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Dinner with Family
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 08-08-15 17:14
When Lee returned to the office after conducting surveillance on a wizard suspected of counterfeiting galleon coins, he found a letter waiting for him from his uncle Garrett and aunt Secunda. To prevent agents from getting made while out in the field, anti-post delivering charms were cast on them, which diverted arriving mail to a specified location––in this case, Lee's desk.
His uncle Garrett was his father's only surviving brother. Uncle Lachlan, the youngest, of the three brothers, had died in the attack on Diagon Alley almost ten years ago. So had Lachlan's wife Rhonda, who also happened to be Secunda's sister. They had left behind a daughter named Kaycee, who had been barely a year old at the time of their untimely deaths.
Lachlan and Rhonda weren't the only members of the Sickleby family to die in the attack on Diagon Alley. Lee had lost his grandparents and cousin Genia, the only daughter of Garrett and Secunda. The same time they lost a daughter, they gained one in Kaycee, who was eleven years old as of this very day.
The letter to Lee revealed that Kaycee had just received her Hogwarts letter and also requested that he visit for supper tonight. He arrived at the home of his aunt, uncle, and cousin with Alaia by his side. She had met some of his family but not all, something Lee wished to remedy before their Tuscan wedding day.
After the initial introductions were out of the way, the group including Lee's cousin Sean, sat down at the dinner table. As they tucked into their salads, which consisted of greens seasoned with walnuts and cranberries, Aunt Secunda quizzed Lee and Alaia about their big wedding plans. After a while, the conversation shifted to Kaycee's acceptance into Hogwarts.
"We just want your opinion," Uncle Garrett said. "Do you think we should allow Kaycee to attend Hogwarts, or should we continue to homeschool her?"
Sean had been all set to attend Hogwarts as an incoming first year when the attack on Diagon Alley happened. His parents never sent him to Hogwarts after the attack and homeschooled him instead. At twenty years old, Sean was a shy, somewhat awkward young man, who stocked shelves at a hat shoppe and had no desire to enroll at St. Emrys or another higher institution.
"We remember what it was like at Hogwarts," Garrett continued. "It was the safest place in the wizarding world––even in bad times. Now, I just don't know. I think of what happened ten years ago… what happened to Genia." He paused and then shook his head. The memory was both near and far.
He fixed his gaze on Lee and said, "You were at Hogwarts more recently than we were. Do you think it's still safe? You hear of things happening there. A student vanishing under mysterious circumstances. A severed head arriving in a bloody basket. I don't want to deny Kaycee a chance at attending Hogwarts, but I worry it's not the same safe place it was."
Lee looked over at his young cousin, who seemed a bit shy and sheltered, but who also had a curious glint in her eyes. He looked back at his uncle and said, "I don't know how much Hogwarts has changed in the ten years since I graduated, but I do think Kaycee should go if that's what she wants. Some of my favorite memories are from when I was at Hogwarts, and I'm sure the same is true for you both, and for you," he added, looking at his fiancée.
Alaia nodded her head. "For sure."
"Just tell me if you've heard rumblings about any danger brewing in the world," Uncle Garrett said.
Lee offered him a small smile. "I'm a lowly clerk in the department," he reminded. "I know very little about what's happening out there. Despite that, I don't think we should let what's happening or not happening in the world stop us from living our lives. If Kaycee wants to see Hogwarts for herself, and I wholly recommend it, then she should go. What say you, Kaycee?"
A flush crept over her cheeks at being singled out, but she nodded her head and said in a small voice, "I want to go."
Garrett and Secunda exchanged looks, and then Garrett nodded and said, "Very well. I guess that settles it. We should plan a trip to Diagon Alley soon. I'd rather not wait till the last possible day…"
The rest was left unsaid. Everyone knew what August 31st signified, especially in the Sickleby family.
Crashing From An Adrenaline Rush
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 08-08-15 19:47
Standing in the doorway, wooden spoon in hand, Charlie waves it for emphasis. "You should have been admitted, Hen."
Her complexion ashen, Hendrika weakly smiles from the couch. "I'm fine, Charlie."
Charlie mutters under his breath as he turns to go check the pasta he's put on for dinner. At the sound of the door he looks up from starting the cheese sauce the children prefer. Schuyler, his face pinched with concern, asks, "How is Mummy?"
His voice carries allowing Hen to hear him. She calls from the next room, "I'm fine, poppet. How are you?"
The nine year old waits until he's climbed up on the couch beside Hendrika and snuggled against her before answering. "Sleepy."
"That's because of the potion the healer gave you." She gently touches the arm Schuyler has in a sling. "Still hurting?"
"A little."
"That's from running around earlier. Daddy will give you something to help with that."
Schuyler snuggles in even closer. "You scared me, Mummy."
"I know, love. I'm sorry."
Schuyler had taken a spill at school that required a St. Mungo's visit. Hendrika had gotten him from school and take him to the hospital where a healer determined Schuyler had broken his left radius in one spot and the left ulna in two places. A dose of Skele-Gro and the sling put in place with instructions to be easy with that arm for two or three days and they'd come home. The potion had Schuyler barely able to keep his eyes open even though he swore up and down he was ready to get back to school, not wanting to miss any special surprise end of school year activity his class might be having this afternoon.
Hendrika has just convinced him to take at least a short nap and then maybe he could return to school to finish out the day when without warning she felt lightheaded. She'd swooned, coming close to fainting. Hen had leaned against the nearest wall and slid to the floor, dizzy and suddenly short of breath.
Schuyler went from hardly being able to keep his eyes open to adrenaline rush induced wide awakeness. He'd rushed over to her, grabbing her hand and speaking though for Hen the words sounded muddled and nonsensical. Schuyler then jumped up and rushed to the fireplace but found no Floo powder in the tin and Hen couldn't find enough breath to tell him to look in the kitchen for some she'd just bought.
The next minute or two was blurry with Hen vaguely aware that Schuyler had run out of the room. It was only when Julian Valentine was kneeling beside her that Hendrika knew Schuyler had rushed to get help. Serendipitously, next door neighbor Julian had been home for a few minutes and was just leaving to walk back to Twice Told Tales. Schuyler had run up, grabbed his hand and tugged while exclaiming, "Mummy needs help!"
Knowing of Hendrika's persistent health issues after being injured by a hex during one of Adriana Fairchild's attacks, Julian hadn't hesitated. Once at Hen's side he'd quickly assessed the situation, put one hand on her and one on Schuyler for a side-along apparition to St. Mungo's. Once Hen was in the hands of a healer, Julian apparated back to Hogsmeade with Schuyler, arriving on the lane between the bookshoppe and Weasleys'. They'd gone into the joke shoppe, almost immediately coming across Fred.
Julian relayed the necessary information with Fred going into the office to contact Charlie via Floo. While that was going on George got filled in. Schuyler ended up staying there with his two uncles though a little later when school let out, Artie went to Blossom's where Ava already was. Charlie left the meeting he'd been in to get to St. Mungo's. Even though not a great deal of time had passed, Hen was feeling much better though she looked tired and ashen.
By the time all three kids were home, Hen insisted that though a little tired, she felt fine overall. Ava, Artie, and Schuyler had taken the dog out as Charlie got supper started, insisting Hendrika take it easy.
Having heard Hendrika telling Schuyler Daddy would give him something for pain, as soon as he's got the cheese sauce off the nob Charlie returns to the doorway, a potion in hand in place of the wooden spoon. Hen smile at him again, softly saying, "My little hero has fallen asleep."
"Crashing from what must have been an adrenaline rush," Charlie nods. He walks over to the couch, putting the potion down on a side table. "I'll put him in bed then bring you supper on a tray."
"You realize if I eat in here on a tray Artie and Ava are going to want to do the same."
Charlie nods again, that having already crossed his mind. Soon, the two younger children, Hen, and he are having something of a couch picnic, the dog watching for any dropped items to snatch, and Schuyler passed out for the moment in his room. Reaching out to rub a hand along Hen's arm, Charlie hopes that today's incident is a one off but if not, the next one is a long time in coming.
Madoc & Minerva
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-09-15 08:27
Madoc stood behind a telescope on the observation desk of the Astronomy Tower and waited for Professor Morgan to finish reading the instructions for the Astronomy OWL practical examination. As he waited to start his exam, he thought about how lucky it was the OWLs and NEWTs took place in the summer and not the dead of winter. Imagine how much harder it would be to concentrate if one had to write an exam while out in the freezing cold.
Finally, Professor Morgan said, "You may begin."
Madoc leaned forward to look through the telescope's lens and began charting everything he saw. With only forty-five minutes allotted for the Astronomy practical, and with the night sky completely visible and gleaming with stars, Madoc had his work cut out for him. At least he would catch a break tomorrow. His last exam was scheduled for Friday.
While Madoc and the other fifth years took their Astronomy OWL, Professor McGonagall sat in her office and worked on various end-of-year reports for the Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Education. The deadlines for most weren't until after term officially ended, but Minerva had never been much for procrastination.
She was pleased to know that some of her staff didn't procrastinate either. A few had already sent supply orders for the new term, the start of which was just around the corner. How quickly time passed!
Minerva signed off on Professor Ravenscroft's request for potting soil, among other things, and then put down her quill and leaned back in her chair. It was late, but she didn't exactly feel tired. She didn't exactly feel like continuing with her administrative duties either.
Her eyes drifted over to the corner of a piece of parchment tucked underneath a pile of correspondences in her inbox. Minerva reached over and pulled it free. It was the Marauder's Map Harry had kindly sent her at her request. Since its arrival, Minerva had looked at it several times, but never had she noticed anything or anyone unusual lurking about the castle.
As she looked at the map now, she realized that perhaps she had gone about it all wrong. Whereas the other times she looked at it, students and teachers were everywhere, it almost always being daylight or waking hours at the very least, now the various names were all clustered together and immobile. It was late, and most of the castle was asleep.
Her eyes scanned over to the Astronomy Tower, where she found another cluster of names. There were even a few in the library. And there was Filch and Miss Ophelia, prowling the corridors for students out of bed. What was this? Minerva's eyes zeroed in on an unfamiliar name and one that most certainly did not belong in the castle: Silas Mimsy.
She got up out of her chair and picked up the map and her wand. The name seemed awfully familiar but one she had not heard in a long time. He was probably a former student, or maybe even a classmate. Minerva used the map to guide her to his location, which turned out to be in a deserted and darkened corridor. She paused and lit up the tip of her wand, seeing only the statue of Wilfred the Wistful and no one else.
She looked down at the map and saw the name had not moved. If the map was correct, then Silas Mimsy was directly in front of her. Minerva pointed her wand at the statue, which did nothing but stare back stonily. It was large enough to conceal a person behind it, she supposed. Cautiously, she approached Wilfred the Wistful. When she got upon it, she quickly moved behind it with her wand ready for anything, only to find no one there.
Baffled, Minerva wondered if the map had made some mistake before pondering the possibility of someone using an invisibility cloak. She looked at the map and saw that the name was still there. But where was he? Desperately, she felt around for an invisible person, but her hands grasped only at air.
"Homenum Revelio!" she exclaimed. "Aparecium!" She tried all the revealing spells she knew but still came up empty.
All the more concerned, Minerva decided to gather together Severus, Filius, Hagrid, and perhaps even Ethan. There was a mystery to be solved, an obvious security breach, and right in the middle of the OWLs and NEWTs too! It was when she came around to the front of the statue that she saw something out of the corner of her eye.
The spell cast to reveal a human presence had worked after all, at least to a point. A tiny beacon flashed near the floor over the wide head of a fire-bellied toad. It was the very same toad Malden had given her for Christmas and which had been missing for months.
Minerva stared at it as realization dawned. Could it be? Before it could react, she conjured a small, steel cage and trapped it. The toad did nothing more than blink at her in response. She could only surmise that it was pretending to be an ordinary toad and not an animagus, for surely it had understood her actions when she'd tried to find him behind the statue of Wilfred the Wistful. Did Silas know about the map? Had he been sent to spy on her and others at the castle, and by whom? And what exactly was the extent of Malden's involvement?
She folded up the map and tucked it into the pocket of her robes. Then she picked up the cage and carried it to the staff lounge, where she intended on holding a late night meeting with a chosen few.
Last Part Of His Last NEWT (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 08-10-15 19:07
The Arithmancy & Divination NEWT practical is it. Caerwyn's last ever exam as a Hogwarts student. After he's dismissed from the practical he'll have nothing more to do until End of Term Feast except relax, sleep, and eat. At some point there will be packing his trunk but that can come closer to the last day of term.
