|
|
Missing Memory
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-17-08 12:10
Ding!
"Order's ready, table five."
Bronwyn nodded to the heavy-set cook and scooped up a plate of Aussie meat pie. She carried it to table five, where a wizard dressed in his business clothes read a copy of the Australia-Wizarding Times. Bronwyn couldn't help but notice the small article on the front page that discussed the continued segregation of purebloods and the so-called "Nons" in wizarding Great Britain. Her heart sank, as it was a reminder of her own family's separation.
She hadn't heard from her father in weeks and had no way of knowing if he had any updates on Siegfried's incarceration at Azkaban or Aemilia's whereabouts. Bronwyn wanted to write him, and she knew that he wanted to write her too, but they both knew that it wasn't very safe for them to write each other. Letters were tracked, and Bronwyn's current whereabouts could easily be discovered.
She passed her days thriving off the only thing she felt she had right now, Toby's love. He suggested to her that she find work, not because they needed the money, but because it would give her something to do with her days. Bronwyn began working as a waitress at a diner not very far from the Quidditch stadium in Brisbane. She discovered that working did help her pass her days but at the same time, it didn't always help her keep her mind off of the worries in her life.
Bronwyn thought about how today would have been her very last day at St. Emrys University. She would have graduated and hopefully begun searching for a lifelong career, instead of being holed away halfway across the world, waitressing rather than doing something she really loved. The thought nagged her greatly, but she simultaneously felt as if today marked something even bigger in her life. She just couldn't quite place a finger on what it might be.
Her eyes raked over the date on the newspaper, June 21, 2002, as she set the plate down onto the table before the wizard.
"Thanks," the wizard said, jarring her from her thoughts.
"Can I get you anything else?" Bronwyn asked, shifting her gaze from the front page to the man's eyes.
"That'll be all, thanks."
Bronwyn nodded and walked to a nearby table to wait on a couple who'd just entered the diner. For the rest of her shift, she had a nagging feeling that she needed to remember something, but she simply didn't know what.
Sitting The Ancient Runes NEWT (Daria)
Author: Blossom
Date: 05-17-08 17:03
While waiting for the doors to the Great Hall to open and allow students in for the written Ancient Runes OWL and NEWT, Daria tried not to think about the injustice of it all. It's something she's tried not to think about since taking her first NEWT, the one for Charms. Daria's failed miserably every single time. The thoughts of those who worked so hard for years only to be told they couldn't take the examinations is pretty much all she's been able to think about when not actually sitting an exam.
Unfortunately, that means Daria's had a great deal of time to think about those who haven't been allowed to take the exams simply because of their blood status. So far there's been the written portions of her Charms, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts as well as the short periods required for the practical portions of those exams. Daria thinks she did well on the exams to date but if she didn't, she has a feeling that the excuse of, "I was distracted by the plight of the Nons," is going to be heartily accepted and allow for retakes on anything.
When the doors opened, Daria couldn't help but note once again how few desks there were. With Ancient Runes being an elective the classes tend to be smaller and with the Nons barred from taking the OWLs and NEWTs, the number taking this morning's exam is miniscule.
Nine desks.
Taking her seat, Daria wondered what had taken so long to put the nine desks in place. Even taking into account the clearing of the tables usually there, shouldn't the job have been, at most, a couple of minutes? Daria supposes this particular bit of impatience is because the longer she had to wait to get in and start the Ancient Runes NEWT, the longer she had to think about those forbidden from taking the exam. The longer to think about all the other injustices being perpetrated by the Minister Smythe-Jones and her lackeys like Harriet Snider.
As if on cue with the word lackey running through Daria's head, Professor Ryland Yaxley calls for attention. He wastes no time in getting anti-cheating quills passed out, ink distributed, and the examinations handed out. The nine students waited for Yaxley to officially begin. He's definately not one to tolerate a student starting a few seconds early.
Throughout the three hours Daria diligently works, thinking mostly about what she's learned in Ancient Runes since third year. She's done well before the alotted time but painstakingly goes over ever question and answer several times so that she's not sitting there, thinking about things she doesn't want to think about.
