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(Alexandra) Almost Done with First Year
Author: Illyria
Date: 06-07-20 09:27
Alexandra entered the Charms classroom behind her friends and sat down at her desk, removing her textbook, quill, ink and parchment from her book bag, which she then settled at her feet. Only three weeks of Spring Term remained and then she would no longer be a first year student at Hogwarts. She was looking forward to summer, but before she could enjoy the holidays, she had to get through two weeks of classes and one week of finals.
Being a Ravenclaw, Alexandra was studious, but she still worried a little bit about her final exams. She knew from some of the older students that today was the first day of the Ordinary Wizarding Level and Nastily Exhausting Wizard Test. Having seen some of the fifth and seventh years freak out in the Ravenclaw Common Room, Alexandra worried that her own exams would be just as strenuous. She hadn't heard that FINAL stood for anything the way the OWL and NEWT exams did, but if it did, then it was probably something awful like Freaking Impossible Nastily Arduous Level.
Hopefully she wouldn't fail.
"Psst!"
She turned her head and looked at Haley.
"You were going to tell me where you're going on holiday this summer," Haley said. Having a really large family meant she rarely went on family trips anywhere. Excursions were usually to events like Emrys Fest or Quidditch Con and only involved some of the family, usually the older siblings.
"We're going to the Azores," Alexandra replied. She'd only ever been to France and India and was really looking forward to visiting the Portuguese islands. At Haley's blank look, she explained where the Azores were.
Haley's expression morphed into one of dreamy envy. "I'm jealous. I've never been anywhere."
Before they could say anything more, Professor Flitwick called the class to order. He quickly checked to make sure all of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students were present and then announced that they would spend the next two weeks practicing charms learned over the course of the school year in anticipation of final exams.
Alexandra instantly felt better. She found herself paired with Josh for the different exercises, which started with the Levitation Charm.
Lost in Thought
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-08-20 18:24
The shoppe had a few customers browsing the shelves. It was nearly closing time, and Lysander was alone at the counter. Astrid was in the flat with Dylan and August, and Julian was getting the twins fed after a day of school and afternoon of homework. Dexter and Scarlet were the only other "staff members" with Lysander in the shoppe.
Dexter dozed in one of the comfy armchairs in the seating area. He was wound in a tight spiral, with his paws resting in a pile. Every so often, his ear would cock when he heard a sound that drew his attention, but then he would relax as if deciding becoming fully alert was totally unnecessary.
Scarlet, on the other hand, sat in the window display and twitched her tail. She was positioned parallel to the glass, so that she could both look out onto the street and watch Lysander at the counter. It was a little disconcerting, since Lysander suspected there was more to his aunt's cat than met the eye.
He had never gone to see Auntie Synn after observing what looked like Scarlet and Gaius, the Gardenn family raven conversing on the street. Lysander had gotten busy, and then he'd not seen the raven again. It was already more than a year later since witnessing the odd encounter and though Lysander hadn't forgotten about it, he rarely thought of it.
He wondered what had become of the raven. Was it still alive? Had it ever even been Gaius?
"All right, Lysander?"
Julian was suddenly there with the twins in tow. Xavier went to join Dexter in the armchair, and Jasmine reached into the window and scooped Scarlet up into her arms. The cat looked somewhat miffed but tolerated being handled. After a while, she even started purring a little.
"Just lost in thought," Lysander replied.
"Whatever is on your mind has your frowning. What's got you bothered?"
Lysander shrugged and stated a truth but not the actual one currently on his mind. "I guess I'm missing Charlotte. I know she's coming home soon, so she's on my mind more than usual."
"I understand completely," Julian replied. "It will be good having Grace home again."
Lysander nodded. "Actually, since you haven't said anything about it yet, I want to invite myself to the island for a getaway."
"You don't even have to ask," Julian stated. "You could take a few days for yourself and then plan a family trip for later."
It did sound nice, and motherhood had turned Astrid into a responsible person. He didn't need to worry about leaving Dylan and August in her care. Anyway, they'd already traveled with her to Sweden more than once.
Lysander shook his head though. "A little rest and relaxation does sound nice, but I think I can wait for the family trip. Maybe I'll even seen if Liam will allow Noah and Sophia to come along."
"Good idea," Julian said.
Lysander changed the topic then, after glancing quickly at Jasmine, who now wore Scarlet around the back of her neck like a scarf. The cat still looked displeased but bore the experience honorably.
"So, tell me about the match. It sounds like the Americans celebrated a little too hard yesterday."