Caerwyn will probably worry now and then about his NEWT scores but as he's comfortable with the belief he's done well enough to get into the St. Emrys program for which he's been tentatively accepted. In addition to his dad's house he's got the cabin left to him by his mother. Gus and he are planning on living there rather than staying at their respective homes or in one of the St. Emrys residence halls. Caerwyn figures he'll still spend plenty of time at home, if only to see the twins, Dad, Briar, Uncle Lysander, Charlotte, and their new baby. And for the cakes, biscuits, pies, pastries, and other sweets from Briar.
Once the Hogwarts term ends and before his first term at St. Emrys, Caerwyn plans on spending time attempting to figure out what Aunt Iola's deal is. Why is she so fixated on Afton's pendant whilst claiming she's only interested in it for nostalgic reasons? He's certain that whenever she could get away with it, she searched parts of the cabin when there with him. Was she looking for the pendant or is there more she's after? Dad put up charms in and around the cabin to make sure she couldn't go back when Caerwyn or he wasn't with her but for all Caerwyn knows, Iola found a way around that.
Professor Mockridge calls Caerwyn's name, directing him to Professor Stow's table. She has him begin by reading tea leaves from a cup. He studies the tea leaves for a moment before saying anything, unable to tell from her expression if he's done well. She accepts the cup from him with a soft, "Thank you," before instructing him with specific items to read from an astrological chart she shows him.
The several astrological chart items are followed by a basic I Ching reading, interpreting symbolism for a dream Professor Stow has him read from what appears to be a dream journal, and then several arithmetic calculations using a number chart she provides.
When Caerwyn has performed the last task, which involves a crystal ball, and Professor Stow has dismissed him, just over than fifteen minutes have passed. It felt to Caerwyn more like an hour. Reaching the door serving as the exit, he breaths a sigh of relief. Caerwyn also feels a little sad. He is now officially finished with course related tasks as a Hogwarts student.
(Broderick & Evan) Catching Up and Making Plans
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 08-12-15 12:42
"You are one hundred percent certain about this?" Evan asked as he sat down across from his brother in the small cafe, handing him the steaming mug of coffee turned to the pleasing color of caramel toffee and smelling almost as sweet.
"I've never been more certain of anything, Evan. This is what I'd been meant to do. I will still be studying, still be going to school. I have been studying basic medicine beneath the nurse and the doctor that come to the orphanage. It is said that I have a talent for soothing the children when they come in distraught."
Evan nodded is head, "Trust me, I know the feeling Broderick, I know that Mum and Dad will be pleased to hear that you are at least somewhat following in their footsteps and going the philanthropic route."
"Oh, I know. I have already talked to them. I will be looking into long distance courses, at least for those that do not require me to be there for hands on lectures," he said, sipping from the caramel colored coffee and leaning back in the metal cafe chair as his gaze slid over the bustling streets of London.
"Social work is something that suits you. You've grown up quite a bit in the time that you've been in Mumbai. I know the girls will be happy to see you home, even for a short time. it will be odd for Mum and Dad to send only one Carter to Hogwarts next year, Aderyn being the only one to return when September comes."
"I know, to think that Cai and Angharad are finally old enough to be done with school. I've written and I know they are both greatly pleased to be done with their NEWTs and now it is in the hands of those who grade them. Both have received pending notice on their schools of choice upon reception of their final marks."
"I know Cai had applied at St. Emrys, I do not remember where Angharad had applied..."
"A school in Rome. She wishes to spend time in Italy, studying ancient architecture."
"Interesting, I'm fairly certain that both of them will end up where they wish to be. I, am thankfully, doing well. I no longer work for the family company, but I have become head of marketing for a muggle company that works with the Wizarding World."
The two brothers continue to talk for several more moments, before falling into silence and simply watching the people venture to and fro on their errands.
"I will be moving into a flat and out of the Davyd's home in the next month or so. I am waiting on renovations to be complete, and I'm thinking of inviting seeing if Aderyn wishes to come spend a week or so with me this summer when all is said and done."
"She'll love it, and I bet you'll be hard pressed to convince her to come home after spending time in Mumbai."
"More than likely," Broderick said as he finished the last few sips of his coffee and set the cup down upon the well crafted metal cafe table.
"Come have dinner with Elizabeth and I this weekend. I've missed spending time with you little brother, but, for now I've got to get back to work."
"Of course. I'll come round tomorrow night."
"Perfect. I'll let her know as soon as I get home. Enjoy the rest of your day."
With that the brothers parted ways, Evan heading back to work for the remainder of the day and Broderick slipping into an alley and apparating to the Carter home to spend some much needed time with his parents.
(Caroline & Etana) Preparing for Finals
Author: Rylee
Date: 08-12-15 19:23
"What are your plans for the summer?" Caroline asked, as she walked with Etana, an arm hooked within the confines of the other girl's arm.
"Well, I've not yet gotten tickets to Quidditch Con so I highly doubt I'll be going to that. Beyond that, I will be going to Emrys Fest because I did get the set of meet and greet tickets, which of course I intend on sharing with you."
Caroline frowned, "I won't be home for Emrys this summer. We are heading to Egypt the week before and will be there until the day after."
Etana frowned, "Maybe I'll give the meet and greets to Rylee and Raz and see if I can come to Egypt with you if your parents will allow it. I'm fairly certain that Mrs. Marks will ensure that I can go if I truly wish it."
Caroline laughed, and leaned into her best friend. "Of course. I will write to mum and dad this evening and ask if you are allowed to come, though I am fairly certain that they will not object."
Etana grinned lightly, "I will send letter to Mrs. Marks and be glad when the term has come to its end and I am able to sleep within my own bed."
"I know that well enough. The time within my own space during the holidays was no where near enough, and to be honest I miss the cooking of our house elf."
"Indeed."
Soon enough, conversation quiets as they approach and ultimately enter the confines of the library. Those with pressing stresses of NEWTs and OWLs no longer clogging study carrels and teetering on the brink of panic attack and nervous breakdown. They stepped forward, slowly venturing toward one of the carrels and laid claim to seats of their own. Fridays were free for both of them, no classes to ensure that they could spend it preparing for the finals that begin the coming Monday.
Their schedules match, and they had but one final on Tuesday, the remainder split three each on Wednesday and Thursday. They would spend the coming days creating and revamping study guides and gaining the aid of professors to ensure that they were not going astray in their studies for the examinations to come.
Last OWL And NEWT
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 08-12-15 19:32
The Muggle Studies practical for the Ordinary Wizarding Level and for the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test is nearly at an end. Professors Elgin, Huntingdon, Stow, and Audley, the four examiners, each have a seventh year student and two more wait their turns.
During the Theory of Muggle Studies this morning Dante had read over the final examination the sixth years will take this coming Wednesday. He'd made a few notations on items he's going to change, such as two questions he decided are somewhat ambiguously worded.
Some of the time he read The Daily Prophet. He did spend time walking around, keeping the fifth and seventh years apprised of the time, and watching for those who needed new quills, ink, or had other issues. Still, the time seemed to drag for Dante. For some of the test takers that's probably how the morning seemed while for others it flew by all too quickly, which accounts for the mad scribbling when he announced there were only five minutes left.
After lunch, Dante and those same Muggle Studies students congregated at Cloud's Kiss for the practical. The fifth and seventh years all understandably looked tired. Dante sort of feels sorry for the seventh years who are always tested after the fifth years so always have the longer wait. He feels especially sorry for the ones with surnames coming towards the end of the alphabet. They have the longest waits every time and he wouldn't be surprised if some, if not all, of them have entertained thoughts of these practicals mixing things up a bit, taking students in random order or starting with the names that usually come last, or some other variation.
Being the OWL and NEWT proctor today is, in Dante's opinion, something of a good thing. The man who attacked him back in May has served the brief sentence given and is being released today. Granted, the man is on probation and has to do community service, plus he has to see a mental health counselor over anger issues; but, Dante can't help but wish the bloke had gotten a stiffer sentence. The light sentence came as a result of the chap has no record and is known to be an upstanding member of his community with the exception of attacking Dante. That his reason for the attack is because of the emotionally volatile subject of Dante's parents and having lost family to their evil was also taking into consideration. Dante thinks it was taken too heavily into consideration given that he's not his parents, never took part in any of that, and wasn't even born when all that took place. While he understands the man's misplaced anger towards him, Dante feels that using it as an excuse to plan an attack, lie in wait, and then carry out that attack is just that, an excuse.
Professor Elgin finishes with his student so Dante sends one of the remaining two to him. Seconds later the last is walking over to where Professor Audley sits. Though there are no more students, Dante waits until all are done and then helps the four examiners return the large room being use back to its normal state. Suddenly tired, Dante walks with the other four to the Floo, chatting amiably, and looking forward to relaxing for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening.