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Coincidence (Liannah, Marlow & Lauren)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-25-12 12:51
Her parents Madeline and Scott huddled together with some old friends, reminiscing about their Hogwarts days, Liannah sees absolutely no reason to sit here in a canvas beach type chair doing nothing. Getting up she tosses a casual, "Back later," at her parents, not bothering to wait and see if they even heard, setting off in the direction of the magic carpet ride, eyes peeled for any of her friends.
About a quarter of the way there Liannah realizes she's being followed. Pivoting around to glare at Marlow and Lauren she demands to know, "Why are you tagging after me?"
Marlow's left shoulder rapidly bobs up then down. "Maybe I just happen to be going the same general direction and am not, as you put it, tagging after you."
Lauren's head is nodding along with every one of Marlow's words as if she's under the influence of some bobble head jinx. She attempts to look innocent as she simply says, "Yeah," after Marlow is done speaking.
Liannah dramatically throws her hands out wide. "With so much to see and do, with mates of your own to go chum around with, you just HAPPEN to be going along the same way I am just after I decide sitting around listening to Mum and Dad is boring?"
"I think the word is coincidence," Marlow matter-of-factly states.
"Yeah, coincidence," Lauren parrots.
Liannah points to a family at a game booth involving wands that shoot water. "Look, there are the Jenkinses. Go hang out with Eden. Or, over there, getting ice cream are Heather and her family. If you hurry, I bet they'd buy you some too."
Lauren, getting out of her yeah groove she seemed to have been stuck in, asks, "Isn't the ice cream free?"
"Everything's free," Marlow tells her young sister with a huge roll of her eyes.
"Stop being such pests, both of you," Liannah demands.
"How are we being pests when we were well behind you? You're the one who stopped to talk to us."
Liannah glowers at Marlow. "Go. Bother. Someone. Else."
"Lauren and I are, by coincidence, going that direction. We aren't doing anything to do. Why should you care where we go or what we do?"
"Because you are following me just to annoy me."
"Walking along a good ways behind you, minding our own business is us purposely annoying you?"
"Don't play Miss Angelic, Marlow. I seriously have no clue how you got Sorted into Hufflepuff when it's Slytherin where you clearly belong." With that, Liannah pivots back around and stalks off, determined to have fun, damn it, despite the two miniature trolls who call themselves her sisters.
When she's out of earshot, Marlow turns to Lauren, her grin mirroring that of the younger girl's. "Told you it would work."
"That was fun. Let's do it again later."
"Something a little different though. But what?"
Lauren gestures to a broom ride. "I want to go do that while we think up something else."
Linking arms, the two younger of the MacDougal sisters make for the broom ride.
Licensed and Ready to Celebrate
Author: Maggie Hawthorne
Date: 08-25-12 20:26
I was positively thrilled at the moment, and William was just as excited. We'd spent a bit of time after the licensing exams celebrating and then headed down to the Spring Social after changing into casual clothes for the rest of the day. He'd wandered to spend some time with his parents, we'd meet up a bit later and I headed to tell my roommates the good news, I'd passed my licensing exam and could apparate now.
I'd stopped briefly at the Briar's booth and tried some of the cake pops that were offered before wandering about and trying some of the games. I'd won a few cutesy little things, one of them I would probably end up giving to Alex, Plum's adorable little boy. I'd met up with Lawrence a little earlier and told him the good news and he congratulated me before heading off to patrol a bit and ensure that no one was breaking the rules.
I wandered solo for a few minutes, before ultimately heading over to spend some time with William and his parents. No sooner had I sat down in one of the chairs did I have his little sister in my lap snuggling up with me and insisting on sharing her bag of sweets with me. She was only five, but she was already looking forward to starting school at Hogwarts and being as good a student as her big brother.
"Having lots of fun Emmie?" I asked her as I finished chewing on a chocolate and caramel sweet she'd offered me.
"Uh huh! William won me this!" She said holding up a sparkly purple stuffed fish.
"It's pretty, and I think I have something for you as well," I said handing her a soft yellow crescent moon that doubled as a nightlight when she cuddled it.