With a dimpled smile, Julian told Lysander about the quarter-final Quidditch match between USA and Liechtenstein.
Charms Practical
Author: Majandra
Date: 06-08-20 18:51
Majandra looks to the first of the seventh years awaiting the practical portion of the Charms Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Level. "Alice, you're to Professor Elgin please."
Alice Acker looks both relieved to finally be called to get this NEWT finished and nervous at having to perform when stressed and tired. She quips to one of her friends before entering the Great Hall, "I've the exhausted part down so the rest is sure to be a breeze."
Hearing, "Mummy, I have a question," she turns to find Georgie.
"Yes?" she asks, coming close to calling him sweetie but mindful of not embarrassing him in front of other students she catches herself in time.
His eyes dart to those other students. "Sorry. I mean Professor Weasley."
Maj holds up a finger to him as he's about to say something more. She sends the next seventh year in with a, "To Professor Audley please," and to another, "You're with Professor Stow," then asks of her son, "What's your question, Georgie?"
"My tooth is hurting. Should I go see Madam Pomfrey or do I need to go to a dentist?"
She nods in the direction of the seventh years, "To Professor Huntingdon, please," then cups a hand under Georgie's chin. "Which tooth?"
He opens and points, saying as he does, "At un ight ere."
Maj gently tilts his head one way then the other. She considers using her wand to provide better lighting but instead lets his chin go. "Madam Pomfrey first. It might be something one of her potions or other medicinal treatments will fix. If not, we'll get you in to the dental healer." She sees Alice Acker has been dismissed so she tells the next in line, "You'll be with Professor Elgin." She gives Georgie her attention again. "How was Potions without me?"
Georgie shrugs. "Okay I guess. Different. Uncle Sev, I mean Professor Snape, sure knows how to glare."
Maj chuckles. "You knew that already."
"Yeah, but this is different. He's got a whole in-class glare that's not the same as his other glares."
Thinking back to when she was a student Maj nods. "Hmmm. Yes, I think I remember what you're talking about. All right, off to hospital wing. If you've not come to see me again before we're finished here, I'll come check on you there."
Rubbing his jaw he turns to go. "I hope she has something that works."
She'd love nothing more than to hug him to her then go along with him to see Poppy but she settles for patting his arm. "Me too." Looking towards the four tables where the Ministry of Magic officials are administering the Charms NEWT practical, she watches to see where she'll send the next seventh year.
Proctoring Transfiguration
Author: S Snape
Date: 06-09-20 19:22
Severus checks the time then announces, "Just under twenty minutes remain."
At his words one of the fifth years begins hyperventilating. Severus weaves rapidly but calmly around desks to reach her where he conjures a brown paper bag. "Breath into this," he instructs, handing it to her.
She grabs it but in her haste and with the breathing issue she can't seem to get the bag positioned correctly. Severus ends up adjusting it for her, standing with her for two or three minutes until her breathing begins to calm, idly flipping through her answer booklet while he waits. When she is once more composed he notes, "You appear to have a single unanswered question. You've plenty of time to write a response and complete the exam. You are sufficiently calm to continue?"
She takes a single deep breath then nods at him. "Yes, thank you, professor."
Turning to make his way back to the platform his attention is captured by a seventh year. "Yes, Mr. Blackwell?"
"New quill, please, professor. I've two answers to add to and the nib on this one just broke."
Giving Kurt an anti-cheating quill Severus advises, "Don't dwell overly much in the event you have other answers you wish to read over in the short time that remains."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
The time with the hyperventilating student felt long to Severus though he knows it wasn't. Still, he's slightly surprised when he checks the time again to announce, "Fourteen minutes. If you are still writing, you need to be wrapping up your responses. Better to have a little something with every item than nothing at all."
In the ensuing fourteen minutes there are no other issues, including no one needing a quill replacement. "Time," he calls, bringing the written portion of the Transfiguration O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. to a close. Gathering the exams he dismisses the students with a reminder to gather outside the Great Hall at 2 p.m. for the second portion of the exams.
When the Great Hall is cleared, he signs over the examinations to one of the Ministry officials then begins returning the room to normal for lunch service. Once that is completed, Severus walks to the Hogwarts daycare to retrieve Brian for lunch. Twice a week Brian goes to Blossom's in Hogsmeade with the other three days spent in the nursery here. The boy loves both locations and as there are children at the Hogsmeade facility he would not have encountered only being here, Brian's circle of friends has grown. Severus never imagined that there would come a day he would be arranging playdates. Entering the daycare he also never thought he'd get a frisson of happiness at being gleefully greeted by a child still in nappies. Is this what he's been missing all these years?
Scooping Brian up he asks, "Ready for lunch? We'll eat in the big room instead of here, all right?"
Brian cheerily gabbles at him in response, much of it unintelligible to Severus but nonetheless he replies as if he understands every word on the walk back to the Great Hall.
Game Night
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 06-10-20 18:41
The Weasley family sat around the living room with coverage of the quarter-final match between Japan and Nigera on in the background. A board game was on the coffee table, with game pieces here and there. Louis, a very sore loser, was sulking because Dominique seemed to be winning at everything so far in the game. He was already mad at her for eating the last breadstick at dinner.
"Why are the broomsticks the Nigerians are using bad?" Victoire asked. Of the three children, she was paying the most attention to the WWN.
Bill answered, "Apparently they are not very safe brooms."
"Then why are they using them?" Victoire asked.
"They fly very fast," Bill replied. "I guess they think the benefits outweigh the risks."
A change of opinion rapidly occurred when the speedy broomsticks ended up intensely susceptible to bludger hits, among other things. When the match ended in a victory for Japan, there was question whether Nigeria's loss was due to the faulty broomsticks and not the fact that Japan might have outplayed the opponent.
"I want a Thunderbolt," Louis said, still sulking.
Bill chuckled and turned off the radio. "When you get your first broomstick, it will be a much more reliable brand."
Louis crossed his arms over his chest.
"Can I bring one with me to Hogwarts?" Victoire asked. She didn't actually have her own broom and wasn't super interested in playing Quidditch, but if she had a broomstick, she'd want to bring it with her to school.
"Unless the rules have changed, first years aren't allowed to bring broomsticks to Hogwarts."
"Why?" Dominique piped up, still on her winning streak in the game. "That's a dumb rule."
"Maybe," Bill conceded, "but that's the way it was when I was in school." He hesitated and then said, "I wish things were more the way they were when I was at Hogwarts."
Fleur looked over at him, understanding that he had gone to Hogwarts in a time of peace. Voldemort wasn't around terrorizing the wizarding world. Although she wished Victoire would be starting at Hogwarts in better times, she also didn't want to scare her daughter.
When she said, "William" instead of Bill, Bill knew she was hinting at him to watch what he said.
He hesitated again and then said to Victoire, "You know, you don't have to go to Hogwarts. You could go to Beauxbatons like your mother did."
Victoire shook her head. "I want to be with my cousins and Aunt Majandra. I don't want to go to Beauxbatons where I don't know anybody."
"It's okay not to know anybody. In fact, most kids who go to Hogwarts don't have a whole family already awaiting them there," Bill said. "You're a legacy at Beauxbatons, so you'll fit in just fine."
Victoire shot him a look and stood up from where she'd been sitting at the coffee table. "I don't want to go to Beauxbatons and you can't make me."
Fleur shot her daughter a look of her own and warned, "Victoire."
Victoire ignored her mother and said, "If you make me go, I will hate you forever."
"Victoire!" Fleur angrily exclaimed. "Go to your room!"
Victoire huffed, flipped the game board over which caused Dominique to screech and Louis to wail, and stalked from the living room. Fleur started talking in rapid-fire French, demanding that Dominique stop complaining and help clean up and attempting to cheer up Louis, who really just needed to go to bed.
Bill slipped out and followed Victoire to her room. "Victoire… nobody's making you go to Beauxbatons. It was only a suggestion."
Victoire turned around, but she no longer looked miffed. Instead, she had the look that often had Bill wrapped around her finger. He knew it was partly a Veela thing, but it was also because she was his firstborn. She threw herself into her arms and said, "Thanks, Daddy!"
Bill gave her a tight squeeze and then said, "Now you need to go apologize to your mother, sister, and brother. And you're grounded the rest of the week."
Victoire pulled away and said, "Okay." It wasn't so bad being grounded during the week, but if the weekend was involved, it would be a different story.
Victoire walked past him and back into the living room to help clean up the game pieces. She apologized as promised, though neither Dominique nor Louis accepted it, as both were still too emotional. Bill decided to extract Louis from the room and prepare him for bedtime. Fortunately, Louis conked out the minute his head hit the pillow.
Lunch Break
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 06-11-20 18:13
Rowan strolled across the Hogwarts grounds, checking the perimeter for anything suspicious. It was a nice day to be outside and if she had been thinking, she might have packed a picnic to enjoy on her lunch break. She supposed she could get takeaway from one of the restaurants in Hogsmeade and eat along the banks of the lake in a nice patch of sun. She checked the time and decided she could take her break. She just needed to check in with another patrolling officer before she left the grounds.
