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Unfair
Author: Gerry
Date: 07-17-19 18:39
Gerry slowly unloaded a basket of books from the back area of the library. There was a slot on the building for returns that was mostly used by Hogsmeade residents. Owls entered the room from the eaves to drop off postal returns. One flew in now, carrying a thick book that should have been too heavy for it. It dumped the book in the basket just seconds before Gerry scrambled out of the way.
"I really should get hazard pay for this!" he called out, bending to pick up the heavy book.
"Need I remind you that you're not getting paid at all?" called his mother from her office.
Gerry grumbled under his breath. "This is completely unfair."
His mother's voice was closer now, as she had left her office and stood watching him with her arms folded across her chest. "You only have yourself to blame, Gerry. If you'd studied instead of pulling serious pranks that could have gotten you expelled, then you probably wouldn't be doing grunt work around the library. Or you might be getting paid for it. You'd also be at Quidditch Con with your father and brothers."
"Thanks for reminding me."
He turned away from her to put the book on a cart and to continue emptying the basket of returned books. His mother eventually retreated to her office, leaving him to grouse in peace.
His O.W.L. results had arrived last week. Gerry had passed everything except for Potions and History of Magic. He'd earned an Acceptable in just about everything else. Gerry wasn't sure why his parents were so upset. An A was a passing mark, and Gerry could drop Potions and History of Magic if he wanted, never mind the fact that Snape wouldn't accept him into his class next year.
After receiving the results, his parents decided that he would spend the summer working FOR FREE in the library. Gerry also wouldn't be able to attend Quidditch Con or Emrys Fest. It was so unfair.
Gareth, meanwhile, was at Emrys Fest with his dad and twin brothers. They had arrived early and planned on staying until the end. At least, that was the idea. Gareth kind of doubted the nine year olds would last the whole day, especially Graham, who was more of a book worm.
They'd skipped the panel about Queerditch Marsh but had gone to see the players from Puddlemere United speak. Now it was time for the presentation of the 20th Anniversary Edition Firebolt.
At Quidditch Con
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 07-18-19 18:44
The Granger-Weasley family had only just arrived at Quidditch Con. With the children still being on the young side, it wasn't feasible to make a whole day of it. Besides, Ron had agreed to a patrol shift starting in the mid-afternoon.
Ron, Hermione, and a great deal many others in law enforcement, government, and the Order of the Phoenix were on edge after the latest dark development in the wizarding world. The belief that the Death Eaters were actively recruiting younger wizards––teenagers, basically––to the cause turned out to be true after a recruit––Asher Kent––defected and came straight to the Ministry of Magic.
Unfortunately, Kent was spelled from saying much. The majority of information received came from his sister, Arielle, who'd been a target in what investigators determined to be a test. Asher was being held in a Ministry of Magic holding cell, for his safety in addition to his association with dark wizards.
Kingsley had not yet publicized the latest development, but Hermione knew he was planning a press conference for a later date. In the meantime, investigators were interviewing classmates and relatives of Kent and Malden McGonagall, whose face would likely appear on a wanted poster once Kingsley went public with the news.
Hermione felt quite badly for Professor McGonagall, who was Malden's great aunt and who also blamed herself for allowing things to get so far. She felt she should have kept a closer eye on him and his friends after learning about her brother's involvement with the scheme to recruit underage wizards. Now she was focused on determining which other students besides Malden and Asher were recruited, if any.
Arielle reported that she had only seen Voldemort and the Death Eaters standing on either side of him. She had heard Malden's voice, and she only knew of Asher's presence when he came to her rescue. It was completely unknown if there had been other recent Hogwarts graduates or current students present. The only person who would know couldn't say.
"Mum, I want a pretzel."
Rose tugged on the hem of Hermione's shirt.
"I want one too," Hugo echoed.
"We ate lunch before we arrived," Hermione said. "How can you both be hungry again?"
"We just are," Rose said. "Can we have pretzels, please?"
Ron made a pleading face at Hermione, too.
She rolled her eyes. "All right. Let's go to the concessions. Maybe then you can tell me if you want to browse the vendors or see the next panel, which I think is the History of the Scottish National Qudiditch Team. That should be interesting."
