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People Will Wonder
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 08-25-13 14:51
Setting the stuffed picnic basket down, Ginny swings open the door that opens just off the St. John's Wood house's kitchen. Basket back in hand, she nudges the door shut with one foot then maneuvers through to the table, calling out as she goes, "Harry! Lunch is here!"
Garnering no response, which isn't all that surprising given the size of the house, Ginny places the picnic basket on the table and Jamie in his carrier on the floor. There was a time when she'd have put him on the table as well but at 6 1/2 months, he can get to kicking vigorously enough to move the carrier. She could use sticking spell but doesn't want to bother with that when it's just easier to put the carrier on the floor.
She exits the kitchen, going first to the sitting room with the couch Harry favors. No sign of them there has her heading for the stairs, thinking he's in the bedroom he's claimed for his time here but along the way she passes the open door of the study. It's not the figure hunched over the desk that caught her attention. She'd not noticed him sitting there at all, he's that closely bent to the desk. It's that he's talking aloud to himself.
"Harry. We brought lunch."
He looks up, blinking owlishly, nudging up glasses to sit correctly on the bridge of his nose. "Huh?"
"Lumch with Jamie and me."
"What time is it?" Head shaking back and forth he adds, "No, never mind. It's near lunch if you're here and telling me lunch."
He rises from the desk, stretches out his back then strides to Ginny, pulling her in his arms. "Hello! I've missed you!"
A long kiss later Ginny is smoothing her hair, nodding towards the desk. "More research on those books?" She can't keep the disdain from her tone.
"Yeah, more research."
Taking her head, Harry pulls her away, going in the direction of the kitchen. "I know you don't like it but it's necessary."
"I know," she sighs. "I just don't like the idea of what's in those books and what happened to Julian Valentine's vision because of one of them."
"The particular book Julian had was different from the copy I've got. His had a curse of some sort on it."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I like those books any better because they aren't cursed that we yet know." She waves a hand as if clearing away a bad odor. "Let's not talk more about them. We've argued enough over those stupid books. Mum was in a cooking mood and sent a huge hamper of food."
"It's really nice out and I've got that cooped up feeling. Want to eat on the terrace?"
"Sounds nice."
They gather what they need to carry outside, Harry hefting Jamie's carrier from the floor with a grunt. "He's heavier every time I pick him up. At this rate I'll start wondering if he's Hagrid's and not mine."
Ginny makes a face at him. "Good thing my hands are full." She still can't help laughing at the thought of Jamie being mini-Hagrid in size by his first birthday. "If he does get that big, I'll have to use a levitation spell to move him anywhere."
Outside they get Jamie situated on a blanket with some toys and set one of the cast iron tables with the plates, glasses and utensils they'd brought out. Ginny waits until they are going through the hamper seeing what Molly sent and dishing up the food to revisit the topic of babies fathered by someone other than one's husband but does so in a round about fashion.
"Any word yet from Kingsley when we can drop the pretense of coma?"
"Nothing definite. Every time I ask, he will only say soon."
"Maybe I should speak with him."
"I don't know if it would do any good but, sure, go ahead and try if you want."
"I think I will. If you aren't out of your coma soon and allowed to return to your regular life I shall have some explaining to do. Rita Skeeter might even write an article."
Harry's brow furrows. "I don't follow. Explain what and why would Skeeter be interested?"
"Because if you aren't out of your coma soon people will wonder who the father is when I start showing," Ginny says, patting her stomach.
Harry stares at her, eyes darting back and forth from her face to stomach. "I know I can be slow on the uptake sometimes but are you saying we're going to have another baby?"
"Not always slow to get it, are you, Harry?" Ginny's laugh light and infectious enough Jamie nearby on the blanket starts happily gurgling along.
As Harry sits, slightly opened mouthed and still staring, Ginny finishes unpacking the hamper, letting the news sink in.
Delphi
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 08-25-13 16:07
A brilliant sun beat against the pale stone buildings in modern Delphi, where Lysander had traveled to search for the Baetylus stone. He had told Julian that his trip to Greece entailed a visit to an antique bookseller holding a closeout sale. He hadn't lied, but he hadn't told the whole truth either. Lysander knew that Julian wouldn't approve of his dealings with Adriana, not when there was so much to lose from the alliance. Lysander saw things differently, however. Without Charlotte by his side, he felt as if he had already lost everything. It didn't seem to make any difference that she was still in his life, however minimally.