She used an Extendable Mouth to radio Alix Gauthier, the senior ranking auror patrolling Hogwarts today. After Alix gave her okay, Rowan headed for the gates and spoke with law enforcement officer Dave Hatcher, who was manning the security checkpoint there. Seeing Dave put Logan to mind.
After that day when he came to the Ministry to tell her he had moved, Rowan thought it best to avoid casual contact. She didn't know why he had asked her if she still had a crush on him after all these years, other than she probably was giving off some kind of vibe that she should have kept to herself. After all, she was in a serious relationship with another man.
As it turned out, she hadn't needed to see or hear from Logan at all in the interim. There were no updates in his case, which was a good thing since his children were still in the custody of his lunatic wife. Perhaps Francesca Meade was more sane when Logan was out of the house.
Rowan did think that the children ought to go to Logan and sooner than later, but that would be entirely up to the social workers now on the case and ultimately, a judge.
Rowan crossed over into Hogsmeade and let her feet carry her to The Three Broomsticks. She almost backed out the door when she spotted Logan sitting at the bar, but he saw her before she could make her escape and waved her over to the empty barstool beside him. She went over and sat down.
"Hi," she greeted.
"Hi, can I get you a drink?"
"Just a butterbeer, thanks." Rowan pulled a lunch menu over and asked before she perused it, "What brings you to Hogsmeade?"
"I had a work meeting nearby and thought I would find some lunch before heading back to the office. You?"
"I'm patrolling Hogwarts today," Rowan said. "I'm on my lunch break too."
"Lucky me," Logan said, smiling. He waited for the barmaid to walk away after leaving Rowan her butterbeer and said, "Look, I shouldn't have asked you what I did the last time we saw each other."
Rowan thought about feigning innocence, but she shrugged instead and said, "It's okay. I probably shouldn't have mentioned my childhood crush on you."
"How long have you and Connor been together?"
"A year and a half."
"Think you'll get married?"
Rowan shrugged again. "I'm not sure. I mean, we haven't talked about it."
"I don't want to scare you off from the idea, but marrying the wrong person has lasting repercussions, especially if children are involved."
Rowan bobbed her head. "I don't know if I want children, to be honest. I mean, maybe I do, but I don't know. I haven't thought about it, to be honest. Anyway, Connor's a bit old to start a family, if you ask me." She was rambling, and she wished more than ever that Logan would have to leave because his lunch break was over or somebody else she knew would see her and rescue her from this awkward conversation.
She was never happier to see Eugene Smirt when he came into the pub, carrying a small bouquet of flowers. He spotted her nearly straightaway because she was right there at the bar and grimaced before stalking over to say, "That better be a butterbeer at your elbow, Ms. Westwick."
"Clearly," Rowan replied. It said so right there on the label. "Meeting your mother for lunch or something?"
Eugene bristled and straightened to his full height. "I have a lunch date." Then while looking at Logan, "Is this your father?"
Logan choked on his beer.
Rowan pressed her lips into a thin smile and said, "No."
"No?" Eugene narrowed his eyes and then turned to Logan. "Are you aware your lunch companion's parents were supporters of You-Know-Who?"
Logan shrugged. "It's common knowledge just as much as the family's defection and curse."
That was no where near the truth, but Rowan was grateful to Logan in that moment.
Eugene huffed and said, "Well, I hope you're being careful around her." With that, he stalked off to a corner table, where a plain-looking woman was waiting for him.
Rowan turned to Logan and said, "Thanks for that."
"No problem. Who is that jerk?"
"How much time is remaining on your lunch break?"
Logan smiled. "Enough to hear the story."
So Rowan told him what she knew about Eugene and his equally awful sister Eunice.
Writing Exams
Author: Saffron
Date: 06-11-20 19:41
Estella sets her quill down with a light sigh. Two NEWTs, Charms and Transfiguration, fully written with their associated practicals completed. She's nearly finished writing the Herbology NEWT, only two short answer type questions to complete and then a read through. With the allotted time for the examination rapidly running down Estella forces herself to pick up her quill and get on with it. Doing so takes far more energy than she'd like but she must soldier on. There's the practical this afternoon to get through and the two portions of Defense Against the Dark Arts tomorrow. Friday morning is Ancient Runes, which - thank Merlin - she's not taking but she won't be able to sleep in. Not really. Friday afternoon she must write the History of Magic NEWT. She'll spend Friday morning doing a last minute cramming review.
