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Fanged Frisbee Not Allowed (Leonine & Cornington)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 07-09-14 17:33
"Better leave that in the bag," Leonine says to the youngest of the Marchbanks siblings.
"How come?" Cornington wants to know.
"You know why."
"But I'm not a student."
"But you're on school property."
With reluctance Cornington slides the fanged frisbee into a zippered pocket of the bag their parents brought items such as the blanket they are sitting upon. Leo asks, "Do Mum and Dad even know you have one of those?"
Cornington shrugs. "I got it with some birthday money. I didn't know it was such a big deal."
"So that's a no."
"Are you going to tell?"
"Not as long as you leave it in the bag. I don't want to get in trouble because of something you've done."
A game of fanged frisbee now out of the question Cornington gets up, reflexively wiping at his bum for grass and dirt even though he'd been sitting on the blanket. "How about some candy floss* then?"
Knowing the blanket and bag should be fine, the brothers get up and walk in the direction of the booth where they'd earlier seen someone making interesting shapes out of different colors and flavors of candy floss. As they walk they catch sight of older brother Baron talking with a friend. Hydrangea was with their cousin Glori last they'd seen of her and their parents had gone off to talk with Uncle AJ and their newest aunt, Mariposa.
Leo gets a cherry red candy floss shaped like a Chinese Fireball, orange flavored flames coming from its mouth. Cornington chooses a Basilisk shape, the bright green spun candy lime flavored with lemony tasting yellow eyes and fangs. Pulling one of the fangs free, Cornington wonders aloud, "What house do you think I'll be?"
Slowing chewing a piece of the Fireball's tail Leo ponders the question before replying, "We've had family in each house at some point or other."
"That doesn't tell me anything I don't already know."
"I wouldn't think Hufflepuff for you. You're smart but I don't know if it's enough to qualify as Ravenclaw."
"You think either Gryffindor or Slytherin then."
"No, you'll be Sorted into the secret house no one ever speaks about."
"Ha. If there were a secret Hogwarts house, with as much family as we have who've gone here, I would probably have heard of it by now."
"Not if it's secret. Oooh, I didn't realize the giant gobstones would be here. Want to have a go?"
"Soon as I'm done with this," Cornington says waggling what's left of his basilisk candy floss.
A few minutes later the brothers get in line to be one a giant gobstones team and are soon each climbing into one of the large balls, ready for their game to begin.
Brothers
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 07-09-14 18:48
When Liam arrived at Twice Told Tales without the rest of the family, Lysander felt himself grow annoyed. He'd waited around the book shop for his brother as they had discussed when the idea first came up for them to visit Hogwarts together. It would have been worse if Charlotte had stayed behind too, but Lysander had sent her ahead with Julian and the twins.
The book shop was fairly quiet, even though there were more people in the village than usual. Lysander had no problem using what was clearly not an "inside voice" the moment his brother stepped through the door.
"Well?" he demanded. "Why have you come alone?"
Liam, who wasn't late to their meeting at all, ignored his brother's accusatory tone and explained, "The kids are sick. The fever was so mild this morning we thought they might improve as the day went on, but they've only gotten worse. I would have sent you an owl this morning letting you know we probably wouldn't make it, but we had our hands full."
Lysander scowled. "You should have let me know sooner."
"I'm sorry," Liam said calmly. "I came in person now because I knew it would be quicker than sending the owl all the way from London. I also wasn't sure if you would be around your fireplace to talk, so I decided to apparate." He paused and then said, "I'm glad you wanted us all to get together as a family. I wish it could have worked out. Maybe next time––"
"Charlotte wanted to see her cousins," Lysander interrupted. Although it wasn't true that he didn't want to spend time with his brother and sister-in-law, especially now that he and Liam were trying to act like brothers and not like complete strangers, he let the implication that he could care less about them hang in the air.
Liam's eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second. "Something the matter? Besides our canceled plans," he added for clarification. "You seem really bent out of shape over something that ought to be forgivable." He paused, assessing Lysander for a long moment and then asked, "Are you in some kind of trouble? Merlin's beard, Lysander. I got away from you because of all this. Did I make a mistake in trying to reconnect with you and allowing you to get to know my family?"
Lysander was really angry now. "You're making a very big leap! Maybe I'm in a bad mood because I ran out of my favorite coffee this morning or because Charlotte left a pointed doll's shoe on the floor that I stepped on with my bare foot. Do you really think so lowly of me, still? I think maybe you have made a mistake in coming back here. We never were brotherly, and I'm starting to think that should never change."
Liam grew curt. "I'm sorry I made the effort. Goodbye."
"Bye," Lysander barked.
He watched his brother go out the door and march down High Street. Before Liam disappeared from sight, Lysander turned toward the counter and banged his fist down on it. A startled customer emerged from the stacks to look, apparently having ignored the earlier argument. She gave one look at Lysander and made the hasty decision to flee the shoppe.
Lysander seethed at the counter for several long moments. After he managed to calm himself a little bit, he swept around the store to make sure it was empty and then put the CLOSED sign in the door. He hoped all signs of his frustration would dissipate by the time he reached the castle grounds, or he might have some explaining to do.
Planning for Summer
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 07-09-14 19:39
Orion looked at Sagitta, who was currently flipping through a few catalogs he'd brought. She was making notes on parchment of the items she wanted and the sizes so he could get the summer clothes she wanted ordered. The redhead was hoping that Bronwyn would be willing to take her shopping again, but Orion was hesitant to promise anything, especially since he and Desi were taking a break.
Remedy had parked herself beside Sagitta and was looking through one of the catalogs her friend had finished with, making some notes of her own. Orion had offered to order her things along with his niece's, since Jefferson had taken a flat near his own. The girls both seemed happy with that turn of events, since it meant they could spend time together, and they were already asking if Crew could come to visit after they got home from Hogwarts.
Dark eyes watched the two girls, wondering if he'd ever get used to this parenting thing. Even though Sagitta wasn't his daughter, he was still responsible for her, and in some ways, it was rather like a trial run for kids of his own. Not that he'd ever thought of having kids himself, at least not before Desi, and they certainly hadn't been ready for that conversation, not before everything else had come along and they'd decided to take their break.
"Uncle Orion? Are you alright?" Sagitta asked, tilting her head, red curls tumbling into her face as she looked at him.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine," he answered, smiling distractedly. "Are you still trying to spend all of my galleons?" he teased.
She giggled. "Not all. Just the ones from the trust for my care," she teased back. "Besides, I've outgrown a lot of the clothes Bronwyn took me shopping for last summer. I need more for sure."
"Well, we can't have that," Orion said with a grin. "Bronwyn will come kick my arse if you are running about in clothes that don't fit or aren't stylish."
"That might be worth seeing."
"Evil witch," Orion teased his niece. "I should be glad Professor Mockridge hasn't taught you how to turn me into a frog." The girls laughed and switched catalogs as he kept track of which list went with which booklet. He'd be doing a lot of orders when he got back to his flat, or maybe he'd make Jefferson do it, since it looked like his friend was running late.
Confrontation
Author: Mildred
Date: 07-10-14 04:16
While her grandmother was advising Mildred to start studying for her final exams as soon as possible in order to be well prepared, the witch's head turned left and she watched Hunter Rabnott at a distance. Hunter not only was the school's Head Boy but also the Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Mildred had spent many hours with him at the Quidditch pitch practicing, and Hunter had taught her a lot of new moves and special plays. For spending so much time with the older boy, Mildred found herself developing some feelings towards Hunter. A little crush, that she had kept a secret even from her friends.
Unfortunately Gryffindor had lost all the matches and it hasn't been qualified for the Championship Match next month and so the practices had been suspended for the rest of the year. Now it was rare for Mildred to see Hunter around the castle. He was a seventh year and their schedules were incompatible. She was a bit sad he wouldn't be here in the next year. Of course Mildred was aware that Hunter had a girlfriend and she had never really considered the hypothesis of dating him herself. She just liked to spend time in his company and admire his beauty in silence.
"Mildred, are you listening to me?"
Her grandmother's voice brought Mildred back to reality and she quickly turned her head around before the old witch suspected of anything. But it was too late: Regina's light eyes followed Hunter as he disappeared around the corner.
