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Revelations
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-10-10 09:48
The light cut through the dark of the closet so severely, that it blinded Bill's sensitive eyes. He squeezed them shut immediately, not seeing the rough hands that reached for his arms and hauled him up to his feet. He eased one eye open just a slit, not wanting to endure anything further without seeing it coming first, and saw that his captors had set a single wooden chair in the room outside the closet. They dragged Bill to it and forced him to sit down.
He squinted up at them. This was the first time they'd done anything to him other than take him out to use the loo. Standing before him was the same man he'd seen for the very first time at the bank and another man he'd seen from time to time since being kidnapped. The first man bent forward so that his face was level with Bill's.
"Bill Weasley."
Bill blinked, unsure how to react. He finally settled on asking "Yes?"
"Do you know why you are here?"
"I have no idea."
The man struck Bill in the face with an open-handed palm. The blow stung fiercely and left a bright red mark to match Bill's hair color. He ground his teeth together but said nothing in response to the attack.
"My brother's in Azkaban because of you."
"Who is your brother?" Bill couldn't help but ask.
The man stood up straight, looking tall and imposing in front of the seated Bill. "His name is Whelan Wardle. I do believe you know him."
Bill had infiltrated the Goen Bren community for nons and kidnapped Whelan Wardle, whom he later impersonated by using Polyjuice Potion. After the Minister of Magic had been overthrown and the world set to rights again, Whelan had gone into formal custody, been tried in court, and ultimately sent to prison.
"I see. You seek revenge for my part in your brother's downfall." Bill's gaze shifted to the man next to the speaker. "Are you a brother too?"
"No, cousin," the man replied gruffly. "I'm Burrell Wardle, and this is Ezikial."
Ezikial shot his cousin an angry look. "Enough." He turned back to Bill, but then began to pace in front of him.
"We've been visiting Whelan in prison, Burrell and I, to see what he wants us to do with you. We considered offering up a trade... his freedom, for your life, but that might prove difficult to pull off. Truth be told, Whelan wants you dead, and he wants it on his hands, but short of busting him out of prison, I don't think he'll get the opportunity. So, that's where we come in."
"You plan to kill me."
"Eventually, but not without a bit of torture first."
Ezikial produced his wand but instead of using it to curse Bill, he handed it to his cousin Burrell. Then Ezikial cracked his knuckles and closed the gap between him and his prisoner.
Will They Or Won't They?
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 01-10-10 13:55
Zabrynna stands just off from the main Hogwarts entrance, back ramrod straight, eyes fixed on the double doors. The Kendricks arrived a short time ago and went in with Anne to lunch. Philippa's parents had arrived even earlier, with Philippa taking the Foxes to the common commons for some hors d'ouvres before lunch. Zabrynna doesn't even know if her parents are coming. Magretta had been decidedly vague about whether Nolan and she would come to the Hogwarts Parents Day.
Zabrynna hopes her mother's refusal to commit to coming has to do with her parents feelings about Hogwarts and their preference of schools such as Durmstrang. She knows that it's more likely that she's the reason the won't come if they don't. Both Margretta and Nolan have made their dismay and disappointment in Zabrynna clear and Margretta has stated a number of times that having Zabrynna transfer from Durmstrang to Hogwarts was a colossal mistake. Her mum's also stated more than once that Zabrynna's poor lack of judgement had better not come back to haunt them even more nor had it ever become common knowledge and cause the Ravensdale to look bad in the eyes of others.
The doors open again and Zabrynna looks hopefully towards them only to mentally slump, though not physically, as yet another happy set of parents enter the castle and head straight for the Great Hall doors where they child or children are awaiting their arrivals. She tracks the smiling couple with her eyes until they enter the Great Hall then fixes her eyes back on the Hogwarts main entrance. She's not even sure why she cares if her parents come today. It's not as though they and Zabrynna have had the best of relationships lately. Margretta and Nolan look at her differently, finding fault with every little thing and are quick to express their disdain and their criticism. Before Zabrynna's monstrously stupid act was discovered, she'd had her ups and downs with her parents much like any other teen. All in all, though, it had been a good relationship.
