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Sabotage
Author: Liam Murray
Date: 09-19-12 12:45
He had been paired up with the detestable Lucy Lehane, from Slytherin at Potions class. Liam could not stand her and the feeling was mutual. She kept criticizing him because according to her he was not peeling the shrivelfigs properly. Liam replied that if she thought she could do better than she was more than welcome to try. She ignored him and kept slicing some caterpillars.
The third years Gryffindor and Slytherin were brewing a Shrinking Solution. Professor Weasley had randomly paired them up for the effect and she warned them about the bright green color the potion should have once it was correctly brewed.
Liam and Lucy's potion was dark green, but taking a look at Cody's cauldron and the grayish color of his potion, gave him the hope that he and Lucy were in the right direction. Gaston Gallagher, who was working with Cody, flipped the pages of his Potions textbook in the hopes to find out what had gone wrong. But Cody had a mischief smile plastered in his face, and he was showing to Jake the rat spleen he had forgot to add to the cauldron on purpose.
Jake laughed, but Audrey, his partner, did not seem so amused: she was struggling with their potion as well and he was not helping her at all.
"What is that in your hand, Mr. Sweet?" Professor Weasley asked.
"A rat's spleen,Professor," Cody said, knowing he had been busted.
He dropped it into the cauldron and his potion changed into green immediately. Gaston looked at Jake with a very unfriendly face. His head then turned to Professor Weasley in search for justice. It came a moment later.
"Sabotaging is not allowed in my classes. It is even pathetic you sabotaged your own work with Mr. Gallagher when you two are supposed to work together. 10 points from Gryffindor, Mr. Sweet. Do it again and you will have a detention."
Cody looked down, and assured her he was not going to do anything like that ever again. Liam knew Cody got lucky: if this had been Professor Snape then the punishment would be harsher. Snape was known in the entire school to favor his house. Professor Weasley on the other hand had been fair.
Liam continued to peel his shrivelfigs while Lucy checked the potion's temperature. Her eyes then fell on Adina Blackwood and Arthur Fu who were working together in perfect harmony. Liam noticed the mist of jealousy in Lucy's eyes.
"You want a boyfriend too?" he teased her.
Lucy looked at Liam in fury because he had guessed her thoughts. But she kept her posture and they kept working together in silence.
Between the Day Job and the Night Job
Author: Melinda
Date: 09-19-12 13:48
I'd finished up at my day job about an hour and a half ago, and ultimately I needed to get something to dinner before heading to the house. At the moment, I was debating on if I was in the mood to cook or if I simply wanted to get take away from Crown & Cauldron or Burger Wizard. I had a shift tonight at Petals and Raury will be watching Camden for me.
"Hey Mel, you doing the show to Cassandra's Orb tonight or to something else?"
I looked up and laughed as Ginger Heart headed over to me, "Hey, I'm thinking of doing the Cassandra's Orb routine tonight for my main, but I've also gotta do a couple of smaller side shows and not sure what I'm going to do for those."
"Sounds like a plan. I've thankfully got the night off, but will be back tomorrow night."
Ginger and I talked for a little while longer and after we parted I decided on a stir-fry tonight and headed to The Magic Neep to get some produce for the stir-fry and a couple of healthy snacks for Cam, though I knew she and Raury would probably have popcorn and such while listening to a replay of the most recent British National Team Quidditch Match.
Heading into the house, I put stuff in the kitchen before heading to my room and changing out of my suit and heels and into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top and letting my hair down before padding back downstairs. "Camden! Come help with dinner, Raury will be here in about twenty minutes."
"Hey Mom. What are we having?"
She settled herself on a stool at the island and started helping me cut veggies.
"Beef stir-fry over Basmati rice. I was gonna do egg rolls but I don't really have the extra time," I said with a grin, knowing well that stir-fry was one of her favorites.
"Yum! My favorite, and I don't suppose you picked up some of those strawberries from The Magic Neep did you? Because there is the whipped cream in the fridge and I think there are still some angel food cake rounds that we can use to make strawberry shortcake."
"Of course I did silly girl. I've already got a strawberry syrup going on the stove, and it will be perfect by dessert."
"Fantastic! So, I'm guessing you have to work tonight?"
"Yup kiddo, but I will see you in the morning and I'm off tomorrow night so we can spend the night being girlie. What are you and Raury gonna do tonight?"
"I dunno yet, but either way I got a bit more homework I'll have to do before I spend time with him."
"Good girl."
"Well, if it isn't my two favorite ladies. Good eve to ye both dears." Raury said as he kissed Melinda first and then dropped a kiss to the top of Camden's head.
