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Visitors on a Rainy Day
Author: Illyria
Date: 07-02-14 18:17
Illyria stood in the doorway to the Observation Deck and watched the rain come down, large drops splashing onto the stones. She had been in her office, marking parchments rather than watching the match going on at the Quidditch Pitch, and had begun feeling a bit stir crazy. She also wanted some fresh air, but she didn't want to get wet.
Illyria loved the smell of rain, and the air was thick with it now. She contented herself by simply standing in the doorway, just under the shelter of the ceiling over the spiral staircase. Every once in a while, she could hear cheers or boos coming from the Pitch. Sometimes she could even make out what the announcer was saying. From what she could tell, Slytherin seemed to be playing well today.
She stayed there for a few more minutes and then returned to her office, which somehow seemed dull and dreary compared to the rainy outdoors. Before seating herself at her desk once more, Illyria opened a window. When it seemed clear that nothing on the inside would get wet, she resumed marking parchments, only to be interrupted by her sister Urania and nephew Andrew.
At 20 months, Andrew was walking and could say a few words like mama and dada. Urania set him down on the ground, and he immediately tottered away to investigate the room.
Illyria got up from the chair she had only just sat down in and asked, "What are you doing here, Urania?"
"We were in the village, so I thought we could stop by and say hello. Did I come at a bad time?"
"No, it's all right." It had just been a while since Urania had visited.
"Good," Urania said, sounding relieved. "I keep saying I want things to go back to the way they were between us," she finally said. "We used to be very close, you know."
"I know," Illyria replied.
"So my plan is to drop by often, if that's all right with you…"
"Of course it is."
Urania smiled and said, "Good." She turned to Andrew then and said, "Andrew, can you show Aunty Illyria how you can dance?"
Andrew stopped tottering around, grinned big and started wiggling his hips from side to side and stamping his little feet.
Illyria laughed. "That's some fine dancing, Andrew. Well done!"
Urania said, "He does it every time he hears music."
"Or on command, apparently!" Illyria quipped.
"Yes, then too."
Andrew kept dancing a little while longer and then pointed at the window behind Illyria and babbled something only his mother seemed to understand.
"Yes, rain, Andrew," Urania said.
Illyria turned to look, but she not only saw rain, but an owl heading her way. It was Nathan's. Urania soon saw it and recognized it, since it had once been hers too.
"Well, I suppose we'll be going now. See you later?" Urania asked.
Illyria turned away from the approaching owl to gauge her sister's reaction, but Urania seemed perfectly at peace. She swooped Andrew up into her arms and waited for her sister's reply.
"Yes, see you later," Illyria finally said.
Urania cast her a quick smile and then left the office. Illyria stared at the empty doorway for a moment and then turned back to the owl. It flew into the room, scattering rain drops everywhere, and deposited a rather soggy looking envelope onto her desk.
Illyria rummaged through her desk drawer for some jerky, which she gave to the owl. It perched itself on the corner of her desk, ate the jerky, and periodically rustled its feathers, showering even more water in all directions.
Illyria opened the wet envelope and read the barely legible letter from Nathan, in which he wanted to know if she would be free for dinner that evening. Illyria decided that she would cast an impervious charm on her letter after she finished writing it, so that he wouldn't have a hard time reading runny ink!
Opportunity Knocks
Author: Ella
Date: 07-03-14 08:04
When the rain temporarily broke, Ella put Toto on a leash and snuggled Ramsey into a sling. Both dog and baby seemed restless and eager to get out of the house. They set out at a brisk walk, with Ella dressed in a yellow raincoat and blue polka-dotted wellington boots.
They got as far as the end of the street when Francis turned the corner. Toto started wagging his little tail rapidly and pawed at Francis' lower legs with moist paws. Ramsey let out a delighted squeal and reached out a little hand.
Francis grinned and put his index finger in Ramsey's hand. "Didn't think you'd make it out today," he remarked to Ella.
"We decided to take a chance," Ella replied. "I thought you would be gone longer. Did the interview go okay?"
Francis beamed even wider. "You could say so. They offered me an opportunity I hardly can refuse––but I will if you would rather I didn't take it."
"I'm not going to deny you the chance to find yourself a great career."
Francis slipped his arm around Ella and took the leash from her hand. They started walking down the street again.
"The thing is," Francis began, "the position would take me to Beijing."
"As in China?" Ella asked.
"Yeah. I don't know how you feel about moving there."
Ella had never considered the possibility of moving out of the country and to a place she had never been and where she didn't know the language, but she was up for the adventure.
"Tell me more about it," she said.
Francis told her that he would start after term ended at St. Emrys. The position was full-time in his field of interest and while he worked, he would take his final year of classes via distance learning. Francis talked excitedly about the opportunity, so much so that Ella could hardly tell him no.
"So," he finally said, "what do you think?"
"I think you should accept," Ella said. "You're right, after all. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. Besides," she went on with a small smile, "living in China would be interesting."
Francis gave her shoulders a squeeze and said, "So, you're in?"
"For the long haul."
Francis gave her a kiss. They continued their walk around the block and made it home before the rain started up all over again.
Changes for Berthold
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 07-03-14 10:14
Berthold studies the new hands he has been given by a wizard recently brought into the fold. The wizard, a rather shifty, small fellow with sunken eyes and stringy hair, never earned his healer's license but practices healing underground. He primarily performs seedy treatments, such as the one Berthold received today.
There was a great deal of discussion about attaching new human hands to the stumps Fairchild left behind, but out of the choices given to him, Berthold did not think any suited him. In the end, he went with something unusual, but certainly better than the hook and clamp Johann temporarily arranged for him to have.
Now instead of those two metallic devices, Berthold's hands are a sickly green, with abnormally long, slender fingers. It will take some getting used to, using hands somewhat different from those that had been taken away from him. But at least they are fundamentally the same. Each has four fingers and one thumb.
"Are you certain the engorgement charm will not fail?" Berthold finally asks the shady non-healer.
"Absolutely," the wizard replies in a raspy voice. "Your hands are permanent in every shape and form."
"Good," Berthold says, closing a fist around the wand he has been using ever since losing his own.
"The Grindylow use their long fingers to strangle their victims," Johann muses from the doorway to the tent.
"I should like to test their hands––now mine––on Fairchild's neck!" Berthold exclaims.
"Soon enough," Johann says. "We are closing in on her location."
At that, a smile creeps across Berthold's face.
Snitch Not Snatched
Author: Rylee
Date: 07-03-14 12:49
All morning the sky has been threatening rain, and already there had been a light, steady rain that had dissipated earlier in the match, and there had been several moments of clarity for the match even though the clouds above continued to loom threateningly. Taunting the players with the promise of further drenching as the match progressed – thankful, however that there was no sound accompanying today's rain showers. Thunder and lightning were thankfully absent, which meant that the match would be able to be played hopefully in its entirety.
The threat of the clouds above had come to pass shortly after Slytherin had scored the first points of the match – big, fat drops began to descend at a rapid rate over those within the stands who quickly raised umbrellas and cast charms to ensure that they remain as dry and warm as possible within the stands while the players within the match would be in desperate need of something warm and dry once the match had come to completion.
The rain would be useful for Marlow's earlier attempt to score, and the rain made it easier for the quaffle to slide out of Gus' fingers and through the hoop. So long as Hufflepuff didn't score, and her hand was the one that closed around the snitch, then it was a victory for Slytherin and meant that everyone could get out of the rain a bit quicker. Eventually, the score was once more in Slytherin's favor, and unfortunately Malden was now out of the game due to it would seem a broken collar bone – not an injury that she herself would enjoy suffering.
At the moment, she was hovering above most of the action, searching through the light drizzling of rain, all that had begun after the earlier downpour that had suitably drenched every player and referee on the pitch. That glimmering, elusive ball was around here somewhere, and she was determined to find it before Aleydis Vanderbilt of Hufflepuff managed to grab it. A victory for Slytherin would make playing in the rain all the better, and the victory all the sweeter since it was clear that she had improved quite a bit in the last year.
With Slytherin down to two chasers, it was going to be trickier to ensure that the lead remained in Slytherin's favor. At the moment Jasper, however, had the ball and was rocketing away from the hoops guarded by Glori. Olive and Mason were vying to get closer to Jasper, though Marlow and Sadie were currently keeping very, very good distance between themselves and Jasper to ensure that the two remaining Slytherin chasers couldn't get a handle on the ball.
Mark, however had a bludger in his sights and with quick action, launched the screaming ball toward Jasper who had just attempted to pass the ball to Sadie. The timing was almost too perfect, and connected with the big, red ball sending it briefly into a free-fall. Rapid movements and quick timing by Asher on the other bludger just out of range for Caerwyn to get to in time, sent the ball to connect with the falling quaffle, and directly put it in the path of Olive Green who was soon racing off toward the Hufflepuff hoops once more.
Rylee attempted to follow what happened next, however, her line of sight was soon filled with rapidly fluttering wings, and the glimmering, rain slicked snitch! By Merlin it was RIGHT there…she could simply reach out and close her fingers around it bring this match to an end…however, the snitch was very rarely so easily caught and just as a gloved hand reached for it, it darted away. Quick movements had her clutching the slick handle of her broom, nearly falling off as she righted herself quickly and was in pursuit of the snitch – hopefully not attracting the attention of Aleydis and getting to the golden ball before the elder Hufflepuff girl. Unfortunately, her hopes that she would get to the snitch before Aleydis realized what was going on were dashed as the Hufflepuff Seeker soon reached Rylee's side, and her eyes locked up on the fluttering ball as it zipped in and out of rain drops.
Staying Dry
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 07-03-14 13:03
Fingers slid through her hair as she stared down at the book she was currently reading. She was studying for her OWLs, which would begin soon enough, and she was already stressing to the point that she spent at least an hour to an hour and a half most nights out running just on the edge of the grounds and dipping into the allowed territory in the Forbidden Forest to ease the tension within her. She'd opted to spend the afternoon in the library rather than outside supporting the Slytherin Quidditch team – mainly because she could not afford to be sick, could not afford to take any time off of classes this year for any reason what-so-ever. Anything, that meant that she would miss something that would potentially show up on a written or in a practical examination for any of her courses, was simply not allowed.
Right now, however, she was having trouble focusing and she cast her gaze to the windows, frowning. The rain had started, and apparently it was here to stay, which quite simply meant that she would not be going out running any time soon. She would simply have to find something else to do, to ease the tension and ultimately return her focus to the task at hand. She was looking forward to the upcoming Hogsmeade trip, because it meant that she could spend some time at home and hopefully return to the Castle refreshed and ready to take on her OWLs in the coming weeks.
"You alright?"
Arthur's voice cut through her train of thought and she turned her head to look at him, from where he leaned upon the edge of the study corral, he'd opted as well to remain indoors at the potential threat of rain from this morning, and ultimately the beginning of what would no doubt be a very, very wet remainder to the day.
"Having trouble focusing, and now that I think about it. I'm absolutely, positively starving."
Arthur grinned and within moments, had helped his girlfriend gather her things and they walked hand in hand toward the dungeons, so that Adina could put her things away and then ventured toward the Great Hall for lunch and rather than Adina returning to studying in the library they opted to settle in the common commons and listen to some music on the WWN and maybe play a game or three of Wizarding chess and spend the evening simply de-stressing.
The Match
Author: Diana Clarisse Thatcher
Date: 07-03-14 14:33
Oh yeah. It's a good weather outside for the quidditch match. Galadriel was there already on the stands when I came. He really likes quidditch. Not me, not that match. Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin. Full of students and Professors are there. There are flags of green and yellow was up in the air and shoutings from the stands. I reached Galadriel in the stands.
"Hey, how's the match?" I asked.
"It's so much fun!" he said waving a yellow flag rooting for hufflepuff.
"Who do you think will win?" I said.
"I'm rooting for Hufflepuff!" he said very proud.
" How about you?"
"Hufflepuff as well." I said.
"I don't like Slytherin. I don't like them winning."
"Me too." Diana said but she knew that very well that her father was a Slytherin and she's supposed to be in the same house. And so she just watched the game with Galadriel.
(Sadie & Aleydis) Rainy Day
Author: Griet
Date: 07-03-14 14:38
Aleydis charged after the snitch, nearly shoulder to shoulder with Rylee. Just when it seemed like the golden orb was losing steam and one of them might catch it, two bludgers, one via a Hufflepuff beater and one courtesy of Slytherin, came right at the two seekers. Aleydis veered to miss the one intended for her, while Rylee took hers to the shoulder. The snitch once again vanished from sight.
Sadie had hoped her cousin would catch the snitch during this last chase, but it apparently wasn't meant to be. She was glad Slytherin was down to only two chasers, though she hoped Malden would be all right. She'd seen his face when the referees flew over to inspect his injury and had noticed his discomfort. Her double bludger hit from earlier had also hurt, but in her case, the balls had hit the fleshier parts of her body. She didn't have any broken bones. Just some bruises.
She pulled ahead with the quaffle in hand, swiping away a wet strand of hair that had fallen into her eyes. She should have worn goggles, or maybe even a headband to prevent her hair from escaping her ponytail, but she'd not thought of it until too late. She quickly assessed her best passing option and threw longhand to Marlow, who nearly fumbled the ball but managed to gain control before she could lose possession of it.
