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Smiling (Harriet Snider)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 08-19-07 18:08
Harriet returns to the castle, walking at a sedate pace, her broad smile only partially hidden by the hair on her upper lip. Things are going oh so well! The grand opening party of the lounge for the new staff began last night and will continue through tomorrow evening. Lots of food and door prizes. Harriet's made sure that each of the new staff gets at least one of the door prizes, even Lawrence Masterson who acted a right little upstart recently.
Harriet thinks back to yesterday and at her surprised when Masterson came to see her, saying that Gus van Tassel had informed him that the headmistress wished to speak with him. Harriet had arched her left eyebrow but with the way her brows merge she had no idea it make it look like a furry caterpiller undulating on one end.
"Oh? I do believe young Mr. Van Tassel misunderstood; however, as long as you are here, I'd like to know what possessed you to force the child to escort a Non to class?"
"Gus was extremely tardy to class. I thought it fitting that he have to walk someone to class who goes to a different classroom and still make it on time to his own classes."
Harriet had frowned deeply. "I do agree that he deserved a disciplinary measure for his extreme tardiness but forcing a Pure to escort a Non? That's a bit much, Mr. Masterson. I do not like to step in and undermine authority unnecessarily. This was, however, a time I thought it was necessary. I told Mr. Van Tassel he's freed from the further obligations of escorting Nons to class." Harriet visibly shuddered. "If a Pure wishes to escort a Non, there's no accounting for taste. to force it," Harriet shuddered again, "is simply wrong. Absolute torture."
Masterson had looked extremely unhappy at being told part of the detention he'd doled out was overturned but he held his tongue on that matter, asking instead about the other. "Am I to be called on the carpet for the other part of the detention?"
"Which was?"
"Writing lines using a special quill."
"One that takes it ink as the student writes and leaves a reminder of the lines on the student's hand?"
"Yes."
"You say Mr. Van Tassel was late to Herbology?"
"Yes, he didn't come until the period was nearly half over."
Harriet waved her hand dismissively. "Ah, well then you were entirely justified on that portion."
"Pardon?"
"The boy was extremely late for class. He might be a Pure but he cannot show such disrespect towards his professors."
Confusion reigned on Masterson's face. Harriet didn't ask why. She didn't much care. She dismissed the young man and went to her living quarters to change for dinner and to go to the start of the new staff lounge party.
This morning she'd dropped in after breakfast to make sure the house elves were keeping food supplied and fresh. After that she went down to the pitch to make the Quidditch announcements. She didn't do them at breakfast because of the possibily that not every student needing to hear them would be in attendance.
Harriet also could have simply informed Theodosia Batuti of the effective immediately changes to Quidditch at Hogwarts but it is so much more enjoyable to see the gleeful expression on some faces and the crushed looks on others. Harriet's grin broadens even more and she increases her pace to the castle. She needs to check in at the new staff lounge again and then double check to make sure all is in order for The Bludgers concert in the Pures Only common room.
Saturday Meeting At Home (Euphemia Smythe-Jones)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 08-19-07 20:05
Euphemia paces from one side of her home office to the other, deep in thought about more of the changes to come. Euphemia is also waiting for someone. She'd started to have this meeting at the Ministry then thought better of it. This will be difficult enough without having Ministry walls surrounding them.
A House Elf knocks and upon being told, "Enter," comes in to announce, "Lucius Malfoy to see you, Mistress."
Lucius strides in and it crosses Euphemia's mind that no matter how often she sees him with his shorn, dark hair, she still finds it slightly surprising, expecting him to have the long, icy blonde locks he had for so many years. Walking to greet him, hand outstretched, Euphemia welcome Lucius.
"So good of you to take an unexpected meeting on a Saturday, Lucius."
Lucius takes Euphemia's hand, greeting her warmly. "Don't mention it, Euphemia. I was far too intrigued to find out why you requested to see me today and away from the office to turn you down."
Euphemia directs Lucius to a chair then asks, "Refreshments? I realize it's before lunch but I do have a nice cordial, there is sherry, or even a butterbeer. Or tea. Would you like tea?"
"That sherry sounds nice."
Euphemia serves Lucius and pours herself some sherry as well. Taking the chair opposite she says, "I want to talk to you about your sister-in-law."
Lucius keeps his features stoic, asking in a neutral tone, "Since my current, ahem, wife is an only child, and since it's well known I have no contact with Andromeda, I presume the sister-in-law to whom you refer is Bellatrix."
Lucius puts his sherry on the side table between then and rises. "I have stated many times I have no knowledge of her whereabouts."
Euphemia half rises, putting a hand on Lucius's arm. "Don't be so hasty, Lucius. Hear me out before you decide to walk away in a snit."
Lucius looks down his nose at Euphemia as she retakes her seat. "I am not in a snit."
"Just sit back down."
Lucius sits but it's on the edge of the chair as if ready to bolt again.
"As you and anyone else paying any attention to the news of late knows I am a firm supporter of Pureblood rights, of Pureblood supremacy. I know how strongly Bellatrix feels about these issues. She is so passionate about these beliefs allowed herself to be swayed, as did you."
Lucius sits back a little further in the chair. "Go on."
"It is a well known fact, though disputed by some, that you were under an Imperius curse during his first rise to power. Bellatrix, so strongly under his thrall in her desire to see a Pureblood governed Wizarding World, vowed she was acting on her own. She has continued to be loyal all these years but come now, he's dead, no more a threat to anyone. It's time Bellatrix told the truth, let the world know she truly was under a spell all those years, one that was renewed when he attempted power again. Don't you think it's high time Bellatrix was absolved of the crimes?"
Lucius is back on the edge of his seat. "I'm listening. What are you proposing?"
Tryouts
Author: Griet
Date: 08-19-07 20:37
Griet and Cornelia were both in the air, trying out for Slytherin's Quidditch team. When Professor Snider had announced that captains who were nons had lost their statuses and that nons in general who had been on the team previously would have to try out again, Griet hadn't been very shocked. She'd only been mildly surprised to discover that as of yet, Professor Batuti had overlooked her, having only called Fritz down to demote him personally from captain to average Joe. She knew her time would come, though, and wondered who would take her place.
She practiced passing with the other members of her group, honestly feeling a little bit out of practice from not having played Quidditch for a whole year, but knowing that she was a lot better player than a lot of the kids flying with her, as many of them had never even played Quidditch before. Griet intended on playing chaser again, but she knew it all depended on whether or not Batuti would put a pure in her place.
Griet felt more and more comfortable the more she warmed up and grew more accustomed to her Stratus 2000, which she'd received at the Hogwarts Career Day in 2000 and which she'd only flown in matches a few times that year.
Meanwhile, Cornelia flew on Griet's old Firebolt, and executed sprints with another group. She wanted to play seeker for Slytherin and had no doubt that she would make it on the team, for that position or another. Cornelia believed she was good at everything she tried her hand at, and if that Hufflepuff Eithne ni Dummy managed to land on the Hufflepuff team, than Cornelia for sure would make Slytherin's... and then she'd crush her during the Slytherin vs Hufflepuff match, for sure!
There was a glint in Cornelia's eye as she tore up and down the field. She couldn't wait for the actual scrimmage match to begin. Maybe she and Eithne would wind up on opposing teams.
Quidditch Time Again!
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 08-19-07 21:00
Orei had been up early, and actually took her time eating breakfast this morning instead of scarfing something on the run. It was going to be a busy day, it was Quidditch Trials, and she -had- to make the team. Grabbing her new, autographed broom she would head down to the pitch in a flourish of red, gold, and black with flickering of that stupid purple hem.
She offered a smile to Professor Krum, somewhat depressed that he wouldn't be the one running quidditch this year, that Batuti would be in charge. Oh well. She stood with her group after doing the sprints across the pitch. She'd told Jared the night of the feast what the Irish National Team had told her, that they would actually come to Hogwarts and watch the Quidditch Matches that involved Gryffindor, when she got on the team.
They were soon setting up for the scrimmage matches, the first round. Orei was set to be keeper for her group which included Ronan, Eithne, Tranq, Madeline, and a couple others that Orei wasn't familiar with. They were going up against Greit, Jack, Deak, Arista Lampwick, and Erebus Mars. They had Erebus set up as Keeper.
The match went well enough, Orei's scrimmage team ended up winning the match when Madeline caught the snitch. Orei played in a couple more scrimmage matches, trying out for every position. Though, the two she wanted the most she put more effort into...seeker and keeper. Either or, she simply hoped she'd get them. She knew, with the new rules concerning Quidditch and the open positions on the teams, she stood more of a chance of getting the position of Keeper than Erebus did, simply because she was pure status.
She looked to the stands and caught sight of the first year from the Great Hall a couple of days ago. Waving Orei motioned her down onto the pitch.
"Isma, you going to try out for the team?"
"No. Not this year. Have no idea what the rules really are, and I'm not confident enough to try out..." She let a soft sigh slide form her lips as she looked over the others, so confident and so determined to get whatever position their hearts were set on.
"Well, sit and watch. After, we can go to the Common Commons and play a game of wizard's chess or something?" Yes, she was attempting to befriend the first year, even though she was a non.
"You aren't going to the concert tonight? All the posters say that The Bludgers are going to be in the Pure's Commons tonight. Why would you want to spend time with me when you could go see them?"
Orei grinned. "Because I'd rather be playing a game of wizard's chess with a first year, than dealing with some of the snobs that use the pure's common room daily."
It was the truth, more and more, the pures were getting snobbier, snottier when it came to their status and it was really starting to drive her mad. She needed an escape, and the Common Commons was just as comfortable, and just as enjoyable.
"Alright. That sounds like a plan." With that Isma went back to her seat to continue observing, watching as the trials went on.
Breakfast
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 08-19-07 21:12
Harry emerges from the tent bathroom, feeling greatly refreshed and rejuvenated after his quick shower. "Your turn, Ron."
"Can't you take another minute or thirty?" Ron asks with obvious exasperation.
"Ron," Hermione chides, batting his arm.
Harry furrows his brow and shakes his head, going over to where French toast is on the table. Ron's already starting in on him and Harry still has no bloody idea why. Harry remembers his finger filled dreams and looks again at his hands. Ron called him a pinky but then last night said he wasn't calling Harry a little finger.
Rubbing his temples, Harry feels a headache coming on at trying more to puzzle out what the hell Ron is talking about. Plopping a couple of pieces of French toast onto his plate, Harry liberally pours syrup over them. The back of his neck feels odd and Harry turns to find Ron staring holes into him. Hermione is nowhere to be seen.
Talking around a mouthful of French toast, Harry asks, "Where's Hermione?"
"Stepped out to see if anyone's about. Doesn't want to take off the proctive spells if anyone's around to see."
"Why the glare?"
"Not glaring."
"Are too."
"Are not. I'm going to shower. Be a Pinky and warm up that plate with my French toast. I won't be but a sec."
"There you go with the pinky remark again. What's with you?"
"Told you, figure it out."
Sighing, Harry turns back to his breakfast. He waits until he hears Ron turning the shower off before he warms Ron's plate. By that time Hermione is back inside. "No one about that I could see. I'll wait to actually remove the spells until we've got the tent and supplies packed up again."
Harry nods, his mouth full again, and wonders if she should ask Hermoine if she knows what a pinky is that isn't a little finger.
On Homework, Quidditch and Dumbledore
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 08-20-07 12:49
Cailyn stood on her tip toes trying to reach something on her top shelf. Wishing she had a ladder or a step stool. She hated being to short to reach something. Sighing softly, she reached for the chair and scrapped it across the floor. Stood it underneath the shelf and then reached for the book she had wanted.
The book was one on the magical properties of herbs. But it was an older, out dated book. In doing research, Cailyn found that sometimes the older books were better to use then the newer ones. And Cailyn was researching a plant.
She walked over to the desk and checked the book out. Then, she walked over to a corner of the library hoping no one would see her. She was trying to concentrate on her homework but all she could think about was Alex.
What was Alex doing right now? Was he going to try out for Quidditch? She wished she would have tried out. But the very idea of trying out for a sport as big as Quidditch made her stomach turn. She didn’t even know if she was good enough to try out for it. Maybe she would try out next year, when she wasn’t so new at Hogwarts. If there was going to be a next year. She frowned.
Alex had asked her if she was going to join any of the groups that were in the talk of forming. But she didn’t know if she wanted to join anything right now. She really didn’t want to create any more trouble for herself then she was sure she already had. And what if Snider found out she was in one of those groups? She was certain she would receive some kind of horrible punishment. But then at the same time, she wanted to stand up for what was right. And where was Dumbledore?
Cailyn had heard whispers about the great wizard, and she was certain that if he was here, everything would be back to normal again. She sighed, shifting in her chair. What was the use of doing homework? When she simply couldn’t concentrate on it.
The Wynbournes At The Pitch
Author: Jared
Date: 08-20-07 13:02
Jared had arrived at the pitch just after eating breakfast. Wiggy and Titus were with him but Frederick had glumly told Jared at the start of term that his parents told him no Quidditch this year. His grades last year hadn't been all that good and that was without Quidditch. The Hamiltons hadn't wanted to think what Frederick's grades might have been like if he had had Quidditch to occupy his mind last year.
