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Class Reunion
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 09-10-14 14:44
On the threshold of The Three Broomsticks Ginny smoothes her skirt. "I look okay?"
"You look beautiful but then I always think you look beautiful." Harry fights an urge to pat Ginny on the arm, knowing it might come off as condescending or as indulging her with what she wants to hear.
She gives him one of those be serious looks that women somehow automatically master upon saying those magical marriage words, "I do."
Harry smiles back, dropping a kiss on her forehead. "I mean it. I always think you look beautiful, even at 3 am, covered in baby vomit."
Ginny gives him another look, a smile playing across her lips. "I find that hard to believe but I love you too."
"You do look fantastic tonight."
"You look pretty good yourself."
"Get a room, Potters." Draco Malfoy, wife Astoria at his side, pushes past, Astoria looking mildly disgusted, Draco sneeringly amused.
Ginny and Harry exchange grins, following the other couple inside. Draco and Astoria immediately make for Astoria's sister Daphne who's sitting in close conversation with Milicent Bulstrode. Seeing neither Hermione nor Ron, the Potters move further inside greeting a number of people along the way to a table where Seamus Finnigan is laughing at something said by Padma Patil.
Harry and Dean Thomas are talking about the fact that Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle have shown up with dates or wives, they don't know which, when Ron and Hermione arrive. Waving at them to let them know the general spot where he and Ginny are, Harry nods in agreement as Dean comments, "Notice how most of the Slytherins are bunched up, ignoring the rest of us?"
The former Miss Fine now Mrs. Weasley and current lower years Potions professor at Hogwarts, as well as one of Harry's sisters-in-law, Majandra remarks, "There's still some of that at Hogwarts but these last few years things have been so much better. Fewer are likely to dislike or even hate simply because of the house someone else is in. What there is of it still going on tends to be those with wealthy backgrounds who've been raised to be extremely selective."
"Pureblood snobs in other words," Dean says.
Majandra gives a noncommittal shrug though they know that's more or less what she meant. To save Majandra from having to say more Harry inputs, "I think it's nice that most students at Hogwarts right now don't have an us versus them mentality except when it comes to competitions like Quidditch."
This leads to Dean asking Majandra some questions about Quidditch at Hogwarts these days and lamenting Gryffindor's not making it to the Quidditch Cup this past spring. Harry smiles at Ginny talking with Hannah Abbott and takes a sip of his drink, listening to Majandra, Dean, and now Ron, and thinking about how he's not sure if he's ready to return to work Monday or not.
Harry took time off as Ginny and Kingsley Shacklebolt had suggested. He's played house husband, the boys and he following Ginny around to some Harpies matches and some of her practices. They've taken a vacation with Jamie and Albus and they took a few days just Ginny and he. Harry does want to work but as an Auror, not someone sitting in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement taking complaints and incident reports. He can't even do anything Black Ops because of still being considered a security risk thanks to dear cousin Adriana. Maybe he should take an indefinite leave and check out some of the more private options for someone with an Auror's background.
His mind edging toward dark thoughts, which would in turn make this class reunion a miserable trial for him, Harry quickly reengages with his friends, some of whom he hasn't seen or talked with in a long time.
(Aderyn Carter) Summer Boredom
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 09-10-14 16:52
Two slices of red velvet cake later I was curled up in bed with the rest of my plans for the summer in a notebook in front of me. Quidditch con next week, and then Emry's Fest, and ultimately I would be spending some time with Cai and Aderyn shopping for school supplies and things for next school year. Beyond that, I was ready to simply relax and enjoy the summer holidays.
"What are you doing Aderyn?"
I blinked, looking up at Cai as she leaned in the doorway, "I'm looking over the rest of my summer plans and figuring out just what I'm going to do with all this free time."
Cai laughed and dropped down on the bed, and reclined against the pillows. "I know, it's so different when we aren't in school without the routine and stuff to keep us busy."
"Yup, and soon enough you'll be out in the real world. You and Anghard are going to be sixth years, and ultimately be done with Hogwarts soon enough with the routine of jobs and stuff and maybe classes at St. Emry's."
"I know, and soon enough you'll be the only kid home, if Anghard and I decide to move out you'll be the only one here."
"I know, and it will be weird enough being the only kid home once you and Angahrad are gone."
"Well, I bet Broderick will probably come back for a visit once he is done with whatever it is he is doing in India."
"I know, and Eric is usually here, with his girlfriend, or is it his fiance now?"
Cai chuckled and pulled one of the chocolate candies off my bedside table and popped it from its wrapper and into her mouth. A gentle sigh slipping from her lips.
"What's up?"
"Nothing. I think I'm gonna go fly around in the yard, need to do something active for a little while."
"Mind if I come?"
"Sure, let's go."
Mingling
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-10-14 18:51
Hermione glanced around The Three Broomsticks and marveled at how some of her former classmates looked exactly the same, while others showed every bit of the ten years that had passed since graduation. The same could be said for some of the teachers present, though not all of them had been at Hogwarts back then.
Some of the guests at the reunion she saw regularly or every so often, but there were those she hadn't seen since leaving Hogwarts. She spoke at length with Aradia Forest, who was unmarried and worked as a naturalist these days. Su Li, another Ravenclaw who apparently had learned to play the piano at a very young age, performed with various orchestras around the world but kept a fairly low profile.
The same couldn't be said for some others. Crabbe and Goyle had famously gotten out of prison at the beginning of the year. It was shocking to see them with dates on their arms, but Hermione was more surprised that they'd even decided to attend the reunion. She supposed they were flaunting the fact that they had gained freedom, when it shouldn't have been so easy. At any rate, they seemed much more self-confident than Hermione remembered them being.
Someone mentioned Theodore Nott's name. He was on the guest list, but it didn't seem likely that he would make it to the reunion, though stranger things had happened. Unlike Crabbe and Goyle, he still was a prisoner of Azkaban.
"So, Hermione," said Justin Finch-Fletchley, sidling up to her with a drink in his hand, "have you been staying out of trouble?" He wore a nice set of dress robes and had taken a lot of time with his hair. It was combed, coiffed, and stiff with gel.
Hermione arched an eyebrow and exchanged a quick look with Ron, who knew better than to think his wife was nothing more than a goody-two-shoe. "Mostly," she replied sweetly. "And what is it you do, Justin?"
She listened politely as he told her about his entire life from the past ten years, including a lengthy interlude from when he went into hiding during the pureblood business from several years ago. Justin still had a little bit of a pompous air to him, but he was nevertheless a nice enough guy. Hermione finally tore herself away from the conversation to rejoin the Gryffindors and knew from the look on Ron's face that he would have something to mimic later on when they were home again.
(Ariella) Out of Place
Author: Beck
Date: 09-11-14 18:27
Ariella wasn't certain, but she thought she might be the youngest witch in attendance at the Class of 1998 reunion at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. She was only there because Lawerence was, and he was only there because all current Hogwarts professors were invited to the celebration. He graduated in 1999 and would have his ten-year reunion next summer. Ariella's own, if she even received an invitation since she technically didn't graduate, would be in 2012.
She felt a bit out of place at the gathering, not knowing many of the attendees and only sort of recognizing others. The famous Harry Potter was there, of course, and a few who had gained notoriety recently were too. She wasn't exactly a shy person, but she tended to feel the most comfortable around familiar faces. That was mainly why she hung out with her husband and the other professors in attendance.
Halfway through dinner, Ariella excused herself to use the loo. She stayed in the bathroom a bit longer than expected after noticing that some of her hair had slipped from her updo. She couldn't quite get it the way she had it and eventually gave up, tucking the stray strands behind her ears and hoping they'd stay put for the rest of the night.
When she returned to the main area of the pub, she saw that many of the plates had already been cleared and that dessert dishes were starting to materialize on the tables. Everything had been good so far––maybe not Hogwarts feast good, but still mouthwateringly delicious––and she did have a healthy appetite. She sniffed appreciatively and then stopped in her tracks.
Another witch was sitting in her chair. From the back, she could almost be mistaken for Ariella herself. Her hair was a similar shade of red and roughly the same length. She was a little curvier but around the same height.
The mystery witch and Lawrence seemed to be having a very serious conversation, which only ceased when Lawrence saw his wife standing across the room. The witch turned around and followed his gaze. It was then that Ariella realized she was looking at Vera Delgety, someone Ariella remembered since they had very briefly been on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team together. What Ariella recalled the most, however, was the fact that Vera was Lawrence's ex-fiancée.
Ariella walked over to the pair and sat down in the empty chair next to Vera, which had recently been vacated by Professor Flitwick. The tiny professor was now standing on top of the bar singing Irish folksongs while Hagrid accompanied him by blowing into butterbeer bottles with varying amounts of liquid inside.
Vera took in Ariella's baby bump and said, "Congratulations, Ariella. Lawrence just filled me in on everything."
Ariella rose an eyebrow questioningly at her husband, who had failed to mention to her that his ex might show up at the festivities tonight. If she had given it some thought, then she might have remembered that Vera had graduated the year before Lawrence, but it hadn't crossed her mind at all. Vera had turned up very late and appeared to have come alone.
Ariella offered Vera a polite smile and said, "Thank you. We're very happy."
Vera smiled too, but she didn't convey any kindness. "I never thought you would end up together. Weren't you just a first year when we were in sixth and seventh?"
Ariella shook her head. "I'm three years younger than Lawrence."