"Hey love, thanks for helping with Camden tonight. She's got a bit more homework to get done and then free until bedtime."
"Sounds good, if ya want I can help ya with yer homework kiddo."
"Sure Raury! That will make it go faster and then we can have fun."
We ate and talked about how the day went, and today thankfully things had been relatively quiet at Raynor-Evans Linguistic and Legal Services so I managed to get just about all of my work load for the day done and set off for approval before I headed out of the office. Camden told us what she'd been learning at school and reminded me that she had a project that needed to be done before the end of June.
I left dishes to my daughter and boyfriend and headed upstairs to shower and dress for my shift at Petals. About twenty minutes before my shift was to start, I said goodbye to my daughter and boyfriend and headed to Petals for my shift which would run until just after midnight.
Sending A Message
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 09-19-12 18:01
I glanced over at the letter I had received from Orion. He was after some information about me. So he could report to my superiors. I knew they'd try to find some way of getting me in trouble again. I really think they hate me. If I weren't so effective they'd have probably canned me long ago. Oh well. Not his fault he's caught in the middle.
He was being kind about it, even offering to take me to dinner. Well... dinner does sound inviting... Not that I had any other plans, not that he needed to know that. So, I grabbed a sheet of parchment and pen.
"Orion,
I am available for dinner tomorrow, or Wednesday. Whenever you're able to slip away while keeping your cover intact. Along that line, you should pick the place where we will meet. You can ask whatever questions you have of me.
Desi"
I looked it over once more; none of my frustrations over being investigated seem to show through. So, I sealed it, and sent it off.
Cash
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 09-19-12 19:10
Looking up as Indigo asks, "Well?" Coco shakes her head. "I just don't know." She cradles a just barely five week old basset hound puppy as it suckles a bottle, its long ears draping like silk over her hand.
"I understand. It's not been all the long since Pea died. I only asked because you've been the one giving this little guy round the clock care. I don't want to start looking for a permanent home for him if you've bonded and want to keep him."
Coco looks back down at the puppy whose fallen asleep in the short time since Indigo asked her if she wants to give the basset hound a home. The pup's mother had had a litter of nine. Everything seemed to be going well until a week and a half ago when the mother become sick and no longer able to feed the puppies. Unable to give round the clock feedings to that many puppies her owner sought out Indigo MacFusty for help, telling him that she'd be willing to let the puppies go for free because of the situation. She kept one of the puppies and with his help found people willing to take puppies that would have to be bottle fed for awhile. The puppy Coco's been caring for is the only one in temporary housing.
Using a finger to break the suction the pup has on the bottle so as not to wake him, Coco sets the bottle aside then gently strokes fingers up and down his back. "He'd be a good walking companion for Papa Wal in a few weeks."
Indigo, most likely sensing Coco does want the puppy, and badly, but as she's still in mourning for Pea she feels the need to justify keeping the cute basset hound stays silent. Hearing the jingle over the door leading into the pet shoppe portion of the building and knowing there's no one there to greet the customer at the moment, hurries off leaving Coco alone for the time being.
Five minutes later, shifting the puppy in her arms, he ends up splayed on his back, little paws in the air, his mouth working as if he's still eating. Rubbing the exposed belly, thinking how terribly cute he is at the moment, Coco quietly asks, "What do you think of Cashew for a name? We'd call you Cash for short."
Too deep in sleep to hear her, the only response she gets is a miniature snore. Snuggling him close to her body she walks over to the pet shoppe, offering a smile to the woman Indigo is helping. When the customer has left Coco tells him, "Pea's bed is fine for him now but he'll soon outgrow it."
Indigo lightly chuckles. "I thought Pea slept in bed with you."
"He did but sometimes he liked to nap in his own bed or sit in it while we'd be watching the telly."
"The telly is that box with pictures, right?"
"Right. I keep telling you to come over one night and we'll watch a movie. Something like Dr. Dolittle."
"Dr. Dolittle?"
Coco grins at Indi. "A double feature. The old musical with Rex Harrison and the modern remake with American actor Eddie Murphy."
"I have no idea who those people are."
"So come over sometime, tonight if you want. We'll eat pizza and popcorn and watch the movies. It doesn't have to be either of those. I'll find out if Fritz is free. You can ask your friend Zabrynna if you like."
"Tonight's fine for me. I don't know if Zabrynna would be free. I'll owl her right now."
That settled, still holding the sleeping Cash Coco goes towards the back of the shoppe to select a bed for him followed by picking out some chew toys. Before she leaves this evening she'll make him a tag with his name and new address to put on the blue and green plaid collar she's eyeing.
