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Visitor
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 08-10-11 17:49
The pleasant aroma of freshly brewed coffee sifts into Griff's subconscious. It's only the sound of footsteps across his bedroom floor, the scent of coffee getting stronger, that has both eyes flying open, one hand reaching for his wand.
"Only me," Ruth Gainsborough says setting a cup of coffee on the nightstand. "Good thing too. If I'd been some lecherous old woman, you'd now be at my mercy."
Pushing hair in need of a trim out of his eyes, Griff sits up, back against the headboard. "Lecherous old woman? More like middle aged and that borders on incestuous."
Ruth has moved to a comfortable chair angled into one corner. "Being like an aunt is not the same as actually being an aunt and you know good and well you are a fine speciman, Griffin Price. A fine speciman though a bit lazy today it seems."
He reaches the cup of coffee and savors the first sip before answering. "Had Tristin and his friend Justin running me ragged yesterday from just after dawn until nearly five then went to work and ended up being out in the field with some Hit Wizards and a couple of other Aurors until just before six this morning. Got home about a half hour after that. What time is it?" Griff asks, simultaneously looking to a clock on the dresser and grabbing the t-shirt from the end of the bed that he'd stripped off when he got home, which feels as though was only five minutes before.
"Late morning, not yet noon but it will be soon. Don't get dressed on my account."
"I'm not going to enable the lecherous middle aged woman any longer than I have to," he says, now pulling on pants over his boxers. "What brings you by?"
"The recent setback Harry and you had in the Henshaw case. Did you fix the problem?"
"No. We can't locate the leak. We thought we'd accounted for all his people inside the Ministry. When working on the case, we're doing it at offsite. The only time we even discuss it at work is in Shacklebolt's office and only after he's made sure security charms are in place."
"When you're at the offsite location, does part of your security include spells to nullify any sort of cloaking or the effects of polyjuice?"
"Yes, though an invisibility cloak wouldn't be affected nor an animagus, right? Why do you ask?"
"Curiosity mainly but just checking in case someone talented at concealment charms was going along when you or Harry to the secret location. An animagus could do it if it was the right one."
"LIke a bug form or something else small, you mean?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Damn! We'll have to do a more thorough sweep. Thanks for the coffee, by the way," Griff says, raising the cup in a silent cheers befor drinking down the last of it.
"Sorry to interrupt your sleep."
"No, it's fine. I have to be back at the office by one so it's actually good you woke me."
"I've a lunch meeting or I'd suggest you getting a bite with me. Bring Tristan by to see me soon."
"I will, I promise."
"When?"
"Lunch tomorrow? Supper?"
"Supper would be wonderful. I'll cook. Invite Carys and Alun as well."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll let you know as soon as I've talked to them whether they can make it. And I'll let you know what Harry and I turn up in the sweep."
Ruth leaves just after that for her meeting. Griff would love to sleep a little longer but as tired as he is he's concerned that he'd not wake up when he needs. Pushing off the bed he grabs clean clothes then goes to shower, hoping the cool to lukewarm water will help wake him up more.
With Professor Marchbanks (Jack)
Author: Kody
Date: 08-11-11 14:32
Not ten seconds ago Jack had been on the other side of the doors to the Great Hall, waiting his turn for the Herbology practical. After what seemed like an age but hadn't actually been a very long wait Professor Black had said, "Jack Emerson, Professor Marchbanks at the second table."
No sooner has Jack reached the table where Professor Griselda Marchbanks is smiling genially then he's handed earmuffs. "Professor Tofty has a mandrake plant," is the explanation he's given.
After he's donned the earmuffs, Professor Marchbanks takes a plant from a row of plants behind where she's sitting. She sets it on the table in front of Jack then gestures to a tray full of paraphenalia ranging from ordinary plant shears to differnt types of gloves to a variety of collection jars and vials to pots for repotting or planting cuttings. Even before Professor Marchbanks holds up a card of instructions for him to read, so that she won't have to speak overly loudly to be heard, Jack's pretty sure of what he's to do.
