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Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 08-14-11 15:09
"Here," Kristofr Giannakopoulos says, eyes flicking to a slip of parchment with an address written on it.
Ron, who'd turned left to check flat numbers moves to join his Greek task force colleague as Kristofr knocks on a door painted a somewhat dull shade of brown.
A voice, male, almost instantly calls out in English, "Slechts een moment.*"
Seconds later the door opens revealing a tall man of medium build, clean shaven though with the shadow of a beard, close cropped dark blonde hair, and eyes so pale blue they have an almost frosted translucent quality to them. It's sort of creepy in a way, or so Ron's thinks.
"Ja?**" he asks.
"We're looking for Danielle Baatz," Ron tells him.
The man, switching to English says, "Dani is not here. Who are you? I will tell her you came by."
"I'm Ron Weasley, an Auror with the British Ministry of Magic. This is Kristofr Giannakopoulos with the Greek Ministry. We need to speak with Ms. Baatz. Do you know when she might be back?"
"By lunchtime. She travels a great deal with her job. When she left two days ago Dani said she'd be back in time for lunch at home today. What is this about?"
Kristofr asks, "What is your name, sir?"
"Caspar Baatz, Dani's brother. I ask again, what is this about?"
"We are looking to question friends of some people who are the victims of a crime. Ms. Baatz's name came up as a friend we should speak with," Kristofr says.
"What people? We have some of the same friends in common. Maybe I know them too. Would you like to come in?"
He opens the door wider, moving aside so that the other two men may enter. He directs to take seats and after both had settled on the couch sits down as well, looking from one to the other waiting to hear the names.
Ron asks, "Were you acquainted with a woman called Farzana Wali?"
"No, but I think I have heard Dani mention the name. Someone she knows in India."
"Donald Lephere?"
"I know Don. He is an American Dani met at a conference. Don has been here a few times and she has visited him in the States several times."
"Nanette Desmarais?"
"No, that one is not familiar to me."
Ron runs through the other names with Caspar Baatz recognizing two more and saying a third sounds vaguely familiar. Kristofr and Ron exchange looks, silenting debating on how much more to say to Baatz. The matter is determined for them, however, when the flat door opens.
"Ik ben huis!***" she sing songs coming into view from the flat's small entry. A woman very similar in appearance to Caspar Baatz stands there a small suitcase in one hand.
Upon hearing the door all three men had risen. Danielle Baatz's eyes go from her brother to Kristofr to Ron then back to Caspar Baatz. "Caspar, wie zijn uw gasten?****"
He replies in English, "Dani, these men are from the Greek and the British Ministries. They have some questions about friends."
She too switches to English. "From the Greek and British Ministries? Why would they be here asking after our friends?"
Ron speaks up, "Ms. Baatz, we are both in law enforcement and "
Danielle Baatz hurls her suitcase at Ron and a blast of light comes from her purse aimed at Kristofr. The suitcase coming at him was so unexpected that even though Ron ducks, he wasn't quick enough to avoid it altogether. Hit conks the side of his head even as he's in motion to duck for cover, hand pulling out his own wand.
Kristofr is on the floor, clutching at one shoulder where blood is pouring from a wide gash. Caspar Baatz is staring goggle eyed at his sister. She's pulled her wand fully from her purse and stands with it point in Ron's and Kristofr's general direction though with both on the floor they are not easy tagets. Kristofr is partially obscured by the coffee table while Ron is peering from behind a chair.
"Kristofr?" Ron calls out.
"I'm hit but fine. You?" the Greek replies through gritted teeth. Ron can see him inching along the floor to better conceal himself, his wand in one hand while the other still clutches at the free flowing wound.
"Litte bump on the head is all." Ron shifts a little for a better line of sight to Danielle Baatz. "You are under arrest, Ms. Baatz."
"You have no authority here," Dani Baatz spits out.
"The Danish Ministry gave us authorization so yes, we have full authority."
Caspar Baatz finds his voice. Staring in shock at his sister he quizzes, "Wat is dit? Wat hebt u gedaan?*****"
Dani Baatz ignores her brother, eyes darting back and forth between where she knows Kristofr is and Ron's location. "I am going to leave now. You would be wise not to follow."
Standing up, Ron informs her, "My colleague is preventing you from apparating."
He steps from behind the chair, his wand pointed at Danielle as her face contorts in rage as she tries and tries to disapparate. As Ron nears she snarls, lunges at her brother, forcefully shoving him into the coffee table. Caspar in turn stumbles against the table, knocking it askew, sending it crashing into Kristofr. His wand goes to one side and his concentration on holding an anti-apparating charm on Danielle Baatz is broken.
