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Child's Play (Fallon, Crew, Driver)
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 08-22-13 17:13
Sagitta walked happily at her uncle's side. In the short time she'd been with Orion, she'd found it scarily easy to wrap him around her little finger in a way her father, grandparents and Uncle Pollux wouldn't allow. She loved the closet and dresser full of Muggle clothes that Bronwyn and Fallon had taken her shopping for, finding the jeans and shirts far more comfortable than the old-fashioned dresses her grandmother had insisted on. And even the dresses she had were far better suited to a young child instead of an antique doll.
"Uncle Orion? Are we going to Crew's house?" she asked, her auburn pigtails bouncing with each step.
"Yes we are. I thought we should return Crew's clothes that you borrowed, and I think Crew's Uncle Driver was going to meet me here to talk about him helping with the Defense class since Desi's been so busy with her caseload at the Ministry," Orion explained.
"If Crew gets me flying again, and I don't fall off, will you buy me a broom?" she asked.
Orion laughed as they got closer to the Morgan house. "I'll think about it. Most First Years at Hogwarts aren't allowed their own brooms, or at least they weren't when I was there, so we'll see," he answered.
Crew was sitting in the front yard, watching his friend Remedy Foster flying around on one of his older brooms.
"It's kinda weird that you're here alone Rem." Crew said as he stretched out on the grass.
Rem rolled her eyes and landed on the grass next to the younger boy. "She was mad at me, I think I asked the wrong question or something..."
"You girls are kinda weird, you know." Crew flashed a smile then looked up, catching a glimpse of Orion and the auburn-haired girl he had met not that long ago.
"Hi O! Hi Ita!" Crew was to his feet in an instant. "You might like her Remedy, she's your age I think."
"Hi Crew," Orion greeted. "Your parents inside?" he asked as they got to the gate. Sagitta looked a little nervous but she smiled at Crew.
"Hi! Look, no more of those silly dresses!" she said, biting at her lip as she looked at Remedy. A hint of color stained her cheeks, making her freckles blend into her skin.
Crew looked thoughtful for a moment before answering Orion, "Yeah, I think they're all in there." He motioned toward the house, but quickly turned his attention back to his friends.
"That's great! Mama said y'all went shopping, now you can relax! And it's okay, this is Remedy, she's pretty cool."
Rem laughed and offered her hand to Sagitta. "It's nice to meet you, I hear you're starting at Hogwarts in the fall too?"
Orion grinned and headed inside, leaving Sagitta outside with the other children. The auburn-haired child nodded. "I am. Uncle Orion says I'll like it there and that it won't be like my old house, which was really formal and stiff, but I'm not so sure," she said, shaking the other girl's hand. "Do you know what house you'll be in or will it be a surprise? My Grandmother said all Howells are in Slytherin, but I don't know if I want to be in Slytherin. Uncle Orion says that being in Slytherin doesn't mean I'll have to be like the rest of my family though," she rambled, clearly nervous.
Crew sat sideways on his broom and flew in low circles around the girls as they talked, his attention easily drifted.
"Well I'm glad I'll know someone else startin' with me. I still think the schools are weird, compared to back home." Her voice got slightly softer as memories of her old home filtered into her brain, she really did miss it. "As far as the house system, from what Crew's uncles Arley and Seb said, this hat picks the house you're in. I've heard things about Slytherins, but the way I look at it, everyone is unique, no matter what your family says." Rem smiled, hoping the other girl would relax. "As for Crewbie here, he's showing off for you." She pointed to the boy who was now doing a handstand while flying around the pair.
"So I see," Sagitta said with a slight smile. "When we were here last time, I had to borrow Crew's clothes so we could play, all I had were heavy, formal dresses that my grandmother had chosen," she explained, feeling a bit more at ease. Uncle Orion asked his girlfriend Desi's friend Bronwyn and Crew's Mum to take me shopping." The red-head spotted one of the older brooms sitting on the ground and stepped over to it, smiling when it responded to her firm "Up" and came into her hand. "I'm not as good as he is, but I think I like flying."
