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Quidditch Con
Author: Carys
Date: 08-27-17 12:26
Carys pushed a pram through the entrance of Ellis Moor Quidditch Stadium behind Griffin, Tristan, and Tristan's friend Tyler. The boys were extremely excited about Quidditch Con. Tristan was decked in a T-shirt commemorating last summer's Quidditch World Cup match between Moldova and China, while Tyler had on a Salisbury Snakes team jersey.
Just inside the stadium, the family moved to an out of the way spot to decide what to do first. Did they want to look at the exhibits and vendor booths, or did they want to get good seats for the first presentation of the morning, which had to do with early versions of Quidditch?
Because the boys had a lot of energy, it was quickly decided that they would make a quick round to see what was on offer. Depending on things, they might skip the presentation, but Carys was kind of interested in attending it. As a former Quidditch player for Gryffindor, she wanted to know about these early games and if any of them were still played somewhere in the world.
The boys zeroed in on the Quality Quidditch Supplies booth. Both oohed and aahed at the broomsticks on display. There were a variety of models, including the most expensive, sportiest kind. There were even some vintage brooms for sale or on display.
Carys smiled at the enthusiasm the boys showed. Tristan tried hard to get Griff to buy something right then and there, but Griff eventually convinced Tristan that they would look first and maybe buy something later.
They spent some time at the booth before moving on to the next one, which happened to be a bookseller. The books for sale all had to do with Quidditch or a similar sport like Quodpot. Seeing all the books put to mind the one Owen loaned to Carys last month, despite the fact it had nothing to do with Quidditch.
Carys had read A Complete History of the Communities for Nons from cover to cover. At first, she'd thought only to read the part about Goen Bren, but then she'd gone back to the beginning, unable to stop.
The book was a bad reminder of a terrible time in wizarding history, and it also brought back awful memories. What was worse was the fact that Carys was identified as having been a victim of sexual assault by Goen Bren's warden. The printed revelation had garnerned some unwanted attention. Like Owen, Carys had gotten some inquiries from the press. Also like Owen, she wasn't interested in giving a statement.
"Okay guys, are we going to learn about Stichstock or are we looking at more booths?" Griff asked the boys, and also drew Carys' attention away from her thoughts.
Tristan and Tyler hemmed and hawed a little and then agreed to go see the presentation. The booths weren't going anywhere, after all, at least not for a whole day.
At The Convention
Author: Eoghan
Date: 08-27-17 19:58
As with past Quidditch Cons Eoghan is in attendance with another, or more correctly with others. As with last year he's here with brothers Colm and Lochlan. Sisters Maire and Gormlaith are somewhere around as well with their families. Unlike last year Eoghan will work a shift later as an Auror as part of the Ministry's efforts to provide additional security for events such as this.
The brothers are stepping out of a large booth when Aideen Cleary steps directly in their path. Lochlan nearly knocks her over, reaching out to steady her. "Sorry about that, Aideen. You all right?"
"Yes, quite." She looks from brother to brother. "Where's your wife, Colm? What about Noelle?" she asks of Lochlan.
Colm answers for the both of them. "She's with Noelle."
"Wedding shopping," Eoghan can't resist throwing out. He would swear Aideen's teeth gnash together at this tidbit. She's been bitchier than usual since Lochlan not only made up with Noelle but proposed.
Aideen glares at Eoghan before sweetly asking Lochlan, "Set a date yet?"
"December."
"So soon?"
Lochlan's confused expression furrows his brow. "Months away. Nothing soon about it."
"In the world of weddings it is. I do hope I'm invited."
Lochlan, being such a clueless sort as to know realize how angry Aideen is that he's not only back with Noelle but is going to marry her, looks even more confused. "Well, yeah. The family's known you forever. At least since you and I were both in nappies."
As this exchange is taking place Colm and Eoghan are exchanging looks. While Colm likes Aideen to a point Eoghan doesn't like her at all, mostly because while she pretends to be friendly towards him around others she has long despised him for reasons he's never been able to suss out. On top of that her obsession about him having been adopted continues, again for reasons known only to herself.
Lochlan hooks a thumb in the direction of an one of the smaller staging areas where a discussion panel begins soon. "Love to catch up with you but I need to cover a panel for part of an article I'm doing."
