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Case Reopened
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-13-14 19:08
Professor McGonagall sat at her desk and contemplated the latest news brought to her attention by fifth year Cate Moreau, one of the four students directly involved in the dark magic ritual that had gone terribly wrong back in March. Ms. Moreau claimed the aunt of fellow Ravenclaw student Roisin McCray (also mother of first year Gryffindor Philippa Carew) had known about the dangerous object in their possession. Instead of insisting they turn the ring over to an adult, Mrs. Carew had instructed them on how to destroy it. The end result wasn't the successful destruction of a dark magic object, but disastrous consequences for all involved.
After allowing Ms. Moreau to speak fully, Professor McGonagall had asked her if she had seen the letter, to which she had replied in the affirmative. In fact, not only had Cate seen it, but Amanda, Elliot and Jordana had as well. Preston Travers and Darren Storm may also have been privy to its contents.
Because it had been lunch time when Ms. Moreau had arrived with Beatrix Vanderbilt in tow, Professor McGonagall had had little difficulty locating Ms. McCray. She'd been in the Great Hall eating a sandwich with one hand and flipping through flashcards with the other. Their meeting had been brief, mainly because Professor McGonagall hadn't wanted to distract the seventh year more than absolutely necessary from exams. As of then, Ms. McCray had still had the Arithmancy & Divination and Astronomy NEWTs on her agenda.
Ms. McCray had reluctantly turned over her aunt's letter, which she'd fortunately kept, and which Professor McGonagall had read in the sanctity of her office. Minerva wished she had concrete evidence against Mrs. Sims as she now had against Mrs. Carew, but in the case of Mildred Campbell's accident at Spring Social, all she still had was a gut feeling.
After reading and rereading the letter several times, Professor McGonagall had contacted the authorities. A child had died, and Minerva didn't want someone like Rita Skeeter catching wind of the truth and skewing the facts how she pleased, never mind the fact that the reporter was likely to do so anyway.
Aurelia Hartenian, an auror at the Ministry of Magic, had come by to collect the letter and to re-interview the students involved. Although Professor McGonagall respected the gravity of the situation, she had insisted Aurelia hold off on talking to Cate and Roisin until they finished all their exams. Amanda and Elliot had been pulled out of their afternoon classes yesterday and interviewed at length.
Out of the four who'd participated in the ritual that had resulted in Jordana's death, only Elliot had been of age. It was unclear if he would see charges filed against him for perjuring himself during the interrogation that followed the accident in March. Roisin had also been of age when her aunt had written to her about the ring. Could her inaction also lead to legal trouble?
For what it was worth, Professor McGonagall hoped they would get a slap on the wrist. Despite their legal majority, they were only Hogwarts students. They were merely children in her eyes.
Londy, the house-elf that had always served Professor Dumbledore faithfully, appeared suddenly in the doorway and squeaked, "Aurelia Hartenian to see you, Missus."
"Thank you, Londy. Send her in."
A moment later, the auror stepped into the office. "I know I'm a bit early, but I'm sure you can understand the seriousness of the situation."
"Of course. Please, sit. Would you care for some tea?"
"Thank you."
Minerva turned to a cart near her desk and poured a cup for the auror. "Which student would you like to interview first, Ms. Moreau or Ms. McCray?"
Neither girl had any more exams after this afternoon.
Aurelia tapped her chin. "Let's start with Roisin."
"Very well," Minerva said. "I'll see that she is summoned first."
(Alexander) Good and Bad News
Author: Mildred
Date: 08-14-14 08:13
The letter was very simple and concise. It was written with a neat handwriting and it carried the official seal of the Ministry of Magic. Alexander had to sit down on his bed, as he reread the letter, astonished.
"Bad news?" Phineus asked, as he put his own mail inside a little box.
"On the contrary: I'm getting released…"
The letter informed Alexander that his sentence had been reduced and therefore he would leave Azkaban at the end of August. It did not explain why such decision had been made and Alexander was not a fool to question it. He would seize what was given to him.
"Ah, freedom!" Phineus exclaimed and then he congratulated Alexander. "You must promise me that once you are outside you will not forget your friend and cell mate."
