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Theory of Charms
Author: Griet
Date: 06-07-10 17:28
The Great Hall had been arranged in its usual fashion for the Theory of Charms O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams. Gone were the long house tables, which had been replaced by individual desks and chairs. The fifth years sat closest to the raised dais where the staff table was located, with the seventh years occupying the very last rows. New this year was the addition of certain sixth year students. They sat sandwiched between the fifth and seventh years.
Griet sat at the very last desk reserved for one such sixth year. The others were arranged alphabetically both next to and in front of her. Gervaise occupied the desk to her left, with Oberon seated on his other side.
Since 9 am, they had been scribbling fast and furiously in their test booklets. Today's subject was Charms. Charms, of course, was a required class up through fifth year, and would have been an O.W.L. exam Griet would have taken two years ago, when she'd been wrapping up her own fifth year. Unforeseen circumstances had prevented the so-called "nons" like Griet from taking their exams. Now, they finally had the chance to make up for lost time.
As Griet worked, she tried not to let her mind wander, and for the most part it didn't. It was only when she paused to massage her hand or to stretch her neck from side to side that she wondered about things like if she would have to take finals, like all the sixth years who were attending regular classes this week. She hadn't heard otherwise, so she guessed she probably would. Then she wondered if she would be responsible for catching up on all the work she would be missing this week and next, and whether or not that material would wind up on her finals.
Honestly, she had enough to worry about right now. It was only day one of the O.W.L.s, after all!
Also in the Great Hall was Cornelia, who sat a few rows in front of Griet. She felt good about many of her answers so far, but there were some about which she didn't feel very confident. She typically did all right on written exams in her classes, but her real strength was in practical application. Cornelia looked forward to this afternoon's practical Charms exam!
Griet glanced up at the hourglass at the front table, next to which Professor Batuti sat and looked out at the test-takers. Every once in a while, the Quidditch coach got up and handed someone another quill. For the most part she stayed up front, though. Time was steadily running out, and Griet wasn't yet finished with her exam.
She looked down at her test booklet and read the next question:
78. Give the incantation and describe the wand movement necessary to summon an object.
Griet had actually blanked out on one or two easy questions already, probably from the stress of taking so major an exam, but this one came easy to her. She wrote:
The incantation is Accio, and the correct wand movement is to point at the object you wish to summon and name it, or if it is not within plain sight, to simply point and call for it. Example: Accio broomstick!
The next question dealt with cleaning charms, which Griet did her best to describe.
First Travel Assignment
Author: Plum
Date: 06-07-10 20:52
Clementine Whitehorn knocks on the doorframe of the office shared by several other junior staff members at Devi Linguistics Services, then without waiting for any of those present to invite her in, she saunters over to Plum's desk and perches on the edge. "I know it's short notice but do you think that gorgeous boyfriend of yours can do without you this evening?"
Plum looks up from a contract she's been copying a document written in Welsh to Gobbledegook. "Short notice for what?"
"We need someone to sit in on a meeting, this evening our time but morning there."
Plum raises her eyebrows inquistively waiting for Clementine to elaborate on the where and other details. Clementine, however, continues on as if Plum knows all this already.
"The client's company, London based, has mining interests all over the globe. There are problems with one mine and, oddly enough, what seem to be some uncommonly civilized mountain trolls, have agreed to work for the company to resolve the problems and are insisting on a legally binding contract of the magical variety. This has all arisen suddenly, which is why DLS didn't have someone scheduled for it."
In the Wizarding World, a legally binding contract can sometimes mean it is literally binding. If one of the parties signing the contract breaks any term of the contract, some very nasty magical repurcussions occur. Plum wonders about this client company if it's the mountrain trolls insisting on the magically legally binding contract. What sort of things has the company done that has the trolls insisting on this type of contract?
As much as she's dying to ask about that, Plum knows she will be told it's none of her concern. Her job will be as translator to aid the client in coming to agreeable terms with the mountain trolls so that the contract can be finalized and signed. She instead says, "You've still not said where, Clementine?"
"Didn't I?" Clementime's expression is of something going back over what was just said. After a moment she grins. "Sorry, Plum. Got lost in thought for a second. International Floo to Fairbanks, Alaska in the United States, then portkey from there. I'm drawing a blank on the village name. I think it's a village. It might be a lodge or the mining headquarters there."
"What time?"
"The meeting is set for 10 am there. I believe that's 7 tonight for us. You would, of course, need to leave earlier. Around 5, 5:30 say. Meet the involved parties, get up to speed, that sort of thing. The client doesn't anticipate this going beyond a few hours but it would mean getting back here late. Take extra time at lunch to make any arrangements you might need with your hunky Auror and if you need to arrange a sitter for Alex."
