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Quidditch Cancelled (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 04-11-09 09:32
Hurling a ball about the size of a snitch at the opposite wall, Deak easily catches its rebound, all the while grumbling, "A bloody gorgeous day and the match is cancelled!"
From his bed, Timothy Gabble points out something he's been pointing out ever since the announcement officially cancelling today's Quidditch match, "The only time we've been allowed out is for class. Is anyone really surprised that they wouldn't want practically the whole school assembled on the pitch to watch a game?"
Deak's reply is the same one he's been giving since the first time Tim pointed this out. "I know but still. Last. Game. Of. The. Term."
"Just imagine how out of sorts the seventh years are."
"I know. There's also the fact that we've all been cheated out of seeing Crispin Cooke trying to be an asset to his team while not getting Mary Black all worked up in a froth. Stroke of genius having them on opposite teams. That is, of course, unless Crispin was going to help Mary's team."
"What were the team names again?"
"My team was the Cyclones," Deak says then points to a uniform partially obscured under other clothes. "Blood orange and light blue with the cyclone in the orange against a blue background. Really cool looking. The other team were the Avalanches. White and dark brown."
Tim makes a face. "Sounds like what a real avalanche would look like, all white snow mixed up with brown mud."
"I saw the uniforms and logo. Actually looks pretty good."
Tim gets up and goes to peer out their window. Being in the former Gryffindor House means their room is in one of the towers, which means they have an excellent view. "Even if they won't let us have a match, I wish we could go outside. We've had so few really nice days all term," he mournfully states.
"As much as I normally don't mind a break from classes, at least they've let us keep those up. Can you imagine two solid weeks with no going outside except for a class and no classes to keep us occupied?"
"Too dreadful to consider," Tim agrees. "At least at winter holiday anyone staying over can go outside and sometimes there are things like visits into Hogsmeade and sleighrides."
"And Quidditch. Could always play Quidditch."
Tossing the ball he'd been playing with onto the small pile of clothes, Deak next says, "Wonder if the OWLs and NEWTs will still be given. Or finals."
"Yeah. And whether given or not, what happens when term ends if they're still here?"
"Dumbledore will have matters under control by then," Deak says with more assurance than he feels at this point.
Tim turns quickly around, eyes going to the door, urging in a hushed voice, "Don't say things like that aloud. They might find out and you've only just finished all that detention."
Deak inwardly cringes at the thought of even more detention and how much more awful it would be under the present circumstances. "Sorry, I'll be more careful. Want to see if anyone wants to make use of the DADA obstacle courses? We might not be allowed to use our wands out of class but we could probably work something out."
"Like Muggles would, you mean?"
"Just like. We need a laugh so how about it?"
"Lead the way," Tim says, already halfway to the door.
Imminent
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 04-12-09 10:24
As he stands just off the path, watching the main gates of Hogwarts, Charlie wonders where his replacement is. His shift ended ten minutes ago and today is not the day to be running behind. As if sensing that Charlie is getting impatient, the woman next on shift comes into view. Other than that her name is Nancy and that she's spent much of the last year in Capetown, Charlie doesn't know her enough to know if her being late is atypical for her or if Nancy is one of those people who is forever chronically showing up several minutes after she's to be somewhere.
As she comes up even with Charlie, Nancy asks, "Anything?"
"No, nothing."
"Is there even a point having people at perimeter points today?"
"A pattern has been established for keeping watch. We break it today and they'll know to be more alert."
"Ever since this began I've wondered why the professors haven't done something. Are they all on her side?"
"No. Some are not some aren't."
"You sound certain."
"I am. One of the professors was responsible for the Camp Lollipop rescue."
"Camp Lollipop? That's the one where the little kids were?"
"Right."
"That's just one person. How do you know there are others who don't back that woman?"
"Some have help with raids, with logistics, supplies, information. One is the wife of someone who was in a prison community and my understanding is that if not for who her father is, she would have been arrested as well as a sympathizer. As it was, she spent much of the time since her husband's arrest until recently under a house arrest of sorts."
"Then why haven't they done anything?"
"How do you know they haven't?"
"Guess I don't."
"I should get going."
"Sorry I was late. Nervous stomach about today."
"Feeling better now?"
"No," Nancy laughs, "but I'll be all right. I would have gotten someone to take my place if I didn't think I would be. Today's too important to miss out on though so here I am even if I was late."
"It will be over soon, one way or another," Charlie confidently says, though deep down he wonders if Euphemia Smythe-Jones is even still in the castle. Has the past two weeks been all a ploy on her part to give her more time?
Walking back into the village, Charlie first goes home. The house had been dusty but thanks to spells safeguarding it and Fred's in-laws the Matthews keeping watch on it, the contents were just as Hendricka and Charlie had left them. Taking a quick shower to refresh and invigorate him, Charlie puts on clean clothes then goes to the Imperial Crown & Cauldron, the upstairs of which is being used as part of staging area for the imminent raid on Hogwarts with the Hog's Head serving as the other part.
It's A Go (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 04-12-09 12:37
Entering the room used by most of the professors as a lounge, AJ double checks who's in the room before glancing out the open door into the hall. Seeing no one about, he shuts the door before joining the others gathering there.
"It's a go for today."
"You're sure?" Kissy asks.
"A little blue birdie told me."
Declan, who hadn't known Coco Nutt, says, "That might be something to some of you but not to me."
It's Saffron who answers. "Sometimes little blue birdies are not always little blue birdies."
Declan nods in understanding. "I see."
The door opens and all conversation ceases. Harriet Snider is hovering on her flying carpet. "This door is not to be shut! Conspiring is best done behind closed doors and I'll have none of that!"
AJ quickly responds, "I'm sorry. I did it when I came in just a moment ago. Force of habit."
"You shall sit with me for lunch to discuss why you need to be more alert, Professor Hodfuffer."
Outwardly AJ appears cool and collect as he replies, "Yes, ma'am. It will be a pleasure," while inwardly he's blanching and his stomach twisting at the thought of sitting in such close proximity. He can already feel the pinches she'll make on his thigh.
"Why are so many of you in here? There's no need to be."
"Just being social, Professor Snider," Theodosia says.
"Yes, well, I don't think I care for having so many of you clusting together behind closed doors. Disperse. Oh, and Professor Douglass, you may sit on my other side at lunch."
"Yes, professor," he intones. From the way he quickly looks in another direction, AJ can tell that Declan's trying hard not to start snickering.
"What are all of you still standing around for? I said disperse!"
"You're blocking the doorway," Kissy politely points out.
Shooting a glare at Kissy then with parting smiles to Declan and AJ, Snider flies her carpet down the hallway and around a corner.
Deciding to have a couple of stiff drinks from the bottle of fire whiskey stashed in his office to help him stomach sitting through lunch with the headmistress, AJ walks alone from the lounge to his office. Reaching it, he pours himself a stiff drink, thinking back two weeks.
It had been the day of the last Hogsmeade weekend of the term. AJ had been in the village but upon his return he was directed to go to the Great Hall. Nearly everyone on school grounds was there and as students and staff arrived back from Hogsmeade, they were also told to go to the Great Hall.
Minister of Magic Euphemia Smythe-Jones was there and by the time AJ had arrived so were some of her most fervent supporters. They had a cluster of students bunched around them and made it clear that the entire school was hostage. Staff was allowed to retain wands but with there always being several students with the Minister, none were anxious to do anything to put those students at risk.
Most classes have gone on as normal though students and anyone other than designated staff, such as Ryland Yaxley, caught using wands outside of a class are punished. Teachers needing to be outside for classes are allowed and the students going to and from those classes, but no one else is allowed out of the castle. There are frequent roll calls and bed checks at night.
If all goes well, the situation will come to a head today. AJ just hopes that whatever the plan is, none of the students rotating having to be with the Minister will be consider collateral damage.
Pouring another drink, AJ reminds himself that as much as he'd like to get too drunk to go to lunch, he needs to stay sober and in control of his faculties. With this in mind, he forces himself to sip the second drink, thinking about what Coco had told him and how he can best help when the time comes.
Volunteering
Author: Majandra
Date: 04-13-09 10:10
Motioning to the next person in line Majandra smiles encouragingly at the frail figure. The woman shuffles forward, eyes downcast, shoulders hunched. She stands in such a way as to remind Maj of a dog cowering, expecting a blow at any moment.
Maj softly suggests, "Why don't you sit down."
A second's hesitation then the woman sits, head still bowed. Even though she can't see Maj, there's an encouraging smile nonetheless.
Keeping her voice soft and friendly Maj asks, "Name please?"
"Gladys Newman. Maiden name Hennesey."
The name sounding familiar for some reason, Maj flips through a ringed binder and locates Gladys Hennesey's name on the list. "485, correct?" Maj says of the prison community the list indicates.
"Yes."
Maj uses green ink to make some notations to Gladys's. She asks conversationally, "Where did you stay after the 485 escape?"
"Sorrento, Italy. Lovely place."
"I've never been but I have heard it's beautiful. Who are you looking for today?"
"Husband Walter Newman, son Beau Newman, daughter Eugenia Newman Moore, and son-in-law Oscar Moore."
The name Beau Newman rings an immediate bell with Maj. Saying nothing in case she's wrong, she quickly flips through some papers. Finding what she's after Maj feels almost giddy. She rises, "Let me check on one thing, Mrs. Newman. I won't be long."
Hurrying out of the large room full of people now free to openly look for relatives and friends and to find out their job statuses and other important informatin, Maj speeds down the hall to another large room where healers are giving exams to those who've not yet had them but desperately need them.
She's going so fast that when she stops Maj nearly skids into a wall. In one of the waiting area chairs is a man in his early thirties. He's had a bad cough but in his words to Maj earlier, "I didn't want to bother anyone with it when so many others have real problems right now."
"Beau Newman," Maj asks, verifying his name.
"Yes," he looks up, then recognizing Maj from a short time earlier asks, "Did I forget to fill out a form?"
"No, but if you don't mind giving up your place in line to see a healer, there's something rather important."
"I don't mind the wait and if you think I should come with you then I'll come," he says getting up.
Leading Beau Newman back to where she's working, Maj stops just before they're even with the chair in which Gladys Newman sits. Next she moves around into Glady's line of vision. "I have very good news about one of your family."
"So quickly? How wonderful! Who? Where?"
"Your son and he's just behind you?"
Unable to stand it only longer, Beau Newman moves around and drops down on his knees, clasping arms around his mother. Gladys hugs him to her, tears streaming down her face. Maj is more than a little misty eyed herself as are a number of others in the room who observe the reunion.
When both are composed Maj tells Gladys what she'd told Beau not all that long before when he'd occupied the same chair. "The others aren't showing on any of the lists yet but none are on record as having been sent to any of the prisons. Your daughter's got a file but she was listed as 'location unknown' so one presumption is she was able to escape. If she did them perhaps her husband and yours did as well."
Maj gets information on where Gladys is now staying so that she can be easily contacted if the others do show up or if they get news that one or all of them have died. Gladys leaves with Beau to sit with him as he waits to see a healer.
Maj turns her desk over to another volunteer. If she doesn't leave now she'll risk getting to Hogsmeade too late to join her assigned group. Maj can't decide if she's anxious or excited about riding on a thestral. It's probably a bit of both. Coco Nutt has assured those going in on thestral back that the winged horses are actually very nice and that flying on one is no different than riding on another flying horse. Whether it's not all the bad or not, Maj can't help but be a little sad that she can see thestrals now.
Stepping into one of the Floos, Maj emerges at the Hog's Head. After checking in to make sure things are still going according to the plan she knows, Maj then apparates to the forested spot where others in her group are already congregating in preparation of taking Hogwarts back.
Hostile Hostage
Author: Ella
Date: 04-13-09 17:30
With her nose pressed against the window in the circular dormitory room she shared with Cornelia Vanderbilt, Ella looked out at the Hogwarts grounds with great longing. For two weeks, she and the other students had been couped up in the common rooms when not in class or the Great Hall for meals. They were all prisoners––hostages of the Minister of Magic Euphemia Smythe-Jones and her most fervent supporters.
Ella had never seen the Minister in person, not until the woman had decided to use Hogwarts as her new headquarters. At first glance, Ella had recognized the Minister from her many appearances in The Daily Prophet. Although wizarding photographs had the advantage of displaying more than just a single expression and demeanor, Ella had never gotten the impression that the leader of her government was completely psychotic. Having met her, Ella now knew better.
In the beginning, Ella hadn't thought the Minister would last very long at Hogwarts. True, the castle was supposed to be one of the safest places in the world, and while Ella no longer felt very secure, she could imagine the Minister believing nothing could get to her behind the sturdy walls of Hogwarts. With it now two weeks into the Minister's occupation of the castle, Ella wondered if she would ever be free again.
She was especially upset by her imprisonment because it meant she couldn't walk to the edge of the grounds and meet Zane by the gates. She'd missed one scheduled meeting near the beginning of the Minister's arrival at Hogwarts. Because sending letters had been restricted, Ella couldn't even notify Zane of her current predicament. She didn't know if he'd been owling her and she just hadn't been getting the messages or if he just assumed she was too busy to meet him because she needed to study for the NEWTs.
Not being a seventh year was a lie she didn't yet know how to explain away, but if Minister Smythe-Jones kept her prisoner all summer and then some, perhaps it wouldn't matter. She scowled at her reflection in the glass and turned away from the window.
Cornelia sat cross-legged on her four-poster bed and wrote in a leather-bound journal.
"What are you doing?" Ella asked, slightly miffed because of her circumstances. She crossed to her own bed and flopped down backwards onto it.
"Plotting," Cornelia murmured without looking up from her page or stopping her writing.