Aideen tightly hugs Lochlan and gives Colm one almost as fierce then gives Eoghan a token one, most likely only because Lochlan and Colm are present to witness her behavior. Bidding them farewell with a promise to be in touch she meanders away. Lochlan asks, "You two coming with or want to meet up again later?"
Colm and Eoghan opt to go with Lochlan, at least for the time being, Eoghan having nothing specific in mind to do before his shift begins. Might as well spend it doing whatever his brothers want to do. He'd rather have been on the first shift and have the entire rest of the day but at least he's only got to do duty for a couple of hours. Plenty of time before then and lots of time afterwards to see what's what at this year's Quidditch Con.
I Want a New Broom
Author: Gerry
Date: 08-28-17 08:15
Gerry craned his neck to get a better look at the Woodstar broomstick, which had just been presented by the manufacturer Flyte and Barker. A designer dressed in pale blue robes with a star emblazoned on the chest talked about the new broomstick's features.
The Woodstar was made of highly polished wood and had golden bristles. It looked very sleek, and Gerry wanted one, but he doubted his parents would buy one for him. He still had a perfectly good broomstick, after all.
He looked over at his brother Gareth, who was starting at Hogwarts in September and did not yet have his own broomstick. Gerry would be supremely jealous of his brother if he got a new Woodstar, but he felt a little relief in knowing that first year students were not allowed to have broomsticks. Gerry knew that Gareth would probably try out for Quidditch, though, and he had heard that an occasional allowance was made for first years who played for their house teams.
Hopefully, Gareth would at least get sorted into Gryffindor. The second-born Martini-Blackwell boy was excited about finally getting to start at Hogwarts. He hadn't yet gone shopping for his uniform or school supplies, but there was time for that still. He could get a lot of things in his hometown of Hogsmeade, but the family was planning a day trip to Diagon Alley to get the bulk of his and Gerry's school supplies for the new school year.
Gareth ran a hand through his curly hair and looked over at the twins, who were sitting side-by-side on his other side. Both were paying close attention to the broomstick presentation, though for entirely different reasons. Grady, like Gerry and Gareth, was sporty and energetic and wanted the broomstick for himself. Graham, on the other hand, was intrigued by the design and manufacturing process.
The four boys were only accompanied by their mother at the presentation, because their dad was working a patrol shift at the convention. When he got off shift, he'd join them. Their mother would then work a shift at the library's booth. The library was at Quidditch Con to promote its services but to also show that there were a number of books to check out on Quidditch and broomsticks, and occasionally, there were programs on the subjects too.
After the presentation ended, Gerry turned pleading eyes to his mother, but before he could ask her to buy him a Woodstar, she suggested they grab a mid-morning snack. Because the boys were always hungry, they were easily distracted by her idea and agreed to seek out a little sustenance.
Five Siblings at Quidditch Con
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 08-28-17 13:35
The five McCourt siblings we are the Quidditch Con. And all because Honoria wanted some rest for baby Penelope, the newest addition to the family. It had been a girl once again, which left Ian McCourt disappointed. He was desperate to have another son.
Being five everyone wanted to see and do different things, and they didn't seem to agree on what to do first. Sophie wanted to check the booths with all the Quidditch teams from England and Ireland. She wanted to meet the most famous players possible and have them sign a scarf she had brought with her, with the Hufflepuff colors. Patricia wanted to check the area where the apparel section was located. She had heard about a kerchief designed by a famous witch, where you could cover your hair with it, when flying, to keep your hair tide when you played Quidditch or simply used a broomstick. Patricia didn't do much of both, but she still wanted to buy the scarf for windy days at Hogwarts. She knew they had a blue model, which would match her Ravenclaw blue and bronze tie. Belinda was more interested in the panel 60 Fouls in 60 Minutes presented by the referee Mae Bloxam. She heard a rumor he was going to reveal some of the most violent fouls seen during his years as referee and she was driven by such macabre scenario.