Dani flashes Ron a somewhat maniacal grin and utters a spell in Dutch. Ron makes a diving leap for her, trying to roll in midair to avoid being hit by whatever the spell is. He lands against her, his free hand gaining purshase on her body just as she disapparates from the flat, taking Ron with her.
*Slechts een moment. - Just a moment.
**Ja? - Yes?
***Ik ben huis! - I'm home!
****Caspar, wie zijn uw gasten? - Caspar, who are your guests?
*****Wat is dit? Wat hebt u gedaan? - What is this? What have you done?
Like A Fox
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 08-14-11 15:12
Lysander had been very disappointed to learn that Kristos had recovered from his fall. A tumble like that should have killed any man, even one with wizarding blood, but somehow Kristos had survived the impossible. He'd remained in a coma for several days after the fall and awoken without his most recent memories.
Lysander knew all this because he'd kept careful tabs on Kristos ever since the latter's admittance to St. Mungo's. He'd not done it alone, though. Astrid had signed up to volunteer at St. Mungo's, donning a uniform similar to one a Muggle candy striper might wear. Julian had done his part by flirting with several nurses.
What nobody could find out was if the memories Kristos had recovered through the memory study remained or if they'd gotten suppressed through the amnesia. Technically, they were older memories, so Lysander feared he hadn't forgotten them again. But maybe he had. As far as anybody knew, Kristos hadn't called for an audience with the authorities.
What Lysander still didn't know was whether or not Kristos had shared his recovered memories with anybody else. Did the healer aiding him in his recovery know anything? Maybe not, since Lysander hadn't gotten a visit from the Ministry of Magic.
What about Aralyn?
As if on cue, she walked into Twice Told Tales, startling the hell out of Lysander. He knocked over his coffee cup, spilling liquid all over the counter.
"Shit!" he exlaimed. Luckily, there wasn't anybody else in the shoppe to overhear his language. He produced his wand and hastily cleaned up his mess.
"Didn't mean to startle you," Aralyn said. She looked terrible. Her eyes were puffy and red and her make-up had run.
For a moment, Lysander felt his spirits lift. Maybe Kristos had kicked the bucket after all.
"Is everything all right?" he asked Aralyn.
"You know that saying, when it rains, it pours? That's what my life is like right now."
"Oh?" Lysander asked.
"Yeah. Kristos is in the hospital. I'm sure you know about that."
Lysander tensed, unsure how to answer.
"The whole village seems to believe he threw himself off those cliffs on purpose. My brother's not suicidal. I'm pretty sure about that."
"Oh. So what do you think happened?" Lysander asked curiously.
"Somebody pushed him, probably. Or I don't know, he was being reckless and fell."
Lysander kept his expression completely neutral. Technically, Aralyn was wrong on both scores.
"And to top it all off," Aralyn went on, "my husband kicked me out."
"He did?"
"Yeah. He accused me of cheating on him. I didn't, of course. Vincente's convinced I'm in love with someone else. Always have been, according to him."
Lysander didn't dare make a remark. He knew how obsessed she'd once been with him. That was how come he had a daughter now.
"So, here I am, back home in the UK."
Lysander blinked. "You're staying? Where?"
"With my parents until I find my own place," she said. "I guess I'll need to find a job. Vincente's totally cut me off."
"That's terrible," Lysander said, more over the fact that Aralyn might be hanging around Hogsmeade rather than the fact that her marriage seemed to be falling apart.
"Yeah. So, I just wanted to keep you in the loop. I'm off to the hospital now. See you later?"
"Yeah, sure," Lysander murmured. He watched Aralyn go and then sucked in a deep breath. It seemed like she didn't know anything. That, or she was a very good actress.
In Need Of A Favor
Author: Saffron
Date: 08-15-11 14:54
"Professor, you look pale."
"I'm fine, Sophia," Saffron assures. To the class as a whole she asks, "Are there any other questions about what we've reviewed today?"
There's a collective shaking of heads and a smattering of no's.
"Monday is more review as is Friday next. Don't forget that your final examination for this class is the following week, on Monday, the 27th. It's at our regular time of 2 pm. Now, I need a big favor. Who does not have a class after this?"
Every hand goes up.
Saffron's hands go to her pregnant belly. "This baby seems to want to come a tiny bit early. My water has just broken. Sophia, please go tell Madam Pomfrey I'm on my way to the hospital wing. Berengaria, Professor Miller should be at Cloud's Kiss but check his office here first. Ask him to come to the hospital wing. We can go to St. Mungo's from there. Deak, I think I'm going to need help making it down all the stairs."
The sixth years stare wide eyed at Saffron for a second or two before bursting into activity. Sophia and Berengeria hurry from the room, going double time to get down from the Divination Tower. Deak comes to give an arm to Saffron, motioning for one of the other boys to get on her other side. The rest of the sixth years gather up their belongings and those of the students giving assistance. En masse they leave the room, walking all the way to the hospital wing with Saffron.
Aaron is right on there heels, and as long as it took Saffron to make it to the hospital wing she takes it that he was either at Cloud's Kiss and had to be located in that large house or that he wasn't there or his office and Berengeria had to search for him.
Poppy greets Saffron with a smile and a question, "Do you want to lie down a bit or do you think you should get to St. Mungo's right now?"
"I think this baby wants to come this very second," Saffron responds a bit tightly as a strong contraction slowly ripples its way through her body.
Aaron goes whiter than Saffron but Poppy is all business, having the boys get Saffron to a bed behind a screen then shoos them right back out. Aaron is doing what he can to help Saffron get comfortable as Poppy bustles around grabbing what will be needed.
Everything happens extremely quickly and less than fifteen minutes after Saffron got to there the hospital wing is filled with the lusty cry of a newborn. Only then do the adults realize that Saffron's sixth year Arithmany & Divination students had stuck around when a big cheer goes up. She thought Deak would as he is family but hadn't expected the others to do so as well.
Aaron helps Poppy with cutting the cord and within a few minutes she's placing the now swaddled baby in Saffron's arms. "He might be a couple of weeks early but he's perfectly fine. Does he have a name yet?"
"I named Niccola so Aaron and I agreed he'd name this baby and he's not let me in on what he's been thinking." Saffron turns eyes to her husband.
"I was thinking Brandon James but if you don't like it "
Saffron cuts him off. "Brandon James Miller is a very good name."
"You are welcome to stay here or we can move you to your quarters or on to St. Mungo's," Poppy says. "It's up to you."
"I think we're fine here for the time being," Saffron tells her. "Oh, what time is it? You've got your 3:30 class, Aaron!"
"Would you believe there's still time yet?"
Poppy says, "Let's get you cleaned up a little, on a fresh bed with clean sheets." Hearing sounds from beyond the screen she adds, "And let me go send your class on its way."
Aaron gently lifts Brandon from Saffron's arms. "How about I show off this little guy to appease them, especially Deak, before sending them on?"
"Yes, that's fine but don't let them crowd him. One at a time," Poppy advises.
Aaron moves with Brandon to the other side of the screen while Poppy takes care of a few things. Nothing takes all that long but Saffron is suddenly feeling wrung out and in need of a nap. Once on fresh sheets and with Brandon in a small bassinet nearby, she can't keep her eyes open. Aaron hurries to get to this 3:30 class, taking the sixth years from the hospital wing with him as he goes. Before fully dropping off Saffron remembers, "Five points for everyone in the class for helping, so 10 points for Gryffindor, 20 for Hufflepuff, 20 for Ravenclaw, and 5 for Slytherin."
A Little Out Of It
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-15-11 18:18
It's a really good thing that today is part of my third years's review for their upcoming final. If I'd had to introduce something new to them or even continue with an ongoing unit, I doubt I'd be able to concentrate. It's hard enough as it is. I'm still in a state of shock. We weren't expecting the baby for another two weeks, give or take. Saffron's had Braxton Hicks contractions as expected. If she was experiencing anything else today she never gave it away when I saw her, even at lunch.
If not for doing this final exam review even though it would have been extremely short notice I think I would have found someone to cover for me today. I have no idea who. Hagrid would be willing I'm sure. AJ has Friday afternoons class free I think. Illyria but with the hours she has her classed I'd hate to bother her. Filius? I can't remember. Kissy I think has fifth years Friday afternoons, which would mean she'd be free today what with OWLs. Does Theodosia have any F&A classes on Fridays? No, don't think so. There's Wilhelmina and even Albus. Oh, and those two new staff members. Karma and Dante.
Okay, so actually a number to choose from on short notice. But it's a review day. Only another week before finals.
What about Saffron's classes next week? Will she want to try and do them herself? And what about the tests week after next? I have to remember to ask her after class ends. I should stop and get her something to change into, her hairbrush, stuff like that. She's got that bag she packed to take to St. Mungo's. I'll just grab it.
Have to let Mom and Dad know. Natalie and Rory. Sage and Sassy. Drake and Ophelia. Guess I should let Lohengrin know. I'll owl Birdie. Let her tell him.
I wonder what Niccola's going to think of her baby brother.
"PROFESSOR MILLER!"
"Huh? Anita, there's no need to yell."
"You've been standing there staring for five minutes. We're all here and ready to get started."
"You're all here? I'm so sorry. I'm a little out of it. Saffron - Professor Sacheverelle - had the baby early. A half hour ago at most."
