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Birdie
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 07-10-07 11:58
During the wedding ceremony, it was hard for Sage to keep his attention to the front. He kept wanting to dart glances to the woman across the aisle from him. Sage had quickly whispered a, "Who is that?" to Saffron as things were getting started. She'd given him an equaly quick and very terse reply of, "Dolores Umbridge."
Sage can't say he's all that impressed by what he sees. He's fairly certain that when standing, the woman is not very tall. Squat is the word that comes to mind. She's got an ugly gold dress on with a strange, matching little bow in her hair. Sage doesn't like anything about her. He does know appearance isn't everything but if Saffron loathes Umbridge, Sage doesn't think he'll like her either if he gets to know her.
After the ceremony ends, Lohengrin and Birdella move among their guests. Sage is standing off to one side, eating some canapes when his father approaches. "Sage, say hello to your new mother."
Sage had met Birdella for all of a minute earlier. Forcing a smile now he extends a hand, "Welcome to the family."
Birdella ignores the hand and sweeps Sage into a massive hug. It's so unexpected he nearly spills his plate on her. Stepping back from him Birdella enthusiastically says, "I'm so happy to have a son! You'll be spending Christmas with us of course. Call me Mum."
Sage is taken aback. "I er have a mum, you know," he says as politely as he can.
"Yes, but still, call me Mum. Or Mummy Birdie. Or, I suppose until you adjust, Birdie."
Birdie sweeps Sage into another massive hug and bemoans, "I'm so sorry we shan't have time together before you return to Hogwarts. Grin and I will just be getting back from our honeymoon about the same time you return."
Grin? Sage looks over at Da wondering when he allowed himself to be called Grin. The last person who attempted to call Lohengrin anything other than Lohengrin got torn a new one. The only ones ever allowed to call him anything else are Sasafrass, Saffron, and Sage who call him Da. Sage supposes Jordan will call him Da or Grand Da or something along those lines.
Also, what's this bit about spending Christmas with them? Sage bets it will be news to Saffron. Aren't they spending it with Aaron's family? Sassy, Neil, and Jordan too.
A man and woman Sage doesn't know comes over to speak with Da and Birdie. Sage loads up his plate with more food, grabs something to drink, then finds a secluded spot to eat where he'll be safe from more Birdie hugs and from having to contradict his new step-mother about plans involving him.
Cloud Watching
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 07-10-07 16:54
Looking up at the clouds scudding across the sky, Rolf remarks, "Hard to believe your summer's nearly over."
Flat on her back next to Rolf on the blanket, also watching the clouds, Jane sighs, "I know. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the stressful chaos that is NEWTs year."
"At least you got your apparition license before September 1st."
Jane snorts. "Took me bloody long enough! I still can't believe Hank got his on the first go and I didn't."
"There's something I've been meaning to ask for a long time now," Rolf says, sitting up to look over at Jane. "Before I really got to know you, I couldn't understand why you got sorted into Ravenclaw. Now that I know you, I know you're really intelligent. Hank though... I'm sorry but I still don't see it."
"I don't help by griping about things like Hank acing his apparition test the first time out while it took me four tries and even then I just barely passed." Jane points to a cloud, "Look at that one! It's Hagrid's hut."
Rolf reclines back on the blanket again, his eyes going to the cloud Jane's pointing out. "Would that little piece there be Fang peering around the corner of the hut?"
"Does sort of look like him, doesn't it?" Jane laughs. "Okay, back to Hank. He's one of the least diplomatic people around. He can be really slow on the uptake, particularly in social situations. Hank in general doesn't test well. He can come across as an insensitive buffoon. The thing is, Hank's actually a genius. Have you ever watched him play chess? Or thnk about when he's deigned to play one of your strategy games. He always seems to be about five moves ahead of everyone else, sometimes more. Pick a topic he's interested in and Hank can tell you every single there you ever want to know - and much you don't ever care to know - about that subject."
"So, you're saying that even though he's been my step-brother for awhile now, other than some of his game playing skills, I've yet to see the genius lurking inside?"
