|
|
Who Will Teach?
Author: Fionna
Date: 04-19-09 09:49
Sprawled on her bed, tomorrow's Potions reading assignment in front of her, Catriona asks Bianca, "Who do you suppose will teach next term?"
"Don't know. Can't be any worse than what we've had so far though."
Sitting up, Cat ticks off on her fingers, "There are substitutes in Charms, Potions, and Muggle Studies, and we've had a substitute in Transfiguration practically all year."
"Snape will probably be offered the Potions full-time. It was his to begin with."
"We've never had him, before now though," Cat points out. "I've heard he's as awful as Carrow and that we've just not seen the worst side of him yet."
"Yeah, though at least he doesn't use the Cruciatus Curse or make people write lines with those horribly painful quills."
"Do you think Professor Flitwick will take Charms again as a regular teacher? I quite like him."
"Me too. I can't decide about McGonagall though. She's nice enough I suppose but," Bianca shrugs, not exactly sure how to characterize the new to her Transfiguration professor.
"Severe. She seems severe," Cat supplies.
"Yeah, that's it. Professor Miller's taken the Muggle Studies class and if he's back in the fall, I wouldn't mind having him as a teacher. He's better to look at than Pansy Parkinson," Bianca giggles.
"I've heard his class is fun. I didn't sign up for Muggle Studies but if he's going to have the class, maybe I'll see about dropping one of the two I did choose."
"I'm thirsty. Want to go with me to get something from the commons?"
"Yeah, could do with a break," Cat nods, slamming the Potions reading shut.
As they walk to the commons, Bianca and Cat start talking about final exams, which start in just under two weeks. That leads to another of their many discussions on what they want to do over summer holiday.
Reverse Obliviation
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 04-19-09 11:38
Stopping on front of a townhouse of the sort that would fit in perfectly in a row of New York City brownstones, Charlie glances at the house number before saying, "This is it."
Standing even with Charlie at the steps leading to the front door, Prunella Cromwell says, "I don't know about you but after we're done here, I'll be ready for a break."
"These are rather mentally trying, aren't they?" Charlie says, agreeing to the break without specifically stating it.
With so many Muggel relatives of Nons having been Obliviated there are far too many to undo quickly for the current Ministry administration to handle, even if the Obliviator staff were at full speed and every position filled with twenty year veterans. As someone who's worked with dragons, Charlie has had to Obliviate Muggles from time to time. As a former Auror, Prunella Cromwell's has a fair handle on the charm as well. As such, Kingsley Shacklebolt recruited them both to help as Obliviators on a short-term basis to reverse the memories of those Euphemia Smythe-Jones's people had spelled.
Prunella and Charlie take a moment to make sure they have the facts straight that go with this address. They've seen so many since taking on the task that it's getting hard to keep straight the information on who's who and what the connection to the Wizarding community is.
The hardest on them mentally and emtionally are the ones who have no family coming back. It's hard enough explaining what's gone in, even when the Wizarding members of the family are with them to help do it, without having to explain that someone's daughter, son, wife, or husband has died and why.
With two such under their belts already today, Charlie is grateful beyond words that this house isn't like that. In fact, the woman who's parents live here should be arriving at any moment to go in with them.
As if on cue, Deondra Tadaka calls from the street corner, "Hallooo! I'm not late am I?"
Prunella, who thinks that Deondra's complexion borne of one parent who is black and the other Asian is very striking. In fact, the late twenty-something woman is gorgeous in every way. Prunella pokes Charlie in the ribs. "Don't stare. It's unbecoming in a married man."
Charlie grins at Prunella. "Married, not blind."
Reaching them, Deondra tells them, "I'm more nervous than I was when I was hiding from the Snatchers. I get that they Obliviated Mum and Dad but how did they handle the neighbors?"
Charlie explains, "From what we've gathered, they used a modified spell that encompassed a larger area and over a certain period of days any of those affected people in turn affected others."
"No way to get everyone in many instances of course, but enough to have those not affected be looked at as though they'd gone mental if asking after the person or persons removed from the memories of others." Prunella says this while sweeping an arm around to encompass the neighborhood.
"So you have to remove it from anyone who knew me?"
Prunella shakes her head, "Thankfully no. At first that's what was thought but it turns out that once the main focus of the charm has it reversed, it wears off everyone else as well."
"What about things like photographs? How were those handled?"
Charlie fields this question. "With the modified Obliviated spell, anyone such as your parents viewing a photo that had had you in it, would not see you in the photo."
