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Mock Trial Begins
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 05-05-07 09:56
Like the Best in Show: Magical Plants, the Mock Trial took place in the gymnasium at La Escuela de Hechiceria. This time, three desks had been arranged an equal distance apart at the designated front of the gym, while a raised stage with a table, podium, and blackboard had been set up in the middle of the floor. The three judges for the Mock Trial, Olivia Newton, Itzhak Stradivarius and Mario de la Peña already sat at their desks and waited for the very last SAT event to commence.
Professor Eduardo Gomez, the Legal Studies instructor at the Chilean school of magic stepped onto the stage. The lights dimmed and a spotlight appeared on the man, who was short in stature and a shady appearance that made it look as if he'd had a few run-ins with the law himself.
He gave the standard greeting in the four major languages represented by the seven schools gathered in the gym and then explained the rules of the Mock Trial. The order of the schools had been randomly decided: Sydney's School of Wizardry would go first, followed by Hogwarts, Watling's, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Okapi, and finally La Escuela de Hechiceria. Each school would make two presentations, with the younger group going first.
In all, each group would get thirty minutes in the competition. Fifteen of those minues would occur offstage and involve looking over the case assigned and preparing a presentation, which would happen onstage during the next fifteen minutes. All participants had long known what sorts of cases might be asked of them at the competition and have had months to research and prepare for whatever they might get.
Fifteen minutes ago, the first team comprising of Amanda White and Janet Walker had already received their case and were preparing for it backstage.
Professor Gomez finished his announcements. The magical spotlight went out and the house lights came on, signalling to the other participants that the competition was about to get started. Olivia Newton, one of the judges, rose from her desk and announced, "Will Amanda White and Janet Walker from Sydney's School of Wizardry please take the stage?"
While the girls came out, their fellow schoolmates, Basil Dropkin and Ester Fellows were given their case and sent offstage to prepare for their presentation.
Judge Newton read from a large notecard, "A wizard has purchased Muggle automobiles from a junkyard. He has, in turn, charmed them to fly and then sold them to other wizards. What are the legal ramifications of this wizard's actions and how would this case be handled under wizard law?"
Hopeful
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 05-05-07 11:14
Remus rushed to St. Mungo's Hospital as soon as he heard the news that Tonks had been recovered from the catacombs beneath Paris where she'd been held prisoner for several weeks. It had been by chance that French aurors had been combing the passage on the other side of the wall Tonks had blasted open, otherwise she'd have drowned. Unfortunately, she'd been held under water long enough that although resusicated, had slipped into a coma, in which she still lay. The French healers had, however, seen her fit to travel to St. Mungo's.
Remus ran into Andromeda in the corridor. Her eyes were red and swollen. For a moment, Remus feared the worse, but then Andromeda smiled and reached for Lupin's forearm. She squeezed it and said, "She'll be glad you came." She sniffled and dried her eyes with a handkerchief. "I'm going to the tea room for a drink. Would you like I bring you something?"
"Thank you, but no. May I see her?" Lupin asked.
Andromeda nodded. "Of course. The healers say it would be good to have someone always by her side, talking to her. Perhaps your voice will cause her to wake." She let go of Lupin's arm and walked away, sighing quietly as she went.
Remus went into the hospital room and found Tonks, mousy-haired and pale-faced, looking as if she were merely resting after a long day's work. He went to her side and looked into her face, sorry she had had to endure alone everything she'd faced these past few weeks. He would have put himself there with her if able, if only to suffer as she suffered and to give her comfort.
He bent over her and pressed his lips to her forehead. Lupin had never kissed her before, not even a kiss as innocent as the one he just gave her. He felt his heart swell, suddenly forgetting why he'd ever resisted Tonks in the past. What if they never had a chance now? What if she died after lying in a coma for years, like Hermione's father had done?
Remus sat down in the chair by her bed and picked up her hand. He squeezed it warmly, lovingly, and started to talk to her.
Introducing Himself
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 05-05-07 13:36
The Auror Office was a flurry of activity, even more so than usual ever since the chaos that had occured at Azkaban last weekend. It seemed as if sightings of missing prisoners came in every hour, but most of the time, the aurors dispatched either found themselves answering false alarms or at the end of a trail, long left cold. The photographs of the eight prisoners who had successfully escaped, among them Rodolphus Lestrange and Fenrir Greyback, appeared in the Daily Prophet almost everyday. Ethan already feared what might come to pass on the next full moon, which was on June 5th, a mere two days away. Would Fenrir return to his old habit of attacking a child each month?
The wizard who'd copied Fenrir had been one of the unlucky during the chaos. Acheron Rookwood had received the dementor's kiss. There were others who'd suffered the same fate, losing their soul and remaining nothing but an empty shell, devoid of life, yet living all the same.
Both Dorian and Maren Somerset had been in a contained portion of the prison during the chaos and had neither had the opportunity to flee or suffer death or the dementor's kiss. Ethan, although he loathed them both for what they'd done to him, was glad they hadn't come to any harm and that they remained safe and sound behind bars
Ethan had found himself in the office or out on assignment everyday, all day and well into the night since the Saturday before last. He'd gone into the office Sunday morning but had promptly been sent home. All those who'd put in extra hours and worked themselves well beyond the call of duty would be of no good to anyone if they overexhausted themselves.
So, Ethan found himself with free time at last, though he had enough adrenalin coursing through his veins to make him want to do more than just sit on the sofa and listen to the WWN. He decided it was high time to visit the Towneleys. He made himself look presentable and then disapparated for Muggle Bristol.
For a long time, Ethan stood across the street of the house where the Towneleys lived and went over in his mind what he would say. The car he'd seen pull into the driveway the last time he'd visited was parked there, which probably meant they were home.
Finally deciding not to delay any longer, Ethan crossed the street, went to the front door via the front walk, and then rang the doorbell. The older woman he'd once seen, Marigold, opened the door.
She smiled. "May I help you, young man?"
Ethan smiled. "I hope so. Are you... Marigold Towneley?"
"Yes, I am." She continued smiling, though she looked more curious now.
"I don't know how to tell you this, but I think I might be your son."
She looked blankly at Ethan for a moment and then called towards the back of the house. "Tavish, come here for a moment."
(Caden) Solstice Sacrifice
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 05-06-07 11:12
Caden had only gone to Santiago to see whether Enid would show, as Ronan had claimed she'd done both in Sydney and at Hogwarts. She'd been there in support of Ronan at the Best in Show: Magical Plants competition and had been very surprised to see Caden there too. In fact, upon spotting Caden in the crowd, Enid had gone to him and steered him outside the gymasium like a mother pulling a misbehaving child into a corner.
"What are you doing, wasting your time here?" Enid had asked.
"Do you call cheering on Ronan a waste of time, Enid?" Caden had countered.
"Call me Mother, and you have far more important things with which to occupy your time than supporting Ronan. He would understand, if he knew the truth."
"No, he wouldn't," Caden had disagreed, shaking his head. "He already suspects I'm not myself anymore. I won't tell him anything. He doesn't need to know. He's better off not knowing."
"You see now, why I left. Ronan, my baby, is better off not knowing what you and I are capable of. He is a good boy and always shall be, and he will always have our love. But he is different from us. Caden," Enid had reached out and placed a hand on his chest. "You must ask your followers about the Solstice Sacrifice."
"The Solstice Sacrifice?" Caden had repeated.
"It is a traditional ritual among the Brethren. The followers must sacrifice someone of pure heart on the eve of the summer solstice in an act of allegience to their leader, you. They will balk at doing so if you do not demand them of it."
"Why is it so important?"
"Because the blood is like gold in your pockets. Blood spillt on a day like the summer solstice, and especially blood of the pure, is sought after by potions masters world-wide. It is a rare commodity, and it will make you rich."
Caden had returned to England mulling over his mother's thoughts in his mind. He had grown ever greedier since obtaining his status as leader of a dark group of wizards. He saw gold in his eyes at the thought of the Solstice Sacrifice and turned to the wizard nearest him at the hideout beneath the Hanged Man.
"Hamm, call everyone to me. I have a wish I want you all to fullfill..."
Why Couldn't We Be Last?
Author: Blossom
Date: 05-06-07 12:09
"Why Couldn't We Be Last?" Charity Douglas grouses.
Daria doesn't look up from the book she's hastily thumbing through. "I know. That would have been good. We'd have gotten to watch more than one presentation, which would have been very helpful."
Daria and Charity had been able to watch Janet Walker and Amanda White of Sydney's School of Wizardry. When the next two competitors were taking the stage, Basil Dropkin and Ester Fellows also of Sydney's, Charity and Daria were being given their case to prepare.
Charity says very uncharitably, "Really random draw that puts the host school going last. They'll benefit from seeing nearly everyone else."
Daria silently agrees on that last part but not the first. She'd like to believe that draw for order really was random and it's just coincedence that La Escuela de Hechiceria has the last two case presentations.
Still not looking up she suggests, "Less talk, more research."
"Fine," Charity snits.
The two work in silence until they're told they've got five minutes left of the fifteen. The two Hogwarts sixth years then rapidly compare notes and organize for their presentation. Those five minutes, the entire fifteen really, pass all too quickly. Ready or not it's time for Charity and Daria to take the floor.
A shopkeeper is accused of selling substandard cauldrons - self-stirring cauldrons that work once or twice after being sold, iron cauldrons that rust on the inside and ruin potions, cauldrons with thin bottoms that easily melt. What, if anything, may be done under wizard law with regard to the shopkeeper?
With the way the lights are falling, Daria isn't sure which of the judges is doing the reading but since it's a male voice that leaves out Olivia Newton.
Daria steps up to speak first, addressing the need to prove that it is indeed the shopkeeper and not the cauldron manufacturing company responsible for the substandard cauldrons. Next, Daria cites legal precedence regarding cauldrons that are not proctected from ruining potions, causing a danger to Witches and Wizards. Some of the precedences Daria cites, such as Hester Mugwump v British Ministry of Magic, address the issue of rusting cauldrons. In this partcular case Mugwump lifted an anti-rust charm on an iron cauldron so that the lover who spurned her would be injured while brewing a potion that becomes highly volatile when rust is added. Other precedences Daria cites address the issue of thin bottomed cauldrons that easily melt or crack, something that there is unfortunately not as much to draw from in the legal texts.
Daria wraps her portion up in a rapid seven minutes, turning over the podium to Charity. Her Mock Trial partner tackles the self stirring cauldrons not stirring issue, citing law on truth in advertising. It's also Charity's job to speak about the proof against the shopkeeper and how even if it were the cauldron manufacturing company, the shopkeeper is still liable for continuing to sell faulty, substandard cauldrons.
Daria steps up to speak for one last minute to do the conclusion. Then they are done and Daria's knees feel oddly weak, like jelly. Out of the spotlight, her heart pounding, Daria puts it down to the effects of the adrenaline rush she felt when stepping to the podium the first time to speak. She's done now and while she doesn't have anything to compare against yet other than Sydney's Amanda and Janet, Daria thinks Charity and she did well.
(Siegfried) The Case
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-06-07 13:53
Watching the first two presentations made Siegfried feel both at ease and nervous. He felt relaxed in that he gained an idea of how the entire thing would proceed, but waiting, even just half an hour for his portion to begin, made him anxious to get it done. When the moment finally came, he and Fionna Gairden, his fellow participant from seventh year at Hogwarts, slipped offstage to tackle their case:
A fifteen year old boy is charged with using an Unforgiveable Curse on another wizard in front of Muggles. Describe the legalities involved and the resolutions the Ministry of Magic would likely take in the case.
"That's pretty straightforward," Siegfried commented, after reading the assignment.
"Let's not get too overconfident," Fionna suggested. "It might be because it's so straightforward that we need to go above and beyond in our presentation. Start looking through those books on the law and Muggles. In the meantime, I'll look up underage wizardry and the Unforgiveables."
Set to their tasks, Siegfried and Fionna busied themselves for the next fifteen minutes conducting research and making notes for the presentation they were due to make next. Unfortunately, the fifteen minutes they had behind-the-scenes went by far too quickly, and it became time to take the stage.
Daria and Charity had just finished their presentation and looked both relieved and pleased. Siegfried swallowed a lump that suddenly appeared in his throat and approached the stage behind Fionna. She stepped up behind the podium first, while Judge Newton read out the case so the audience knew what they would be discussing. As soon as she finished, Fionna started talking.
Cold And Getting Colder
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 05-06-07 15:12
Two feet away Barnabus stomps his feet and claps his hands together. "It's so fecking cold!"
Griff, who'd had the forethought to wear gloves and sturdier clothing, casually says, "This far north even in June it's not going to be overly warm."
Griff doesn't mention that having grown up where he did, he's used to harsh weather no matter what time of year it is. Barnabus doesn't need to know anymore more about Griff than he already does.
"Don't have an extra pair of gloves do you?" Barnabus sounds really hopeful.
"No. Why not conjure up a pair?"
"This being a Muggle location I, well I, you know how it is, mate."
"Even though this is an extremely remote location and even though Mercutio and Belladonna expect us to be prepared for any sort of trouble, you didn't bring your wand."
Barnabus laughs nervously. "That's about the sum of it. Be a chum?"
Griff rolls his eyes and pulls out his wand. When Barnabus is happily donning the gloves Griff provided, Griff says, "You realize I should have let your hands freeze."
"You're a good sport though," Barnabus says between stamping his feet. "You and your bird Sinead still on the outs?"
Sinead, her job at the Diagon Alley branch of Gringott's concluded, has been sent to Hong Kong. In the spirit of international cooperation, she'll work in a Gringott's there to help the government gain information on the accounts of some political terrorist suspects. The flat Griff shared with Sinead, strictly on a professional basis, has seemed oddly empty since she left. They'd become really good friends and she's someone Griff trusts without question. The only upside has been that with no Sinead to sometimes be seen out and about with, Griff's had more time to spend with Tristan.
Griff, not having to fake being disappointed that Sinead is gone, grunts, "Yeah. Sinead's moved on."
"My current lady friend has a friend who's lonely. How about I introduce you as thanks for these much needed gloves?"
"Thanks, but no." Griff really doesn't want to know what sort of woman would go for a dumb arse like Barnabus, so by association he really doesn't want to know what a friend of such a woman would be like either. Besides, Griff has only one female in mind, and it's not his friend Sinead.
Movement out on the water catches Griff's eye. "There's the shipment."
"About bloody time," Barnabus grunts.
As Griff is securing the front of the small boat to the dock, someone comes out of the wheelhouse. Looking up as a shadow falls over him, Griff's heart sinks to see Jacob LaBranche standing there.
"Well, well, this is certainly a surprise. Thought you were dead, Griff."
"You two know each other," Barnabus asks.
"Unfortunately, yes," Griff says with a grimace of distaste.
"Now is that any way to greet your uncle?" Jacob asks, stepping off the boat onto the dock to clap Griff heartily on the arm.
Inconclusive
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 05-06-07 18:01
I sat in the waiting room alone, waiting for the Healer to call my name. St. Mungo’s was a place that was becoming familiar to me – a place I had been going to every day this week. The friendly smiles of the other Healers as they passed showed an acknowledgement of my presence – more than could be said of my current treatment at my own home.
“Ms. Eternal? … Mrs. Black?”
I looked up in surprise. “What did you call me at first?”
The Healer smiled sadly. “I called you by your maiden name. I was checking to see if you would subconsciously react to it. But you didn’t, did you?”
I shook my head as I stood up.
“Where is your husband?”
I blushed. “I think he is checking up on a friend. His cousin Tonks was just admitted here.” I added hastily, “We can start without him.”
The Healer nodded his head but seemed displeased that Sirius wasn’t with me. Pushing open a door he gestured for me to follow him inside. As we sat down, a hasty knock came from the door, followed by the entrance of Sirius. I stood up quickly and almost took a step towards him before seeing his scowl and freezing. Sitting down again, I stiffly asked, “How is Tonks? Has she awoken yet?”
“No.”
Sirius took a seat next to me, and I could see the strain on his face. It had been a hell of a week for him what with his cousin’s disappearance not to mention the loss of my memory. For a brief moment I considered the latter was less distressing to him than the former, but I shook that thought out of my head as the doctor began to speak.
“Has there been any changes since I last saw you yesterday?”
I shook my head.
He rubbed his face absently as he flipped open my medical chart. “With the tests that we ran, along with my observations over the past week the only answer I can give you as far as your memory loss…”
I sat forward in my seat, eager to hear his answer.
“… are inconclusive.”
I frowned. I noticed Sirius was frowning too. “What do you mean, inconclusive?” he asked.
The Healer flipped through the sheets in my chart, frowning as well. “It is hard to draw a conclusion or a remedy to your problem without understanding the basis of how it occurred. Checking the wand would have been helpful had it not been for the fact that the wand had been cracked and left useless after whatever spell had last been performed on it. We have dealt with memory loss before with variable success depending on the circumstances. Spells gone wrong, knocks on the head, things like that we are quite prepared for. But in these circumstances…”
I could hear the Healer’s words as he droned on not quite understanding what he said but realizing none of it sounded very good.
“The only thing we can do in this instance,” he continued as he spoke to Sirius directly, “is to keep a close observation on the patient and to hope that memories from the past will start to return in it’s own time. I strongly urge not to press the memories, and any memories that might be…” he paused delicately, “stressful to the patient should perhaps not be mentioned at the time. I would start by recollecting the more pleasant moments and see if these stories will trigger any memories on her own.”
Feeling about as invisible as my memories, I quietly asked, “But you are confident that they will return? My memories?”
The Healer rubbed his face again as if contemplating the question. “That,” he said, “is still inconclusive.”