Ron and Hugo made a face, but Hermione didn't see.
With Willow
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 07-19-19 10:19
Rowan and Willow filed down a row of seats to attend the presentation on the 2014 Quidditch World Cup. Rowan had spent the morning on patrol at Quidditch Con. It was one of the nicer assignments she'd had since becoming a rookie auror. She'd kept her eyes and ears open for trouble while also getting to catch glimpses of panels and vendor offerings. When her shift ended, she met up with Willow. They had lunch and then set off to enjoy the con together.
"This is nice," Willow remarked. "We hardly get to spend any real time together anymore."
"If only Ash were with us," Rowan said.
Willow looked around and said in a hushed tone, "Only a month left and I can tell Justin."
"Do you think he will receive it well?" Rowan asked. Lie or omission, it could harm the relationship, whether he understood the reasoning or not.
"I hope so."
The girls were at Quidditch Con without their beaus. Justin was busy with his siblings, while Connor was interviewing people associated with the latest break in the Death Eater case. Rowan hadn't told Willow anything about it, since it was still very much an active investigation and she could get in trouble. Being new in the Auror Office, Rowan really didn't want to mess up.
"It's starting," Willow said, indicating with her head to the stage, where Giovanni Gigante, president of the International Confederation of Wizards Quidditch Committee had just risen to share details about next year's Quidditch World Cup.
Working
Author: Carys
Date: 07-20-19 13:58
After seeing an advertisement in The Daily Prophet seeking professional photographers for Quidditch Con, Carys had submitted a letter of interest along with her résumé. Upon interviewing, she was offered the job on the spot. Now she found herself taking professional photographs of various Quidditch players with their fans. Working meant that she didn't get to watch all of the presentations, but that was all right. Carys enjoyed taking photographs of people. It was mostly what she did in her studio, anyway.
Earlier in the month, she had photographed the lovely wedding of Jasper Pole and Sophie McCourt. Only a year earlier, she had been the photographer at the engagement party. Carys was flattered that the Pole-McCourt family liked her work enough to employ her again. Who knew? Maybe next time she would photograph a baby shower or pregnancy portraits for the family.
At present, she was photographing fans of Rhys Barton, a player for the Tutshill Tornados. A gaggle of curly-haired, ginger children stood on either side of the Quidditch player and smiled, showing off dimples and freckles. Carys took a couple of shots, and then Rhys thanked the kids for coming and sent them on their way so the next fan could get a photo.
Carys hadn't yet set up to take the photograph, when she felt something––namely someone––collide into the back of her legs.
"Mummy, Mummy!"
Carys looked down and saw Meg clutching onto her legs. She had a big smile on her face and wore a headband that had two bludgers on springs sticking out of it. The bludgers occasionally moved around and bonked into each other, but they were soft and didn't hurt Meg's head when they collided with it.
"Greg! Come on. Mum's working," Tristan said. He grabbed his little sister by the arm and then hoisted her up. She struggled in his arms, wanting to go back to her mummy, but Tristan carried her as far away as he could. He ended up thrusting her into his father's arms.
"Muuuuuuuummy!" Meg whined, stretching out her little arms in her mother's direction.
Griff turned her away and said, "How about we go look at that pink shirt you wanted again? We can get Tristan one to match."
"Pink?" Tristan incredulously exclaimed, but then he saw his sister's pouting lower lip and tear-streaked face and said, "All right. Let's go see."
They went to the clothing vendor where they had earlier noticed a pink shirt in Meg's size. It had three Quidditch hoops on it in glittery purple with the phrase, "I'm a Keeper!" on it. There was another one in Tristan's size, but Meg decided that her brother needed a different shirt, which fortunately for him was more in a boy's style than a little girl's.
(Titus) Pain against Pain
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 07-21-19 06:04
Titus received the summon for his trial when he was working at Florean's. An old witch had asked for a peach flavor ice-cream, 10 minutes before closing time. Titus served her the ice-cream, and tried to smile at her, knowing that being nice to old lonely witches often meant good tips. But his lips were not able to move. After Malden's trial he had been living the past days in fear, rage and concern.
