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Galway, Ireland
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 02-01-07 16:27
Lucius studies himself in the mirror, double checking his appearance. Dark brownish blonde hair cut short on the sides and longish on the top and at the back, a hint of salt and pepper at the temples. A neatly trimmed goatee of the same brownish blonde, speckled more liberally with the gray. Narrow jaw. Thin lips. Nose with a very slight bump at the bridge. Wide eyes, hazel in color, set close together. Largish ears that stick out a tiny bit.
Satisfied with the disguise, Lucius picks up Mira from the crib provided by the hotel and puts her in a pram. He gathers up the diaper bag and the small suitcase with clothes for the child. Lastly, Lucius gets the valise that has the papers needed in a very short time.
Leaving the room, Lucius pushes the pram to the lift. Going up two floors, Lucius pushes the pram with the still sleeping child to room #318. His light knock produces instant activity on the other side of the door. Not two seconds pass when it swings open.
The man who's opened the door is big and burly with the weathered skin of someone who makes a living out of doors. Standing next to him is a woman who matches his burliness. She has a plain face but kind, gentle eyes with a smile that makes one forget how plain she truly is.
"Mr. and Mrs. Mac Craith, so nice to see you again."
"Come in, Mr. Flynn," Mr. Mac Craith says, opening the door wider.
Mrs. Mac Craith has her eyes fixed firmly on the pram. "I've hardly been able to wait for this moment," she gushes.
The man they know as solicitor Riley Flynn pushes the pram into the room and sets down the baby's things. "Go on, pick her up," he smiles.
Dacey Mac Craith can't get to the pram fast enough to pick up the child. The baby coos in her sleep and when put against Mrs. Mac Craith's shoulder, she nestles in, never waking up. Mrs. Mac Craith sighs happily, "She might not be anywhere near a newborn but she's wonderful all the same."
Kevin Mac Craith puts a hand on the baby's back, "Pretty little thing."
Riley Flynn opens up the valise and pulls out several documents. "Let's get the formalities out of the way so I might leave you to bond as a family, all right?"
Mr. Mac Craith scans the document he's first handed then signs where indicated. Without putting the baby down his wife signs as well. A copy of the document is signed and returned to the valise. Next the couple is given a copy of a birth certificate on which their names show as the adoptive parents of Kaelee Moreen Mac Craith.
Kevin Mac Craith hands over the payment for the private adoption fees, asking, "Now you're sure the birth mother won't be changin' 'er mind?"
"The poor dear tried raising the child on her own but after having difficulty making ends meet since giving birth, the young woman decided giving her to loving, caring parents who could provide a secure home is best," Mr. Flynn says by way of an answer.
Satisfied with the reply, the Mac Craith's bid Riley Flynn goodbye. This time tomorrow they'll be at home in Ballyvaughan showing off their new daughter. The solicitor leaves the happy little family riding the lift to the ground floor. Once well away from the inn he disapparates.
In the wooded grove he'd already scoped out, Lucius quickly changes his appearance. Pocketing the money from the Mac Craith's, Lucius burns the contents of the valise and zaps the valise into obscurity with his wand. Apparating again and with an entirely different look, Lucius arrives at a pub. After a couple of drinks, he uses the Floo to a cottage on the outskirts of Waterford.
Using the Floo again to place an order at a restaurant, Lucius sits before a crackling fire, pleased with how things went. It had taken him awhile to make arrangements for Sirius's daughter. At first Lucius had thought to farm her out to some nanny who wouldn't ask questions. The more he thought about it and after a couple of conversations with Bellatrix, parceling her out wholesale to some couple desperate for a child and who didn't mind paying the so called private adoption fees seemed best.
Now, neither Bellatrix nor he will have to deal further with the child and if somehow it's ever learned that Kaelee Moreen Mac Craith is really Mira Black, no trace of any solicitor named Riley Flynn will ever be found.