"Ooo! I like it! Thanks Maggie!" She said and planted a kiss on my cheek in cute, five year old fashion before scrambling from my lap and running to show her mum what I'd given her.
No sooner had she gone did William plop himself down in the chair next to me and offer me a cup of lemonade. "Here, and I think that will be her favorite toy for the next few months simply because Maggie gave it to her."
I laughed and shook my head. "She's too cute. Almost makes me wish I had a little sister like her, but I'll settle for an older brother."
William scooted his chair closer and we cuddled for a little while before his mum brought over a couple of plates piled high with food for lunch, and we ate and talked about what we had planned for the rest of the week, which included more studying for NEWTs coming up in a few short weeks. We both agreed that we wouldn't panic, we wouldn't panic and we would study as much as we could.
"Oh! Are you coming with me to the concert this summer? You know, with the tickets that I'd gotten at the Easter Egg hunt, and I've also got tickets to the World Cup match."
"Yeah, I'm coming with you to that and if you want I'll come with you to the world cup match as well, especially if Britain ends up in the final match," William said between bites of sandwich and crisps.
We talked about a few other things and then relaxed for a bit, before we decided to head into the Great Hall and see what games are offered in there and see if we can win a few more prizes. I also wanted to get a few souvenirs to keep in my memory box of my time here at Hogwarts for my last year of 'regular' schooling.
Games Galore
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 08-26-12 05:04
Eric and I had come down earlier, while the licensing exam was still being held and watched some of the set up for the Spring Social. There were games galore and lots of prizes to be one, and we'd even bought some Souvenir type items to have as keepsakes from the event. I was wearing my favorite pair of jeans and a Wicked Wizards of the West T-shirt. I'd be listening to highlights of the World Cup Qualifying match being played today, later. I was anxious to see if Britain beat out Jamaica to continue.
We'd both had to make a trip to our room and drop off some prizes from the games, but for now we were lounging with his family out on the grounds.
"Thanks for the fantastic lunch Mrs. Ling."
"Most welcome Cai. Isn't your family here as well?" She asked as she finished putting away some of the extra food before settling down in her chair.
"Yeah, they are around somewhere. We'd spent time with them a bit earlier. I think right now they are with my little sister Aderyn playing some games. We are going to meet up again later before they leave so I can spend a bit of time with them."
"Sounds like fun. Alright, you two, I know the Pie eating contest is coming up soon and I think Eric's sister is about ready for a nap. Go have some fun." Mrs. Ling said with a smile, before drawing Eric's four year old sister into her lap, Cammie was currently cuddling a vibrant green dragon with gossamer wings that Eric had given her when he'd won it earlier.
Eric and I headed toward the expanse of the games, debating on watching the pie eating contest or going to play some games or trying some of the treats.
"Believe it or not, I'm actually kinda hungry," Eric said with an impish grin and I mirrored it.
"I could eat again, though I'm probably going to regret it. Let's go see what's at the Briar's table and then go grab some ice cream and then play the snitch game again and then go watch the pie eating contest," I suggested and we headed toward the Briar's Bakery table and then got some ice cream to go with the brownies we ended up getting from there.
Students and Teachers
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-26-12 13:43
"Faster, faster!" Malden McGonagall shouted, running past his older brother, who was flying a kite in the shape of a big, red dragon.
Madoc kept his eyes raised to the kite flying high above his head and ran as fast as his legs would take him. It wasn't a very windy day, so the kite had difficulty finding lift on its own, but Madoc seemed to be doing a decent job at getting it airborne.
Minerva watched her great nephews from a distance. She had already talked to Myron and Cate and had learned without asking that Menelaus would not be attending the Spring Social. That was just as well. Although Minerva and Menelaus were talking nowadays, they still weren't exactly close.
She turned away from the kite-flying boys and resumed strolling the Hogwarts grounds. Every so often she stopped to greet students and their families, some of whom she remembered from when they'd been students at Hogwarts themselves. Seeing the multigenerational families served as a very vivid reminder that Professor McGonagall had been teaching at Hogwarts for a very long time. She wasn't yet ready to retire, though, but surely even that day would come.
She continued across the grounds and came upon Professor Davyd and a young gentleman. Professor Davyd appeared to hesitate but then stepped forward with her beau.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall," she greeted kindly.
"Good afternoon, Professor Davyd," Minerva replied. "Are you enjoying the Spring Social?"
"Yes, thank you. I would like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Dexter Morgan."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor," Dexter said, extending his hand.
Minerva shook it and asked, "And what do you think of Hogwarts, Mr. Morgan?"
"It's a beautiful school," he replied, "and this is really great," he added, waving his hand to indicate all the activity on the grounds.
They talked niceties for a little longer before the happy couple continued on to their destination, and Professor McGonagall resumed her stroll of the grounds. She gave Professor Davyd and Mr. Morgan a parting glance. Although she hadn't seen otherwise, she hoped that Professor Davyd would remember what it meant to be professional, because even on a relaxed day such as this one, as a teacher she represented the school and set an example for the students.
Sick as a Dog
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-26-12 16:47
"Honey, you need to eat something."
Bronwyn, eyes shut and blanket drawn to her nose, murmured, "But I'm not hungry." She was on the sofa, still in her pjs and sick as a dog. Her older cat, Nerisse, slept beside her.
"If you're not going to eat, then you should at least stay hydrated," Aemilia Dewhurst said. She had come over as soon as she'd heard that her only daughter was ill, especially since Toby was out of town for a Quidditch match.
"I'm going to put the soup right here," Aemilia said, setting the entire tray she carried onto the coffee table.
"Okay," Bronwyn murmured.
Wadded up tissues decorated the sick young woman, the cat, the sofa and the floor. Bronwyn had come down with a bad cold yesterday evening, and it had gotten progressively worse during the night. She'd woken up this morning with barely enough energy to leave her bed, and then when she'd had, it had only been to move to the couch, where she'd been ever since.
"What time is the game?" Aemilia asked, coming back from the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea.
"Four," Bronwyn murmured. She felt her mother sit on the edge of the couch. Bronwyn cracked open her tired eyes.
"Have a drink," Aemilia encouraged, holding out the teacup with both hands.
Bronwyn somehow managed to sit up without disturbing Nerisse and then took the teacup from her mother. She took a few tentative sips. The tea was very hot and burned her lips, but it had a very tasty raspberry flavor.
Before getting sick, she'd planned on apparating to Jamaica to support Toby and the rest of the British national team. If the game were to run too long, she would leave since she had to be up early for work the next morning. Now Bronwyn wasn't even sure she would make it to work tomorrow.
She had a big interview scheduled with Xavier Schoonmaker––but thankfully not tomorrow. Bronwyn would hate to have to cancel or reschedule it, or worse, let Milla Tufton take over.
She drank a few more sips of her tea, handed the teacup back to her mother, and arranged herself back under the blanket and next to her cat.
Aemilia added the cup to the tray and asked, "Don't you want some of your soup? You don't want to let it get cold."
Bronwyn murmured, "Later. Sleep now."
Her mother reached over to stroke her hair for a few minutes. The soothing touch lulled Bronwyn into a light sleep, such that she was resting but could hear what was going on around her. Aemilia had begun picking up the discarded tissues and then started straightening up the living room. From there, she went into the kitchen to tidy up.
Somewhere deep in her subconscious, Bronwyn thought to herself that perhaps the only good thing about being sick is that somebody else was likely to take over doing your own household chores!
She felt a smile tug her lips, but the smile was replaced by a frown when she started to hear a steady lapping sound and then her mother crying out, "Bad cat!"
Bronwyn cracked her eyes open, and so did Nerisse, though the old cat didn't budge from her place on the sofa. They observed Shadow standing over Bronwyn's soup bowl. The black cat had a slightly guilty look on his face but only jumped off of the coffee table when Aemilia walked towards him. He tore up the stairs and disappeared from sight.
"I'll have to throw it out now," Aemilia said with a frown.
"Just heat it up again and it will be all right," Bronwyn said.
Aemilia raised an eyebrow. "You know he licks his butt with that tongue."
"Oddly enough, I am feeling a little hungry now."
Aemilia laughed and picked up the tray. "Don't blame me if you get sicker." She disappeared into the kitchen to heat the soup on the stove.
Bronwyn, meanwhile, snuggled next to Nerisse, who purred quietly and snuggled back to Bronwyn.
Giant Gobstones
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 08-26-12 17:31
One of Christopher's favorites at events such as Spring Social is the giant gobstone looking balls into which people climb then roll around, trying to knock the other person filled balls out of the designated ring. Christopher had been planning on playing the giant gobstones at least once today. While sitting with his parents, Catriona and her father, waiting for another broadcast of World Cup tournament highlights of matches played in the wee hours Hogwarts time, he'd excitedly talked about how fun and challenging the giant gobstones are. After the highlights had run, Erasmus Chant had gotten up. "Let's go check out these giant gobstones."
Leaving everything at the picnic blanket, Christopher had led the way, pleased that both his parents and Hamish Amherst wanted to come watch. Cat hadn't been sure she wanted to climb into one of the large balls or just watch. By the time they read the giant gobstone arena, she's decided she might as well and the two of them are teasing each other as to who will knock the other from the ring.
To Christopher's surprise, when their turn comes to pick a giant gobstone and crawl in, both Erasmus and Hamish join them. Downright shocking is Candice Chant right there with them, picking a ball with sunny yellow swirls. After everyone playing the round was given time to practice rolling their balls, the giant gobstone official started the game.
Christopher first went after a greenish ball with someone he recognizes as being a Hufflepuff but whose name he doesn't know. Erasmus ends up helping Christopher knock the Hufflepuff from the round. Erasmus moves off and Christopher finds himself facing his mum. Problem is, she keeps laughing so hard she's barely putting up a fight. Rather than going on and easily eliminating her, he turns his attention to seventh year Ravenclaw Edward Croft. Christopher is fairly certain the only reason he's able to eliminate Edward is because of an accidental hit from Hamish Amherst after Hamish had been sent rolling backwards by another of the competitors.
When the round is over, Christopher is in for another surprise. After getting her laughter under control, and getting a good feel for making her giant gobstone roll, Candice is declared the winner. For her prize she picks a shirt with sunny yellow swirls much like her gobstone and the words HOGWARTS SPRING SOCIAL 2006. As they start back in the direction of their picnic basket, his mum grinningly asks, "What others games are there that I might beat you all?"
Going Out To Lunch
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 08-26-12 20:31
Xavier had been kind enough to wait for me to clean up after my run. I tried to get him to spar with me a little, but he said he's no punching bag. Besides, if he lets me beat him up, I'd have to sing. And since I'd rather not torture anyone with that atrocity, it ended that conversation pretty quick.
Since I was not expecting company, I didn't have anything to make a proper lunch. So, instead Xavier and I decided to go out. He'd treat, but I'd have to pick the place. So, I decided to go to the scene of my latest beat down. I led Xavier to the bar run by Driver, and we went in. As expected, it was pretty quiet, since no one goes to a bar for the food.
"Hey, since when do you go to bars?" Xavier asked as we walked in.
"Since I know the owner. Besides, I don't really drink that much, you know that."
"You know the owner of a bar? Since when?"
"Remember Arley?" I asked as we sat at a table, "Well, at least remember me talking about him?"
"Your friend that stalked you and dated your sister when you all were kids, right?"
"That's the one. His sister's married and her brother-in-law runs the bar. I don't think he actually owns it, but he runs it. Speaking of…" I said as Driver walked up.
"Hey Desi, nice to see you again," Driver said to me, then turned to Xavier, "And this is…?"
"Xavier. Xavier, this is Driver. Runs the place."
"Nice to meet you," Xavier said to Driver.
"Pleasure is mine," He responded. It may have been my imagination, but he sounded a little off when he said it, "So, what'll it be?"
Once Xavier and I had placed an order, Driver went off to grab our drinks. Xavier decided to ask more about the bar, and Driver.
Games or Food
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 08-27-12 01:57
The Blackwoods and the Fus sat on a blanket enjoying the spring weather and taking a break from the games and enjoying a quick lunch. Between them they'd all won some cute little souvenir items to take home, as well as various other little prizes from the games.
"I want to do another round of Giant Gobstones, see if I can actually win this one." Arthur said with a grin. He'd already played the game about four times already and come in either second or less each and every time.
"Glutton for punishment. I think I'm going to sit this one out, I might wander over and see if there is anything new on the table from Briar's, and then maybe we can wander inside?"
"Actually, we haven't played any of the games inside yet, so lets go do that!" Arthur said, "And maybe we can see what foods are inside as well."
Everyone on the blanket rolled their eyes as Arthur's mind instantly went back to food, "No wonder you keep asking me for baklava Adina..."
Everyone chuckled at my mum's comment and then Arthur and I pushed ourselves up and headed into the Great Hall to see what kind of games are available there. We'd play a few before heading back outside and ultimately rejoining our parents who were talking about various things including plans for the summer holidays.
"We are going to be China for about three weeks, probably the same three that Adina will be in Greece." Mrs. Fu said finishing off her drink and setting the glass down on the blanket.
"Alright then, and we can probably do something toward the end of summer hols before they go back to school. If anything maybe a Quidditch match if there is one going to be here in Britain, should the national team win today," Elona said and the plans were soon getting underway for various things to happen over the summer holidays.
Letters
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 08-27-12 11:24
As they often did when there were events at Hogwarts that were open to the public, Lysander and Julian agreed to take turns minding the store and visiting the school. Lysander had gone up to Hogwarts with Charlotte first, where they'd met up with Briar and Grace and then Caerwyn and Gus. They'd had quite a lot of fun together, which, of course, had made the time pass by awfully quickly.
Right around the time the pie eating contest was scheduled to start, Julian found the happy group. Lysander somewhat reluctantly took his leave and returned to the village. Twice Told Tales wasn't terribly busy when he arrived, though there were some customers browsing the stacks.
Edgar, manning the counter, looked up from a book he was reading and picked up a pair of envelopes. "These came with the post," Edgar said. "They're for you."
"Thanks," Lysander said, taking the envelopes. "Have you had a break?"
"Yes, not too long ago. Take your time."
Lysander nodded his thanks and then slipped into the office, where he used an ornate letter opener to open both envelopes. The first was from his Auntie Synn, from whom he hadn't heard anything in quite some time. This wasn't unusual, however. His aunt tended to busy herself with various business endeavors or men, for that matter, and often lost track of time.
Dear Lysander,
I hope this letter finds you and Charlotte well. Since leaving London, I have been traveling across Central and South America and immersing myself in ancient and native herbology. I have collected numerous samples and made many contacts, should I ever wish to reopen my shoppe in Diagon Alley.
Recently, I procured a souvenir I wish to pass on to you and your daughter. Look for my package in the coming weeks.
All my love,
Auntie Synn
Lysander set the letter aside and picked up the next one, which to his shock had come from somebody he hadn't spoken with or heard from in even longer a time.
Lysander,
I thought you might want to know that I am moving back home. We should make plans to catch up on each other's lives. See you soon.
Liam
Lysander put the letter on top of Auntie Synn's and sank back into his chair. Liam was Lysander's younger brother. They'd never been close, not even growing up, and it wasn't because they disliked each other. It was just the way it had always been.
Liam was two years younger than Lysander and had also been in Slytherin at Hogwarts. But while Lysander had had his circle of friends, Liam had had his own, and the two had never overlapped.
After graduating from Hogwarts, Liam had spent one year at the Ministry of Magic before transferring to Japan, where he'd lived ever since. Neither brother had attended the other's wedding. Neither knew the other's family.
And because Lysander rarely talked about his little brother, few knew he even existed.
He sat up and then got up, leaving the letters on the desk. He exited the office to relieve Edgar of desk-duty.
Edgar went into the stacks to straighten up the shelves. Some of the browsers had left stacks of books on the ends, which was a real pet peeve of Lysander's, but something that came with the territory of bookselling.
While Edgar straightened up, Lysander checked out a few customers who had finally made their selections. He didn't think about the letters he'd received very much, other than to consider the fact that Julian would be interested in knowing that Liam Stratford was finally returning home.