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Parents Weekend
Author: Gerry
Date: 04-01-15 08:56
Having missed breakfast in the Great Hall, Gerry made a quick stop in the Common Common Room and got himself a cinnamon raisin scone to-go, which he nibbled on while making his way out of the castle, where he was supposed to meet his parents. It being still relatively early for Parents Weekend, there were only a few families milling about the grounds when Gerry stepped out the front doors. He polished off his scone and turned up the collar of his coat to protect his neck from the cold, and then walked swiftly down the slope to the gates.
As usual when guests visited Hogwarts for a major event like Parents Weekend, a security checkpoint was set up near the entrance to the grounds. Plain-clothed and official on-duty law enforcement personnel were present in case there should be trouble serious in nature. As far as Gerry knew, his dad, who was an auror, would only be visiting Hogwarts as a parent and not in any official capacity.
Gerry didn't yet see his family, but he did see Officer Tweed, the law enforcement officer who seemed to fancy his mum. Officer Tweed was one of the officers working security at the gate, checking wands and searching bags and purses for dark magic objects or weapons.
When the Martini-Blackwell family finally arrived, Officer Tweed greeted Gerry's mother as if they were old friends, but he kept any feelings he had for her hidden, likely because Gerry's father was right there. After successfully passing through the checkpoint, Gerry's parents joined him a little ways up the slope. Gerry's mother gave him a hug and a kiss, and his father squeezed him on the shoulder.
"Let's see what your professors have to say about your performance, shall we?" Geoffrey Blackwell teased.
Gerry shrugged and said, "I'm doing the best to my ability, honest."
Gigi Martini shook her head and remarked, "Somehow I doubt that."
"Why do you say that?" Gerry asked, "And where are Gareth, Graham, and Grady?"
"Because I know you," his mother said, "and they are visiting your grandmum today. Who are we visiting with first?"
"Maybe you don't know what I'm like now that I've been at Hogwarts for a term and a half," Gerry countered playfully. "Could be I've picked up excellent study habits from my classmates."
His dad laughed, and his mother shook her head again. "If you don't get marks high enough to get into the auror program," she said, "then you should look into becoming a comedian."
"Ha," Gerry replied. Then he said, "Some of my professors are occupied this morning."
"Is that an excuse not to visit with them?" his father asked.
"There's some sort of lesson taking place in the Great Hall this morning," Gerry explained. "Let's visit Professor Krum first," he suggested, pointing to the Pitch where he thought his Fitness & Athletics instructor might be meeting with students and their families. "Then we can visit Professor Ravenscroft at the greenhouses."
The Martini-Blackwell family set out for the Pitch, which was conveniently near the front gates. Fitness & Athletics was Gerry's favorite class, followed by Defense Against the Dark Arts. Charms and Transfiguration were decent, and Potions was okay, but everything else was on the boring side. His like and dislike for certain classes definitely affected his performance, though even his best marks saw room for improvement.
(Ariella) The Unthinkable
Author: Beck
Date: 04-01-15 16:13
Ariella bundled Karina in a warm woolen cardigan the baby's great grandmother Josefine had knitted for her and then placed her into her pram. The baby smiled and squirmed, making it difficult for Ariella to tuck her into the thick blanket that would keep her warm while they went for a walk across the Hogwarts grounds and in Hogsmeade village.
With it being Parents Weekend, Lawrence was preoccupied. Ariella knew he would be sequestered at the greenhouses, meeting with his students and their families, many of whom would be eager to know how the N.E.W.T. preparations were progressing. It may be only February, but the time until those very important end-of-year exams would pass all too quickly.
There wasn't too much commotion when Ariella and Karina exited the castle and made their way across the grounds. The air was crisp, but the sun felt nice and warm, especially on top of the many layers they both wore. Mother and daughter took the long way to the gates, strolling past the lake, where the giant squid skimmed on the surface, taking advantage of the rare sun on a winter's day.
Next they cut across to the Quidditch Pitch, which they circuited from the outside, and then they arrived at the gates, pausing to allow others entry before they walked out onto the village road. The village was a fair bit busier, it seemed. Ariella could only guess that some of the visitors to Hogwarts for Parents Weekend had come to Hogsmeade first to take breakfast at one of the pubs or the bakery.
A warm baked good sounded like just the ticket to Ariella, so she made her way to the site where she once worked, and queued up in a line that extended outside the door. It put to mind her days as a student at Hogwarts on a Hogsmeade Saturday and later still when she worked the breakfast rush from behind the counter.