"Thanks, Clementine."
"You know there's really no meeting, right? I'm just sending you off on a fool's errand so I can sweep in and steal your lovely man away." Clementine's eyes sparkle with mischief.
Plum can't help but laugh as she says, "Yes, I suspected as much. It's no secret around here that the lovely dovey, still act like newlyweds after fifteen years of act your husband and you put on is all just for show and that your seven children are actually just actors hired to help keep up the sham that you use as a cover to lull any breathing male into your trap."
Clementine makes a tsking sound. "And here I thought we were doing such a fine job of keeping all that quiet. Well, there's nothing for it. I must have the entire office killed and start afresh."
From the desk closest to Plum's, Isaiah Lochrin chimes in, "Not before you've had your way with me first, Clementine. Only then might I die a happy man."
Clementine nods, "Yes, good point, Isaiah. Hmmmm. I'll just cancel my lunch meeting with Chandran and clandestinely meet with you instead then have the office hit by a mysterious plague and by 4, I shall be interviewing for all your replacements. I'd best go pencil that in my schedule right now." With a wink and a grin, a laughing Clementine exits the room.
Another of those sharing the office space, Doreen Wixted gets in a final bit of banter on the matter. "Excellent, I can make my noon hair appointment and still be back here in plenty of time to be done in."
There are giggles and chuckles as the five associates get back to whatever tasks they have at hand. Plum finishes the Welsh to Gobbledegook document. Her next step is to make copies but since that doesn't require much thought, she starts thinking about going to Alaska this afternoon. Anthony should be able to stay with Alex this evening but in the event something's come up with work to keep him late or if he gets called back in to work to cover for someone, Plum decides to see if Laura would be available if needed. Thinking about how Laura and Christopher treat Alex like a grandson, Plum can't help but think how wonderful they will be when Kody and Kordelia have children of their own.
This line of thought also puts Plum in mind of her own grandmother. The custody suit has not been dropped but Anissa Weaver hasn't pushed forward with it either. She doesn't know if Anissa's having a change of heart or what. Plum's happy not to have the suit being pressed, especially since she's new enough here at DLS that she doesn't need that added stressful distraction; but, Plum would like the suit to go away entirely. She hates this limbo crap. Maybe sometime this week she'll get in touch with Uncle Malachi and find out what he knows.
The document copies made, Plum turns the entire file over to her immediate supervisor, whom she spends a few additional minutes talking with to find out what the current weather conditions are where she'll be later today. Plum will grab any changes of clothing she might need when she leaves on lunch soon. By the time Plum is back at her desk, she's made a mental list of what she needs to do over lunch and in what order to do it all. It's going to be a long day for Plum but she finds she doesn't mind so much when part of the day will be spent in Alaska, a place she's never been before. Even though she'll be there for work, she hopes she gets a chance to enjoy some of the spectacular scenery!
Just Relaxing a Bit
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 06-08-10 02:53
Isma, Blake and Eric all fell down into the couches in the common room after Herbology. They still had about two hours before dinner, and even then they planned on giving about twenty to thirty extra minutes for things to clear up after the OWLs and NEWTs and ensure that everything was back to rights until breakfast in the morning and then it would shift back.
Two weeks of this and then they would be taking their finals. Finally, then it would be the end of term feast. However, Gryffindor would not be getting the house cup, they had lost to Ravenclaw in a game that seemed like it would have gone on for ever if either Isma nor Christopher had finally laid hands upon that glimmering, nerve-wracking flying snitch. Christopher, who by the end of the game looked like the walking dead, had finally laid his hand on the snitch propelling Ravenclaw into the lead and ending the game with a final score of 170 to 20.
There'd been a couple of injuries as well - Gryffindor had lost both beaters, Ella and Blake who had both taken bludgers to the face and spent most of the day in the hospital wing after the game, and had been given a dose of the preventative potion to ensure they did not catch whatever it was Christopher had.
For now, the books were coming out - and they began working on the assignments - why did it always seem like there was -more- work now and over the next two weeks than there had been all year? Was it because the summer holidays were already so close? Probably.
Polly and Sonya joined them about twenty minutes later, and the five of them worked on some of the homework that they'd been given today, and some of what was due in their classes tomorrow. All of them were looking forward to the term being over, and having some time to relax before they started their third year in the fall.
Neverending Translations and a Dinner Date
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 06-08-10 14:13
Orei sat at her desk, she was working a double shift because her classes for tonight at St. Emry's were canceled due to her professors being at a confrence. She couldn't curl up and spend the night with Jim, because well, he was still at Hogwarts and going through stresses of his own with NEWTs starting today.
