|
|
Ducking Out
Author: Nana Minuet
Date: 08-06-13 06:44
"Nice stems." The words flitted through Nana's mind in a way where they wouldn't have been able to be recalled in the future. Still, they caused the student to react by attempting to modestly cover her thighs with her obviously too short skirt. A dastardly growth spurt took the blame there, though Whats-Her-Face with the hair and the face hadn't exactly helped the situation. She had been the first to actually notice how short Nana's clothes were since Easter Break and of course told.
In the end, Madame Pomfrey had said it was only a two-centimeter increase, but some mending would be in order nonetheless. Not a problem really, since the Ravenclaw knew the proper spells and magic to alter her wardrobe. However, it looked like one skirt had been missed. If only Nana hadn't found it while picking an outfit for the Spring Social…
"I didn't mean it like that. It's just that if I were your age, I'd…you know what, nevermind. Let's start this over." The familiar voice's throat cleared; Nana heard it while her vision continued to fixate on the ground beneath her feet. "Hi Nana! Long time no see! How was your Easter Break?"
Just the mention of Easter Break made Nana's eyes dart up to her current visitor in Roger Bexley. How was her Easter Break? She didn't even know anymore. Of course, she could recall Easter morning and all of its wondrous glory, but then brunch happened. After that, everything had been a clusterfuck of sore cheeks, vibrant colors, and happy moods. Silly jokes and sounds of cousins' laughter blended in there too. In retrospect, the entire thing seemed lovely, so lovely – like flowers or fairy floss.
And yet, in the back of her mind Nana had always known it was forced. She had taken more 'help' to make herself oh so jolly as a means to cope with the societal pressures placed upon her. It wasn't true happiness or love or whatever people called it. It was influenced. Did that change anything? Did that make the time any less real? Yeah… it really did. Nana had been a performer in a play of her own design, just an actress to get by. No, she wasn't proud of it, but what else could she do? What else would she have done? Nothing. Even with a time turner available, events would have played out the same.
"Are you okay, Nan? You seem out of it." Nana's eyes had still been on Bex, though they had glossed over with thought since his previous question. Now that she was truly looking, the man's shoulders slouched slightly as he combed a hand through his wild hair. His normally sky-blue eyes were bloodshot beyond compare. On his lips, a smile was feigning friendship, but only oozed a feeling of awkwardness instead. Its effort was there though. The smile's good intentions lay bare, and so Nana felt compelled to respond.
She did so with a simple shrug. "Right," Rog continued once her shoulders rested themselves. "I never liked these kinds of things either. Not even now. Hey, maybe we should step out for a breath of fresh air."
"Like leaf?" Nana's first words in the conversation and already her mind was reeling with thoughts of a possible escape from the social festivities going on around her. Meanwhile, Roger could only let a more genuine smile present itself at the sound of her voice.
"Yeah," he spoke as he looked around for something and nodded when he found it. "My cousin's fine without me, I think. It's hard to tell with her. And you aren't expecting anyone, are you?"
"Non," the words fumbled from her lips without much thought. "Not really." They wanted to add 'I'm here for maybe Mademoiselle Lindy shows', but Nana halted in her speech. Just because the woman came for Parents Day didn't mean her presence was mandatory for the Spring Social. Plus, who was better company really? Who would Nana prefer to spend the day with? There was no doubt in the answer to that. "Where we weell go?"
Roger let his smile fall for only a slight second as the man thought before he picked it up once more. "I could always show you Mal and mine's old smoke spot, if you're up for it. It's away from everything and up high, so we could still watch the ants play. And we could just sit around and talk, if you want. Or I could talk and you could listen."
Within the depths of Nana's always-active grey matter, images of what could be played out like a Muggle film reel. There could be laughter and smiles abound. There could be silence. There could be dancing to silent beats or spitting on the unsuspecting insects below. There could be a lot of things and there could be nothing at all. Nana had to wonder if the nothing was really worth it in comparison to what she had. And what did she have? Well, she had… nothing. Joanna, Marian, and Ramona were busy elsewhere leaving Nana alone. She probably would have been alone all day with the way things were going, but she didn't have to be. Chaperoned nothing was better than lonely nothing, or so the Ravenclaw guessed. In the end, nothing was nothing was nothing. There were no high expectations there.
"Oui," Nana said as her eyes drifted down to focus on her acquaintance's ratty shirt collar, which was covered by another ratty and loosely woven green sweater. "Not as together though. Not look good to others. I not exactly look of seesteen, oui?"
"Right," Bex added with a nod of his head. He brought a masculine hand to his lips, brushing a rough thumb against them before nodding again. "So here's what we'll do…" The rest of the conversation was spoken in hushed tones, but the young female let her ears perk up and, in doing so, caught every word.
A few moments later, the teenager left her previous locale just as silently as she had entered it. Fifteen minutes after his younger companion left, so did Roger Bexley. None paid either of them any mind. If they had, Roger would have only told them he was looking for the restroom. That couldn't have been any further from the truth.
(Gus) Excellency
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-06-13 13:16
Gus was at the Great Hall with his mother having tea. She had come for the Spring Social, but she was not feeling very social at all, preferring to stay inside the fresh castle, instead of being on the grounds where the majority of the families where gathered enjoying the good weather.
"Typical of your father not to come," she commented adding a spoon of sugar to her cup. "His son gets his apparition license and he does not even bother to show up."
Gus had passed his apparition test and that had left him in a very good mood. Now he wouldn't depend on anyone to travel and he could go where it pleased him without any justifications. He felt quite independent now, with seventeen years old and his apparition license. He didn't really care about the fact his father wasn't here. He was just glad his mother had come. When it came to his parents' divorce Gus had no trouble choosing sides.
"He left the house and he is now living with his second family. You should have seen him, happy with his new mediocre Muggle life, his bastard girl and the mother. They even convinced him to dress like a Muggle and enter that metal thing with heels they use to go everywhere."
"It's called a car," Gus told her. He knew a bit more than Muggles than the majority because of Johanna, Felicia and Kate.
"Your grandmother always told me I was making a mistake to marry your father. She said Edmure was weak and he didn't have enough status. I should have listened to her…"
It occurred to Gus on that moment that his mother didn't speak about any of this to her friends and she was using him as a confident. He didn't really know what to tell her. He too was suffering with all this. It was not even the fact his father had an affair with a Muggle that bothered him.
What hurt was that he had been living a double life. He had built another family, another home. It was as if he and his mother where not enough for him. His expression might have reflected his state of mind because his mother placed her hand filled with rings above his.
"But what am I saying? If it was not for your father, I wouldn't have my handsome and clever son."
She was about to caress his cheek, but Gus protested. He didn't want his mother to be affectionate to him in public. Katrina removed the hand and the bitter conversation about Edmure van Tassel ended, as she then started to inquire her son about his OWLs.
"In your last letter you seemed a bit disappointed the Quidditch season ended for the Slytherins and you wouldn't play in the Championship match. As much as I feel sorry for that, I think it's good that you now have extra time to focus on your exams. You're a year behind most boys your age, Gus, and that is another reason for you to dedicate to it even more. Of course it was not your fault to been sent to that place…a tremendous injustice since your blood is has pure as everyone. " His mother rarely mentioned Gus' time at Happy Haven. The whole family acted as if that year when Gus was away had never existed.
"Have you thought about what you might want to do in the future?"she then asked.
He had no idea and he really didn't felt like talking about OWLs today. He understood his mother's worries and since the school year had started all the teachers have been telling them about the importance of the OWLs to their future.
There was some noise nearby and Gus noticed Joanna Porter and her family entering the Great Hall. He couldn't help to smile when his eyes met with hers. Although they were not officially dating, they had been meeting in Filch's supplies closet where they would exchange kisses.
They didn't really plan these encounters. They would just send a glance at each other and by mutual consent they would meet in the tight closet on the fifth floor, having by company the buckets and the mops. Gus hadn't told any of his friends about it with the exception of Mark who had caught him once leaving the closet with his hair undone, his tie and shirt out of place.