Carys Hanham-Beauvais has't returned to school and Griffin Price, if he'd been at Hogwarts last year, would have graduated and not been back this term anyway. Tiffany Grant had decided she didn't want to spend her 5th year trying to play Quidditch and prepare for OWLs though she did tell Jared that if he really needs a Seeker, she'll do it.
Worse is that while Titus has said he wants to be on the team and is in attendance at the trials to give Jared input on those trying out for Gryffindor, he's let Jared know that his fervent passion for Quidditch has considerably weakened. If someone more suited as Chaser tries out, his won't be offended if Jared wants to place someone else on the team over Titus.
Or so Jared thought that was the worst. The worst was learning that one of the best Chasers Gryffindor has ever had must retry for the team and if a Pureblood wants that slot, Wiggy has to defer to that player and be off the team.
Down on the pitch, Julietta looks up at the stands in empathy for her brother. Sure Jared can be annoying at times and can be overprotective at times but isn't that his job as her big brother? Etta can well imagine the turmoil Jared's feeling at potentially being the only returning Gryffindor team member this year. She knew about Frederick and Tiffany and had heard Titus talking to Jared this morning. Now Jared may lose Wiggy as well.
Etta casts her eyes about the pitch looking for Wiggy. She has a crush on him and thinks it's painfully obvious. She just hopes that someday soon she'll be able to let Wiggy know, unlike a certain brother of hers who's carried a torch for years over Alanna Beck. It's not even as though it's a big secret anymore. EVERYONE knows how Jared feels about Alanna, except maybe Alanna. That's just a guess on Etta's part. Alanna just seems like the sort of girl who has no idea how pretty she is or how many boys pant after her.
Etta had to stop looking at Wiggy or risk getting hit by a ball during the drills. Her passing is good, her goal attempts better, she can hit a Bludger really well, but more importantly she can fly like the wind and was leaving those in her group behind in the sprints. More than anything, Etta wants to be Seeker. With Tiffany saying she'd only do it if no one worthwhile tries out, Etta is hoping she'll get the position. Others want it as well so Etta would play any of the other positions if she could just earn a spot.
She doesn't want any of them though just because she's a Pureblood or because her brother is team captain. Etta is fully aware that as only a second year, others are going to be more experience, more poised. Etta's prepared for disappointment yet at the same time if only older students make the team, that's all right because she can make the team another time when some of them will have graduated and gone on to other things.
When the scrimmage start Etta has to wait a little while for a turn. In the first scrimmage she's in, Etta is placed as Chaser. She shoots up and down the pitch, several times with the Quaffle firmly tucked under her arm. Etta takes one really hard Bludger hit to the small of her back but shakes it off well enough to immediately turn around and score off her cousin Basil, who's playing the opposition's Keeper position this go around.
Basil growls low in the back of his throat. Bad enough that he let another Quaffle shot get past him by someone who's name he doesn't even know but to have Etta score on him is bloody awful. When he's gotten to the pitch this morning, Basil wasn't sure what position he wants. Still not really sure but after the warm up drills, Basil's thinking Beater would be good. If nothing else, when going against Gryffindor he can wallop the hell out of Jared and, if she makes the team, ickle Etta.
Blocking another goal attempt, Basil hopes this scrimmage round is over quickly. He wants to play a different position in his next scrimmage, especially now that he has decided being Keeper sucks. Just hovering around waiting for the action to come to him. Where's the fun in that? Besides, he's sure he can get just about any of the other positions. The only returning team member for Slytherin this term is that half-breed Griet. Basil figures she's not yet been relieved of her captain's badge simply because Coach Batuti has no idea yet who to make captain now, not until this term's team is announced.
There was no Quidditch last year but Basil watched, and even played against, Mary Black and Crispin Cooke during just for fun games. Mary is bloody awesome and rather scary. For reasons known only to her she announced at the end of last term she wasn't going to be on the team. What Mary does, Crispin does so he said he wouldn't be playing either. Peter Allen's parents have forbidden him to so much as touch a broom after something he pulled right after getting home for the summer. Basil can't remember who else was on the team. Maybe Oberon Smith but Basil just can't remember no matter how hard he tries. The others who were on the last team Slytherin field graduated last year.
Blocking the Quaffle again, Basil can't help but smile at how wide open these trials are for the Slytherins. That is the Pures of course. In none of the Nons make the team that's just dandy as far as Basil's concerned. Let them go play something else, like gob stones or exploding snap. Leave the real sports to the ones who deserve to play.