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Transfiguration Tournament (Jill Prewitt)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 02-20-07 11:10
Host school Okapi École de Sorcellerie's Transfiguration Tournament sponsor Professor Jenny Manono calls all the participants for Group 1 together. She arranges the students in a raised, stage-like platform at the outdoor arena where yesterday's Best in Show - Magical Creatures event took place. For this first group there are ten chairs arranged in a very slight curve facing the viewing stands.
As Professor Manono places the ten children in alphatical order she explains in French while her words are translated into the other three official SAT languages that once the tournament begins the entire stage area will be magically amplified for sound so that everyone in the audience may clearly hear what's going on. She also points to a large screen, telling the students that the screen will magically display whatever it is each student is being asked to transfigure. That way even the spectators will be able to see what it is moderator Gustav Johansson will viewing as the basis for judging each competitor.
Hogwarts' Jill Prewitt takes her seat and looks around at the faces of the other Group 1 members. Some look as groggy as she feels. Some look wide eyed and more than ready to go. Jill is excited to be sure. It's just so darn early still and her breakfast hasn't quite finished digesting yet, making her remain on the sleepy side. In order from one end of the slight arc of chairs to the other are Isabella Cacciatore, Herman Hernandez, Peony Jones, Damian Lampwick, Jacques Moreau, Jill, then her cousin Pilar Rivera, Natalya Smirnoff, Igor Vinograd, and lastly Ralphie Young.
Jill reaches over and gives Pilar's arm a squeeze. "I love you, my cousin, so don't take it personally when I win out over you," Jill good naturedly says.
Pilar laughs. "If I win over you, then I expect you to be gracious in defeat. Are you coming at Easter?"
"Don't know yet. The past couple or so years Hogwarts has been letting students go home for the holiday but Mum hasn't yet mentioned us coming to visit. I'd love to. It's been long enough we were at your place last I barely remember it."
"I hope you get to. We'd have so much fun! Oh, there's the moderator. I think we're about to start."
Pilar and Jill go silent as Gustav Johansson. Mr. Johansson calls for attention, introduces himself, then explains the rules. There isn't a hugely wide range of transfiguration the 11 to 12 year olds know so for starters he's going to have them each do the same task. They learn what the first challenge is when Isabella Cacciatore is asked to step forward and transfigure a match into a needle.
Jill breathes a little easier knowing this first task is one she can easily do. Now, if the rest of the competition will be as easy for her, this will be clear sailing to victory!
Making Mouse Trap Magical
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 02-20-07 17:37
Just after breakfast Emerald retrieved a sweater from her room then joined Phin in the common commons. There Emerald and Phin along with Daria Matthews and Titus Fitzgerald figured out ways to make the Muggle game Mouse Trap into a Wizarding one. Watching Daria fiddle with trying to make a charm stick on the mice that will make them move on their own under the control of the gamers, Emerald takes a sip of hot chocolate and wishes she'd kept on the t-shirt she'd been wearing before changing into the sweater. Another layer of clothing sounds so nice and warm about now.
"I never thought it would be this cold at the end of March," Emerald voices aloud.
"That's this area of Scotland for you," Titus grins.
Phin gives Emerald a look of understanding. "Having lived much of my life in the American southwest, I know what you mean. Cold there isn't like cold here."
"I feel like a popcicle every time I go out to practice flying. I don't know who any of you stand it playing Quidditch," Emerald comments.
Daria looks up from the plastic mice, "It's too bad you've not been able to see us play a real game. At least we'll have matches again next year. I'd be bloody pissed if things were reversed and we had matches this year but not in my seventh year. There! I think that does it with the mice."
"Good job," Phin compliments. "You think you'll try for a spot on a St. Emrys team, Daria?"
"I know I will. The part for university I'm having trouble with is determining what to read."
Emerald asks, "What do you mean about reading?"
"You know, pick a career to study."
"Ooooh. We call that majoring."
"Is that Muggle we or American we," Titus inquires.
"Erm. I know it's American and Muggle American at that. I'm not sure about Wizarding American."
Daria asks, "Have Muggles had universities for a long time?"
Nodding Emerald nudges one of the game mice with a finger, smiling when it runs in the opposite direction. "Places of higher learning such a colleges and universities have been around for hundreds of years. I'm not sure about this but I think Harvard University in Massachusettes is considered the oldest university in the US, dating back to sometime in the 1600s."
"Do the universities have sports like St. Emrys has Quidditch?" Daria asks.
"Tons of them. Football, soccer - that's what Americans call what the rest of the world calls football, basketball, track and field, hockey, gymnastics, golf, fencing, rowing, volleyball, skiing - both snow and water, wrestling, diving, swimming... the list goes on."
Daria and Phin know about some of these sports because of Professor Miller and Muggle Studies. Titus, however, hasn't a clue about things like golf, hockey, and volleyball. Titus only knows basketball from Ronan Eastwick's occassional references to a favorite sport of his. Interested to learn more Titus requests, "Describe some of these sports for me, please."
Mug of hot chocolate in hand, Emerald stands. "I'd love to but it will have to be later. I've got a tutoring session in DADA with Professor Isuki and directly after lunch I've got one with Professor Flitwick for Charms. How about after that but before supper?"
"That would be great," Titus agrees.
Emerald reluctantly leaves her friends fiddling more with Mouse Trap to go play catch-up on the first four years of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
At Okapi École de Sorcellerie (Wiggersmythe)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 02-21-07 13:20
Watching from the stands as Group 1's session of the Transfiguration Tournament takes place gives Wiggy a really good idea of what to expect for his own group's portion. When Group 1's competition draws to a close it's Igor Vinograd (Durmstrang) in 1st, Herman Hernandez (La Escuela de Hechiceria) in 2nd, and Jill Prewitt (Hogwarts) in third.
Very soon after Group 1 is done Wiggy and the other Hogwarts second year, Carlotta Calloway, are joining the twelve others in their group for seating assignments. As with Group 1, Group 2 is arranged alphabetically by last name, so it's Henri Blazy, Carlotta Calloway, Fergus Campbell, Pia Fournier, Beowulf Haaken, Wiggersmythe Hodfuffer, Harry Hughes, Aimée Martel, Juan de la Peña, Ekaterina Slovak, Robert Stewart, Simba St. James, Justine Thompson, and Catalina Vargas. To Wiggy, none look as nervous as he feels.
Gustav Johansson, the person running the event, starts the group of 12 to 13 year olds off easily enough with transfiguring tasks that even Group 1 could have handily done. With each round of tasks, however, the transfiguring gets a little tougher, going from changing something inanimate to something else inanimate to the more difficult inanimate to animate or the as difficult animate to inanimate. Wiggy makes a face in sympathy when Aimée Martel is successful at changing a button into a beetle except for the fact that the beetle has a strange plaid design of pink and yellow.
As the tasks become more challenging and more and more of the competitors begin having trouble, Wiggy's nervousness increases. Taking a deep breath and counting to ten very slowly before letting the breath out, Wiggy tries to stop thinking about all that might go wrong with whatever he's asked to do next and instead focus on doing the good job he knows he's capable of.
The Staring Woman
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 02-21-07 15:28
Ginny sets a box of U-No-Poo in the window to work on a new display for the product. Climbing in to begin arranging things as George requested, Ginny looks up to see a woman standing there, eyes fixed on something inside the shop. Recognizing the woman from St. Emrys and following the lady's line of sight, Ginny's not at all surprised to see it's Ron she's watching.
Ginny steps back out of the window and casually walks in Ron's direction. She goes about a foot past him to pick up another box of U-No-Poo and to say, "Your starer is here."
"Huh?" Ron asks, looking up from the table display he's putting together.
"The staring woman from the canteen that day at school. She introduced herself the next day I think you said. Giselle something or other."
"She's here?"
"Not here, here. Outside looking in."
Ron sighs. "She did that at least three times here last week that I know of and twice at Whizzhard Books when I've been there."
"She does know you have a girlfriend?"
"Of course!" Ron looks and sounds indignant at having even been asked that.
Ginny immediately says, "Sorry."
Ron shrugs then turns to look in the direction of the window. When Giselle sees him looking her way she waves and smiles broadly. Ron sighs again. "I'll go talk to her."
Ginny follows behind Ron to return to working on the window display. "First Charlie with Belladonna Sinistra and now you with this Giselle person. Who's next? Bill and some love lorn bank customer?" she says with a laugh.
"It's not funny, Ginny," Ron scowls.
Ginny laughs again. "To you maybe." Giggling more she reenters the window while Ron goes out the door.
Running Into Cecily
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 02-21-07 16:34
Australia walks amiably along with her brother. "I want to be sure and pick up more dog food. I hadn't realized we were almost out until I went to feed Kiril and Vanya this morning and saw there was just enough for today. I'll be glad when Indigo McFusty gets the pet shop and clinic up and running again in Hogsmeade."
"I've been kicking around getting a dog or a cat," Brett tells Aussie. "Orei said she thinks it's a good idea."
"Which do you prefer?"
"Either really. I think it's all going to depend on what's at whatever shop I got to when I go."
"Want to look today? I mean as long as I'm dragging you into a pet store."
"Yeah, why not?"
"Eat first?"
"Definately!"
The siblings walk to Delia's Deli, choosing an outside table. It's chilly today but not so bad as to drive Aussie and Brett indoors when the sun is shining so brightly. No sooner have they ordered then Cecily Wright comes strolling up.
"Hello, Brett!"
"Hi, Cecily," Brett replies then jumps up. "I just remembered something I wanted to add to our lunch order. Be right back."
Brett hurries inside after their waitress. Cecily turns to Aussie in a slightly cold tone, "Cecily Wright, friend and classmate of Brett's." In the same tone, Cecily then haughtily asks, "And you are?"
Aussie's eyes have narrowed at chill in Cecily's voice, wondering why the hell this woman who doesn't know her would be so cold right from the start. Aussie keeps her own voice neutral. "Australia Kingston Gregorovitch. Brett's sister."
An instantaneous change comes over Cecily. "Of course. I knew Brett had a sister and should have seen the resemblance. It's nice to meet you," she says, her voice now dripping with warmth.
Brett comes jogging back to the table. "Sorry about that."
"Didn't take long," Aussie says.
"Our waitress was just inside the door. You and Cecily have introduced yourselves?"
"Yes," Aussie replies, leaving it at that.
Brett looks to Cecily, "Would you like to sit?"
"I'd love to!"
Watching the way Cecily is looking at Brett, Aussie wonders if Cecily knows he's dedicated to someone else and that even if he weren't, Brett would not appreciate the show of jealousy Aussie now understand Cecily had at seeing Brett with a female companion. Definately something to ask Brett about once she has her brother alone again.
On To Group 4 (Rosalinda Yorke)
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 02-21-07 17:03
Clapping for the winners of Group 3 Rosalinda moves to join the thirteen other students who will shortly be competing in Group 4 of the Transfiguration Tournament. The Group 3 winners unfortunately don't include either of the Hogwarts third years, Anne and Stephen. They are from Okapi École de Sorcellerie, La Escuela de Hechiceria, and Sydney's School of Wizardry, respectively Henry Thomas in 1st, Jorge Garcia in 2nd, and Mark Edwards in 3rd.
Group 2 did see Hogwarts earning one point for the SAT with Wiggersmythe Hodfuffer taking 3rd place. First in that group had gone to Catalina Vargas from La Escuela de Hechiceria and 2nd place was awarded to Fergus Campbell of Watling's Wizarding Academy.
Rosalinda is confident she will do well in this event, though well enough to place in the top three is questionable. She isn't exactly sure how each of the schools picked their respective contestants. At Hogwarts anyone wanting to enter an event was able and then a random selection was done of the names from each year entered.
While Rosalinda is good in Transfiguration class and has put in a great deal of practice for this tournament, she's not necessarily the best of the Hogwarts 4th years. For that matter, the other Hogwarts student in this group, Barnaby Barlow, isn't necessarily the best 4th year from their school either. For all Rosalinda knows, the Transfiguration professors at the other six schools pick their top two students from each level.
Rosalinda gets checked in and to her seat wondering how this session will be conducted. She, along with everyone, soon learn that with this group being made up of 14 to 15 year olds having a broader knowledge base to pull from, while the competitors might get asked to do the same task, it won't necessarily be the exact same thing and it might not be in the same round.
Rosalinda isn't sure what that about being the same but not necessarily exactly the same thing is all about. That too she soon learns. One participant is asked to transfigure one shoe into several shoes. Rosalinda gets the same task of transfiguring one item into multiple items but she's given a scarf to turn into several scarves.
Being nervous Rosalinda finds each task a challenge then when faced with the next task in following round promptly thinks the one before was way to easy compared to the current one. It's her turn once again so she moves to the table and is told to transfigure a rat into a cat. Scrunching up her face in concentration, Rosalinda blocks out all the people watching and does her best to turn the ugly, twitchy grayish rat into a pretty, playful grayish cat.
Seeing Different & New
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 02-21-07 18:00
Okapi École de Sorcellerie was very different from Hogwarts. Instead of a single, enormous castle, the African school consisted of several small buildings, some on land, some in the trees and some, even, underground. Everything looked so plain and simple both inside and out, but Alanna found it all very fascinating and wonderful. She was truly glad that she'd been selected for the Transfiguration Tournament because otherwise she may have never gotten to see how other students went to school.
Currently, she watched as the students in group 4 battled it out for first, second and third places. They fell one by one, until three remained, including Rosalinda Yorke of Hogwarts. She was the first of the three to bow out, earning third place for Hogwarts. Galina Saar of Okapi won second, while Arnold Anderson of Watling's was awarded first place. After the presentation of trophies and photo opportunities, group 4 cleared the floor and group 5, of which Alanna was a part, came forward.
Professor Manono arranged them in alphabetical order, thusly: Alanna Beck of Hogwarts, Kiara Fournier of Okapi, Gregoire Martin of Beauxbatons, Mosi Martin of Okapi, Hala Mittentag of Durmstrang, Michael Murray of Watling's, Coco Nutt of Hogwarts, Taran Reid of Watling's, Rodrigo Rodriguez of La Escuela de Hechiceria, Elisa Soledad of La Escuela, Kylie Thomas of Sydney's, Luitgar Tomas of Beauxbatons, Helena White of Sydney's and Konstantin Zemlinksy of Durmstrang.
Alanna instantly felt nervous at being first but also knew that by being first, she wouldn't suffer through seeing everyone else perform before it being her turn––at least in the beginning.
Moderator Johansson called order and then began with Alanna. She was to transfigure a guinea fowl into a guinea pig. Alanna remembered doing that in Professor McGonagall's class last year. Now could she actually remember the incantation? She thought for only a moment before tapping the tip of her wand to the surprisingly calm guinea fowl. She stated the incantation and watched as the bird transformed into the rodent.
Conclusion of Group 5's Session
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 02-22-07 10:51
So far Coco has had a blast here at Okapi École de Sorcellerie. She's spoken to a number of animals and had greatly enjoyed seeing acquaintences from previous SAT events she's been in and meeting new people as well. The school is extremely interesting in it's lay out and construction. Best yet has been the chance to see native African animals in their natural environments instead of in some zoo or zoological park. Winning yesterday's Best in Show: Magical Beasts competition with Hazel, Coco's Aethonon, was as the cliche goes the icing on the cake.
It definately isn't hurting Coco's African experience to be a good ways through the Transfiguration Tournament. Coco doesn't want to be overconfidence but she feels she's doing extremely well so far. Of course, those still in the Group 5 competition are all also doing well or they wouldn't still be sitting here on the arena stage.
Watching now as Gregoire Martin has difficulty with a simple vanishing spell with a hairbrush, Coco wonders not for the first time if her being good at transfiguring has anything to do with being an animagus, which involves a natural ability to change her body into that of a bird. Professor McGonagall is an animagus and is a Transfiguration Mistress. Coco then wonders if metamorphmagis and animagis are all better with transifuring other things than most witches and wizards. It's something to ask about sometime when not sitting on a stage in an open arena waiting for her next Transfiguration Tournament task.
In under a half hour the Group 5 competition has been reduced to three: Helena White from Sydney's School of Wizardry, Alanna Beck and Coco, both from Hogwarts. A few minutes later, it's Alanna out of the competition but at least she's got the 3rd place award and a point for Hogwarts and for Hufflepuff House. Helena and Coco go through another round, each equally successful with the transfiguring Moderator Gustav Johansson has given them.
The next round begins with Coco being asked to transfigure a mound of cotton balls into a single fluffy, white bunny. Coco makes the transformation, finding it easier than the last task she was asked to do. Retaking her seat, Coco looks on as Helena is asked to transfigure the fluffy white bunny back into a mound of cotton balls. To Coco, Helena appears as though she too finds this easier than the last round. The bunny begins changing and soon there is the pile of cotton balls in its place.
Moderator Johansson smiles but is shaking his head. "A very good effort, Helena."
Helena, Coco, and everyone else watching who'd not already spotted the problem sees it now. One of the cotton balls is a little pink and is wiggling in a very rabbit-like nose way.
Moderator Johansson declares, making the standings official, "Alanna Beck of Hogwarts has earned 3rd place, Helena White of Sydney's earns 2nd place, and 1st place is awarded to Coco Nutt of Hogwarts!"
Give Us A Chance
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 02-22-07 15:50
Ron hadn't bothered correcting Ginny that it's Gisela, not Giselle. It's not as though he wants to introduce Gisela Quackenboss to Ginny so what does it matter if Ginny has the name right or not?
Stepping outside, Ron finds Gisela watching the door with eager anticipation. Before he can speak she's rushed over to him, sounding extremely happy with her greeting.
"Hi, Ron! Fancy seeing you today!"
"Hallo, Gisela. Considering you know now where I live and that this is my brothers' shop, and that I often help out here, I don't know if I'd use that particular phrase about us seeing each other."
Gisela's face scrunches up and the oh so happy expression of mere seconds ago is transformed in a blink to extreme unhappiness with her eyes looking to be on the verge of spilling tears. "Are you angry with me, Ron? I don't want you ever to be angry with me. I couldn't bear it!"
Ron nearly rolls his eyes but stops himself with the thought that if Gisela were to notice the action she'd definately go all weepy. He also suppresses the exasperated sigh he was just about to make.
"I'm not angry. Not exactly."
"Oh good! Wait. What do you mean by not exactly?"
"This finding me wherever I am then staring endlessly at me is starting to get creepy. Besides that, I've told you I have a girlfriend."
"I don't mean to appear like a stalker, Ron. I'm just incredibly drawn to you. I know you have a girlfriend. You've told me about her and I've even seen her several times; but if you'd just give me a chance I'm certain you'd see we're much better suited for each other," Gisela earnestly tells him.
That exasperated sigh does escape then and Ron can't help himself when he rolls his eyes. "Gisela, that's not going to happen. Hermione is my soulmate. There have been low moments to be sure but we, or rather I, needed such times to mature more and to see what a special relationship we have. I'm going to have to insist you stop seeking me out to stare at me."
Gisela's lower lip trembles. A large tear slides down one cheek, followed by another. "You're rejecting me? Without giving me a chance? All because of her?"
Ron cuts in with a warning, "If anything happens to Hermione, I'll know where to send law enforcement and you can guarentee that's the fastest way to make me hate you."
Shoulders slumped, tears streaming, lower lip poking out, Gisela sorrowfully says, "I'd never hurt her. All I want is a chance to be in your life. I'm so drawn to you I know it's fate saying we're to be together."
Ron isn't sure of what more to say so he opens the shop door again then simply says, "Goodbye, Gisela."