|
|
Send Me Out With A Bang
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 11-22-12 18:32
I walked down one of the many hallways at the university. It was a route that I knew like the back of my hand. I swear Orion loves it when I have to come and pull him away from 'work'. If I didn't know him better, I'd think he was just sitting around having a cup of tea just chatting with people, just to pass the time. Then, when it was the right time, return to his tiny office just so I would find him 'reading scrolls' or 'studying texts' or even 'working on lesson plans'.
The sound of something crashing to the floor stopped me in my tracks. It came from one of the DADA classrooms. I carefully approached the closed door to the room and listened for a moment. All I could hear was the sounds of a man talking, but I could hear no other voices.
I cracked open the door and could hear him saying, "No, no, not again! I won't do it again." He sounded frantic, actually crazy. Through the crack I couldn't see much. I decided to see if he was ok, so I opened the door. One of the professors paced near the desk, wand in hand while talking to no one but himself. He jumped when he noticed I had stepped in the room.
"YOU! What are you doing here?" He said pointing a finger at me.
"I heard some noise and came to see if you're ok," I told him.
"What are you doing here, who are you?" he asked.
"My name's Desdemona, and-"
"O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Out of my sight!1"
"Wait, what?" I asked.
"It is too late,2" He raised his wand, "Expulso!"
It felt like I got hit by a wall, and my feet left the ground, that's when everything faded.
1. Othello Act 4 Scene 1
2. Othello Act 5 Scene 2
Emergency Apparition from St. Emrys
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 11-22-12 18:37
Orion bit his tongue, hard. This meeting was boring him to tears, but as part of his cover, he had to attend. He was doing his best to stay focused when he heard the sound of a shouted spell and what sounded like something hitting a wall, hard. The thud shook the floor in the room and made Orion jump.
He poked his head out of his office and cussed loudly. "Desi," he called, knowing the sight of that multi-colored hair anywhere. And to see her lying so still when she always seemed so vibrant and in motion had dread gripping his chest in icy fingers. Running, he headed for his partner, his wand out and a strong stunning spell out of his mouth before he thought about it. It took two or three tries to hit it's target, who was still trying to shoot spells at the Auror. A muttered "Incarcerous" followed, restraining the professor who was still spouting Muggle literature.
Strong fingers slid over Desi's curls as he checked for a pulse with his other hand, a soft sigh escaping when he felt it. He performed the standard first aid spells he'd been taught when he joined the Ministry. Aurors soon joined them, and he filled them in quickly, explaining what he'd heard and how. None of them were pleased to see one of their own as a victim of an attack, so he left the restrained wizard in their custody as he lifted Desi and apparated on the spot for St. Mungos.
He explained quickly to the mannequin in the window and headed inside where a healer was waiting. He refused to allow them to use Mobilicorpus, instead telling them what he knew had happened.
"Is she wearing some sort of protective charm?" the healer asked.
"Yes. I gave her one for her birthday, the strongest I could find," Orion answered as he laid Desi down on the bed in the hospital room. The healer nodded and then checked over her, looking for residuals of magic. "The Aurors at St. Emrys should be gathering the last spell performed, but most all of them seemed to bounce off of her."
"You can thank your gift for that." The healer finished checking her vitals and then looked over at the dark-haired wizard. "I don't want to do anything until we know exactly what spells were cast, but she should be stable for now. Are you staying?" At his nod, the healer continued, "I'll have her paperwork brought in, fill out what you can for me."
"Alright. I need to notify our bosses too, in the Ministry."
"I'll bring some parchment, and owl them myself."
"Thanks, I should notify at least one of her friends too, otherwise they might decide to kill me." The healer smiled slightly and nodded as she left the room, returning a short time later with a stack of forms to be filled out, a quill, ink and some parchment and envelopes. She promised to check back in a short while, so he moved the chair and table closer to the bed and began writing, getting the notes to the Auror office, the Unspeakable office and Bronwyn done first. Then he started on the forms, filling out what he could and frequently glancing over at the woman who seemed determined to turn his life upside down on a daily basis.