She knew he was going to be busy over the next two weeks before he had time to relax before the end of term feast and his return to London and be done with Hogwarts. She had a trip for the pair of them planned, and they were going to be gone for about two weeks. She wanted to take him to a few of her favorite muggle places that she'd gone with her parents before. She'd even planned a couple of days in Japan with her parents. Maddie unfortunately could not get some time off work, but that's alright because Titus had plans on spending a week or so at the house in Hogsmeade with her. The four of them however, had planned on double dating to Emry's Fest if there was one this year.
Shaking her head she cleared the thoughts of her vacation and slid a hand through her hair. Pushing herself upwards she would cast her gaze down to the translations - she was translating divorce papers into fae, dwarvish and mermish. They were for the trial of a polygamous wizard who had wed not one but three women and was apparently stealing money from all of them. Well, he'd been busted when the fae he'd married went to do some shopping for their house and her account had been closed.
So, now she was translating the divorce papers so that they all could read them and she then had the depositions of all three wives to translate from their native tongue into Welsh. First and foremost she needed some food. "Hey, I'm going to take about an hour break. If Christian comes looking for me let him know that I went to the curry place around the corner." She said to one of the other translators - however, she'd never get to deliver the message because she ran into Christan on the lift, he'd been coming down to see how she was doing on the translations, and invite her for dinner since he'd be working late as well.
"Well, isn't this kismet..." He said, and gave her a hug. "And where were you headed?"
"The cute little curry place around the corner. Am jonsing for some. Besides I'm going to be here a while tonight, am only half way through the first set of divorce papers. Thankfully my classes at St. Emry's were canceled tonight, and I'd already sent in my assignments."
"Good, I'll come with you. Daniel is out of town on business, and so the only thing I have to do is work for now. It will be a couple of days before he's home." Christian said as they soon left the Ministry and headed to that quaint little curry place down the street.
How Does She Know? (Theodosia)
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 06-08-10 17:42
From where she's been standing at the Great Hall doors, monitoring the fifth and sixth year students taking the O.W.L.s and the seventh years taking the N.E.W.T.s, Theodosia softly says, "Miranda Newberry and Octavia Oldenburg."
The two young women are both eager and hestitant as they approach the doors, which Theodosia has opened. Giving them both encouraging smiles, she sends Miranda to Professor Brecknock and Octavia to Professor Marchbanks. As she shuts the door, she catches a questioning look she's noticed before when announcing names to send in. Theodosia is fairly sure that the students she's noticed with such an expression are wondering how Professor Batuti knows when to send someone into the Great Hall when the doors are kept closed the rest of the time and Theodosia is on the entrance hall side.
It's actually a rather simple charm that lets Theodosia know when to send students in and how many each time. When the practical exams begin, four students go in, one to each examiner. In theory, four students would go in each time Theodosia received the signal but with the professors working at their own paces, it's not unusual for only one or two students to go in at a time. The charm not only lets Theodosia know to send someone in, but how many to send. Once she's got the door open and is directing however many students it is into the Great Hall, a rapid assessment lets her know to which of the professors is free and ready to receive a student to be tested.
If not for the stress of examinations, most of those students wondering how Theodosia knows when to send someone in and how many each time would figure out on their own that magic is involved.
"Orion Patterson."
Before Orion is at the door, the signal comes again so Theosodia pauses before opening the door to say, "Estella Primrose."
With Orion and Estella now inside the Great Hall, only four students are left for the Charms N.E.W.T. practical: Cordelia Quincy. Oberon Smith, Gervaise Taylor, and Griet Vanderbilt. All four are extremely quiet, most likely thinking about the exam they each wrote this morning, this exam they are about to face, and all the exams left to go. Cordelia's hand twitches now and then as if she's mentally going over the wand configurations for different charms.
During the Theory of Charms exam this morning, Theodosia had been the proctor. While keeping watch over the examinees she did as she's doing now and letting one part of her mind wander. Yesterday, Zuberi confessed to an escape attempt and then explained the detention Professor Dumbledore gave. The very detention about which Theodosia has been so curious but about which she'd promised not to ask questions. Hearing her brother talk about helping at an orphanage and the people he's met there, that boy Karamoh Musa in particular, and seeing the way his face lit up and the animation as he spoke, Theodosia finally understands better why Zuberi's behavior has steadily improved since Professor Dumbledore stepped in. She could't say yes fast enough when Zuberi asked if Karamoh could come visit and maybe even go with Zuberi to Emrys Fest.
Theosodia's thoughts are pulled back to the present again and with another encouraging smile she says, "Cordelia Quincy."
Only three remain waiting now and their waits should not be long at all.
