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Still Meddling Mothers in a Howler
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 11-08-11 16:52
Kissy and I had returned to the castle, both of us in better spirits and me with a few new purchases. Kissy had flat out refused to let me purchase something for her, but that's quite alright. Christmas will be around soon enough, and I'd get a few things for my colleagues for the holiday season, beyond that I am quite pleased with the way that the day went.
"Thank you for coming to lunch with me Kissy and commiserating with me over our absolutely traditionalist parents." I said with a smile as she and I parted ways at the fourth floor landing.
"Welcome." Kissy said as she headed up the stairs to her quarters on the fifth floor, and I ventured further onto the fourth floor and slipped into my quarters depositing my new purchases from Gladrags on the sofa and was immediately greeted by the sight of a bright red envelope that rested on my kitchen table. No doubt a howler from my mother...pushing my self upward I trudged over to the table and opened the howler letting it run itself through before dropping to the table in a pile of ash.
Karma Sati Davyd -
What in the bloody hell do you mean standing up that fine gentleman from the magical dating agency? He said you weren't there when he got there and that when he tried to contact you again you refused his communications. I have set you up with another gentleman, I do hope that you will not disrespect your father and I in this matter again. You will eventually learn that we are right in this matter and you will only be happy when you settle down and begin doing your proper duty as an Indian woman and daughter.
Your date is tomorrow evening at seven in the evening at the following location...
The howler rattled off the address of an upscale in London and I groaned inwardly. Apparently my mother hasn't gotten the hint yet, and unfortunately for me my mother can still meddle a continent away.
Cleaning up the remainder of the howler's ashes, I would look through the remainder of the mail that the owl had delivered earlier in the day while I'd been out. My eyes soon settled upon the stack of parchments that I still had to grade before class on Monday morning. But first, I think a shower and possibly some meditation before I tackle the grading of parchments and the putting away of newly acquired baubles.
Not All Wenlock Cousins Are Trying Out (Assorted Cousins)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 11-08-11 17:53
"Still can't believe you aren't trying out," Hadrian remarks just before chugging some water.
"Mum and Dad said I need to focus on studies without the distraction of regular Quidditch practice."
"If this were seventh year, I'd get that. Something you aren't saying about your OWLs?"
"Nope, they were happy with my marks."
"That's just bollocks then."
"Tell me about it."
They go quiet, eyes on the Gryffindor-Hufflepuff match that's about halfway through the alotted twenty minutes. Hadrian's brother Hunter is in the match as are their cousins Jasper, Marlow, and Eden. After another minute Daniel, eyebrows knit together, points out, "Jill's not played any today."
Hadrian thinks back over the other matches Gryffindor has played today and to the drills and warm-ups that preceeding the scrimmages. "You know, I don't think I've seen her at all. Oy! Alexa! Where's Jill?"
"She decided not to try out today. Said she likes Quidditch well enough but doesn't want to put in the dedication it requires."
"No travel to other schools and getting to meet lots of new blokes," Hadrian snidely comments.
Alexa doesn't comment but her expression tells Hadrian and Daniel that Hadrian's remark is probably very near the truth if not dead on.
Out on the pitch the only other of the Wenlock relatives in Gryffindor has just intercepted the quaffle. Cousin Marlow had had it for Hufflepuff, passing off to Sadie Mickle but a bludger meant for Sadie caught the quaffle instead. Hunter, seeing an opening, was easily able to make the steal.
Hunter shoots forward, hands off to Hunter Green then moves to cut off Eden Jenkins, another of his cousins, from trying to steal the quaffle back. Hunter Green passes back to him just as Sadie Mickle darts in to try and pluck the quaffle away. A scowl is fleeting across Sadie's face when she realizes that Hunter Green has thwarted her. She drops back then comes around Hunter Green then accelerates to catch up with Hunter Rabnott. As she comes alongside him, Hunter shifts the quaffle and wonders why he's never noticed before how cute Sadie is.