While she waited in line, she noticed that the customer in front of her, a portly wizard in a tweed jacket and corduroy trousers, had a rolled up copy of the newspaper tucked under his arm. The article exposed to Ariella just so happened to be about her brother, who was still being held in a Muggle jail. It baffled just about everyone that the Ministry of Magic had not yet managed to help Anthony. Ariella worried for him greatly and had to trust that everything would sort itself out properly eventually.
She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Katherine standing in line behind her. She was wearing trainers, yoga pants, and a fleece zip-up jumper. She wore an elastic headband and wore her hair in a high ponytail.
"Hi!" Ariella exclaimed, giving her half-sister a quick hug. "What are you doing in Hogsmeade?"
Katherine said, "I decided to start my New Year's resolution finally."
Ariella laughed. "It's almost two whole months past the start of the new year!"
"I know, I know," Katherine said. "I decided I would go jogging every morning for at least a half hour."
"That's great!" Ariella exclaimed. "But why Hogsmeade?"
"Oh," Katherine replied, and she flushed slightly. "I guess it's because it's a small enough place. No threat of cars running me over or finding myself trapped in a crowd of people like you tend to find in Diagon Alley."
Ariella nodded. "But you could go anywhere, really. A hiking trail, an open field. Some place different every time. That's the benefit of being a witch!"
Katherine smiled. "Sure, but there's something to be said about Hogsmeade. It's so…" She suddenly paused, brushed back her hair which wasn't the least bit out of place, and smiled at some point in the distance. "…charming."
Ariella turned to look and saw a couple of people down High Street. Katherine caught her attention by asking, "And how is Miss Karina doing?", as she peered around Ariella to look at the baby.
A puzzled look crossed Katherine's face. "Did you forget something?" she asked.
Ariella furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?" She looked into the pram for the first time since first talking to Katherine and saw only the blanket she had used to cover her daughter. Karina was gone.
Panic started to set in. Ariella looked around wildly for any sign of her baby daughter, only no one seemed to be carrying an infant. The line into the bakery had shortened slightly, and the portly wizard who had been in front of her was already inside the building though not yet at the counter. Ariella pushed her way into the shoppe and looked around for Karina, but no one had her.
She rushed back outside and felt her heart leap into her throat. Where was Karina? Why wasn't she in the pram?
Katherine placed her hands on Ariella's shoulders and asked, "When did you see her last?"
"Before you came up to me," Ariella said, her voice catching in her throat. She searched every person within sight for Karina but didn't see the baby anywhere.
"I didn't notice anybody around while we were talking," Katherine said, thinking hard. "Did you?"
"No," Ariella said, shaking her head wildly back and forth, "but I was distracted!"
Katherine chewed her lip. "Me too. We need to call for help."
"I need to stay here," Ariella said, desperate to find her baby. She wanted to run into every single shoppe, up to every single person. Karina couldn't be gone. She simply couldn't be!
"I'll go up to the castle and find Lawrence," Katherine said.
"There's law enforcement there too," Ariella managed, "for Parents Weekend."
Katherine gave a single nod and then sprinted back to the castle. Ariella, meanwhile, fell to her knees and screamed.
Exasperated
Author: Majandra
Date: 04-01-15 20:51
The woman standing across from Majandra has an imposing figure. She's tall, broad though not in a chunky or round way, and has a piercing gaze. She is using this gaze along with a somewhat snide and condescending tone to question Maj on why her daughter is not doing overly well in Potions at the moment.
Doing her best to keep her own tone level, a chore considering how exasperated she is, Maj states, "As I've explained, since returning from the Christmas holiday your daughter has decided she does not need to follow the instructions given for each potion."
"You and I both know those are merely general guidelines."
"I don't know anything of the sort. Potion brewing requires closely following the instructions given and in some instances, meticulous care in required to avoid disastrous results."
"Now there's no need to exaggerate. Making potions is much like cooking, a little of this, a little of that."
"When you were a student, did you do well in your Potions course?"
A shrug. "I did well enough to get by."
"You didn't the two NEWT level courses I take it."
"No, but that's beside the point. You're also getting off topic."
Maj would point out that it's part of the topic but lets it pass. Instead, she walks over to a table on which cauldrons are lined up. "The first years began a potion that requires a few days to age between two of the steps." Waving her hand over a few of the cauldrons she asks, "What do you see?"
The peeved parents steps over to peer down at the contents of several cauldrons. "Varying shades what I'd consider a peacock blue."
Majandra hands her a spoon. "Stir this around in one of them."
The parent complies, moving the spoon in a circular motions several times around in one of the cauldrons. Handing back the spoon she asks, "What was this supposed to demonstrate?"
"Did the potion feel thick to you or runny?"
"Runny, almost watery."
Maj taps another cauldron. "Look in this one and tell me what you see."
A look of disgust crosses the parent's face. "Gray sludge that looks charred in spots."