"A girl. Of course. I should have guessed."
"What?" Gus asked, his attention returning to his mother.
"She's pretty,"she continued, her eyes on Joanna now. "I just don't know why you never write to me about your conquests."
"She's not a conquest! I happen to like her a lot…"
Katrina smiled and then she warned:
"Just make sure you focus on your examinations. You will have plenty of time for girls in the summer."
Not really believing his mother would allow him to spend the summer with any girls, Gus just nodded assuring Katrina that he would study a lot and do his best to have decent marks on his OWLs.
"No, not decent. Excellent. You always have to try and achieve excellency, Gus. Don't forget that."
"Yes, mom," he promised.
Unexpected Visitor
Author: Jared
Date: 08-06-13 19:44
Julietta Wynbourne had found a spot to sit that would give her a clear view of anyone walking up from the security checkpoint at the main gate going in the direction of the castle. Her parents had given her an estimated time of arrival but they'd not established a meeting place. Etta figures this spot is as good as any to keep watch for them. Seven or eight minutes later it's not Abigail and Gawain she sees but her brother.
Rising to meet him Etta gives Jared a huge hug. "No one said you were coming! This is bloody fabulous!"
Jared returns Etta's hug, squeezing hard enough to lift her off the ground. When she's on her feet again he offers a wan smile. "Not really all that fabulous."
"You aren't on house arrest. How can that not be fab? And where are Mum and Dad?"
Jared replies to the second question. "They're coming. They're giving me a little time to talk with you."
"Sounds ominous." Etta's eyes widen. "You aren't here to say goodbye before being carted off to Azkaban, are you?"
Jared reaches for Etta's hand and tucks it into the crook of his arm. "No, this isn't a stop on my way to jail. Let's walk."
Etta has an urge to stand her ground and insist Jared explain right then and there but, resisting said urge, she allows him to lead her away from the steady stream of people coming up from the gates. They walk in a direction not yet populated by anyone here for Spring Social, Jared beginning the talk with, "Mum and Dad did tell you the trial kept being pushed back, right?"
"Yes, but neither said why."
"Other than the other side was the one doing the rescheduling, we don't know. My solicitor and barrister petitioned to stop the reschedulings and to be informed of the reason why she and her side kept pushing things back but we were denied each time. We were only told the new date and to be ready."
"That doesn't seem right."
"Nothing about any of this has seemed right," Jared bitterly says. "We finally were there in the courtroom, this was yesterday, ready to begin when her side announced she was withdrawing her case. They had wanted to go ahead anyway but without her testimony they couldn't see getting a win."
"That's great, isn't it?" Etta asks, somewhat unsure given that instead of grinning and being ecstatically happy to have this mess over and done, Jared seems a combination of sad and angry.
"Initially, yes."
"But?"
"But the Ministry decided that nothing had been resolved. I wasn't vindicated, cleared of the charges. There is a rumor she withdrew because she feared for her life, which implies I or someone supporting me has threatened her. I've been terminated from my position and told not to bother reapplying unless I can prove beyond doubt I am innocent."
"What about your questioning under Veritaserum? Why isn't that proof enough?"
"It has something to do with the fact that many rapists don't view what they've done as rape. They find justification in it. It was consensual. She asked for it. That sort of thing."
"But didn't they ask you outright if you've ever has sex with her?"
"They did. I haven't been able to get a straight answer on why that alone doesn't clear me. Anthony thinks it could be because under Veritaserum, she stated we did. Conflicting responses, which were both elicited under the use of a very strong truth potion. Unless she testified or that was introduced in the trial some other way, it's only speculation."
"I thought they had to share information with you."
"Only to a point and generally only if it exonerates the accused, who would be me. Or something like that."
"How could she answer yes to such a question if under the influence of Veritaserum?"
"No idea but somehow she got around the potion's effect."
They walk in silence for a moment then trying to sound positive Etta says, "You may be out of a job but you're free."
"True, but there's a stain on my record and the Ministry has chosen to cut ties with me even though I haven't been found guilty of anything. I've given up my flat for good and am back at home until I can find another job."
"How did Alanna react?"
"Much like the rest of us. Shocked, angry, surprised. She's told me she has faith I'll find another job and that in time I'll be able to prove once and for all I truly am innocent, that no one made any threats or acted inappropriately."
Sensing he's left something out Etta prompts, "And?"
"And nothing."
"There's something else."
"Not really."
"Jared."
"Maybe one thing. I think I should tell Alanna she might want to distance herself from me so as not to ruin her own Ministry career."
"I doubt she'd do that. She might get mad at you for suggesting it though."
"I know, but it probably needs to be said."
"Why?"
"Because."
"That's not an answer. You love her. She loves you. Isn't it sort of disrespectful and rude to suggest to her that she loves you less than you love her and would put her career first?"
"Maybe she should put it first."
"I think that's just your low mood talking."
"Maybe."
"Don't rush to say something like that to Alanna. Think about it a few days. Talk to Mum or Dad or both of them."
"Maybe."
Etta rolls her eyes. "You're being stubborn for no reason."
"Maybe," he replies, this time with a more genuine, annoying big brother smile. "I think I spot Mum and Dad coming through the security checkpoint."
Etta looks that direction. "You're right. I suppose we should head that way."
They start back the way they'd come, Etta urging, "Promising me you would hurry to tell Alanna she should take a several steps away from you and put her Ministry career first."
Jared gives that brotherly smile again, though this one is somewhat forced. "Maybe."
Etta rolls her eyes a second time and slaps him across the ribs, thankful when he changes the subject to asking if she's started any real studying for the NEWTs.
Why Did They Bother?
Author: Rylee
Date: 08-07-13 14:28
The pavilion that had not been seen all year had made a return to the Hogwarts grounds for the Spring Social. Not that it made any difference, there was too much tension and arguing for anyone to actually enjoy doing anything that was remotely fun.
I'd picked a pair of jeans that I loved, paired them with a pink tank-top, pair of pink, white and silver trainers, and a black hoodie that had a Nike logo on it. I'd also put in a pair of pink woven studs and a heart necklace to complete the outfit.
Five of my six sisters had shown up, Nichole was currently dealing with my grandfather who was still in the hospital, and according to the letter I'd gotten from her this morning neither of my parents were planning on coming to visit him, which meant that she would be dealing with him herself - thankfully her term was nearly done at Harvard, or she would not be as calm as she sounded in her letter.
"Charlotte, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, pushing myself up from the large basket like chair that I'd been sitting in.
"Sure, what's up?" She asked, following me outside of hearing range of my parents.
"Why did they even bother showing up? I mean, if they are going to be spending the entire time arguing and bitching about everything, including the fact that I'm wanting to take Muggle Studies next year and I'm not giving up Fitness & Athletics, and god forbid I want to actually be able to go to the village with my classmates now that I'm finally able to."
"Ry, lighten up on them a little bit. I mean, they have been dealing with a lot. Dad's apparently been having this affair for the past three years, and we don't know anything about this woman or the life he's been living with her. Mom's been talking to a psychologist and I've all but moved back home doing my coursework via correspondence."
I sighed and leaned into my eldest sister, sighing. "They are driving me crazy. I almost told them not to bother coming, but at that point it was already too late. I mean, they haven't even bothered to go see Grandfather Nathaniel, and from what I heard from Nichole, he could seriously die any day now."
"Yeah, I know, and I've been trying to tell Dad to go see him, since it is his father."
"Yeah, but we all know how stubborn and self-centered they can be when they want to be."
"So true. I'm going to talk to Professor Snape or Professor Quigley, to see if there can be arrangements made so I can go see him before he dies. I know neither of them are pleased with the fact that Slytherin didn't make it into the championship match, and it's mainly my fault, being new to the team and all. Merlin only knows that Cornelia Vanderbilt's head would have exploded if she'd still been on the house team."
"You did your best and that is all that matters. You've got five more years to become one of the best seekers that Slytherin has ever had."
I grinned and we headed back to the pavilion and dropped back down into my comfy chair and grabbed a pumpkin juice from the table and a bag of crisps.
"Rylee Sofia Marks."
Three-named. Great, what in the hell had I done now?
"Yes Mum?"
"The letter you'd sent to us was completely unacceptable. Your behavior has been less than acceptable as of late, and you can consider yourself grounded for the majority of the summer until you can begin behaving properly again."
I stared at my mother. Was she absolutely serious?
"Mum, you are seriously grounding me when I don't even know where in the hell I'll be spending my summer break? I mean, given the fact that you and dad are heading for a divorce, who will get the house? I'm the ONLY one who really has to worry about having a place to come back to when I get out of school for summer break."
I sighed, shoving a hand through my hair and looking over at my Mother again.
"I don't know why either of you bothered coming, since all you and dad have done were argue and tell me how horrible a daughter I've been because I want to know what is going on with my family, especially when it is falling apart."
I swiped at the tears that I hadn't known I was crying and just sighed. "Go home. I don't want to deal with this crap right now. When the pair of you figure out where I'm going to be spending my summer vacation, write me and let me know."
With that, I headed back toward the Castle, after saying goodbye to my siblings. I wanted to see about talking to Professor Snape, Professor Quigley, or even Professor McGonagall about going to see my grandfather before he died, but I needed to calm down first.
Family of Three
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 08-07-13 17:52
Rose lay on her back with a teething ring in her mouth and kicked her legs repeatedly as if she were attempting to swim backwards in a pool. Her eyes took in her surroundings, including the faces of her two parents, who sat on either side of her with their heads bent together.
"I'm glad you suggested we make this a family event," Hermione said to Ron.
He was technically working security at Hogwarts, but more in the undercover sense than anything else. Periodically, he inconspicuously looked around for suspicious activity but had yet to find anything worth investigating. It was early yet, however. Anything could still happen.
"Since it was suggested to have both obvious and plain-clothed members of law enforcement here, I thought you and Rose could help me keep up the ruse that I'm really just a villager enjoying a fun day at Hogwarts."
"And how are we doing?" Hermione asked, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"Bloody fantastic, that's how," Ron replied in mock seriousness.
Hermione laughed. "It's too bad––" Her smile faltered when she realized she couldn't finish her thought out loud. It's too bad Harry, Ginny and Jamie couldn't be here.
The subject of Harry was completely taboo, other than to express concern over his comatose state. Knowing the truth about Harry, that he was perfectly fine and in hiding, sometimes made it difficult to pretend everything was not all right. When she found herself in that situation, Hermione thought about her father and how he had been in a coma for three long years, never to recover.
She frowned, and Ron said, "Yeah, I know."
Rose pulled the teething ring from her mouth and held it aloft.
Ron asked, "For me?", and reached out to take it. Rose watched it travel from her hand to his and kept her hand up and open, ready to receive it again. Ron gave it back to her, and she immediately put it back in her mouth and resumed kicking her legs about on the picnic blanket.
Ron wiped his hand on his pant leg and said, "Maybe Charlie or Bill will come, or Fred and George."
"Why is it always Fred AND George and not Fred OR George?" Hermione asked with a smile. "Do they always do everything together?"
"Well, maybe not everything," Ron said. "George will probably come because Majandra works here."
"And Fred might come because Blossom works in the village," Hermione added.
"Unless one or both have to mind their own stores," Ron finished.
Rose pulled the teething ring from her mouth again and held it up for Ron to take. He did, this time sweeping his gaze around to check for anything abnormal happening on the Hogwarts grounds. He lingered a second too long in giving the teething ring back, because Rose began to whimper.
"Here you go," Ron said, handing her the teething ring. She stuck it in her mouth again, all cares completely forgotten.
Ice Cream Queue
Author: Illyria
Date: 08-08-13 07:04
The queue at the ice cream booth already stretched across the lawn. Illyria stood at the very end and patiently waited her turn. She looked around at the many visitors to Hogwarts, sometimes able to place parents or siblings with her students based on how alike they looked. Some she already knew from previous visits to Hogwarts.
The Spring Social was one of the last fun events before the start of the end of year exams. The fifth and seventh year students were already under a great deal of pressure, so hopefully today could serve as an escape for them. Illyria imagined that some would reserve the entire day to fun and relaxation, while others would still manage to get some studying done.
The line inched forward slowly but surely. Illyria continued to scan her surroundings when her gaze fell upon Roland, who was making his way in her direction. He waved when he noticed that she'd spotted him. Illyria waved back.
"Hey," he greeted, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.
"You made it after all," Illyria said.
"The viewing fell through because of an emergency with the owner," Roland explained. Now that he was financially sound again, he was looking for a new flat to let. His studio flat in a very run-down area just wasn't cutting it anymore.
"Will you reschedule?"
"Yes," Roland nodded. "I'm waiting to hear back from the owner."
"Hey, no cuts!" said a young boy in line behind Illyria. He was with his parents and couldn't have been older than eight years old.
His mother shushed him and tugged on his hand.
Roland grinned at him. "I promise I'm not in line. I'm just talking to my friend."
Illyria laughed. "I'll get you a cone, unless you want to step to the back of the line and get your own."
"I think I'll choose my own," Roland said, and he very deliberately stepped into the queue behind the family with the eight-year-old boy.
"You'd probably get me a flavor I wouldn't want like bogey-flavored or mud-flavored!" Roland called up to Illyria.
The little boy's eyebrows shot way up.
"I'm pretty sure they don't have bogey-flavored ice cream here," Illyria replied, laughing some more, "but I could be wrong."
The boy tugged on his mother's hand and emphatically told her he did not want either bogey or mud-flavored ice cream. He wanted chocolate and chocolate only.
Illyria had to face the front of the line to control her giggling. Roland, on the other hand, laughed out loud.
The line continued to inch forward, and eventually Illyria got for herself a rainbow sherbet cone. The boy got his chocolate ice cream, and Roland went with mint chocolate chip. He joined Illyria where she waited for him, and together they walked the grounds.
(Malden) Family Picnic
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-08-13 08:52
Malden trailed behind the rest of his family as they searched for an empty picnic table. The Hogwarts grounds had become very crowded and many of the good places to sit, such as under the best trees or along the shore of the lake, were already taken. His parents had brought with them an arsenal of sweets from Briar's Bakery, and Malden's stomach was already growling.
"Over there by the stables," Madoc said, pointing to an available picnic table.
The family set off for it and divided themselves to either side. Malden's mother began emptying her picnic basket. It looked ordinary enough, but it contained far more than appearances suggested.
"Why didn't Granddad come?" Madoc asked.
"He said he had other things to do today," his father replied.
Madoc fell into deep thought and ate a sugar biscuit automatically when it landed on his plate.
"The Quidditch championship match is coming up, isn't it?" Myron asked Madoc, but Madoc didn't seem to hear him.
Malden groaned. "Don't remind me. Slytherin finished dead last this year."
"But Gryffindor did all right, didn't it?" Myron asked, looking again to Madoc.
Madoc blinked and asked, "Huh?"
Malden shook his head. "Gryffindor is in third place, but not because they played badly. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw won two games each. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw both earned 370 points in all their games combined, but Gryffindor only earned 360 points." Malden gave the last statement with a note of satisfaction evident in his voice, as if Gryffindor losing by 10 measly points was just as bad or worse as Slytherin having far less points overall.
"How did you get so good at maths?" Myron asked. "I seem to recall you having a hard time adding two and two?"
"Dad!" Malden complained.
Madoc finally snapped out of it and said, "Everyone's been talking about it. Except for Slytherin, it's been a very close race to the finish." He took another biscuit, this time peanut butter flavored and ate it in two bites.
He was disappointed that Gryffindor had not made it to the Championship match, but he knew they had played very well and that it was just bad luck that they had not squeaked by in the end.
The family polished off most of the sweets Cate McGonagall had brought to the Spring Social and then got up to wander the grounds some more.