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Christmas Shopping
Author: Cassandra Catesby
Date: 03-05-13 02:41
Cassandra did her best not to grimace as she fought her way through the crowds in Diagon Alley. It was the second Saturday in December and, if anything, the hordes seemed to be worse this weekend than they had been the weekend before - not that she had seen much of it, coinciding as it did with the full moon.
It was not that she disliked Christmas. She had enjoyed it as a child. She remembered the yule log that had burnt in the massive fireplace in the Great Hall at Catesby Castle. Swags of holly and ivy had adorned the mantlepiece and entwined around the bannisters of the Grand Staircase. Enchanted candles that never went out decorated the Christmas tree. It had been both magical and exciting, and, of course, it had been all but compulsory for all branches of the Catesby clan to attend the yuletide feast.
So far as she could see though, Christmas did not demand the sheer amount of gaudy tat that infested the shops these days. She hurried past one shop that had hung enchanted silver bells about its door and window. They were clearly supposed to chime delicate seasonal melodies every time someone walked past. Unfortunately the streets were so busy that the bells were now chiming constantly and had already reached the point of irritating tinniness. Another shop was advertising Non-Melting Icicles and Snowballs. Was it all really necessary?
However, having accepted Nephele's invitation to spend Christmas with the Mockridges, Cassandra now felt compelled to do something in the way of gifts. Nephele had, it was true, discreetly provided a few hints, which in the case of Valeria and one or two other of the invitees was welcome as Cassandra admitted to herself that she wouldn't have known where to begin otherwise. She did, however, feel that in the case of Nephele and Kirley themselves, she ought to be able to come up with something on her own.
Not a book, she decided. Not only was it too much of a cop out, but she could come up with something more interesting from her own stores than anything she'd find in Flourish & Blotts. A new quill? She paused in front of the window of Amanuensis Quills for a second or two, then shook her head. No, that wouldn't do either. She sighed and carried on along the busy street.
(Edgar) Quidditch
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 03-05-13 03:48
When Edgar woke up there was no one left in the dorms. Everyone was probably downstairs at the Great Hall having breakfast or already at the Quidditch pitch, trying to get the best seats for today's match.
Hufflepuff was playing against Ravenclaw and for the past week such match had been the most discussed topic around the school. That and also Edgar's ascension to the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Calliope Quinn had decided to give up, claiming that the intense training sessions was too much for her. It had been one of Edgar's best weeks at Hogwarts: he felt like he belonged to this exclusive but important club and his friends Hunter and Madoc were even part of it. He was eager to prove himself and he was dedicated during the practices, giving the best of him all the time.
Edgar walked towards the already full Great Hall. He felt someone going against him without apologizing. He turned his head and noticed it was Evelyn. That had been one of the cons of being selected to enter the Quidditch team. His sister had been very jealous and she refused to exchange a word with him unless to tell him she hoped a bludger would hit his head and he would fall from his broom and get severely injured. Edgar was sure eventually the idea would grow on Evelyn and she would learn to accept it. But for now they were back to the days were she could not tolerate him.
Luke was seated next to Alcmene and he was showing her the gift that came this morning for his Secret Santa, Julietta Wynbourne. She was the school's Head Girl and the Gryffindor Quidditch captain and Luke felt he needed to offer her something she would really like. He decided not to buy his gift at Hogsmeade but order it from another store at Diagon Alley. The gift itself was a wallet and Alcmene looked at it in approval.
"I think she is going to like it. It's very beautiful, Luke," she smiled at him in approval.
Luke put the wallet away and continued to eat his breakfast, chatting with her. Edgar greeted the pair, but neither of them paid him a lot of attention. Irritated, he served himself with a dose of kippers. Lately Alcmene has been spending a lot of time with her cousin and Edgar felt like she had replaced him for Luke. He wondered if she had a crush on Luke or something like that. Perhaps he could find a way to ask Tamsin about it, but without being too obvious.
"Hey, Edgar, you are going to watch the match, aren't you?" Hunter asked, not far away.
He had drawn Hunter's name as the Secret Santa and it was not hard to find a gift for his friend, with whom he had as a dorm room and classmate for more than two years. Edgar had bought him a watch, thinking that would be a useful gift for Hunter.
He nodded and he, Hunter and Madoc decided to watch the match together. Hunter suggested Edgar to take a good look at his sister Jade and her performance today. Jade was a great beater. However, Madoc assured Hunter he and Edgar were a much better team than Jade and her fellow first year beater Aderyn Carter. Edgar left the Great Hall feeling in a much better mood.
Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw 2006-2007
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 03-05-13 09:58
Unlike the first match of the 2006-2007 Hogwarts Quidditch season when he had been too under the weather to both sit a broom and keep up with a fast paced match, Viktor is feeling fine today, excited at the prospect of participating even if as a referee and not a player. Though he's usually able to schedule Humbatas practices and games around the Hogwarts matches, today was not one of those days. With the Humbatas off to Appleby for a match against the Arrows, Viktor had had to look elsewhere if he wished one or two additional referees for the Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw match. He'd been going to owl a couple of former teammates from the Bulgarian national team when he remember a letter from Baxter Conroy, the dean of St. Emry's Wright College.
Baxter had let Viktor know that should he ever be interested, there were several Wright College upperclassman interested in gaining referee experience. Viktor wrote Baxter asking if he would suggest two names for an upcoming Hogwarts match. Both the people whose names Baxter gave him wanted to help today. Glen Jaimeson is a stocky fellow who Viktor pegs who plays beater at St. Emrys for the Fancourt College Chimaeras. Wanda Carmody is tall and willow and though Viktor would think on appearances along that she's probably a seeker, he also wasn't that surprised to learn she's keeper for the Vipertooths, the team for St. Emrys' Agrippa College.
The two teams are announced. For Hufflepuff there are beaters Gus Hodfuffer and Caerwyn Valentine, keeper Glori Hodfuffer, chasers Jasper Jenkins, Marlow MacDougal, and Sadie Mickle, and seeker, also team captain, Aleydis Vanderbilt.
After the Hufflepuff players have made a circuit around the pitch, Ravenclaw follows. That team consists of beaters Aderyn Carter and Jade Green, keeper Beatrix Vanderbilt, chasers, Jack Emerson, who is captain, Alastor Jenkins, and Ramona Mickle, and seeker Christopher Chant.
After Ravenclaw has gotten it's circuit around the pitch, Viktor prepares to release the balls. The two team captains also come to the center to shake hands as he gives the standard instructions to play a clean match. The bludgers and snitch away, the teams in the air with keepers in front of their respective set of rings, Viktor sends the quaffle aloft, signaling the official start to the match. As the red ball gains altitude, the scramble is on as the chasers vye for first possession.
Prior To The Match & A Few Minutes In (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 03-05-13 14:57
Prior to the release of the balls, Caerwyn had taken to the air above the pitch along with the other Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw players. As he gained altitude he did what he often does, look to locate where he knows his family is in the stands. Dad and Grace are there as is Briar. Grandfather and Grandmother both decided to come today as well, which surprises Caerwyn a little. Grandmother is not known for attending his Quidditch matches, though she's always quick to tell him how proud she is of him. Though nothing's ever been said to Caerwyn, he knows Grandmother would have been happier if he'd been Sorted into Slytherin but at least she's never acted as if she holds him being a Hufflepuff against him.
Sadly, still no Charlotte. Caerwyn's asked after her many times and while he has been given a very brief explanation of where she is and why, he doesn't fully understand what's going on. He can't help wonder what Dad and Uncle Lysander haven't said.
After waving at everyone, Caerwyn's eyes continue to wander from one set of stands to the next. He isn't sure of Aunt Iola will make an appearance today or not. Lunch last Saturday had been sort of nice. He'd gotten to know more about Iola and she had had a steady stream of questions for him in an effort to get to know Caerwyn better. They'd spent some time after lunch together as well. Caerwyn can't put his finger on anything specific but the reason he considers the time together only sort of nice is because he keeps getting the feeling Iola wants something from him, and not wants as in wanting to establish a relationship with her nephew. He's starting to better understand why Dad is so reluctant to have Caerwyn spend go for a night to her house. Or, could be he's just channeling his father's distrust and there's not actually anything there to be wary of.
The balls are released, with the quaffle being the last, as always. As a beater Caerwyn's only interest in the quaffle is who has it and who's trying to get it. Who has it turns out to be Ramona Mickle of Ravenclaw. Not good. Caerwyn is already coming up on one of the black bludgers, beating Jade Green to it. He aims where Ramano should be in a few seconds if she stays on the courses she's flying, paying no mind to whether Jade's going to try and intercept the bludger and redirect it or not.
He's already away speeding toward the second bludger, wondering why neither Gus nor Aderyn Carter have gotten there yet. About the time he reaches the bludger it dawns on Caerwyn that one of them had already hit the bludger. He's just getting it its way. Having no idea who hit it or which chaser, or even seeker, is the target, he has no compunction when hitting the bludger himself.
