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(Willow) Super Nervous
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 04-14-17 11:58
All throughout the preparation for the Mock Trial, Willow had had no qualms about being chosen, along with Callie, to represent Hogwarts in the sixth year group. She'd put her name in the goblet because she had an interest in wizarding law and because she thought if picked that she would do well at presenting an argument for or against whatever case she was given.
Now that the main event was here, however, Willow felt almost too nervous to speak. She didn't know what the big deal was, because as the Quidditch commentator, she spoke in front of crowds all the time. Then again, nobody actually looked at her during Quidditch matches, and it wasn't like the Quidditch Cup was on the line by how well she commentated the matches.
Deep down, Willow knew that her nervousness probably had a lot to do with the fact that she didn't want to do badly in front of Justin, not to mention the entire school. The downside to hosting the Mock Trial was that all of Willow's peers and teachers could watch her fail, not just a bunch of wizards she might not ever see again.
It had been a pleasant surprise to learn that Justin had been one of the four Hogwarts students chosen for the Mock Trial. Willow had gotten to spend time with him every time Professor Douglass gathered the group together to practice. Now there was no question that Justin knew who she was, beyond just the voice of Quidditch at Hogwarts. What Willow still didn't know, though, was that he had given her the anonymous gift on Valentine's Day.
When the bouquet from Botanicals & Beyond and the package from Briar's Bakery first arrived, Willow had been completely shocked. The only boy who ever gave her any attention was Maurice, and not in a good way. She'd heard it said that a boy who picked on you probably liked you, but Willow couldn't imagine that Maurice harbored a secret crush on her. But if not him, then who secretly did have feelings for her? Certainly not the object of her own crush.
Now that the other Australians had finished their presentations, the dreaded moment arrived at last. Judge Newton looked at her list of pairs and announced, "And next, representing Hogwarts––" She paused for the inevitable whoops from the home school. "…is Callie Blackwell and Willow Westwick. Ladies, here is your scenario…"
Dilys The Porlock
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 04-14-17 14:40
Duncan looks over his shoulder at the sound of someone entering the stable. "Devon, over here."
"Hi, you all right?"
"Yeah, fine. Why would you think I'm not?"
Devon gestures to the Porlock peering around from one of the horses. "Because of yesterday."
Recognizing Devon, Dilys comes closer in hopes of a treat. She obliges as Duncan shakes his head. "I'm not happy about yesterday but I'm fine. I knew entering with a Porlock would be risky but," he lifts one shoulder in a shrug, "she's so exceptional I did hope we'd make a decent showing. I wasn't expecting last but I'm fine. Really."
That he has to stress he's fine is probably not good he realizes. Devon will think he's not. He's not as fine as he claims but he's not angry and not pouting, unlike some who didn't rank where they thought they should.
He finishes putting fresh grass in the small trough Dilys uses and tops off her water. As he works Devon is stroking Dilys's head with one hand and with the other stroking the horse's nose.
"I'm pretty sure one issue that counted against Dilys is that she doesn't have the crippling shyness around people that most Porlocks do." Dilys was found as baby, injured and sick. She was rescued and has been being raised by Duncan and his family ever since. As a result she's not as shy as people as most Porlocks.
"You think so?"
"Yeah, though I don't know for sure. I meant to look it up standards last night but with everyone from all the schools talking and comparing schools, courses, and professors, I forgot."
"You could have asked one of the judges."
"I know but I forgot about that too until they'd already left. How come you're not at the Mock Trial?" Duncan had been until leaving to check on Dilys food and water.
"The last group for the morning wrapped and the Great Hall is being put back to rights for lunch."
"Lunch. I'm suddenly hungry."
Devon and Duncan spend a few more minutes with Dilys then leave her happily curled up in some straw near the same horse, Marion DeMarco's miniature Abraxan Titan. On the walk back to the castle Devon fills Duncan in on the one Mock Trial presentation he missed.
Still Researching Abbeys
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 04-15-17 15:47
After putting Hugo down for a nap, Hermione returned to the library, where she was busy researching abbeys in Ireland. The general thought was that Adriana and the Death Eaters were probably holed up somewhere in England or perhaps Scotland, but Hermione thought it best to include potential sites in Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as well. Better to research too much than too little.
Hermione's work was not only of interest to the Order of the Phoenix and Kingsley as Minister of Magic, but also to the British Prime Minister and his cabinet, who were now much more privy to the goings-on in the wizarding world than ever. So far, the search for Adriana remained a wizarding operation, but the Muggle government had an interest in the successful capture of Wanted Wizard #1.
In fact, Hermione was given the information for several Muggle contacts, all experts in some shape or form on the monastic houses of Great Britain and Ireland. She, of course, had to pretend she was researching abbeys for a reason other than the truth. Her story was that she was writing a series of articles for a travel magazine.