It seems more like six hours than three when Yaxley brings the testing to an end and gathers up exams, ink, and quills. The nine students exit the Great Hall where most stay to mingle with those waiting to get in for lunch. Daria debates eating or going without. She's got another exam, Arithmancy, in just under two hours and between that and hating what's going on for the Nons, Daria can't muster up much of an appetite.
The Great Hall doors swing open once again and Daria ends up letting herself be swept inside with the surge of students rushing to get lunch. She knows she should eat even if not hungry. Taking a seat next to Phin Hodfuffer so that she has someone to talk to about the Ancient Runes NEWT as well as the Arithmancy NEWT at two, Daria reaches for a sandwich from a just appeared platter and resists the urge to turn and look at any of the seventh and fifth year Nons at their tables.
Trying Not To Wool Gather
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 05-18-08 12:49
Finishing a calculation for a question concerning Chinese based numerology, Phin pauses to shake out the cramped muscles in his hand before moving on to the next question. Without being obvious about it, in case Professor Askew were to think he was trying to cheat, Phin looks around at the small number of students taking the Arithmacy OWL or NEWT.
Jewel should be here.
Phin still finds it hard to accept that Jewel is in jail or if not at Azkaban then wherever most of the Nons are. It's no comfort at all to know that even if Jewel were still at Hogwarts, she wouldn't be in the Great Hall this afternoon.
His eyes completing the circuit around the room, Phin thinks about the others who should be seated at a desk, taking either the OWL or the NEWT for Arithmacy. That includes Ariella Beck who, as a Pure, would definately be taking the exam if not for being expelled.
By now, the rumors over Ariella's expulsion at the same time that Professor Masterson was dismissed, are too many to count. If Alanna's given any details about Ariella's leaving, Phin's not heard them. Then again, unless it came from Alanna herself, anything Phin's heard has to be considered rampant gossip. That means he might well have heard at least some of the truth but dismissed it as just more fodder from the rumor mill.
Giving his attention back to the exam, Phin spends the next ten to fifteen minutes answering questions about the illustrated Gnostic Circle given. When he reaches the end of that thread of questions, Phin once more shakes out the cramped muscles of his hand, wishing he were ambidextrous.
Phin's mind starts to wander again. He almost lets it but then shakes his head, clearing his thoughts. Phin knows that if he keeps letting himself get distracted, he'll be pushed for time to complete the Arithmacy exam.
Finish it then sit and wool gather.
Gripping his quill to begin writing once more, Phin tackles the next set of questions, this set dealing with Gematria.
Final Day of Trinity Term
Author: Anthony Beck
Date: 05-18-08 13:45
Anthony sat in his last exam, Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, and studiously finished the last essay question before reviewing his work and submitting his booklet to the professor seated at the desk at the front of the classroom. He considered himself very lucky to finish up another term at St. Emrys, when by all rights he should be occupying one of the cells at Azkaban like his half-sister Katherine.
Each time he walked the corridors of the wizarding university, Anthony felt like someone might jump out at him and arrest him on the spot for his part in the protest Katherine had organized and he himself had participated in all those months ago. Anthony felt extremely guilty for walking free while Katherine suffered in prison, and yet couldn't bring himself to turn himself in to the authorities. He also knew that Katherine would be furious with him if he gave into his conscience rather than remain free to continue her work.
Not that he'd really done anything, considering the fact that the Ministry of Magic had a very close eye on the Beck family these days. Toby was wanted for harboring a fugitive. While it might not be a secret that Toby lived in Brisbane, since he played for the professional Quidditch team the Bandicoots, and while it might be obvious that he would take Bronwyn to safety in Brisbane as well, Toby couldn't set foot in Great Britain without risk of detention. Anthony hoped the day wouldn't come when the Ministry of Magic would sent operatives outside its borders to collect the nons and blood traitors on its wanted list. Then neither Toby nor Bronwyn would be safe.