"If I gave you a spoon do you think you could stir it?"
"Hardly. I could scrape the spoon around but I wouldn't call it stirring."
"This is your daughter's cauldron."
The first year had been sitting silently at her usual spot while the conversation between parent and profession took place. She'd pretended to be paying attention to a magazine while in actuality she was paying attention to her mum, hoping to see Professor Weasley chastised and apologetically agreeing to improve her marks. That this had not happened yet has been disappointing. In fact, now that attention has been given to the unpleasant concretion mired in her cauldron, she wishes she could slink out of the classroom before her mother remembers she's there.
"Is this your cauldron?"
Too late. The girl sits up straighter, setting magazine aside. "No, I don't think so."
"Your name is on it."
"Someone else used mine."
"Are you sure you wish to go with that excuse?"
Eyes roll. "Muuuum. Okay. It's mine."
"Why doesn't your potion, if this could be called a potion, look more like most of these others?"
"I don't know. I followed the instructions."
Maj levels a look at the child. "Do you recall me reminding you to shred one ingredient even as you threw two large chunks of it into your cauldron?"
"Sort of."
Maj turns to the scowling woman next to her. "From what I observed, your daughter only ignored one ingredient instruction this time and this was the result. A potion the first class meeting this week went up in smoke because she did what she wanted for at least two ingredients and then didn't stir the potion as directed. The step-by-step instructions for potions cannot be taken lightly. Fires and explosions can occur. Potions done incorrectly can eat through cauldrons and, worse, through skin. Potions meant to be drunk can be turned poisonous."
The scowl deepens. Not wanting to admit she's wrong the girl's mother begrudgingly agrees, "She needs to pay more attention in class."
A few minutes later, alone again for the time being, Maj freshens her cup of coffee and hopes the rest of Parents Weekend is an improvement over her first parent meeting of the day.
Responding to a Request
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 04-02-15 09:05
Ethan said goodbye to a single father who had come to Hogwarts to meet with his daughter's professors. Overall, the third year student was doing well in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She always turned her homework assignments on time, displayed good conduct inside and outside of class, and tended to do decently on exams and other on-the-spot assignments. Her father seemed pleased with her performance. Better yet, he didn't seem to begrudge Ethan for his past indiscretions, real or fabricated.
Since resuming teaching at Hogwarts, Ethan had yet to meet with the families of his students up close… until today. He expected some wizards to question why he was allowed to be in close proximity of their children, when he was rumored to be one of Adriana Fairchild's Death Eaters. Ethan knew he wouldn't be able to change their minds, nor would he try. All he could do was remain professional and keep to the task at hand. With any luck, all of his visitors would inquire only after the performance of their children and not anything off topic, such as Ethan's dubious background.
A slight knock at the door had Ethan looking in its direction, only instead of one of his students and his or her family members, he saw Jaiden Peters standing in the doorway. She looked a little edgy, as if lingering for conversation was the least thing on her mind.
"Sorry to disturb," she said, stepping into the room.
"You're not interrupting anything," Ethan said, spreading out his hands to show he was completely unoccupied at the moment. "Trouble on the grounds?" He guessed without asking that she was working security detail for Parents Weekend.
"Ariella Masterson's baby was stolen from her carriage on High Street in the village," Jaiden explained. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't urgent, but could you help us take a look around while the trail is still hot?"
Ethan still technically worked as a consultant for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, but he hadn't been asked to help out in any official capacity since before his own kidnapping last summer.
"Sure," Ethan said. "Where would you like me to start?"
"The village, if you can," Jaiden suggested. "We still have team members working security at the gates and can't spare everyone to wander the grounds. Others will be arriving soon to help with the investigation, but we could use all the help we can get. Where's Lilly?"
"In Bristol with my parents."
Ethan put a sign on his classroom door to indicate he had temporarily stepped out and then followed Jaiden down the corridor. They split ways once they reached the grounds, with Jaiden conferring with other aurors, and Ethan heading out to the village. In kidnapping cases, time was always of the essence, but the problem with wizarding kidnappings was that someone could vanish literally in an instant. The trail Jaiden thought was still hot might actually be cold.
When he stepped onto High Street, Ethan turned left and walked past The Three Broomsticks. By now, many shopkeepers were standing in the doorways of their establishments, gazing down the street where Ariella stood next to an empty baby carriage. Several law enforcement officers talked to her.
Ethan started to walk up to the group when a witch suddenly accosted him in the street. "It was YOU!" she screeched, jabbing her finger at his chest. "You kidnapped that poor woman's baby and delivered it to Adriana Fairchild!"
Ethan took a startled step back and shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, but you're wrong about that."