"That's about the sum of it. If Hank tested well, and if he cared about half his courses, which he doesn't, he'd have an Outstanding in everything."
"Interesting. I might never have figured that out on my own. Look at that one. It's a troll trying to beat up on a giant."
"You've heard from St. Emrys?"
"Yeah. They got my NEWT scores, making my registration complete. I'm hungry and that cloud there isn't helping."
"The one that looks like a fairy cake heaped with fluffy frosting?"
"That one and look there, an ice cream cone."
"Want to apparate to Hogsmeade and go to Briar's?"
"Excellent idea. I'll buy."
"Good, since I don't have any sickles or galleons on me. Just a couple of knuts."
The step-siblings get up. Rolf points his wand at the blanket to vanish it away then they disapparate to Hogsmeade, mouths watering at the thought of sweets from Briar's.
With Cecilla
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 07-10-07 17:16
Cecilla Berenger sits on the foot of Coco's bed. "Do you think N.E.W.T. level classes are going to be much more difficult?"
"Probably so. Look on the brioght side though. We made it through the O.W.L.s."
"Yes, but now we have the N.E.W.T.s. Everything for 6th year and 7th will be getting us ready for those exams. Even with St. Emrys as an option, there's still so much stress and pressure to do well. My mother made an Acceptable on one N.E.W.T. instead of the Exceptional she needed. Couldn't apply for the Ministry job she wanted. She had to take a lesser one and then it took her five years to go the one she'd wanted all along."
"Oi hear St. Emrys is going ter toighten its admission standards."
"Yeah, I heard that too. Something about they've been fairly lax what with universities being so new and all."
"Oi have a hunch that fer Muggle borns and those with a Muggle parent or grandparent, the concept of a university ain't nothing so mind boggling."
"What would you have done if you'd not ever learned about Hogwarts and been invited to attend?"
"Do me best to get good marks then work me tail orf ter become an animal doctor, a veterinarian."
"So not much different then your goal now? An animal healer, right?"
"Roight. What about you?"
"I don't know. When I conferenced with Professor Flitwick about careers, I couldn't decide. At each career day I've gone from one interesting booth thinking that's what I want to do only to reach another interesting booth and changing my mind."
"Sounds like St. Emerys is a good way ter go fer you then."
"Yeah, I think so. Gives me more time to find something I love as much as you love animals."
From the bottom of the stairs Papa Wal shouts, "Coco, Cecilla, time to leave for the cinema."
Coco shoves her feet into shoes since the theater requires them for admittance. She follows Cecilla out of the bedroom, making a face at the way her shoes chafe already. Papa Wal will have to buy her some popcorn to help take her mind off her shoes! Too bad she can't work a little magic out of school to make her feet feel like there's nothing on them. Clopping down the stairs, Coco decides she'll have to try such a spell when they're back at school where she can get away with a little experimentation.
Visiting Adamu At Azkaban
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 07-10-07 17:51
Shifting in the uncomfortable visitor's chair, Kissy experiences a pang of regret for turning down offers from both Ron and AJ to accompany her here. Kissy really hadn't wanted to come to Azkaban but after the ninth request from her father had come, Kissy had relented. Up until now, it had seemed best to come alone. Now she really wishes she had someone in the chair next to her.
Adamu is shown into the room by a guard. The man points to a window in the door. "Try anything and I'll come in and secure you to the chair. After that, try anything again and it's back to your cell, or possibly solitary."
Adamu shoots the man a withering gaze but says nothing. He gives his full attention to his daughter on the opposite side of the table. "Took you long enough to come," Adamu gruffly chides.
"Forgive me if seeing my father who kidnapped me, attempted to use mind and emotion altering potions on me, and attempted to force me into a marriage of his choosing is not overly high on my to do list."
"You could have at least inquired as to your family's health after the Dementor attack and that Lestrange chap escaped."
"How do you know I didn't?"
"I don't. You've not written or visited in months so I presumed you'd not care one way or another if any of us were injured in the chaos of that breakout. Did you inquire."