"Hmm," Vera said. She raised her left hand to smooth down her hair. An emerald ring on her fourth finger caught the light and drew Ariella's attention. She didn't know, but it was the promise ring Lawrence had given Vera a very long time ago.
"Well, I guess I will do a bit more mingling," she said, finally getting up from Ariella's chair. Vera looked at Lawrence. "It was so good to see you, Lawrence. Let's talk again before the night is through, yes?"
She didn't wait for an answer and instead melted into the crowd. Ariella moved over a seat and looked at her husband. "So, what exactly happened while I was in the bathroom?"
Lawrence had the grace to look sheepish. "She found me as soon as she arrived. I really didn't think she would try anything, since we didn't part on the best of terms, and it has been years since we've seen each other. I figured she'd have moved on like I did."
"What did she do?" Ariella asked.
"Talk, mostly."
Ariella's eyebrow shot up again.
"And she might have put her hand on my thigh… but I removed it promptly."
Ariella could see that Lawrence was getting uncomfortable. She had no reason not to trust him and didn't want to spoil his night any more than Vera may have. She looked over at Vera, who was now engaged in conversation with Gregory Goyle of all wizards and getting the stink eye from his date.
"It's funny," Ariella said at last, "but I remember her being nicer, not that I truly ever knew her. I think we only played in one Quidditch match together. I wonder what she's been through all these years."
"She didn't tell me," Lawrence said.
Ariella turned back to him. "It's a bit weird being here."
"I know. I'm a professor at Hogwarts but I'm younger than the former students we are celebrating here tonight."
"And one of them is someone you almost married."
"But I didn't," Lawrence said. "I married you."
Ariella smiled at him, but she couldn't help feeling a little bit conflicted. She had never given it much thought before, but it bothered her to know that he had been engaged before. True, he had been young at the time and it hadn't worked out, but still. She'd much rather be his one and only always. The past couldn't be changed, though, and Vera was very much a part of his past.
She looked over at Vera again, who was laughing at something Goyle said. She rubbed his beefy arm, which he seemed to like. His date looked even more perturbed.
Ariella couldn't help herself. She snickered and turned back to her husband, who was looking pensively across the room.
What Is Her Name?
Author: Majandra
Date: 09-12-14 15:20
Wayne Hopkins's wife puts away the photos of their two children as Majandra once again pays compliments to how cute they are. It had taken her a few minutes of talking with the Hopkins to better place Wayne but she's not about to admit she'd more or less forgotten the affable Hufflepuff. After Wayne has said something nice in return about Miranda and Georgie she says, "We should have two parts to these reunions. A family portions that lets us bring the kids for those wanting and then something like this tonight."
Wayne's wife, whose name Maj somehow had yet to catch, nods in agreement. "I'll have to suggest that when it's my class's ten year reunion."
That narrows down who Mrs. Hopkins is, though Maj is less familiar with those from the Hogwarts classes behind hers. The further behind, the less familiar. The more she sits talking with the Hopkinses the more Maj gets a sense she does know the women from when they were students but still can't peg exactly who she is or which class she was in, or even house for that matter.
"How do you like teaching?" Wayne asks.
"I love it though there are times I do think about doing experimental potions work or go into making medicinal potions. I could do either of those and keep teaching but there are only so many hours in the day."
Wayne's wife says with a shake of her head, "I can't imagine working closely with Snape."
Maj chuckles, "I hear that a lot. Severus isn't that bad once you get to know him."
"Does anyone else find it funny that you're on a first name basis with him?"
"Only almost everyone." This evokes a laugh then Wayne's wife asks, "Seriously though, isn't he hard to work with?"
"He can still be intimidating and exacting but when we do have to work together, such as sitting down and deciding what and how much to order for the potions stores, we get on fairly well. I do think if his opinion was that I were a substandard potions mistress, I'd have a much more difficult time with him."
George, who'd gone to have a few words with Ron and Hermione, rejoins them then and the conversation turns to laughing over some of the stunts the Weasley twins pulled while in school and their business endeavors. This in turn leads to talk of some of the newest Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes items available.
A little while after that, while in conversation with Hannah Abbott and Neville Longbottom, the name of Wayne's wife finally comes to Maj. She makes a mental note to be sure to use it when saying goodbye to the Hopkinses later.
Encounter after the Reunion
Author: Marzipan
Date: 09-12-14 17:24
Marzi went around and said good night to her colleagues, their spouses, and some of the former Hogwarts students in attendance at the class reunion. She'd not taught any of them herself, having started at Hogwarts in the fall of 1999. Despite not having any ties to the honored guests at the reunion, with the exception of Majandra who was her colleague rather than a former student, Marzi had had a lovely night.
She and Weston stepped outside The Three Broomsticks and started to make their way back to the castle, though they took a slow and very leisurely route. The boys were in their quarters being looked after by Weston's mother and were hopefully already sleeping tightly in their beds.
They didn't get very far when a familiar voice called out to them.
"While I see no harm in showing allegiance to one's former school or Hogwarts house," began Redberga Fawley Edgecomb, looking disdainfully in the direciton of the pub the couple had just left, "the idea of a class reunion seems terribly common."
"Grandmother, what are you doing here?" Weston asked, ignoring her comments and stepping towards her. "It's very late. Is something wrong?"
Marzi took in the older witch's appearance. She was well-dressed as always and did not appear unwell. She seemed her usual ornery and haughty self.
"No, nothing's wrong," Redberga said in response to Weston's question. "I was at the café with an old friend and time got away with us. I suppose that's what happens when you meet someone with whom you haven't spoken in a long time and have much to tell each other. We closed out the café." She glanced back at the lit-up pub where festivities were still underway though certainly winding down and said, "It's a travesty, really."
"Why would you say that?" Marzi asked, unable to help herself. "What's wrong with old friends meeting up for a meal? Isn't that what you did this very evening yourself?"
She felt Weston put a hand lightly on her arm. It was his way of restraining her, but she wouldn't be cowed. Marzi was tired of Redberga always speaking negatively about everything that wasn't up to par with her highbrow standards. She was also tired of Redberga trying to control how she should raise her children.
Redberga gave her a look that exhibited the absurdity of the question. "Don't be obtuse, Marzipan."
Marzi opened her mouth to retort, but Weston interjected and said, "Let me take you home, Grandmother."
"No, I am fully capable of getting their on my own. Take your wife home," she stated, giving Marzi a pitying look. "I think she's had enough excitement for the evening."
Marzi again started to say something, but Weston tugged her gently in his direction and murmured, "Leave it."
Without further ado, Redberga said goodbye and disapparated on the spot.
Marzi made a noise of frustration once they were alone again. "She exasperates me more and more, Weston. I know she's your grandmother and you waited a long time to meet her, and I'm sorry she and I don't seem capable of getting along, but…"
"I know, and I'm not cross with you for having no self control when it comes to her," Weston said soothingly. "You can't help that she gets under your skin, and she certainly doesn't make it easy on you."
Marzi nodded. "She's so…"
"Unbearable?"
Marzi shot him an abashed look and tentatively said, "Yeah…"
Weston put his arms around her and said. "That's how I know she's part of the family. Seems like so many of mine have their quirks."
"All families have quirky members," Marzi said.
"I'm convinced yours is more normal than mine."
"Of course it is," Marzi quipped.
Weston laughed. "Come on, let's make sure those boys are sleeping as they should be and relieve my mother of her babysitting duties."
They picked up the pace and headed back to the castle.
Talking With Santhea (Tracey Matthews)
Author: Blossom
Date: 09-12-14 18:08
Santhea Fennally pulls her eyes from someone visible beyond Tracey Davis Matthews's shoulder. "Two children and another on the way. I've not even started on one yet."
"Children can be overwhelming. Euan and Tulip keep us busy, but in a good way. Parker and I are excited to add to our family."
"So, are you a housewife?" Santhea manages to make the word housewife sound distasteful.
"In a manner, yes, and I'm also a lawyer. I seem to remember hearing you had thoughts of becoming an Auror. Is that what you do?"
"I started in the British Ministry's program then moved back to France. You might recall I attended Beauxbatons before coming to Hogwarts. I completed an Auror type program there but work in a more private capacity for an investigative firm."
As Santhea talks, her eyes shift back and forth from Tracey to whatever she's been watching behind Tracey. Fighting an urge to turn around and look Tracey replies, "Sounds interesting."
Santhea leans in closer, her voice dropping somewhat. "Entirely off the subject but how did you end up with a younger Hufflepuff?"
Tracey manages not to roll her eyes at a question so many she's spoken to this evening who was in Slytherin House has asked her. "We were both attending St. Emrys. I ran into him in one of the canteens and we got to talking."
"But you dated Blaise Zabini if I recall."
"On and off, yes, but only while at Hogwarts. You dated Draco some as I remember."
Those eyes dart back and forth again. "We lived together for a time after Hogwarts. It was a complicated relationship and it was probably best we parted ways."
"I know it sounds cliché but I once Parker and I were together I knew he was the one."
Tracey pats her pregnant belly. "This one is pressing on my bladder again. Excuse me while I go to the ladies."
Turning to leave Tracey looks in the direction that keeps drawing Santhea's attention. The only thing, or person rather, that Tracey sees that might be attracting Santhea's focus is Draco Malfoy. Whether Santhea keeps staring his way because she has regrets over their relationship or doesn't approve of whom he married or perhaps even just a desire to talk with him Tracey doesn't know. When she returns from the loo she doesn't see Santhea so she goes to join Parker who's talking with Filius Flitwick.