The witch persisted in her finger pointing and said, "I bet you delivered her that baby so it could be raised to be a Death Eater! No doubt she's having all sorts of babies delivered to her so they can be groomed to be dark wizards!"
Ethan shook his head and looked over at Ariella and the group of aurors, who were now looking in his direction. One auror peeled away from the group to approach him.
"Arrest him!" the witch screeched. "He's guilty! Guilty!"
Connor MacRoth stopped next to Ethan and asked, "All right there, Somerset?"
"Jaiden asked me to have a look around," Ethan explained, "and for the record, I have an alibi. I've been in my classroom at Hogwarts since just after breakfast."
"No worries, Somerset. Ma'am," Connor said, directing his attention to the hysterical witch. "I need you to calm down and go about your business."
The witch cried out, "But he's guilty! He stole her baby so it can grow up to be a new generation of Project 25! It makes perfect sense!"
"Ma'am, I need you to walk away," Connor reiterated.
The witch finally gave up, but not before shooting Ethan a dark look. He tried not to show any emotion on his face, but it was difficult. He hoped that Karina Masterson hadn't been kidnapped by Voldemort Loyalists, just like he himself had been as a baby.
He turned to Connor to find out what the aurors had done so far and how he could help.
(Eirene) Auntie Gemma
Author: Finley
Date: 04-02-15 14:22
Up until yesterday evening, Eirene had expected her family to visit for Parents Weekend. They had looked forward to meeting with her professors just as much as Eirene had looked forward to showing just how perfect she was in all her classes. She'd felt slightly crestfallen after receiving their letter, which mentioned the unexpectedly hospitalization of her grandmother who was vacationing in Majorca, but decided to make the best of the situation after learning her Auntie Gemma would be visiting instead.
Auntie Gemma wasn't really her aunt but was someone Eirene had known all her life. They lived in the same small town where everyone knew everyone.
"Where's Uncle Theo?" Eirene asked, after Gemma crossed the security checkpoint.
"He wanted to do some work on the house," Gemma said, giving the first year Slytherin girl a one-armed hug and handing over the care package Eirene's parents had given her before leaving for the Spanish island. "You know how he is," Gemma went on, with a slight laugh. "When he's not at work, he's doing work at home. I think he said he's reshingling the roof."
"Isn't it too cold to be working outside, and what about the snow?" Eirene turned the care package this way and that to guess what might be inside and simultaneously led Auntie Gemma to the castle entrance.
"It hasn't snowed lately," Gemma said, "and you know your Uncle Theo. He likes to stay busy, even if reshingling a house doesn't take much effort when magic is involved. I suppose it gives him a sense of accomplishment."
"I think I understand," Eirene said. "Wait till you meet my professors. I'm the star pupil in all my classes." It was certainly an overstatement, but Eirene considered herself the best at everything she did.
Gemma laughed. "I'm happy to hear it."
They entered the castle, where Eirene held up the package and said, "Do you mind if I take this to my dormitory room? I won't be long, I promise."
"Not at all," Auntie Gemma said. "I'll wait here for you."
Eirene nodded and dashed down the stairs to the dungeons. In the meantime, Gemma moved away from the castle entrance and leaned up against a wall near the marble staircase. Her gaze fell on a girl seated on the steps. The girl had brown hair and brown eyes and appeared to have a slight cold. She clutched a tissue in her hand and coughed every so often.
Just when the girl seemed to notice that someone was staring at her, a boy, a girl, and a witch and wizard came in through the castle doors. The boy stopped when he saw the brunette on the stairs and proclaimed, "Finley Pride! I thought I told you to go to the Hospital Wing!"
Without realizing it, Gemma let out a little gasp, but it wasn't noticed by anyone but herself.
The girl, Finley, climbed to her feet and dabbed at her nose with the tissue. "I told you I feel okay," she said, sounding a bit stopped up but otherwise fine. "I just look and sound sick."
"Yeah, yeah," said the boy, turning to his mother. "Mum, tell Finley she needs to rest."
His mother crossed over to Finley and put a hand on her forehead. "How are you really feeling, Finley?"
Finley said, "I feel fine, honest. Can I please go around with you? I promise I will sit out if I start to feel ill, but I really don't want to be alone right now. You know I don't have any family."
The boy's mother cupped Finley's cheek and said, "Of course you can. Well, Phoebus?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at the boy. "Where to first?"
Phoebus indicated that they should go up the stairs. The entire family tromped up the marble steps and disappeared from sight.
Eirene emerged at the moment from the staircase leading to the dungeons and caught her aunt staring at the top of the staircase. "What's the matter?" she asked.
Gemma turned to Eirene and said, "Just had a bit of a shock, is all. Now," she went on quickly, before Eirene could ask questions, "which of your professors should we speak with first?"