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New Friends
Author: Amanda Reynolds
Date: 08-08-14 18:11
Amanda walked into the library after her class and as she was walking, arms full of books, she collided with someone. "Oh, Merlin's beard!" Amanda said as she looked up and saw that she had run into Ramona Mickle. "I'm sorry." She bent down to pick up her books as well as Ramona's.
"It's alright. I'm sorry for not paying attention either." Ramona said softly.
Amanda laughed lightly as she handed Ramona one of her books and then picked up her own parchments and began cleaning up the bottle of ink that got dropped and broken on the stone floor.
"How are you doing?" Ramona asked.
Amanda nodded her head as she spoke, "I'm okay. You know looking forward to summer."
"Yeah I can't wait for summer." Ramona smiled. "How is Cate doing?"
Almost laughing at the question posed before her; it's not that it was funny but you'd think she'd know how her friend was doing but she didn't. "I honestly don't know. She won't talk to me. I think she blames me for Jordana's death."
"It was no one's fault except that stupid ring…how did you find it anyway?"
"It literally fell into my lap during potions class. I wish it had never come to me." She said suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse.
"That is understandable. I am sorry all that happened." She said and Amanda could tell she was being sincere. "Well it was really nice talking to you." Ramona said, "we should hang out sometime."
"I would like that." Amanda said as she shifted her books in her arms. "Maybe this evening after dinner if you'd like we can meet in the Common Commons?"
"Sounds good."
"Alright I am off to get a book and then I am headed to drop my books off before lunch."
Ramona smiled and headed out of the library just as Elliot arrived.
"I thought I would find you here. What was that all about?"
"What? It's not like I was fraternizing with the enemy or anything. I just ran into Ramona and we got talking about Cate."
"Oh. And how did that go?"
"Fine. We only talked about her for a minute." She said as they walked along the stacks until Amanda found the book she had been looking for. Heading up to check the book out she said, "I think we are going to hang out tonight if you want to join us in the Common Commons after dinner?"
"I might…I'll see what Darren has planned for the night."
When Amanda's book was checked out they both headed to the Hufflepuff Common room and then down to the Great Hall for lunch.
Creature's comfort
Author: Rolan Boyd
Date: 08-08-14 21:26
He awakened in the moments before his eyelids parted. Where he was he knew without seeing, for it was familiar to him with its smells, its sounds, its feel. He'd worn well its many comforts; now, his senses were so completely sated by this place that the why of his being here, the purpose, was nearly forgotten. Nearly.
The daylight poured through his lenses, his sleepy pupils mechanically advancing their sheaths forward against the wave of daylight crashing into his retinas. Suddenly, the image took shape before him: he was indeed there.
In slumber, his head had drooped southerly toward his right shoulder. The muscles of his neck objected dully, the fibers taught and steeled against the cranium's heft. They'd be stiff when he rose, but for now, he settled to lift his head back to its place, snug at the pillow's center.
Downward he glanced. His body grew outward before him, filling the length of the couch's cavity. Chest, arms, abdomen, legs, feet; the latter two extending well beyond the far armrest. The press of his legs on the exposed wood of the couch's arm constrained his blood's circulation. His feet were numbed and cool from the limited flow of life. Warmth, however, radiated from the greyish blue creature resting on his pelvis. Yozhi lay there, curled, contented: the only indication of the cat's living made by the slow, gentle rise and fall of the fur covering his ribcage. He slept, senseless to his human's stirring.
Nearest Rolan was the coffee table, darkly stained, the surface open and unencumbered except for a small ceramic dish, its charcoal paint faded beneath a glaze. The dish. There was the telling evidence of his purpose in that home he loved so. She'd woken him some time before, maybe quite early as he didn't remember the uplifting presence of the sun's light then. Dish in hand, she brought it to his mouth, slowly lifting the vessel to empty its contents between his parted lips. The potion was sour, and goopy. His throat clenched violently against the intruding sludge. Patiently, she saw him finish off the bowl's contents. The treatment was a misery, but it was nothing to the rejuvenating rest it brought to him.
Rolan's sleep was their reward and freedom. They might be nearby still, perhaps working the gardens. Possibly, they chanced a brief visit to the village. They wouldn't have done so as recently as three days prior. Then, he had had to be guarded against himself. His restfulness was what they sought, and now his body complied.
His lids fell heavily together, the darkness taking him as his consciousness fell away. Yozhi's small frame ever so slightly expanded and contradicted against his, again and again. His own chest lifted and deflated once, twice, a third time. Away he went, asleep.
I Cannot Go to School Today
Author: Gerry
Date: 08-09-14 07:51
Gerry climbed out of bed to visit the bathroom. When he was finished, he paused to look at his reflection in the mirror. His hair stood up in all directions, and his pajama shirt was halfway open, revealing a terrible rash. The itchy, red pockmarks covered not only torso but his arms, legs, and face. He had contracted chicken pox from the twins, who had presumably picked it up from another child at the daycare. Gareth so far didn't show any signs of the disease and had been shunted off to his maternal grandparents to avoid the contagion. He was at school now.
Gerry padded back into his bedroom, but then decided he had a little bit of an appetite. He was fixing himself jelly on crackers when his mother walked into the house. She was on her lunch break from work and wanted to check on her son, who was home alone. The twins were being looked after by Geoffrey's parents.
"You look better," Gigi remarked, dropping a light kiss onto the top of Gerry's head.
"No, I don't," he said. "I look awful."
"Since when do you care about looks, my love? You're not trying to impress a girl, are you? Someone in your class at school?" Gigi was teasing him. She knew her son had no interest in girls just yet.
"Muuuuuuum," Gerry complained. He accidentally dropped a cracker, which of course landed jelly-side down on the floor.
"Well, it's convenient you're sick now and not closer to the first of September, or you most certainly would have missed the start of term at Hogwarts," Gigi said, helping clean up the mess Gerry made on the floor. She took over spreading various flavored jams onto the crackers, so that there was a rainbow of color on the plate.
"Also, I'm getting a head start on my summer since I probably won't be well enough to return to school before it ends," Gerry said, sounding extremely pleased by that fact. He took a strawberry-flavored cracker from the offerings on the plate and took a bite.
His mother shot him a look. "I'm worried you'll one day have no choice but to clean up owl droppings at the Owl Post. You do realize that in order to become an auror like your dad, you'll have to earn high marks in school?"
"Only in certain subjects," Gerry quipped.
His mother shot him another look, but then she softened her features and reached over to give his hair a little tousle. "Are you sure you want to stay here alone?"
"Yes." Gerry was adamant. "It's quiet here. Graham and Grady are too whiny."
"Okay, but if you change your mind or feel any worse, you tell me."
"I will. Want a cracker?"
"No, thanks. I think I'll have a salad and maybe some yogurt."
Gerry made a face. "Suit yourself."
He took his plate and carried it to the breakfast table, where he sat and ate while his mother prepared her own lunch. He didn't like having chicken pox, but he had to admit, being too ill to attend school was a little bit of a perk.
Care Of Magical Creatures Practical
Author: Majandra
Date: 08-09-14 10:00
With four Tuesday classes Majandra needed someone to cover for her while she proctors the Care of Magical Creatures OWL and NEWT. She'd considered asking Severus but as he has a class of sixth years in the afternoon on Tuesday that would still have necessitated someone for her own afternoon class. She was going to ask either the perennial standby Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank or Hagrid but then George volunteered. Majandra had had to clear that with Professor McGonagall but that was really just a matter of form.
Maj left George with instructions and enough work to keep her students busy as they ready for the upcoming final examinations but knowing George there is a good chance that while he's kept her students busy it's been in some entirely different manner. During lunch he'd acted all innocence but after eleven years of marriage and being together as a couple even longer than that, she is not so easily fooled.
There is the fact that she knew full well when giving the approval for him to act as substitute that the lesson plans she left might not be exactly followed. The main thing is she knows George has kept them busy and active and not allowed them to rum rampant through the dungeons.
As a fifth year exits the rear of the barn looking so relieved to have another exam out of the way the boy looks like he might fall to the ground in joy at any moment, Majandra says, "Perla Moore. You're to Professor Huntingdon."
Perla enters the barn that is still somewhat new compared to other structures around the school but that's already years old. She's hardly taken three steps when Maj tells the next person waiting, "You'll see Professor Elgin."
Though most of the practical is taking place inside the barn, from time to time a student and an examiner will go out the other exit for a question or more that's best done outside. The weather is nice today so for any testing out of the barn and for those waiting to be quizzed. It is a little warm so Maj has made sure those waiting have access to water and juice. With nerves, with the practical coming after lunch, and the warmth having more than one student reaching for one of those drinks, it's nice to have a loo nearby so no one has to hurry to the castle then right back again.
Maj sends two more fifth years into the barn. There aren't many left so soon it will be her with only the seventh years as the NEWT portion gets underway. Taking a sip of water Maj suppressed a sigh at the thought that all too soon Miranda and Georgie will be Hogwarts students and after that, before she's ready for them to be fully grown, they'll be the seventh years taking NEWTs. She isn't sure she's ready for Miranda to be a first year much less taking the NEWTs.
(Adriana) Split Personality
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 08-09-14 10:26
Adriana did not feel like herself; or rather, she felt more like her old self again. The feelings came and went and caused her to withdraw into her private chambers more and more. Ivanova, her most trusted devotee, grew increasingly concerned by his mistress's behavior and wondered whether it was time to call in a healer. They had none amongst their group, however.
Adriana believed she knew what was the source of her dichotomous personalities. It nurtured her the way she nurtured it, and she had no choice but to accept what it gave her. She could decide not to see it to fruition, but if she gave up now, then all her preceding efforts would have been wasted.
Her situation inevitably put Christina to mind. Ever since their forced reunion, Adriana had dreamed of utilizing her the way Voldemort had done before her. When the opportunity finally arose to cast the spell, however, Adriana stopped short of doing so and instead set Christina free.
Now she found herself increasingly in a state similar to what she would have put Christina through, although their situations still would have been quite different. Christina's good personality would have no knowledge of the bad one's actions and thoughts. Conversely, Adriana knew everything all the time, no matter how she felt. Her old self loathed what she had become, but she couldn't bring herself to do anything but wallow in her misery. Knowing the feeling would soon pass also accounted for her inaction and helped her to endure the agony.
She sighed and eased herself out of her chair. Instead of the favorite robes she wore in shades of red, Adriana wore a billowing robe of deep, emerald green. She crossed to the doorway and looked out into the corridor, where Zane Rosier stood guard. He looked bored and leaned against the wall with a worn paperback book open in one hand.
Adriana started to retreat back to her chambers when Zane noticed her presence. He pushed off from the wall, pulled down a corner of the yellowed page to mark his place in the book, and shut it with a snap.
"What's the matter?" he asked, sensing her discomfort.
"Nothing," she said. "What are you reading?"
Zane scrutinized her for half a second before holding up the book so that she could read the cover.
"Wizard-Muggle Political Relations Prior to the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy," Adriana read aloud.
"Thought it might be worth a perusal," Zane said, shrugging his shoulders. "Besides, there hasn't been much to do lately."
"Patience," Adriana said, feeling her darker self creep to the forefront. "You'll get your chance at some action soon enough."
No sooner were the words said that someone began bellowing, "They've found us! They've found us!"
Outside The Barn (Jill, Alastor, Hunter)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-09-14 12:40
From a spot on the ground Jill leans against her cousin Alastor. "I am so ready for this week to end."
"You're done before I am," Alastor points out.
Sitting nearby, waiting for the Care of Magical Creatures NEWT practical along will and Alastor, Hunter nods. "We've all got Astronomy and then don't you have Arithmancy & Divination, Jill?"
"Right."
Hunter points between Alastor and himself. "We've got Muggle Studies so while you're sleeping in on Friday, we'll be slogging through however many questions they think we can write answers to in three hours."
Jill grins from one to the other. "I'll sleep an extra quarter hour for you both."
Alastor gives her a playful shove before jestingly asking, "What method have you and Olive worked out for her to let you know what's going on in there?" In there being the barn where practical exam is taking place. Olive was sent in by Professor Weasley a few minutes ago.
"Wouldn't that be nice if we had?" Jill asks, making sounds of protesting as Alastor shifts to stand up.
"Sorry, I'm being beckoned." Alastor disappears through the barn doors to be examined by Professor Stow.
Jill sits up straight, debating whether to go on and stand or remain seated on the soft grass a bit longer. She stays where she is for the moment as Hunter asks, "Excited about the trip?"
"A little. I'll be more excited once all this is out of the way and I can actually think about it. You?"
"Can't wait, and not just for the Greece trip. Mum and Dad are getting a beach house for a week or two."
"Yeah? Where?"
"The Channel Islands. Jersey, I think."
"That will be fab. Lazing around at the beach. No cares or worries."
"Except for not seeing my girlfriend, but I can apparate if needed."
Hunter and Jill continue talking of plans for the summer and for early fall before they both start their first term at St. Emrys until Jill is called to go before Professor Elgin. Hopping to her feet, she hurries into the barn, wanting to get one more NEWT completely behind her. Hunter gets some juice to drink while waiting his turn while really wanting nothing more than a very long nap. Before long he too is entering the barn, his mind on both what's to come and how he's hungry and much as he wants a nap he'll go eat then start going over Astronomy for tomorrow.
Back on Track
Author: Niccolo Zabini
Date: 08-09-14 19:10
Niccolo tapped his fingers lazily along the arm on the chair he had crashed in after lunch. He had spent most of his time between classes lounging there in the common room, his schoolbooks piled at his feet. He knew Petula had been watching him, yet had avoided telling him to study. Final exams were approaching quickly, and Nico may or may not be prepared for them. He knew he needed to focus on improving his grades, not just because her wanted to, it was expected.
End of term exams were fast approaching, and surviving them would bring the start of summer, something Nico was looking forward to this year. He was grateful he was living with Blaise when not at school, it spared him the nightmare of seeing his mother. She had written him several times in the past weeks, intent on stealing her son away to find out more about his future wife, Petula Parkinson. Merith Zabini was still under the illusion that she was responsible for selecting a perfect union for the two families, which was driving a wedge between herself and Blaise, but for the better Nico knew.
"She's bloody crazy." Nico said out loud without meaning too, he was letting his emotions, his inner disdain for the woman crept in again, letting his annoyance show wasn't intentional, but made him vulnerable.
"Who's crazy?" A first year asked from nearby.
Nico blinked and looked at the youngster, "Ah, just one of the ghosts, she likes to creep into your dreams and lure you into eternal sleep." The kid looked somewhat frightened and quickly left young Zabini with his thoughts.
His attention was soon brought back to Petula who sat nearby. A glance down at his books and finally he decided he had put off studying for far too long. He had to prove that he was capable of making good marks on these end of year exams or he'd never hear the end of it. He picked up a book just as his eyes met Pet's, a simple gesture to show he was trying not to goof off all the time.
Dear Bronwyn
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-10-14 10:16
Bronwyn arrived at work, said hello and good morning to those she met on her way to her cubicle, and then sat down at her desk to prepare for her mid-morning program. Dear Bronwyn was an hour-long advice show in which Bronwyn answered questions she'd received via Owl Post. Some questions were as simple as what to wear on a first date. Others were more in depth and required serious consideration. Either way, Bronwyn had found her niche.
She fished out the first letter in her inbox. It was addressed to Bronwyn Beck in care of Dear Bronwyn, Wizarding Wireless Network and saw it was from an older witch recently divorced and looking to get back into dating again. Not all of the questions she received made it on the air because there were simply too many. Part of Bronwyn's preparation before every show was sifting through what she would discuss that day, what might be saved for another day, and what would never make it on air for one reason or another.
Bronwyn always tried to respond to those who wrote to her. She didn't want anyone feeling neglected, nor turn hopeful listeners off of her show. Bronwyn simply knew if she were seeking advice, she would want a response one way or another. Her letters were typically brief, but the more complicated the problem, the more difficult she found it to offer advice in only a few words. Sometimes she took her work home with her, but she didn't mind. She liked helping others.
Lending support to those in need always put Chance to mind. Bronwyn couldn't know what it felt like to lose a baby not yet born, but she imagined it to be a devastating blow, especially to someone like Chance who'd always been told she couldn't have children. She'd been given false hope, only to have it yanked away in an instant. Bronwyn wished she knew what to do for her friend.
Maybe they could do something fun together, if only to temporarily distract Chance from her sadness. Having a girl's night out at Emrys Fest might do the trick, though the popular music festival was still over a month away…
This was the first year Bronwyn wasn't involved in the planning of the university's annual summer event. It made her a bit sad not to have a part in it, but then she could also enjoy it as a spectator this year and not have to worry about everything running smoothly.
The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea of going to Emrys Fest with an entourage of girlfriends. She could rope in Chance and Karma, who probably could also use a bit of distracting after the tragedy in her own life. Bronwyn hoped Desi would be around, too.
She just wasn't sure Toby would feel comfortable leaving her out of his sight after what happened last year. At least Maybelle was in prison, where she would hopefully stay for a very long time.
Bronwyn reached for another letter in her inbox. It was from a witch in Aberdeen inquiring whether pink was still the new black. Bronwyn set the letter on the 'today' pile and then reached for another one from her inbox.
Death Eaters on Edge
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 08-10-14 13:43
A quiet tension hovered over the abbey, where the Death Eaters who had been present when the announcement they had been discovered stood with their wands at the ready. The frantic call had come from Malarie McEvilley, a somewhat witless Death Eater who had been out on an errand and had stumbled across a ragtag band of mostly elderly wizards prowling the woods around HQ. She had made the mistake of being seen and had gotten injured while making her escape. A nasty burn cut across her cheek and ran into her hairline just over her left ear.
She sat in a corner, bandaged and looking very uneasy. Her wand dangled between her fingers.
Not too far away from where Malarie sat, Meadow stood with her arms folded across her chest. She had been on high alert ever since yesterday, when Malarie had stupidly led the old geezers straight to their door. Luckily, the wizards hadn't managed to pinpoint their exact location yet, nor had they managed to break through the countless barriers keeping the abbey safe and hidden. All night, the gathered Death Eaters waited in anticipation of the inevitable, but it had yet to happen.
Fairchild broke the silence. "I want a pair of scouts. Who will volunteer?"
Meadow started to speak, but Hattie and Kep-Tian were faster. Fairchild nodded to them and said, "I want to know how many and where they are. Once we know what we're up against," she went on, shooting Malarie a dark look for failing to provide her with detailed information, "we'll stop being sitting ducks and clear out our forest. Go, and if you're spotted, run far away from here. Understand?"
"Yes, my lady," Kep-Tian said. Hattie merely nodded.
Hattie had volunteered because she knew there was a possibility the intruders would mistake her for exactly what she looked like––a tweenage boy––and only if she got caught. What Kep-Tian's reasons were, she didn't know. Maybe he simply wanted to get out of the abbey.
They were careful in leaving the building and then quietly agreed to split up. Hattie followed around the north side of the complex, keeping her eyes peeled for figures in the trees. Kep-Tian went the other way and did the same.
Hattie got as far as the northeast corner of the grounds, when she spotted movement in the trees. She froze and peered into the distance. Seeing nothing else, she decided to go forward rather than continue on around the perimeter. Her hand was in her pocket, wrapped around a wand that wasn't hers but that worked well enough for her. She entered the tree line and caught movement again, a scrap of robe, a flash of gray. Hattie paused as still as a tree herself and studied the movement in front of her. She counted three individuals, all definitely older, one hobbling slightly but without the aid of a cane. Surely there were more?
She sucked in a startled breath when a hand closed down on her shoulder.