Remedy nodded and picked up the broom she had been using earlier. "Crew is good, but both his parents were pro players, and on the British National team for the world cup."
"Yeah, and I'm gonna be just like them!" He grinned at the girls as Remedy flew up next to him.
"Why don't we all fly around a bit, see what trouble we can get into? What do you think, Sagitta?"
Fallon peeked out the window, keeping a close eye on the kids. "I swear, that boy is about get into trouble."
"Grandmother said flying wasn't ladylike. Uncle Orion says most everything Grandmother said was hogwash," Sagitta said. "And you can call me Ita if you like, I know the whole thing is a mouthful."
Orion snorted. "It's good for them. Sagitta's been enjoying not having to be so quiet and such at the flat. I took her to a store and let her buy a bunch of music and stuff for the wireless, now there's music going constantly in her room. At least it's not that boy band stuff though," he said with a shudder.
"Your Uncle's probably right. So long as it's fun, right?" Crew grinned, like his mother he tended to be pretty care free.
"Ita it is then!" Rem said and tossed a quaffle she had picked up to Crew, who took of at a sprint with it.
Fal nodded, "I'm glad to see she's settling in well."
"What's wrong with a boy band?" Fletcher and Driver said in unison as Drive stepped out of the fireplace and they did their best impression of a young boy band.
Fal just stared at her husband and brother-in-law. "Hey Orion, I think they've lost it, let's run away?" She teased, trying not to laugh at the brothers.
"Nothing if you don't mind bleeding ears," Orion drawled. An easy grin belied his tone. "And yeah, running away looks good about now," he teased. More seriously, his eyes met Driver's. "Thanks for agreeing to meet with me," he said. He knew it wasn't easy, the issue of Desi loomed large between them and meant they would probably never really be best friends, but they did have friends in common, and Orion hoped, for all of their sakes, that he and Driver could reach an accord. A peek out the window showed Sagitta racing along with the other two, growing more comfortable on the broom by the second.
Fal laughed and patted Orion on the shoulder. "We're gonna go check on Mase, and let you two
chat."
Driver looked Orion over for a moment, he still hated the man for obvious reasons, but figured he better at least play nice. "No problem, I had the afternoon off anyways. Now, what did you need to talk about?"
"Well, you know I left the Ministry and am teaching at St. Emrys now, right? Desi was helping me with the Defense classes, but since she's been so busy, and since Sagitta's come to stay with me, I could really use an extra pair of hands. And yes, it does mean you would get an excuse to kick my arse on a regular basis," Orion said. He thought, in this instance, it was time to put his cunning to the side, being straight with Driver would likely get him a lot farther than trying to manipulate the other man.
"Yeah, Desi told me about that, never thought I'd see you be a professor." He was still guarded around Orion, but knew he'd have to loosen up eventually. "Well, I do have a lot of experience in muggle mixed martial arts, and kicking your arse would be fun. Seeing as I haven't been in a real fight since the incident, and someone wanted me to take some time off, I'm in. When are your classes?"
"Being a professor was a lot better than what my former bosses wanted me to do. I refused to put Desi at risk like that and walked away," Orion said with a shrug. "I knew you'd been doing those muggle fights, and the point of the defense classes are to teach students to defend themselves with more than just a wand," he added, then listed off his class schedule. "It may be different next term, but I haven't gotten that far ahead yet, I've been just trying to get through the rest of this term, and then summer before sending my niece off to Hogwarts."
"Well, I know I'm available for that schedule, if the times change we can work it out. I'm glad the University is willing to teach other forms of defense, because your wand will only get you so far. What do you say we meet up again and go over the classes in more detail?"
Driver smiled, "That's right, your niece is starting next term with my nephew's friend."
"Sounds good to me. And yeah, she's playing with Remedy and Crew now, actually. They're good for her, the poor girl can't have had it easy in my parents' home. My mother was... strict. And very old-fashioned," Orion said, glancing out the window to check on the kids.