"Don't you think he is a bit older for you?"
"It's not like that. He's just the team's captain," Mildred justified herself.
"I see. Nevertheless, you are fourteen now and your mother and father are not around. So it is my mission to make sure you are courted by proper people."
"You mean I cannot date anyone without your approval?"
"If that is your interpretation…Just think about this: I never approved your father and look where he is now. If your mother had listened to me things would have been quite different, I'm sure."
Mildred didn't have the energy to argue with her grandmother. She knew Regina didn't like her father and that was not going to change, no matter what. Alexander could win an Order of Merlin, save all the children in world and find the cure to many mortal diseases, and still be under Regina's standards. It was too hot outside for her grandmother and so Mildred took her to the Great Hall, where they had tea together, at the Gryffindor table. There was no sign of Hunter but there were other families at the Great Hall. For a moment Mildred couldn't help to feel jealous of those who had their parents around.
As she was thinking about how great it would be to have a brother or sister she noticed her wand on the table had started to shift like a clock's pointer. Her grandmother was distracted, putting jam in a scone, talking about how she always had wanted to hire a house elf from the Hogwarts' kitchens to work for her because of their culinary skills. The wand kept shifting faster and faster, like a broken pointer of a compass, which couldn't find its direction. Mildred's impulse was to hold it to make it stop and place it inside her pocket. The wand was hot in her skin. She heard steps behind her and watched the Sims family sitting at the Slytherin table, Achilles' face not very pleased with that fact.
"I'm going to the bathroom," Mrs. Sims told to her family, and began to walk away.
Mildred heard Achilles' brother, Hercules, asking his father if he could have some chocolate cake. The moment Mrs. Sims had disappeared behind the Great Hall's double doors, Mildred's wand became cold again. She didn't know anything about wandlore, but the young witch had the feeling her wand, her mother's wand, was trying to tell her something. Mildred had passed a long time thinking that her mother had been the real responsible for Erica's death and she started having doubts about the nature of wand that belonged to her now. She had read somewhere that wands were somewhat like people, they had a distinctive personality and temper. Could the wand had felt that it was being rejected by Mildred and wished to make some amends?
"I'll be right back," Mildred told her grandmother, excusing herself.
Achilles waved at her from his table and she waved back. Hercules copied his brother which made Mildred grin. Mr. Sims preferred not to react and he pretended to be busy selecting what he was going to eat.
Mildred entered the bathroom she was sure Mrs. Sims had used. It was empty with the exception of one stall, which was occupied by Achilles' mother. She held her wand tight, feeling it pulsing, almost as if it was angry. Mildred closed her eyes. It was as if she almost could hear the wand speaking to her. There was the sound of flushing and Mrs. Sims left the stall, her heels echoing in the tiles. At first she ignored Mildred, not really recognizing her and begun to wash her wands. But then feeling that she was being observed, she closed the tap, and faced the young witch. Mildred couldn't help to feel repulse when the woman smiled.
"Mildred Campbell: what a surprise."
Mildred didn't say a word. Slowly she raised her arm, her wand pointed at Ursula Sims' chest. The woman laughed.
"Don't be foolish, girl. I can take my wand out of my robes in a matter of seconds and stun you before you finish saying your incantation."
"You killed my mother."
The words had left her month without being previously considered and hearing them out loud made Mildred be even more sure that this was what her mother's wand was trying to tell her. I am not a killer, but this woman is.
"Your accusation is very serious, young lady. But you are right: I did kill your mother. I was the one driving that car, on that summer day. And to think about how much I struggled with Howard because of that stupid Muggle vehicle, when it turned out to be so useful...But who is going to believe you? What proofs do you have? Sadly our car has been stolen that same week your mother was killed, so it couldn't be me or your husband driving it. We even went to the Muggle police. They are very effective keeping their records in order..."
The smiled died in her face and the playing tone was dropped. Now she looked at Mildred very seriously.
"Now you listen to me, girl. I thought my husband was very clear when he warned you about digging into the past. Your mother is dead, your father is in prison. Do you want your grandmother to be next? Accidents can happen to people of such an advanced age. Or your aunt, who lives in America. I heard she was expecting a child? It would be a sad thing if something happened to them..."
Mildred felt her rage growing. She would rather Mrs. Sims to threat her and her life than of those few members of her family she had left and that she loved. She couldn't help herself to attack the older witch right there, right now.
"Immobulus!"
"Stupefy!"
Mildred had trained the freezing charm at DADA and she was confident she would be able to immobilize Mrs. Sims. But Ursula had more experience in dueling and she kept her promise about being able to stun her faster. Mildred's head hit one of the sinks as she fell on the floor losing her senses. The next thing she remembered was hearing panic voices, and an acute pain on her head. A warm liquid, blood, dripped on the tiles and stained her clothes. Mildred had the slight notion she was being lifted and transferred to the Hospital Wing. Someone held her hand, and told her encouraging words, assuring her she would be all right. She had the feeling it had been Achilles but she couldn't tell for sure. Maybe it could be Hunter...
Everything was in a blur and her head seemed to be about to explode. Darkness took over once again.
Summer Plans and Lazy Day
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 07-11-14 11:23
"So, have you guys been working on wedding plans yet?" Emily asked as she reached over and plucked Mark up and put him back on the blanket.
"As of right now, we are thinking around Christmas of next year, so it is closer to when we are actually going to be done. That, and I have no desire to be planning a wedding as well as stressing about NEWTs, and Blake feels the same way."
Emily nodded , and plucked another bottle of lemonade out of the cooler and sipped from it while keeping an eye on the exploring toddler, "You could always plan it and have it set for sometime next summer that way the wedding will be planned and ultimately you can focus on it during the summer instead of trying to get it done during the Christmas holiday, which is usually hectic as it is."
Isma nodded, shifting so that her head rested in Blake's lap and his fingers easily, and effortlessly began playing with her hair as they talked. Carmen and Cai were currently lounging on the blanket, everyone simply soaking up the warmth and nibbling on the variety of snacks and drinks that had been brought.
"We are considering that too. We have a lot to still figure out, and I am looking forward to finishing up next year and probably enrolling in St. Emry's in the Fall," Blake said. "I don't know yet what I am going to study, but I'm considering something legal based, or perhaps business or law. Though, I have been talking to some of the businesses that come to Career day, and I know a couple of them are excited to talk to me next year when I'm close to actually being done."
"What about you kiddo, any leads on something when you are done?" Martin asked as he plucked his son up, who was already beginning to fuss, and shifted him lightly in his lap, offering him a bit of diced fruit to snack on, knowing well that the young boy would soon be insufferable until he finally fell asleep for his nap.
"A couple, I've been talking to someone at the Ministry, and will be looking deeper into prospects next year or even this summer. If I can manage an internship in the Ministry I might be able to turn it into a permanent position come the end of next school year. It may mean that I'll work through most of my breaks depending on the position and if they are actually considering hiring me, but that will let me get more experience and hopefully lead to a job that will let us start saving for a place of our own."
Isma shifted, looking up at Blake, who smiled down at her and offered her a chocolate covered cherry, which she easily accepted without nipping the offering fingers. Nigela and Charles Holloway chuckled lightly at the couple and Cai and Carmen rolled their eyes.
"Ugh! They are being mushy again…" Carmen muttered, rolling her eyes, before rummaging through her wizarding cards. The eleven year old was decidedly anti-boys right now, and perhaps that was a good thing, but soon enough it would change and she would no doubt be as boy crazy as Isma had been at her age.
"Why can't I get my letter this summer?" Cai pouted, the boy wasn't going to be turning eleven until November which meant he wouldn't be getting his letter to Hogwarts until the following year.
"You know why Cai, your birthday isn't until November, which means you'll not be eleven before the start of the school year in September. Don't worry, you'll get it soon enough and will be attending Hogwarts, and get to ride on the train and be sorted into one of the houses just like Blake and Carmen did."
Cai pouted and before he could say anything beyond an "it's not fair," stuffed a chocolate frog into his mouth before the magical sweet could hop away and become lost in the grass.
Nigela chuckled, "Carmen was the same way at his age, as was Blake, but ultimately they were both exceptionally happy when their letters came and we could begin shopping for their supplies."
"I think Mark will be happy when he comes to Hogwarts, he will definitely be old enough to hunt a bit more at the Easter Egg hunt next year, though I think this year he got some pretty nifty things in the eggs that he did manage to find."
"Speaking of eggs from Easter, we need to figure out which three dates we are going to attend the concerts we got tickets for. Also, if we are doing more than one day at Quidditch con, also did you remember to send off that voucher you got?"
Isma poked at Blake's side as she spoke, grinning impishly. They'd both gotten some fairly decent prizes including some concert tickets for some of the tours going on this summer, tickets to Quidditch con, Blake had gotten a voucher for a retailer for some clothes, as well as a new set of trainers. Isma'd gotten a new pair of trainers, a dress that she'd been saving to wear on their first date of summer vacation, and a few other things as well as an abundance of candy that was mostly gone at this point in time.
"I did send off the voucher, most of the items should be here in the next day or so. There's even something for you that I'd picked up with it," Blake said.
"I like surprises…" Isma said with a grin.
The nine of them talked and enjoyed the remaining time of the Spring Social, before ultimately everyone packed up to head home. Mark had ultimately passed out about twenty-minutes before everyone started packing up, which meant that he was snuggled down in his stroller and blissfully unaware of all the noise that went on around him. Isma delivered a quick peck to her sleeping brother's head, hugged her parents and Blake's before they headed to the gates and Carmen, Blake and Isma headed back to the castle.
Spring Social with the Carters
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 07-11-14 11:40
"So, are you ready for your NEWTs Broderick?" Avalon asked her son as they walked inside from the grounds, heading to the Great Hall to have a bite for lunch before the Carters ultimately took their leave of the Hogwarts grounds and headed back to their home.
"As ready as I can be Mum, and I'm more than likely going to be leaving for India within the month after I get home from school."
Avalon and Beynon Carter had ultimately accepted the fact that their son wasn't going to immediately be venturing into furthering his education, but was going to be taking a humanitarian approach to his life for the unforeseeable future, "We will help you get things ready. Have you been looking into places to stay?"
"Actually, I was talking to Professor Morgan, before she had to take some time off because of her husband's death and she was considering talking to her parents and seeing if they'd be willing to host me for a little while."
"That is a very generous offer. However, please tell me you have a back-up plan in case that falls through."
"Yes, I've got a back-up plan. I've gotten contact information for some hostels, as well as some studio apartments that I can rent for relatively cheap while I'm there, and the organization that I'll be working with has provisions for housing if ultimately I do not find something that suits me properly."
"Well, I'm glad you've thought this through properly."
There was only a trace in Beynon's voice, before he turned his attention to Cai and Angharad. "And are the two of you ready for your finals in the coming weeks?"
Both girls, who had ultimately become a bit closer in the past few months nodded. "Getting there, still have a few things that we need to work on, but we've got a couple of study groups that we go to and by the time that finals roll around we should be ready."
"Oh, you never did tell us, are you both licensed to apparate?"
Both girls answered in the affirmative, that they'd passed their tests this morning before heading out to meet everyone for the Spring Social.
"Good, very good," Avalon said. "We will have to celebrate over summer break."
Beynon's next question was directed at his eldest and his youngest daughters. "How is the quidditch season going?"
"Gryffindor I think is out of the running for the house cup, but I think Ravenclaw still actually stands a chance."
"So it will be possibly Ravenclaw and Slytherin or Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff as they won their last match the day of the apparition testing," Aderyn said with a grin because the youngest Carter would more than likely be playing in the upcoming match for the House cup toward the end of the school year.
With all but one Carter present, Evan, having been tied up with work or something that he simply couldn't get out of, the day was quite pleasant and ultimately Beynon and Avalon soon headed for the village where they would head home, and their children would once again return to their routines within the castle's walls.
What House? (Hope & Ingrid)
Author: Saffron
Date: 07-11-14 17:36
Ingrid Hyland passes the fruity drink to Hope. "I wish I were closer in age to you, just a year behind you. I'd already be a student here and we'd be better friends."
Hope takes a drink before asking, "You think we'd be better friends if you were only a year younger?"
"You don't?"
"I think we might fight more."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I just do."