First Meal in the New House
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 09-20-12 17:07
After my classes, I'd dealt with my office hours, I started moving things out of my quarters here in the Castle. I'd had furniture delivered and set up for the most part, as well as taken care of getting a house elf to help with the running of things while I wasn't actually in the house and dealing with things at Hogwarts and ultimately keep things clean and such while I was in the South of France and ultimately in Greece.
I'd even gotten one of those magical expanding closet that would serve to be Dex's closet most likely so I didn't encroach upon his closet space (an idea which she got from Desi as she got Toby one for his birthday) with my shopping. At the moment, I was standing in the living room, glad for Greta's help in unpacking and getting things set up.
"Miss Karma need anything else from Greta?"
"Not at the moment Greta, thank you." The house elf popped off and I sunk down upon the couch and smiled. The house was connected to the floo network, which made things easier to get to and from St. Emrys and various other places on the Floo Network.
After a few minutes I headed into the kitchen and smiled, she'd done all the shopping for me and I was pleased with the results. Now, what to make for my first meal in the new house? Also, there was someone decidedly missing, but before I did that I headed down into the basement and checked out the small apartment set up that was down there and took up half the basement.
"I think I'll offer this space to Ember. She'll love it." I said to myself and then headed back up to the kitchen and then over to the fireplace. Sticking my head in for a quick fire chat, I let Dex know that everything was set up in the new house and invited him over.
He popped in a few minutes later, and grinned. "Looks fantastic babe."
"Thanks. Go check the apartment set up downstairs and see if it is something that Ember would like? I'm thinking of offering it to her."
After a few minutes he came back upstairs from the basement and smiled. "I think she'll love it. So, now that you are all set up, does that mean we can break in the new bed?"
I chuckle and swat him lightly. "Maybe, if you are good and help me with dinner. Oh, and Jag and Avani are around here somewhere."
Dex grinned that patented goofy grin and came over and helped me make my lamb curry over basmati rice with a salad with sesame ginger vinaigrette. Settling at the dining room table, we shared a bottle of wine and talked about the plans for the South of France over dinner.
Between Herbology And Lunch (Wiggy)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 09-20-12 19:13
When Herbology ends Wiggersmythe and Jack pack up and leave, joining the other sixth years going to the castle, with the destination of all of them most likely the Great Hall for lunch as soon as it's transformed back into a large dining room from the written portion of the Care of Magical Creatures OWL and NEWT. On the way, Wiggy can't help but look in the direction where the practical portion of those exams will be given a little later today. Catching his look Jack asks, "Thinking about how you should be there after lunch and not going to History?"
"Yeah. You?"
"A little. Mostly though, I've over it. I could go to St. Emrys in the fall, or some other university, or get a job. But, it's my choice to stay so I decided to stop being angry over a lost year."
Wiggy starts to say something but having an idea of what that might be, Jack holds up a hand. "Don't get me wrong. I can still get angry thinking about the whole segregation thing. That's not the same thing as being here at Hogwarts and bitching about how I should be a seventh year about to graduate."
Wiggy loudly expels a breath then nods. "I understand what you mean. Once I made the decision to play professionally I could have dropped out entirely. Instead, I was right there with you on the Hogwarts express last September 1st."
He wipes a hand across his face, then scrubs a few fingers across one eye as he yawns. "I am so bloody tired. Maybe if I eat fast enough I can get a nap in before History."
"You have practice this afternoon?"
"With our next match on Saturday, we're meeting everyday so practice is this evening. With F&A not letting out until five, practice is set for 5:30."
"Better grabs some snacks to put in your pack so you want run entirely out of steam between lunch and whenever you get a chance to eat supper."
"Already have a few stowed away but I might grab more."
"How are you going to handle practice next week with final exams?" Jack asks as if it's a done deal that Britain will win its match again Denmark in the first day of World Cup bracketed play.
"Scheduling practices around me was actually easier. Monday, it's in the morning and I should be back in plenty of time for McGonagall's exam at one. Tuesday, really early morning because of," Wiggy hitches a thumb over his shoulder towards the greenhouses, "Herbology at eleven and we'll probably put in more time that afternoon, around 5:30 again. Wednesday was the hard day because of four exams but we're doing weight training after lunch putting me back here in time for an afternoon exam then we'll have regular practice followed by the Astronomy final. I get to sleep in Thursday, take one exam then go to practice. Same with that Friday."
Jack offers his friend a grin. "How you have that as straight as you do without having to look at a written schedule I don't know."
"And you call yourself a Ravenclaw."
"I never said I couldn't remember all that if it were my schedule. I was expressing amazement that a Gryffindor who is not the legendary Hermoine Granger is capable of such a feat."