"It all sounds so complicated. I've a slew of other questions but right now I'm so anxious to see Mum and Dad again I don't want to try and wrap my head around all that."
"Then let's not keep you waiting." Charlie gestures to the steps. "After you, ladies."
A half hour later, Prunella and Charlie are making their way back down the steps to the walk. "That didn't take as long as I expected," Charlie remarks. "I saw a pub around the corner and down the street when we were walking here. It's Muggle but would that work for a break?"
Prunella gives an emphatic nod. "They'll have a nice stout on tap and hopefully a meat and cheese plate. Since it's my idea to take the break, I'll buy."
"Only if you let me pick up the tab the next time."
"Agreed!"
(Austin, Texas) News from Abroad
Author: Marzipan
Date: 04-19-09 12:45
News of what had gone on back home had reached Marzipan and Weston via a blurb in the world section of the local wizarding newspaper and through letters from Marzi's mother. Both reported that Euphemia Smythe-Jones was no longer in office, that many arrests had been made, and that some of the former Minister's policies had already been reversed. Many wizards who'd gone into hiding or been locked up in Azkaban or at one of the many prison communities around Britain and its territories had already returned to their homes and their jobs.
Marzi and Weston believed what they'd read, but they were also cautious. The usurpation of Euphemia Smythe-Jones had only happened a little over a week ago, and while many of her supporters––those who'd been involved in the crimes against the nons––had already been arrested, some were undoubtably still at large. Great Britain might be much improved in terms of the safety of its citizens, but it was currently in a period of vast change and was in its own way not yet completely stable.
Still, Marzi longed to go back. She couldn't wait to see her family, even the mother with whom she'd had a rocky relationship. She wanted to go to Diagon Alley and to Hogsmeade and above all places to Hogwarts.
A few days ago, she wrote a letter to Albus Dumbledore, having heard that he'd resumed his old position as Headmaster at Hogwarts. She inquired about her old position, not knowing who currently held it and whether that person intended on staying on next year. Marzi hadn't yet received a reply but she hoped that one would arrive soon.
In the meantime, she continued to work at Herb's Herbs. She liked her job, though she didn't get the same thrill from selling something as she did from teaching something to a child. For now she contented herself with her work, though she dreamed of one day resuming her old job at Hogwarts.
Waiting For The Transfiguration Practical
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 04-19-09 13:07
During the written part of the Transfiguration OWL this morning, Zabrynna had found concentrating on the exam a little difficult. Declan is the proctor for the Transfiguration portion and having him roving the Great Hall had Zabrynna wanting to track his movements instead of reading the test questions and answering them properly. Her concentration so was off she even broke a few quill points and had to get Declan over to give her another each time that happened.
Zabrynna had somehow managed but over lunch, thinking back on the exam and listening to others talk about it, Zabrynna knows she flubbed some of the responses. Now, standing outside the Great Hall, ready to be called in for the practical portion of the Transfiguration OWL, Zabrynna is so busy trying not to be obvious about watching Declan standing at the Great Hall doors talking with Professor Hodfuffer that she's not in the slightest bit nervous about the next part of the exam.
Zabrynna overhears the The Ancient Runes professor ask, "Much longer until you start?"
"Just waiting on word from Professors Brecknock and Huntingdon that they're ready," Declan replies.
"I should get going anyway. I've got office hours and didn't post a note that I'd be elsewhere." Professor Hodfuffer leaves just after saying to the assembled students, "You'll all do a smashing!"
With Declan standing there alone, Zabrynna's mind grapples with a plausible reason to chat him up even though the other fifth and seventh years taking Transfiguration are there to watch, and even though Zabrynna should be thinking about what the examiners might ask of her instead of how to most casually, nonchalantly say, "Excellent job your doing as proctor, Professor Douglass."
These thoughts are pushed aside when a nervous Anne steps in front of Zabrynna, blocking her view of Declan. "I wish they'd hurry up!"
Stephen Hunt comes up behind Anne and putting arms around her in a friendly hug, he says impishly, "Don't you know that you're being graded on how well you handle the waiting?"
Anne playfully slaps at Stephen. "How about I show them how well I transfigure an ass?"
Zabrynna laughs, "Into what?"
"Something useful like a tea cozy."
"Yeah, but then you'd be handling me all the time. I've seen how much tea you drink," Stephen winks at Anne.
"Albert. Philippa. They're ready for you," Declan informs Albert Duff and Philippa Fox.