Alexander was not sure if he could really call Phineus Grimshaw-Spore a friend, but he nodded his head in confirmation. Absent minded, he caressed the rough texture of the parchment with his fingers. First he needed to check with his family lawyer Mr. Northman, in order to verify if such letter was authentic, just to be safe. And if in fact he was going to be released at the end of the summer then it meant he would be able to take Mildred to Platform 9 and ¾ on the first of September.
He and Sarah had always dreamed about escorting their children to the Hogwarts Express, watch them board the scarlet train and wave goodbye from the platform, until the train was nothing but a little dot in the horizon. His arrest made it impossible for Alexander to be there for Mildred on her very first journey to Hogwarts. Sarah had promised to take photos and show them to him the next time she visited. She had also promised to take Mildred to Azkaban right before the term started, so she could show her father her new wand and for him to wish her good luck. He would advise her to buy sweets from the trolley and share them with the other new students in order to break the ice and start new friendships. Sarah would caress Mildred's hair and tell their daughter that she had been sorted into Ravenclaw, while her father had been a Gryffindor. They would assure Mildred that all four houses were wonderful and no matter where she would be sorted into, they would accept and support her. But his wife had died and with her all of their plans and dreams for the future.
With time Alexander had been able to make new plans of his own. And now with the news of his upcoming release he would be able to fulfill them. He would buy a new house for him and Mildred. They would spend Christmas together. He would visit her at Hogwarts, watch her playing Quidditch. He could finally act like a real father and his concerns would be Mildred's school grades and possible boyfriends. And then there was Sarah. He would finally be able to visit her grave and say his proper goodbyes to his wife.
"Campbell, you have a visit."
Alexander folded the letter and placed it under his pillow. Then he followed the guard to the visitation room. He was not expecting to see anyone today and it was with surprise that he saw himself in front of someone he has not seen in years.
The last time he had seen the Irish Deidre O'Leary, she worked as a nurse in St. Mungo's. Now she was wearing the typical lime green robes of the healers, which pointed out that she had changed her career. Deidre looked apprehensive seated on her chair, but she seemed to let her guard down when she saw Alexander's familiar face. She greeted him with caution and Alexander tried to make small talk, asking how she was, commenting the weather and pointing out her new occupation as a healer. Deidre went right to the point:
"I need the medical file of Erica Sims, as well as all your notes on the matter."
"I thought the hospital kept such records."
"They do. But Erica's file is gone. I searched everywhere in the archives. I reported the situation to one of my superiors but he did not seem to mind. He said that the case had been closed many years ago and since the patient was dead and there was nothing we could do for her now that probably someone had tossed it out. The thing is all the other files are there. So someone stole it."
"And you think it was me?"
"Yes, Alexander, I do."
"Well, I am sorry to disappoint you Deidre, but you are wrong." He wondered who have might steal the file. The Sims, perhaps?
"All right: let's assume you didn't steal the missing file. But I know your work ethics and methods. Erica's case had been a challenge from the beginning and you wrote everything down in a notebook about it. I need that notebook."
"Why?"
"I can't tell you."
"Then I can't give it to you."
Deidre remained in silence for a moment. She seemed to be having an internal fight with herself, probably trying to decide whether she could trust him or not with this information. Finally she seemed to give in. She looked around, perhaps making sure she was not being heard and she told him:
"Not long ago there was an ill child at the hospital. I was not the one with his case, but I learned of his symptoms. I couldn't be sure, but they seemed like the ones Erica had, years ago when she first came to St. Mungo's, before you took her case. You were the one teaching me that we should feel our instincts when healing, Alexander. At first I ignored the situation but now I have a strong feeling that this boy's illness is identical to Erica's."
"Where is that boy now?"
"He was sent home. Everything is well, for now. But eventually his condition will return, like it did with Erica. I am sure of it and that is why I need your notes. So I can get ahead of this. So that in the end we will not have to…"
"…kill him, like I did with Erica."
Deidre nodded.