Lysander set out for what remained of the Temple of Apollo at the archaeological complex in Delphi. Although he did not feel comfortable navigating the Muggle world, he passed off his confusion as that of a foreigner unfamiliar with the currency and customs of the country.
One account of the Baetylus placed it at Delphi. It was said to be anointed with oil everyday and covered with wool on festive occasions. Lysander did not think it was the Resurrection Stone, but he had to see it with his own eyes before he could rule out the possibility that it might be.
All that remained of the Temple of Apollo were six Doric columns on a platform. The rest was long destroyed.
Lysander walked over the ruins, trying to imagine the temple as it had once been. Several accounts of the Baetylus placed it in the adyton, a restricted area within the inner chamber of the temple. Unless it had gone underground, the Baetylus was no longer there.
A snippet of conversation suddenly caught his attention. An American who seemed to be a teacher of some sort, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and tinted glasses, lectured in front of a small group of young adults.
"The Omphalos stone was kept here for centuries," the instructor explained, "and was said to allow direct communication to the gods. It's carved with netting and is hollow on the inside to channel the vapors breathed by the Oracle. When we head down to the museum later, we'll take a look at the Omphalos."
Lysander listened to the American for a few more minutes, and when it became clear that the teacher had moved on to another topic, Lysander made his way to the museum. The Omphalos was much larger than Lysander expected. It stood on a low pedestal and was surrounded on four sides by a metal barrier.
His heart sank as he looked at it. The massive stone couldn't be the Resurrection Stone, unless the latter had been chipped away from the former. There were signs of damage and wear on the Omphalos. Lysander wished he knew of a local wizard who might know more about it. In an instant, the bookseller sprang to mind. Maybe he could give insight into the origin and powers of the Omphalos and advise Lysander as to whether the Omphalos and Baetylus were one and the same.
The Friends Take Up A New Project
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 08-25-13 19:14
Edith takes a seat between Catherine and me, her head practically thudding onto the table. "I need sleep."
Catherine holds up a hand that looks to be twisted and deformed from arthritis. "Sleep and a new hand. I shan't be able to write my afternoon exam."
"Brutal was it?" Edith asks through a yawn.
Massaging her hand Catherine gives an emphatic nod of her head. "The professor met us at the door passing out exams as we entered, telling us to get started immediately. I wrote for the entire allotted time and I know I still had a few questions to answer when my exam booklet was whisked out from under my quill."
Edith takes a huge slug of the coffee she'd brought with her to the table then directs a look to me. "You're awfully quiet, Georgia."
"She's having a crisis," Catherine helpfully informs.
"Either ask Sage to take you back or get over it," Edith says, not for the first time."
"Nothing to do with the sex god. It's past time I pick a program and officially declare. I'm not going through all this just to keep working for Mum at Davies & Llewellyn."
Not so helpfully this time Catherine suggests, "You could be a true Tangerine Dagger groupie, following Tommaso and the band around to all its gigs."
"Yes, because a pocket sized pub in Leeds followed by an after house club in the ever exciting Diss would offer thrills around the clock."
"There is that," Catherine agrees, "but there's also Tommaso."
"I'm not sure how I feel about him."
Edith, trying to hide a smirky smile, tilts her head my direction but looks at Catherine. "That our Georgia has not been her usual vivacious self for months now and has taken to speaking like most normal folk and that she's got a hunk like Tommaso interested but she's not even given him a nickname yet should be our indicator all is not well in Georgialand."
"You're just figuring that out," I ask, without sarcasm of course.
Catherine and Edith ignore me. Catherine gets her I have a brilliant idea expression. "I've heard that Magical Match is a decent service. We should sign Georgia up."
"No, you will not."
"Oooh! Splendid idea! We'll get her to one of those speed dating deals too."
"No, not going to do it."
Edith, head bobbing up and down now like one of those Muggle bobble heads for which some of Mum's relatives seem to have a penchant and which fascinate Dad no end, looks to the entrances to Yellow canteen. "Where's Izzy? She'll want in on helping us put together Georgia's profile.
When I get up a few minutes later, they don't even notice I've gone. At least they have something taking their minds off writing exams.
Time For Change
Author: Melinda
Date: 08-26-13 16:55
For months now Jeff and I had been arguing about my job at Petals and it was beginning to put a strain on our relationship - and honestly, I wasn't about to give up on the best relationship that I'd had since Camden's dad.
Currently, I sat at my desk, heels off and resting beneath my desk as I poured over parchment work. There were no trials pending for Christian as he and his boyfriend were currently out of town and that meant that I was merely stuck doing trial prep and dealing with mounds of parchment work for cases that did or did not have potential.
I was considering taking my lunch break, and heading down to Petals and putting in my two weeks, but I made a decision earlier that last night was my last night dancing at the strip club, especially with what I'd heard through Caroline who is friends with one of the paralegals that work in the Ministry.
Reed Wycombe, the asshole who had gotten two death eaters out of Azkaban had been put on the case that the little blue-haired witch and her friends had filed against the strip club. If he was half as successful as he had been with the Carrow case, then the club would more than likely meet its end soon enough.
"Caroline, put any post that comes in for Christian on my desk. I'm heading to lunch and I've an errand to run while I'm out. May or may not be back in an hour, should be an hour and a half tops."
"Not a problem Mel, everything alright?"
"It will be."
With that, I headed out of the office and headed toward Petals first. I never liked quitting a job, but this time, it was something that had to be done. Something that would be done.
Letting myself in the employee's entrance, knowing well that they would hate losing one of their headlining dancers, but I would not sacrifice my relationship with Jeff and Remedy because of the money I was making. It was not worth it.
The club was quiet, mainly because it was still early, but I knew that one of the managers that I needed to talk to would be there.
"Karl, we need to talk."
I said, as I stepped into the office, dropping down into the chair across from the desk.
"What's up Melinda?"
"I'm done Karl, I can't keep working here. I'm not willing to put my relationship on the line, and honestly with this lawsuit and the protests. I want out before we are ultimately forced out."
"Mel, I knew this was coming, honestly since you started dating that guy you'd met here. But, I have to say, I'm going to miss you. You were definitely one of our bigger money dancers, and business won't be the same without you."
"I know Karl, but it's time. Cam will be starting school soon, and Jeff's daughter is due to be starting at Hogwarts soon as well."
"I know Mel, and just know that I'm gonna miss you. You were an asset, and I'm sure that the guy you are working for knows your worth. Tell Jeff that he's a lucky guy, he's got something special with you."
"I will Karl, owl me my last paycheck?"
"Don't need to." He said, and quickly wrote out the payment, and handed it to her.
"Don't even argue Melinda, you've earned it."
I shook my head, looking at the number on the parchment, before hugging Karl and heading out of the office and ultimately out of the building. My first stop was Gringotts and then I headed to Burger Wizard and grabbed a quick bite for lunch before heading back to the office.
I sent a quick owl to Jeff telling him I had something important to talk to him about tonight.
(Ramona) After the Herbology Practical Exam
Author: Griet
Date: 08-26-13 17:34
After giving the password ("disseminate") at the portal to Ravenclaw Tower, Ramona made a beeline for the nearest available overstuffed armchair. She collapsed into it and heaved a great sigh, exhausted from only day three of her O.W.L. exams.
She had just left the Great Hall following her Herbology practical, in which she'd been tested by Professor Tofty and had to identify various plants, demonstrate the proper care and harvesting of others, and state the magical properties of each one. Ramona thought she had done well enough, though she was certain she had forgotten to mention all the uses of bubotuber pus. Hopefully the omission wouldn't affect her final mark too severely.
Roger and Donald were also in the Common Room. Donald was in a corner, curled up in a chair with his head pressed against the wall and his eyes closed. Roger lay stretched out on the sofa. Ramona's exam had slightly overlapped with Donald's, but she'd been far too engrossed in her own to know anything about how his had gone. She knew one thing, though. Both of the boys were just as worn out as she was.
The portal opened again, this time to admit Nana, who had entered the Great Hall after Ramona. The girls had been in line together in the entrance hall, at first exchanging small bits of conversation but eventually falling silent as they neared the Great Hall doors. Nana breezed right past Ramona and scaled the steps to their dormitory room.
Joanna came in next and exclaimed loudly, "I failed! I just know it!"
Roger, without cracking open his eyes or moving an inch, replied, "That's what you get for 'studying' with van Tassel."
"Oh, knock it off, Roger!" Joanna replied, and she too went upstairs to her dorm room.
Roger snickered, remaining motionless on the sofa.
Ramona yawned and decided she might make her way upstairs too, but she seemed to have trouble getting her own body to move.
"What about you, Ramona?" Roger said. "Passed or failed?"
"Passed, I think," she replied. "I hope."
"You probably did. You're not necking in broom closets at all hours of the day, though that is kind of surprising."
Ramona narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Roger finally sat up and regarded her with a look of disbelief. "Don't you know? Half the boys at this school are in love with you."
"Huh?" Ramona wasn't sure she'd heard right.
