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Adorable
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 04-20-14 17:04
Cameron had baby duty today until being called in to cover the rest of a shift when someone was sick enough as to need an escort getting home. Everett now sits in the middle of Kissy's desk, in a carrier, playing with the mobile dangling tantalizingly within reach. As he's only two months old, his hand to eye coordination is still developing but he does reach at times and when he isn't, he enjoys the watching the insects making up the mobile flit about. It's even better when the music charm has been activated. At the moment, it's playing but at a low volume, loud enough for Everett to hear but not so loud as to interfere when there are visitors.
Right now, there are visitors in the form of fifth year Ravenclaw Pablo Carioca and his parents. Kissy was happy to report good things to the Cariocas about their son. He might not the quickest at mastering a new spell but Pablo is diligent and conscientious and does his best to work well with others when there's a partner or group activity.
As Thursday had been Kissy's birthday, Cameron had surprised her this morning with fairy cakes enough to serve parents, and students, as they came around. She'd offered some to the Carioca's as soon as they'd arrived and now, as conversation specific to Pablo and his Defense Against the Dark Arts studies draws to a close, the teen is eyeing the table with the cakes. As Kissy says, "Have another if you'd like, Pablo," Mrs. Carioca pays far closer attention to the baby than she had before.
"He is adorable!" she exclaims, leaning over the carrier to chuck Everett under the chin, bringing forth a happy gurgle.
"Thank you. I might be biased but I think he's pretty adorable myself."
Mrs. Carioca happily sighs, "Almost makes me want another."
This statement has Mr. Carioca vehemently shaking his head and Pablo coughing on a bite of fairy cake.
Before his wife revises her comment to drop the almost, Pablo's father is hustling the family from the classroom, a few hasty goodbyes and thank yous thrown over his shoulder in the process.
Chuckling to herself, Kissy selects a fairy cake and moves to sit on the desk next to the carrier. "Only two months old and already you're charming women who aren't related to you, Everett," to which the baby burbles as if to reply, "I don't know why it's taken two months. Look how cute I am!"
Before she's halfway through the fairy cake, progress made slower from engaging with the baby, Kissy has another student with family in tow entering. Brushing crumbs from smiling lips, she rises to greet them and prepared to answer whatever questions these parents have about Defense Against the Dark Arts to date.
Siblings Visiting Instead of Parents (Hodges siblings)
Author: Plum
Date: 04-20-14 19:37
Justin had seen no point in getting up this morning to rush down to breakfast only to be shoved out for the apparition lesson. Wintery Saturday are excellent for sleeping in, even ones on which parents are invited to spend the day. Or, in Justin's case, his brother and oldest sister. Malachi and Ava, his parents, had considered coming but felt they had to pass this time around because of other obligations. Justin would have liked to see them yet at the same time if they started in again on wanting to know why he insisted on the transfer from Sydney's to Hogwarts he couldn't blow them off as easily. They would have come so far, messed up their sleep schedules just to come see him for a few hours so walking away from them would have been far more difficult and left him feeling horribly guilty for putting them to the trouble of coming for the visit only to abandon them in a snit.
He'd told Betsy and Jordan to come in the afternoon. That would give him plenty of time to get up, get something to eat either in the commons or the Great Hall depending on what time it was by then and what else was going on, and make himself presentable enough for his two visitors and any professors they might insist on meeting as Justin full expects his siblings have been instructed to get reports on him straight from the teachers' mouths. Justin had told them he'd meet them in the main entranceway so that they wouldn't have to roam a strange place in search of him. It's easy enough to get lost in Hogwarts Castle when sort of knowing one's way about. Justin remembers all too well the disorienting sensation his first weeks here. There's also the fact that typical of many wizarding structures, this castle is larger on the inside than it looks from the outside. If Jordan and Betsy were to meander from floor to floor seeking him out, they could go hours without setting eyes on each other.
Justin arrives a little early, taking up a spot out of the way of others coming and going but where he won't miss spotting his brother and sister as soon as they walk in. He supposes he could have told them he'd be at the gates coming up from the village but given the choice of standing in the bitter cold of February in Scotland and waiting inside, Justin's going to choose inside. He might not miss the troubles he had at Sydney's School of Wizardry but he does miss that back home, it's summer and warm. Even the winters where back home are warmer than winters here.