"I was thinking about contacting Joseph. He was your assistant; he was there with you when Erica died. No one else knows exactly what happened in that room the night that she died. I know he lost his license and I've heard rumors he went to America. I have the feeling you know more about his whereabouts than I. With his experience and your notes…maybe I could save this boy."
"Why don't you talk to your supervisors about this? Or even your colleagues?"
"Trust me, I tried. But they don't believe me. I only concluded my formation as a healer recently. I have no credibility yet. I still have to earn their respect. They think I am making up all this because…" she hesitated.
"Because?"
"Old gossip. It's not important."
Alexander didn't press the matter. Common sense told him he should turn his back to Deidre and her noble cause. He didn't want to get involved in this case at all. He was going to be released soon, and his main goal was to live the rest of his life in peace and be there for Mildred. However he couldn't just let this innocent boy to have the same fate as Erica Sims. He decided not to compromise himself with Deidre yet.
"Write me a letter, describing that boy's state when he arrived at St. Mungo's. A full report. Copy all the information from his file as well. I will read it and see if in fact you're right and he does have the same condition Erica did. I will compare it to Erica's case. If Merlin is kind, then maybe you are wrong and there is nothing wrong with this boy."
"Why don't you just give me your notebook so I can do the comparisons myself?"
"Because I have no means to have it back."
"Why? Where is it?"
"In my wife's vault at Gringotts which now belongs to my daughter. Only Mildred can have access to it. And I will not involve my daughter in this matter."
The guard announced that the visiting hour was almost at an end. Deidre didn't seem pleased with the outcome of this encounter but at the same time Alexander could tell that she wouldn't leave Azkaban disappointed. They said goodbye to each other. She didn't promise to send him any letters and he didn't check with her if she would do so. It would be Deidre's decision whether she wanted Alexander's help or not. Maybe she would be able to contact Joseph and he would help her instead. However as he returned to his cell he had the feeling things wouldn't be that simple and that whether he like it or not he was already involved in all this story from the moment he was assigned to heal Erica Sims a long time ago.
Last NEWT To Write (Cat)
Author: Fionna
Date: 08-14-14 16:03
Catriona rubs the corner of one eyes, wondering if the grittines is real or something she's imagining because she's so tired. "Just have to get through today," she silently reminds herself.
The Muggle Studies NEWT is not only Cat's last, it's the last of the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests to be given. It's also the last of the OWL exams, much to the relief of the fifth years she's sure. On Monday, the first, second, third, fourth, and sixth years begin their final examinations while the fifth and seventh years have the week to relax and recover from two weeks of intensive exams. With Alchemy a course now being taught and being only for NEWT level students, Cat wonders if it will make its way into the exam list. There's room for it. She seems to recall that Fitness & Athletics was part of the schedule for a short time. Then again, tired as she is, Cat knows she could have her facts muddled.
Returning her attention to the question for which she'd been formulating a response when she'd stopped to rub her eye, Cat hopes she doesn't have these facts muddled. It's not a difficult question but at this point she, is tired enough that keeping what's what from the Muggle World straight is harder than it should be for someone with high marks in all her classes.
The question is about the Muggle currency known as Pounds and that known as Euros. Cat starts writing, suddenly confident she knows what's required as a response. The next question is also money related, this one asking for a brief explanation of what a cash point machine is.
There is a cluster of questions after that dealing with Muggle modes of transportation, some of which are purely for entertainment. After learning about skateboards in class, Cat is still somewhat surprised that she's never seen one adapted for the Wizarding World.
Reaching a question asking the difference between television and the cinema, Cat takes a break to massage her hand, thinking that it's too bad Wizarding homes don't have television. From what she's seen of it from Muggle Studies class and when visiting a few friends who live in Muggle World homes, she quite enjoyed it. Imagine being able to watch a Quidditch match on the telly instead of just listening to it!
Cat doesn't take another break from the writing until she reaches a few questions relating to computers. The pause isn't because she needs time to think of how to respond so much as from a need to once again give the muscles in her hand a respite. Not for the first time Cat wishes she were ambidextrous so she could switch back and forth between hands with all this writing these past two weeks. The same went for two years ago when she took the OWLs.