Katherine's connection to the Becks also put the spotlight on the family. The actions of one family member didn't necessarily mean the rest followed suit, but with Toby's choice to harbor Bronwyn and Ariella's expulsion from Hogwarts for her affair with Lawrence Masterson and her support of her blood traitor family members, Anthony simply had to be careful. He sometimes felt like a coward for not speaking up for what he felt was right, but he freely admitted to himself that he'd rather walk free than be locked away in a prison cell at Azkaban.
Anthony was pretty furious about Ariella's expulsion. Of all the Beck siblings, she, like her elder deceased sister Kendra, loved academics and would have probably gotten NEWTs in every subject. Now she couldn't attend St. Emrys nor attain a good apprenticeship. What would she do with her life? How would she support herself? Would it be long before the Ministry decided to apprehend her, simply for be an honest person?
Anthony shook his head, wishing there was a way for him to turn the world right-side-up again singlehandedly. If he could blink or click his heels together to make it happen, he would. Sometimes one person could make a difference, but Anthony wasn't sure he believed it could happen for this situation.
Atrocious (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 05-18-08 13:53
Catriona cringes when Professor Yaxley directs a glare at her. "For final examinations to be so near, you have the most atrocious wand work, Miss Amherst."
Cat, who'd always thought she'd done all right since he's never said anything to her before, is shocked to hear Professor Yaxley proclaim that she is the worst. Biting back a retort, Cat sticks to a short, simple reply.
"Sorry, sir. I'll do extra practice."
"Yes, you certainly will. I believe this is your last class of the day."
"Yes, professor."
"You will stay an additional two hours then return after dinner and put in three more hours."
Her heart sinking at the thought of five hours of doing nothing but practicing wand work for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Cat can do nothing but meekly nod at the imposing, fear inducing man. "Yes, sir."
When Professor Yaxley is being this way with any of the first years during DADA, Cat wishes she could be in Professor Isuki's section. She's heard all sort of things about the other DADA class. Fun things like getting to practice dueling on a regular basis and getting to do stuff on cool, interesting obstacle courses. The only students of Professor Yaxley's who've gotten to do anything at all on an obstacle course are the upper years.
Cat's class has gotten to do some dueling but not very often. Today is one of those rare days, most likely because Professor Yaxley has announced that they will do a short, practical portion for their final grade. Maybe if they had done more dueling and maybe if he had taken the time before now to correct whatever it is he thinks is so atrocious, Cat wouldn't have five extra hours of practice on a Friday afternoon and evening.
Sighing quietly, Cat tries not to take out her anger at Professor Yaxley on her dueling partner. Though even if she did, if her wand work is as bloody awful as the professor says, her partner would have very little to worry about.
Concentration
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 05-18-08 14:28
Johanna tries to concentrate herself on the defensive spell. She’s dueling against Demetrius Whitmore from Hufflepuff . Professor Isuki passes near her saying: “Concentrate in the duel and nothing more. Don’t let your mind travel to another place.”
Johanna understands that she must follow Professor Isuki’s advice but she knows it’s going to be a little bit difficult . How can she concentrate herself with the lots of thoughts that pass threw her head? Her future, her family, the finals … everything at the same time!
She almost gets surprised when blue sparkles came in her direction. She pronounces the defensive spell and they disappear.
“That was close”, she thinks with relief.
Professor Isuki congratulates her and Demetrius for the good work and calls other two students.
“Being a Non has its advantages”, she thinks watching Charisma Stone from Gryffindor attacking Polly Potts also from Gryffindor. “At least we don’t have professor Yaxley and his theory classes in DADA!”
Things To Think About
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 05-18-08 15:40
His last exam of the term over, Rolf now stands in a short line at the bookstore to sell back some books for which he has no further use. He can't tell if the line is short because few people waited until the last minute to sell textbooks or if it's because with Nons, blood traitors, and others deemed criminals no longer in attendance, there just aren't that many students around who need to do a sell back.
While he waits his turn, Rolf reads for a second time a letter from Jane that arrived this morning. To anyone who might have read the letter before it reached Rolf, the letter is full of chatty nothings. Jane has today free from NEWT examinations but Hank has Ancient Runes. Hank's got several days free after Ancient Runes, with only Divination and Muggle Studies left. Divination is split over Wednesday and Thursday, with Muggle Studies on Friday morning. Jane takes those as exams too but also has Potions on Monday and Astronomy on Wednesday and History on Friday. How did Rolf's final examinations go? Did he ever ask Pippa on a date?
The letter rambles on in that vein for a couple of pages. If anyone did read the letter before it was sent on to Rolf - a distinct possibility considering Jane had dated someone now on the run from the Ministry - the coded message hopefully was not picked up by whomever did the snooping. The coded message isn't long. There's a question to pass along to Doug and Jane venting about not having the guts to stand up more to people like Snider.
Rolf can well understand Jane's anger with herself. He feels it too. The desire to take action tempered by the desire to not get carted off to Merlin knows where by the Ministry. For Rolf, there's the added internal battle over whether to even stay in Great Britain. There's a small college that opened in January in Trondheim, near where his father lives. It would be so easy to move to Norway and attend take a few classes at that new college, and work on creating strategy games. He can do that in Trondheim as well as he can here.
The next person in the queue is Rolf so he digs out the texts he's selling back, barely paying attention to how much he's paid before pocketing the money. Mulling over the pros and cons of moving to Trondheim, or anywhere else out of Great Britain for that matter, Rolf ambles out of the bookstore, his feet automatically carrying him to the Floo he uses most often when at St. Emrys.
A Short Visit From Snider
Author: Plum
Date: 05-18-08 18:36
Plum wraps a gift for Anthony in honor of his completing Trinity Term at St. Emrys. It's nothing much, just some cologne she knows he likes but won't buy for himself. Reaching for the bow to place on the present, Plum grabs air. Looking over the edge of the desk she sees Alex sitting on the floor, happily shredding the bow.
Despite a stack of papers to go through and lesson plans for next week to write for the fifth and seventh years, Plum has Alex in the office with her. It's late enough in the day that she couldn't really leave him at Blossom's and their father isn't in the flat. Probably flat faced on a table in the Hog's Head or other pub.
It was bring Alex with her to finish up this work or find a House Elf who wouldn't mind babysitting. That would have been the better option but Plum feels guilty enough that Alex spend so much time in daycare, even if he does love it, that she sort of feels as though she has to keep him with her right now. That and she also hates to impose on a House Elf when the House Elves all have their own duties.
If Dumbledore or McGonagall were running Hogwarts, Plum wouldn't hesitate to ask a House Elf for this sort of favor.
If either of them were still running the school, Mary would still be alive.
As if given a cue to knock, Harriet Snider raps on the door and opens it without waiting for a response. "A moment, Miss Lancaster."
Plum stands to scoop up Alex to get him out of the way of some chairs in case Snider wants to sit down. "Yes, Professor Snider?"
Remaining in the doorway, Snider gives Plum one of those smiles that is supposed to be benevolent but actually just makes Snider appear as though she's been sucking a lemon. "We are grateful you have stepped in to help Professor Lancaster with his classes during his continued mourning. With term so near to completion, we would like you see things through final examinations."
Even before Snider finishes, Plum knows what's coming next.
"We shan't, however, be asking Professor Lancaster to return. We find it doubtful he will be over his mourning and we do so need someone more reliable. We would consider you for the position, since you've done a nice job of filling in, but you have some questionable attachments."
"Questionable attachments?"
"You date the Beck boy and you are friends with the older Bennett boy. Need I go on?"
Plum doesn't have to ask what Snider means about Anthony and Drake nor does she need the woman to list anyone else or elaborate. "No, ma'am. I understand."
Snider claps her pudgy hands as if with delight. "Excellent. I shall leave you to your work."
Plum waits until Harriet Snider is no longer visible in the hallway before shifting Alex on her hip and picking up Anthony's gift from the desk. "Want to go see the owls, Alex? Then get din-din?"
"Owls!" Alex happily proclaims, oblivious to the fact that he didn't really have a choice in the matter.
Shutting the office door behind them, Plum and Alex head to the owlery. She'd like to see Anthony this weekend but doesn't know if that will work out. She doesn't know if anything is going to work out ever again. Plum takes two steps then goes back into the office to pluck up the newspaper. During dinner she'll start looking for a job.