"Yeah, but don't flatter yourself. You're kind of pretty, but I'm not one of your adoring fans. Sorry."
Ramona's mouth opened and closed. She couldn't decide what to focus on first. Did Roger insult her just now by calling her "kind of pretty"?
"What boys?" she finally asked.
Roger shook his head and lay back down on the sofa, closing his eyes. "You figure it out."
Ramona's thoughts went wild, but she wasn't even sure she should believe Roger. Half the boys at school liking her? Honestly! She shook her head and finally got up from her chair and made her way upstairs to her dormitory room.
A Copycat?
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 08-26-13 18:29
Ron had pulled a double shift Tuesday and then ended up splitting another shift with someone else. Between aurors being on holiday, out ill, or gone for some other reason such as the one who has had to go sit on call for four days now waiting to be called to testify in a trial, the auror portion of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has been short of hands. At least Harry is still pulling shifts, albeit only ones that have him in disguise.
Despite getting to sleep in a little late before having to be back on the clock, with the long hours yesterday along with only a few hours sleep total, Ron is more than ready to get home. He's trying hard not to verbalize the hope of not getting tapped for an extra shift, even half of one, again today. That might jinx him and ensure he's here all evening and through much of the night.
Ron is just wrapping up his thoughts on a suspect interview fron earlier in the day when he turns at a knock at the opening that passes for the cubicle's doorway. "Farid! I wasn't expecting to see you until next week at the meeting."
Farid Mazouzi is an auror equivalent from Morocco who's been working with Ron and others on the Danielle Baatz seriel killer task force. Though Baatz has been caught and is in jail with trials scheduled in several of the countries where she committed her crimes and more to be scheduled, the group continued meeting helping identify more of Baatz's victims around the globe.
With English that's probably even better than Ron's Farid gravely returns Ron's greeting. "It is good to see you, Ron, though I wish this could have waited until next week."
Ron motions Farid in, grabbing some files off the chair meant for visitors. "What's going on?"
Rather than say anything yet, Farid hands a file to Ron. He waits for Ron to look through it, taking in the details.
When Ron looks up from the quick look through, he says to Farid, "Has all the hallmarks of Danielle Baatz's work."
"Yes, but look at the estimated time and date of death."
Ron hadn't payed much attention to that as he'd scanned the other salient details in the file. He goes now to look then, puzzled, wants to know, "Is this a mistake?"
"Iwish it were."
"You think copycat?"
"Yes, or she had a partner who's continued the killing."
"Have you talked with any of the others?"
"Only Mignon as that is where we were to meet next week. She is letting everyone know to come tomorrow."
"You could have let her contact me instead of making the extra trip here and I would have found out tomorrow with everyone else."
"I know but as you are the main reason we even had the task force I wanted to speak with you in person and let you see this translated file copy."
"I need to let my superiors know I have to be gone tomorrow instead of the scheduled time next week; then, how about you come to my house. We'll get my wife and I'll treat us all to dinner."
"I would like that. Thank you."
Ron makes quick work of verbally informing his immediate head of the change in plans and filling out the required parchment work then he collects Farid, signs out, and leads the Moroccan wizard to the bank of Floos in the Atrium.
Between Theory of DADA And The Practical (Marjani & Zuberi)
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 08-27-13 15:58
In the short downtime between exiting the Great Hall after the Theory of Defense Against the Dark Arts NEWT (and OWL) ends and the Great Hall being available for lunch, Marjani and Zuberi go to the Commons, Marjani not wanting to go all the way up to Gryffindor Tower for such a short time and Zuberi wanting something to drink. Rather than joining friends they sit together, Marjani helping herself to a bite of the oversized sugar biscuit Zuberi got along with some juice.
Debating whether to lick crumbs from her fingers or brush them off Marjana asks her brother, "Do you think you did well?"
"I think so. Well enough anyway. I don't need highest marks in DADA for architecture." Anticipating a slight rebuke, Zuberi hastens to add, "That doesn't mean I slacked off and only did the minimum needed."
Her next question isn't one he expects. "If we hadn't moved do you think you'd still have chosen to be an architect?"
Breaking off a bite of the sugar biscuit, Zuberi thinks about her question. He finally admits, "I have no idea, but probably not. I'm not sure what I would have decided on. I don't have to ask you the same. You've always wanted to play Quidditch professionally."
"Yes, and I still do but I've been wondering if I should go to St. Emrys full time and play for a team there first." Marjani reaches for another piece of cookie. Zuberi plays at batting her hand away before pushing the napkin closer to her.