(Caleb) Making Friends
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 11-23-12 02:14
Caleb glanced towards the Hufflepuff table, looking out for Sophie. When the Sorting Hat had been put on his head by Professor Flitwick he thought for a moment he would be joining the Hufflepuff house as well. However the hat had other plans for him and he placed Caleb at Ravenclaw.
He decided to be polite and pay attention to the rest of the sorting ceremony, relieved there hasn't been any sort of written test or a mad race towards the castle,like Sophie believed. He was happy he had found his place in the school and he believed Ravenclaw suited him. Both his father and his uncle Eugene had studied in this same house and Caleb had heard very good things about it.
However when the last first year was sorted he decided to try and find Sophie among the dozens of unknown faces around him.
Finally he spotted her, talking to another girl from her house. Sophie seemed to notice someone was looking at her because she raised her head to him. Caleb gave her a nervous smile and she smiled back to him but quickly she continued her conversation with the girl. He decided that probably he should do the same thing and so he started looking around the table is search for someone to talk with.
Surprised Caleb recognized Wendy Mills, the girl who he had shared the compartment with seated in front of him. He didn't even notice she had also been sorted into Ravenclaw. He had been so nervous waiting for his turn and gazing at the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall that he barely paid attention to the sorting until it had been Sophie's turn and then his.
Wendy presented Caleb to a girl named Andrina Fricks. It seemed that the two girls were already bounding and he let them continue their conversation as they looked to the teachers at the staff table and tried to decide subject each teacher taught. Caleb decided not to reveal who his aunt was and let them solve that mystery on their own. He could not help to feel amused when Andrina suggested his aunt was in charge for Herbology: Caleb knew his aunt had never been a person who liked to take care of plants and she even confessed to him once that she would forget to water her plants at home and they would always die, if not for his uncle Eugene who kept an eye on them.
"Merlin, I'm starving. When does the food arrive?" asked a boy seated to his left.
"I don't know. Maybe there is more to come yet…" Caleb told him.
"I missed the trolley in the train today. I fell asleep," he confessed embarrassed. "I barely rested last night, because I was very anxious. I was worried about the sorting. I'm glad that part is over."
Then the boy offered his hand to Caleb and presented himself:
"My name is Ector. Ector Newland."
"I'm Caleb Quigley."
"Nice to meet you Caleb."
They shook their hands and the two boys continued their friendly chat as they waited for whatever was coming next.
Cooking Time
Author: Mildred
Date: 11-23-12 03:57
Mildred was in the kitchen helping her aunt baking a cake. While her aunt used her wand, the little witch's tool was a spoon, as she mixed the ingredients in a bowl like Helen had asked her. The radio was turned on and it was broadcasting what it sounded like a very old wizard talking about Bertie Boot beans and its creation. Mildred realized this was the real Mr. Boot speaking.
Maybe in some other time she would find what he was saying interesting but not today. Her mind was at Hogwarts and she knew that at this hour the students would be at the start of the term feast. She wished she could be there with her friends and assist to the sorting ceremony as well as eat each one of the delicacies prepared by the school's house elves.
Since The Salem Witches' Institute was a small school there was no such thing as a feast and classes would start on Monday normally, with just a welcome speech from the Headmistress, Miss Stoughton. But in order to cheer Mildred up, her aunt decided they should prepare their own feast, a way to wish Mildred good luck in her upcoming school year at Salem. The little witch was thankful for her aunt's effort but she still felt sad about not being able to continue her studies at Hogwarts. She had written to her friends at the last minute in order to justify her absence and she knew by tomorrow she would receive a bunch of shocked letters.
"So have you decided to try out the slacks or will you stick to the skirt?"
At Salem the students did not wear robes as part of their uniform. Instead they used slacks or skirts, a shirt or blouse, a tie and a blazer. The girls had the option to choose between slacks or skirts and her aunt bought Mildred both of them so she could have more options when it came to her clothing.
"I am not sure, yet. Noah told me most of the girls tend to wear slacks but I am used to wear skirts."