The doors open again, this time letting in two men and three women. It's only after the doors are shut and the two men and two of the women have headed for the Great Hall leaving the third woman trailing that Zabrynna sees who that third woman is. Stepping forward from where she's been standing the better part thirty minutes she offers a greeting of sorts.
"Hi, Mariposa. I hadn't thought to see you today."
Maripose blinks as her eyes adjust to the interior of the entryway, a half smile tugging on her lips. "Hello. I was not expecting to come but then Dad and Margretta said they still were not sure if they'd make an appearance so," Mariposa gives a slight, one shouldered shrug, "I thought I would come so you would have at least one person here for you today."
Stepping into Mariposa's outstretched arms for the hug she's being offered, Zabrynna whispers gratefully into her sister's ear, "Thank you, though you didn't have to do this. Are you sure you want to stay?"
"Positive."
"Hungry? Lunch is being served."
"Famished. I have been studying all morning and for some reason that test preparation always increases my appetite."
Right now is one of those times Zabrynna is very glad to have Mariposa as an older sister. With arms linked, Zabrynna escorts Mariposa into the Great Hall to the Ravenclaw table, which has, like all the other tables, been made longer today to include all the visitors to Hogwarts for Parents Day.
On The Way To The F&A Classroom (Etta)
Author: Jared
Date: 01-10-10 17:30
"Where are you taking us, Etta?" Abigail Wynbourne asks her daughter.
"The Fitness & Athletics room. It's where we have class sometimes when the weather is really bad or because of certain lessons, like swimming."
Gawain Wynbourne says, "You know, I wish we'd had a Fitness & Athletics when I was a student, or something similar."
Abigail chuckles, "I think you just like the thought of having access to an indoor swimming pool."
"That one Aaron Miller has at his place is quite nice. Maybe we should consider one."
"And where would we but it? The cellar?" Etta's mum chuckles.
Etta chimes in, "It could work, especially with magic. I think you should do it, Dad!"
"Do what?" another male voice inquires.
"Put in an indoor pool," Gawain tells his brother as Edward, his wife Faye, and son Basil catch up to them in the hallway. "Heading to the Fitness & Athletics room?"
"We are indeed. What did you think of that lunch?"
Abigail groans and pats her stomach. "I always forget just how much food there is at a Hogwarts meal."
"And to think, that wasn't even one of the feasts!" Faye exclaims.
Basil has moved up alongside Etta. He eyes her from head to toe then says, "Yes, some do tend to overeat at meals here."
under his breath.
Etta hisses under her breath, "Are you saying I'm getting fat?"
"Not getting," Basil quietly sneers, leaving off the implication that Etta already is fat.
With both sets of parents right there, Etta doesn't physically retaliate or throw a spell at Basil. She has to settle for moving away from him to walk in line with her mum and Aunt Faye just in time to hear Abigail ask, "After this, where are you going, Faye?"
"Basil wants to show us his room. I have to say I'm quite interested in seeing Slytherin House. Having been Hufflepuff I've always wondered what the common room of another house looks like for myself. I've heard descriptions from others on all three of the other houses but it's just not the same."
"I know what you mean. It almost makes me wish that Etta weren't in Gryffindor since that was my house as well."
"Edward's curious about Slytherin since like Gawain and you, he was Gryffindor. There are days I still can't imagine how a Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor produced a Slytherin," Faye says mirthfully. "Back when I was a student if anyone had suggested to me that my own child would be Slytherin, I would have hexed them on the spot."
Etta says sweetly, as if making a joke when really she's not, "Maybe Basil was switched at birth."
The two older women laugh aloud with Faye joking commenting, "You know, you could be right, Etta. Edward and I should have him tested."