She's finished with all the questions well before noon when the time allotted for the written portion of the Muggle Studies NEWT officially ends. She spends the extra time carefully reading over the entire exam, making a few minor alterations here and there but, for the most part, leaving everything as she originally wrote it.
After a second read through just to be sure she's not missed anything, Cat spends what little time remains with eyes closed, resting a tiny bit before they are excused for lunch and a short break before having to be at Cloud's Kiss for two o'clock when the practical portion of this NEWT is slated to start.
(Broderick Carter) Almost done
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 08-14-14 16:40
Hungry.
Lunch.
Two words that danced around Broderick's head during the last forty-five minutes of the written portion of the Muggle Studies Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. Thankfully, this was the last written examination, much to the delight of all fifth and seventh years. Broderick was eager to be out of the chair, and he was ready to get some lunch, only to spend that time going over what he would probably need to demonstrate during the practical portion of the exam which would begin at Cloud Kiss at two this afternoon.
Finally, the noon hour hit, and the anti-cheating quills and examinations were collected and the students were allowed their freedom. Which meant that the great hall would soon be open for lunch, though as there was no further exams in the Great Hall today he assumed that lunch would be its normal hours.
In the time he'd left the Great Hall he'd gone to Gryffindor Tower and his dorm to grab his notes for the practical examination, and then returned to the great hall, where he found a seat at the Gryffindor table, and quickly piled a selection of food upon his plate.
Attention was diverted between food and studying for the practical examination. Oh, how relieved he would be come five this evening, when he was finally done with his exams and would be done with his schooling. He'd be home for about a month before he ultimately traveled to India where he would be living for around a year or so. He'd be staying for a while with the Davyd's thanks to the generosity of Professor Morgan - they'd talked for some time before she'd taken time off to mourn the loss of her husband, and a bit more after her return before the start of exams.
"Ready to be done Brody?"
Cai said as she dropped down next to him, grabbing a couple slices of chicken off one of the serving platters, and adding some vegetables and filling a small bowl with a selection of the fruits from another bowl.
"You've no idea. Though, you'll be in this position come this time next year, gearing up for your final practical exam and the anticipation of finally being done with your schooling at Hogwarts."
"Yeah, I know. Exams start for me on Monday and I'm already thinking about the trip home on the train, and getting to sleep in my own bed. Though, I am looking forward to not having to deal with my big brother hovering around next year and glaring at any boy I might fancy."
Broderick rolled his eyes. "I've no idea what you are talking about little sis.." He grinned and finished off a third sandwich, before slowly pushing himself up.
"Alright, it's about time for me to head to Cloud's Kiss and my final practical. I'll see you at dinner Cai.."
Hug and a kiss given to his sister, before he exited the Great Hall, wanting to stop at his dorm and drop off his notes again. He needed to be present at Cloud's Kiss no later than quarter of two, and he really, really didn't want to be late.
First Three Hours Done - Three More To Go
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 08-14-14 16:58
Fingers cramped, so the quill was set down for a few moments as I attempted to work feeling back into the abused digits. Nearly three hours, I'd been writing and that did not include the countless hours already devoted to writing examinations over the last ten days that were devoted to the testing of fifth and seventh years.
I was also thankful that my birthday fell before this ten days of pure torture, and it also meant that I was seventeen. Being seventeen, also meant that I came to the crushing realization that I will be nineteen by the time I finish my education at Hogwarts. I wasn't entirely certain how to deal with that, but I knew well enough that my parents - my step-dad included - would not condone any thought of me leaving Hogwarts without finishing my complete education.
Getting feeling back into my fingers, I quickly returned to the parchment in front of me, going over some of the questions that I'd felt uncertain about in the final minutes of the examination. Adding a few things here and there, removing a few things, and praying that the tip of my anti-cheating quill didn't snap again. The one I was currently working with was the third that I'd gotten from Professor Hodfuffer about forty-five minutes ago.
Quick glance to the clock showed that there was less than twenty minutes to go on this written portion of the Muggle Studies OWL/NEWT, and as the rest of those within the Great Hall came to this realization there was a sudden frantic increase in the sound of quill-tip upon parchment as additions were made to questions already answered and something, anything was added to those questions that had created a maddening uncertainty.