Kurt's current thinking is along similar lines to Estrella's. Muster the energy needed to keep writing to complete this one, which he does with a bit of a flourish. Quill set aside, he begins reading over his responses for the entire NEWT, hoping he doesn't once need to pick that quill up again today. Unlike Estrella, Kurt not only has Defense Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic this week but one of his electives is Ancient Runes. For Kurt, there are three exams left to write this week and two practicals to get through when at this juncture all he'd like to do is settle in for a hibernating type nap from which he'd emerge just in time for End of Term Feast.
In the section where the fifth years are seated Jaclyn Rex is considering dropping out of school and becoming the next Knight Bus driver so that she never has to go through the ordeal of the NEWTs. She knew the OWLs would be difficult and tiring. Everyone warns enough about that but until one is in the middle of OWLs, who takes them as seriously as they're given? Jaclyn, and she's sure many others, think there is some truth to the warnings but also think much of it is exaggerations to scare them into studying more. She knows better now.
Meanwhile, Bran is almost finished reading over his Herbology NEWT. He's taking care with all his exams, wanting to do well despite not needing high marks on them upon leaving Hogwarts. Bran had planned on going to St. Emrys, his interest narrowed down to two degree programs to read. He would try out for and then play for one of the university Quidditch teams. That was the plan and part of it might still be his future but no longer the current objective. Bran hasn't told anyone yet, not even Kurt, but over Easter holiday he'd tried out for the Montrose Magpies. To his surprise and delight, two weeks later he was offered a spot on the team. He reports for his first day less than a week after returning from the seventh years' Muggle Studies trip. He's dying to say something but thought telling his parents in person is best and that they should know before anyone else. Looking in his best friend's direction Bran thinks he'll likely end up telling Kurt soon with the hope Kurt can keep the news to himself for a time.
All too soon Professor Black is calling time. Estella, Kurt, Jaclyn, and Rex pass their exams in, each looking forward to the break of lunch but also wishing they could just get the practical over with right now and have the rest of the day to eat, rest, and study for tomorrow.
(Asher) Proposal
Author: Jolyon
Date: 06-12-20 17:39
"A little late for visitors, isn't it?" Nicolas drawled, after a guard summoned Asher from his prison cell.
Asher, like most times, ignored the incarcerated Death Eater and walked down the corridor to the cell block's exit. As he was led down one corridor after the next, Asher wondered how the guards knew where to go. He knew that the corridors changed constantly, so that if a prison break occurred, it wouldn't be easy for anyone to truly escape.
He was eventually led to the visitation room. Asher thought it might be his father or Arielle visiting, since it was evening, but it was Connor MacRoth, the auror he'd given his statement to upon first turning himself in at the Ministry of Magic nearly one year ago.
"Hi, Asher. How are you holding up?"
Asher shrugged. "I guess I'm surprised I've survived this long."
Connor nodded, knowing that Asher had endangered himself the moment he left the Death Eater recruitment program. In fact, it was a reason he had come to see the young man.
"As of yet, you are still on schedule for release in August."
Asher gave a single nod. He was both glad and scared about his impending freedom.
"I have a proposal. If you choose not to participate, then we will probably make arrangements for you to spend the beginning of your time out of Azkaban in a safe house. The thought is you might be a greater target immediately upon release but more of an afterthought later on." Connor smiled at Asher sympathetically. There would always be a risk after what he had done, but the Ministry couldn't afford to protect Asher forever.
"What is your proposal?"
"We'd like to use you as bait."
Asher hesitated and then asked, "You mean, you want me to have a public release from Azkaban so that the Death Eaters come out and try to kill me."
"We don't have any new leads on where they are holed up. If we can capture a few, then we might be able to gain more information."
Asher didn't like the idea of potentially putting his family in danger, and he didn't want to upset them by potentially getting killed, but he did want to help catch the Death Eaters, especially Malden. He wondered if Malden had earned his mark yet.
"Can I think about it and get back to you?" Asher finally asked. He didn't want to act rashly, even though saying yes today didn't mean he'd have to do anything until August, and he could probably change his mind before then.
"Sure. There's no great hurry, but the sooner you agree, the more time we have to plan logistics."
Asher nodded. "When do you plan on coming back?"
"I can be here a week from now."
"Okay. I'll tell you my decision then."
Asher knew that he would never be safe as long as the Death Eaters were out there, so he might as well try to help capture some of them, but he'd sleep on it, mull over it, and come to a decision before next week's meeting.