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Aftermath
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 04-16-09 08:29
Alanna entered the Great Hall for the second time that morning. Earlier, at breakfast, the dining hall looked much like it always did. Now, individual desks replaced the long tables. She sat down at the one assigned to her and waited for the very first N.E.W.T. exam, Charms, to begin.
While she waited, Alanna should have been reviewing Charms questions in her mind, but she couldn't help but think about everything that had happened over the past few weeks. She thought about how former Minister of Magic Euphemia Smythe-Jones had arrived at Hogwarts and essentially held the entire school hostage for two whole weeks. Alanna knew that the experience couldn't possibly compare to what the so-called nons had endured over the last two years, but it still wasn't a good time.
Alanna also thought about how just over a week ago, everything finally changed for the better. Members of the Order of the Phoenix, the Resistance Movement, and others wanting to help out stormed the castle and finally overwhelmed Smythe-Jones and the few supporters who'd remained by her side till the end. Alanna didn't know what became of her but understood that she'd been officially removed from her position as Minister of Magic and that she wouldn't be a problem for anyone ever again.
The Ministry of Magic had an acting-Minister for the moment, a man named Kingsley Shacklebolt. He and other officials worked diligently to clean up the mess Euphemia Smythe-Jones had made. So far, there was overwhelming support for Shacklebolt and his decisions, and it seemed likely that when everything more or less stabilized, he'd receive the official appointment as Minister of Magic.
The best news above all was that no one needed to hide anymore. Families separated and in hiding could return home, return to their jobs if they still existed, and return to their old lives. During the Battle at Hogwarts, Alanna hadn't seen any of her family members but she'd later learned that her brothers Anthony and Toby, half-sister Katherine, and sister-in-law Bronwyn had all been involved. Since then, she'd heard from everyone in her family.
Things had changed at Hogwarts, too. For one, Albus Dumbledore had returned and resumed his old position as Headmaster. Alanna didn't see it happen, but she'd heard that Harriet Snider had been taken away by the authorities. Other professors were gone too, like Ryland Yaxley, Pansy Parkinson, and Amycus Carrow. Besides Dumbledore, there were many other familiar faces on the staff side, making Hogwarts almost seem like its old self again.
Some students had hoped that the end of year exams would get cancelled. After all, they'd experienced a major ordeal and deserved time to recover... right? In his wisdom, Dumbledore thought the best course of action would be to continue the school year in normal fashion, which meant that exams would not be cancelled. In a way, Alanna was glad everything would go as scheduled since she knew the N.E.W.T.s were very important and that she needed them if she wanted to go to St. Emrys and find a good job later in life.
Professor Batuti stood at the front of the Great Hall, next to a table upon which sat a giant hourglass. She held a dozen or so test booklets in her arms. At promptly 9 AM, she sent the handful of O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. students a booklet and then sent everyone two Anti-Cheating quills.
"Please write your name on the front of your booklet."
Alanna jotted down her name. A moment later, at Professor Batuti's instruction, she tore through the seal and turned to the very first page of her Charms N.E.W.T. exam.
Tea and Conversation
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-17-09 14:23
"Tea, Harry?" Molly Weasley asks as she bustles around her kitchen.
It's the first time Harry's been here since the raid on the Ministry of Magic. As much as the Burrow feels like home, Harry almost feels as though he were only just here yesterday yet at the same time it seems as though it's been a lifetime.
Looking up at Molly's smiling face Harry nods, "Yes, thank you."
Ron is the closest one to where the cups are kept and as he sets enough out for Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Molly, and himself, Ron asks with a grin, "So Pinky kicked you out, did he?"
"House looks fine to me but Pinky's decided it needs a thorough going over and he decided I would just be in the way," Harry replies then says to Molly as she pours the tea, "Thanks."
"I feel the same way about the Burrow," Molly says. "Needs a good scrubbing and I won't think you're in the way, Harry."
Ginny laughs, "That means Mum will put you to work, Harry."
Ron sniggers as well only to go seriously quiet when Ginny points out, "You too, Ron."
Hermione, cup of tea poised at her lips, helpfully offers, "I'll be happy to help, Molly."
"That's right, make me look bad," Ron says with a grin.
Hermione's reply is to blow Ron a kiss. Molly responds, "Thank you, Hermione. If it wouldn't mean you not being an official part of the family, I'd warn you off, Ron."
"Mum!" Ron exclaims.
Molly winks at Ron as she asks Harry, "Where's Janine?"
"Sorting some things out with her parents. Things wer so rocky between them before everything happened and then with what did happen, she's trying to patch things up with them."
"Not going to happen entirely as long as her dad thinks poorly of you," Ron says matter of factly.
"Yeah, I know but it's more important for Janine to have her family than it is for her father to like me. If they can get on terms again, she and I will somehow manage without putting a strain on their relationship again."
"If you ask me, Ottis Fox is barmy to think ill of you, Harry, and if he can't see that, then it's his loss," Molly declares hotly.
Harry, wanting to change the topic, shifts to asking after Arthur. "How is Mr. Weasley getting on? Every time I've been at the Ministry, he's so busy he's barely able to say hello."
"Things are getting sorted but it's taking time. Arthur's head of his department but anything Muggle related took such a beating under that woman that he's got a real mess on his hands. Arthur's also helping other departments and part of Kingsley inner circle offering advice and help," Molly fills Harry in.
"I've gone in to help some but not in any official capacity, of course," Harry says.
"What are you going to do now?" Ginny asks.
"Don't know. It was something I thought a great deal about before everything but I got a little sidetracked. What about you, Ginny?"
"Finish up at St. Emrys, work in both the joke shop locations, helped at Blossom's, catalog photography, and I've decided to try for a spot with the Holyhead Harpies."
"Professional Quidditch?" Ron says, spewing tea. "Seriously?"
"And why not?" Hermione asks. "Ginny's always been very good."
"Better than you," Ginny smirks at Ron.
"I didn't mean you aren't any good," Ron says defensively.
Harry flashes a smile, "You'll make the team, I'm sure of it."
Ginny smiles broadly at Harry. "Thank you, Harry." To Ron she says pointedly, "At least I have a plan, unlike some."
Harry's brow furrows. "I thought you were offered your job back at Whizz Hard Books."
"I was and I did say yes but... Well, it's just that I'm sure not anymore if it's what I want in the longterm."
From the door leading into the backyard a voice booms, "You should come work at the Minister."
Exclaims of, "Kingsley!" fill the kitchen.
Kingsley Shacklebolts walks in, followed closely behind by Arthur. Pleased to see both men, especially father figure Arthur, Harry jumps up to shake hands. When Kingsley clasps hands with Harry he says, "You too. Come work at the Ministry. We need good people."
It's true. The Ministry is in need of people. Even with Euphemia Smythe-Jones gone and her laws abolished, leaving people free to reclaim their jobs, there are vacancies. There were arrests. There were deaths in the camps and some of the Smuthe-Jones supporters died as well. There were those unfortunates who received the Dementor's Kiss. And there are people who moved on to jobs elsewhere who don't want to uproot and start over yet again.
Ron asks, "What did you have in mind for us?"
"Magical law enforcement, Auror, Obliviator, anything really. Name your interest."
As conversation turns to the variety of jobs the Ministry has to offer, Harry finds his thoughts going to a career he'd once considered, that of Auror.
What Happened and What's Next
Author: Jolyon
Date: 04-17-09 14:53
Jolyon only ever taught seventh year students on Mondays. Since the seventh years were currently taking the practical portion of the Charms N.E.W.T. exam, Jolyon didn't have any class for which to prepare today. There was a possibility that the small handful of students testing had already finished their exams, but they were not expected to attend any of their regularly scheduled classes, even if time permitted. After all, Charms was only the first of many exams spread out over a two-week period.
A number of changes had taken place over the last few weeks. First, former Minister of Magic Euphemia Smythe-Jones had taken up residence at Hogwarts, until a group of outsiders and professors and students working jointly overtook her and her lackeys. With her expulsion also came the resignations of former Headmistress Harriet Snider and a handful of other professors, most notably Deputy-Headmaster Ryland Yaxley.
With their absences, professors of old, like Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape, returned to Hogwarts. Jolyon met Rubeus Hagrid, whom he remembered not as his own Care of Magical Creatures professor from his time as a student at Hogwarts, but from being the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, a position he'd held for much longer than that of teacher. It was Hagrid himself who'd arranged for the magical creature Jolyon intended on teaching his third year students tomorrow morning.
Witherwings was a hippogriff, grey in color with orange eyes and sharp talons. Hagrid regarded the beast fondly, as he did all magical creatures, but Jolyon could tell that the half-giant had a special attachment to the hippogriff. Luckily, Witherwings had responded well to his initial introduction to Jolyon. The good first impression would make it easier for him to show Witherwings to his students.
The changes at Hogwarts and Great Britain at large made it easy for Jolyon to forget about his father, who still lay on his death bed at St. Mungo's after weeks of being close to dying. Jolyon still visited, but only at his mother's summons. He loathed going, because each time he saw his father's critical face, he couldn't help but remember his difficult childhood. He wished the old man would die already, rather than hang on and continue to torture everyone around him.
Jolyon shook his head. Hagrid had fixed them both a cup of tea and happily bustled about his hut.
"It's good to be home, isn't it?" Jolyon asked with a smile on his face.
"Yeh can say tha' again," Hagrid responded wistfully. "In case I haven' said it already, thanks fer lookin' after me hut. Looks jus' like I left it."
"You're welcome. I wasn't sure if you'd ever be coming back..." Jolyon drifted off, letting the many thoughts that coursed through both of their minds go unsaid, "...but in case you ever did, I didn't want to get things too disorderly." His gaze swept through the small, cluttered space and another smile twitched up the corners of his lips.
"Well, I thank yeh again."
Jolyon sipped his tea. He'd had better––much better, in fact––but he didn't complain. After swallowing, he tentatively asked, "Has Professor Dumbledore mentioned anything about next school year, in terms of who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures?"
"Not ter me. I like teachin' the kids, but plannin' lessons and holdin' classes takes time away from me other duties, like tendin' the animals an' the grounds. If we don' split the classes like they did last year, then yeh should be the one to teach 'em."
"I honestly hadn't thought I wouldn't be here next year, but I certainly don't want to take anything away from you. I suppose it also all depends on what Professor Dumbledore wants."
"He knows a good teacher when he sees one, an' from what I've figured out about yeh, yeh're a good teacher. Better than me, I wager. I could help yeh from time to time..."
"Of course!"
"An'way. I reckon Dumbledore will call a meeting in the summertime to figure out all the odds an' ends regarding next year. So. How d'yeh like the tea?"
Jolyon smiled. "It's... got an interesting flavor, that's for sure!"
Hagrid chuckled. "Thought yeh might like it. Empty yeh're cup an' then we'll feed some ferrets to Bu––Witherwings, I mean."
Jolyon drained his teacup and then followed Hagrid's towering bulk out the door.
Life Goes On
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-18-09 09:20
St. Emrys University didn't look all that much different from when Bronwyn last saw it well over a year ago. True, the classrooms she passed in the hallway seemed a little bit emptier than usual, but the corridors appeared just as full as before since so many former students who'd gone into hiding or been snatched during the pureblood movement were returning to see whether or not they could pick up where they'd left off.
When Bronwyn fled to Brisbane with Toby, she'd only had one term left. She really wanted to finish her degree, even though she knew that just about everybody was hiring right now and that she could probably find her dream job or something close to it if she wanted to join the work force straight away. But it was just one more term she needed... and she wanted to finish more than anything else.
She'd just come from the admissions office to enroll for Michaelmas Term in the fall. The office had been quite busy and she'd had to wait a while, but now that she'd gotten her enrollment squared away and knew what classes she'd be taking come October (Communication and Culture, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Wizarding Fashion, Communication Theory and Application, and Introduction to Broadcast Media), she swung by the university's WWN station to see if she could at least get her old part-time job back.
Bronwyn found one person in the office, the station manager Dylan Cornfoot. He looked immensely pleased to see Bronwyn.
"I know it goes without saying for you, but I'm so glad that pureblood bullshit is over and done with," Dylan exclaimed. "As you can see, I don't have any broadcasters. Not a one."
"No one else has come back?" Bronwyn asked.
"Not yet. It's still a bit soon after everything that's happened, I suppose. Unfortunately, I know that not everyone can come back."
"What do you mean?"
Dylan looked sad. "We lost some. Trevor got killed at one of those communities, according to a news report I read."
"Oh, no." Bronwyn's face fell. She'd dated Trevor a couple of years ago.
"Yeah. It's really horrible, what some people were subjected to during that time." Dylan shook his head. "Enough of that..."
Bronwyn nodded. "So, I take it you're hiring?"
"Absolutely. What we need is a newscast, morning or evening, or both if we can manage, and then carefree music to get people's minds off of the past so that they can move on to a happier future."
"My schedule is wide open until classes start in October, so I can do as much as you need me to until you can get some more people on board."
Dylan looked immensely relieved. "Did I mention I'm glad you're here? There's one more thing I've been pondering. Emrys Fest. I don't know if we can scramble any bands together, but even if we can just hold a small show, I think it'll really help everybody feel better."
"How about I see who I can dig up and then we go from there?" Bronwyn suggested.
Being back at St. Emrys, back home, made Bronwyn discover that she could never, ever take anything for granted again. She felt blessed to be a live and with the majority of her family again. Currently, she and Toby lived at Wotan's house. Siegfried was there, too, and the cats, Shadow and Nerisse were reunited, though it was a rocky reunion in the beginning since they had to sort out territorial issues. Now they were the best of friends again.
Bronwyn's cousin Kate, who'd been living in Cyprus with a host family since her rescue from Happy Haven School For Nons, was also back home with her father Will.
Only one person wasn't home again, Aemilia. No one knew where she was or what had happened to her, but the Ministry of Magic had already begun to compile an official missing persons list and would send search parties out to hopefully find those MIA alive. The entire family missed Aemilia terribly, but none more than Wotan. He wanted a happy reunion with his wife, but he didn't look forward to telling her about his indiscretion with Annabelle Diamond.
Wotan and Annabelle wrote occasionally, mainly so that Wotan knew how Annabelle and the baby were doing. Annabelle also continued to write Bronwyn about herself and about Desi, who still hadn't gotten over the blow that her mother had had an affair, even accidentally, with Bronwyn's father. Desi's father and twin sister were among the unaccounted at the moment, so there wasn't any happy news there either.
Bronwyn couldn't help but feel optimistic about the future, though. Already, everything was looking up, and with any luck at all, Aemilia and Wesley and Bianca Diamond would be found alive and well.
Brats
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 04-18-09 10:18
Watching a wobbling rider maneuver a broom from one end of the pitch to the other, Zuberi Batuti gives a derisive snort.
"Have something to say, Zuberi?" Py asks in a tone far more mild than what he's actually feeling towards the bratty boy at the moment.
"That one's a joke. Has no business thinking about trying out."
"That joke as you call him lost two fingers on one hand and one on the other, and a total of three toes in a prison community. He also lost much of his muscle mass. Before you start criticizing someone, know the facts first."
Py can't believe that he, who used to make comments all the time about people and who passed judgements at a glance, is giving a lecture, albeit a short one, on the subject. Perhaps if the person Zuberi is ridiculing were someone else, Py wouldn't be making a hypocrite of himself.
"You know a lot about him. That mean you know him?"
"Jeremy O'Brian."
"Tutshill Tornados Jeremy O'Brian?"
"That would be he."
"But he's a pureblood. Why would he have been in one of those prison comunities?"
"You think only those not deemed pureblooded were in them?"
"Yeah, I thought that was the point of the segregation and communities."
"You've really not paid much attention to any of it then, have you?"
Zuberi shrugs. "Nope. Guess not. Why was he in one?"
"His wife is Muggle born and was to be arrested. Their two children are Half-bloods. They got Jeremy's wife but he put his chidren into hiding. He got word that a cousin's children were in danger so he went to get them but got captured himself. He was found guilty of aiding and abetting Nons."
"When they took kids into custody, where were the children taken?"
Py looks full on at Zuberi, eyes wide with disbelief. "You really haven't paid any attention at all."
"Had other things on my mind."
"Other things, huh? You mean like how to make your sister's life holy hell?"
"I didn't set out to make Dosie miserable."
"Didn't you?"
"Okay, so maybe a little. She abandoned us."
"Hardly."
"She left us at school to come to another country."
"Boarding school, correct?"
"Yes."
"Every other student's family were right there where the school is and saw their families nearly every day?"
"No."
"Your sister never sent funds or saw that you had what you needed while at school?"
"Yeah, she did. We always had what we needed for school and an allowance."
"She never saw you on holidays then?"
"Dosie almost always come back when we were on break from school."
"Almost always there when you weren't in school, material needs provided for, a school with a great reputation. Yes, I can see how you would think she abandoned you."
Zuberi gives one of his derisive snorts again. "You wouldn't understand."
Py chooses not to retort to that knowing it would be pointless. They both go silent watching the people on the pitch, people invited by Viktor to make use of the Humbatas Statium to get back into the game if they wanted, to get ready for tryouts for any team later in the year.
After a moment Zuberi says, "You never said what the Ministry did with the children."
"School age kids were sent to a place called Happy Haven School For Nons. Younger children went to a place called Camp Lollipop."
"A place called Camp Lollipop doesn't sound so bad."
"Kids torn from families. Infants literally ripped out of parents' arms. Those old enough to do tasks were put to work. No heat. No light at night. Just a handful of overworked adults to watch over them."
"Oh."
Zuberi goes quiet for another minute then says, "Dosie shouldn't have brought us somewhere like this."
"She was doing the best she could under the circumstances."
Zuberi makes that snorting sound and Py holds a palm out towards the boy. "Wait. Don't tell me. I wouldn't understand."
Zuberi just shrugs then standing up says, "I have to get back to the shop. The time Viktor gave me is almost up."
Py doesn't say anything, just sort of grunts. If Isolde and he ever have children, they are NOT going to be as bratty, self-centered, ungrateful, and uniformed as Zuberi Batuti.