Then there was Eileen. She had turned eleven this year which meant she would be going to Hogwarts in September. Eileen wanted to visit the shops, in the hopes of convincing her father to buy her a new broomstick she could take to Hogwarts. She was almost sure that was not going to happen, but she hoped there might be some special promotion that would allow her to buy a good broom for a cheaper price. The youngest McCourt sibling and the only boy so far was Elmer. A frail child, he was always trying to find ways to hide his weakness. He wanted to go to the Quidditch recruitment area, so he could be recruited for the Little League. His parents did not want him to play quidditch due to his condition but he was already imagining the recruiter telling his father he had a natural talent for the sport and convincing him to join the Little League.
Eileen and Elmer were very close and he didn't want her to go to Hogwarts. He wanted her to wait a year. It would be terrible when September arrived and he would be all alone in the house with just his baby sisters, Florence and Penelope. He was used to do everything with Eileen and he kept begging her not to go to school. Eileen due to her brother's condition and their proximity in age felt almost like his protector. He knew so and he was trying to manipulate her not to go to Hogwarts just yet. They could go together next year.
"I don't want you to go…" he told her, as they walked among the crowd spotting an advert for Krum's Completely Quidditch. Everyone knew Viktor Krum was a Hogwarts teacher and Quidditch/flying coach. "I'll be feeling miserable all the time, and get sick."
Eileen felt a twinge of remorse for leaving Elmer. But Belinda who heard his words, said:
"Don't be a baby Elmer. You'll get your turn as well."
The boy was silenced and for the rest of the day he didn't make any attempts to convince Eileen not to go to Hogwarts. Belinda might loose her temper and he didn't want that.
Lunch
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 08-29-17 09:12
Lysander sat at a small table with Charlotte and Dylan. They were at Quidditch Con, having arrived only a short while ago. It being around lunchtime, they were eating food purchased from one of the vendors. After they ate, they'd probably walk around a bit and buy some things before heading home. At not yet three years old, Dylan probably wouldn't last the whole day at the convention.
Charlotte was talking nonstop about Hogwarts. At long last, she would be starting at the wizarding school in September. She was especially excited to be there because she'd be there with Grace and Noah.
Lysander had heard that both Grace and Noah might also be visiting Quidditch Con today with their families. Lysander wasn't sure if Julian would be bringing Grace with the twins or if Briar would or both. Perhaps they would all run into each other at Ellis Moor Stadium, or perhaps not.
Charlotte was still talking. "I'm going to scare all the Gryffindors by telling them my mum is in prison." Although there was no love lost for her biological mother, Charlotte talked about the fact that Aralyn was a hardened criminal with pride.
Lysander decided to play devil's advocate. "How do you know you won't be sorted into Gryffindor yourself?"
Charlotte shot him a deadly look, which told him everything he already knew about his daughter. He'd be shocked if she didn't wind up in Slytherin.
He turned to Dylan and used a napkin to wipe some jelly off of his chin. Dylan squirmed under his dad's touch and promptly got more jelly smeared on his chin when he bit into his sandwich quarter.
Lysander still felt surprised that Adriana was gone, but he was so very glad. Now he never had to worry that she might come and take Dylan away from him. She could never touch him now.
Dylan smiled wide at Lysander, showing a mouthful of bread, peanutbutter, and jelly.
"Gross," Charlotte remarked. She then launched into a discussion about school supplies.
Lysander listened, commenting every so often, but his mind was elsewhere for the most part. There had been utter silence from Axel and Astrid after the former's accusation that Lysander just might be August's father… until recently. Last week, a courier delivered a subpoena. Lysander was to submit a DNA sample. Apparently, Axel was filing for divorce from Astrid. Frankly, Lysander was surprised it had taken this long.
"Daaaaaaad. You're not listening to me," Charlotte complained.
"Sorry," Lysander apologized. "Tell me again."
Charlotte rolled her eyes dramatically and started talking in her usual rapid-fire way.
Talking to Mum
Author: Majandra
Date: 08-29-17 19:42
Handing Majandra one of the cups of lemonade she's just purchased Eliza comments, "You don't seem to be enjoying Quidditch Con."
"Thanks,Mum" Maj says accepting the cup. "It's not so much I'm not enjoying today. It's Miranda."
"Still going on about not being able to start Hogwarts?"