Noah was her uncle Daniel's brother who also attended Salem. He was in his fifth year and he had come to meet Mildred and tell her all about the school. He was a nice boy but she had the feeling he didn't like her very much due to the fact Hogwarts had beat Salem a couple of years ago in the International Quidditch Tournament and just like Miss Stoughton he wasn't able to forget that yet.
"You look well on both so whatever you choose will fit you wonderfully," her aunt replied with a smile and Mildred handed her the bowl with the mixed ingredients.
Soon the cake was in the oven and her aunt started to cook the main course. Mildred went to fetch all the needed ingredients to the shelves. She had to admit that helping her cooking was fun even if she couldn't do much. For a moment all her focus was in the cooking and she distracted herself from thinking about either Hogwarts or Salem.
"What is this wonderful smell?"
Her uncle had just arrived from work and he entered the kitchen with a starving look in his face.
"Mildred and I are cooking dinner. But you will have to wait until it is all ready."
He looked somewhat disappointed but in a brave attempt he tried pick up a spoon so he could taste the content of one of the pans. Helen detected her husband's movement and so she patted his hand. He looked desolated. Mildred giggled but feeling bad for him she promised his uncle the dinner was almost ready.
Speech
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 11-23-12 07:43
Professor McGonagall stood and looked out at the sea of happy faces. Her eyes traveled up and down the four long tables, lingering momentarily first on Madoc at Gryffindor and then on Malden at Slytherin. That the younger boy had been sorted into any house other than Gryffindor had come as a surprise, but Professor McGonagall wasn't any less proud of him. She did wonder what Menelaus would think, however.
Professor Flitwick tapped his fork against the crystal goblet in front of him. The resulting melodic chime eventually silenced the Great Hall. All eyes turned upon Professor McGonagall.
She cleared her throat and began to speak. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," she announced, her voice wavering slightly. "We start this year with a number of changes in staff."
She hesitated then. Although everybody knew about Dumbledore's death, it still pained her to bring it up after all this time.
"Due to Professor Dumbledore's passing," she finally began, "the Board of Governors have seen fit to name me Headmistress of Hogwarts. Professor Flitwick," she went on, gesturing to the small wizard by her side, "has not only returned to his post as Charms instructor and Head of Ravenclaw House, but will also serve as Deputy-Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Professor Kent," she continued, "has graciously resumed his former post as Deputy-Head of Ravenclaw House, and Professor Black will serve as the new Head of Gryffindor. Also, we thank Professor Krum for temporarily filling the role of Deputy-Head of Slytherin House for a portion of last school year. The position now belongs to Professor Quigley. We also wish to thank Professor Jones, who took on the role of Deputy-Head of Ravenclaw during Professor Flitwick's absence last school year."
As each name was spoken, the respective professor briefly stood.
"I wish to introduce to you two new professors on our staff," Professor McGonagall went on. "Professor Fanshawe will be instructing Alchemy to N.E.W.T. level students. Please give her a warm welcome to Hogwarts."
Josie stood and smiled.
"Professor Flint," Professor McGonagall continued, "is our new Transfiguration instructor." He was Minister Shacklebolt's solution for filling the empty teaching position on such short notice. Minerva was pleased not to have to worry about finding a suitable replacement on her own when she already had a lot on her plate.
"Finally, three of our professors were married over the summer holiday and have changed their names. Professors Isuki and Davyd and Miss Bramble are now known as Professors Weatherby and Morgan and Mrs. Blackheart, respectively. Let us congratulate them on their marriages."
A smattering of applause followed.
"Lastly, I wish to make a few announcements. First, let it be known to our new students that the Forbidden Forest is exactly as it sounds––forbidden to all students unless accompanied by a teacher.
"Secondly, Quidditch tryouts will be held two weeks from tomorrow. Any students interested in joining the house Quidditch teams may sign up on sheets posted to your house noticeboards.
"Finally," Professor McGonagall said, her voice breaking slightly, "a student memorial honoring the memory of Albus Dumbledore will take place in a few weeks. We will share more on the event soon."
She took a deep breath and said, "Now, let the feast begin!"