(Azaelia) Observations
Author: Isolde
Date: 06-08-10 18:16
Azaelia Bramble had attended Hogwarts for only four and a half years. She'd missed out on cramming for the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s at the library, which she now observed firsthand as the school ibrarian. She tried to picture herself with isolde, Pyrrhus and Alexis, books spread out on one of the tables, notes and quills occupying every available space, and tensions high as the exams approached.
Not only were all the tables full, but the study carrells were as well. Azaelia didn't think they'd existed back when she'd been a student at Hogwarts. She certainly didn't remember them, but then she didn't really go to the library more than absolutely necessary back then. How times had changed!
She couldn't recall what she thought she might one day grow up to be... a Quidditch player like Isolde and Pyrrhus, perhaps. She'd fallen into librarianship quite accidentally while in Chile and had discovered that she liked it enough to pursue it as a fulltime career. Never did she think it would bring her back to Hogwarts, but there she was.
Azaelia went around the library periodically to pick up discarded books and to check on the students. A few had already had nervous breakdowns and had to go to the Hospital Wing. Azaelia couldn't picture herself losing her mind over exams, but maybe she would have, had she remained at Hogwarts. She'd of course taken very important exit exams while in Chile, and perhaps they were equivalent to what the students took at Hogwarts. Azaelia just knew that she hadn't panicked about them... too much, anyway.
Earlier, and for much of the day, the library had emptied out while the Charms exams took place in the Great Hall. As the practical exams wrapped up, more and more students came back to study for the remaining exams, which were scheduled to occur over the next two weeks.
Azaelia had a feeling that she had a very busy two, if not three weeks ahead of her!
Meanwhile
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 06-09-10 19:30
In a hospital bed at St. Mungo's rested a boy no older than eleven. He had a sickly pallor that contrasted severely with his dark hair and the circles beneath his eyes. The boy looked to be asleep and did not notice his parents hovering at his bedside. They were very weary, for their son had been ailing for quite some time, and they had more cause for concern now because he appeared sicker than ever. They feared that this was the end.
A woman soon joined the family in the hospital room. She was young and beautiful and glanced sympathetically at the boy's parents. They didn't move from their position to the right of the boy's bed, but offered the newcomer a small smile. She approached the young patient's other bedside and leaned over him. How ill he looks! she thought to herself. She gently placed her hand on his forehead and closed her eyes. A moment of peace passed between them, and then the young witch opened her eyes and whispered, "Wake!"
She removed her hand, just in time for the boy's chest to heave. His mother gasped in surprise, but when the boy started convulsing, she started shrieking hysterically. Her husband was just as startled, but he didn't cry out. He merely tried to console his wife, who shot the younger witch a frantic glance and shouted, "What did you do to him? What did you do to my baby?"
Her shouts garnered the attention of a passing healer, who ran into the room to see what was the matter. She was a young woman, and her ID badge said H. GRANGER.
"What's going on here?" she asked, moving to the boy's bedside. By now he had stopped convulsing and rested peacefully in the bed. A bit of color had returned to his cheeks and he appeared to be breathing very evenly.
The young witch who'd seemingly brought on this change pushed to the front again and leaned over the boy once more. "Penn? Can you hear me?"
The boy opened his eyes and focused first on the young woman, then the healer, and then the shocked couple standing on his other side.
His eyes fell on the speaker again, and though he didn't speak, he gave an abrupt nod of his head.
Healer Granger looked just as surprised as Penn's parents. She immediately started checking his vitals and then moved to the chart at the foot of his bed. She flipped through it, her brow furrowing more and more as she read everything that was on it. Half a moment later she was joined by a more senior healer by the name of M. HUNTER.
Healer Hunter looked over Penn and commented, "Remarkable. Never in all my years have I heard of someone recovering from this malady, but then I always believed The Soul Eater to be a myth."
The Soul Eater was a colloquial name for a disease thought not to even exist. Legend had it that the excessive presence of dementors could bring on the bug, but no one had ever heard of any prisoner or guard contracting it back when the dementors worked at Azkaban. The fact that there had been an excessive presence of dementors in wizarding Britain in recent times helped fuel the legend to life, but whether or not young Penn had really caught it and not some other undiscovered or unidentifiable disease remained unknown.
Whatever he'd had had more or less left him a shell. When he'd been awake, his eyes had seemingly seen nothing. They wouldn't react to movement or light. He'd begun wasting away, unable to feed or otherwise care for himself. Without medical care and the support of his family, he most certainly would have died.
It was quite obvious that those symptoms no longer affected Penn. His gaze didn't have that detached look anymore. He saw, heard, and understood all.
He turned to the beautiful witch and said, "Thank you." The words felt a bit funny in his mouth, but then he hadn't spoken in a while as far as he could remember.
"It's a miracle!" Penn's mother exclaimed.
Penn turned to her and assessed her with something like new eyes. "Yes, it is a miracle. I'm back."