By that time Jack Emerson has gained possession of the quaffle. Seeing Marlow trying to keep pace with the older boy in an effort to either steal or intercept, Caerwyn targets the bludger at Jack. Aderyn comes into his side view, looking as though she's going to chase the bludger down so Caerwyn goes after it as well, wanting to ensure this time that the bludger does what he intended.
As it turns out, Aderyn's efforts would have been for naught even if Caerwyn hadn't followed that particular bludger. Jack alters course to better avoid Marlow's efforts, unwittingly putting himself closer to the bludger. Jack and the black ball more or less fly into each other. The surprise combined with the jolt of the hit is enough to allow Marlow to take the quaffle.
As he's still slightly ahead of Aderyn's position, Caerwyn comes up on the bludger, ready to hit it again, this time to help in an offensive capacity. As he's turning to get the direction he wants on the hit, Caerwyn catches sight of Professor McGonagall. He wonders who she roots for when a match doesn't involve Gryffindor. When Hufflepuff plays Slytherin will she support Slytherin because that's Malden McGonagall's house, even if Malden doesn't play on the Slytherin team?
Caerwyn only knows anything about Malden because it's Malden whose name he drew for Secret Santa. He knows the other McGonagall somewhat because of Quidditch. From what he's learned of Malden, the brothers aren't much alike but given he's not learned that much he could be very wrong about that. Malden and Madoc may only have a few differences and those differences just happen to be the scant amount of information Caerwyn learned of the first year.
He'd gotten a gift for Malden, or gifts rather, when in Hogsmeade last Saturday. Going on the premise that almost everyone that ages likes sweets, Caerwyn had gotten Malden an assortment of candy from Honeydukes and Weasley's. He'd also gotten Malden a game. When looking at it Professor Miller and his kids happened to be nearby. Professor Miller saw the game and told him, "There's a game just like that, even with the same name, that Muggles play. I say just like that, but I meant the idea of it is the same. This one uses magic."
The game, called Perfection, does indeed use magic. The timer looks as though it's only got one time on it but a simple spell allows players to select from five different times, giving a range of difficulty levels. Professor Miller also pointed out that with the Muggle version, the shapes remain the same. In this wizarding version, another simple spell allows for changes in shape of the pieces and the tray they fit in. There are over twenty variations on the shapes and another ten variations in how the shapes are arranged in the tray. Caerwyn thinks it might be fun and could be somewhat challenging if set on one of the faster times. He hopes Malden thinks so too.
With Marlow having passed to Sadie and Sadie drawing nearer to where Beatrix Vanderbilt guards the three rings at one end of the pitch, Caerwyn gets his mind back into the match, cross fingers on his free hand that Hufflepuff scores.
Skipping The Match
Author: Errol
Date: 03-05-13 17:49
Ravenclaw House is nearly empty, almost everyone either at the pitch for the Quidditch match, lingering over a late breakfast, or utilizing the library when few others would be around to want the same books needed to finish an assignment. Errol thinks there may be a few still here, either taking advantage of being able to sleep in as late as desired or preparing to soon leave for the Ravenclaw game against Hufflepuff that will soon be underway if it's not already begun.
Errol is doing neither.
Sitting on his bed, back to the headboard, he's got a book open, a fiction he took out yesterday from the library. He's also got some gifts scattered on his bed, some wrapped, some not. Errol needs to finish wrapping the presents but the book is hard to pull himself away from.
He'd gone into Hogsmeade last Saturday, his second such trip but still a novelty for him. That he could look for Christmas presents was an added bonus. This time last year he'd had to rely on Uncle Ross's assistant to get a Secret Santa present, and that was only after he'd begged via several owls to be allowed to participate. He'd only been able to get Megara a gift, a sort of thank you, because he discovered some money in his belongings he'd not realized before was there.
Saturday, he'd not only been free to roam Hogsmeade but he'd had the galleons to buy a few presents. The one that gave him the most difficulty was the one for Aaron Miller. He'd gotten the Muggle Studies professor's name for Secret Santa. He'd ended up getting something he'd discovered on a high shelf in the back of a shop, wedged between two other boxes.
The something is a strategy game called Pente Uncle Ross and he like to play, and sometimes Errol's former friends would play at well. There's nothing wizarding about it. Errol isn't even sure where Ross first came across it. He simply never thought to ask. He has no idea of Professor Miller cares for such things but, if not, perhaps he'd add it to the games for Muggle Studies and the Muggle Studies Club. Or, even if he does he might be inspired to add it to the games available for the class and club. One of the best things about Pente is that it's very easy to learn even though it is a strategy game and the more you play, the better you get at it.
"I thought you would be at the pitch by now," Megara chastises from the doorway.
Eyes darting to the presents spread out on his bed to assure himself that Megara's gift is already wrapped, Errol replies, "I thought you would be too."
Not waiting for an invitation to come further into the room, Megara rarely does, she sits on one of the other beds. "Last Saturday you'd said you'd come today."
"I changed my mind."
"Why?"
"Does there have to be a reason?"
"Yes."
"I just don't want to go anymore, Megara."
"Why?"
"You're worse than a three year old with the questions."
"You should know since you act like one half the time."
"Have I ever mentioned how hysterically funny you are?"
"Yes, but not as often as you've told me how much smarter I am than you."
"There you go again. Such wit."
"I'm the total package." She shifts to take off the heavy coat she's wearing. "Seriously, why?"
"Just because."
"You know that's never good enough for me."
"You promised to stop pushing me so much when I say or do something you question."
"This has something to do with why you decided not to have dinner in Hogsmeade last weekend."
Errol sighs, shuts his book and puts it aside. Until Megara leaves reading more than a sentence every ten minutes would be wishful thinking.
"I take that as a yes."
"You should take it as a great, I can't read my book because I'm being slammed with questions."
"Just tell me already. You owe me that much after I came back with you and had supper in the Great Hall instead of in Hogsmeade."
"You mean when you peppered me with questions the entire walk?"
"You're being evasive again."
"You're being pushy and nosy again."
"Please?"
"You just don't ever quit, do you?"
"Only because your buttons are so easy to push and because you are my adopted, somewhat mentally backward baby brother. Speaking of, even though it's not an official adoption I think you should add the Flynn name to yours. Do the whole hypen thing. Errol Elliot Flynn-Anderson. Errol Elliot Anderson-Flynn."
Errol just stares at Megara as if she's lost her mind, which she totally has.
"The second one I think. Sounds a little better. Or no, the first. Maybe as another middle name. Errol Flynn Elliot. Hmmm, I'll have to ponder it. See all the combinations in writing. How attached are you to the Elliot? Ooooh, but I digress. What happened last Saturday evening that had you backing out of staying in Hogsmeade until the last possible moment?"
Much as he hates giving in to Megara, Errol knows all too well that if he wants to get back to his book, wants to get the rest of the gifts wrapped sometime this month, he should just tell her. He doesn't know why he's been so reticent when Megara knows pretty much everything anyway.
"I saw someone who may have been in Hogsmeade by coincidence or he could have been there specifically to look for me."
"Did he see you?"
"No, or at least I'm pretty sure he didn't."
"Do you think they've found out where you are?"
"I don't know. They could be checking out a whole list of schools and what's a good way to try and locate a specific student without going trying to get through a school's administration?"
"Check around any villages or towns where students are allowed. But what has that got to do with the Quidditch match?"
"I can't stop wondering if they'd send someone to a match to have a look around at students in the stands."
"What has your uncle said?"
"Nothing. I haven't told him yet?"
"Why not?"
"I've finally got a little freedom. I've got new friends. I like it here. What if Uncle Ross's solution is to pull me from Hogwarts? Worse, what if he decides to stick me away in a house somewhere with just a tutor? I've been under house arrest. I don't want to do that again."
"I know that being taken out of Hogwarts is a risk but you really need to tell him."
"No. I'll just stuck around the castle today. There's no reason for a strange to be around the grounds tomorrow or during the rest of the week. Vacation starts next Saturday. By the time January comes around and we're back at school, it should be fine."
Megara's expression is dubious. "You should still tell him."
"Maybe in January. Or February. And don't you dare tell him. I'd never forgive you."
"If you don't tell him sometime soon after we're back here in January, I'll tell him. Damn the consequences."
"Whatever. Just as long as you promise not to say anything at least until then."
"Promise."
Megara gives Errol a look he can't decipher before jumping up and grabbing her coat. "I'm going to the match even if you're not. Your loss on the stellar company."
"Ha ha."
Megara flashes one of those over the top innocent smiles she's so good at then saunters from the room. Errol waits a few minutes to make sure the peace won't be shattered by her again before picking up his book and opening it to where he'd left off.
Two Goals Make For A Tie Game (Jack)
Author: Kody
Date: 03-05-13 19:07
Sadie, Jasper, and Marlow had been able to get the quaffle in close to Beatrix. Jasper was the one with the ball when the first effort to score a goal was taken. Beatris rebuffed the attempt but Sadie caught the rebound and was able to quickly get a shot off. Beatrix threw herself at the quaffle but it scraped by her fingers. Only a few minutes into the match and Hufflepuff's already scored. Jack is optimistic that the 10-0 score won't stand for long, that Ravenclaw will soon have points on the scoreboard.
Alastor puts the quaffle back into play. Over the quarter hour, there's quite a bit of back and forth. The chasers are up and down the pitch enough in those fifteen minutes that Jack is grateful to be on a broom and not running. If this were a running game and not a flying game, he'd like to think he'd be in the shape necessary to run all over the pitch and to have the stamina to last the match. He has this thought even as another springs forth, that with as much give and take as there has been this early in the game, there would definitely have to be some sort of break every so often. That's how it is with those Muggle sports he's now familiar with because of Deak and Professor Miller, and even Coach Krum to some extent, who's introduced a few such sports as part of the F&A curriculum.
Ravenclaw finally catches a break when Jasper's hands slip catching the quaffle. Not only is Ramona able to grab it but she's able to make a fast break away from the rest of the pack. Ramona makes a drive at Glori. The Hufflepuff keeper is ready but a bludger, Jack doesn't see if it's from Gus or Caerwyn, smacks into her outstretched arm. Try as she might, Glori can't recover in time to get fully block Ramona's throw.
Ravenclaw now has 10 points, making for a tie score.
As Marlow accepts the quaffle to get the action going again, Jack's mind tries to wander. Monday marks the last school days of the term. Jack has a Hogwarts Express load of assignments and studying to get through this coming week. After that the pressure will increase a hundredfold to buckle down for NEWT preparation.
Next week also marks the time when students attempt to have holiday parties and do gift exchanges with friends. Jack had put his name in for Secret Santa as he's done every year. He's not yet found a gift with his name on it but then many gifts for many students haven't shown up yet. He only put Gus van Tassel's gift under the tree in the commons this morning.
Jack had trouble coming up with possible gifts for Gus and nothing in Hogsmeade last weekend sparked his interest. It wasn't until Sunday night that he found some funny slippers in a catalogue. He'd gone right then to owl off for a pair that should fit Gus. The next morning another idea came to him, one that Kody might be able to help him with. He'd gotten a letter off before going to his first class and heard back from Kody by that afternoon.
Tucked into the slippers is a certificate for Gus to have a day with a professional Quidditch team. All he needs to do is contact the league, indicate which team he'd like to have a session with, and arrange for the date. Jack made sure that the envelope is obvious so that even if Gus never actually wears the amusing slippers, he'll find the envelope for the day of pro Quidditch.
Blinking them rubbing his eyes, Jack accelerates, coming up to flank Sadie, who now has the quaffle. Even if this is a Saturday, he vows to get to bed at a decent time tonight because otherwise he'll be bloody useless studying tomorrow.
(Aderyn Carter) Youngest Beater
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 03-05-13 20:14
She'd been up early, nerves tightly wound as she had showered and spent time doing homework to try and distract herself, and ultimately ended up running through a couple of cataloges that she'd marked gifts for her secret santa gift. She wasn't entirely sure who the girl was and figured that she'd get something girly, but not too girly for the second year Ravenclaw girl.
She'd ultimately settled on three small things for the older girl. She'd settled on a pendant that looked like the points counters and it looked pretty. She'd also had enough money to get a very pretty Ravenclaw themed pocket watch that even had beads and charm on it that pertained to Ravenclaw.
That owl had gone out this morning between breakfast and heading down to the pitch for this morning's game.
The match had started out with Ravenclaw in a hole, and ultimately the score had ended up being tied when someone had scored. At least she wasn't facing the same stigma and would be subjected to cruel pranks like Rylee Marks had been when Slytherin had lost.
Currently, she was watching the group of chasers head toward the hoops currently guarded by Glori Hodfuffer. The Quaffle was currently in the hands of Ravenclaw chaser Jack Emerson who was gearing up to pass the quaffle to Ramona who was closer to the hoops.
At the moment she was heading toward the black bludger and lob it in the path of Sadie who was currently trying to intercept the pass from Jack to Ramona. She got to the bludger first and the pass was successful, now all that needed to be done was for Marlow to make the goal.
Jade had managed to get to the other bludger and sent it in the direction of the hoops to distract Glori just as Ramona sent the quaffle toward the right most hoop and ultimately the goal was good because Glori had to dodge the properly aimed bludger or risk it slamming into her fingers.
That put Ravenclaw up by ten, twenty to ten. Quickly the group of beaters and chasers headed toward the other set of hoops guarded by Ravenclaw keeper Beatrix Vanderbilt.