Cute she might be but he's not going to let himself be distracted by a pretty face. Hunter increases speed even more, spots the other Gryffindor chaser this match in the clear and throws long. Marjani catches but Marlow zooms in to harass her. Marlow cuts back and forth in front of Marjani making it more difficult for Marjani to close in where Jasper Jenkins is serving as Hufflepuff keeper.
Marjani passes the quaffle back so it's Hunter going in for the goal. Jasper blocks with Eden taking the rebound. She doesn't have a good hold on it though and fumbles it. Hunter Green snaps it away and throws again. Jasper once again blocks but when Marjani makes a rapid fire shot right back, to his disappointment Jasper misses the quaffle that time.
Jasper puts the quaffle back into play with a hand off to Eden. Before she's had time to fly more than ten feet time for the match runs out. Alighting on the pitch, Eden goes to the side to have the match's referee Pyrrhus Fine check a couple of her fingers that took a bludger early in the scrimmage.
Marlow, Hunter, and Jasper go for drinks and Hunter grabs a snack as well. All are listening to the announcement of names for the next match though they know none of them will be in this next one. It's a Ravenclaw and Slytherin match-up.
This next scrimmage sees another slew of Wenlock cousins taking to the air. For Ravenclaw Hadrian Rabnott gets pegged as a chaser and Alastor Jenkins as beater. For Slytherin Alexa Wenlock is happy to be called in as one of the chasers while her sister Amorica, new to Hogwarts this term, is delighted to get a shot as keeper. Amorica is skeptical about being chosen for the Slytherin House team today but wanted the experience of trying out. She knows she needs to improve a lot in every position to truly be considered so she's concentrating today on enjoying herself and learning what she can. Alexa has told her all about the flying & Quidditch workshops Viktor Krum holds throughout a school year and hopes he does it again this term. If he does, Amorica plans on attending every one of them.
Alexa gets the tip off to Hadrian's chagrin. He didn't necessarily have to be the one getting it but it was hoping it would first go to Ravenclaw. With so little time per scrimmage match it's key for a team to have possession of the quaffle as much as possible during the alotted twenty minute period.
Alexa takes off with the ball, Hadrian pacing alongside her, watching for an opening to take the quaffle. He's forced to slow and roll when Basil Wynbourne sends a bludger head on. Alastor goes for that same bludger, aiming it at Alexa's back. It's a good hit, taking Alexa on one shoulder blade but by then she's passed off the quaffle.
Slytherin gets the quaffle to within goal range only to lose it on a bad pass. With beaters Alastor and Jade Green giving aid, Hadrian, Jack Emerson and Beatrix Vanderbilt quickly move the quaffle down to where Amorica waits. Jack takes the shot with Amorica buffeting the ball away with one hand. Hadrian gets the rebound, shooting once again for Ravenclaw. Amorica catches the quaffle this time, passing it off to Alexa.
The action moves back the other direction with Hadrian once again looking for ways to get the ball away from Alexa. When the match ends, neither team has scored, making Amorica rather pleased for holding her own her first time up as keeper. She moves to sit with a couple of friends, stopping to speak to her cousins Heather Rabnott and Liannah MacDougal, both here as spectators cheering on Ravenclaw.
Nearly A Tie (Marjani)
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 11-09-11 15:18
Assessing options of shooting the quaffle for a goal or passing Marjani chooses passing. Sadie Mickle is right, ready to intercept should Marjani throw toward the rings. She makes as if to go for the goal attempt only to throw the quaffle to Hunter Rabnott. He catches it then immediately throws for the goal. Glori Hodfuffer blocks and the quaffle goes to Hufflepuff with Sadie taking possession.
Marjani sprints after, determined to get the quaffle back. Hufflepuff leads this match with one goal. At the very least, Marjani would like to see the score tied before the scrimmage ends, unless Gryffindor's seeker can get the snitch that is. She'd settle for 150 points to 10 even if it would be nice to get some points from goals on the scoreboard.
Sadie's passed off the ball so Marjani's attention shifts to a Hufflepuff she thinks she heard someone call Bernard. A first or second year she would guess unless he's a small for his age third year. Bernard gets walloped by a bludger sent by Ella Harville. It's not a bad hit as far as bludger hits in the game of Quidditch go but the ball clipped him on his elbow and from the way his arm jerked in reaction, Marjani takes it that the bludger got Bernard's funny bone. That would make what would normally be a light tap from the bludger into a shooting pain. It's enough to cause Bernard to drop the quaffle when his arm spasmodically jerked and Marjani accelerates into a dive to be the one to retrieve it.
Pulling the quaffle in close, she streamlines her body over her broom, angling back around to return to where Glori is alert and ready for whatever Gryffindor tries next. Somehow still in the clear when she reaches Glori, Marjani shoots the quaffle as she zips by in front of the rings. She pulls a face thinking the shot is off and Glori's got the block only to see Glori miss and the quaffle bounce on the ring then falling through the hoop. Not a clean shot but it went through and that's all that matters. The scrimmage score is now tied ten apiece for Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. With only three minutes left in the match, both teams are going to have to hustle to get another goal made.
The frenetic pace of the match increases as time ticks down, neither team able to make much headway against the other. Then, in the last fifteen seconds of the match, to Marjani's disappointment Hufflepuff's seeker this match, Aleydis Vanderbilt, catches the snitch. Hufflepuff 160, Gryffindor 10.
Mooned
Author: Griet
Date: 11-09-11 18:51
Although it wasn't near sunset yet, Griet locked up her flat and went downstairs to the cellar where the werewolf accommodations were located. She'd not spent the previous full moon locked up in one of the cages there because her mother had begged her to come home.
"How do you know you'll be safe there? You've never transformed with another werewolf nearby––and a male one at that!" she'd said. Besides, the accommodations at the Vanderbilt house were tried and true. Griet had never had any sort of problem transforming at home.
She had given into her mum's wishes last month but had chosen to ignore them now. The whole reason she had moved into this flat was because of the accommodations available to her kind and because she was an adult who no longer wanted to feel coddled by her parents.
The cellar was mostly dark when Griet arrived. The only light came from two narrow windows set high in the wall. Griet removed her wand from her back pocket and flicked it at a lantern hanging from a hook in the center of the ceiling. It lit up and bathed the cellar in dim light.
Griet had viewed the cellar when she'd first visited the flat with her parents. A row of cages occupied two adjacent walls. They were as bare as the rest of the room.
Griet reached into her front pocket and extricated a slim potion bottle. Since leaving Hogwarts, Griet no longer had the convenience of Professor Snape brewing Wolfsbane Potion for her. Luckily, Professor Lupin, with whom she'd resumed communication after his return from Greece, had given her the name of a supplier he used. She looked at the bottle and then up at one of the windows, debating when she should drink the potion.
"Hi Griet."
The greeting caused Griet to jump. She almost dropped the bottle and caught it only when a pair of hands closed around hers.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
Griet breathed a sigh of relief and murmured, "That would have been very bad."
"I would have split mine with you," Tucker Chepstow said, smiling at her. "I'm not sure what drinking a half dose would do, exactly, but I'm sure it would be better than not drinking Wolfsbane Potion at all."
He let go of her hands and went to the nearest cage. He opened it and stepped inside, turning around to speak with her. "I like to get here early. I'm always afraid that I will get busy with something and totally lose track of time. Take whatever cage you like," he added, gesturing to the room with a broad sweep of his hand. Then he shut the door to his cage with a loud clang.
"Thanks," Griet said. She debated the cage farthest from his or perhaps one somewhere in the middle, but in the end, she chose the one right next to his.
"I know how you feel. I don't like the waiting, but I'd rather be ready than taken by surprise."
At the word "surprise", Griet's eyes went large. Tucker had pulled off his T-shirt, revealing a sleek upper body with clearly defined abdominal muscles. Then he undid his belt, the top button of his jeans, and let down the zipper.
Tucker acted like he wasn't stripping in front of a girl he hardly knew.
"I love the weather," he said, pulling down his jeans to reveal boxer briefs. "I don't know about you, but I tend to run hotter than normal wizardfolk. I don't know if it's a werewolf thing or just me."
Griet made a strangled noise in her throat and forced herself to turn her back on him.
She hadn't counted on the fact that she would see him naked, either before the change or in the morning when he resumed his human form. And he would see her naked too.
Griet wished she'd thought to bring a blanket down with her. She thought about hurrying upstairs to grab one, certain there was enough time. The window on the adjacent wall displayed a sky of many colors, which meant the sun had begun its descent, but it wouldn't be dark quite yet.
But would she seem immature if she fled with her hands covering her eyes? She knew she was younger than Tucker, but she didn't want to seem immature. She was a legal adult, after all.
Tucker was still talking, oblivious to her internal debate. "I was 17 when I got bit. Summer after I graduated from Hogwarts. I'd decided to go backpacking around the world with some of my friends. They all ran out of money before we even left Europe. I wound up in Mongolia alone. Hired a room there. Turns out one of my roommates was a werewolf. Three of us got bit that night. The only reason I'm alive to tell the tale is because the wolf was under the influence of the potion. Totally mental, that one was. He later said he'd just gotten the urge to bite people during the night. We might have noticed something, had we not all been knackered from the Mongolian beer-tasting we'd done at dinner. Speaking of potions… guess it's time to drink ours."
Griet nodded and turned partly around, raising her lashes only so much. She could see Tucker out of her periphery. He was stark naked. His clothes lay in a neat pile on the other side of his cage.
"Bottoms up," she murmured, uncorking her bottle. She downed the contents in a single gulp.
"Cheers," Tucker said. He emptied his bottle just as quickly. Then he knelt and set it on top of his pile of clothes.
"Better check your lock," he said. "Just rattle it like so." He demonstrated by gripping onto the bars and rattling them. The door wouldn't budge.
Satisfied, Tucker sat down against the wall and raised his knees up, so that his feet and shins hid his more delicate anatomy.
He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "So, tell me how you became a werewolf."
Griet said, "Well…" She took a moment to gather her thoughts. It was hard because she was also thinking about how if she wanted to strip out of her own clothes, now might be the time to do it. He wasn't watching her at all.
"It was five years ago. My sister's birthday, as a matter of fact. We'd all gone out to dinner. We'd started to leave but then my sister realized she'd forgotten a present at our table. We'd eaten outside, you see, and when I went to get the present for her, a werewolf attacked me."
As she spoke, she hastily removed her clothes and thrust the pieces into a messy pile on the other side of the bars. Then she quickly sat down against the wall and like Tucker, pulled her knees to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs.
It felt really strange being naked in the same room with a wizard who wasn't Oberon. Not that they'd ever seen each other without all of their clothes off. With some clothing off, sure, but neither had ever gone starkers in front of the other.
"You were young, then. At Hogwarts still?"
"Yeah," Griet said.
Tucker finally opened his eyes and looked at her. His eyes didn't rove over what he could see either. He just looked at her face and acted as if they were sitting across from each other, fully dressed, maybe over dinner or a game of wizard's chess.
"That must have been hard."
"It was at times," Griet said. Conversation came a little easier after that. Griet told him about what it was like being a werewolf at Hogwarts, from the good times under Professor Dumbledore, to the bad times under Professor Snider and at Happy Haven.
The minutes till sunset passed quickly. When it came time to transform into a werewolf, Griet forgot about her lack of dress and gave in to the inevitable. As always, the transformation was painful. Her cries were replaced by howls and then it was done. Griet looked into the cage next to hers and saw a magnificent wolf with a coat of red fur. Its eyes were a dark shade of amber.
Tucker saw a slim, grey wolf with hazel eyes. He moved close to the bars that separated his cage from hers but didn't stick his snout or paws between the bars. He simply sat down on his haunches and then laid down with his head resting on his paws.
Griet mimicked his movements. They stared at each other until their eyes felt heavy. Then they fell asleep.