Despite all the additional and very informative information she'd received, Hermione couldn't be sure that one of the abbeys listed was the one Adriana was using for Death Eater headquarters. After all, the information provided by the Muggle historians might not be accurate to a wizard's eye. It was also entirely possible that they didn't know it existed, thanks to magic.
When it came down to it, the only way to cross out the more likely sites on the her list was to go check them out in person. Various members of the Order, including herself at times, had already visited most of the places on her Scottish list. Every potential location already visited had been nothing more than an abandoned ruin, an empty field, or the site of some place much newer like a factory or a parking lot.
Hermione didn't yet feel like her efforts were being wasted, especially knowing that the potential sites for Adriana's abbey were vast and spread across a large geographical space, and that was assuming she was somewhere on the British isles. She just wished that they had more to go on than simply an abbey ruin near a forest. It could take forever to locate the right abbey, and wouldn't it be something if it turned out to be the very last one on a very long list?
"Mummy, will you come outside with us?"
Rose stood in the doorway to the library. She had dirt on her hands and on the front of her play clothes.
"Are you gardening?" Hermione asked. She got up and crossed over to her child, taking her by the arm to lead her into the backyard.
"No, we're looking for worms," Rose replied. She smiled big upon sighting her father, who was kneeling in the flower beds. He wasn't digging up worms, though; he was pulling weeds.
"What will you do with the worms when you find them?" Hermione asked. She moved down the back steps and sat on the bottom one, stretching her legs out into the grass. It was cool but very sunny at the moment.
"We're going to build them a worm house," Rose said.
"I see," Hermione thoughtfully replied.
"Here's a worm, Rose," Ron said, holding up a long, wriggling earthworm. "Want to take it?"
Rose started to hold out her hands, but half a second before Ron set the worm into her palms, she jerked her arms away and shrieked. She ran over to Hermione and threw her arms around her neck.
Hermione hugged her daughter and laughed. "So, maybe we'll let the worms choose their own homes, yes?"
Rose drew back and patted Hermione's cheeks with her dirty hands. "Good idea, Mummy." She then scrambled off of her mother and sat down on the bottom step next to her, where she also stretched out her much shorter legs into the grass. The two watched Ron pull weeds until they grew too cold and went back inside the house.
Good Sport Face (Callie)
Author: Saffron
Date: 04-15-17 18:35
Disgruntled Callie comments, "We should have gone with the other precedent."
Willow sighs. "Probably."
"Completing the presentation would have helped I guess."
At Callie's humorous tone Willow can't help but smile and joke in return, "I don't know why you'd think that."
The case scenario they were given for the SAT's Mock Trial dealt with a property disagreement between two Welsh wizards. Though the Mock Trial teams don't have to research their respective cases from stacks and stacks of law books from several countries, they do each have a book given back when the Mock Trial teams were selected. Each book has numerous categories and subdivisions so that a team can go straight to the section, or sections, required for their respective cases. They do only have thirty minutes total to take the case scenario information given, determine laws that apply and what legal and/or historical precedents back those laws, and using this knowledge present a reasonably thought out, cogent argument for how the case should be determined and settled.
Willow and Callie don't have their book memorized but after months of practicing cases and studying the book they are extremely familiar with its contents. Their main probably with their assigned case is that for there were two precedents that might be given but they differed enough that they knew it couldn't be both.
They'd worked out their presentation except for which precedent to give. They ended up taking more time on that than they'd realized, which in turn resulted in them having less time to present then what they'd initially planned. That led to them not quite finishing the presentation before the allotted half hour.
The rankings for Group 1 were announced minutes ago. To the two girls' mortification they placed seventh. Last. As there was another team that didn't quite finish either Callie is sure that their lower ranking must be because they chose the wrong precedent.
She both wants to continue grumping about the loss and to shut up about it and put on her good sport face. For now she goes with putting on the good sport face. The first team from Group 2, Watling's Autumn Ashford and Iain Stark, is up in a few minutes and Callie wants to run to grab something to drink and maybe flirt a little with Gregoire Groseille from Beauxbatons before things start again.
Bored Now
Author: Finley
Date: 04-16-17 08:23
Finley and Phoebus sat in the Great Hall and watched the Mock Trial. They had skipped the morning presentations and were rapidly thinking they shouldn't have bothered with the afternoon presentations either. The Mock Trial was boooooooooring. Finley had originally wanted to check it out because she didn't know anything about wizarding law, other than what she learned in History of Magic class. Now she knew with utmost certainty that she didn't care to know anything about wizarding law and definitely wouldn't be pursuing a legal career when she finished school. Phoebus was half-asleep beside her.
They waited until the time between groups to make their escape. Finley had to elbow Phoebus awake, first, and then they cut out onto the Hogwarts grounds, where it was nice and sunny, albeit not very warm. The pair strolled over to the lake and sat down on a sunny patch of grass.
"The different magical creatures yesterday was a bit interesting," Phoebus remarked, "but today's event is a real snoozer. Too bad we didn't get the broom racing event."
"I heard the broom racing took place at Hogwarts the last time around," Finley said.
"I guess they decided to change it up so that each school got a different event from the last time," Phoebus said. "Boy," he went on, "I can't wait till Easter hols."
"They are just around the corner," Finley said.
She was looking forward to the holiday, as well. For the first time ever, she would not be going to the orphanage to spend time with Leroy. Instead, she would be spending the entire spring break with her biological parents. She felt a bit bad about ditching her best friend from home, but Finley really wanted to get to know her parents, and it sounded like they wanted to get to know her too.
"The Easter egg hunt comes first," Phoebus commented. "I hope I find a broomstick in an egg, or maybe tickets to a professional match."
"I'll be happy with whatever I get," Finley said. She was used to having nothing and treasured every gift she received. Finley had not yet come to realize that with her parents in her life now, not having very many personal possessions might become a thing of the past.
The pair sat outside for a short while. The breeze over the water soon made them feel chilly, so they went to the Commons for the hot chocolate.
(Caleb) Restored Pride
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 04-16-17 14:39
Caleb was following the Mock Trial challenge with attention. It was the sort of event he was interested in and if he was old enough he would have sign up for it in the hopes of being chosen. Sophie and Estine had joined him briefly but they had given up after half an hour and left.
Unfortunately, Caleb had to abandon the Great Hall for a toilet break. When he returned, the groups were changing and there was some noise inside the Great Hall. Caleb found his seat and a moment later he was joined by Patricia. He was surprised to see her there, as she didn't seem the type of girl who would enjoy this sort of event. She seemed to be able to read his thoughts as she replied:
"I am here to support the school," and then Caleb noticed she was holding a card that said: 'Go Hogwarts!' and had a draw with the school's crest.
"Sophie told me you were chosen for the Astronomy Challenge. Congratulations. My aunt was disappointed that neither I or Maud had made it. I would love to visit Watling's Wizarding Academy. Maud still gets a chance to visit Colorado, as she was chosen for the Spelling Bee."
"Belinda and Sophie are coming as well, but for the Broom Racing. I didn't inherit their talent for flying. But it seems that I was the first McCourt sister to be kissed by a boy," she bluntly said. "Sophie wanted to know if by any chance I've heard any rumor or chat at the Ravenclaw common room about you and a girl. She said you boasted to her about kissing someone, and she thinks you're lying."
"Which I'm not, as you know."
Patricia nodded, and her cheeks become somewhat pinkish. Perhaps she was recalling their kiss, that happened more than a year ago. It had been a memorable kiss for Caleb, as it has been his first, and last kiss so far.
"Thank you for not telling her. It would be awkward and embarrassing if she knew."
"Yes. But it's also embarrassing that she doesn't believe me," he replied. It was like his manhood was somewhat being questioned. "You know, you could make some story up. Tell her that you heard I was seen in the greenhouses kissing someone, maybe Katheryn Finch, or Hope Hyland…."
"She wouldn't believe it. I'm afraid to tell you but they are out of your league, Quigley. But I can create a believable story for Sophie. I really don't want her to find out what happened last year."
"Was the kiss really as awful as you said it was?" he asked, the moment one of the professors was requesting silence, as the speakers were ready to start. The conversations died, and the next Mock Trial started.
Patricia's head leaned towards' Caleb and her lips met his left ear. "No," she whispered, going back to her original position.
For a while Caleb couldn't focus on what was being said by the speakers. He displayed a grin, his arms crossed: he wasn't a bad kisser after all. His pride has been restored.
Mock Trial
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 04-16-17 19:07
Justin and Baron are the fourth Group 2 team for the Mock Trial. Smack in the middle. The good thing about that is having three teams going ahead and being able to hear what types of case scenarios each is assigned. Though similar to those given to the Group 1 teams, the "level of difficulty" is slightly higher for Group 2, or so it seems to Baron.
The bad thing is having to sit through three other teams instead of just getting it over with and being able to sit back and relax. That the Hogwarts Group 1 team of Callie Blackwell and Willow Westwick placed last makes the wait seem all the longer because Baron has time to dwell on whether Justin and he will be able to achieve a higher placement within their own group.
When Justin's and his turn comes Jade wishes them luck. Baron squeezes her hand then moves with Justin to take their spots. Judge Itzhak Stradivarius gives them the case scenario information which involves an international dispute between a small company and a large one.
Justin and Baron set to work as soon as their thirty minutes begins. When first learning of the Mock Trial, Baron thought as a future British Minister of Magic he should put his name in as he will eventually be involved in the Wizengamot. He was both surprised and delighted to actually be chosen.
He'd not been sure how working with Justin would go. They've never worked together on any class projects those those courses they have in common. Justin and he had always been friendly, sometimes playing games together, such as chess, but they were never friends who hung out together with any sort of regularity. They found they work well together and have become better friends because of preparing for the Mock Trial event.
Initially, they, Willow, and Callie had wondered why all teams in each group wouldn't be working at the same time. The case scenarios in sealed files or something, opened at the same time. They thought about asking Professor Douglas but after talking amongst themselves concluded that if done that way then once time was up and the first team presented its conclusions, other teams could secretly continue working, though without their books to consult, which could mean having a huge advantage by the time it was the last team's turn to present.
They then decided that having staggered start times wouldn't work well either because having another team given its assignment could be distracting as would having a team giving a presentation while another is working. As the teams have to work in view of the judges to reduce the risk of cheating having staggered start times with teams working in one location and presenting in another would require more judges and teams having to stop what they are doing to walk to the presentation area... all in all making things more difficult on everyone.
Baron jots down a few notations and begins organizing how they will present their conclusions, Justin tapping an entry in their book that he believes applies to the case they've been given.
Spectator
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 04-17-17 18:19
Ethan sat and watched the Mock Trial with great interest. Having stood trial on more than one occasion, one might think Ethan didn't care much for legal presentations, but he wasn't in the hot seat, nor was his freedom on the line today. Besides, he used to work in law enforcement. Giving testimony for cases was par for the course.
While he was at Hogwarts supporting Callie, Willow, Justin and Baron, and his colleague Declan as well, Lilly was at Briar's. She had recently moved back to Greenwich, after having spent over a year living in Bristol with his parents. It wasn't so much that Ethan thought the danger of Adriana resurrecting Project 25 was gone, but rather the fact that nothing had happened since he'd sent Lilly away and it was just as likely that nothing ever would.
The experience of living in a Muggle household with her grandparents had done Lilly a world of good, but she'd missed seeing her daddy every day, and she'd also missed her home. Ethan was glad to have her home again, too, and though he worried that she might be in danger just for being associated with him, he had come to realize that living in fear of what might happen was no way to live.
Despite growing more at ease with the situation, Ethan still attended the occasional meeting with the other remaining Project 25ers. In fact, he was attending one tonight after the Mock Trial. It, like most of the others, was taking place at Monica Caufield's place in St. Bridget's Well.
The group tended to get together to exchange rumors, which were growing fewer and even more far between. No new information had come out regarding the possibility of resurrecting Voldemort's brainwashing project. Maybe Adriana had put it on the back burner in favor of something else, like her failed coup of the Muggle government. Either way, no news was good news, right?
That was what Ethan kept telling himself, and it was the reason why he felt he was long overdue in bringing his daughter home. Hopefully, the meeting tonight wouldn't run too long or late, so that he could go get back to Briar's before Lilly's bedtime.
Mustering Courage (Justin)
Author: Plum
Date: 04-17-17 19:09
Heads together Baron and Justin quickly look over what they've prepared for the presentation, both all too aware of the time rapidly ticking away. In agreement, Justin stands to deliver part of their conclusion with Baron giving the other half. His teammate wraps with a full minute of allotted thirty to spare.
After that is the wait for the remaining three teams to have their turns. During that time Justin musters up the courage to approach Willow - and Callie - to offer condolences for the ranking they were given. He'd not done it in the period when the first three teams of his group were competing because he was trying to stay focused on the job he and Baron still had to do and also wasn't wanting distractions from paying attention to the types of cases each of those teams were assigned.
Just after he's told Callie and Willow, "I thought you two did great," and they both thank him for saying so Callie moves off to talk with one of her other friends. Left alone with Willow Justin's hands suddenly feel clammy. It takes a great deal of effort not to stammer and even great effort not to abruptly walk away without a word.
His cheeks growing hot he blurts, "Want to sit together at lunch sometime?"
Willow's expression is one of surprise. Before she replies he hastily adds, "Or in the Commons. Or something."
After what seems like hours but is maybe two seconds Willow questioningly replies, "Lunch tomorrow? Slytherin table?"
"Uh, yeah, great." His cheeks may burst into flames at any moment.
The break during which they are talking ends just then so they go quiet as a team takes its position on the stage and is given its case scenario. They sit down in nearby seats and several times during the next half hour Justin's fingers twitch as he debates whether to take hold of Willow's hand or not.
When that team's turn ends and there is another short break Willow and Justin are both distracted by friends, in his case roommate Nathan Stewart. When the Mock Trial comes to an end, Justin has lost sight of Willow but then there is the distraction of the team rankings being announced.
As the placements are given last to first, the tension of anticipation of waiting to hear Baron's and his name ratchets up. Next thing Justin knows, he's being swarmed by others offering congratulations that Baron and he have taken first place, earning Hogwarts five points in the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament!