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Emily at the Non-Magical Event
Author: Ellis
Date: 11-25-16 15:25
Emily had never been to Africa before. In fact, she had never dreamed that she would ever visit the continent in her lifetime. It was simply one of those things that never occurred to her, but now that she was in the Congo, she was very glad. Okapi École de Sorcellerie was unlike any school she had ever seen, but then the only school she knew was Hogwarts. Before this year, she'd gotten her schooling at home.
Last night after the somewhat long journey on the magical RV, the Hogwarts students and chaperones took some time to freshen up before joining the students of Okapi and the other visiting schools for a welcoming ceremony under the stars. Emily thought she wouldn't be able to sleep after the festivities, which included entertainment and a great deal of food. Emily also felt nervous about today's competition, but she nevertheless slept long and hard.
Breakfast this morning had been quick and light and was taken in the RV. Afterwards, it was time for the Non-Magical Event to start. Emily and Dave were in the first competing group. Along with the eight other students in their age group––Okapi and Sydney's School of Wizardry didn't have any students competing in their grade level––Emily and Dave stood before five judges.
The first round consisted of a single elimination phase, which made Emily feel even more nervous than she already did. What if she missed the very first question she was asked? Fortunately, every student in Group 1 survived the initial series of questions, but the first person eventually eliminated was none other than Dave himself. Emily felt horrible for him, and she also felt all the more nervous for herself. What if she was the second person eliminated from her group? It was altogether likely, since Muggle Studies wasn't offered to first years. Emily had also grown up in a wizarding household.
If Emily was anything, however, she was determined. After learning she'd been selected to compete in the Non-Magical Event, she'd studied hard so that she wouldn't make a fool of herself. Professor Miller had helped her learn a lot about the Muggle world, which was a tremendous feat since Emily had known very little, if anything, not all that long ago.
Surprisingly, Emily made it into the top five of her group, which meant that she could proceed to Round II. Round II was a bit more practical in nature, as the contestants had to problem solve and complete certain tasks. Emily was asked to demonstrate the procedure for placing a telephone call. She was also asked to load batteries into a flashlight. Somehow, she ended up the last one standing. Emily didn't know how she'd done it, other than by sheer will, but she'd won first place in her group!
[Dave] Non-Magical Event
Author: S Snape
Date: 11-25-16 15:44
Dave is feeling slightly overwhelmed, wondering what led him to the blinking barminess that had him putting his name in for the Non-Magical Event of the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament. If he'd not put his name in then there would have been no chance of his being picked. He'd not thought he'd be one of the two, putting his name in on the lark of doing something actively participatory at his new school. If he'd known he would actually be selected he'd have found some other way to be actively participatory.
He really hates that he even knows the term actively participatory. Thanks to Gran. Thanks to Harley mentioning this SAT thing in a letter home and Gran in a reply urging them to put their names in for two or three events.
Muggle Studies, the Hogwarts version of non-magical studies, isn't even open to first years like Harley and he are. Dave hadn't thought about it until arriving in Africa. Africa! The Democratic Republic of Congo! What's more, Okapi École de Sorcellerie has huts and treehouses and underground rooms! Okay, so Hogwarts has some underground rooms and it's a castle but treehouses!
So, Dave had't thought about whether firsties at other schools of magic take something along the lines of Muggle Studies until arriving to Okapi École de Sorcellerie yesterday afternoon and the Hogwarts contingent began mingling with students who'd already arrived from other schools in the tournament.
He'd not dwelled on that particular question overly long as he and others competing at his level started speculating what sort of questions would be asked. They were eager to know at the time. Now that the time for the Non-Magical Event is here, none look so eager anymore, or not to Dave's eyes anyway.
A blind draw determines in what order contestants will be asked questions. There are ten students. Dave is fourth. The other Hogwarts first year Emily Ellis is after him.
Being Muggle-born and not even knowing there is a Wizarding one until this past summer, Dave thinks he'll do all right. He thinks but only for a short time. Everyone makes it through the first round and then the second but on the third question, Dave is clueless.
Judge Bahati Baako addresses him holding up an item. "Davidson Croft, please identify this object."
Dave gets a close look at what looks like a coin, at first thinking it's an arcade game token. If it is, it looks nothing like the ones he's seen and the markings on it aren't familiar either. Stymied, he goes on and responds, "An arcade game token," knowing with almost 98% certainty the answer is wrong and he's out of the competition.
Dave does not recognize the coin-like object as a token from some subway/metro/underground system. He's never seen such a token, not even a picture of one, though he's heard of them. As far back as Dave can recall Gran and Dad, and Harley and he, use Oysters* when using the London Underground.
Shoulders slumped, having no idea how he'll admit to Harley, Gran, and Dad he came in dead last, Dave resumes his seat, no longer enjoying the sunny weather in this pleasant outside clearing where the event is being held. He hopes Emily Ellis fares far better than he has.
*Oyster cards, introduced in 2003, are an electronic ticketing system used for public transport in the Greater London area.
(Oliver) Group 2
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 11-25-16 17:56
Oliver knew a thing or two about camper vans or caravans hitched to the back of cars, though his parents didn't own either and he'd never actually been in one prior to yesterday. The astonishing thing about the one he rode in to get to the Congo was that it flew him there. Then again, there would have to be some amount of flying to get from the British Isles to the African continent. Oliver just hadn't imagined flying the entire way in a vehicle that had tires, not wings.
He'd thought Hogwarts was impressive, being a castle with moving staircases and portraits, but Okapi École de Sorcellerie was amazing. There were some buildings on the ground, but many more were in the trees with walkways stretching from one to the next. Oliver had dreams of making his own version in the trees in his backyard the next time he went home, but he doubted he could make his treehouses look as impressive.
The Non-Magical competition took place outside, where there was a lot of room for spectators to watch and room for the contestants to engage in some of the more interactive practical components of the competition. Fortunately, the weather in the Congo was much nicer than back home this time of year, so an outdoor venue made a certain amount of sense. In fact, it was rather warm at the moment.
Oliver was glad for Emily's victory, and her earning first place helped soothe his own nerves. Having grown up in the Muggle world, Oliver felt like he should do well in the competition, but then again, he didn't want to get too sure of himself. If he was too confident, then he might make an easy mistake and end up unranked.
Liv Anders of Durmstrang Institute was asked to name a kitchen appliance used for heating food. Varys Cassel of Okapi explained the difference between a washing machine and a dishwasher. Catelyn Christie from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic had to state the year Muggle scientists put a man on the moon. Antonina Fedorova of Durmstrang was the first student in Group 2 to be eliminated, and on her first question too.
Ultimately, both Oliver and Libby progressed to Round II. Hogwarts seemed to be off to a decent start in the competition.
(Kate) Mark's Confession
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-26-16 13:50
Kate sat in a cozy booth at Brews and Stews in Hogsmeade and perused her History of Furniture textbook while nursing a cup of coffee and munching on a bagel with cream cheese and lox. She would have gone to the library at St. Emrys or stayed home to catch up on her many readings for her various classes, but Mark had asked that they meet at the Hogsmeade eatery.
He showed up a half hour later than expected, looking irritable but also apologetic.
"Is everything all right?" Kate asked, when he slid into the seat opposite hers.
"Had to deal with one of my mother's liaisons," Mark replied, displaying a mixture of embarrassment and disgust. "They had a row this morning and he wouldn't leave, so I had to throw him out."
Kate frowned. "You didn't punch him, did you?"
Mark laughed and shook his head. "No worries, Kate. I put my hands on him to escort him to the door, but I didn't do anything that might get me arrested." He wasn't ever charged for beating up Kyle Chaddock, but getting apprehended for battery was something he never wanted to experience again.
"Is your mother all right?" Kate asked.
Mark nodded. "Yeah, she's fine. She actually said she might take a break from Magical Match for a while. Can't say I'm disappointed about that."
A waitress came over to take Mark's brunch order. He got a coffee and quiche loaded with extra cheese and bacon.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Kate asked, after the waitress dropped off Mark's coffee.
Ever since receiving his letter to meet for brunch, Kate wondered if he was finally going to see if she wanted to get back together with him. The sensible part of her told her that falling for Mark all over again was a terrible idea, because he just might break her heart again, but her heart also had a mind of its own.
Mark hesitated and then said, "I wanted to come clean about why things fell apart between us when we were still in school."
Kate almost told him she knew exactly why they broke up: because he kissed another girl at Emrys Fest. She stayed silent, though, and waited for him to continue.
"My parents threatened to disown me if I continued dating you," Mark began. "Since I was underage, I felt like I really didn't have much choice. Either I submit to their demands, or they abandon me and who knows where I'd end up or what would happen to me.
"I didn't think I could be honest with you because it wouldn't end any feelings we had for each other. It would just make us miserable and unable to move on, so I came up with a plan to make you hate me." Mark sighed and said, "I wanted you to see me kissing someone else, so that you could eventually get over me and be happy again.
"Not too long after that, the truth about my mother came out. She fell in love with a Muggle and put a spell on us to make us think she'd died. When she came back, she readjusted our memories to make us think she'd never left us in the first place. The original spell carried over to anyone we were close to––you, for example––but it wore off when we broke up and no longer saw each other all the time.
"My mother confided in me that this Muggle man was her greatest love. She also told me she was wrong to force me to give you up. By that time, you were already with Hugo, though. I didn't want to cause trouble because you seemed so happy, and anyway, I'm not sure you would have listened to anything I had to say after what I did."
Mark fingered the rim of his cup and said, "I ended up with Capri after that, and you know the rest, more or less."
Kate sat silently for a long moment and then said, "I wish you would have told me the truth from the very beginning, Mark. We kept our relationship a secret for so long, and we could have continued it, or taken a break and waited till we were both of age to pick up where we left off. I'm glad you finally decided to be honest with me, but I could have done without all the lies from the start."
"I know, and I'm sorry."
"Has your dad come around to the idea of us?" Kate asked.
Mark shook his head. "I wouldn't know since I don't ever talk to him about you, but after dismissing my mother, I can't imagine he's changed his mind. Does that bother you?"
"Of course it does, but I think I can live without his approval." She paused and asked, "Why did you decide to tell me all this now?"
"Because I don't want there to be any more lies between us. I want us to start fresh. Can we do that, Kate?"
She looked down at her half-eaten bagel. Starting over meant starting slow, from the very beginning. She looked at him and nodded her head. "Yes, I think we can."
(Arielle) Ready and Waiting
Author: Jolyon
Date: 11-27-16 11:48
Arielle's first venture into the SAT brought her to the Congo. Her brother was with her, though his competition was tomorrow. Asher had previously participated in the Runic Rodeo at Beauxbatons. Realizing how lucky Asher was to have visited both France and now Africa made Arielle wish she'd put her name in for every event. It almost didn't matter if she didn't place at all. Just getting to visit the various schools was a great honor and the chance of a lifetime.
The group before hers was currently competing in the Non-Magical Event. The Hogwarts students participating were Kurt Blackwell and Iago Zaid. Arielle herself was paired with Savannah Applewhite, although to call them partners was a bit of a misnomer since they were both competing for first place. Arielle really hoped that she and Savannah would end up in the top three, so that Hogwarts would earn more points overall. So far, Hogwarts was in the lead with 11 points in the Non-Magical Event. Sydney's School of Wizardry was close behind with 9 points.
Arielle glanced over at her other competitors. One of the French boys, Ethan la Mûre, was very good-looking. It was hard not to stare at him. Emilio Espargos, meanwhile, had nice hair, eyes, and a pretty skin tone. Arielle had spent some time talking to the other student from La Escuela de Hechiceria, Alondra Rivas, last night during the welcoming ceremony. Alondra was very nice and extremely chatty. She let it slip that Emilio didn't have a girlfriend.
Arielle, of course, had a boyfriend, so all she could do was look at all the eye candy. She wished Malden was at Okapi with her, but instead she had her brother, Malden's brother, and Malden's great aunt for company. Malden didn't seem very motivated to participate in the SAT, which disappointed Arielle a little bit. He also seemed highly distracted lately. When pressed for an explanation, Malden put everything off to it being the year they took their OWL exams. Arielle couldn't very well argue with that.
All too soon, it was her turn to compete in the Non-Magical Event. She and the other Group 5 competitors were called forward. Savannah was selected to go first, followed by Miles Boisson from the home school. Next came Eddison Crompton from Sydney's School of Wizardry and Luna Dodge from Watling's. Handsome Emilio went next, and then it was Karen Guinness' turn. After Robert Haydn successfully answered his question on home security systems, Judge Katsuo Masaki asked Arielle to name the currency of Muggle India.
She racked her brain for a quick moment and then announced, "The Rupee."
Competing [Libby & Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 11-27-16 12:03
Sitting in the audience as another group is being quizzed, Libby fumes. Her eyes are on the area set up as a stage, locked on judge Lucie Vikander. If a glare alone could kill Lucie Vikander would no longer be breathing.
In Libby's opinion Lucie Vikander asked her a trick question and when Libby made a comment that it was a trick question she was told it was not and to either answer or be eliminated without a response. Libby was not going to be eliminated for failure to attempt an answer so she maneuvered around the tricky aspect of the question, pleased with her she'd managed only to be told her response was only partially correct but not enough so to keep her in the competition.
Libby may have placed third but she should have gotten first. Oliver Townley of Hogwarts took first and while there is some satisfaction in that for Libby it's not enough. First belonged to her. Oliver would have been perfectly happy with second or third.
Libby has not displayed her ire, much as she's wanted to do so. That would most likely mean being stripped of even third place and it would definitely mean points deducted from Slytherin House as well as a detention or five once returned to Hogwarts.
If Libby thought she could get away with it, she'd secretly hex or curse Lucie Vikander. Unfortunately, only being in her second year at Hogwarts, Libby's knowledge of hexes and curses is rudimentary. She would need one that no one would suspect someone her age to be capable of pulling off. Libby makes a vow to start studying up on hexes and curses, becoming advanced for her age. In secret of course.
On the stage area, enjoying the pleasant weather in this outdoor arena, Libby's cousin Sylvestor awaits his next question, unaware of Libby's offstage seething.
So far, everyone in Sylvestor's group has made it through several rounds of questions and as all fourteen competitors make it through a round the tension ratchets up a little more as everyone wonders who will be the first to be eliminated.
Asked to identify a black and white white ball and to tell a nickname for the game the ball is used in, Sylvestor breathes a little easier, for now. "That is a soccer ball and a nickname for the game is Footie."
Though he thinks that was too easy for this point in the competition, for all Sylvestor knows few of his fellow contestants know the ball or the game. Good thing that though it is a Muggle sport it's popular with a number of students, Wizarding and Muggle born alike, at Hogwarts.
Ravenclaws Rule - But Only Sometimes (Ingrid)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-28-16 18:58
Sitting towards the back, a cool drink in hand, Ingrid massages a temple with her free fingers. Upset with herself, she feels a headache coming on and contemplates asking a professor for something to take so she can enjoy the rest of the Non-Magical Event competition. Setting her drink in her seat she does just that, going to Professor Sacheverelle rather than Professor Miller as he's the Hogwarts Non-Magical Event sponsor and she wouldn't feel right pulling him away in the middle of a round.
A short time later, back in her seat, sipping the drink, waiting for the headache remedy to full take effect, Ingrid watches the unfolding competition but can't stop herself from wondering where she went wrong.
Ingrid studied hard for the event. She was so excited to have been selected she was determined to give a good showing, hoping to place. She'd have loved getting at least third.
Twelfth. Not first. Not second. Not third. Not even fourth or fifth, just out of the point placements. No. Twelfth. Of fourteen.
Ingrid still isn't sure what was wrong with the answer she gave to that question that got her eliminated. She's gone over and and over it and can't figure it out. She'll have to look it up on her own. Or ask Professor Miller.
How is she going to show her face back at Hogwarts much less in Muggle Studies class on Tuesday?
She is a Ravenclaw! RAVENCLAW! Ravenclaws rule! Ravenclaws aren't supposed to make stupid errors and that has to be what she did.
Sighing, Ingrid massages her temple again and wishes the headache remedy would hurry up and do something.
Fumble (Kurt)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-28-16 19:32
Having an urge to wipe his brow at having made it through another round of the Non-Magical event unscathed, Kurt listens closely as others are asked their questions for the current round. He listens just as closely to the responses those others give. One person has been eliminated, leaving thirteen vying to make it to the second part of the contest. That second portion will begin only after the field is winnowed down to five.
The questioning comes back around to the first person who'd been asked anything as things got started for Kurt's group. Before it's Kurt's turn again another student is removed, Margaery Gnocchi of Durmstrang. Every time he hears her last name Kurt starts thinking about Italian food. This time is no different even though this is not the time to dwell on thoughts of Italian food.
Kurt and the other Hogwarts student in the group, Iago Zaid, answer their next questions correctly, though Iago almost fumbles. He recovers in time and gives a mostly correct reply so the judges allow him to move on to another round of questioning.
It's Kurt turn to fumble when he's up again only unlike Iago he can't recover enough to give a complete enough reply. He gives himself a mental kick, thinking he should have asked for a repeat of the question to ensure he fully grasped what was being asked.
Taking a seat, in the audience rather than remaining on stage, Kurt hopes Iago fares better. Iago's an all right sort most of the time but at other times he can display far too well why he's a member of Slytherin House.
As the competition continues, Kurt realizes he can now think about food and goes in search of something to snack on while watching the remainder of his group compete and as the fifth, sixth, and seventh groups have their turns on stage.
(Madoc) Waiting His Turn
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 11-28-16 19:36
Madoc sat and awaited his turn to participate in the Non-Magical Event. He was thrilled to be at Okapi École de Sorcellerie in Africa, competing against students from six other schools. The last time he had been there had been as a spectator, when Hogwarts had participated in the Interscholastic Aptitude Tournament during Madoc's first year. Madoc wondered if the IQT would ever take place again, though if it did, he wouldn't be a student any longer to take part.
Next year he'd be a student at St. Emrys University, assuming he got in, of course. There was also the matter of figuring out what he wished to study. Madoc hadn't the slightest idea. His great aunt had suggested Transfiguration, thinking him to be much like her in disposition, but Madoc didn't think he wanted to teach Transfiguration at Hogwarts or anywhere else. He didn't really know what else expert transfigurers did, though he supposed they had other functions.
He glanced over at his great aunt. She sat with Professors Miller and Sacheverelle, which inevitably put the rumored affair in Madoc's mind. Madoc shuddered and tried not to think about it anymore, lest it distract him from the competition.
Minerva, meanwhile, watched as the Non-Magical Event progressed. Today's event was more than halfway over. Tomorrow, the Divination Event was scheduled to take place. Because it had multiple parts and could perhaps run long, it was decided that the Hogwarts contingent would not return to Scotland tomorrow evening. Instead, they would depart the Congo first thing Monday morning and hopefully be back at Hogwarts in time for afternoon classes. Minerva suspected the students wouldn't mind the delay in returning home, especially if it meant missing a few classes.
She glanced over at her great nephew, who appeared to be having some kind of internal battle. Minerva wrongly guessed that he must be feeling nervous, perhaps even unready to participate in his round of the competition. Although Madoc didn't have a Muggle upbringing, he had taken Muggle Studies since his third year and felt well-versed in the subject. It helped that Professor Miller had done much to prep everyone competing in the Non-Magical Event.
Sniffling (Savannah & Hope)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-29-16 19:02
Attempting to stifle her sniffles, Savannah sits in the last row of the outdoor seating area set up for the Non-Magical Event spectators and participants. Whenever anyone asks if she's all right she turns watery eyes to the person and smiles brightly replying, "Yes, thanks, sinuses are trying to get infected."
The truth is Savannah has had some sinus issues since arriving at Okapi École de Sorcellerie. The truth is Savannah would be openly weeping over her poor showing if not for the embarrassment of being seen and talked about as possibly being a poor sport and a baby. She'd have gone off to find a private spot, possibly in the magical RV since most of the Hogwarts contingent are either here at the Non-Magical Event or out and about making new friends, taking in th Okapi grounds, seeing more of the school itself, or something else that doesn't involve sitting in the RV but Hope is in the next group to be quizzed. Savannah wants to show support for one of her best friends.
Hope would be with her right now, consoling her, if not for needing to sit with her competition group for the time being. Hope may also be taking this time to get in some last minute studying. Savannah was paying attention as the groups before hers were on stage but she was also going through notecards for all the good it did her.