Not knowing what's being said but having a feeling he's being made the brunt of whatever joke is between the ladies, Basil shoots a dagger filled glare over his shoulder at Etta. She simply smiles innocently at him before hastening her step to get to the Fitness & Athletics room door to hold it open for the adults. "Here we are! That door there leads to the pool, Dad."
Knowing it's possible that Basil would do something like give her a swift kick in the arse when the parents aren't looking, Etta plays like the nice hostess, allowing even Basil to enter the F&A room before her. She only has to tolerate him a little while before they go their separate ways, at least for the time being. Hopefully though, their encounters through the day will be few and far between!
It's Parents Day
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 01-11-10 18:12
There are Defense Against the Dark Arts demonstrations all through the Parents Day event, mainly taking place in the different obstacle course and dueling rooms. One demonstration involving a mixed group showing their stealth skills in what looks like a heavily forested setting has just ended and Kissy is talking quietly with the students to give them some feedback. Some of the parents look as though they have questions so she'll field those next.
There's another demonstration in approximately an hour in another room that's already set to go but there will be one in this room again later and with a different course so after she's sent the students on their ways, as she's walking over to greet the parents wishing to speak with her, Kissy takes a moment to give her wand a few waves to transform this room's course so that it too will be ready when it's next used.
Twenty minutes later, Kissy walks out of the room with the last of the parents she'd been speaking with only to stop dead in her tracks. Coming down the corridor towards her, huge smiles on their faces are none other than Adamu and Nyoko Isuki. Kissy closes her eyes for a second and takes a deep, calming breath then with eyes open again she forces herself to start walking in their direction, reaching them a few steps from the doorway of Obstacle Room 2, where the next demonstration is being held in ten minutes.
Students participating in this next demonstration are trickling that way with parents in tow and some have other family members as well, such as grandparents and siblings. With others nearby, Kissy makes herself keep a neutral, somewhat cordial tone as she says, "Mother. Father. What are you doing here?"
Nyoko's smiles more brightly and says with great enthusiasm, "We saw in the newspaper an announcement for the Hogwarts Parents Day. We also heard several announcements on the WWN."
Kissy looks from her mother to her father, still puzzled at their appearance here today. "But why are you here?"
Adamu gives Kissy a look she knows all too well. It's that look a parent gives a child when the child asks what the parents thinks is a so called stupid question with an obvious answer. "It is Hogwarts Parents Day. We are parents."
"Not of a student."
"But you are here and we are your parents," Adamu says speaking slowly as if Kissy is thick headed.
Kissy sighs softly then motions in the direction of her office. She waits to say anything more until her parents have both entered the office and she's shut the door. Walking around them to stand with her back to her desk, Kissy faces them, debating whether to ask them to sit and trying in vain to think of something to say other than to out and out order them to leave the school grounds.
After several seconds, which are both awkward and uncomfortable for Kissy, she sighs again and gestures to the two chairs arranged in front of the desk. "Sit down if you wish."
Adamu chooses to remain standing but Nyoko does sit, looking up at Kissy with furrowed brow and a questioning look in her eyes. "Is there something wrong, Kisiaki?"
A short, harsh bark-like laugh escapes Kissy. "Is something wrong? That's rich, Mother."
Adamu is the one sighing now. "You hurt us with your sarcasm and continued disdainful attitude."
"You hurt me by your continued refusal to see reality and comprehend," Kissy counters.
Nyoko lifts both hands in an I'm-at-a-loss gesture. "Have we not paid for our sins?"
Kissy pinches the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes again and takes another calming breath before saying, "No, Mother, you have not."
"We suffered in Azkaban. Is that not enough penance?" Adamu gruffly demands. "Should we each slice off a pound of flesh as well?"
"Don't play the martyr, Dad."
"Excuse me? I hardly think either your mother or I have ever acted in such a way," Adamu huffs.
"Oh please. You've both done nothing."
Nyoko sniffles, "I just do not know what it is you want of us, Kisiaki."
"How about an apology? Never once have you offered one and, in fact, Dad, you and Mum seem to think you don't owe me one," Kissy retorts, finding it hard to keep her voice down so that it doesn't carry through the closed door into the hallway.
"We have explained many times," Nyoko begins.
Kissy cuts her off. "You've made excuses. Nothing more. I have a demonstration beginning. Excuse me."
Kissy walks past her seated mother then skirts around her father, trying not to physically brush past him as she goes by, yanks the door open and walks out, making a great effort not to stomp angrily and to cheerily greet those who are just outside Obstacle Room 2 awaiting the next demonstration.
Family Affair
Author: Griet
Date: 01-12-10 17:27
Cornelia talked animatedly with her parents as she led them from classroom to classroom to meet with professors and see what life at Hogwarts was like in this day and age. The Vanderbilts had quite a lot to see and many instructors to meet, as four of their five children were students at Hogwarts and not all of them had the same teachers. All of their children walked with them, even young Franciscus who wouldn't be starting at Hogwarts for another two years.
Griet trailed behind the main group for two reasons. One, Cornelia had placed herself in the role of tour guide. Two, Griet wanted to avoid having a sex talk with her parents. The initial meeting in the entrance hall to the castle had been awkward at best, but neither parent had said anything about Griet's supposed indiscretions. Griet hoped it wouldn't come up, but she didn't feel very lucky since she suspected Cornelia had some cards to play that might spurn on the unwanted conversation.
Cornelia barely gave Griet a second glance in all the time they walked around together, but occasionally there was a sly look on her face as if the perfect plot had just come to mind. Maybe Griet was being paranoid, but somehow she didn't think so. She was just glad that Oberon hadn't crossed her path once. His parents had also come and were currently touring the castle with their son has their guide.
"I really want to show you the barn where we have Care of Magical Creatures class," Cornelia announced to her parents, after they'd come back to the entrance hall from the dungeons.
"We'd really like to see it, Cornelia," Johannes Vanderbilt replied. "I wish there'd been a barn when I took the class. It definitely would have been warmer!"
"It's wicked cool. It's just too bad that I don't have Fido anymore. I bet he'd be perfectly at home in that barn."
Griet fought the urge to roll her eyes, these days finding her sister's obsession with that old acromantula of hers stupid instead of cute.
Cornelia caught Griet's unsuccessful attempt to hide her thoughts on the matter and sneered, "You have a problem, Griet?"
All heads swiveled in her direction.
Griet couldn't help but answer in a way that would antagonize Cornelia. "I think you're the one with the problem, Cornelia."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just that you've had a stick up your butt ever since you found out that Gervaise cared for me more than he did you."
"Griet! Stop it right now!" Griet's mother cried out, but Griet and Cornelia both ignored her.
Cornelia looked surprisingly smug. "I'll have you know that he's SO over you and that he and I are a couple now. We had a pretty good snog this morning, by the way," she said, as if her parents weren't standing right next to her.
That was news to Griet. She lifted both brows. "Snogging on your SEX mattress, Cornelia? Oh, wait. I guess it must be his since boys can't enter girls' rooms."
The look on Cornelia's face was positively priceless. Griet had been so certain that her little sister would have the upper hand, but it seemed that Griet had pulled a punch that even Cornelia hadn't anticipated, even if she'd walked right into it.
Johannes and Catharina looked bewilderedly between their two eldest girls, unsure of how to referee the argument that they'd been unable to end themselves.
Griet had a feeling Cornelia's relationship with Gervaise, if she'd even told the truth about it existing, hadn't progressed beyond snogging. She looked far too wide-eyed and innocent for that. Griet wasn't sure her parents believed it either, but the kernel of the idea that it could be true was there.
Still, it was Griet they whirled on first when they realized the argument had ended on its own. "Go to your room, young lady!" Johannes bellowed.
"Gladly," Griet replied. She didn't take Care of Magical Creatures anyway and had no reason to go down to the barn. She stooped to give her confused brother a quick hug and then disappeared down the stairs to the dungeons without another look back.