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Trying to explain
Author: Marcus Diavolo
Date: 07-13-07 20:30
Marcus looked at the young girl quizzically as he knocked on the door. “My name is Marcus, young one,” he said. The girl looked positively horrified at what he just witnessed and Marcus couldn’t blame her. Seeing him kill that deer would be scary for anyone.
“I’m sorry about what you had to see. I’m not always like that,” he said.
“You see I have these primal states in which I attack anything on sight. I can’t help it,” Marcus said.
“I am part vampire as you must have realized. I am willing to stand down and surrender myself to you to prove I am trustworthy if you are willing to come out. I leave this up to you,” he said. Marcus then waited for her to answer.
Getting Ready for the First Match
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-14-07 13:51
Isolde blew her whistle. She stood on the sidelines, assisted by a cane, and waited for the children to touch down to the ground. Half wore green jerseys, while the other half wore white.
"Okay. I think you all know that our first match is coming up on September 15th. We're going to be playing the London Lambs right here in Plymouth. What I want to do now is determine who will be our starter players and who will go in as second string. Henderson––that's Jamie––and Lubbock, switch jerseys. Pease and Throckmorton, do the same. The rest of you, get back up there. We're going to play another scrimmage match to determine who's going to play during our first match."
While the students who were singled out switched jerseys, the rest soared into the air and took their positions. The other four, wearing their new colors, quickly joined them in the air.
Isolde released the balls, the final one being the quaffle, and watched closely as the children played the scrimmage match of Quidditch. They were very agile for their young ages, though some were more coordinated than others. Isolde timed the match at 45 minutes, to give the children plenty of time to showcase their skills.
When she blew her whistle again, they were thoroughly sweated but not too tired. They touched down, all wearing eager faces to see who made the cut.
Isolde had seated herself in a folding chair and read off names on a clipboard.
"Henderson––that's Jamie––, Bell and Clark. You'll be our starter chasers. Pease and Throckmorton, our starter beaters. Davis and Coke, seeker and keeper." She looked up. "The rest of you will play second string."
Some of the children looked a little crestfallen. "Not to worry. You'll all get a chance to play," she said, smiling at them.
They all put smiles on their faces when they learned that they hadn't been completely rejected from playing against London in a couple of weeks.
"Okay, that's all for today. See you on Friday."
The children stripped off their jerseys and put some of their other borrowed gear and broomsticks away before meeting their parents, who usually came to watch the practices, though some would merely drop off their kids and then come back to pick them up at the end.
Isolde took care of some business herself before going home to Pyrrhus.
Soul Extraction
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 07-14-07 15:14
Hattie Harsnip sat down across from Ethan in the visitor's room at Azkaban and leaned back in her chair, arching an eyebrow that looked perfectly manicured even though she probably hadn't had much in the way of personal beautification since her incarceration.
"Well?" she queried offhandedly.
"I found your book," Ethan replied coolly, "the one you call Blackest Magick. By chance, someone close to me happened to have it in his possession. I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it's a matter I'll nonetheless look into when I have more time."
He leaned forward across the table that separated them and said, "So, you really did give up your soul for me. Do you regret it?"
"Ultimately, yes. You were a failure."
Ethan smiled. "That is where you and I disagree." He changed tack and said, "From reading the chapter on soul extraction, I'm still not quite sure what makes it different from a Dementor's Kiss."
"When a Dementor extracts a soul from a wizard, that person is left as nothing more than a shell of his former self. For all intents and purposes, the wizard is dead though he still breathes and his heart still beats. His soul is gone forever, devoured by the Dementor. My soul, however, has not been consumed. It simply isn't here anymore." She pointed at her chest.
"Is it true that you cannot die as long as your soul is still out there?" asked Ethan. "Is that why you willingly gave up your soul, for the immortality?"
"Souls are a hot commodity on the black market. I thought to benefit greatly by giving it up, but you proved me otherwise." She sighed dramatically. "And as you know, my immortality is very limited. The moment my soul is put into a new body, which could happen at any time, I will die."
"And be reborn as someone else," Ethan finished.
"Essentially, yes." She smiled. "I must say, you always do your homework. If only you hadn't turned away from He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. You would have done great things in your life."
Ethan stood up, the legs of his chair scraping across the floor. "I suppose that's all we need to discuss today."
"Leaving so soon?" Hattie feigned disappointment.
"Goodbye, Hattie," Ethan replied. He nodded to the guard standing in the doorway, who went to collect Hattie and return her to her cell.
Bubbly Catriona
Author: Fionna
Date: 07-14-07 15:37
Fionna steps out into the dappled sunlight of Diagon Alley. The sun is bright today but with the way the buildings line the lane, the way is pockmarked with shadows. Fionna has a sandwich with her but she debates going along to Delia's Deli to get a salad of some sort to go with it or even just a bag of cheese crisps.
Deciding against it, Fionna buys a drink off one of the many carts located up and down Diagon Alley then sits down on a bench to enjoy her lunch. Fionna's just unwrapped the paper from around her sandwich when she hears her name. Looking around, she inwardly groans upon seeing her brother Fergus and their cousin Catriona.
"Fionna! I told Fergus that was you! I'm so glad to see you! How come you've not been by the house yet? Summer's nearly gone!"
Catriona is, if anything, more bubbly then Fionna remembers.
Fergus sits down on the bench next to Fionna. Cat remains standing, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"I've been busy with work and other things. Time got away from me," Fionna explains.
Cat, hands clasped behind her back as she keeps up the bouncing, says, "Fergus said it's probably because Aunt Moira's not being nice to you lately. Why is Aunt Moira being mean to you, Fi?"
"She doesn't like that I took the job I have. Mum wants me to work with her at her shoppe."
"But Terrortours is every so much more thrilling."
"That's what I said."
Fergus taps Fionna on the knee. "Come on with us. We're going for ice cream. Cat's been dying to tell you all about what your room looks like now."
Rewrapping the sandwich and standing up Fionna asks, "Oh?"
"Oh, it's lovely, just lovely," Cat gushes.
As they walk to Florean Fortescue's the eleven year old fills Fionna in on the bedroom that's, "... such nice shades of yellow and pink that its like being in a field of daisies and roses."
(Canterbury, England) The Vampire
Author: Griet
Date: 07-14-07 16:40
"You must think I'm crazy," Griet replied, "but there's no way in hell I'm opening the door for a vampire, especially when you, as you explained 'have these primal states in which [you] attack anything on sight.' What's going to stop you from slipping into another primal state and attacking me if I step outside to talk to you? Nothing. You said it yourself. You can't help it. So, forgive me for being rude but I'm staying put with the door safely between us."
Griet huffed out her breath to show how absurd she thought his suggestion was. Really! She would be incredibly stupid to allow a dangerous creature to lure her outside where he could kill her.
A thought occurred to her as she stood there with Marcus on the other side of the door. He'd said that he would stand down if she was willing to come out. Since she'd refused his offer, did that mean he would take action against her?
She suddenly grew very worried. She wondered if he was strong enough to break down the door. But didn't vampires have to be invited into a home to enter? Or was that just fiction? She really didn't know.
"Listen. I've traveled a long way to get here and I'm tired. I don't know where else to go," Marcus said.
"A hotel?" Griet supplied.
"I haven't any money."
"What about your family? Don't you have a... well, a vampire brood or something?"
"It's just me and my mother, and I had to leave her behind. We're on the run."
"From the law?"
"No," Marcus replied, but he didn't elaborate.
"Well..." Griet still wasn't about to open up the door and let him in or to go out herself, but she did feel a tiny bit of sympathy for him for some odd reason. "If you don't have anywhere else to go... I guess you could sleep in the shed. There's a foldable cot in there and some old blankets..."
Not Believing (Indi & Lisi)
Author: Travis
Date: 07-14-07 17:50
Ever since Indigo had been held in exchange for that entire dragon, he's been different. Lisianthus watches her brother helping a man and his son pick out a collar for the kitten the little boy has selected. Indi is nice and polite with them but he's very reserved.
Too reserved.
Indi rings up the customers then turns to look at Lisi, who's sitting on a stool. "What?"
"What what?"
"You've been staring."
"No, I haven't."
"So it's just happenstance that every single time I looked around your eyes were on me."
"Yes, let's go with that."
"Spill, Lisi. Or I shall be forced to use a tickling charm on you."
"You wouldn't!"
Indi takes out his wand. "I would."
Lisi is soon bent over double, laughing so hard she can't stay on the stool. She catches her breath and puts her hands out, "Stop. Stop. Okay, I was staring."
Indi, grinning evilly, stops the tickling. "And?"
Lisi, more composed now, retakes her seat on the stool. "You're different."
"You've not been snooping in my head without permission have you?" Indi demands to know, suddenly riled.
"No! I would never! I've got that under control," Lisi insists.
"That just means any snooping you've done is done on purpose."
"I didn't. Honestly, Indi, I've not had a peak. I've dearly wanted to but I haven't."
Indi walks away in a huff. "I've got things to take care of in the storeroom. Maybe you'd better go see if Travis needs help at Botanicals."
Lisi frowns sadly, watching Indi walk away then gets up and leaves to go to Travis's shoppe, wishing Indi believed her.
While You Were Sleeping
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 07-14-07 20:45
I tucked in James and brushed a kiss on his forehead. Smiling softly, I turned to Mira and repeated my actions. As I stood up, I caught a glimpse of a shadow in the hallway. Sirius. He was never far behind when I was alone with the kids. He still didn’t trust me.
Exiting the children’s bedroom, I made my way to my own. I was still sleeping alone and personally was happy for it. As for the reason why, I hadn’t had the nerve to ask Sirius yet. As I sat on the edge of the bed, I could feel my eyes already closing. It was much too early to got to bed, but a short nap wouldn’t hurt.
*** *** *** ***
I opened my eyes. The room was dark but I could hear shallow breathing close by.
“Sirius? Hello? Who’s… who’s there?”
I stood up quickly, feeling weighed down by my robe. Pushing my hood aside, I gasped when the moonlight reflected off a skull-like white mask sitting on the end table.
“My child.”
I froze.
“My child, I have returned.”
The voice was familiar and terrifying.
“Why do you fear me? Come closer.”
I backed away from the voice nervously. In my haste, I tripped over the leg of my vanity chair and fell to the ground. As I hit the ground I heard rather than felt the snap of my ankle breaking.
“Come clossssssser. My child.”
I turned over and clawed at the floor in panic as I tried to crawl away. I was trying to escape through the door but something was holding me back. Something strong. Something cold and clammy wrapped itself around my left arm…
*** *** *** ***
“Drucilla. Drucilla! Wake up Dru!”
Gasping, I looked up and saw Sirius’ face hovering over mine.
“Where is he?” I whispered fearfully. “Oh my god! Sirius, the children!”
Sirius frowned. “Where is who?”
I sat up, throwing my legs over the side of the bed. Gingerly, I lowered my injured foot to the ground. No pain!
Standing up, I ran to the nursery. I could hear Sirius’ footsteps following me. Stopping at the crib, I gripped the railing, feeling my heartbeat start to slow down. The children were safe.
“You’re shaking Dru.”
I felt Sirius take my shoulders as he eased me out of the nursery. I let him lead me all the way to the kitchen, and only when he pressed a hot cup of tea between my hands did I start to feel slightly better.
Sirius stood beside my chair, looking down on me. In a low voice he asked, “What’s going on Dru? What did you dream about?”
Taking a sip of the tea, I placed it back on the table before answering. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t remember,” he corrected automatically.
“No. I remember. There was a man in my room.”
“Who?”
“I – I don’t know. I was scared.”
“Why were you scared?”
I swallowed nervously. “I don’t know. I was trying to escape from him but I couldn’t get away. He wouldn’t let me.”
Sirius frowned.
Shivering slightly, I rubbed my left arm, feeling scared but not knowing why.
First Time in Diagon Alley
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 07-14-07 22:49
Cailyn stared as she stepped foot into Diagon Alley. There were so many shops and witches and wizards all dressed differently then she was used. She felt like a Muggle stepping into the Wizarding world for the first time. Rather then the pure blood she was. Sure she had been to places like Diagon Alley in the U.S but she had never been to Diagon Alley itself. Though, she had heard people talking about it.
“ I need to make a pit stop to Gringotts bank before we go shopping.” Nicko was saying as Cailyn looked around with wide eyes. She wanted to see everything.
“ Gringotts Bank? The Goblin bank?” Cailyn asked as she followed her father through Diagon Alley.
“ Yes. The Goblin Bank. You know the bank we used to go to in Washington DC?” Nicko asked as he stopped and turned to face his daughter.
“ Yes, Daddy, of course, But I didn’t think they had them here too. “ Cailyn replied staring at Nicko, it wasn’t like she was dumb or anything.
She stood outside of Gringotts while her father went inside and stared around herself. She couldn’t believe that the place was so crowded. Then again, she supposed that Diagon Alley was the place were all the witches and wizards went to do their shopping.
She pulled out the list of items that she needed to get for her first day of school at Hogwarts. Cailyn already had all her books, so she didn’t have to worry about that. She also had other things as well from Waltings. Cailyn even had one of the newest racing brooms out there. Though, Quidditch wasn’t as popular in the United States as it was in England. Cailyn and her friends still played it as a pastime sport. Cailyn frowned and half wondered if she should try out for the Quidditch team this year. She shook her head. It was going to be hard enough being in a new school. Joining Quidditch might be a bad idea.
“ Are you ready Squirt?” Nicko asked pulling Cailyn out of her thoughts. Cailyn cringed at being called Squirt.
“ Dad, don’t call me squirt anymore please. I’m not a baby. I’m 16 years old.”
“ Okay Kiddo.” Nicko said without thinking as he led the way for his daughter through the long alley.
“ DAD!” Cailyn cried staring at her father in frustration.
“ Oh right. No baby names. Gottcha. Okay, you need your robes. This should be enough for you to get them. And here is a little extra for you to buy something for yourself. I am going to go shop around. I’ll come and find you when I am ready to leave.”
“ Okay Dad.” Cailyn responded with a wave as she stepped into Madam Malkins. When she was finished with that, and wore her robes, she stepped back out into Diagon Alley. Now what? She wondered tapping her finger on her chin. There was so much she wanted to see.
After thinking for a few minutes, Cailyn headed over to The Flour Shoppe. She pushed the door opened and walked into the crowded shop. Right as she walked into the crowded shop she collided into a boy who was around her own age and ended up on the floor, in a pile of packages and robes.