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(Beatrix) Theory of Astronomy
Author: Griet
Date: 08-10-14 18:17
Beatrix put down her quill and leaned back in her chair. She had just put the finishing touches on the very last question on her Theory of Astronony OWL exam. She knew she should read over it to catch any spelling or grammatical mistakes, but at this point, she didn't care anymore. She just wanted it all to end.
She tipped her head back to stare at the enchanted ceiling, which was charmed to look like the sky outside––blue and sunny with white puffy clouds. Too bad the night sky wasn't there, though Beatrix supposed that was because the examiners didn't want to give the OWL and NEWT students any help.
When her neck started to ache from staring straight up, Beatrix faced forward again and rubbed her hand. She wondered if she would end up deformed from all the writing she'd done since the beginning of last week. What would it be like, if her hand was stuck grasping onto a quill for all eternity?
She stared at her cramped hand and then jumped in her seat when Professor Mockridge called out, "Time! Lower your quills."
Beatrix's test parchment flew away from her desk a second later, along with everyone else's. Really, it was almost a danger, having so many parchments flying across the Great Hall at once. She wondered if anybody had ever gotten injured via parchment and got to her feet when Professor Mockridge, with the parchments now neatly stacked on the High Table, dismissed the students from the Great Hall.
Beatrix saw Rowan start to fall into step beside her, but then she peeled away as if remembering that she and Beatrix weren't on speaking terms at the moment. The test-takers spilled out into the entrance hall, with some going downstairs either to the Hufflepuff or Slytherin common rooms, others going outside to get some fresh air, others still loitering there while waiting for lunch, and the rest heading for the marble staircase.
Beatrix was among those heading upstairs. So was Rowan, but she got off on level four, presumably headed to the library. Unlike Beatrix, Rowan had an exam this afternoon. Beatrix's next one wasn't until this evening.
She continued upstairs until she reached the portal to Ravenclaw Tower. Someone else just ahead of her had already given the password, so in she went through the open doorway. Only, she went in the same time someone else did, so that they nearly got stuck in the narrow portal. Beatrix stepped back and started to say, "Watch it!" because she was feeling a bit moody, but then she caught herself and mumbled, "Sorry."
Cate Moreau shrugged. "It's okay. Go ahead."
"No, you go," Beatrix said.
"No, you––okay," Cate said, ducking into the entryway to the Ravenclaw Common Room. She looked back at Beatrix and added, "Thanks. I wanted to look over my Arithmancy & Divination notes. I feel like I neglected that subject for Astronomy."
Beatrix followed behind her and said, "I know what you mean. Every day I feel like I didn't do enough for whatever test I'm taking. I'm glad I've got a break this afternoon."
"Going to relax or study for tonight's practical?"
"A little bit of both, I think," Beatrix said. "I wanted to freshen up a bit and then maybe grab something light from the Commons." She found herself asked, "Want to come?"
Cate thought it over for a second. "Sure, but it'll have to be quick. I want to have enough time to read over my notes before exam time."
"You know if you don't know it by now, it's probably too late, right?" Beatrix said.
Cate grinned. "There is that. Okay, let me stop by the loo and then we can go."
"Ditto."
Confessions
Author: Cate
Date: 08-10-14 19:28
It had been bothering Cate since Jordana's death – the fact that if Rosie's Aunt had not said anything about how to deal with the ring by themselves Jordana might still be alive. What had they been thinking to take on something like that without help from an adult? Now all Cate had was the guilt of Jordana's death and the knowledge that Aunt Wisteria had given them.
"Are you okay?" Beatrix asked as Cate stared off into space with her pastry half way to her mouth.
"Oh." Cate said, "yeah I am okay I just…I feel so guilty about Jordana's death."
Beatrix nodded her head but didn't say anything not knowing really what to say.
"There are some things that I have never told anyone about what happened and only those who were there know."
Beatrix nodded again. "I'm a good listener if you need to talk."
"Thanks." Cate said finishing the last bite of her pastry. "I need to tell someone. Can you keep a secret?"
"Yes."
"You know Roisin McCray," Beatrix nodded her head. "Well her Aunt Wisteria told us how to 'kill' the ring instead of encouraging us to go to McGonagall or our head of house. I know we should have known better than to do what we did but still if she had not told us how to deal with it Jordana might still be here."
"Wow!" Beatrix said softly. "Maybe you should tell someone what you've just told me. Tell McGonagall or something."
Taking a deep breath because it wasn't that she disliked McGonagall it was just that the woman was so stern and terse it always set her on edge. Maybe if she told something would happen to dear old Aunt Wisteria – like maybe she would go to Askaban and they would throw away the key. Cate felt a twinge of guilt rush over her for thinking like that but if she hadn't told them what she had…
"Will you come with me?" Cate asked Beatrix.
"Of course I will." She replied and the two girls headed off to find Professor McGonagall.
Respect
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-11-14 07:02
Johanna, Gus, Felicia, Kate and Hugo left the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Johanna's next class was only Astronomy at midnight. Kate and Gus had Care of Magical Creatures in fifteen minutes while Hugo and Felecia had Muggle Studies in an hour and fifteen minutes. Once they reached the school's entrance hall they split: Kate and Hugo went to the basement to the Hufflepuff's common room, while Johanna, Gus and Felicia went to the dungeons. Gus and Kate had agreed to meet at the hall again in ten minutes, so they could go to class together.
The Slytherin common room wasn't very crowded since a lot of students were still in class. Johanna spotted Mark at a corner, seated on a comfortable armchair, concentrated on his Astronomy textbook. Several star charts were spread around the wooden table in front of him. Mark removed the eyes from his textbook and picked up a quill, writing something down in one of the star charts.
"Where's the girlfriend?" Felicia asked in a whisper, looking around in search for Capri Brycin.
"Great Hall. She's taking the Arythmancy & Divination exam," Johanna told her.
"Right. Just like Baltus. I hope he does well…"
"I'm sure he will."
"Look at him…" Gus said, his voice filled with disgust. "Pretending he's too focused on his study, when I bet he has already a fancy job waiting for him once he leaves school."
He had gone to his dormitory to put down all his books and fetch the Care of Magical Creatures one, so he wouldn't have to go outside carrying more school supplies than needed. Only then he had noticed Mark and his face transformed itself into an ugly grimace. His right hand closed into a fist. Johanna knew he was about to call Mark and provoke him but before he could do so she placed herself in front of Gus.
"Leave him alone Gus."
"What? Are you his friend now, is that it?"
"No. But he is studying and you should respect that."
"Respect huh? Did he respect Kate when he cheated on her? Did he respect the Quidditch team when he didn't bother to speak to Krum about how we were not admitted into the championship match? No, he didn't care. He was too busy fooling around with that Brycin girl…"
"I know what Mark did to Kate was horrible, and that's why we don't talk to him anymore. But he's preparing himself for his Astronomy NEWT tonight and you shouldn't disturb him. You wouldn't like to have someone insulting you, while you had an important exam ahead of you, would you?"
Gus shrugged his shoulders and muttered something about punching anyone's face and left them down in the floor in case they bothered him.
"Besides he doesn't need good grades at Astronomy," he added.
"You don't know that for sure. It might be important for him. Not to mention it's your job as a prefect to make sure all the students are respected. Now go upstairs, to your class. Kate must be already waiting for you."
Gus shot a furious glance at Mark who had assisted the entire scene in silence, and he left the Slytherin common room, talking to himself about how much it sucked being a prefect. Felicia and Johanna went to their dormitory to put down their books and rest a bit before Felicia had to leave for her Muggle Studies class.
Proctoring
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 08-11-14 16:09
Retrieving an ink pot that was knocked over and then rolled, Sirius is glad the container is spill proof. He's glad of it not so much for not having to get ink off the floor from where the pot rolled but because of not having the possibility of a meltdown by a student who's been writing the Arithmancy & Divination NEWT only to have ink all over it. Even if not spill proof ink might not have gotten on the exam but it might have as the jar was knocked over on the desk and then rolled onto the floor. Even if not not spill proof, Sirius could easily clean off the exam with a wave of his wand but with the tension and stress this last week and a half among the fifth and seventh years, odds are he'd have a student to calm down even after presenting magically wiped clean exam.
The seventh year, Alan Birdwell, has taken the slight reprieve of having no ink to massage his writing hand. He offers a weak, though grateful smile to Sirius when the ink is returned. Sirius gives the teen a reassuring pat on the arm then moves away to stroll around the Great Hall, watchful for other problems. For the most part, everything's been quite. There's been the usual exchange of one quill for another, sighs and under the breath mutterings. No one's had a panic attack or gotten up to run out of the Great Hall. Not yet. There's still time in the exam so something major is possible but Sirius hopes all stays relatively calm.
Looking across the rows of desks, each with a student either busily writing or taking a moment to think or taking a few seconds respite to give the hand a break from what seems an eternity of writing, Sirius feels pangs of sympathy for the fifth and seventh years. He may have left Hogwarts as a student long ago but he well remembers the weariness that sets in from writing one test after another and being drilled by an examiner to show proof of skills and knowledge.
All the fifth years and some of these seventh years have already written one exam already today. Those same students will have yet another aspect of an exam, the Astronomy practical, this evening, which means more writing as well as drawing or sketching. At least for everyone here who's also got Astronomy tonight, the practical for the Arithmancy & Divination OWL and NEWT isn't until tomorrow afternoon, allowing everyone who wishes a chance to sleep in.
With the way this exam is split over two days, Sirius didn't need a substitute this afternoon but will tomorrow afternoon. His Wednesday classes are fifth and seventh years. Thursday mornings he's got fifth years but as that class won't meet he only needs to worry about his sixth year class. He sort of hates not being there as it's the last regular class meeting. He'd wrapped up a thorough review with the sixth years on Tuesday in anticipation of not being there tomorrow but he warned them they do have to show up Thursday and that someone will be going over the class roster to mark those who failed to bother. They are to use the time to practice one of the list of possible practical exam items he'll give them individually or they may study for the written portion of the final exam. They could pretend to be studying for that aspect of the test while really goofing off but the main thing is that they have the opportunity of a structured environment to practice with someone there overseeing them.
Sirius will be available tomorrow, with the exception of during the Arithmancy & Divination OWL and NEWT practical, Friday, and all next week before the sixth year's scheduled final exam next week, on Thursday. Any needing help may come see him and any wanting to get their practical out of the way so as not to have to do it during the written exam, may do so. He gave the sixth years a list of possible transfiguration related spells and charms for the practical portion. Each of them will have to demonstrate three from the list, three which he chooses for them.
A hand shoots up, waving a quill. Taking a fresh anti-cheating quill with a good nib on it, Sirius rapidly walks over to where Daisy Khan anxiously waits to be able to get writing again. Sirius takes another turn around the Great Hall then moves to the front to let everyone know they have one hour remaining.
A New Direction (Hartcrofte House)
Author: Peregrinus Hartcrofte
Date: 08-11-14 17:02
"If you stare at those texts any harder, you'll go blind."
Pippin looked up from the tome, his puzzled look distorted to comic proportions by the Magnifocals perched on his face.
"Wha? Oh! Hello, my love!" Pippin removed his Magnifocals and set them upon the most recent tome of his research. They were invaluable for long-term reading, but rather in the way of polite conversation.
"Please tell me you're not still on about the elusive Wonderland Gang?"
Pippin massaged the bridge of his nose, pinched to redness by the weight of his Magnifocals. "No, I'm afraid that's officially a cold case at this point, until some further lead comes to light. They seem to have retreated to the shadows for the time being, so there's not much to be done. Rather, I've been engrossed in research on Portkeys, trying to find some way to accomplish Kirley's objective – a way to bypass anti-Apparition charms to return to a 'home base.' No luck, I'm afraid. Anti-Apparition charms are nearly impossible to circumvent without being specifically exempted from them at the time of their casting. I shouldn't be surprised … wizardkind's best and brightest have been wrestling with these issues for longer than either of us have been alive."
Nephele sidled over to her fiancé, a practiced sway that banished all thoughts of portkeys from Pip's mind, before dropping into his lap and draping her arms around his shoulders. "It's absolutely adorable that you're indulging my brother's whims, but he really does need to remember that we can all handle ourselves. Or did he appeal to that Ravenclaw-pride of yours?"
Pip threw his head back, laughing the most heartfelt belly-laugh he'd had in some time. "Never thought of myself as proud, but I suppose you may have touched on something, there. I did want to be the one to solve this particular conundrum. I have to admit, I find more personal satisfaction in research and magineering than I do in the Auror-for-hire work of the Blackguard."
"Perhaps, then, it's time to walk away from the Blackguard. I'm sure the others would understand."
"Yes, you're right, of course. Can you see yourself married to a brilliant researcher?" Pip punctuated his teasing tone with a kisses on the side of Nephele's neck.
"I think so. Which reminds me. Our mothers are becoming unbearable, we might want to put some plans in place to make them stop..."
Berthold's Guest at Camp
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 08-11-14 18:15
The boy sits on a tree stump and quietly contemplates the goings-on around him. He claims he is from the village, a wizard among the many Muggle households. When Berthold first found him wandering the forest hours ago, he thought the boy a liar. After all, shouldn't a boy his age be at Hogwarts or some other school for young wizards? The boy, whose name is Penn, claims he is homeschooled and therefore not away at school.
Someone ought to recognize Penn or his name, but none in the strange party do. Most of Berthold's followers are foreigners, after all, and the few native Brits among them have poor memories. Penn has grown some since he last made the news and doesn't look exactly like the boy on the old Wanted posters from when he escaped Ministry custody.
Berthold strongly suspected Penn was using polyjuice potion to impersonate a boy, but here it is, many hours later, and Penn hasn't morphed into anybody else. Either the disguise is masterfully charmed, or Penn is exactly what he says he is: a boy from the village.
While Berthold waited for a truth to reveal itself, he quizzed the boy on strange folk hiding in the woods. Penn said he knew the woods like the back of his hand and had never seen anybody out of the ordinary there, excepting his present company. If somebody was hiding there, then Penn claimed with utmost certainty that he would know of it.
Berthold mulled over Penn's words in the hours that passed. Is it possible the witch they had seen darting through the trees and with whom they had exchanged fire isn't hiding out just steps away from where they are currently encamped? Surely Fairchild's wards are tough enough to withstand the curiosities of a little boy. She has to be in these woods!
Berthold makes his decision. "Your mother will be wondering where you are," he says, turning to Penn still seated on the tree stump. "She is probably calling you for dinner."
Penn nods. "She'll worry if I'm not home soon."
"Go, then, and forget the old men you met today. Can you do that, Penn?"
Berthold weaves his long, spindly Grindylow fingers together in a sinister sort of gesture.
Penn takes it to mean Berthold could make sure he suffers by those very hands if he ignores the warning. He nods again and said, "I won't tell a soul, especially not my mother."
Berthold chuckles. "Good. Go, enjoy your dinner."
Penn scrambles off the stump and turns toward the village, casting one last look over his shoulder before disappearing down the slope.
Berthold waits several minutes and then announces, "We stay. Prepare a night watch." He turns back to the edge of the trees where he had first clamped a hand on Penn's shoulder and thinks, We are coming for you, Adriana…
Lunch Break
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 08-12-14 07:26
The red-haired witch didn't say much. She moved the spoon from her pea soup in circles, absent minded. The wizard in front of her was the opposite. He ate his lamb chops with appetite, and dominated the entire conversation which was accompanied by vivid gestures and butter beer. For a Nott, Ambrosius was very expressive. He was wearing the Ministry of Magic robes, so he was probably at his lunch break.
The Leaky Cauldron was crowded and Tiberius was aware he was blocking a corridor of tables with his presence, but he didn't care. He continued to observe Phyllida for a few more minutes until Ambrosius' voice became unbearable to his ears. With large steps he reached the table where the pair was seated.
"Tiberius! What a surprise. It is so good to see you, cousin."
But Ambrosius seemed anything but content to have Tiberius spoiling his lunch with Phyllida. She remained mute as their eyes met.
"Hello, love," he greeted.
"Tiberius…"
She had left Endhope Abbey during Christmas time taking Ferne with her, due to Lucinda's arrival. Since that day they had not seen each other or exchanged any letters. Phyllida wanted to give him some space with his mother and he thought she believed he was going to follow Lucinda's wishes and join Adriana. In the past she had offered to help Tiberius lifting his curse, but he knew she had her own problems to solve, such as her imprisoned father and her lunatic mother, who had locked her foster sister Ferne in an attic for months. They keep looking at each other, a silence that was not awkward but filled with apologizes and future promises. Ambrosius cleared his throat and Tiberius turned his head to the left, to face his cousin.
"I see that you already know Miss Grimshaw-Spore. Have you heard about our engagement? It was announced at the Daily Phropet and everything. We were having lunch together when you decided to interrupt us... Perhaps you and I can catch up one of these days? Naturally you and Titus will be invited to the wedding. As so will your mother, of course. How is dear Lucinda? "
"I thought you were engaged to a Greengrass." He cut back, ignoring the question about his mother.
"Well…that did not work out the way I wanted to. I am lucky to have found Phyllida."
His hand held hers, without affection but possession, clearing making a stand to his cousin. It reminded him of a dog or other beast, marking his territory. It was a silence warning. Phyllida removed her hand from his after a moment, but the glint of her engagement ring didn't pass unnoticed to Tiberius. With a smile that did not reach her green eyes she politely asked if Tiberius wanted to join them for lunch. Ambrossius didn't seem very pleased with this idea but he played his part in this little well-mannered act and asked the waiter to bring another chair. Tiberius offered his best smile to the couple and told them he had already eaten. He wished them all the best.
Happy to see his cousin leaving, Ambrosius stood up and shook hands with him. Tiberius couldn't help to feel the satisfaction as he used his strength to crush the other wizard's hand. An old trick used between the Quidditch team captains at Hogwarts, which Tiberius had learnt even though he had never been part of the Quidditch team when he was at school.
Then it was her turn. Phyllida practically throw herself into his arms. He felt the so familiar smell of lilies coming from her red hair as she held him.
"Meet me in the church, a week from now. At midnight, " she whispered in his ear.
Her voice was so low that he might have imagined the words coming from her mouth. He did not need to ask which church she wanted them to meet. He marched out of the the Leaky Cauldron, looking forward for his next encounter with Phyllida at St Pancras Church, where everything had started.
Last Part Of The Astronomy OWL (Liannah & Jasper)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-12-14 14:12
Seeing no point in hanging around the Ravenclaw common room any longer, around 9:30 pm Liannah makes her way to the gathering spot for those taking the Astronomy OWL and NEWT. As anything she'll need for the exam will be provided all she takes with her are a few tissues and some pieces of hard candy. Though June, the late night air is sometimes a little cool, which might make her nose runny so the tissues are for just in case. The hard candy is for if her throat starts going dry. This part of the Astronomy OWL is two hours so having something to suck on might be good since she doesn't think they'll be allowed to get drinks of water.
A couple or so of the other Ravenclaw fifth and seventh years had left before Liannah. Off behind her somewhere she can hear others coming along now as well. When she reaches the spot they're to congregate she finds a mix of both years from all four houses. One of the Hufflepuff's already present is Jasper. Moving to stand next to him Liannah gives her cousin a nudge.
"Get any rest after supper?"
"A little. What about you?"
"I napped for just under an hour. I wanted to sleep right up until coming for this but I didn't want to get groggy from sleeping."
"Better to be groggy from lack of sleep, eh?" Jasper asks only half jokingly. He holds up one hand. "I think my hand is a permanent bird claw."
After writing two exams earlier in the day after a week and a half of other exams, gives a sympathetic smile. "I know what you mean but at least this is the last writing we'll have to do."
"Unless there's something during the Arithmancy & Divination practical tomorrow that needs writing out."
"If there is, it wouldn't be much."
"That's something at least. Are you going to sleep all morning tomorrow?" Jasper asks.
"I'll sleep later then most days but I don't want to sleep the entire morning away. Is that what you're planning?"
"It's tempting but I probably won't. I may even get up for breakfast and then go back and take a nap, but not one all the way through to lunch."
The two cousins talk some about what they think might be expected of them during the practical tomorrow and what specifically will be required tonight. A few minutes before ten the four examiners and Professor Quigley arrive. Access to the top of the tower is given to the students ready to get another exam full behind them. Liannah and Jasper are in the middle of the flow, ending up at the same telescope, one of many around the top of the tower.
The professors make quick work of getting materials passed out and giving instructions. Popping a hard candy into her mouth then offering one to Jasper, Liannah stares down at the practically blank chart she's been given, goes over the instructions once more just to be sure she's knows exactly what to do, then putting quill to chart, she begins marking in one of the constellations the fifth years are required to map, choosing to start with one she can see with the naked eye, allowing someone else to have first go on the telescope. Beside her, Jasper is looking at the night sky, glad it's relatively cloudless, before turning his attention to filling out his own chart.
Torture
Author: Travis
Date: 08-13-14 19:06
Accepting a berry lemonade from one of the roaming servers, Travis takes a drink, wishing the beverage included something stronger. Mum's garden parties are difficult to stomach at best, more so with everything that's been going on with the vandalism and destruction of different parts of Travis's business. She takes another sip of the lemonade then after looking down into the contents of the crystal flute, she sidles towards the house in thought of checking the liquor cabinet for something to dollop in with the lemonade.
A few minutes later, back outside on the terrace, trying not to look bored but knowing she's failing, Travis wonders how many of these people took time off from some sort of work like she has, like her siblings both have, how many are retired, and how many don't have a job beyond the social circuit. Spotting Morticia heading her way she takes a liberal drink of her vodka berry lemonade, bracing herself for whatever mother has to say. Morticia has a slight scowl that rapidly morphs into a beaming smile each time she pauses in her journey towards Travis to speak to someone else.
Reaching her eldest child Morticia's scowl deepens but then because there are others around to witness the scowl melts away into one of her warm smiles that Travis knows well enough to know is patently fake.
"Yes, Mum?" The inquiry is sweetly pleasant.
"Stop looking as though you are being tortured. People are starting to ask if you're ill."
"I am being tortured in a way."
Morticia's lips tighten but not enough for anyone else watching to notice. "Why bother coming if you find spending such an agreeable afternoon at a lovely soirée?"
Giving her mother an equally faux smile Travis brightly replies, "Because someone threatened to come to the shoppe tomorrow and pester me for several hours if I didn't attend her garden party today."
Morticia flutters a hand as if shooing a fly. "You've always been prone to exaggeration, Fifi."
Travis arches an eyebrow. "Did you not say you'd come to the shoppe tomorrow if I didn't come to the party this afternoon?"
"Yes, but referring to a possible visit from your mother as a threat is overmuch. There is also the fact that you consider being here torture."
Travis sighs, "Mum, you know I've been having a rough go lately. We aren't any closer to determining who's behind the attacks or the motive. I'm simply not up to social pleasantries right now."
"That you are having these troubles is exactly why you need to get out and think about something else, even if only for a short time." Morticia pats Travis on the arm. "Now, Fifi dear, let's see that sweet smile again. Here comes Odgen Fitzmorris."
At the name Odgen Fitzmorris, Travis stifles a groan. Sweetly smiling at the insufferable bore is the last thing she wants. Downing what remains in her glass, she starts to give her mother an excuse to walk the other direction but Morticia has gone from giving her a maternal pat on the arm to clutching it in an iron grip.
"Odgen! Enjoying my little gathering?" Morticia asks, accepting an air kiss on each cheek.
"Yes, quite. Mummy and I also do so love your parties, Morticia. Always so elegant and well done. Fifi, it's grand to see you again."
"Travis."
"Pardon?"
"As I tell you every time we see each other, I go by Travis, not Fifi."
"Fifi is so lovely, so feminine. Travis hardly suits you in the slightest."
"But it's not what I prefer."
Morticia exchanges a look of prolonged suffering with Ogden as if to say, "See what I have to put up with."
Ogden gives her a very subtle nod before saying to Travis, "I'm rather pleased to have this moment with you. Mummy is having a small gathering Saturday evening and I was hoping you would do me the honor of being my personal guest."
Travis has a polite, but firm, rejection of the offer ready but Morticia quickly blurts. "Fifi was just telling me she's free Saturday evening."
Odgen claps his hands together in delight. "Excellent! I shall come for you around 7."
Odgen hastily saunters off as if expecting Travis to jump in with a denial of Morticia's claim of being available Saturday. Morticia turns a cat ate the canary grin to her daughter. "Ogden Fitzmorris is a man many women your age would love to catch."
Travis's expression is dark. "I'm not many women my age. Now I have to go track him down and tell him I remembered some sort of prior commitment."
"You will do no such thing. Roddrick and I are attending Nova's little dinner. If you aren't there, I shall be very put out with you, if you take my meaning."
"I take it, Mum," Travis says with a roll of her eyes then excuses herself with the thought of refilling her crystal flute with vodka and a tiny splash of berry lemonade.