Kissy looks Adamu straight in the eyes. She flatly says, "I did. I should have said no, just now to see the hurt it might cause, but I'm a better person than that. Why did you ask me to come?"
"I want you to give up your job at Hogwarts."
"Pardon?"
"There's a curse attached to the position."
"There is no such thing."
"Give up the Defense Against the Dark Arts position before something bad happens to you."
"Nothing bad has happened. Nothing bad will happen."
"I admit that not all the DADA professors there in preceding years have been harmed but some have. Quit before that happens."
"What do you care?"
"Your my daughter. I don't want to see you harmed."
"Do you know how ironic that sounds from your lips?"
"I, that is none of us, ever intended to harm you. We were merely looking out for your best interests."
"I'm not a child to have my decisions made for me. If you'd listened to me the first time I pointed that out, you wouldn't be in Azkaban now."
"Do I regret how I went about things? Absolutely. Do I regret ever saying you were dead to me for not heeding me? Again, absolutely. Do I regret trying to see to your best interests? Not at all."
"Yes, well, look where it got you. Forgive me if I don't listen to you now. I'm not quitting my job."
"There will be a new DADA professor there this fall. You just watch."
"I'm not quitting and nothing's going to happen to me. Now, I think I'm done listening to you going on about my best interests. Good day."
Kissy gets up and walks out without a backward glance. Anyone who might have witnessed the visit or overheard what was said might think Kissy is a little bit callous despite what her family did to her to land them in prison. What no one really knows is just how torn up inside over all this Kissy still is and just how much even a short visit with cold overtones drains her.
More Meetings
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 07-10-07 20:07
Ariella could tell that Lawrence still experienced pain from his breakup, even after a year and a half of being separated from Vera. Lawrence and Vera had dated a long time and had even been engaged by the time they called things off. At least Ariella and Christian had barely dated a couple of months. It had been much easier for Ariella to get over her failed relationship, even though it had been her very first.
"Honestly, I haven't really thought about dating anyone. It's not something that's on my mind 24/7, like it is for someone like Bronwyn Dewhurst."
Ariella and Lawrence both laughed.
"I'm open to a new relationship though," Ariella went on, shrugging her shoulders a little bit. "It just has to be the right guy."
They finished their dessert and eventually called it a night, promising to get together again soon because they'd both had a really nice time catching up together.
It was Ariella that made contact the next time, inviting Lawrence to her grandparents' place for lunch. By then, Anthony, Alanna and Katherine had returned from their trip to Australia, so Lawrence could reconnect with his old Quidditch mates and also meet Katherine, the half-sister the Becks only recently learned about.
The biggest news Anthony, Alanna and Katherine had to share with everyone else was the fact that Toby and Bronwyn had up and gotten married. Bronwyn had opted to stay behind until the start of the new term at St. Emrys, so that she could spend as much time as possible with her new husband.
The third time Ariella and Lawrence got together that summer was on the latter's whim. He invited Ariella to sight-see in Muggle London.
"Have you ever been to the Tower of London before?" Lawrence asked, as they walked to the entrance of the old castle fortress.
"Never, and I'm almost ashamed to admit it even though I'm a witch!"
Lawrence laughed and insisted on paying her fare. Ariella protested at first but saw that he was trying to be a gentleman and allowed him to buy her ticket. Then they went inside the castle walls and started their tour.
Going to Burma
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 07-10-07 20:31
Lysander saw Charlotte off to Blossom's and then disapparated for Burma, making multiple stops to rest and occasionally taking in a tourist attraction or shopping excursion in those layover locations. When he arrived in Burma, he sought out the home of Peter Mandalay, the collector of rare books who specialized in incomplete works.
Peter lived in what appeared to be a small hut in the middle of the jungle, though in reality his home was quite roomy. The wizard himself was short and gray haired and he had a big smile that showed off every one of his pearly white teeth. He welcomed Lysander into his hut and guided him through various rooms, which were all filled with bookshelves and pigeon holes, themselves full of books and scrolls.
"Your friend Bernold Watts tell me you look for the Book of Kem Heka. I have part of the book but won't sell. You can look."
"May I copy?"
"For a price."
Lysander figured as much. He followed the little wizard into the last room, where a number of loose pages littered tables upon tables. Peter led Lysander to the table in the very center of the room and pointed to four pages pressed to the grainy surface by glass panes.
Lysander leaned over the glass and started on the left page. His eyes roved across the entire sheet and then moved to the next one, and the next one, and then the last one. At last, Lysander stood up straight and addressed Peter.
"This isn't in English."
"It's Ancient Egyptian. Hieroglyphics."
"Do you know what it says?"
Peter shuffled over to a bookcase and drummed his fingers against his chin before pulling leather-bound tome from a shelf. He returned to Lysander and put the book on the table, face-up. It was a dictionary of Egyptian Hieroglyphics.
"I try translation but so far, not much. All I know, this is correct order. These four pages belong together."
Lysander nodded and looked down at the pages again. "I'd still like to copy them, if I may." He reached into the pocket of his robes and pulled out a money bag. He dropped it into Peter's open hand. "I trust this will suffice?"
Peter grinned, showing off his perfect smile. "Yes, you copy now."
He even gave Lysander four clean sheets of parchment and helped him use magic to copy each page onto the blank sheet. It didn't take long for Lysander to have what he wanted.
He left Peter and Burma, content yet hoping that the pages were the exact ones Hermione needed.
Making a Case
Author: Marzipan
Date: 07-10-07 21:05
Marzi was glad to have confided in Illyria, because the Astronomy professor at Hogwarts was someone without any ties to the FitzRoys and the Ravencrofts. She was something who hadn't had any knowledge of what had gone on in the past and the present and could assess the situation with an unbiased mind.
Illyria opinions were thus:
With respect to Constantius' attack on Marzipan outside the Hog's Head Pub, Illyria wondered if the authorities could do anything since all Constantius had really done was threaten Marzi, but he hadn't really come to harm her. However, would he have, had Weston not come to Marzi's rescue? Illyria ultimately decided that both Marzi and Weston should talk to someone at the Ministry, so that at the very least, there is some documentation that there might be a problem with Constantius. She also thought they should bring up what had happened in the past between him and Marzi's father Percival.
Just why hadn't Constantius and the other boys who'd been there that night when Percival had almost been killed gotten thrown in Azkaban? Obviously, they'd intended on making Percival their sacrifice, which had ultimately led to Daniel Lyttle's death. Illyria thought that every problem between the two families now stemmed from that night all those years ago and they things would never be resolved for the future if they didn't set the past right. The only way to do that was to see that those who'd almost committed murder go to prison, even so much after that fact.
Now if only it were so easy!
Marzi had been surprised that Weston supported her now so whole-heartedly, when before he could hardly imagine his father being as horrible as Marzi and Percival had made him out to be. It had always been strange to Marzi that Weston would support his dad, when the man had hardly ever been around for him throughout the years. She supposed it was simply the fact that Weston had wanted to believe his father was a good person.
She suspected there was more to Weston's sudden change of heart and soon discovered what it was.
They went to the Ministry together and were assigned to speak with Nymphadora Tonks. She had them sit opposite her desk and then she sat down and started asking them questions and taking notes.
Marzi more or less told her everything, from how Constantius and Percival had once been best friends, how Constantius had turned on Percival after falling in love with Georgia, Marzi's mother, how Percival had accidentally killed Constantius' cousin, and how the whole issue had simply been swept under the rug as if a boy hadn't killed someone out of self defense when his own life had been at risk.
Tonks chewed on the end of her quill and then said, "I wonder if records exist of this, but if Valerius Ravenscroft made the whole thing simply disappear, then I bet he destroyed all documents pertaining to the case. Still, I'll check on it. Unfortunately, I predict this won't be easy. One, it happened so many years ago. It's gone cold ages ag. No, it's beyond cold because it's as if it never happened, thanks to your grandfather," she said, nodding at Weston. "The other issue is if there isn't any documentation, I'm not sure what we can do, simply because it was so long ago."
"That's where this may help," Weston said, pulling several black journals from an inside pocket of his robes. They were old and tattered, yet all had the name Constantius Ravenscroft printed in vibrant gold leaf on the front.
Marzi had never seen those before and learned that Weston had only recently discovered them––before his rescue of her in the alley––after growing suspicious of his father himself and deciding to do some snooping around.
Tonks took them and flipped open the first one. It was from the mid 1960s. She thumbed through several pages until she came to an entry in which Constantius wrote:
Why does it bother me that Georgia has chosen him over me? Sometimes I think she notices me watching her. She always smiles demurely and lowers her lashes. I think she likes it.
Another entry at a later date said:
I found an interesting book in the Restricted Section. I don't think it was meant to be there, or that it even belongs to the library. The spells seem very difficult and almost impossible to cast. Yet, I am intrigued by the power they seem to lend the caster.
Later still:
I hate Percival, and yet I love him like a brother. That is why I intend to use him for my spell. I think it will solve all my problems. He won't be around anymore and so Georgia can be mine. Also, I will be the most powerful wizard in the world, even more powerful than Grindelwald before me.
The last entry in the book stated simply: Tonight I become invincible. It was written the day before Daniel Lyttle's death.
Tonks looked across the desk at Marzipan and Weston. "I'd like to study these closely. We may have something here," she said. "May I hold on to them so that I can read them more thoroughly to build your case?"
"Of course," Weston said.
"Then I think that's all for now. I will keep in touch."
Marzi and Weston left after that, though Marzi really wished that Weston would have shown her the journals himself so that she could read them rather than wonder what the other entries said.
Howler
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 07-10-07 21:24
Bronwyn had done it! She'd married the man of her dreams!
And while she was 99.9% ecstatic by her good fortune, the .1% nagged at her in the form of a red envelope that smoked dangerously.
Toby, seated next to his new wife on the sofa in his flat, put his arms around her shoulders and said, "The longer you wait, the worse it will get."
"I know," Bronwyn replied, frowning slightly, "but I'm really afraid of what it will say. What if they hate you for convincing me to do this? I couldn't bear the thought of them never getting along with you."
"They won't hate me. Well, they probably do now because I've denied them a proper wedding but they will get over it. Trust me. Your parents love me. At least, they have in the past."
Bronwyn finally decided to suck it up and open the howler. The parchment singed her fingertips as she touched it.
The red envelope unraveled itself and formed into a mouth, complete with teeth and a tongue.
"BRONWYN. ANNE. DEWHURST. WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING, GETTING MARRIED ON A WHIM? YOU KNOW BETTER THAN TO ACT WITHOUT USING YOUR HEAD! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO YOUR MOTHER?"
Bronwyn winced, imagining her mum crying over the fact that she couldn't have fitted Bronwyn in a wedding gown.
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUSH INTO MARRIAGE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE DIVORCE STATISTICS ARE IN THE WIZARDING WORLD? ONE IN THREE, BRONWYN. ONE IN THREE! DID YOU EVEN THINK THIS THROUGH? JUST THINK OF YOUR MOTHER!"
Bronwyn winced again, and Toby rubbed her back.
"WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME? ARE YOU GOING TO RESUME YOUR STUDIES AT ST. EMRYS UNIVERSITY? WHAT OF TOBY? WILL HE CONTINUE TO PLAY FOR THAT AUSTRALIAN QUIDDITCH TEAM OR WILL HE MOVE BACK TO ENGLAND? YOU REALIZE THAT LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS RARELY WORK, DON'T YOU?"
Bronwyn and Toby hadn't gotten around to explaining everything yet but fully intended on doing so, especially now that Wotan Dewhurst had gone a bit mad over the entire marriage.
"WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED BY YOUR FOOLISHNESS. WHAT? What's that dear? Oh, your mother says congratulations. Write soon."
With that, the howler tore itself into bits, its tirade ended.
"Well, could have been worse," Toby said, chuckling.
Bronwyn wasn't so sure, though she guessed the face-to-face meeting with her father would be far more interesting.