Conversation falls to hushed tones as the nervous tension increases among the waiting students. Anne keeps saying how it seems like it's taking forever. When she's called in next, together with Stephen, Zabrynna feels as though any time's hardly passed at all, but then, no time seems long enough when Declan's around.
Soon, James Lennox and Zabrynna are called in with Zabrynna directed to Professor Huntingdon's table. That's who she had yesterday for the Charms practical and remembering her the professor says, "Good to see you again, Miss Ravensdale. I would like you to take this button and turn it into a beetle, please."
Taking the large brass button from Professor Huntingdon, Zabrynna sets right to work turning it into a large scarab beetle with a shiny, metallic looking back.
It's All in the Past
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 04-19-09 19:08
It was early morning, and Arley was restless. He sat up in bed and stared at the wall.
“You are not sleeping in this morning?” A sleepy voice mumbled from under a pillow.
Arley chuckled “C’mon Seb, ya know I don’t always sleep in. Besides, since when do you sleep past 6 A.M.?”
Sebastian groaned and pulled the pillow off of him. “You were dreaming last night, you had the nightmare again?”
“No…not this time. Well I dunno if I would call ‘em nightmares, more like flashbacks…” Arlington forced a smile and raked his fingers through Sebastian’s hair. “I was thinking about school.”
“The girls, they do not know about us?” Sebastian sat up and stretched before he leaned against Arley.
Arley wrapped an arm around Seb’s shoulders, “Well they knew about us in school, after we broke up, everyone knew.” He sighed as he remembered how it all happened. “Ya know I still regret that…”
Sebastian looked up into Arley’s deep green eyes “I forgave you. Everything was better after we made up.”
“Yeah, jus’ in time for Valentine’s Day.” He leaned down to kiss Seb’s forehead. “Maybe we should call Desi and Bron, I’m sure they miss us.”
“We still need to be cautious, Arlington. It is not yet safe…” Seb looked worried, but Arley hushed him with a kiss.
“That ain’t true anymore, things are changin’. Soon everything will be back to normal. I’ll make the call; I think I know how to get in touch with Desi.” He grinned and reached for his cell phone. “I hope this is the right girl, and that she still has a phone.”
“We could just send an owl, which is a much more reliable form of communication.” Seb reached over to scribble on a sheet of parchment and quickly sent a letter off to Bronwyn.
“You do it your way, I’ll do it mine. By the way, your psychotic owl hates me.” Arley rolled his eyes and dialed a number.
Wedding in Mumbai
Author: Illyria
Date: 04-20-09 07:09
Several rows of white folding chairs had been set up on the beach in front of the Jones family house in Mumbai. In front of them stood a white arch covered by orange-red honeysuckle blossoms and dark green vines. Beneath it stood an official from the Indian Ministry of Magic. He wore robes the color of the ocean, which rolled in gentle waves to the shore. A little in front and to the side of the official stood Aidan, barefoot and in a casual suit.
Olympia emerged from the house wearing a summer dress the same color as the honeysuckle blossoms. A moment later, Erigone emerged on the arm of her father. Erigone wore a white summer dress and no shoes. She followed Olympia down the makeshift aisle between the rows of folding chairs and eventually stopped beside her fiancé.
With the entire family finally together again, Erigone and Aidan didn't want to delay their wedding any longer. During the last year or more, they'd learned that life could be short and full of hardships, and they didn't want to waste another moment of it.
With the recent changes at home, Erigone and Aidan were able to invite more than just those already in Mumbai. Aidan had a happy reunion with his parents and siblings, and Erigone managed to invite some of her own friends and extended family too. Still, the guest list was small compared to that of Arsinoe's wedding nearly two years ago.
Like before, the girls had drawn straws to see who would be Erigone's maid of honor. This time Olympia drew the short one. She stood proudly by her sister and listened to the wedding vows with tears in her eyes.
It wasn't long before the Ministry official declared Aidan and Erigone man and wife and introduced the new couple to the world.
The reception was also on the beach. A simple flick of a wand moved the folding chairs around and added tables. A buffet appeared, mainly featuring traditional Indian breakfast and light lunch foods but having a few Western dishes as well.
Illyria helped herself to a plate and then turned, nearly colliding with one of the other guests. She started to apologize when she realized she recognized the man and that she hadn't expected to see him at Erigone's wedding.
He recognized her too and grinned. "Illyria, right?"
