|
|
Preparing For A Grand Reopening
Author: Travis
Date: 04-26-09 15:19
Walking past what used to be Egyptian Mysteries Travis notices that there's still no new on the building. There's only the sign in the window announcing exotic hothouse flowers. She's seen no sign of anyone nor does she hear sounds of refurbishment coming from inside. Too bad really because it would be nice to be able to do the friendly thing and greet the owner or manager. Travis would also like to ask if they have their own greenhouses or buy from somewhere else. If it's from somewhere else, perhaps she could persuade whomever it is to cosider switching to her greenhouses.
When she reaches her destination, Travis stops to look over the garden patches in front of McFusty's Pets. Kneeling, Travis digs her hands through the dirt, taking note of the feel of the soil. In addition to the texture she takes in its overall appearance and smell. By the time she's standing, dusting off hands and knees, Travis has a very good idea of what'll she'll plant for Indigo.
Walking inside Travis is greeted by Lisianthus, who's only recently returned to Great Britain. Indi and Travis were initially taken aback by Lisi's story and that of her two House Elf companions but once the shock of her return was not so great, neither could say they were all that surprised to learn of their part in what went on. Now if only Lisi will see fit to properly restore their memories. Indi and Travis had tried the restoration on each other but it seems that another thing Lisi excels at is the taking and the returning of memories. She's already helped the new Ministry with the modified memories of Muggles and has agreed to do more of that work this week.
After the sisters greet each other Lisi tells Travis, "Indi went to see about someone's fish tank."
"Sick fish?"
"One is but mainly it's that the woman bought a big, fancy tank and filled it with saltwater fish, only to realize she hasn't any idea on the care or feeding of them. Indi's gone to give her a lesson and to see if he can heal the one fish that's taken ill. It's a lined butterfly fish. Indi said that it's one of the more sensitive of the butterfly fishes."
"I was coming to see if I could treat him to lunch. Do you want to go? We can wait a little bit in case Indi's back soon."
"Lunch would be nice," Lisi nods. She holds up some dog collars. "I'm making a new display. Should I arrange by color, by size, or by style or a combination?"
"Where is the display to be?"
"One of the front windows. It's for the reopening of the pet shoppe part of things."
"What else will be in the diplay?"
"Toys and food. And for the grand reopening there will be some puppies. That window there will be cats. Then this area," Lisi sweeps a hand, "will have birds. Parrots, lovebirds, several other kinds. There's going to be lots more but Indi's not decided on everything yet."
"He's only just finished school and I know the weekend was extremely busy with sick and injured animals."
"Did he tell you he's thinking of having a petting zoo type thing one a month or so? He was thinking of the kids down at Blossom's."
"That would be fun though a lot of work I should think."
From behind them Indi says, "It will be but I'm not going to try to do everything at once. My first priority is getting the pet shoppe part reopened while doing more with the healing aspect now that school's done."
"Did you heal that butterfly fish?" Lisi asks.
"Yes, though I'm going to check in regularly and make sure it stays healthy and to make sure the other fish are doing well."
"Want some lunch?" Travis asks. "My treat."
"I'm starving so lead the way," Indi says. "It's just us today though so let me put a sign up."
A few minutes later the brother and sisters are walking to the nearby Imperial Crown & Cauldron, Indi and Travis wheedling Lisi to fix their memories and Lisi teasing about whether she will or not.
Potions Proctor
Author: Jolyon
Date: 04-26-09 17:00
The fifth and seventh year students diligently scribbled in their test booklets while the sand in the giant hourglass behind Professor Kent filtered from top to bottom. Already, most of the sand occupied the bottom half of the glass, signaling to the test takers that the end of the Potions O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams was near.
Professor Kent normally had only one class on Mondays, but since it was a seventh year class and the seventh years were among those being tested today, he didn't have to worry about finding a substitute for Care of Magical Creatures. It probably wouldn't have been very challenging, though, with Hagrid once again at Hogwarts.
A hand shot in the air. Albert Duff had broken his quill in two from putting too much pressure onto it while furiously writing his short essay answers. Professor Kent didn't hesitate a moment to bring him a new quill. Relief coursed through Albert the moment he exchanged the bad one for the good one, and he frantically started writing again.