"Well she's got good friends then, Crew's a good kid, a little wide open sometimes, but he means well, and as much as I know about Remedy she's a good kid too. Our parents weren't strict, not really, the four of us were always up to something. I can't imagine having parents that were that traditional." Driver glanced outside as well then stood and offered his hand to Orion. "Thanks for the assistant offer too, I think we can show those kids a thing or two."
"It can be a bit rough, having parents who are traditional," Orion said with a slight nod. It was clearly experience talking as he took the offered hand. "Thanks for giving me a chance on it. I'm actually somewhat looking forward to it."
(Paris, France) Serpentine Brilliance
Author: Nephele Mockridge
Date: 08-22-13 19:20
Nephele looked out of the window of the hotel, thinking about the day that had passed so pleasantly. Pip had chosen a place in Muggle Paris, which had been quite an adventure for someone who rarely stepped into the Muggle world, except when dragged for such things as the Quidditch World Cup. Thankfully, even the most staunchly Pureblooded families had clothing based on Muggle designs, so she had been well prepared without needing disillusionment charms to keep from drawing attention.
They'd spent the first day finding the hidden attractions available in Paris, doors that would only open with the correct tap of a wand, hidden parts of museums and historic palaces. She'd been quite excited to explore Catherine de Medici's potions lab (not actually used by La Medici, but the source of her poisons and such, created by the Wizard she employed in secret) and had momentarily forgotten where they were when she thanked Pip with a kiss that would've shocked most anyone who knew her. For one rumored to be a cold-hearted ice witch (though most would've put a B instead of a W), she was showing a surprising amount of affection for the Blackguard's bookworm. It was perhaps dangerous to let him see how far under her skin he was, but she didn't think he would actually hurt her, at least not on purpose.
Over dinner, in a quaint streetside bistro, she was basking in having Pip's undivided attention. "You know, as often as I give you good ideas, you should talk the rest of the Blackguard into hiring me," Nephele teased him.
Pip's eyes widened and a slow smile spread across his face. "You know, it's not a bad idea..."
"I was teasing, Pippin," she said with an affectionate smile.
"That doesn't mean it's not brilliant, just the same." She couldn't argue that point, so she waited for him to continue. "I mean, you are my usual choice for potions, and you do usually manage to have a brilliant insight on my cases..."
"That don't always lead to you cracking them. This last one is not cooperating in the slightest, it's almost as if they simply want to keep you distracted."
"Again, brilliant," Pip said with a grin. "This is what I mean, you've a keen mind and ready wit, and the sort of tricky, serpentine thinking that is rather hard to come by."
"So, are you offering me a job?" she asked. When he nodded, she shook her head slightly. "And here I thought I was just your favorite distraction," she teased.
"Well, I can't deny that either, and this way, you can distract and inspire at the same time," he teased.
Nephele grinned. "I'll think about it. In the meantime, we are in arguably the most beautiful city in the world..."
"And I have a beautiful woman sitting in front of me, I should not be talking about work," Pippin finished, reaching over to catch her hand and bring it up to his lips.
(Gus) Theory of Transfiguration
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-23-13 02:52
Gus could not help to yawn, as the last NEWT students were being seated in alphabetical order. Just like yesterday he had been seated behind a witch from Gryffindor whose hair vaguely reminded him of a mop. Today she was wearing a red bow, which covered even more Gus' view to the front of the Great Hall.
As the seconds passed, he could not help to tap his feet on the floor, a bit nervous. He wasn't looking forward to the next three hours where he would have to write everything he knew (or at least what he could remember) about Transfiguration. He had found yesterday's Theory of Charms exam quite boring, but the practical had been more interesting. Gus had witness Daren Storm from Ravenclaw, performing the Silencing Charm on a bird brought to the Great Hall for such purpose, but my mistake he charmed Taran Termaine instead who become mute the moment he was demonstrating to Professor Huntigdon the Summoning Charm. Gus had done his best not to laugh in front of Professor Brecknock who was evaluating him.
Finally everyone was seated in their places and the Theory of Transfiguration exam begun. Gus read the first question and after dipping his anti-cheating quill with ink he started to write down what he thought the right answer to the question: Name the incantation used in untransfiguration and explain why incomplete transfiguration can be dangerous and irresponsible. was. It was an easy question, from their first year at Hogwarts and Gus couldn't help to feel more confident. Unfortunately the next few questions were not as easy.
An hour passed and Gus put down his quill for a bit and moved his sore hand. He allowed himself a second to relax and then he focused once again in the exam. But he didn't know the answer for the next question. He tried to scrutinize his mind, in search for the right answer. Gus made an effort to recall the diagrams that showed an owl turning into a pair of opera glasses. He needed to draw and explain the diagram in his parchment, but he was having a hard time recalling the right words to use.
Involuntary, his mind went back home. He thought about how awkward it would be to live in his house now, without his father. It would be just Gus and his mother, and that make him the wizard of the house. He wondered if his father had taken all his things with him, or if he had left some objects behind. Perhaps Gus could inherit his study room, maybe turn the large the division into a bedroom. But first he would have to get rid of that ugly stuffed owl his father insisted to keep in his study.
That was the moment Gus was graced with a flash of memory from his past, where his father had actually explained him the resemblances between owls and opera glasses and how you could transfigurate such bird into that peculiar object. A smiled flourished in his lips and he started to write down everything he could remember before it would be lost.
Gus looked at his answer and read what he had written: it wasn't that good, but he thought it would have to do. He couldn't just waste more time on it. Patience. He didn't want to get an Outstanding anyway. Dipping his quill once again on the ink pot, Gus was ready to move on to the next question.
Tasty Gifts
Author: Marzipan
Date: 08-23-13 06:34
The Theory of Transfiguration exam had only just begun. Professor Ravenscroft sat at the front of the Great Hall and kept a sharp eye out for anyone needing assistance. Extra anti-cheating quills and ink bottles were on the table, should anyone require a replacement during the course of the exam. A giant hourglass on the table counted down the time remaining.
It was hard to believe that another school year was nearly at its end. Where had the time gone? Marzi could remember her first year as a professor at Hogwarts as if it were yesterday. Her life had changed a great deal since then. She reunited with her long lost mother, suffered the death of her father, gotten married, and had children.
Vallon's temperament had done a complete 180 since the Spring Social. Instead of crying constantly, he smiled and repeatedly said "Hi!" to everyone he met. On the way to daycare this morning, Vallon spent a good five minutes greeting one of the suits of armors in the corridor.
"Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!"
It was cute, and much more tolerable than his previously incessant unhappiness.
Professor Ravenscroft's Herbology classes, of which she had four on Tuesdays, were being taught by Professor Grubbly-Plank. Marzi had thought to ask Lawrence to fill in, but she knew he was busy preparing for his finals at St. Emrys University.
She looked out at the students in the Great Hall. Most had their heads bent over their tests, but a few were looking up and into space, obviously thinking over their answers before committing them to parchment.
(Ariella) Last Week at St. Emrys
Author: Beck
Date: 08-23-13 07:52
Ariella filed down the row to her usual place in her Foreign Policy class at St. Emrys and took out two quills, a bottle of ink, and a blank exam booklet she'd purchased at the university's bookstore. This week was her last at St. Emrys. Assuming her finals went as expected (very well!), she would have her degree very soon.
This afternoon she had a job interview at the Ministry of Magic's Department of International Magical Cooperation for a permanent position. Ariella felt well-prepared for the interview, even with it taking place at the same time as her end of term exams at the university. She had learned very much and gained an incredible amount of experience due to her internship at the Ministry.
She knew it would be foolish to exude overconfidence, since there were probably other very qualified applicants vying for the same departmental position, but Ariella felt very good about her own chances.
But first, she had a final exam that required her full concentration.
The classroom filled up quickly. Her professor made a few announcements before unveiling a lengthy essay question on the blackboard with a flick of his wand. Some students started scribbling right away, while others, like Ariella, gave their answers some thought before beginning to write.
To Be A Woman
Author: Estine
Date: 08-23-13 14:33
With the way Sophie McCourt rushed into the dormitory, Estine half-expected for her to shout that the school was on fire and that the entire place was to be evacuated. She didn't though. The girl just stared at her dorm mate, who was still all covered in blankets and giraffe print pajamas. There was a fury in her eyes; it mixed with a sense of confusion, which only intensified the glare. Others may have even felt insecure by it. They may have stared at their feet or glanced off in another direction while guilt or nerves consumed them. This wasn't the case with Estine though. She didn't have time for such nonsense right now. Instead, she rolled over, bringing her blankets around her like a cocoon, and stared at the wall in hopes that she may be left alone again.
Potions was starting soon anyway. If Soph didn't leave now, she would be late.
Instead, the other student exhaled loudly before plopping down beside Estine on her cozy, comfy bed. Esti didn't need to see the girl loosen her tie or remove her school robes to know she had no intention of leaving. Not that the more athletic of the pair approved at all of her bud playing hooky. She even spoke out against it. "You should go to class. Don't miss it 'cause of me."
"You could always go too," Sophie's phantom voice replied in a rushed tone. "You missed Charms today, Es. You do know finals are coming, right? And then Emily tells me she saw a prefect escorting you to the Hospital Wing. Why didn't you tell me you were sick? I thought we were best girlfriends."
"We are," Estine said as she cuddled herself into her little cave of bedding. Her abdomen churned, causing her to bite down on a small ball of comforter she'd accumulated in her fist. It took a moment for the pain to go away before Esti continued speaking. "I'm not sick. It's just a bad day. Madame Pomfrey said I didn't have to go anyway. She told me to relax."
"Relax from what? If you're not sick, then what's the matter?" Sophie adjusted herself on the bed; Estine could feel her move. And yet, she didn't pay the movement much mind. Instead, the current question was if Esti should actually share what was going on with her fellow Hufflepuff. They were best girlfriends, right? Best girlfriends share everything or they're supposed to at least. Plus, maybe Soph could help. After all, she still had someone to help her… she still had a mom.
Estine sighed as she turned over to face the world again. The sigh wasn't an unpleasant or anxious sound, but a soft and sad one. "Soph, what do you know about being a woman? What does it even mean? Like, my mom didn't tell me anything. She died before even finding out I'm a witch. And dad didn't say anything either. I just don't know what to think. I feel so weird and… I've never missed my mom like this before. I want her to write me and tell me I'm okay. That everything's okay. That's what Madame Pomfrey says, but… I wish my mom were here. What did your mom say about this kind of stuff?"
"She… well, she said… er," the girl stammered in her reply before taking in a deep breath and pausing in her speech. There was no exhale, just thought as the blonde drummed her fingers against the wooden bedpost. "My mum said it was natural. She said not to worry about it, that everyone goes through it, and to be strong."
The words had no effect beneath Estine's skin, but she wished they did. Maybe if Sophie's mom were her mom, it would have been easier for the words to help. Instead, they just sounded more like advice from yet another source. Estine forced a sad smile anyway as she sat up to face her friend. "I just don't know what to do."
"You could start by giving me a hug," Sophie McCourt said with a sympathetic look on her face as she outstretched her arms to her best girlfriend. "Then we'll see about getting you some food. I'm thinking chocolate milk, cookies, and krispie treats."
Estine let her smile transform into a genuine one as she leaned forward into her friend's hug. It was a warm, kind hug that gave Esti goosepimples in the best kind of way. The best part was it made everything seem better if only just for a moment. Everything was all right, she was normal, and she had someone truly there for her.
(Alanna) Stand By Your Man
Author: Beck
Date: 08-23-13 17:17
A heavy thump and whoosh of air startled Alanna from searching for a particular file in the cabinet in her cubicle. She whirled around in her chair to see Reed leaning over her desk, one hand placed over a towering stack of parchment.
"I need you to review everything here before tomorrow," he said.
Alanna blinked at him. "Why should I do that?"
"This is all the information gathered during discovery for the Petals case," Reed explained, as if he were talking to a toddler and not someone practically his equal. "Bone up on it so that we can be ready to present in court tomorrow."
"We?" Alanna asked, arching an eyebrow. "I thought you were handling the case without me?" She had often been frustrated by his intrusion, but she had more or less resigned herself to him taking over the case. It was a frivolous lawsuit, and one Alanna truly believed she couldn't win.
"I said I would take care of your little Petals problem," Reed haughtily replied, "but it's still your problem. Be prepared for tomorrow or I might forget my offer."
He stood up straight and stared down his nose at Alanna. "Pity about Wynbourne, but I'm not surprised by the Ministry's decision to cut him from the payroll. Wouldn't look good, would it, to have an accused rapist for an employee?"
"I don't know," Alanna said, trying hard to keep calm, "the Ministry allowed two Death Eaters and probable murderers to go free, so why not keep a falsely accused rapist on board as well?"
"Careful, darling," Reed drawled. "Don't speak so openly about your employer whilst inside its walls."
Alanna fixed him with an annoyed expression. "Is there anything else, Reed?"
"Just be ready for tomorrow," he said, turning to walk away. "Petals's days are numbered."
Alanna watched him walk away and then looked at the enormous stack of documents on her desk. It would take her all night to get through them all. Her thoughts turned to Jared, who was never far from her mind. He had actually told her that she should keep her distance from him so as not to jeopardize her own career at the Ministry. Alanna had no intention of turning her back on him, though.
She sighed and began reading through the stack of parchment on her desk. She didn't have high hopes for the case, but if anyone could win it, Reed could. After all, he had already done the impossible once.
Some Business Then Fun
Author: Majandra
Date: 08-23-13 18:40
Once the second year Gryffindor and Slytherins, her third class of the day on Tuesdays, were in their usual spots Maj directed their collective attention to the study guides she'd passed as as each had entered the Lower Years Potions classroom.
"If you are able to answer each question on this guide, you will be well prepared to write your final exam. Your homework is to begin answering the questions. Complete the whole thing and you will be finished with homework for this course other than preparing for the exam. We will begin the review in Thursday's class. Any questions? No?"
Majandra picks up a velveteen bag from her desk. "One other order of business and then we'll get to brewing a fun little potion that should be easy for all of you and that you get to taste afterwards."
Maj walks around the classroom having each of second year student draw a card from the bag, and notating in her roll book the number on the top right corner of each card. When everyone has drawn a card, she returns to the front of the room, returning the bag to her desk.
"As I have already told you, a week from Thursday you will complete a portion of your final exam. You now each have a card on which three potions are listed. The potions are all ones we've gone over this year. You will be required to brew from memory one of the three potions on your respective cards. You won't know until you get to class which you will be asked to brew and keep in mind that the three you have may not be the three the neighbor on either side of you will have. I repeat, you only have to brew one of the three but you must know all three since you do not know which one you'll get."
Maj fields a few questions on about the brewing portion of the exam and ones that students have now thought to ask about the study guide. She's also asked, "Will there be any essay questions on the exam?"
"Yes, but of the short variety."
There's one more question then Maj moves them along to the day's so called fun potion. "This is a potion that uses some heat at the beginning but then the heat is entirely turned off and as the potion brews, cold is generated so expect frost to form on the side of your cauldrons. The very last step is an instance in which you get to pick what will be added. I won't tell you the potion name as that might be a give away."
Maj moves to one of the boards and flips it over so the second years can read the step by step instructions. When their potions are made, they will have made a slushy ice that can be drunk, hence the final step of getting to pick what to add, which is what flavoring to use.
Eager to find out what this fun potion is that Professor Weasley had not mentioned before, the students get busy at their cauldrons. Maj moves back to her desk to remove what cards are left in the velveteen bag to replace them with cards for the third year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw class after lunch. She has some paper cups for the second years to use for the slushies but will wait to get them out closer to when some are nearing completion on their potions. In the meantime, she circulates around the room to give help where needed.