"At least you remember my name," Illyria replied, smiling while she tried to remember his. They'd met around two years ago and had a one-night fling. "Nathan," she finally remembered. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm a guest of the groom," Nathan replied.
"You were the guest of Quin at his wedding, if I recall correctly," Illyria remarked.
"What can I say? You and I seem to run in a small circle. You look well."
"Thanks. Do you have a seat somewhere? We can catch up while we eat. I'm sure we both have plenty of stories to share since we last saw each other."
Nathan was agreeable to this and after fixing himself a plate, sat down next to Illyria at her table. She told him about her recent past and speculated on the future, such as if she would ever return home again and seek out her old position at Hogwarts. Illyria liked her new life in Mumbai, especially being so close to her entire family, such as the niece she'd never met until recently, but at the same time she missed her old life. She just didn't know what she wanted yet.
She knew that she didn't have to make an immediate decision and that all that mattered right now was Erigone's big day.
Making Time For Family
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-20-09 19:13
Even though I've made myself availabe to the Muggle Studies students pretty much 24-7 to help clean up the mess left by Pansy Parkinson as Muggle Studies professor, as soon as noon arrives I'm out of the office. Changing the office to make it friendlier and less anti-Muggle is on the agenda for this week. There's been so much since the retaking of Hogwarts that getting rid of Parkinson's taste in decor hasn't been a priority though I did get rid of some atrocious anti-Muggle, anti anyone and anything not of pureblood status propaganda. A quick wave of the wand trashed those posters.
With only a week between the renewed Hogwarts and the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s Professor Dumbledore was rightly concerned about what the fifth and seventh year Muggle Studies students could expect with the testing. He'd called me into to consult in a meeting that included the Ministry testing officials Huntingdon and Brecknock. An agreement was reached not to include anything Parkinson taught. It wasn't hard to convince either of the exam professors because all Pansy Parkinson had taught was the same litany of Muggles are stupid. Muggles are worthless. Muggles should be slaves to the Wizarding community.
The problem posed after that was the fact that of the fifth years students none of the four had been Muggle Studies students prior to this school year. Of the seventh years, two of the six hadn't had the class either. I've been working overtime trying to help six total students (Philippa Fox, Anne Kendrick, James Lennox, Zabrynna Ravensdale, Mary Black, and Crispin Cooke) get an idea of what to expect. In the short time span when they are also trying to prepare for exams in all their other course, it's been a daunting task. Luckily, the Muggle Studies portion will be scored differently this time than in other years and any marks that aren't acceptable won't count against the students receiving them.
There's been the covering of classes and trying to prep third, fourth, and sixth year students for final examinations. Most of the third years have little or no Muggle experience. Fourth year Timothy Gabble didn't have the class during his third year nor did sixth year Isabel Parker take the class previously. At least with these three classes I can personally tailor the final to the students. It's just getting a good assessment of each to be able to do that. The class sizes do at least make that easier than it might otherwise be. Something to be thankful for.
With everything going on, setting family time aside is more important than ever given the separation and hardships we endured. Even though he's between written and practical Herbology N.E.W.T.s, Sage is taking lunch in our quarters instead of the Great Hall. Deak's got a full Wednesday schedule but has an hour alotted between DADA and Charms so he's taking lunch with us as well and Drake said he'd be there and is even bringing something from Briar's Bakery.
Saffron's had office hours this morning as well. I reach our castle quarters before she does. Drake is already here and has the table nearly set. I bustle around helping him, directing Deak then Sage to sit and dig in when they arrive. When Saffron walks in right after that I quickly close the distance between the table and door, giving her a big kiss before eagerly taking seventh month old Niccola Erin Miller, the secret Saffron's been keeping and the reason she needed the Room of Requirement to help her get to Hogsmeade without anyone in the castle knowing.
Sage and Deak are still somewhat ticked that they didn't know even though they saw Saffron regularly. Drake wasn't too thrilled with not knowing at first but now he seems to have forgiven Saffron and says he understands her reasoning for keeping Niccola a secret. Sassy stopped speaking to Saffron for all of thirty seconds before cooing over her niece and asking Saffron a ton of questions about the baby. Lohengrin has yet to say a word or see Niccola but his current wife Birdie has dropped by several times now, always with some cute little outfit for Niccola.
I understand why Saffron did as she did and seeing as how I was in a prison community, I'm hardly in a position to judge or give opinion on how she should or should not have handled things. I'm just happy that we're all safe, relatively healthy, and together again. Plus, how can I not be overjoyed at having a daughter?