It wasn't long thereafter until the last kernel of sand slipped onto the pile at the bottom of the hourglass. Professor Kent called "Time" and asked for everyone to lower their quills. At least one person hurriedly tried to finish a last thought, but Professor Kent quickly summoned all of the test booklets with a flick of his wand. They landed in a short but neat pile on the High Table. He summoned all of the anti-cheating quills next and then officially dismissed the test-takers.
They left the room eagerly, massaging cramping hands and conferring with their classmates about particular questions from the exams. Professor Kent collected the test booklets from the main table, while the room rearranged itself so that the desks and chairs disappeared and the long tables and benches reappeared just in time for lunch.
Potions - Theory
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 04-27-09 13:53
From the moment the sand began its decent downwards progressed by gravity within the hourglass she cursed this exam. She'd studied so much she should have everything memorized but she found everything flying out of her head as she stared at the first question. Finally, after a few moments, and the sound of quills scratching around her at a furious pace Orei began writing for her Potions N.E.W.T., she only had two more N.E.W.Ts left and was thankful that she had tomorrow off to let her hands rest and study a bit more for the two remaining.
She looked up a moment, scanning the great hall at those looking up from their test booklets long enough to capture another stray thought before turning furiously back to their test booklets and finishing the answer to this question or that question. She moved through the questions, answering them in as much detail as she thought would serve the answer. She'd gotten a few letters from Brett over the semester since he'd left, a few letters from her parents who were thinking of coming back to London now that this whole superiority thing was winding down and the clean up was beginning from Minister Smythe-Jones.
She had already had the house elf that was left to take care of her parents London flat move her things to the house in Hogsmeade so that it was ready once she left Hogwarts at the end of this term. Maddie would be moving in as well, within a few weeks after tending to things with her parents and they would both be going to St. Emry's when the next term started.
Her thoughts would return to the Potions exam before her, noting that the hourglass was nearly three-quarters of the way empty and she had two more questions to answer before time ran out. She'd heard the nearly hushed gasp of horror from Albert Duff, and then saw his hand fly into the air, signaling Professor Kent that he needed a new quill to finish his exam because the other had snapped cleanly in two! Well then! Talk about cracking under the pressure...Okay, bad pun! Orei worked to finish her questions and before anyone knew it Professor Kent was calling time and summoning test booklets and quills to the high table and dismissing the fifth and seventh years so that the Great Hall could be made ready for lunch, before the practical examinations would begin.
Late Lunch, Pre-Dinner Snack, Take Your Pick
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-27-09 16:29
Grabbing two cans of soft drinks, two bags of cheese crisps, and four ham and cheese sandwiches, Harry pays then goes to sit down at a table from where he can easily see Ron enter the Ministry's cafeteria. He doesn't have long to wait before his friend enters, giving Ron a wave. Seeing him, Ron smiles and weaves his way around other tables to reach Harry.
Dropping heavily into the seat opposite Ron sighs, "I'm knackered. Knackered and famished."
Passing half the food and drink over to Ron Harry nods as his friend speaks then says, "Same here. That's why I wanted to get something now instead of waiting even a little bit for supper."
Picking up the can of soda Harry had given him Ron eyeballs it asking, "Since when does the Ministry carry Muggle soda?"
"Don't know. Don't think I care at this point," Harry says around a mouthful of sandwich.
"Two sandwiches and one bag of crisps might not be enough but then maybe it will tide me over until suppertime."
Nodding and agreeing again Harry says, "That was my thinking. Just a snack until dinner. I wouldn't want to hurt Pinky's feelings anyway. He's doing up Chinese. Not sure why though with Janine still gone."
"He likes to cook. Wouldn't complain if I were you."
"Not complaining so much as commenting. Want to come? There will be plenty. Hermione too, of course. Ginny if she wants."
"Hermione and I were getting together tonight but without any firm plans. I'll give you a tentative yes for the two of us."
"Yeah, best to check with her before agreeing to anything," Harry chuckles.
"So very true," Ron gives an emphatic nod. "I'm heading to Whizz Hard after in a few to get some paperwork there done - working two jobs is nice for the finances but tiring - so will pop 'round to the flat to see if Ginny's there. Will leave her a note if she's not, telling her she's invited to your place tonight. Any particularly time?"
"No, just whenever."
"What's the deal with Janine? Is she moving back in anytime soon?"
"No idea. She's been spending so much time with her parents I've hardly seen her. At least Pinky's still got daily access to Rocko. I don't think I could handle going home if he were moping about not being able to spend time with the dog."
"You and she aren't breaking up, are you?"
"I honestly don't know. Right now it seems as though we are but after everything everyone has been through, it makes sense that Janine would spend so much time with her mum and dad. We all just need time and patience with each other."
"Yeah, but her dad isn't the most patient person when it comes to anything about you."
"He never has been. I don't think he is now. In fact, sometimes I think he blames me for everything Euphemia Smythe-JOnes did. But perhaps I'm reading too much into it all. Could be it wouldn't matter who Janine was with, her father would not approve."
"No one's good enough for his little girl."
"Exactly."
On that note Harry crumples up the paper that his sandwiches had been wrapped in and smashes that up with the now empty crisps packet. He finishes the soda in a big swig then stands. "I'm going to try and leave around 5 but don't worry about possibly getting to the house before me. You know Pinky. He'll have starters and want to show off his bartending skills. Sit back and relax and I'll be there asap."
"Will do," Ron replies, standing up as well.
They deposit their trash in one of the bins then part ways, Harry to get more work done in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Ron to go to Diagon Alley to Whizz Hard Books.
Practical Potions
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 04-27-09 17:07
Alanna didn't start feeling nervous about the practical portion of the Potions NEWT exam until the last OWL student, Victoria Visconti, stepped into the Great Hall to take her own test. Now Alanna stood just inches away from the doors to the Great Hall, with Professor Kent to her side and Oreileah McCoi directly behind her in line.
Alanna didn't know Professor Kent very well since she didn't take Care of Magical Creatures, but she came to like him in the short time she stood next to him in the entrance hall. He spoke words of encouragement and brought up subjects completely unrelated to the exams to give the remaining test-takers something more pleasant to think about. Alanna certainly didn't mind the distraction. She figured if she didn't know it by now, it was too late to commit it to memory.
After a while, Professor Kent peeked his head into the Great Hall and then turned to Alanna and Orei. "You're up," he said, with a comforting smile to each of them.
Alanna took a deep breath and passed over the threshold into the Great Hall in time to hear Jared's whispered "Good luck." A smile crossed her face and she moved through the room to where Professor Brecknock sat.
Near the Ministry of Magic tester was a work station with ingredients and a small cauldron.
"Good afternoon, Miss Beck," Professor Brecknock greeted. "I wonder if you might brew a quick Boil Cure Potion."
"Certainly," Alanna said, as she simultaneously went over in her mind the ingredients she needed for the potion. Dried nettles, crushed snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, porcupine quills. They were all there at the work station, along with other ingredients she wouldn't need.
Knowing exactly what she needed to do, she got to work on the Boil Cure Potion.
Wax Begonias For A Lady (Augustus)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 04-28-09 16:58
During Herbology the first years knew not to expect any sort of review in preparation for final examinations which are next week. Augustus isn't even sure if Professor Rivalen Farnon has even grasped that regular classes for all but the fifth and seventh years end on Friday. The fifth and seventh years are in their second week of important examinations though Gus can't imagine the luxury of having exams spaced over two weeks. What's so stressful about that?
Caerwyn is eyeing the blooms of wax begonias in front of him. Seeing the look Caerwyn's giving the rose colored blooms, Gus whispers, "Other than something a mum might like, are these important?"
Shrugging shoulders Caerwyn gives a slight shake of his head. "No idea. Potions maybe?"
"Yeah, that's probably it."
Still keeping his voice low Caerwyn remarks, "We probably should have done the reading."
"Do you think it makes much of a difference to him?" Gus asks with a jerk of his head in Professor Farnon's direction. "Say, do you think anyone would notice if a picked a bouquet of the red and the white ones to send to my mum?"
"He's got his head in a magazine so unless you're really obvious about it or unless one of the others snitches on you. Come to think of it, the Stryde triplets would just for a laugh."
"Would Professor Farnon even care?"
Caerwyn grins, "Not if you tell him it's for a lady."
"I think I will then, at the end of class. That way I can owl them off right after," Gus says, thinking about all the time to kill between Herbology and Fitness & Athletics this afternoon. He'll probably end up spending much of that time finishing up assignments due tomorrow and doing final exam review.