Savannah was not only eliminated first in her group but on her first question. She froze and only was able to stammer out part of a response to the question poses after being prompted. She has no idea why she blanked as she did, standing there staring. This isn't the first time she's been in front of a group of people and been expected to speak. Savannah has been in a few plays over the years with some of those parts substantial roles. She's been put on the spot in various classes by various professors. In those instances if she knew the answer she might have taken a second or two to gather her thoughts but she's never frozen before and certainly hasn't been reduced to stammering a mostly incoherent reply. Well, other than once in Potions with Professor Snape the first time he directed a hard stare her way and asked her why her potion was still an icy blue color instead of the sea green it should have been by that point in class.
A hand touches Savannah's shoulder. She looks just as Professor Sacheverelle crouches to quietly ask, "Are you all right?"
"Yes, professor. Just sinuses."
The look the professor gives her tells her Professor Sacheverelle isn't buying her explanation. She scrunches up her mouth then admits, "I'm a little upset. I don't know why I froze like that."
"It can happen when least expected. It's nothing to be ashamed about."
"I wanted to do well, or at least not eliminated because I couldn't think enough to even try and fudge my way through."
"I'm proud of you as is Professor Miller and I'd be willing to wager a few galleons that Professor McGonagall is as well."
"I don't see how but thank you for saying," Savannah sniffles, swiping at her nose with the tissue clutched in one hand.
Professor Sacheverelle gives her a soft smile and a pat on the shoulder before moving on to resume her seat further along in the seating next to Professors Miller and McGonagall.
From where she sits next to Queenie McPhaul, Hope swivels to once again see if she can spot Savannah. She knows her friend is there somewhere but lost track of where she went after leaving the stage. She turns back around as Eddison Crompton of Sydney's flubs a question and is eliminated. That leaves five for this group so their part of the competition moves on to its second phases, Okapi students and staff applauding wildly because both the Okapi contestants are among those top five.
Hope isn't sure how far she'll get in her group but she'd love to make top five. Top three, placements that mean points for the participants' schools, would be even better!
Finished (Hunter)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 11-29-16 20:40
Hunter scrubs a hand down his face. He's suddenly tired now that the adrenaline of competing is wearing off. Madoc placed thirteenth, meaning he was the second from their group, which is the last in the Non-Magical event, to be eliminated.
Hunter almost made it to the top five, and the next phase of the event, but made a big enough mistake to finished just out of the running for those slots, placing sixth.
The questions with each round got more difficult and trickier. Having been born into the Muggle World and not even being aware of the Wizarding one for years and now being a Muggle Studies student Hunter was confident he could place in the top three. Over confident if he's being honest with himself.
While it's true that many of the things once taught in Muggle Studies at Hogwarts were on the stupid and irrelevant side, that's not been the case since Aaron Miller has been teaching the course. Hunter has no idea what Muggle Studies - or Non-Magical Studies or whatever its called in other places - is like at the schools of magic around the world, some of the curriculum may be as dumb as that at Hogwarts once was though based on the types of questions throughout the competition, he doubts that's the case for these schools represented here today.
These types and variety of the questions asked would indicate a firmer grasp of non-Wizarding life. As the last group, the oldest of the students participating, there were quite a few questions put to others to which Hunter had no idea of the answers or only partially knew. He was beyond ecstatic not to get those before he'd made it to where he did placement wise.
After congratulating the winners Hunter wanders away in search of a snack to tide him over until dinner and whatever evening activity is planned for tonight. As he walks he not only admits to himself that he got over confident but since becoming a member of the Wizarding community, he's not been as in touch with the Muggle one. He's not as informed of current trends, slang, music, and so on as he would be if living as a Muggle and he's certainly not as aware of Muggle life in other countries. Professor Miller does his best but there is no possible way for him to cover every single detail of Muggle life around the world.
Reaching a refreshments table, Hunter gets a bottle of chilled water and a couple of sandwich quarters, and a small pastry of some sort. He has no idea what it is but it looks good. Finding a spot to sit he's soon joined by others from his group also in search of a snack now that they fully done competing. Someone who comes to sit next to him is from the group just below Hunter's. Heidi West, who placed second in her group, is from Watling's and in talking during the Friday night meet and greet Heidi was surprised to learn where Hunter had originally lived because she has an aunt and uncle who live in the same place. She's nice, and cute, so Hunter doesn't mind at all when she comes to chat him up some more.