"Funny, Emerson. I'd stop right here and fall over laughing if I didn't need to get to lunch in hopes that I could then get in a decent length nap."
In response Jack gives Wiggy a punch on the arm only to earn one back in return. Almost to the Great Hall by this time, they spend the rest of the short walk talking about how Denmark is looking for Saturday's match.
Working Half a Day
Author: Kirley Mockridge
Date: 09-20-12 19:14
Kirley sat at his desk. They'd managed, in the last few weeks, to drastically reduce the possible leaks from the Minister's office, but he still couldn't figure out exactly how Rita Skeeter was getting her information. The varied stories they'd fed to the likely suspects had cut down on some of the leaks, but there were still stories getting out that shouldn't have.
Between trying to figure that out, and following up on the paperwork to negate every single marriage negotiation his mother had entered on his behalf, he simply hadn't had a chance to breath. But he was pretty sure the negotiations were handled now. Not that the girls weren't worthy, but he didn't want an arranged marriage of any sort, he wanted to choose his own spouse. After all, he's the one who would have to live with whomever it would be.
With a sigh, he leaned back, stretching in his chair before gathering up his notes on the latest round of stories he'd concocted to try to find Skeeter's source. He headed for the Minister's office, wanting to get Kingsley's approval before he implemented the stories, and then it would be time for a late lunch. He was tempted to just take the rest of the day off, since his work was completed for the day. It would give him a chance to quiz Valeria on her basic charms as well as to check in with the house elves about his mother and her behaviors.
The more he thought about it, the better the idea sounded, so he decided to check with the Minister before he headed out for the day.
Defeat
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 09-21-12 04:08
Johanna was at the her dorm, looking at Wizarding History, Vol 5 that Mark had lent to her once he was done with his History of Magic OWL. She flipped the pages of the textbook, excited to discover some topics she would learn the next school year. She knew she should be studying for her finals but at the moment she was not in the right mood for that. She had convinced Felicia to have a chat with Gus and she was waiting for her to come back to the dorm and tell her all about it.
Finally the door was open and her friend entered.
"So, how did it go?" she asked, putting the book aside, ignoring a photo of a goblin that was doing some ugly grimaces to the reader.
"He's totally into Polly, I'm sorry."
"But did you ask him about those times he and I hold hands?"
"Yes, of course. He said that those moments were nice but that he just can't see you as more than a friend. But he is a coward because he can't tell you that in person. When I told him he was being mean to you and he should speak about his feelings, because he was giving you false hopes he asked me if I could do it for him. "
Felicia explained that Gus had accused Johanna of being a coward as well since she had sent Felicia to go and talk to him while she was hiding. But Felicia had told him she thought both of them were acting silly and obviously they had some sort of communication problem. She warned Gus she was not an owl and the next time he wanted to say something to Johanna he should do it himself.
"And then he said you were his best friend and he loves to hang out with you but he has done some thinking and he believes you would boss him around all the time if you dated him and he obviously doesn't want that. "
"I'm not bossy!"
"You can be at times. And you know that."
Johanna looked at Felecia, defeated. She was right. But she was still willing to try and not be bossy if that meant dating Gus. She told that to her friend. Felicia sat on her bed next to her and said how sorry she was that this wasn't working out for both her and Gus. But she said it was better this way, that now she knew Gus wasn't into her the way she was that maybe she could move on.
"Besides, you can do much better than Gus. He is not the only boy on earth. You have obsessed over him far too long. If he wants Polly, then let him keep her!"
Johanna laughed.
"That is easy for you to say: you have Baltus. And Kate has Mark. What about me? I'm the only single person of the group."
"You'll find someone, I promise. Summer holidays are coming and you said your family was going to the beach. There are plenty of boys in the beach, right?"
"You're terrible!"
They chatted for a while, and then Felicia said she was going to check on Baltus. He wasn't taking the Care for the Magical Creatures OWL today but he was studying for his next exam. Johanna left the dorm with her friend, in order to find Kate and tell her everything and hear her opinion on. Maybe she could present her to some of her Hufflepuff friends, Felicia suggested. Johanna ignored her. At the moment all she wanted was Gus. And if she couldn't have him, then she didn't want anyone else at all.