"So we finally get to find out what the baby is?" Polly excitedly asks.
"Yes, a boy. Brandon James."
Most of the third years offer up congratulations and being in the buoyant mood that I am, after I get them started going over their review questions I run to the Cloud's Kiss kitchen to grab some sodas, cookies, and some brownies for a little celebration. The students have no problem snacking away while continuing their review and as it's not enough of a junk food orgy to ruin their suppers I don't feel guilty in the slightest.
Now, if only class time will hurry by so I can get back to my family!
(Kate) Chocolatey Goodness
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-15-11 18:51
Kate sat at the bar in the Common Common Room and sipped a chocolate shake prepared for her by one of the house-elves who worked there. All that remained of term was one week of classes and one week of finals. Then Kate would be a fourth year.
She should have already been one, of course. Kate usually didn't resent the fact that she'd lost a whole school year thanks to former Minister of Magic Euphemia Smythe-Jones, and she could honestly say now that putting another year between herself and the O.W.L.s seemed like a wonderful idea. Kate had witnessed firsthand the mental breakdowns of some of the fifth year students anticipating their O.W.L.s. She definitely wasn't looking forward to the pressure.
Right now, the History of Magic exam was taking place in the Great Hall. Kate was in the Commons because she had the munchies but the Great Hall wasn't available yet for supper. It was still a little early for that anyway.
She felt somebody come up behind her and then suddenly Gus was at her side, sliding onto the barstool next to her.
"I'm so glad it's Friday," he said. He flagged down a house-elf and ordered a shake after taking stock of what Kate was drinking.
"Where are Johanna and Felicia?" Kate asked. She knew they'd all been in the same class last hour.
"They stopped by the Common Room. I suspect they'll be by soon. Where's Mark?" Gus asked.
Kate felt herself color a little. "How should I know?"
"I dunno. Thought you might have seen him."
Kate sucked hard through her straw. As it happened, she knew Mark had Care of Magical Creatures on Friday afternoons. She didn't know that because she'd made a point of knowing his schedule, though. After an entire school year, it was hard not to know where everybody was in any given hour.
"There they are," Gus said, looking over his shoulder as Johanna and Felicia came into the room.
The girls sat down on Kate's other side.
"What's that?" Johanna asked. "That looks good."
"Mmm-hmm," Kate said, not taking the straw from her mouth. It was chocolatey-goodness in a glass.
History Of Magic NEWT
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 08-15-11 19:36
Pausing to read over the last two paragraphs she's written, Zabrynna takes the time to stretch out her poor, cramped writing hand. This History of Magic NEWT is her sixth exam to write in five days. This morning was Ancient Runes, before that in the week were the NEWTs for Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Nearly six down and six to go. Potions is Monday; Care of Magical Creatures Tuesday. Wednesday is Astronomy and the Arithmancy & Divination exam is split with the written on Wednesday and the practical on Thursday. Lastly, on Friday there is Muggle Studies.
And after that?
Good question.
Zabrynna's applied to St. Emrys and to a few of the other Wizarding universities around the world that have cropped up since the founding, and success, of St. Emrys. Problem is, with everything that's gone on these past few years Zabrynna hasn't given much thought to other things, like say what she wants to do for the rest of her life. She'd better make a decision soon. Although she can enter St. Emrys undeclared on what she would read there, they don't like someone going for very long without making a decision on what degree to pursue.
There is, of course, the entering the job force straight away option. Plenty still offer apprenticeships and internships for those not wanting to go the university route. But, again, what would she choose? She might get a job even if going to univeristy, perhaps in a dress shoppe, just to earn some pocket money so that she's not having to go to her father. He might expect that of her anyway, and with good reason. Zabrynna is an adult and as a Hogwarts graduate, can't expect Daddy to continue doling out the funds without showing him she's doing anything in return.
Satisfied with what she's written, Zabrynna moves on to the next question. She's nearly done with the exam and is confident with all her answers so far. Zabrynna always did like history and became even more fond of it because of Declan Douglass. And, after everything, she is determined to score exceedingly high on this History of Magic NEWT so that he won't have something else to be disappointed in her over.
At least Zabrynna's been feeling a little better about herself since admitting to Mariposa how worried imagining what she'd be capable of doing to someone she didn't like if she'd do what she did to someone she cares about. Someone she loves.
She finishes reading over the question and begins writing, darting a glance at the hourglass, mindful of the time left for the NEWT. She may not have many questions left to go but she also doesn't want to take so much time being thoughtful and careful with her answers that she doesn't finish.
Dotting her quill on the paper to put a period at the end of a just completed sentence, Zabrynna reads over the question that follows while dipping the quill in ink in preparation of more writing.