Caerwyn looks back to the wax begonia in front of him with its rose colored blooms. "Okay, so what are we supposed to be doing?"
"Whatever Cat and Bianca are doing."
"Good idea."
Lunch with Luna
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 04-29-09 11:37
Ginny slides into the restaurant booth saying to Luna Lovegood, "I'm so glad we could meet today. For so long every time we saw it each other was for something Order or Resistance related."
"At least all of that is behind us now. I can get back to searching for the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. I also want to follow up on a reported sighting of a Three and a Half Toed Monglewort."
"Three and a Half Toed Monglewort?" Ginny asks, searching her brain for any reference to such a creature.
"Yes, not to be confused with the Four and a Quarter Toed Monglewort. They do look strikingly similar, you know."
"Yes, I might find it difficult to tell them apart myself," Ginny says, suppressing the giggle that threatens to burble forth. Glancing at her menu Ginny muses, "What looks good?"
"I'm going to have the Tomkagai and something else but I'm not sure of the other yet."
Ginny's eyes fall on the Tomkagai description, thinking that the chicken and coconut milk soup does sound good.
Luna sets her menu aside. "I'm going with the Masaman Curry with tofu."
With so many good sounding items from which to choose, Ginny forces herself to make a quick decision by closing her eyes and pointing. Her finger lands on Pad Med Ma Muong. She decides to get the cashew dish wit the chicken, having always liked that combination. When the waiter comes she also orders them a mixed starter of chicken satay, soft spring rolls, and dumplings.
Once the waiter is walking away, Luna tells Ginny in that dreamy way she has, "I've met someone. We've only gone on two dates but he's very nice and I quite like him a great deal."
Leaning forward slightly, Ginny asks with interest, "Who? Anyone I might know?"
"I don't think so. His name is Rolf Scamander."
"I know that name. He went to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, but ahead of us. You probably know his grandfather's name. Newt Scamander."
Ginny tries not to look blank.
Luna fills in, "Esteemed author of Magical Beasts And Where To Find Them."
It still takes Ginny a moment, then blinking as the memory of what that is surfaces she smiles, "Yes, right. Where did you meet Rolf?"
As Luna launches into the story of meeting Rolf at a conference on the existance of the Reclusive Jaspiglion Quippet, while happy for her friend Ginny can't help but feel a little envious.
Having A Gap Year?
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 04-29-09 13:50
Handing Coco a bowl with the beginnings of a cake Mitzi Bolt makes tsking sounds as she looks through one of the cupboards. "I know it's here somewhere," she says aloud to herself. To Coco she says, "Go on. Stir."
Obediently, Coco picks up the spoon in the bowl and start stirring in the buttermilk Mitzi had added to the batter just moments ago.
"Here it is," Mitzi says, retrieving something from the cupboard. "Add some flour now. Not all. Only some. Then stir in more of the buttermilk."
"Yes, ma'am," Coco replies, reaching for the already measured and sifted flour.
Mitzi taps something from a container into the bowl, brownish fleck showering into the mix. "Nutmeg," she explains. "I like the added flavor it gives to this particular recipe. Have you decided what you're going to do? Will this be gap year?"
"No, think Oi'll start roight up at uni if there be courses loike wot Oi'd a had at 'ogwarts me last year."
"That place called St. Emrys you've mentioned?"
"Prob'ly. Oi could live at home. See Grandpa Wall, Abe, and you ever day."
"Where is the school?"
"Stratford-Upon-Avon."
"That's a lovely place."
"Yeah. School's fine too. Oi'll show hit to ya. Veterinary Healing Department seems put together well. That's in the uni's Marjoribanks College. Would be nice to finish me 'ogwarts requirements though."
"Have you asked Professor Dumbledore about that?"
"No, but I should."
"Most definately. First though pour half the batter into each pan," Mitzi says, tapping the two cake pans she's just greased and floured.
"Yes, ma'am," Coco says with a grin, moving from the table where she'd been sitting to empty the bowl between the two pans.
Soon the pans are in the oven and Coco is drafting a letter to Professor Dumbledore as Mitzi fills Coco in on something that happened with neighbors down the block while Coco was away.