Care of Magical Creatures OWL & NEWT
Author: Declan
Date: 09-21-12 09:52
The written portions of the Care of Magical Creatures Ordinary Wizarding Level, or OWL, and Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test, commonly referred to as NEWT, took place as scheduled Tuesday morning without any real hitches. There were the expected problems of quills needing to be replaced, one ink bottle that was nearly empty when the student began her exam, and students starting to panic as time wound down and they scrambled to finish all the test questions or to rack their brains for the elusive answers to questions they knew they know. Declan had taken the day's copy of The Daily Prophet into the Great Hall and though he did at times have it open, glancing at the news stories, he spent more time walking around, watching for straying eyes, signs of crib sheets, tired students who looked as though they were on the verge of a nap, and signs of a student having a panic attack.
Declan was quite pleased to not once having to remind anyone to keep eyes on their own exams nor did he see any evidence of attempted cheating. Though some students were visibly anxious, no one had an out and out panic attack. Even with the adrenaline of getting the exam written, a few did seem to want to nod off. Those students Declan slipped a piece of hard candy along with a few whispered words. There's nothing overly special about the candies, they're even sugar free but when Declan was a student and first tried them, he hadn't known that. The candies were passed off as pepper ups. That first and second time he had them the psychological effect of thinking they'd pep him up enough to get through an exam had the desired effect. Once he learned they're nothing but candy with a slight spice to them, they no longer had the perking up quality to them, or not enough for him to tell a huge difference anyway. If thinking one of these pieces of candy will help them wake up a bit, Declan sees no harm sharing them with those who looked as if they're asleep with eyes partly open and quills in hands reflexively writing something across their parchments. The whispered words were to tell each that the candy might help pep them up a little. If the psychological effect doesn't work, at the very least Declan thought that perhaps having something to actively suck on while keeping it from falling out of their mouths onto their exams would be helpful in getting through that portion of the exam.
Now, a few hours later, the same group is gathered with him in the school grounds for the practical portion of their exams. Professors Marchbanks, Huntingdon, Tofty, and Brecknock are scattered around an open area, each with their own testing stations. Separating them from the waiting students is a growth of bushes and trees. Declan sends the first four in, the fifth years Catriona Amherst (to Marchbanks), Errol Anderson (to Brecknock), Broderick Carter (to Tofty), and Mark Farnon (to Huntingdon).
For the time being, the remaining students are quite, some of them looking as though they are straining to hear what Cat, Errol, Broderick, and Mark are being asked. A few scatter back to sit or sprawl on the ground. Several among those left have note cards out, though Declan can't tell if additional cramming for Care of Magical Creatures or for one of the exams remaining.
It's a pleasant day so Declan doesn't mind standing around out here though he does regret a tiny bit not being able to meet with his sixth years today. He will get to see them one last time in the classroom, on Thursday, before they take their own exam next week. Professor Grubbly-Plank is helpfully covering the class for him today. She's extremely competent so he has now worries that she will encounter any problems with the History of Magic review on tap for the class. He'd simply prefer being there to do it himself.
Professor Huntingdon is done with Mark so as the boy exits out of the testing area on a path that takes him away from and around those yet to be tested Declan sends in the next student, Olive Green, while watching for signs that the other three will each also be excused so he can direct more students over for their practicals.
Almost Over, Right?
Author: Maggie Hawthorne
Date: 09-21-12 12:21
Today was the CoMC NEWT and I was eager for it to be over with, though, at least the practical portion of this one would be outside at the barn, which meant that I would get to enjoy a little bit of the late Spring, early Summer sunshine while I was stressing for my turn to take the practical portion of the exam.
The written portion, once more made me and pretty much everyone else taking it wish they were ambidextrous so that they could give their hands a rest when it was needed, and at least today I didn't go through near as many quills as I had in previous exams. This was definitely something that I loved and I was considering studying Veterinary healing at St. Emry's when I started in the fall.
"I think I got this," I muttered to myself, flicking through my notes one more time. I'd done well on the written portion, as I'd double checked my answers after the exam when William and I had eaten lunch. He'd even helped quiz me on a variety of things so I had it down pat for the practical exam this afternoon.
He'd walked me to the barn, kissed me for good luck and headed back into the Castle with promise to meet me for dinner once I was done and had a chance to unwind. While I worked over my notes, I quickly worked my hair into a braid and pulled it up with a pair of silver and sapphire colored hair pins so that it was out of my face before I had to go into the barn.
Professor Douglass was proctoring this exam, which meant at least there was eye candy to stare at while I was attempting to study and not freak out about the fact that I was nearly done with school and nearly going to have to actually be an adult.
After a few minutes, I heard my name called, which meant my group was up, and I headed into barn for my practical portion of the exam. I got Professor Brecknock again, which meant I knew kind of what to expect from this particular proctor, and that was a good thing. I got ready for things to get underway and within minutes I was answering questions for my practical exam in Care of Magical Creatures.