Dueling Champion
Author: Griet
Date: 02-01-07 19:46
Griet gladly sank into her chair after winning first place in her level in the Dueling portion of the SAT. Frankly, she was quite surprised she'd made it to the very top; she knew she was decent at dueling but had honestly figured someone else would take the top prize. It was certainly a sweet deal that both she and her sister had outranked everyone in their group.
Cornelia had been one of the first to congratulate Griet after she stepped off of the stage. The conversation had been brief, but included how Oberon and Gervaise better think twice about tormenting Griet, since she'd proven she could kick anyone's butt in a duel. Griet had laughed at Cornelia's suggested, but silently hoped that her two classmates would leave her be from now on. If they continued their antics, they'd only get themselves into more trouble, and as of the present time, Slytherin had only just pulled out of the hole Oberon and Gervaise had buried the house into, points-wise.
Currenty, Macon Nighthorse of Watling's and Jared Wynbourne of Hogwarts dueled for first and second place. Already, Afanasiia Romanova of Durmstrang and Hamlet St. John of Beauxbatons earned third and fourth, respectively. Macon lunged forward with his wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" but Jared blocked the disarmament perfectly. He countered with a jelly-legs curse, but Macon protected himself expertly. The curses and jinxes flew back and forth for the entire two and a half minutes, when the duel ended. The judges, Dzaya Cholon and Taare Tikao, ultimately ruled Macon the winner because he'd managed to get in one more offensive move than Jared.
Disappointed that Hogwarts didn't take first again, Griet nonetheless clapped loudly and even whistled as Jared took his trophy and posed for photographs. Then group 5 cleared the stage, so that the two separate stages could quickly be repositioned for group 6.
Doing Well
Author: Jet
Date: 02-02-07 16:39
The duel between Jared Wynbourne and Macon Nighthorse ends with Macon beating Jared just barely. In Jet's opinion Jared only lost to take second place because for a fraction of a second Jared's grip loosened on his wand and he nearly dropped it. That one spell on Madison's part made all the difference. At least in Jet's way of thinking. It's how he would have scored things if he were one of the judges.
During the wait of award presentations to the 15 to 16 year age group, Jet did a little meditation to think about nothing but his own upcoming duels. He's not nervous in the slightest and can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad. Jet thinks he'd rather be nervous beforehand and get over it when things start then to be overly calm before his first duel only to have a case of nerves hit him when that duel gets underway. Hopefully he won't have any nervousness at all. All he can do is wait and see.
The waiting isn't long at all. Jet's name is up for the first stage 2 duel in his grouping. Jet's opponent is a tall, lanky girl from La Escuela de Hechiceria. Manuela Chaíça and Jet exchange a handshake then take their starting marks. Judge Jones gives the signal for the duel to get underway. No case of sudden nervousness rattles Jet. If anything, he feels even calmer as if this is something he were born to do.
Jet rapidly fires off a succession of spells, thinking to get the feel of dueling someone new and thinking perhaps his calmness comes from having dueled the same set of students in practice and class back at Hogwarts. As Jet forces Manuela to go on the defensive and stay there, he wonders if it's Manuela who has a case of nerves. She has a look of consternation, trying to get in an offensive manuever against Jet but he never gives her an opening. Just over one minute in, Jet takes pity on her and ends the match by easily disarming Manuela.
When Jet's turn to duel again comes around, he's once more on stage 2. This time his opponent is Dukuzumuremyi Gogo from Okapi École de Sorcellerie. Dukuzumuremyi had been able to watch Jet's first match and knows he's got to be quick on the offensive. When the duel begins Dukuzumuremyi instantly throws a muffling spell, thinking to keep Jet from being able to voice any spells of his own. Jet deftly throws up a block, however, and counters with Petrificus totalus. Dukuzumuremyi goes to block but doesn't get shielded in time. Less than ten seconds into the match Jet simply walks up to the immobilized Dukuzumuremyi and lifts the African student's wand from his hand.
Back in his seat to await being called up for another duel, Jet looks around trying to guess who his next opponent will be.
Live A Little
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 02-02-07 17:52
Brett writes the last sentence of one paragraph then at the bottom of the page jots down the citation information that goes with something in that paragraph. He'd much rather be drafting plans or building a model to go with already drawn plans but this research paper is due mid-week and Brett has already put it off as long as he can.
"May I borrow this book for a tick, Brett?"
Brett looks up from writing to answer Cecily Wright, an Australian who'd come to St. Emrys after graduating from Sydney's School of Sorcery. Like Brett, Cecily is reading architecture in Fancourt College and like Brett, Cecily's got a research paper due for the same class on Wednesday.
"Hi, Cecily. Of course you may."
Approximately 20 minutes later, Cecily is placing the book back on the table where Brett is working. "Thanks so much. How are you coming along?"
"I need to reference another citation from the book you just brought back and then I'm done other than going through to proof and polish. How about you?"
"I think I'm done."
"You're not sure?"
Cecily makes a face. "Well, I'm not 100% thrilled with my last three paragraphs. I can't decide though whether I just need to write a bit more, or just rework those three paragraphs, or leave them as is on the presumption that just because I'm not pleased with what I've got doesn't mean the paper isn't thoroughly acceptable."
She reaches up and begins fiddling with her hair, looping strands around one finger, letting the strands, then beginning the process again. "Maybe I need to step away from it for a little while. Buy you a drink? A snack?"
"Sure, sounds good. I could go for something to eat."
Brett starts packing up his things to leave the library, asking, "Orange, Yellow, or off campus?"
"Orange will do unless you're wanting to leave altogether?"
"Orange is great by me." Brett nods towards the books he'd been using. "Take any of them you want."
Cecily picks up two of them, "Just in case I work more on the paper."
Brett walks with Cecily to where she'd been working and waits on her to gather her own things and then to check the two books out. As they start for the library entrance that's closest to Orange, Cecily sees something flutter from one of Brett's pockets to the floor.
Retrieving it she says, "You dropped this."
Seeing it, Brett eagerly grabs it, putting it into his bookbag instead of his pocket. "Thanks! It's a letter from Orei that came this morning. I've not answered it yet."
Cecily asks in a neutral sounding voice, "Still dating the child, then?"
Brett sighs. Cecily's tone might be neutral but the words dig all the same. "Orei's not a child," he states, trying to sound as neutral as Cecily.
"She's still got over two years left in school. You're what? Nineteen, twenty?"
"June birthday. I'm nineteen at the moment."
"You need to date around, Brett. If the child is still interested when she's out of school, then see her but until then, you shouldn't tie yourself down like that. Live a little."
Brett shrugs. "I'm in love and willing to wait. It's as simple as that."
Cecily gives a snort but shuts up on the subject, instead talking about a project due soon in one of their classes, but Brett can't help wondering if Cecily's advice about dating was a hint that she's available were he to ask her out.
Seeing Red (Hank Hillier)
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 02-02-07 19:08
Hank had been estatic at having his name drawn to compete in the Dueling tournament. It's his chance to show his sister that he can do as well as she does at these SAT events. Rolf too. Maybe even more so his step-brother with his little games he's somehow conned others into paying him for. Hank's played those games and sure, they're all right, but he doesn't get why Rolf would be paid as much for them as he has or why people then go out and buy the games once they hit the market. Hank wouldn't play them at all if not for someone else, namely Rolf, having them.
With two wins under his belt - make that three as Hank disarms Brandon Gump with the use of a hot fingers jinx - Hank is feeling good. He really likes dueling. It doesn't require making good marks. It doesn't require study from books or writing boring papers. It just requires good reflexes and being able to remember just enough spells to get by.
Hank sits in the chairs reserved for whichever group is currently competing, feeling sure of himself. When his name comes up for another match, Hank's not at all worried that it's against his classmate Jet Obsidian. They both have three wins but Hank's beaten Jet in class during dueling practice and he's practice against Jet for this competition. Hank knows everything Jet has to offer and isn't the slightest bit threatened by how handily Jet's won his matches today.
Jet and Hank face off, waiting for the start signal. When it comes, Hank zaps off a jinx that stings like heck when it hits the mark. Unfortunately, Jet's managed to get a spell of his own off and throw up a shield. Hank's hit in the chest by what feels like a solid fist. He wheezes for air and aims that hot fingers jinx he likes so much at Jet.
Two and a half minutes later Hank feels as though he's been pummeled. He can't figure out what happened. Jet's always been good in practice but not this good, this quick. It comes as no surprise to Hank that Jet's declared the winner.
When Hank has his next match, his body is stiff and very sore. That causes him to be slow and when he loses just under two minutes in, Hank blames Jet for the poor performace. It's Jet's fault Hank couldn't do well this match and thus was eliminated from the competition.
When the first of the last two rounds gets underway, Hank is still seething a bit. He doesn't give a fig that Celestina Escalante of Beauxbatons takes 4th when she loses to Madison King from Watling's. It does tick him off more though that Jet takes 1st over Wulfgar Wurfel from Durmstrang.
In The Finals
Author: Fionna
Date: 02-02-07 20:39
Rogelio Zubizarreta's shoulders slump when he sees his wand flying across the stage towards Fionna. The Hogwarts 7th year can't help but smile at winning again. She was sure this match was hers but clenching it for sure by disarming her opponent makes it all the better, even if it does come at 2 minutes 12 seconds into the match. Three more seconds and it would have been in the judge's hands and Fionna's being sure she'd won it anyway doesn't mean the judges would have seen it that way.
Fionna has lost one match and that was based on the judges', who stated when announcing their decision that the win by Céline Valjean was by the slimmest of margins. Céline had lost her first match and the match she had immediately after beating Fionna was lost to Ulla Burundi, taking Céline out of the competition. Fionna can't say she was sad to see the French girl go.
Two more matches later and Fionna's got one left - the final round to determine the winner of the 17-18 year old group. Of the four going into the final rounds only Karl Vellesen-Gjesdahl is unbeaten. It's Fionna vying for the championship position instead of Sæmundr Schultheiss or Ester Fellows because Fionna beat Ester in the first match for each of them and just beat Sæmundr Schultheiss in her last match.
Sæmundr and Ester take to the stage that now stands centrally. When the duel begins it's Sæmundr who's giving the stronger showing but around the 1 minute mark Ester comes on strong, casting spells in quick succession. Sæmundr can't counter them fast enough and can't find an opening in his defensive posturing to go on the offensive. Forty-five seconds later Sæmundr's wand is rolling off the edge of the stage. Judge Dzaya Cholon officially declares Sydney's competitor Ester Fellows the 3rd place winner and Durmstrang's Sæmundr Schultheiss as taking 4th.
Fionna walks up the steps to the stage with Okapi École de Sorcellerie representative Karl Vellesen-Gjesdahl right behind. Fionna turns to her right and walks to the starting mark while Karl goes left to his own starting position. Neither stays put for long. Karl and Fionna are aggressive from the get go, each hurling spells of all sorts at the other, constantly dodging and dancing around to avoid being hit rather than taking time to throw up shields.
When time is call, the two competitors are winded and shiny with sweat. The two judges, Dzaya Cholon and Taare Tikao compare notes, heads huddled together. When at last Judge Tikao stands and walks onto the stage, it's to say, "This was very difficult to the point we were ready to make a new rule that allows for a draw - or a tie if you will. Since we really cannot do that, we therefore declare the winner to be Karl Vellesen-Gjesdahl! Congratulations to you both, Karl and Fionna, for an excellent match!"
Fionna can't believe she lost yet at the same time she can very well believe it. It's no wonder Karl came into the final duel undefeated. Karl was an excellent opponent and Fionna got a thrill out of the challenge even if she did lose to him. Deciding to show grace in defeat, Fionna goes over to Karl to congratulate him then, along with the other three top finishers, stands for the official awards ceremony and photographs.