"Oh?" Ella queried, intrigued. She sat up and eyed her roommate with a raised eyebrow.
Cornelia finally met Ella's gaze. "I would say I've been relatively good the last year or two. It's really not in my nature to be good."
"Go on," Ella pressed.
"I'm afraid the Minister's causing me to have very bad thoughts. She's really made a mistake in thinking she can keep all of us hostage here while she figures out a way to fix the mess she made."
"So, what do you propose?"
"I propose we make things a bit messier for her. I think the professors are too frightened to do anything lest she decided to take it out on us, but I'm not sure she's anticipated any action from any one of us."
"You think she's underestimating what we can do?"
"Exactly." Cornelia beckoned for Ella to come over and read what she wrote. "Tell me what you think of this..."
Secret Passage
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 04-13-09 18:07
Fred looks dubiously at Aberforth Dumbledore. "I'm still not sure about this tunnel. George and I knew all the tunnels."
"Not all," Jet counters. "There's that one I found."
Aberforth crosses his arms and looks mulishly at the small but growing group. "You trust my brother and he supports this method of entry."
"Not saying we don't trust you," George states. "Fred and I just thought we know the secret ins and outs of Hogwarts."
Ginny, busy studying the portrait of a girl on the wall. There's something familiar about the girl but Ginny can't quite put her finger on it. Turning from it she asks the room in general, "Speaking of secret ways into Hogwarts, any word on how the curse breaking is going?"
Curses have been laid over all the tunnels leading between the castle and Hogsmeade as well as the ones leading from various points around the grounds, such as under the Whomping Willow, into the village. Wizards like Bill, Filius Flitwick (who'd been at the prison community Rita Skeeter infiltrated and then sent to another one after that), and Michael Turin, and witches like Dierna ni Ciaran are working on breaking those curses.
"Whoever's working on the one under Honeydukes has broken through," Neville says as he walks into the room.
"Where's Dumbledore?" someone else asks.
"Right here," Aberforth says a bit snippily, waving an arm in the air.
"Sorry, I meant your brother."
Aberforth shrugs, "Not sure."
Heads start swiveling around and everyone is shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulders.
More people arrive and finally Aberforth says, "No sense in just standing here crammed in like a too small goat pen. Might as well start sending you through though mind you, you're to wait on the other end until everyone's gathered and the agreed upon time arrives."
Not knowing where this tunnel is that Aberforth knows about, heads start swiveling again looking to see where he goes. Aberforth turns to the portrait of the girl Ginny had been studying earlier and says, "It's time."
The girl in the portrait nods with a smile and turns, going not out of the side of her painting but walking down what looks like a corridor or tunnel receeding in the distance of the painting. The girl's figure gets smaller and smaller then disappears altogether.
Seconds tick away and though not many pass, to Ginny the waiting feels like hours. Just as something appears at the far end of the corridor in the portrait, Aberforth says, "Ah, there's Ariana now."
"Ariana?" Ginny asks.
The question is ignored, however, as Aberforth steps closer to the portrait. It's clear now that Ariana is not alone. There's another woman there. The two figures draw ever closer until it's possible for the other woman's features to be made out. From just behind Ginny Aaron Miller breathes, "Saffron."
The figures of Ariana and Saffron Sachaverelle grow larger and larger until their heads and shoulders fill the painting as though it's a double portrait. The painting suddenly swings away from the wall, reaveling an opening there with Saffron Sachaverelle stepping through.
Seeing Aaron just over Ginny's shoulder, Saffron breaks into a broad smile coupled with tears. "I had a feeling but couldn't be sure."
Aaron and Saffron embrace, keeping it short though it's obvious to everyone witnessing the meeting that they would like to have had longer. And probably some privacy.
Aberforth says, "This is part of who's going in this way. No reason to stand around waiting on the rest though."
Nodding at Aberforth, Saffron says to those in the room, "Follow me. I'll explain on the other side while we wait for the others."
Saffron goes back through the opening with Aaron right behind. George is next followed by Ginny. There are brass lamps lighting the tunnel, smooth stone steps lead to a smooth, well worn looking earthy floor. They walk what seems like quite a ways with the tunnel starting to steeply slant upward. As they walk, Ginny feels sandwiched in between Fred and George as they talk back and forth about what equipment they brought with them.
At last the tunnel turns a corner and Ginny can make out another set of steps leading up to a door. When she steps through the door, Ginny finds herself in a rather large room with chairs and couches set around.
As people come through the tunnel, knowing there's still a wait, they take seats, chattering softly. When the last of the initial group is inside the room, Ginny looks up in interest when Saffron says, "Welcome to the Hogwarts Room of Requirment."