This is news to Zuberi. "Oh? I thought you were all set with several tryouts lined up."
"I do have, but I'm also thinking about attending the St. Emrys tryouts and giving thought to being a full-time university student. I'm going to take class now matter what I decide. If I get an offer from a pro team, I'll do St. Emrys part-time."
"Wright College?"
"Actually, I was thinking Merlin College, International Affairs." Marjani pushes back from the table. "I think we can get lunch now. I thought having some of your sugar biscuit would take the edge of my hunger but all it did was make me hungrier. I knew I shouldn't have skipped breakfast."
"Why did you skip breakfast?" Zuberi asks when he meant to ask since when has Marjani been interested in international affairs.
"I was so tired I overslept. I can't make that mistake again. Halfway through writing the DADA NEWT my stomach started making strange sounds ,"
"Is that what I kept hearing?"
"Guilty. It made concentration more difficult."
They head out of the Commons for the Great Hall, splitting what little remains of the biscuit. Zuberi is going to ask about international affairs but his attention is redirected when Milo Martin comes up beside him asking a question. Marjani catches up with one of her friends, leaving Zuberi to make a mental reminder to ask her about Merlin College later.
The Boggart
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-28-13 02:41
"You may go in now," Professor Masterson told Johanna indicating the figure of Professor Tofty, who was already waiting for her.
She felt a bit nervous, like she always felt on the beginning of each exam, either written or practical. But as soon as she started to do what Professor Tofty asked of her she forgot about her anxiety and focused on the counter-jinx she had to perform.
Everything seemed to go well, until it came the moment to face the Boggart.
Johanna was caught in surprise with the figure that had emerged from the old chest that had been brought to the Great Hall containing the creature. It was a man that was wearing a set of purple robes, with grey hair and brown eyes, behind a pair of glasses. His eyes looked directly at Johanna and she had no trouble recognizing who he was even if the last time she had seen him had been several years ago.
Godfrey Pince, the Muggle Studies professor at Happy Haven School For Nons, had not changed a bit. Johanna recalled the hours she had passed inside his office trying to convince him that despite her blood status, she too believed to be unworthy of performing magic. It had been a plan that she, alongside with other students which included Gus, had elaborated in the hopes they would get released or at least not be forced to work so hard on the chores they were given to.
Of course she did not believe in any word she had said, but after a while Professor Pince had been convinced of his students 'conversion' and sent them to Alecto Carrow, the headmistress of Happy Haven. They were forced to break their wands in front of her as a proof that what they indeed felt that what they were saying was truth.
Johanna had never forgotten that day, where she had to destroy her first wand. And Godfrey Pince, who was now in front of her, was the memory of her biggest fear: to be considered again unworthy of performing magic. To be judged not for her skills but her blood status and be forced to break her wand once again.
For what had seemed an eternity, she had stood there unable to act, as Godfrey lectured her about how her blood was not pure. He then extended his arm in her direction and asked Johanna for her wand. He wanted to take it away from her because as an inferior being she shouldn't own one. It all seemed very real until a voice in her head said enough. She was not a little girl anymore. She was seventeen and she knew how to defend herself.
She looked at Godfrey Pince, knowing he was nothing but a Boggart. Johanna than pointed her wand at him and shouted:
"Riddikulus!"
A moment later, Godfrey Prince had turned himself into a million of purple confetti. Professor Tofty laughed which made the Boggart go back to the chest even faster. Johanna could not help to sigh in relief. She had been caught in surprise and she just hoped Professor Tofty wouldn't give her a lower score for her initial hesitation.
After being tested a bit more, Johanna was dismissed from the Great Hall. Most of the students who had already concluded the exam were gone, probably using their free time to revise for tomorrow's OWLs. She just leaned against the wall and slipped into the stoned floor. She hid her face with her hands and felt the tears.
That year at Happy Haven had marked her forever, like it did to everyone else who had been sent there. Some had nightmares during the evening, others pretended nothing had happened, while a small number bragged they had been there and survived, unlike poor Adella Darling. Allied with the tension from the OWLs, and now the Boggart, Johanna ended up losing control.
"What happened?" Kate asked.
She and Felicia had been waiting for Johanna and Gus outside. She told to her friends what had happened, using the sleeve of her school robes to clean her wet eyes. Felicia hugged her and Kate told her she should visit Madam Pomfrey so she could take a Calming Draught in order to lower her anxiety. Johanna nodded and both Felicia and Kate escorted her to the Hospital Wing. She started to feel much better now, knowing she had her friends there to help her when she needed.