The plant is a bubotuber and he's to demonstrate how to properly collect its pus. Jack selects a pair of the gloves, as undiluted bubotuber pus on human skin raises extremely painful boils, then picks up off the tray the other items he needs. When done he looks to the professor for his next instruction.
She takes off her own earmuffs and signals for Jack to do so as well. The bubotuber pus plant is returned to the row and another is set before Jack. The pot has several plants actually, some with yellow headed flowers and others with what look like whitish balls of fluff. "Identify this please and tell me at three uses of it."
"It's a common dandelion. The roots can be uses to make a coffee-like drink. The flower portion may be made into jam and the leaves may be eaten in salads."
"Does this plant have any medicinal uses?"
"Yes, ma'am. The leaves, for example, may be made into a decoction to help treat anemia. The roots may be used as a diuretic and may also aid digestion and the liver."
Jack was planning on saying more but Professor Marchbanks stops him with, "Very good. Let's move on. Identify this for me and demonstrate proper collection of its seeds."
Jack spends about what he'd have expected, fifteen to twenty minutes, with Professor Marchbanks before she says, "Thank you, Mr. Emerson. Exit through the door there."
"Yes, professor, thank you," he says, much relieved to have another OWL completely behind him.
Somewhere Near Prague
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 08-11-11 18:15
"Madam Lestrange to see you, Master."
The house elf, one of those called something like Kimmy or Lottie - double consonent, y or ie ending - stands to the side of the doorway, knowing that Bellatrix is just going to sweep in whether Lucius wishes her to or not.
Studying a page in a catalog, Lucius waves the house elf off with a, "That will be all, Ninny. How did it go, Bellatrix?"
"Using polyjuice would have been much easier. Even tweaking my appearance with a few charms would have but until I know for certain whether Azkaban's added to their layers of security, I suppose these Muggle diguise techniques are serviceable."
"You do not, technically, need a disguise."
A drink poured from the sidebar, Bellatrix sits down on the love seat she favors. "I am not going to be in the midst of visiting Azkaban and have that idiot Shacklebolt reinstate ever charge against me."
"As I know you do not suffer fools gladly, I have never imagined these visits to be borne of any sentimental attachment to Rodolphus or to Rabastan. Pray tell, why do you continue going?"
"It's good to remind myself that I am not in prison."
"I would have wagered it's more to do with the thrill of going there disguised and no one pegging you as Bellatrix."
"There is that. If anyone were to check the Lestrange family tree, they'd be hard pressed to find Aunt Adele on it anywhere. What has you so enthralled?"
For the first time since Bellatrix arrived Lucius looks up from the catalog. "Making final decisions for Carina's birthday party."
"That's a month and a half away."
"I don't want it sneaking up on me."
"She'll be three."
"And your point is?"
"She'll be three. It's not as though she'll remember this really."
"That does not mean she shouldn't have a grand party at which she will have a wonderful time."
If Bellatrix were a teenager her eyeroll and expression would scream WHATeverrr. She drains her glass then sets it with a thunk on the end table. "I should get out of this disguise. I also have my project to work on."
"Still the same project?"
"Yes."
"Ever going to reveal exactly what it is?"
"Eventually."
As Bellatrix has been saying that for a year, or is it two? Lucius has the tiniest of urges to Imperius her into just telling him what that bloody project of hers is. Though he refrains from doing that today, that is not to say that he won't someday in the not too distant future.
Before flouncing out she asks, "Am I still invited to dinner?"
"Of course."
"Then I shall see you for cocktails in a bit."
Draco requested to spend time with his sister and took the day off from work. They are who knows where doing who knows what but should be back before long. Alone again for the moment, Lucius flips the page in the catalog, debating on what else to have for the children to do for Carina's birthday party.
In the Entrance Hall
Author: Griet
Date: 08-11-11 18:42
As the afternoon wore on, the congestion in the entrance hall dissipated until only a handful of test-takers remained. Among them were Oberon, Gervaise and Griet, who stood one after the other in line just outside the doors to the Great Hall.
At the beginning of the afternoon, they'd situated themselves on the floor against the wall. It had been mostly quiet, which allowed all three to mull over possible questions the Ministry of Magic examiners might pose them. They were also able to think about the written exam they'd taken that morning.