He had not expected to be in the presence of the Dark Lord so soon. Titus did not even dare to stare at him. All the attentions had been turned to Malden during that evening. Titus had been curious about what Malden would do, and his first thoughts when the act of treason was mentioned, were that it would be something related with Minerva McGonagall. Instead Malden's victim revealed to be Arielle. Titus had stood his ground the best he could, trying not to intervene. He was about to make a move, but Asher beat him to it. Thank Merlin he did.
Later, after the trial and back at his rented apartment on Diagon Alley, Titus had spent the entire evening in blank unable to sleep. He kept seeing the terrified look on Arielle's face, and Asher running to her rescue. And then there was Malden. Whenever Titus thought about him waves of rage took over his body. He had tried to kill his girlfriend. He was unsure if he was mad because he actually loved Arielle, or if he felt like this had been a personal attack. He did not even wanted to consider that this only had to do with Asher and Malden.
Knowing it would look suspicious if he stopped contacting his girlfriend, Titus had sent a letter to Arielle. He did not get a reply. He decided to go and visit her and when he knocked at the Kents door, he was received by Professor Kent. He told Titus that his daughter had contracted dragon pox and since it was contagious Titus would not be allowed to see her. Of course he knew this was a lie, but he was actually disappointed he was not able to see her. He wanted to check on her and to try to comfort her. He also wanted to know if Asher was at home. He knew Titus had been there too, alongside Malden and the others. He was not able to say word, but the fact Asher possessed that knowledge bothered him. Titus gave Professor Kent a large package with Florean's ice-creams meant for Arielle and he left. He was sure Professor Kent had some suspicions around his person. He was a Nott so there would be a chance he would be related to what happened to his daughter and son. However, he knew he had to act as if nothing happened and a concerned boyfriend would have done what he just did. He didn't have Maurice or any other Death Eater knocking on his door after the visit to the Kents, so he was sure his actions had not been disapproved.
The old lady finished her ice-cream and left, not leaving any tips. After she was gone, and when he was about to close the shop, an owl appeared with a message. It contained an address, a date and an hour and it simply stated: Your test is to overcome the weakness of the mind.
*
The place smelled to death. The muggle XIX century slaughterhouse had been closed for more than a decade now, but its smell lingered. The blood from the dead cattle had entrenched its walls and floors. Titus entered a large division that used to be a refrigerator chamber. Dozen of chains, ending in curled rusty hooks hanged from the ceiling. He noticed that they swung, as if they were claiming more dead animal carcasses to carry.
Titus joined the other acolytes, including Bruno. Malden was there as well but he was side by side with Maurice. There was a spark of superiority in his eyes because he had already passed his first trial and gained some respect among the Death Eaters also present in the slaughterhouse today. Titus was feeling quite anxious as they waited Voldemort's arrival. He was pale and his hand held his wand tight in his pocket. He knew he could either be successful or die trying to prove he was worth a place at the Dark Lord's side. Maybe he could also have the chance to escape, like Asher did, but he wasn't very hopeful that would be the case.
Voldemort finally arrived and all the conversations died. The tension in the air was quite palpable.
"Good evening my faithful Death Eaters. And good evening to you as well, acolytes. Today we have a new wizard to test. Titus Nott, please step forward."
Titus did so, entering the circle formed by the Death Eaters. He stood in front of Voldemort, but he did not look directly at him. Instead he just lowered his head, in a sign of respect.
"I am pleased to see another Nott eager to join our ranks. You come from a family of good and loyal followers. Show me your right arm, Titus Nott."
Titus did so, rolling up his sleeve. He was getting the Dark Mark immediately thanks to his family name! There would be no test at all. He risked a glance at Malden. His incredulous face was priceless. Voldemort touched his arm with his long white hand. Titus was expecting to feel something, perhaps a tingle or a little burning sensation but nothing happened. He must have expressed confusion on his face because Voldemort carried on:
"In the past I might have bestow you the Dark Mark right away. But we need to see if you really deserve it. Sadly nowadays one's family name is not always a synonym of dedication and loyalty. There has been traitors among our ranks in the past. Give me your other arm."