"Yes, and she's gotten worse. George and I have had to resort to threat of punishment if she whines about it again, either around us or if we hear she's been complaining to someone else."
Eliza sighs. "If she says anything around me and then I relay her remarks to one of you, I'd feel I was tattling."
"I know, but we're hoping the threat is enough to make her think twice. I'm starting to think we should have changed the date of her birth given in that letter left with her. Who know that date would be the source of so much strife?"
Majandra stops walking to look at some clothing with a Hogwarts Quidditch theme such as Gryffindor Chaser and Slytherin Seeker. Holding up one of the shirts emblazoned with the word Ravenclaw Quidditch and having some Quidditch icons such as a snitch and quaffle she asks, "What do you think? The triplets have birthdays coming up. This for Seth and a Gryffindor each for Gideon and Larkin?"
"That or the sweatshirts with the same for Christmas."
Carefully looking everything over Maj ends up going with heavier winter items for Christmas. Sitting in the stands of the Hogwarts pitch is often a frigid experience. After paying she returns to the subject of her daughter. "Miranda seems to think I have special pull because I'm a Hogwarts professor. That has made her all the more angrier."
Eliza can't help but smile. "If only she knew that once there she will be longing for days off from school and studying."
"Exactly," Maj says, unable to stop a small smile from playing on her lips as well. "Look, there are George and Georgie. Let's go see what they've bought."
Active Agent
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 08-30-17 07:34
As soon as Alaia left for the bakery, Lee disapparated to his secret flat. It had been a good while since he'd last been there. He had not been out in the field or done any sort of undercover work whatsoever since January. Although Lee had itched to do more than just clerk for the International Confederation of Wizards, he'd also basked in not having to lie to Alaia on a daily basis. That was all about to change, though. Lee's handler had activated him yesterday after a long, idle period.
Lee's first order of business was to review the case file left for him in the flat. Newell and Travers had done a lot of work over the past half year, and Lee needed to be apprised of everything before he jumped in feet first.
A thick layer of dust covered every surface in the flat. The only sign of any disturbance was the packet left for him, which had been rolled tightly and stuffed into a metal thermos left haphazardly on the kitchen counter amid pots and pans and other implements.
Lee unscrewed the thermos lid and pulled out the roll, and then he moved over to the kitchen table. He used his wand to dust off the table and then sat, opening the packet to read what his colleagues had done in his absence.
Zukovsky was still on the move, but nothing had come out about how or when he or those with whom he worked planned on using the vehicles and potions. That they were weapons was known, but their specific use was not.
What had been discovered was a new potion-making facility in Nigeria. Travers had been surveilling it for the past few weeks and believed he had enough information now to raid it. Lee was slated to participate.
After reading the entire packet and committing the contents to memory, Lee took the documents to the fireplace and tossed them into the cold ashes. He pointed his wand at the packet and incinerated it. Once the flames were out and no trace of the documents remained, Lee disapparated for home.
Visiting Booths
Author: Blossom
Date: 08-30-17 19:03
Gideon tells his grandfather Arthur, "I need a new broom for Quidditch."
"Me too," Seth chimes in.
"Don't you both have brooms?" he asks.
"Well, yes, but they aren't good enough for being on our houses' teams."
They high five behind his back when Grandpa Arthur peers more closely at the sporty model the two most covet.
Gran Molly makes a harrumphing sound. Whirling to face her, both having thought she was in the booth across the aisle from this one, Seth and Gideon smile angelically. "Anything good in that one?" Seth asks with a nod at the opposite booth.
"Chudley Cannon merchandise. Are you both assured spots on your house teams?" she inquires.
"I was wondering that myself," Grandpa Arthur says, turning from admiring the display broom.
Gideon lifts both hands, palm up, in a shrug. "Noooo, but we have as good a chance as anyone else."
Molly suppresses a grin, instead schooling her features to come across as stern. "You know that every person who will be trying out is as good or worse than either of you?"
Seth glances to Gideon before also shrugging. "Noooo," he replies, sounding almost identical to his brother. "We only mean that neither of us is all that bad."
Arthur claps a hand on each boy's shoulder. "Tell you what, either of you make your house teams and Gran and I will buy you a new broom, with your parents' permission of course."