Pretty but Stupid
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 11-23-12 09:05
"I still cannot believe he had the nerve to kiss my girlfriend. This time I will forgive him because he is new and he doesn't know what he is doing. But if I catch him or anyone else with Polly, I swear to Merlin someone is going to end up hurt."
After McGonagall's speech the food finally appeared and cheerful conversations invaded the Great Hall. Gus was talking about the incident at the train that had involved Polly and the new 7th year Slytherin student, Colin Hawke.
When Gus caught Colin kissing Polly at the Hogwarts Express she quickly told him that it has been the older student who started. Colin's version of the events had been different but Gus didn't even bother to listen. He believed in Polly's tale and since the compartment had no one else in it there were no testimonies to tell the contrary. On the other hand Johanna had noticed Colin's afflictive expression as Polly was all over him and she was starting to wonder when she started to be unfaithful to Gus.
Gus was still mad and from time to time he would send a furious glance at Colin who was at the end of the table chatting with some older students. Thankfully, Mark was able to change the subject to Quidditch and Johanna sent him a grateful look as he and Gus talked about the coming tryouts. Meanwhile Felicia and Baltus were in a world of their own, chatting and eating from each others plate.
Johanna turned her head at looked at the Gryffindor table where Polly was talking to one of her male colleagues. Was she planning to make out with him later in their common room, a place Gus didn't have access to?
"I know what you're thinking…"
Surprised, Johanna returned her attention back to the Slytherin table. Bianca Bonfamille was staring at her. Johanna knew she used to hang out with Polly and with another girl from Ravenclaw named Catriona Amherst.
"So it's true. Colin wasn't lying," she told Bianca, as she served herself with some roast chicken.
"Yes. I don't know when the cheating started but she has been with other boys for a while now."
Johanna sent a glance at Gus but he was so occupied talking to Mark that he wasn't hearing the conversation between her and Bianca.
"Cat and I tried to warn her but she doesn't care. She's lucky Van Tassel is not very clever. If he had some brains on that pretty head of his, he wouldn't be so blind towards her behavior."
Part of Johanna wanted to stab Bianca with her knife for saying Gus was stupid. However the information she was providing her was important and it would help her friend to see the truth and break up with Polly. And then ,who knew, maybe she and Gus could be together.
"I shall talk to him," Johanna declared.
Bianca nodded and happy to see she had done her good deed for the day she started to chat with the boy next to her, that Johanna couldn't recall the name of.
She kept eating her chicken and then Felicia whispered to her in a gossip tone that she found out Drizella was dating the 6th year Gryffindor, Broderick Carter. Felicia was saying she had no idea what Drizella saw on him. Amused Johanna told her they would have to ask Drizella about Broderick and all the details of their relationship tonight when they meet at the dorm.
This light girlish conversation cheered her up a bit however she was still preoccupied about Gus and how he would handle the truth once she had time to give him some words in private. She decided to consult Kate, Mark and Felicia on the matter before doing anything rushed.
Stupid Hat (Marion & Friends)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-23-12 09:41
Excited to all be together again even if two of their number are first years while the other four are second years, Hope Hyland, Callie Blackwell, Katheryn Finch, Savannah Applewhite, Lilith Balfour, and Marion DeMarco shared a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. All summer the two younger girls had inundated the four others with questions about Hogwarts, many of those questions the same ones repeatedly asked and answered in letters throughout the school year. Hope, Katheryn, Marion, and Callie answered every question as best as they could with the exception of providing too many details about how sorting takes place. On the train, when Lilith and Savannah got into the subject, Callie had said what she'd been saying all along, "Even if I told you, I don't know if you'd believe me."
Marion had nodded in agreement. "It's really a see for yourself type thing."
"But it's not them just taking the list and number 1, 2, 3, 4 down it then repeated it with all the 1s in the same house, all the 2s, like that?" Lilith queried.
Katheryn had grinned, "We've answered that too many times to count now but since you don't believe us, I'm going to say yes."
"Ha! I KNEW you were fibbing," Lilith had crowed, exchanging a knowing look with Savannah.
When faced with the actual sorting, Lilith decided that the others were right. If they'd told her an old, grungy looking, somewhat crumpled wizard or witch's hat talked and got placed on the head where it then seemed to probe the brain, she'd never have believed them. Growing up in a wizarding family, she's seen many things that those not familiar with magic would find strange, odd, or even scary but as she's never seen a hat that seems to have a brain of its own and could read minds, she would have laughed uproariously at her friends' wild imaginations. Based on the expression on Savannah's face, the other girl was thinking along the same lines as Lilith.
As this was taking place Marion was sitting at the Hufflepuff table, concentrating on the Sorting Hat, willing it to sort either Lilith or Savannah, or both, into Hufflepuff with her. Savannah was the first of the two to take a seat on the little stool. As Marion was silently chanting, "Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff," the Sorting Hat had the nerve to loudly announce, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Lilith immediately followed Savannah to be sorted, Marion continuing her chant. When the Hat had the audacity to pronounce Lilith a member of Slytherin, Marion glared at the foul object, deciding it must be a very stupid Hat to have first separated her from Callie, Katheryn, and Hope, and now to have done the same with Savannah and Lilith. Glowering, she folded her arms and only half listened to the rest of the sorting, looking not at all like the cheerful, friendly Hufflepuff she's supposed to be.
Kent Kids
Author: Jolyon
Date: 11-23-12 09:56
When the first Kent's name was announced during the Sorting Ceremony, Jolyon sat up a little straighter in his chair. To his knowledge, he didn't know of an Arielle Kent in the family, though he admittedly knew very little about his father's side of the family. It was when he saw the boy, Asher, that alarm bells went off in Jolyon's head.
The boy looked remarkably familiar, like a much younger version of himself.
But how could that be?
Ethan, seated next to Jolyon, leaned over and asked, "Are they any relation of yours?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Jolyon replied.
He thought back and quickly came to one conclusion. There was only one person who could either confirm or deny his suspicions––his ex-wife, Merrie.
Jolyon and Merrie had gotten married after a whirlwind romance. Their union had been brief, and they'd parted ways with no intention of seeing each other again. It wasn't so much that they had separated on bad terms. They'd simply fallen out of love, and not having been friends from the start, had gone their very separate ways.
Was it possible Merrie had kept something very important from him for all these years? He planned on writing her first thing after the Start-of-Term Feast.
The rest of the feast passed as if in a dream. Jolyon barely acknowledged Professor McGonagall's mention of him during her speech. He rose almost automatically but could barely focus on anything but the twins at the Gryffindor and Slytherin table.
The food, which normally tasted finer than the already tasty meals served on a regular basis at Hogwarts, were overshadowed by Jolyon's thoughts. He studied the girl and the boy, debating whether they bore more resemblance to the Kents of their name or the Abbotts, Jolyon's biological family. He even went so far as to compare Arielle Kent and Devon Abbott, another first year sorted this evening, to see if they bore any resemblance to each other, but Jolyon honestly didn't know if Devon was related to his Abbotts or not.
Ethan asking for a tureen of brown sauce jarred Jolyon momentarily from his thoughts. Jolyon reached for the silver dish and handed it to his colleague.
"Are you all right, Jolyon?" Ethan asked him, drenching the meat on his plate with the sauce.
"Puzzled is all," Jolyon said, eyeing the students.
Ethan followed his gaze and murmured, "It's always a strange thing discovering family members you didn't know you had." He spoke from experience.
"Problem is, I don't know who these kids are, but if they are who I'm suspecting they might be, then I can't decide if I should feel angry for not knowing anything about them until now."
Ethan shot him a sympathetic glance. "If you ask me, I wouldn't get angry. Be glad you are finally getting to know them… if they are who you think they are. You should try this," he added, indicating to the heaping pile of food on his plate. "It's delicious."
Jolyon glanced at his own plate, which wasn't very full. He took the tureen back and poured some onto the food on his plate and then used his fork to mix everything properly. He took a bite and nodded, temporarily pushing Arielle and Asher Kent from his mind. He would worry about them after dinner.