All too soon, the twenty minutes was done and the anti-cheating quills and exams were collected and we were dismissed so that the Great Hall could be once again transformed so that the student body could eat before returning to class or, in the case of the fifth and seventh years, go to Cloud's Kiss for the practical portion of the OWLs/NEWTs.
"So, how do you think you did?" Arthur asked as he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me against him.
"I don't want to think about it until later tonight...or hell, not until tomorrow." I said, resting my head on his shoulder and sighing a bit.
"I know what you mean, I'll be glad when it's over."
"That makes three of us..." Whitney said as she dropped down across from Arthur and I at the Slytherin table, and debated on what she wanted to eat from the selection in front of us.
"No, that makes all of us..." Kida said with an impish grin as she dropped down next to Whitney and plucked a chicken salad sandwich from the platter and added a bit of cheddar cheese crisps to her plate.
"Please tell me that exams are over and we can soon be sunning ourselves on a beach in Greece."
"Not yet, still have one more to go Kida..." I said, laughing at the pout that formed.
"You could have at least lied to me." She said, grinning and throwing a crisp at me.
"But where's the fun in that..." I said grinning.
The four of us ate lunch, Arthur and I quizzing each other for the practical portion of the Muggle Studies exam beginning at two. At about one thirty, Arthur and I headed to Cloud's Kiss, not wanting to be late for our last exam of our fifth year.
At the Shoppe
Author: Aris Sisco
Date: 08-15-14 12:17
Aris sat in the shoppe with his feet up on the desk and watched the people pass by the window. He didn't want to be there, he never wanted to be there – he never wanted the shoppe to start with but his father had willed him the shoppe when he had died two years prior. Aris thought about selling the shoppe but decided not to because he needed the income.
His mother had had passed when Aris was a teen and at Hogwarts. For a long time he felt angry with her for not telling anyone she was sick; she hid her illness well and it was only recently that Aris forgave her for that. His father passed away two years ago of a heart attack while he was working in the shoppe.
Aris' father had bought the shoppe sometime ago from a woman who wanted to retire from the business. He took it over and did well with the shoppe. It sold all kinds of knick-knacks a few dark bits and baubles and other things that were other wise harmless.
Now Aris had the shoppe and he hadn't change anything from the way his father had the shoppe but it just wasn't doing quite as well as it once had – not that he was really hurting for business but he didn't have the same presence as his father. Everyone loved his father and Aris thought that was why people still came in.
A group of witches walked into the shoppe and began poking around at things and Aris just watched and smiled and nodded at them.
"I would like to buy this." One of the witches said.
Aris pulled his feet off the desk and stood up and looked at the price tag on the item and then took the money the witch handed him. "Thank you very much."
The witch smiled and Aris nodded at her and she said, "I have been coming in here with my father since your father bought the shoppe and I was a very little girl."
"Thank you for your patronage it means a lot." Aris smiled at her. "I hope to see you again soon." He called as the group walked out of the shoppe.
(Ramona) Dinner Conversation
Author: Griet
Date: 08-15-14 17:41
Ramona stepped into the Great Hall and scanned the room for a place to sit. Sometimes Gus joined her at the Ravenclaw table, but more often than not, she sat with the Hufflepuffs. She observed a general sense of relief among many of the students already gathered at the four long tables. The fifth and seventh year students had finally completed their OWLs and NEWTs. The only worries that remained were their test results, which they would get via owl post sometime during the summer holidays.
Despite the fact that Ramona had trekked all the way to Ravenclaw Tower after parting with Gus in the library, she had managed to beat him to the Great Hall. She wavered between sitting at her own house table before deciding to make her way to Hufflepuff, where Amanda Reynolds sat with Elliot Baylis.
"Mind if I sit here?" Ramona asked, indicating to the empty space next to Amanda.
Amanda smiled and said, "Go ahead."
"Thanks."
Ramona sat and looked over the various dishes on the table. She ended up selecting some chicken with broccoli and a small cup of creamy soup.
"Are you guys ready for next week?" she asked as she ladled the soup into her cup.