Titus offered his other arm to Voldemort, in fear. A second later, two chains wrapped themselves among his writs, and his body was lifted. He found himself hanged to the ceiling, by his wrists, next to some empty hooks. His feet barely touched to floor and in the process his shirt had been removed. His wand had dropped from his pocket and fell on the floor when was lifted and had rolled towards Maurice's feet and he picked it up.
"My wand..." Titus begged to the Dark Lord. If he was going to be tested, for sure he had the right to use his wand.
"You will not be needing it," Voldemort assured him. "Make yourself comfortable Titus Nott, while our guest arrives. I found it wondering alone in this place and in the need of some company. We will leave you two alone to provide you some privacy. You can ask for your test to end at anytime. But if you do so, then you will not be worthy to serve me."
Everyone abandoned the room. Titus was alone for a few moments. He used his time to check the chains that were trapping him, but there seem to be no way of escape. Then the room become colder. Even colder than before. It was freezing and fume left his mouth as he breathed. He thought they had turned on the refrigerator but he was wrong. When Titus looked at the door he immediately recognized the hooded figure of a dementor. The heavy metallic door of the refrigerator chamber was closed. Titus noticed there was a small glassed opening on it and he could see Voldemort's bright eyes watching.
The creature did not approach Titus at first. Instead it started to circle to chamber, slowly. Very slowly, like a lion or a serpent, studying its victim before attacking. Titus felt the cold invading his flesh and bones. A sense of terror was growing inside of him. He wanted to scream and beg to be free but he was afraid if he did so he would fail the test. His mind was soon invaded by dark and depressive thoughts. His mother was dead, his father in prison. His family fortune had been dilapidated. He had no close friends while at Hogwarts and his school grades had not been impressive. His life achievements have been pretty poor. He had spent terrible lonely summers under Judith Foxcastle's tutelage. Going from one place to another, virtually without a family, always alone, always unloved. He did not deserve to live.
"Leave me alone!" He screamed at the dementor. He thought he had only said those words on his mind, but he had actually said them out loud. Tears bathed his cheeks and they became cold the moment they left his eyes. Terrible thoughts filled his mind, and he was feeling on the verge of madness. "Please, please get out of here!"
The more he screamed, the more the dementor approached. Titus' chest contracted as the creature got closer. It tried to look at Titus but he violently turned his head away, not wanting to look under its wood. His glasses fell on the floor, and they cracked. The sound seemed to have brought a glint of reason to his mind.
Arielle, he thought.
Arielle accepting to date him at Madam Puddifoots. Arielle holding hands with with him that afternoon, on their way back to Hogwarts. Their goodbye kiss at Platform 9 and 3/4 and the promise they would meet again soon. And then she had been attacked by Malden. Malden who he hated and he wanted to destroy. He could not give up, he had to fight the dementor, he had to survive this if he wanted to go on!
Titus did not have his wand so he could not try and repel the dementor with magic. He also lost his glasses so now the dementor was a blurry black figure, hovering around the chamber. The negative depressive thoughts were once again inside of him.
"Get out of my head! Oh Merlin, PLEASE!!!!" He screamed, as he was being psychologically tortured.
"All of this pain can be over, Titus Nott," he heard Voldemort saying in a soft voice. "Just tell me you want to give up and it will all end. It is all right, young man. The Killing Curse will be my merciful gift to you."
Voldemort's proposal sounded quite tempting. Titus was actually wishing he could die on that very moment so all the pain and despair he was feeling inside his head would go away. He was starting feeling shallow inside, as his emotions were being slowly sucked by the dementor. Death would be a blessing.
In a desperate attempt he tried to repel the creature, balancing his body with the intention of kicking the dementor. Unfortunately it was out of reach. During his movement one of the other chains lashed and hit his face, leaving a small bruise. The pain, just like the sound of the broken glasses before, had deviated his mind from the bad excruciating thoughts that were taking over his mind. And then Titus had some sort of epiphany. The pain! If he caused physical pain on himself, a strong pain, then he would be focused entirely on that. He was going to fight the pain with more pain. But how? There was a hook just next to his face. He took a deep breath, as he felt once again the terrible thoughts filling his brain. He pushed his head back, and then made it drop, so the hook got pierced on his right eye.