Marlow didn't hold onto the quaffle for very long, passing to Jasper when Mason got a little too close for comfort. Jasper tossed the ball back to Sadie when she pulled up beside him. She veered off to the left and then cut in front of the goal hoops, letting the quaffle fly in the process. Gus lunged for the ball and knocked it back with his fingers.
Olive caught the rebound and immediately turned around to dart away from the Slytherin goal hoops. Sadie fell into position beside her and reached out her arm to harass Olive a little bit. Olive tried to move away, but Marlow was there, boxing her in. Sadie swiped her arm again but then drew it back quickly when a bludger came whizzing by.
The same bludger nearly hit Aleydis, who had resumed conducting a systematic search for the snitch. The constant fall of raindrops made the search challenging. Every time Aleydis turned her head, she thought she saw something move, but then it would turn out to only be the rain.
She turned her head ever so slightly to where she knew Basil was sitting. He had come to see his old house take on his girlfriend's. Even in this miserable weather, he was there to watch Aleydis play.
She smiled in his direction and then grinned when the golden snitch zipped in her line of sight. Aleydis shot forward with her arm outstretched, hoping to catch the ball before Rylee even noticed. Unfortunately, the snitch darted away, forcing Aleydis on a zigzagging trail. She dodged a bludger and kept on after the snitch, spying Rylee approaching out of the corner of her eye.
Another bludger crossed Aleydis' path, but she managed to avoid it too. It slowed her down enough for Rylee to make progress in catching up, but Aleydis was still a tiny bit faster. She pushed herself a bit more, and seconds before the sky opened up with the start of a downpour, she swept the golden snitch up in her hand.
Hufflepuff - 160
Slytherin - 30
Related?
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 07-03-14 20:06
Though he'd had a run before breakfast, before even a light drizzle, Dante felt a little restless after the Slytherin-Hufflepuff match ended. After a change of clothes, he does a short run on the grounds then takes the path through the main gates to the village. Reaching The Three Broomsticks, he stops before entering, he draws his wand to dry off from another spate of light rain.
Inside, he bypasses a few empty tables to sit in a booth along part of a window. Dante doesn't know why he prefers such a spot when he's not looking anyone nor are there many out and about for people watching.
Not usually much of a drinker beyond butterbeer, with the combined chill of spring in this part of the world and the damp Dante orders a hot buttered rum along with a platter with an assortment of hard and soft cheese, apple slices, fig jam, and different breads. It's a lot for just one but he can always take what's left back to his castle flat for another time.
A man slightly older than himself that Dante recognizes from around Hogsmeade and from Botanicals & Beyond brings the order. Dante gives a small smile. "I didn't know you worked here too."
"I don't really. Hannah does," the other wizard says with a gesture in the direction of a woman he knows is Hannah Abbott. The other man further clarifies, "She's my wife," before asking, "May I sit for a moment?"
"Yes, sure. Neville, isn't it?"
"And you're Dante."
A hand comes out to shake before Neville sits fully. Dante takes a sip of the hot buttered rum and gestures for Neville to have help himself to the cheese platter if he wishes.
Reaching for an apple slice Neville gets right to his reason for coming over. "I think we're related somehow."
"Knowing the way wizarding families in Great Britain tend to intermarry, it's very possible."
"According to something in the Prophet, your mother was a Longbottom."
"That's right."
"I'm a Longbottom too but I'm not sure where on the family tree we fall."
"I know so little about either of my parents' families. Whenever one of my siblings or I would ask, we'd either be told some minute tidbit or nothing at all."
Neville nods in understanding. "My parents have never been able to talk to me about family and my grandmother, who raised me, gives me a stony glare and walks away whenever I've brought up the name Lorraine Longbottom Vickers. I tried asking a few of the other relatives but got pretty much the same reaction."
"There have to be records somewhere. I'll see if I can find out my maternal grandfather's name."
"I know there's a family tree somewhere. I remember seeing it when I was still a Hogwarts student. I'm at my grandmother's regular so I'll look for her. Her name, by the way, is Augusta and my father is Frank."
Something clicks with Dante. "Your parents were Aurors seriously injured by a dark arts practicing witch."
"Yes, Bellatrix Lestrange, a Death Eater."
"I'm sorry."
Neville gives a tight smile of acknowledgement before returning the discussion back to naming some of his relatives, drawing out a tree as he goes. "I know you said you don't know much but maybe hearing names will spark a memory."
Having someone who might be related who doesn't seem angry with him over who his parents are nor seeming to want anything from him other than to establish where they both fall in relation to each other on the Longbottom tree, Dante pays close attention while dredging up with few bits of information on his mother side that he was told.