Hodfuffers At The Feast
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 11-23-12 11:24
Hydrangea Marchbanks had applauded a little more loudly that those around her when her brother Leonine was sorted into Gryffindor. Further down the table their cousin Wiggy was also lively cheering. With Leo's sorting settled, Hydrangea wanted to hurry and get to the opening speech, guessing that McGonagall would deliver it but not entirely certain on that. She was eager to hear what, if anything, was said about Professor Dumbledore and the murder or words of reassurance to the students. That put her in mind of that fact that not everyone will have returned after what happened. Hydrangea spent the time remaining until the speech, looking about trying to determine whose faces are missing.
Proud to have another cousin join his house Wiggy decided he'd check on Leo from time to time to make sure the younger boy was getting along well. Leo's a friendly sort and except when arguing with siblings or cousins, fairly good natured. Wiggy thinks he'll do well as long as he doesn't slack off his studies. Slacking off is all too easy to do and with a job as a pro Quidditch player, Wiggy has a concern about wanting to do that overly much himself. He has to keep reminding himself that despite the job, NEWTs are still important. He's not going to end his Hogwarts career on a low note. If he was able to pull off practices and matches with Puddlemere and then practices with the British National team along with World Cup matches all while maintaining his grades, getting homework done and getting in enough studying to pass his final exams with acceptable marks, he can handle a regular practice and match schedule with Puddlemere while prepping for NEWTs.
When a grinning Leo came to join the Gryffindor table, he'd happily waved at his sister and cousin before taking a seat next to another first year just sorted into the house with the lion's crest and with the gold and scarlet colors. Leo hadn't had any house preference coming into tonight's Sorting Ceremony. Coming from such a large family he knows people who've been in each of the four Hogwarts houses. His sister is Gryffindor, his brother Baron is Slytherin, cousin Wiggy is Gryffindor while cousins Glori and Gus are Hufflepuff. The only house not currrently represented by a Hodfuffer or a Marchbanks is Ravenclaw. Going into the Sorting Ceremony, Leo was fairly sure he would be happy no matter the outcome. That he didn't feel any sense of let down at not being sorted into one of the other houses confirmed those feelings.
At the Hufflepuff table Augustus Hodfuffer sits with best friend Caerwyn. Today was the first time since becoming friends that they'd not spent the day together either in Hogsmeade where Caerwyn lives or on the Hogswarts Express. Gus had been named a Hufflepuff prefect this year so while he could have gotten the okay not to be on the train, he wanted to make the journey, both to attend his first prefects meeting but also to do his duty of taking turns patrolling the train, prefect badge on display for all to see.
Gus had worried for all of about two seconds that Caerwyn would be jealous or envious. He needn't have been concerned because if Caerwyn is those things he's not shown anything to Gus other than being expressing happiness that Gus had been named to the position. Since joining back up at their house table Caerwyn has been inquisitive as to how Gus's day went while lamenting having to play alone at Blossom's Gaming Center. "Playing wizard's laser tag against the house just isn't the same. I should have come on the train with you."
A little further down from Gus, his cousin Glori sits with a couple of friends, trying not to get caught stealing glances down at Caerwyn. He's never shown interest in her before, not beyond the friendship towards his best friend's cousin, but she holds out hope that might change. She knows he went to Emrys Fest with a Slytherin girl, Johanna Steele, but doesn't have the impression those two are anything but friends. There's always a possibility that Caerwyn would like to be more than friends with Johanna and if that's the case Glori will have to live with it. It's not as if Caerwyn's the only boy she's had eyes for but right now he is at the top of her list.
At the Slytherin table, Baron sat with polite expression through the sorting and welcome back speech. He wasn't feeling overly polite but as the future Minister of Magic he plans to be, Baron knows that outward appearances can be everything. Inwardly, he was impatient for the food to appear. In anticipation of the feast he'd only eaten a light breakfast and then limited himself on the amount of sweets he had on the train. When the food begins appearing, Baron is one of the first at his table to reach for a bowl to heap mashed potatoes onto his plate. By the time he's done, Baron has so much food piled up on his plate he suddenly feels like a several inches shorter kid in need of a booster seat.