He screamed one more time, the blood pouring from his eye. He could feel the rusty metal inside of it. The pain was brutal. But as he was focused on that, it seemed like everything else lost its importance. The dementor approached, and Titus pressed his head down again, feeling the hook deeper inside his eye.
"Leave me alone!" He shouted.
He was sure he would never regain the sight of his eye. But it seemed like his risk paid off, because the dementor lost its interest on Titus. He could no longer get on his head. Moments later the door was open. There was a silver light as a patronus repelled the creature. The Death Eaters approached, and Titus was free from his chains. With a quick mercifully but painful spell his eye was separated from his body, remaining attached to the hook. Titus was covered in blood and so was the floor. He was feeling dizzy and sick. Someone covered him with a blanket, but he kept shaking with the shock. He did not notice but in the process he had lost control of his blather and his pants were dark with urine.
"You did not give up. You sacrificed your eye, but you did not give up and you were able to break the mental walls of suffering provided by the dementor. Congratulations Titus Nott. You will advance to the next trial." Voldemort announced. He then turned to one of his Death Eaters and told him to make sure Titus injury was treated.
As his face was being examined, Titus looked around in search for Malden. He had stayed in the chamber, as well as Maurice. Maurice was staring at the eye, still on the hook, dripping blood.
"Can his sight be recovered?" He asked the Death Eater in charge of healing Titus.
"No. But he can live without it."
Maurice laughed and he gave Titus his wand back.
"Nice one Nott. If you do become one of us, then we will have our own Mad-Eye Moody. Hilarious, right McGonagall?"
"Yes," Malden replied.
But Titus was unsure if he had laughed or not because a second later he passed away. He woke up already in the morning on his bed at the Diagon Alley apartment. He touched his eye, wondering if all of this had not been a nightmare. However he discovered on the place his right eye should be there were some bandages. On his bedside table, next to his wand, there was a small jar containing his eye conserved in a liquid.
(Madoc) Visitors
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-21-19 07:49
Madoc returned to the base camp at Hollyford Valley and entered the main tent, where lead dragonologist Ida Goolagong stood over a map spread out on a table. She looked up at Madoc's approach and asked, "How did it go?"
"14 and 23 weren't in plain sight, but I counted the rest. Looks like 9 laid eggs again."
"14 and 23 are known to travel inter-island, so I'm sure we haven't lost them. Nice work," Ida said with a smile. "Why don't you get some rest."
No sooner were the words said when dragon keeper Billie Potter came into the tent, accompanied by two unknown individuals. One flashed an identification card that indicated she worked for the New Zealand Ministry of Magic. She introduced herself as Roxanna Taylor, an auror, and presented her colleague from the British Ministry of Magic, Gawain Robards.
"We're looking for Madoc McGonagall," Roxanna said.
"I'm Madoc McGonagall," Madoc answered, getting a bad feeling all of a sudden even though he suspected why they had come. He had gotten a letter from his parents, revealing that Malden was missing and presumed to be in the company of dark wizards. It was believed that he was there of his own free will and was in big trouble as a result.
"Can we speak in private?" Roxanna asked.
Ida offered use of the tent and walked out with Billie, leaving Madoc alone with the two aurors. "Have you found my brother?" Madoc asked.
The aurors exchanged looks and before either could say anything, Madoc added, "My parents wrote me. Is Malden a Death Eater now?"
"We don't know for sure, but we believe he is in the process of being recruited," Gawain answered. "Has he contacted you?"
"No. We weren't close growing up, so I can't imagine he has anything he wants to say to me."
Gawain said, "Your brother is a wanted wizard. It is not unlikely that he will reach out to you out of desperation. You are both far from home and his connection to home. Should he contact you, we need your cooperation."
"Of course."
"You can reach out to me," Roxanna said, "and I'll contact Gawain in turn."
They talked a little bit more and then the aurors provided Madoc with their cards before departing from the tent. Madoc thought about his brother and wondered just what Malden had gotten himself into.