Foiled for the moment, Gideon and Seth can do nothing more than say in tandem, "Thank you!"
Two aisles over Larkin is wondering aloud, "How come there's only one all girl team? And how come its colors aren't pink?"
"Green and gold."
Larkin gives Miranda a look. "I know the Harpies's colors are green and gold. Why not pink? And why a harpie? Harpies aren't very girly."
Hearing her daughter Blossom says with a chuckle, "I think not being overly girly is part of the point. A harpy is fierce and ferocious."
"They could be fierce and ferocious with pink as one of their colors," Larkin insists.
Blossom holds up a pink shirt emblazoned with a gold and dark green Harpies logo. "You'll just have to settle for something like this?"
Larkin makes a face, "If I must."
"Only if you want it and will wear it," her mother says laughing.
"I want it!" Larkin insists.
"Miranda?"
"Is there a pink one for the Magpies?"
"Hmmmm, I think I saw one." Turning back to the stack of shirts Blossom riffles through them. "Yes, here's one and your size."
"Then, yes, thank you, Aunt Blossom."
As they exit the booth, each girl carrying a pink shopping bag, Larkin thinks it's nice that so far today Miranda has not complained once about not being able to start Hogwarts this coming term.
Also at Quidditch Con, at a booth with brooms for the younger set, Freddie stands with arms crossed, expression belligerent. "It's not FAIR!"
Fred looks sternly at his son. "You think it's fair Fabian has to do little league on a too small broom?"
"It's not fair he gets a new one but I don't."
Fabian rolls his eyes. "But yours is still sort of new."
"So is yours."
Fred calmly states, "When you have your next growth spurt you'll probably need a new new one as well."
To Freddie's chagrin and consternation, despite being identicals, Fabian now stands seven inches taller than he does. It's as if he grew overnight. The brooms they have for little league were perfect when they got them not long ago but now Fabian's legs are long enough that if he puts his feet on the stirrups his knees are at his chin and the seat on the broom is now too narrow for his bum. As Fabian's broom isn't all that old, they brought it today to see about a trade-in.
When they leave the booth a few minutes later, a broom more suited to Fabian in hand, Freddie wants nothing more than to have a bloody loud temper tantrum but not only would his dad not tolerate it, Freddie knows that in addition to some sort of punishment such as a grounding, his dad would make him leave Quidditch Con, which in turn would mean not getting any stuff and what stuff he already has, including an shirt autographed by several Falmouth Falcons who sat on a panel earlier, he'd have to give up indefinitely, possibly even for good!
Though clearly out of sorts, Freddie says nothing more, at least for now, about Fabian getting a new broom but not one for him as well.
Work and Play
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-31-17 08:15
Isolde and Pyrrhus were both at Quidditch Con. They had dropped Gio off at the Farnons in the morning and then arrived at Ellis Moor Quidditch Stadium, where both had been slated to work shifts at their respective booths. In between working, they also attended panels or visited other vendors, and they caught up with family and friends also in attendance.
Isolde had spent quite a bit of time with the British and Irish Quidditch Little League. In the many years since it started, the League had seen changes. It was currently made of three age divisions: Tertiary with four teams, Secondary with six teams, and Primary with ten teams. Isolde's Plymouth Polliwogs were in the Primary age group, which was for ages 9-11.
This year, the Blackpool Bats had taken the cup. The Plymouth Polliwogs had come out third from the top, behind the Cambridge Chizpurfles. Isolde's former team, the London Lambs, had won the Secondary Divison's cup, while the absolutely adorable 4 and 5 year olds from the Newport Nifflers had won their cup.
Isolde was half-tempted to seek a position as coach with one of the younger group teams, especially since she had a baby who would no doubt play in the Little League when he was old enough. Who knew, by the time Gio joined, she might have one or two more kids. One day she might have enough to form her own team! Isolde had never thought she'd want a lot of kids, but Gio was a good baby.
While Isolde worked the Little League booth, Py was with some of his Hogsmeade Humbatas teammates. Both Isolde and Py would be done with their shifts in time to see the Quodpot Exhibition Match, the concert by the music group Snitch, and the fireworks display.