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Humbatas Quidditch Camp
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 06-26-07 17:16
Pyrrhus holds up what looks like a bludger. Addressing the six, eager faces focused intently on him and the bludger, Py explains, "This ball has the look and heft of a bludger. It is not, however, charmed like one. We're going to start out using these so you may each get the feel of using the bat. You might feel a little silly at first, but hove no more than far enough off the ground that your feet don't drag."
Py points to the other Humbatas standing with him. "We're going to pair up with you. Your partner will be on the ground and will throw the ball your direction. Do your best to intercept and hit it in the direction of your partner. Any questions?"
No one asks anything, too eager to get started. The pairing off is done and the six pairs spread out across their section of the pitch, leaving the other end of the pitch to the six other day campers working with six other Humbatas. This is one of those times when having two or three people per team position is definately coming in handy.
Py asks his partner, "All set, Mr. Fletwock?"
The man, in his mid-eighties, is elderly by most standards but compared to some in the Wizarding world, he's only around middle age. Mr. Fletwock had told Pyrrhus that he'd been about twelve the last time he attempted to play Quidditch. A bad experience that day didn't keep him from remaining a die hard fan. One son, hearing his father wax nostalgic about how much he'd loved being on the pitch before that really bad day so many years ago, had gotten Mr. Fletwock several days with the Humbatas sports camp.
Mr. Fletwock, lifts his bat with a stronger grip than Py would have expected. "Ready. Throw that bludger!"
Py starts out with a somewhat light toss, not wanting Mr. Fletwock to overly strain his arm in his excitement to start. Mr. Fletwock moves his broom a little to the left, then with a nice, solid backhand swing of the bat, thwacks the bludger back towards Py.
Py grins and says, "Excellent hit, Mr. Fletwock," as he throws the ball again, this time a little harder.
Avada Kedavra Will End The Misery
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 06-26-07 18:47
Head pounding, eyes refusing to open, Lucius creeps ever so slowly to the lavatory. If not for the overly urgent pressure in his bladder, Lucius wouldn't have moved from the bed. After washing his hands, Lucius stays at the sink long enough to rinse his overly dry mouth and throat with water before feeling his way back to bed and crawling in.
When Lucius wakes again, his eyelids seem to be working a little better. Groaning at the light hitting his eyes, he pulls the covers back up, thinking that his eyelids not working at all yet would have been perfectly fine. Lucius tries to go back to sleep again but his head is hurting so much he can't get fully relaxed.
The sensitivity to light, the dry mouth, and the aching head, combined with another sensation, that of a churning stomach, leads Lucius to conclude he's got a raging hangover. Lucius remembers switching from butterbeer to something stronger but hadn't realized at the time he was drinking enough to get so completely snockered. Lucius doesn't even remember the music festival ending. Draco and Edwinna must has seen to getting him home. Merlin, but he hopes he didn't make a drunken arse of himself in front of Draco's date.
Groping for the bell pull to bring a house elf scurrying, Lucius wants to get a hangover remedy down then lie in bed waiting to either die or for the remedy to do its job. Lucius doesn't know and doesn't care which house elf presents itself a second later. "Hangover remedy. Make it quick," he hoarsely orders.
"And for the missy?"
"What?"
"The missy. She will be needing a remedy as well?"
Lucius pushes himself up so quickly he grabs his head and groans. When the pain subsides back to the usual beating on his head with a hammer level, Lucius ventures a look at the mounded up covers beside him. With two fingers he slowly lifts the covers enough to reveal the sleeping form underneath. Shocked, Lucius lets the covers drop, causing the sleeper to stir slightly.
To the house elf Lucius says, "My remedy. Now."
The house elf pops out to get the hangover remedy all the quicker. Lucius carefully lifts the covers again, double checking that the person there is who he thought it was the first time.
Staring at her, Lucius mutters to himself, "Bloody hell. Fecking wonderful."
Lucius cannot believe he got so roaring drunk he ended up in bed with Cecily Wright. She's slightly younger than Draco for Merlin's sake! She also has a tendency to be obsessively clingy. If Lucius thought she was bad before, after this he'll wish for those times.
Lucius swears again. It's not that he's never had any urges since Narcissa died. It's that the only young women of Cecily's age Lucius has ever fantasized doing anything to or with was inflicting great bodily harm on the likes of such snots as Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley. Inflicting harm and then killing them.
Cecily stirs again, eyes fluttering open. She smiles at seeing Lucius watching her. Cecily sits up, pulling the sheet with her to cover her, though if that's out of sudden modesty Lucius isn't sure. Cecily looks around, then at Lucius again, then looks down.
"I thought I dreamed it."
"You remember last night?"
"Every wonderful second. I was tipsy but the thrill and excitement of last night was so great I simply HAD to remember everything."
The house elf pops back in, puts a glass into Lucius's hand, then pops back out.
"What's that?" Cecily asks.
"A hangover remedy. I have a bloody awful headache."
"I shouldn't have agreed to you opening a bottle of champagne. I'm sure on top of what you had at Emrys Fest, almost an entire bottle didn't do you much good."
"We had champagne?"
"You insisted. You said we had cause to celebrate. I'm still all giddy. I can't believe it wasn't a dream."
Cecily holds up her left hand, a large diamond ring sparkling in the light filtering in through the window. "Mrs. Lucius Malfoy! Cecily Malfoy has such an excellent sound, don't you think?"
Lucius's head goes from pounding to on the verge of exploding. "We, er, you mean to say we"
"Eloped. You don't think Draco will hate me for this do you?"
Cecily roots around at the end of the bed, coming up with the dressing gown Lucius sometimes puts on in the mornings. She dons it, asking, "The loo?"
Lucius points. She walks that way, talking the entire time and continues the chatter while going about her business. "When you feel better, this afternoon perhaps, we'll need to pose for a picture to put in with an announcement in The Daily Prophet. I was thinking we should have a reception. I'm sure I can throw something together for the end of the week but you'll need to help by making a list of everyone you'd like to invite. I have the perfect dress in mind from the shop."
Lucius, having downed his hangover remedy, listens in silence, wondering if he rang for the house elf again, if it would kill him on command and end the misery.
Intern
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 06-26-07 20:54
Ariella carried a pile of paperwork she'd just sorted and placed half into an outgoing bin. The rest she filed away in a cabinet, double checking their placement before she slid the drawer closed.
She'd started her internship at the Ministry of Magic right after leaving Hogwarts and had loved every minute of it since the very beginning, even though much of her work consisted of what an ordinary person might call mundane: filing and running errands for actual departmental employees. Ariella was a bit of a neat freak and rather enjoyed sorting items, but she truly savored the moments when she got to do something real.
She interned for the Agency for the Development of Magical Items in the Department of Magical Research. Ariella's particular interest lay in the Invention division, though she moved about the other divisions as well, gaining valuable knowledge and experience along the way. Her supervisor was an older man with wild white hair and an eccentric Muggle wardrobe. Today, he wore neon green slacks and a matching vest over a sapphire blue silk shirt. White spats covered his shiny black shoes. He always wore a white lab coat that had his name Wylie Martin embroidered on it in cursive blue thread.
Ariella had talked to Wylie about working on getting a patent on her foreign language translator. He supported the idea whole-heartedly and had given her what he claimed would be her most difficult task: naming the device. While Ariella mused day in and day out on what she might like to call it, she reviewed the paperwork for patent submission and often discussed the entire procedure with Wylie, who knew everything there was to know about patent law in the wizarding world. He even sent her to talk with some of the solicitors at the Ministry, who specialized in patent law.
Overall, Ariella was very pleased with her internship and wasn't at all sorry that she would miss her siblings' trip to Australia. They were due to leave England in just a couple of days. Alanna had promised to bring back a souvenir, even threatening that she'd convince a "hottie Aussie" to travel back to Manchester so that Ariella had someone to date. Alanna pointed out Ariella hadn't dated anyone since Christian Hoffmann. Ariella responded by pointing out that Alanna hadn't dated anyone ever, so there!
Ariella honestly didn't feel a hole in her heart by not having anybody. And while in the beginning, being dumped by Christian had turned Ariella off from ever being in a relationship again, she didn't feel that way anymore. She just wasn't in a rush to date somebody and didn't feel like she needed someone to be a complete person. Love would find her when the time was right. Until then, she'd be perfectly content with her life.
Potential Job
Author: Ivy Whitmen
Date: 06-27-07 01:35
I sat looking through the paper, Alex was still sleeping and I had a little down time. Ever since my husband had to get up early and I had to get up with him to make sure he was ready and had everything on time, I couldnt sleep in. Its been a long time since I have been able to sleep past 8am.
I read a few articles then skipped to the classified area. I looked at the biggest ad, the teaching position at Hogwarts. I knew it was the perfect job, I could be near Alex and do what I loved. I got up and grabbed a parchment and quill then began writing a letter to one Professor McGonagall, expressing her intrest in the position. Once she was finished she signed her name and sent it off with Alex's owl.
It was closing in on 10:30 and I knew Alex would wake up soon. I went into the kitchen and made a simple breakfast, then made myself some coffee. Just as I finished and started placing food on the plate, I looked at my son and smiled.
"Good morning sleepy head, I just finished breakfast" he gave me a tired smile and sat down at the table.
"Morning" he mummbled. I set a plate in front of him. "Thanks"
"Your welcome, oh I almost forgot to ask, did you wash your face and brush your teeth?" I asked sitting beside him he nodded.
"Yeah mom" then shoved food into his mouth.
"Guess what?" I said, he looked up but didnt say anything.
"I applied for a job this morning" I told him, he nodded then spoke when he finally swallowed his food.
"Where?" he asked, I smiled.
"At Hogwarts as the History of Magic professor" I told him.
"Cool, now you can bail me out of future detentions and give me the answer to the homework" I laughed and shook my head.
"No papa, Im not going to be there for that" he pretended to be upset and pout.
"Well im glad you'll be teaching again, I know you liked it" he said. I was relieved that he wasnt upset about me possibly working at his school. "So now what?"
"I wait for them to write back but the question is so what would you like to do today?" I asked back.
Introductions
Author: Bailey
Date: 06-27-07 16:58
Baliey is standing by the fireplace when Jewel steps through the floo. He think she's looks good in a knee length, short sleeve summer robe of light blue and tan sandels. Smiling and reaching for her hand, he tells her as much.
"You look great!"
"Thanks. I wasn't really sure what to wear to a Sunday brunch."
"You look perfect," he assures her. He doesn't care if his parents think so or not. In Bailey's eyes Jewel does look perfect for the occassion.
Still holding onto Jewel's hand, Bailey guides her out of the room. They enter a long hallway and going down two doors. They pause just inside the doorway. The witch and wizard sitting near French doors opened to the terrace and garden look up. Ian Gray rises but doesn't move to greet them.
Jewel and Bailey go first to Ian Gray. "Jewel this is my father, Ian Gray. Father, I'd like you to meet Jewel Reily."
Ian extends a hand to shake Jewel's. "Pleasure to meet you, young lady."
"Very nice to meet you too, Mr. Gray."
Steering Jewel next to his mother, Bailey goes through the full introductions again even though his mother is only a few feet away. "Jewel, my mother Lisbeth. Mother, this is Jewel Reily."
Still seated, Lisbeth also reaches for Jewel's hand. "We are pleased you could brunch with us, Jewel."
A human maid comes to the door to announce, "Brunch is ready to be served, ma'am."
"On the terrace," Lisbeth instructs, never glancing at the woman. She gives her hand to Bailey then rises. "Escort me out, Bailey."
Ian offers Jewel his arm and together they go out through the open French doors.
Bailey thinks, "So far, so good, if a little stiff."
Interview with Mr. Masterson (Euphemia Smythe-Jones)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 06-27-07 19:19
Euphemia double checks her looks in a large, round, beveled mirror. Dark red hair streaked with gray pulled into a loose bun. Slight chubby cheeked. Pale green eyes with laugh line wrinkles coming from the corners. A nose slightly too large for the face. Wide lips on a largish mouth. Little bit of a gap between the upper two front teeth. Round chin. Thin neck going a little chubby as well, set atop narrow shoulders.
Looking down at the plain robes of medium green, Euphemia decides that as Jessice Rome she looks extremely presentable. For a co-deputy head of a not yet opened school that is. Mid-fifties, stern but not overly severe. More on the friendly but puts up with no nonsense side. Just what Euphemia was shooting for.
At promptly 1 pm there is a rap on the door. Smoothing her hair, Euphemia as Jessice Rome opens the door. "Mister Masterson," she pleasantly asks the young man standing there.
"Yes, I'm Lawrence Masterson. You're Ms. Rome?"
Shaking Masterson's hand, she replies, "Yes, Jessice Rome." She pronounces the Jessice as Jessica, saying, "I'm sure you were wondering how to pronounce my first name or if it was misspelled in the letter Eloise sent."
Masterson smiles as he goes to the chair Jessica has pointed him towards. "I did wonder actually."
"My mother was attempting to be cute with the spelling. Over the years I've considered changing it many times but Mother would be upset with me if I did. Would you like some refreshments?"
"Thank you, but no."
Jessica sits down, picking up a clipboard and quill she'd put on the side table. "As of this morning all your references have checked out. I'm sure you had no doubts on that. You would be amazed though at how many people apply for jobs, thinking their references will never be checked. Now, before start the formal interview, I'm sure you're interested in knowing whether you'd need to relocate if you got the position, and why it's not necessary that you know either French or German."
Masterson confirms, "Yes, I was going to ask you about both."
"There will of course be living quarters made available to all staff, the size of the quarters dependent on whether there is also family to consider. Some may wish to live on the grounds during the week but go to their own homes on weekends. Living at the school is not, however, a requirement or a necessity. Staffers may Floo in and we may be able to provide a limited number of portkeys."
Jessica pauses to take a sip of mint tea then explains about the language issue. "German and French are two of the official languages of Switzerland. Staff who don't speak either language will make use of the translator charms. Are you familiar at all with the recent seven school Scholastic Aptitude Tournament"
"I read a little about it, yes," Masterson nods.
"They used such a charm with excellent effects from what I understand. Additionally, many, if not all, of the students should be familiar with English."
"That's good to know."
Jessica smiles, takes a more firm grip on her quill, and says, "Now, to the questions."
Callum's Ex's Book
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 06-27-07 20:34
Ethan left work for the home of his parents in Bristol. They'd invited him to supper, hoping to get to know more about the son they'd lost all those years ago. Ever since first discovering each other, the Towneleys and Ethan had met often to catch up on each other's lives but they had missed a lot in the thirty years they'd been separated. Ethan still hadn't told them about being a wizard, though he knew he shouldn't delay for much longer. They deserved to know the truth, even if it would probably shock them more than discovering the son they thought had died in the cradle had in fact survived and grown into a man.
Perhaps he would tell them tonight.
Just as he approached the front door, Callum stepped out, carrying a box loaded with various trinkets.
"Oh, hey Ethan. Mum and Dad mentioned you were coming."
Ethan looked at the box in Callum's arms. "What's all this?"
"Stuff belonging to an ex-girlfriend of mine. Want any of it? Mum was cleaning out the attic and told me to get what's mine... I'm just going to throw out what I don't want. I haven't seen this one in years and don't anticipate ever seeing her again."
Ethan quirked an eyebrow and started sifting through the box, more out of curiosity than anything else. "Bad breakup?"
"You could say that. Normally I'm the one who breaks things off but she's one of the few who left me."
Ethan's hand closed on a book the size of a journal. The cover was solid black and made of old leather. At first, Ethan didn't see the title but the letters magically appeared, pale at first until they became dark gold on the front cover. Blackest Magick, it read.
"Was your girlfriend a witch?" Ethan asked, flipping open the front cover.
"Yeah, the biggest bitch imaginable."
Ethan met Callum's gaze, realizing his venture in finding out if his younger brother actually knew something about the wizarding world had proved that Callum knew nothing about it whatsoever.
Callum nodded at the book in Ethan's hands. "It's just a journal. I always caught her looking at it but she never wrote in it. It's as blank as the day she bought it."
"Where did she buy it?" Ethan asked.
"I don't know." Callum shrugged his shoulders.
"Mind if I keep it?"
Callum shook his head. "It's all yours. Anyway, I better go. I'm meeting a girl at the new Thai place near my workplace. Have fun with the parents."
Callum continued down the walk and eventually dumped the box into the back of his cabriolet. Ethan waved with his free hand and then headed inside to greet his parents. He only briefly wondered if Callum's ex-girlfriend was a witch, or if the magical book had fallen into her hands by chance. He supposed it didn't matter, though based on the title alone, Ethan guessed the book wasn't a good one. He put the whole thing from his mind the moment he saw his parents.