Ingrid isn't happy with the response but senses she won't get more than that out of her sister without making her angry. She goes another route to keep their conversation going. "What house do you think I'll get?"
"Hufflepuff," Hope says without hesitation.
"Why Hufflepuff?"
"You don't have to say it like there's something wrong with Hufflepuff."
"I don't know if there's anything wrong with that house or not. I've not heard anything bad but that doesn't mean anything. I just wondered why you said Hufflepuff so fast."
"Because while you and I and you and Bran don't always get along, you mostly want everyone to be your friend and happy with you all the time."
"I don't see what's wrong with that."
"Nothing wrong with it. Remember though you could end up in any house, even Slytherin."
"What's wrong with Slytherin."
"Nothing mostly. Callie and Lilith are Slytherin."
"Mostly means there are some wrong things."
"Some Slytherin are really snotty, that's all."
"Some of those in other houses I've met are snotty."
"Slytherin snottiness is a whole other level. Most are fine and can be nice, friendly. Some Slytherins are in that house because they are don't let anyone or anything get in their way." Hope points to a boy in the near distance. "That's Baron Marchbanks. He already knows what he wants in life and has a plan to get there."
"What does he want?"
"To be Minister of Magic."
"He already knows that?"
"And has since he was practically still a toddler from what I hear."
"I don't even know if I want ice cream now or one of those sweets from Briar's Bakery. How can he already know that he wants to be Minister of Magic?"
"He just does. It's no different from when you said you wanted to be a flying carpet maker after we rode on one that time."
"But two days later I said I wanted to do nothing but make chocolate frogs."
"That's how it is for most of us. You should hear some of the seventh years who one day are going to St. Emrys but the very next are going to get a job at the Ministry or some business or a shoppe. They don't have much longer to decide and just think, until St. Emrys they had to have an idea of what they wanted to do by end of fifth year so they knew what classes to take for sixth and seventh."
Ingrid makes a face before pointing to the Briar's Bakery booth. "I have decided I want a slice of pie or tart and then take it over to get a scoop of ice cream to go with it."
"Excellent idea. You might just be Ravenclaw material afterall," Hope snickers.
Whiners and Wailers
Author: Gerry
Date: 07-11-14 17:47
Because both of their parents were working, the Martini-Blackwell boys went to the Hogwarts Spring Social with their maternal grandparents. Geraldine and Gregor Martini were retired and spent their days in leisure, pursuing various hobbies like gardening or fishing, or traveling every corner of the world. When they weren't doing those things, they doted on their four grandsons.
With the day growing long and some families already heading for the gates, the Martinis thought it was time for them to depart as well. Gerry and Gareth were both a little reluctant to go. They'd had a grand old time in the giant gobstones and all the snack foods they'd eaten were better than anything they could get at home. Gerry'd had ice cream with six different scoops towering over a waffle cone. It had been absolutely delicious!
The younger boys, Graham and Grady, were understandably worn out after a long day at the castle. Graham dragged his feet on the walk to the gates of Hogwarts, but he didn't voice any complaints. He was by far the most passive of the Martini-Blackwell children. Grady, on the other hand, whined for somebody to carry him home because he was so tired and he simply couldn't make it home on his own two feet. Gregor eventually gave in and picked up the boy.
"I wish I could start at Hogwarts next year with you," Gareth said. "We could play gobstones all day!"
"I heard there's a gobstones class. All you do there is play, and homework is all fun and games too. The only way you get bad marks is if you don't want to play," Gerry said jokingly.
Gareth's eyes went as wide as dinner plates. "Whoa!"
"Yeah. I'm probably going to take it next year. That, and Quidditch."
"That's not a class."
"It is too."
Gareth started to sulk. "Now I really want to go to Hogwarts."
"You will, but I also heard they're going to cancel the gobstones class after next year, so I guess you're going to miss out on that one."
"Gran!!!!" Gareth wailed. "Gerry says I can't take the gobstones class when I go to Hogwarts!!!!"
Gerry snickered but stopped as soon as his grandmother turned to him with the same look his mother sometimes gave him and which she'd probably inherited from her mum. "Gerry," she started warningly.
"Sorry, Gran," Gerry murmured, but he wasn't really.