Amanda and Elliot both shook their heads. "No." "Not a bit." Ramona noticed how their demeanors seemed to change in an instant. Worry lines creased their foreheads. Elliot stared off into space, while Amanda expelled a quiet sigh.
"What's wrong?" Ramona asked. She'd not spoken to anyone who would know about the recent development with regards to Jordana Walker's senseless death.
Elliot had no immediate reaction to her question other than to look at Amanda. Ramona had the feeling they were having a conversation without words and wondered if she had overstepped her bounds by asking the simple question. Obviously, there was more going on than she realized.
But then Elliot turned to Ramona and said, "I'm probably going to jail."
"No, you're not," Amanda said, but she didn't sound very convincing.
"What? Why?" Ramona asked.
"Something came out about when Jordana died," Amanda quietly explained. "We're just shaken up because we were interrogated again by law enforcement."
Ramona wanted to ask what exactly had come out about Jordana's death, but refrained from doing so. For all she knew, the law enforcement officers had told Amanda and Elliot not to talk about the case. She could safely assume, however, that neither had committed murder or they wouldn't be sitting at the Hufflepuff table with her.
"Sounds really stressful," Ramona answered, "and the timing sucks. No wonder you're not ready for finals."
She felt a presence on her other side at that moment and looked up to see Gus sliding into the space beside her on the wooden bench. Caerwyn sat down on his other side.
"Hi," Ramona greeted. She gave Gus a quick kiss since it had been absolutely ages since their time together in the library.
"Hi," Gus said. "Hey," he said to the others.
Ramona turned back to Amanda and Elliot, but it would appear their conversation was over for now.
Muggle Studies Practical (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 08-15-14 18:16
No matter how many times he's been to Cloud's Kiss, AJ can't help but be impressed. The house is such a large, sprawl of a mansion even though he's been given a couple of tours by Aaron, he doesn't think he's seen everything yet. At the moment, however, he's in a section he has seen before on several occasions.
Unsurprisingly, the manor has a nice sized ballroom. It's large enough for the four Ministry examiners to have separate areas along with a number of various Muggle devices and machines. AJ stands at one set of doors into the ballroom, periodically sending in a student for the practical portion of the Muggle Studies OWL or NEWT. There is another set of doors students use to exit from the ballroom and then make their way back to the Floo leading to Hogwarts.
AJ sends the last of the fifth years into the ballroom with the first of the seventh years on her heels. There's a lull of a few minutes before Professor Elgin dismisses the fifth year he'd been quizzing. AJ sends the next seventh year in and then another when Professor Stow also wraps with the last of the fifth years she'll see.
During the wait to send in another wanting to get this NEWT completed Abigail Tibbs asks AJ, "Have any holiday plans, Professor Hodfuffer?"
"My wife and I will be seeing any of you going on the Muggle Studies Club sponsored trip and then we're doing a trip that we're calling our honeymoon."
"You didn't take one already?"
"We took a short one during Easter holiday but wanted to do a little something more. Mariposa starts full time at St. Mungo's at the end of September, which means we can't take off and go somewhere simply because I've got a break."
Abigail smiles dreamily. "I love Mrs. Hodfuffer's name."
Luke Dawkins asks, "Doesn't that mean butterfly or something?"
"That's right, Luke. It's butterfly in Spanish."
AJ pauses the conversation to send another seventh year in, replacing the last of the fifth years, who'd been with Professor Huntingdon. Returning his attention to Abigail and Luke he asks, "Do either of you have plans?"
"I'm going on the Greece trip," Abigail says as Luke nods in agreement to indicate he is as well. "There's Emrys Fest,"
"And Quidditch Con," Luke interjects
"My parents always pick a relative to spend a few days with. This year it's my aunt who lives in Canada, near Toronto," Abigail continues.
Luke nods again. "We'll go see grandparents. The rest of the time I plan to be lazy, sleep in, see friends, go to the beach, that sort of thing."
A few others join in the discussion of summer plans, with AJ periodically having to stop them to send another into the ballroom. With the conversation taking place the time seems to pass more quickly and before AJ knows it, the last seventh year is stepping into the ballroom, the last student taking the last NEWT.