When Betsy walks in, dusting snow off her coat, she's looking around with avid interest. She's been here before, helping their cousin Plum with Career Day, but she still finds interesting seeing another school of magic close up. She'd come for the Quidditch match between Hogwarts and Sydney's but there's been so little time then for anyone not on the Quidditch team to get a good look around.
After initial hellos and hugs, Justin takes Jordan and Betsy into the Great Hall where there are refreshments and places to sit and talk. With the time being between lunch and supper, he's wanting a snack and if he knows his brother, Jordan will want something as well. Once they're seated Betsy offers a cloth bag to her younger brother. "I know you got Valentine's goodies on Thursday but here are some extras."
"Thanks! Can't ever have too many sweets."
Betsy offers an impish grin. "What if my idea of Valentine's goodies are brussel sprouts and asparagus?"
"Unless you've changed that much since I came here, I think I'm safe," Justin chortles.
Jordan sniggers before popping something cheesy in his mouth. He doesn't know exactly what it is, just that it has cheese and selected it as one of the food items he'd filled his plate with. It's also very good so he's thinking he'll have to have another. Before he takes a bite of anything else he asks Justin, "How are things going? You never say much in your owls."
"Never have much to say unless you want a repition of Monday. Had Potions. Froze going to Herbology. Froze coming back from Herbology. Warmed up with potato soup and a toasted sandwich. Went to Charms. Tuesday. Eggs on toast for breakfast. Defense Against the Dark Arts was interesting. History of Magic, not so much."
Laughing, Betsy holds up a palm. "We get the idea but you could give details you know."
"Details? Okay. In Potions, cut up a flobberworm. Diced celery. Shredded peppermint leaves. Juillienned taro root. The flobberworm stew was excellent. Yum." He smiles angelically at them.
Mildly amused, Jordan taps him on the back of the head. "Yeah, like that, nit wit."
"Not exactly what I meant but you at least have the idea," Betsy tells him, though like Jordan, she too is smiling. She gestures to encompass the whole of the Great Hall. "This looks so different from Career Day."
"This is more how it usually looks," Justin tells her. "This is the Hufflepuff table, that over there is Gryffindor's, there is Slytherin's and that one is Ravenclaw's. Sometimes we HAVE to sit at our house tables but other times we can sit with friends from other houses. Some don't. They stick only with their own houses, but most do mingle. Being able to mingle at any time, relax, have some fun, listen to music is what makes the commons especially nice."
"Can we see it this commons today?" his sister asks.
"Sure, if you want. We can go now. I think it's okay to bring your plates."
Betsy reaches for the small plate she'd selected that has a two or three things on it left to eat. "Let's go then."
Shrugging, Jordan picks up his plate, grabs a few more of those cheesy things to pile onto it, then follows Betsy and Justin from the Great Hall, telling himself not to forget the list of questions in his pocket Mum sent for him to ask each of Justin's professors that Betsy and he are able to meet with today.
Talking to Myron
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 04-21-14 11:06
Professor McGonagall stood at the base of the marble staircase and said goodbye to visitors as they left the castle. Parents Weekend wasn't yet over, but the end of the day was nearing and many families, especially those who had come early, were ready to call it an evening.
Minerva felt very relieved that the day had passed uneventfully, at least so far. She'd not anticipated problems, if only because the Death Eaters would be fools to attack the school when security was at its tightest, but she nevertheless remained vigilant. Adriana had done the unexpected more than once, after all. Who was to say she wouldn't lay siege to the castle, even with a heavy presence of aurors and members of the Order on the grounds?
The next school event to fuss over would be next weekend's visit to Hogsmeade for the third-seventh year students. Professor McGonagall was loathe to ban students from the trip, because levity during trying times was a much needed thing. She worried over their safety, though. What if Adriana launched an attack on some place like The Three Broomsticks or the gaming center while it was packed with students?
Minerva had a Sunday brunch meeting scheduled for staff to discuss a plan for the following Saturday. She also had an afternoon meeting scheduled at Sirius' home in Hogsmeade with other members of the Order of the Phoenix. It had been some years since the Order had gathered together on any sort of regular basis, but it certainly seemed likely that their meetings would occur less sporadically now.
A familiar face emerged from the Great Hall, followed by more familiar faces.
Madoc, spotting his great aunt first, smiled and went over to greet her at the base of the stairs. "My parents are about to leave," he told her.
Myron and Cate came over with Malden in tow. The McGonagalls exchanged some pleasantries, and then Myron asked if he could speak with Minerva alone.
Surprised but willing, Minerva led him to the side room off the Great Hall.
"It's my dad," Myron said when they were enclosed in the small room. "He's gone a bit 'round the bend."
"Why do you say that?"
Myron looked a bit sheepish. "He curses your name at every opportunity."
"That sounds like the Menelaus from my youth," Minerva said. "I don't think he's gone mad."
"I think his… dislike… of you is different now." Myron ran a hand through his hair. "He seems very angry. Like it's more than just words. He gets so worked up that I fear he's going to have a heart attack. You should hear him… He's raves like a lunatic."
Minerva understood Myron's concern. He had probably never seen his father behave that way. Menelaus had distanced himself from the rest of his family so very long ago, that he had probably never shown that side of him to any of his descendants. It wasn't until Madoc started at Hogwarts that the old Menelaus came back to the surface again.
"About me?" Minerva asked.
"About you, and about Madoc following in your footsteps. He wants me to take Malden out of Hogwarts and have him homeschooled, just like I was."
"Why Malden and not Madoc too?"
"I think my dad identifies with Malden, but I suppose he worries you will influence him the way you have Madoc."
"What do you think?"
"I think Malden and Madoc should stay, and I don't think your influence is at issue. If anything, you've been very good for Madoc." Myron sighed and ran a hand through his hair again. "I just don't know what to do about Dad."
"If it's really a mental issue, perhaps you should take him to a healer. If it's as serious as you say, then you don't want him harming anyone or himself."
"Yes," Myron nodded. "I've thought about that."
"Is there something I can do to help?"
Myron shook his head but then he looked her in the eye and said, "You can enlighten me about why he dislikes you, Malcolm and Robert so much."
It was a fair question. Madoc knew, but Minerva had instructed him not to tell Malden. Evidently, he'd kept the knowledge entirely to himself all this time.
She nodded and said, "It's a long story. Do you have time to listen to it today, or would you like to meet… say, tomorrow evening for supper in my quarters?"
"Tomorrow night," Myron said. "Thanks."
It was settled. Tomorrow night she would tell her nephew all about the darker side of his father.
Family Day but Not With My Family
Author: Cate
Date: 04-21-14 12:46
That morning Cate had received an owl that explained why her parents were not going to be able to make it to family day at the school. Her mom had broken her ankle and her father had to take care of her. Cate sighed at reading the news and felt bad because she could not be there to help. Instead of spending time with her family Cate spent time with Jordana's family and Preston's family they wandered the castle and the grounds and sat and talked; it was a good time but she missed her parents.
Jordana's family are old family friends and would report back to Mr. and Mrs. Moreau how Cate was doing. Cate Enjoyed seeing Mr. and Mrs. Walker but it wasn't the same as seeing her parents. It was also nice meeting Preston's parents.
"Mr. and Mrs. Travers Preston talks very highly of you and I am very glad to finally get to meet you."
"Thank you, dear." Mrs. Travers said. "Preston has written us about you and you sound like a wonderful girl."
"Thank you." Cate blushed.
"This summer we will have to have your family come over for dinner."
"That would be nice." She smiled. "I am sorry you would not meet them today. My mother fell and broke her ankle and dad had to stay and take care of her."
"Oh, I do hope she is alright."
"Dad said she is going to be fine, they just magically set it and then gave her a potion."
Mrs. Travers nodded her head as Preston and his father talked quietly among themselves. Cate and Mrs. Travers continued to talk and laugh and get along famously.
When Preston's family finally left Preston and Cate sat in the Common Commons and talked about their plans for the summer. And how they were going to get together and see each other during the summer. Though they lived a ways away from each other they would find a way to see each other. Not to mention Preston's mother wanted them to get together for dinner sometime.
Wicked Gleam (Greene-Greens)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 04-21-14 17:57
Jade sits on the end of a bench that can be used for weightlifting. Hunter sits on the same bench, straddling it midway up. Uncle Woody walks around the Fitness & Athletics room checking out some of the equipment. "You know, I think I would have liked to have had such a course offered when I was here."
Standing near the door that leads down to the swimming pool, Olive shrugs. "It's sort of like a class we used to have back home. Almost everyone had to take it and most of the time they tried getting out of it."
Blythe's brow draws together. "I thought you enjoyed Fitness & Athletics."
"I do. I'm just saying that for us, it's nothing new really."
"Do you miss it?" Woody asks, coming to sit down between Hunter and Jade.
"Sometimes but usually no. It was similar to F&A but different. I don't miss having to run laps just to keep us busy or having to learn basketball basics from someone who could barely dribble the ball. I do sort of miss dodgeball."
Jade snorts. "You would."
"Says the beater who loves batting bludgers," Olive dryly retorts.
"What's dodgeball?"
The three teenagers turns eyes to the questioner as Aunt Blythe gives a little laugh. "Wait, don't tell me. It's sort of obvious from the name, isn't it?"
Hunter grins at her. "You got it. Dodge the ball."
"What are the specifics I suppose I should have asked," Blythe says.
All three start to answer with the twins ending up deferring to their older sister. "There are probably a number of variations but the version we learned involves two teams. There's one ball."
"But sometimes more than one," Hunter hastily interjects.
Olive nods, continuing on. "The ball is put in the middle of the play area. Both teams rush for it. Whoever gets it first has to throw or roll it to a teammate."
"You can't just start using it?" Woody inquires.
"Maybe in some variations. I didn't learn it that way."
"Neither did Hunter and me," Jade affirms.
"Anyone, once the ball, or if multiples, once the balls, have all be grabbed, the main part of the game starts. Throw the ball to hit someone on the other team. If it hits, the person is out. If it hits but that person catches it, the thrower is out. Headshots aren't allowed. Team with the last person standing wins. Those are the basics. One is if playing with designated boundaries and the ball goes out of bounds, when going to get it, you can't throw it until back in bounds. There are other rules but I can't remember them all off the top of my head."
"I remember we always had an end zone for each team. You could go right up to the line and throw at someone in the end zone but if you crossed the line to throw, you were the one out."
Jade nods as Hunter speaks, remembering that as well.
Woody purses his lips in thought before declaring, "Sounds somewhat interesting."
Jade had a wicked little gleam in her eyes and a smirk on her lips prompting Olive to say, "You're scheming, aren't you?"
"I was just thinking it would be fun to play on brooms."
"You get to play a version of it every time you play beater in Quidditch," Olive reminds.
"True," Jade concedes, "but imagine if the ball were more like the quaffle and no bats were involved."
"And maybe even more than one ball," Hunter inputs.
Olive's head bobs up and down, her eyes taking on a gleam identical to her sister's. "We should give this some real thought."
Woody chuckles at his wife. "You just had to ask about the game."
Blythe lightly laughs in return. "If I hadn't, you know you would have."
The Greene-Green family leaves the F&A room, the three teens discussion possibililities for a broom version of dodgeball, heading for the main exit as it's nearly time for Blythe and Woody to be getting home.
(Adriana) Reminiscing
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-21-14 18:44
Adriana tossed the Evening Prophet down onto her desk and leaned back in her chair with her hands braced behind her head. The attack in Hogsmeade had gone without a hitch. She only wished it could have lasted longer. The amount of damage done to the restaurant and its guests had nevertheless been substantial. She doubted very much the tea room would reopen in time for the students' visit to Hogsmeade next weekend, assuming the good headmistress didn't cancel the trip.
She leaned forward and lowered her arms to scour the Voldemort file again, even though she knew there weren't any clues to his current whereabouts anywhere in it. Her eyes fell onto another copy of the newspaper, however; this one bearing a photograph someone had taken within the walls of St. Mungo's Hospital immediately following the attack. Hysterical family members and frantic personnel flitted across the moving image.
On the very edge of the photograph Adriana could just make out Charlie Weasley carrying one of his children. Charlie's wife was a dead ringer for Helena Tufton. Adriana rarely thought about Helena, but every once in a while, her former friend and eventual adversary came to mind.
Long, long ago when the truth about Helena's relationship with Julian Valentine came to light and the wedding ceremony that was to have taken place before family and friends ended up cancelled, Adriana went after Helena to make sure she didn't do anything she would regret. What meant to be only an hour or two turned into an eternity away from Bill and the life she had known up until that point.
With Helena as her only witness, Adriana slipped fully into darkness that night. Where it should have been Adriana comforting Helena, it was the other way around––at least at first. Adriana eventually discovered that Helena wasn't who she said she was either.
It had never been a love for Charlie that had drawn Helena to him. It had been information. Helena valued what she could learn and pass on to others and eventually found a great deal of worth in Adriana's predicament. Despite the darkness she felt, Adriana resisted taking action at first. The feeling eventually passed, and what followed resulted in the end of a life.
Adriana looked at the image of Charlie and wondered if his wife would survive. What would he think to know that she had been Death in 'Till Death Do Us Part' in one, if not both, of his marriages?