quick look. Fritz checks to see that everything is in focus, and at Professor Marchbanks instruction, begins studying the night sky.
He pulls his head away to start marking his star chart and to give Rebecka a chance to take a look through the telescope. They work out a steady system between them, one looking through the telescope while the other jots down information on the star chart. They do manage to bump heads once, but their collision isn't forceful enough to elicit a cry or a groan from either. By the time "Time!" is called, both have their star charts filled.
The OWL students are asked to file from the Astronomy Tower to the winding staircase. Fritz is glad the exam is over. He wants nothing more than to sleep. He's also lucky because he doesn't have any exams tomorrow. His only remaning one is History of Magic on Friday afternoon. Coco on the other hand has Muggle Studies tomorrow afternoon and Friday morning, as well as History of Magic Friday afternoon.
They head to Ravenclaw Tower talking only a little bit about the exam they just took, but yawning more often than not. Fritz gives Coco a peck on the cheek once they enter the Ravenclaw common room and then peels away from her for the fifth year boy's dormitory.
Taunted
Author: Griet
Date: 06-05-07 20:57
Griet sat in History of Magic class and listened only partly to the review session Professor Binns led. She knew she should probably give all her attention to the ghostly professor, especially since she'd hardly paid attention all year, but she really didn't feel like it. She had end-of-year-itis, and she had it bad. It certainly didn't help that Gervaise and Oberon were back to their old tricks again, only on a much smaller scale. They certainly didn't want to lose points for Slytherin again, no matter how little, with the end of the school year so near.
They played upon the fact that certain parents were displeased over the fact that Professor Dumbledore allowed a werewolf to attend Hogwarts and, they alleged, potentially endanger their children. Griet didn't feel herself a threat to anyone, except perhaps Gervaise and Oberon, but only because they were asking for it. She thought Dumbledore had her werewolf situation firmly under control. At least, it had gone off without a hitch all year long.
Griet often heard them whisper of her future expulsion as she passed by, or sent her notes showing her shackled in werewolf form in a Ministry of Magic holding cell. Their taunts never got any worse than that, and although Griet probably should have reported their antics, she didn't want slytherin to lose any more points either. She would simply square her shoulders and get through the last few days of this week and most of next week before going home for the summer and putting Gervaise and Oberon behind her--at least until September 1.
As if reading her thoughts, Oberon flicked his wand at a scrap of parchment folded into a triangle and sent it sailing through the air towards Griet's desk. It landed on Griet's open textbook. She unfolded the triangle note and recognized Oberon's scrawl before she read what it said.
Don't beasts belong in cages?
And there was an accompanying drawing of Griet, this time as a human, in a cage with Hagrid standing next to her, grinning underneath his bushy beard.
Griet crumbled the note in her hand and used her wand to send it flying into the rubbish bin by the classroom door. Professor Binns, so absorbed in his lecturing, didn't even notice the offending paper ball saild through the air.
Griet decided the best way to forget about Oberon's note was to at least attempt to concentrate on her instructor's lecture until the end of class. She picked up her quill, pulled a fresh piece of parchment from underneath her open textbook, and wrote down every one of the professor's words, listening only to him and not the whispered taunts coming behind her.
Divination Practical
Author: Fionna
Date: 06-05-07 21:08
Kevin Whitby, Jimmy Peakes, and Harold Poynter stand with heads together, snorting over some joke one of them cracked. At first it's not so bad but they get loud enough that Professor Lancaster instructs, "Keep it down, boys, keep it down."
Fionna gives the three the evil eye, thinking it's about bloody time the professer intervened. People are stressed out enough waiting for their turns at the Divination practical without the seventh year lads still waiting making a ruckus. Good thing Stewart and Siegfried have already gone in for testing. Fionna leans against the wall near the Great Hall doors, wishing they'd hurry up in their and call the next group. Her group.
Fionna is impatient to get this over with yet when her name is called along with Lauren Jackson's , Natalie MacDonald's, and Laura Madley, Fionna isn't at all sure she wants to go in just yet. Fionna is sent to Professor Brecknock who greets Fionna warmly.
"Good morning, Miss Gairden. Looking forward to your N.E.W.T.s being over?"
"Morning, professor. Yes, definately! This is my last one."
"Then let's get started with a tea reading. I could use a spot of tea about now so might as well make the most of it, eh?"
When Professor Brecknock is done and hands her the tea cup, Fionna studies the inside of the cup then says, "There's an elephant, a parasol, and an apple. The way these are positioned, you will be gaining some knowledge that's insightful, giving you greater wisdom." Fionna turns the cup to point to two more symbols she sees. "The combination of the tent and the zebra means you'll be traveling somewhere and have an adventure."
Fionna turns to cup to read more but Professor Brecknock holds out a hand for the tea cup. "That'd enough, thank you. Splendid. Now, Miss Gairden, take this deck of tarot cards. I'd like you to show me the spread for Rahdue's Wheel."
Fionna keeps a smile in place and tries not to look flustered or annoyed. She knows how to do the Rahdue's Wheel spread. That's not the problem. It's not a problem at all. It's an annoyance because it takes longer than all the other spreads because it uses all 78 cards. Fionna takes the desk Professor Brecknock hands her, shuffles them, then begins laying out the Rahdue's Wheel spread.