All three had sat in on all three of the N.E.W.T. exams given so far. Griet's mind felt like mush and she wondered very much how she would get through the rest of the exams without mixing up everything she'd crammed into it.
She thought back to last year, when she'd taken the O.W.L. exams. The only reason she'd taken them then––and Oberon and Gervaise as well––was because of missing her O.W.L.s thanks to the Ministry of Magic's anti-Muggleborn, Half-blood and Half-breed stance at the time.
Professor Black peeked into the Great Hall and then gestured Oberon forward.
"Good luck!" Griet whispered, as he stepped into the room.
A moment later, Gervaise went through, followed quickly by Griet herself. As she walked over to Professor Brecknock, she noticed that Oberon was with Professor Marchbanks and Gervaise was with Professor Tofty.
A moment later, they were forgotten, and all she thought about was her practical Herbology exam.
A Ha Moment (Wiggy)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 08-12-11 13:57
Despite trying to keep his mind on writing the Defense Against The Dark Arts OWL, Wiggy's mind wanders a little. He's had this problem on all his OWLs so far and even before the exams began. He's been having this problem for months now as he's grappled with whether to continue with school or take up those offers to tryout for professional Quidditch. At least his mind wandering tendancy hasn't affected his grades. Thought not the top of his class, Wiggy's grades are good and always have been. He doesn't want to have his grades slip now simply because he's thinking of not returning to Hogwarts in the fall.
Since telling Glori what's been on his mind, she's not said anything to anyone, just as promised. Or, if she has, whomever she told hasn't mentioned it to him or anyone else. Wiggy's still not said anything to his two best friends Deak and Jack. Jack might understand Wiggy's line of thinking, being in the same position of starting sixth year as an adult in the eyes of the Wizarding World, with two years of Hogwarts left. Deak and Jack would both be happy for Wiggy's going pro but they'd both also likely try and talk him into staying in school. Deak definitely would and he can easily imagine Jack trying to persuade him to stay.
One thing that's a hundred percent certain is that Wiggy's parents will push for him to stay in school and graduate from Hogwarts. It won't matter that he could go to school at St. Emrys to pick up the credits he'd need to eventually be considered a graduate.
Wiggy forces himself to reread the question he's on, one of a set asking to identify the best counter for the given spell, charm, or curse if in a duel. As the examiners do not want each of the set of questions answered with a shield charm he needs to pay attention to each of spell/charm/curse the other dueler is throwing and think about what would be the best counter for it.
He spends the next fifteen minutes absorbed with writing his responses to that set of questoins and a several questions that require longer replies. As he's putting the period at the end of one sentence before moving on to a questoin requiring a short essay of an answer Wiggy has such an A HA moment that he nearly exclaims aloud. He's glad he didn't because Professor Jones and his fellow test takers would hardly be appreciative of the sudden outburst of noise.
Wiggy can't believe he's not thought of this before. He'll speak with Viktor Krum. Krum stayed in school, at Durmstrang, and played professional Quidditch at the same time. Wiggy can talk to him about how Krum managed it and then, if what Krum has to say sounds like something Wiggy could swing, he'll talk to Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore might be willing to let Wiggy attend practices and matches if it would mean Wiggy continued his education here at Hogwarts. It's not as though Wiggy would be setting a precedent. With being a Hogwarts students and a professional Quidditch player he would be, but there are other students who have over the years participated in things that took them off the grounds, like the winged horse competitions.
With a possible solution to his problem, Wiggy feels such a sense of relief he's almost giddy from it. For the first tiem in weeks he can concentrate on the task at hand without his mind straying to making a decision about returning or not. With renewed energy, Wiggy attacks the rest of the DADA OWL, not looking up from it once until he's completed it. Only then does he look up, take a breath, shake out his writing hand, and begin to check over the test.
Molly's One Track Mind
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 08-12-11 20:34
Molly puts a plate of sandwiches down in the table. "I just don't see why you can't set a date right now."
"We're thinking about it, Mum. That's a lot of sandwiches."
"Your father and the twins are both coming and I invited Audrey as well. You can't even give me an idea of the season you're aiming for?"
"I don't know, Mum. We're talking about it."
"It's not too late to do a decent fall wedding."
"Mum, if you keep bothering me about a date, Harry and I shall elope and wait weeks to tell you."
Molly looks stricken. "You wouldn't!"
"Try me."
Ginny stares resolutely at her mother, even going so far as to fold her arms across her chest. She most likely never would do that to her parents, not when she's their only daughter and both have such dreams for her when it comes to her big day.
"At least tell me you aren't moving in together before the wedding."
"Muuuuum!"
"I'm not being a prude. It's just that none of your brothers did, not really, so I would hope you'd not either."
"We've not discussed it so I can't give you an answer there other than it has crossed my mind."
"You will let me help with the wedding planning, won't you?"
There's a plaintive edge to Molly's voice. While she did have a hand in most of the Weasley boys' weddings, with some of them taking place right here at the Burrow, Molly has long looked forward to helping her own daughter plan a wedding. Ginny would be downright cruel to let Molly think she'd be cut out.
"Yes, Mum, of course."
"Oh good! I have some ideas for your dress. The sooner you pick something out the sooner Majandra can get started on it for you if you're having her make it."
Molly bustles out of the kitchen, returning with a stack of magazines. She sits down beside Ginny and takes the top magazine from the stack. "Now this one has some lovely gowns that I'm sure Majandra would have no trouble copying. I quite like this one," she says turning to a marked page, "and it can be sleeveless or have sleeves, depending on the season and the weather. That would be helpful to know if I'm going to be looking through bridal magazines getting ideas. The colors you pick could be seasonal if you wanted. The reception menu could be affected by time of year as well. There is so, so much to take into consideration."
And they are now back to where the discussion began. Thanksfully, both Arthur and Percy's wife Audrey arrive just then, allowing Ginny a few minutes peace before Molly again brings up planning the wedding and setting a date.
Monitor
Author: Illyria
Date: 08-13-11 07:14
As soon as lunch ended, the Great Hall was transformed into an examination room, with Professors Marchbanks, Tofty, Brecknock and Huntingdon taking their places at even intervals across the room. Their task for this afternoon was to test the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. students on Defense Against the Dark Arts.
On the other side of the Great Hall doors stood Professor Jones. She had proctored the morning exam and now was responsible for sending the students into the Great Hall as space became available. She made sure all the fifth year and eligible seventh year students were present and then peeked her head into the Great Hall to make sure that the examiners were ready. Promptly at 2 pm, she admitted Abdul Hazrat AlGunud, the Batuti siblings, and Thalia Brown into the Great Hall.
She quietly shut the door behind Thalia and turned to the next four students, who were nervously awaiting their turn to take their practical exams. She offered them a kind smile. Illyria remembered all too well what it was like to sit in on her O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, even though it had been years since she'd taken either exam.
She scanned the rest of the students accumulated in the entrance hall of the castle. A few were standing, especially those nearest to the Great Hall doors, but many sat in groups and either murmured quietly to each other or sat silently, thinking or panicking about what was to come or even what had already come to pass.
Illyria's own mind wandered briefly. Ever since learning that her sister had begun dating Nathan, the wizard Illyria always seemed to have a connection with at the family weddings they both attended, she'd felt jealous. She still didn't understand why, since Illyria rarely thought about Nathan after their encounters, which had been few and far between.
Urania had had a dinner party one evening, which Illyria had managed to get out of attending. She heard later from Arsinoe that Nathan's last name was Goode, that he seemed utterly smitten by Urania, and that she didn't doubt they would wind up at the altar someday. Arsinoe was always quick to mention that she hadn't seen Urania this happy and in love since Caden Eastwick.
Despite her jealousy, Illyria vehemently hoped that Urania's new relationship wouldn't end up as tragically as the last serious one had.
Professor Jones peeked her head into the Great Hall. Marjani was just finishing up her practical. As Marjani walked to the side door of the Great Hall, Illyria gestured for Carlotta Calloway to go to Professor Tofty.