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(Patricia) Before the Runic Rodeo
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 11-01-16 15:40
All the excitement and fascination about going to France had vanished. Patricia was now seated with all the other participants of the Runic Rodeo Challenge, waiting to be called into the room where the judges were and the competition would be taking place. Margaret Kegg, from Hufflepuff, was seated next to her.
The trip in the RV to France had been funny, and all the Hogwarts students formed a friendlier group. They talked, played games, and when it was bed time they even had the right to drink some hot coco. Beaxbatons was nothing like Hogwarts, and Patricia had fell in love with the gardens and its fountains. It was all very romantic. She wanted to explore the school after the challenge was over, and she wondered if Margaret would be up to it. She had promised Belinda she would try and take a souvenir from Beaxbatons to her. Although she was not sure exactly what that could be yet: it wasn't like they had a souvenir shop inside the school.
Patricia looked around to the students from the other schools she would have to compete against. Some seemed calm, others overly excited, like the two boys from La Escuela de Hechiceria, who were naming all the runes they knew, and making gestures in the air with their fingers, trying to capture the rune's shapes. A girl with a long dark braid seemed quite arrogant looking at everyone else. Her eyes met with Patricia, and she did not like the way she was being looked at. She looked away, hoping this girl would not go far in the competition. Patricia did not want to for that girl, whoever she was.
Professor Hodfuffer came to wish good luck to his students. He was very friendly and assured everyone that the main goal was to go out there and have some fun. Patricia noticed some of the other sponsors did not seem to send that message to their students. She could understand that the teacher from the Durmstrang Institute wanted nothing but victories in this very very challenge of the SAT. Loosing was not an option.
A few students from Beaxbatons passed by the waiting participants, clearly late for something. Would they be watching the event? Patricia wondered. One of them noticed she was staring and he said in French:
"Bonne chance,"
She felt like melting. He was wishing her good luck. His friend muttered something, probably saying he should not be so friendly to the enemy. But the other boy didn't seem to care.
"Merci" she replied, but the boys were already gone.
Someone announced it was time for the challenge to take place. Patricia stood up, and adjusted uniform's tie. It was time to prove herself in Ancient Runes.
Alys in the Runic Rodeo
Author: Ellis
Date: 11-01-16 18:47
The Runic Rodeo was underway at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Alys sat and waited her turn with the other contestants who hadn't yet gone before the three judges. The nice thing about not going first was that she had some idea of the proceedings––more so than any practice sessions had given her back at Hogwarts. Obviously, the questions the judges posed her group wouldn't be the same as those Margaret and Patricia were getting, and likewise, the groups that followed hers would have different questions too. Otherwise, the competition would hardly be fair.
Despite getting insight into what she could expect in just a short while, Alys started to feel increasingly nervous. Why had she thrown her name in for the competition? Her strength lie in Charms, not Ancient Runes. Not that she got bad marks in Ancient Runes, but she really didn't consider herself exceptionally skilled. What if she totally blew it for Hogwarts?
She felt a hand fall on hers and looked at Kurt, who offered her a reassuring smile. Apparently she'd been bouncing her leg so much that his chair was moving from the vibrations. Alys stilled her leg and smiled sheepishly.
All too soon, Group 1 finished and it was time for Group 2 to come forward. Alys, Kurt, and the other same-aged students from Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, La Escuela de Hechicería, Okapi École de Sorcellerie, Sydney's School of Wizardry, and Watling's approached a series of podiums arranged in front of the three judges, who were experts in Ancient Runes but had no affiliation with any of the seven schools represented.
Gijsbert Ganesvoort got things started off by posing a question to Kurt.
Meanwhile in the guest stands, Blakeney watched her sister compete. She herself would be participating in the Arithmancy Challenge tomorrow. Like Alys, Blakeney felt pretty lucky to get to watch a competition before participating in one. Unfortunately, she wouldn't get to see what the Arithmancy Challenge was really all about until it was her turn to participate. Being in the youngest group meant she had to go first.
Blakeney had a lot more confidence about the competition than Alys did, though it was a bit funny because Blakeney only had two months of Arithmancy class under her belt. Perhaps it was because she figured the questions asked of her would be at a beginner level. Mostly, she was in the competition to have a good time.
She really enjoyed visiting Beauxbatons. It was a glamorous sort of castle and one she felt like she could truly be at home in. If only she could speak French. Maybe it was time to learn. It was a romantic and very sophisticated language, after all. She scanned the room to admire some of the French boys. Since Chip didn't want her, maybe one of them could teach her the language of romance. Blakeney smiled to herself and then redirected her attention to Alys when it was her turn to answer a question.
First On The Spot (Kurt & Callie)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-01-16 19:13
Callie suggests to Kurt, "Think of this as a warm-up for your OWL practicals next year."
Kurt's eyebrows knit together. "Those are timed and have increased difficulty with each question?"
"Well, no; but, you are being asked to perform on the spot and you don't have ages to answer a question or perform whatever the professor wants."
Since learning both he and Callie had been selected to compete in the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament's Runic Rodeo Kurt hasn't been able to decide how he feels. At times he's been fine with it, thinking it would be nice to have her support and that they both have the potential to win for Hogwarts. At other times he sort of hopes she's sick when the time comes and someone has to fill-in for her or that the Hogwarts sixth year contingent is a party of one. What if Kurt makes a bloody muck up and Callie is there to witness? Bad enough others would see but something about her being his sister and seeing him badly flub seems all the worse.
Kurt doesn't have much time to dwell on this again as it crosses his mind following her comments. The competitors of all years and schools are allowed in to take their seats and soon after an opening welcome statement and introduction of the judges, the rounds for the third years begin.
The first groups' ten rounds and rune readings seem to fly by to Kurt. To him, it seems they've hardly begun when they're being thanked and dismissed and the fourth years being called up. To Kurt's horror, he's the first of the fourth years asked a question. Why couldn't either of the Hogwarts third years have been first so that one of the other schools' participants would field the first question from his group?
Kurt somehow makes it through the question without stuttering or stammering, giving him time to gather his thoughts as each of the others in the group, listening to their questions and trying to guess what else he might be asked.
Watching her brother having to go first, Callie breaths a little easier. Though she feels badly for Kurt being first on the spot that means most likely when her group is up, she won't be in the same position. Someone from another school most likely will be.
Kurt makes it through without any major mistakes the Callie noticed. She has a thought that maybe he has made some major mistakes and she is so unprepared she didn't catch them. If she were prone to panic attacks, Callie thinks she might would have one right about now.
I Want To Go Home
Author: Alaia Rothstein
Date: 11-01-16 19:36
Alaia was tired of being in Switzerland she wanted to go home. It was nice to be away at first but then again she was really sick at first and she was glad to get somewhere where she was able to get better. She was feeling better now and just wanted to go home and see her family and Divina.
"Lee, Honey, when do you think we can go home?"
"Are you tired of Switzerland already?" Lee joked.
Alaia frowned and looked out the window at the mountains. "I am. I want to go home. I feel better."
"I know but I want to make sure that you are going to stay well. It's just..." he paused not wanting to tell her what he knew.
"It's just what?" Alaia pressed.
"Nothing. I just want to make sure that you are okay."
Alaia sighed softly and continued to look out the window. She wanted to go home, she wanted to be with her husband, she wanted to start their family...but she had been sick for what seemed like forever.
Lee sat down next to his wife and took her hand in his. "I love you, Darling. I want you to be happy and if that means going home then we'll go home." He knew that going home was not a good idea but then again keeping Alaia all tucked away in Switzerland was not exactly ideal either.
"I love you too." She smiled sweetly at him. Lee melted inside seeing his wife's lovely smile once again; it had been too long since he had see it. "When do we get to go home?"
"Tomorrow I will talk to your healers and we will make sure that everything is in order and that they think going home is a good idea and if they do then we can go home tomorrow afternoon."
"Okay." She smiled again. "I can't wait to see Divina. I do have to say I am disappointed that I've written to her so many times and I've not heard one word from her."
Lee's smile faded and he knew it was his own fault that Divina had not written to her -- he fingered the pocket of his robe where her newest letter sat and felt bad for not sending them.
"Would you like something to eat?" Lee asked. Alaia nodded and said she wanted pizza and so Lee left the room to go and find some pizza for Alaia.
Wedding Dress
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 11-01-16 20:01
Chance smiled at Justus and kissed him tenderly. "I am off to go shopping with Bronwyn."
Justus laughed, "you are always going shopping with Bron." Chance smiled.
"Well she is my best friend and I like spending time with her."
"You mean you like spending money."
"Yeah that too. A girl can never have enough shoes." She giggled.
There was a knock on the door and Chance walked to the door and pulled it open and on the other side stood Bronwyn.
"Hey there." Bron smiled. "Hey Justus."
"Hi." He grinned. "It's nice to see you."
"You too." Bron replied. "You ready?" She then asked as she looked from Justus to Chance.
"Yes." She said and kissed Justus again before heading out the door.
"Don't spend too much." Justus called after the girls as they headed off.
"We won't..." they both called over their shoulders with a giggle.
"So." Chance said. "I am thinking I want to go to a bridal shoppe and look at some dresses."
"As long as you don't put me in an ugly dress that is like some putrid green color or something." Bron laughed.
"Okay it's a deal. Only pretty dresses."
The girls both giggled and headed out to Muggle London and the Bridal shoppe.
*****
Chance had tried on her third wedding dress and she was looking in the mirror when Bronwyn came out of the dressing room in a pale blue dress. It was beautiful and looked so good on her. "I love it." Chance said. "I think it is perfect. Do you like it?"
"I do."
"Okay then it's yours." Chance said and turned back towards the mirror so she could look at the dress again. "I really love this dress. I think this is the one."
Bronwyn walked up beside Chance and the two of them looked in the mirror and smiled at each other. "Perfect." They giggled. The young woman helping then walked back up and asked if Chance liked the dress and Chance began gushing about it and the young woman helped her out of the dress. Chance redressed and then paid for the two dresses. She wanted to go shopping with Faith and Hope since they were in the wedding too...it must be a girls day...she and Faith, Hope and Bronwyn. It would be fun.
(Asher) Competing
Author: Jolyon
Date: 11-02-16 18:47
Judge Kalliope Dyonysius said, "This question is for Mr. Kent. The group of eight runes in the Elder Futhark is referred to as what?"
Asher knew he didn't have a lot of time to consider his answer and hoped that the one that had come to mind first was correct. "Each group is called an Ætt."
"That is correct," said the judge. "Alexandre Latil, how many characters are in the Younger Futhark?"
Although he should have been paying closer attention, Asher's mind wandered whenever it was someone else's turn to answer questions. He didn't know why he'd decided to try for the Runic Rodeo SAT event, and he was even more surprised to have been chosen. Asher wasn't really the academic type, and the fact that his success would earn Hogwarts (and by extension Slytherin) points, made him wonder why the selection had been random and not based on one's strengths. Well, he hadn't failed Ancient Runes class yet, so maybe being in the competition wasn't the worst thing in the world.
Asher was fairly pleased that he had gone to Beauxbatons without his father, sister or Malden. Just when all luck seemed to be against him, he'd gotten a brief reprieve from those who tormented him by simply existing. He wondered if there was a foreign exchange system between any of the schools participating in the SAT. Perhaps he could transfer to Beauxbatons, though he didn't know a word of French. Maybe one of the other English-language schools would be a better option.
"Mr. Kent?"
Asher realized that Judge Luminita Virgo was trying to get his attention. The girl from Watling's, Stella Ford, giggled at him.
Judge Virgo curtly asked, "What runic alphabet is used to transcribe Elfdalian?"
Asher totally blanked. He could sense the time ticking away and felt every eye on him. He could see Stella staring at him out of his periphery. Suddenly, Asher remembered the answer, and he said in a rush, "Dalecarlian runes."
Inevitably, he tuned out when the judge questioned Alexandre next.
Now A Spectator (Margaret)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 11-02-16 20:25
Relieved beyond words that her part of the Runic Rodeo has ended, Margaret has spent the time since watching the older participants compete and chatting up some of the students from other schools. Some are nicer than others. Petyr Telemann, a Durmstrang student she'd competed against, is one of the not so nice ones.
Yesterday, after the six schools coming to Beauxbatons had all arrived Margaret had met some of the other students. Shortly after meeting Petyr had snottily asked if Margaret is a pureblood. Years ago, Margaret, her brother, and her mother had been declared not to be purebloods and sent to camps. Though young, Margaret will never forget the hat and bias so her first instinct is to tell Petyr, yes, she's a pureblood. Instead, she honestly replied, "Depends on your definition of pureblood. To some I am, to others I'm not."
Petyr had walked away after that without another word. His schoolmate Katya Krakowski, who is in Sunday's Arithmancy Challenge, had overheard the exchange. She seems to be one of the nicer ones telliing Margaret in halting English, "No mind, Petyr. He raised that way. Not all Durmstrang like that."
After that Katya and Margaret ended up talking for awhile, every so often joined by one or more others. Before Runic Rodeo began she talked with some of the same ones from last night and a few she'd not done more than greet yesterday. She's made several new friends and they've exchanged contact information. This morning she also talked with Patricia McCourt, glad to have a classmate along even if Patricia is, in essence, just as much Margaret's competition as the others are. At times Margaret has thought that Patricia will surely do better than she solely because Patricia is a Ravenclaw to Margaret's Hufflepuff. Ravenclaws as a whole are known for being intelligent and how well they do in classes. Hufflepuffs as a whole are by no means dumb but there's a huge difference in being a member of a house known for its friendliness and being a member of a house known for its collective brilliance.
As a break is called Margaret gets up from her seat both to get something to drink and to talk with two of her new friends, Ramsay Lloyd from Sydney's School of Wizardry and Angie Oakley from Watling's Wizarding Academy and discuss how they thought they did during their round. Margaret did all right but she's fairly certain she missed at least one question. She's not had a chance to get Professor Hodfuffer alone long enough to ask and the results from her round have not yet been posted.
When the break is over, Margaret ends up sitting with Angie, paying attention to the competition while whispering quietly back and forth telling each other more about their respective schools.
(Paton) Focused
Author: Griet
Date: 11-03-16 19:19
Every time one of the other contestants was asked a question, Paton tried answering it in his head. The same held true when it was time to give rune readings. Paton thought it was better for him to keep his brain active than to dwell on all the facts he'd stuffed into his brain or try to guess what questions or runes he might get. Answering the questions as they were asked was another way to keep him distracted from fears that he would do poorly in the competition.
Keeping his brain busy also kept him from thinking about other things, such as his new home life. His mother had written him earlier in the week to wish him good luck. There'd also been notes from his mother's new boyfriend and that boyfriend's two children. Flavius' note had been nice enough, but it was obvious that Fulvia and Festus had been coerced into writing theirs. I hope you lose read one, with a don't inserted in the middle. Good luck, Patton read the other.
It would be nice if Paton placed in the competition, so that he could show off his trophy or medal or whatever the prize was. If he did win something, then he also hoped his name would be spelled correctly on it. It would be so disappointing and somewhat ironic if the plaque said Patton Shrewsbury instead.
Franciscus watched his cousin compete from the guest seating. He was at Beauxbatons for tomorrow's Arithmancy Challenge. Franciscus and Paton did a lot of things together since not only were they cousins, but they were also best friends. It seemed only fitting that they'd wound up participating in the first two SAT events, which took place at the same school and meant they could hang out together all weekend, just like they normally did.
They did branch out and meet some of the other students during last night's grand feast. Franciscus thought that Celia Brun from Beauxbatons was pretty cute and spent a lot of time conversing with her. Her English was good, but her accent was thick and sometimes made it difficult for him to understand. They had fun trying to figure it out together, though.
Paton, on the other hand, had found himself talking to several girls, including Sally Sortie from Okapi and Caitlyn Collingham and Shireen Yarwyck from Watling's. Each one promised to write to him, which was a welcome reprieve from any future letters he might get from the Flaversham siblings. It was also a bit strange, since Paton had never found himself the center of attention by so many girls (or any, really).
Soon, Paton's round of the competition ended. Sighing with relief and thinking he'd done decently, he left his podium. There was only one group left to go before the Runic Rodeo officially came to a close.
Waiting Her Turn (Eden)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 11-04-16 19:26
The rune readings over the only portion of the Runic Rodeo left is the ogham readings for the group Eden is competing in. If the three judges stick to the order of asking questions and for the rune readings then Eden has eleven students ahead of her before her turn. If the ogham readings are along the lines of the rune readings, they will be similar in skill and knowledge needed but not identical.
They hadn't known going into the competition if the rune readings for each group would be the same one with each student called forward to do the reading out of the hearing of the others in the same group or if each would be different. In each of the previous group rounds the runes to read were not identical so when Eden's group was called there was no reason to think the judges would have a different approach.
The same is true for the ogham readings. Eden's group and the previous ones are the only groups to have questions about the ogham and to have ogham readings. When the previous group's members were each given different ogham to read the logical conclusion was that the next group would have different ones as well.
After the first participant up, Cesar Prieto of La Escuela de Hechiceria - a hot cutie in Eden's opinion - has done his ogham reading and the next student, Olly O'Connor from Sydney's School of Wizardry - cute but something of a prat - has a different reading than Cesar, then it stands to reason that they'll have have their own unique readings to give.
Eden is conflicted about this. Having the same rune and ogham readings means the judges could literally compare the students' performances. The readings could be done in a way that those who have not had a turn would not know what the ones going before have interpreted, keeping competitors from benefitting from those who'd gone before. She supposes though that since the questions they were asked differed then having the readings differ as well fit with the set up of the competition as a whole.
When Eden's turn comes she nearly flubs duir (a perpendicular line with two lines coming off it to the left) with luis (a perpendicular line with two lines coming off it to the right) but catches herself, hastily making the correction before continuing. Having no idea how that will count against her, if at all, Eden completes reading the ogham she's given while trying not to dwell on the mistake. It's done and with the reading completed her portion of the competition comes to an end.
The entire competition is soon over as there were only two others after Eden. There is a collection cheer from her group and the others who'd gone before and applause from those in the audience. Now to wait for the results to be posted for this first event of the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament.