Decidedly Good News
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 06-12-09 18:07
Lawrence had been in the greenhouses most of the morning, working on checking the plants and ensuring that everything was set up the way that he wanted it for the first day of classes. He was just thinking about tracking down his beloved wife for a late lunch at the Imperial when she came into the greenhouses with a brilliant smile upon her lovely features.
"Well! It seems like you, my dear wife are a mind reader." He said dusting some dirt from his hands on to his jeans and moving to wrap his arms around her and press a chaste kiss to her cheek.
"I just came from a meeting with Professor Dumbledore." She said with a soft laugh and kissed him, the smile never leaving her face.
"Oh? What about?" He inquired, shifting, so that he could begin leading her out of the greenhouse and toward the castle and their quarters. He was done in the greenhouse for the day, all he had to do was finalize some details on his lesson plans as well as draw up a few things for his own research.
"Finishing what I wasn't given a chance to finish here." She said, waiting for the shock that would ultimately manifest itself upon her husband's face.
"Good." He said before he slipped into the bedroom, leaving the door partially ajar as he changed out of the dirty clothes and into a pair of light khaki pants and button down. "Lunch?" He inquired stepping out of the bedroom and tugging her to him, kissing her properly.
"I am quite glad you are deciding to finish your N.E.W.Ts and such. Going to look into classes at St. Emry's when you finish?" He inquired, curiously as they headed out of the Castle and toward the village for a late lunch.
Making It Official
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 06-12-09 18:58
I've never had a problem traveling via international Floo before. Used to do it all the time to visit Phin when he was living with Virgil. Have done it many times this last year checking on the Green twins and then Jewel once she was free of that awful prison camp.
This time I had to force myself to throw the powder in. To call out the destination. Tricky thing to do when there's a catch in your voice. Then came the stepping into the green flames of the Floo. I nearly had to ask Prunella Cromwell to give me a push.
Stepping into a kitchen bright with natural sunlight, a kitchen I've visited before a number of times, I make my feet move to get out of Prunella's way. In my head I'm moving but I guess I wasn't or at least not very fast because she bumps into me. Not hard but enough that I stumble slightly.
Dave Woods catches me though it wasn't really necessary. I don't think I was going to do a face plant. Then again, as stiff and tight as I feel, maybe that tiny bump would have sent me sprawling.
Dave hasn't said anything. Still doesn't once he makes sure I'm upright. Just nods at me then Prunella before turning and walk from the kitchen through a door that I now leads to a large family room. Taking a deep breath, I move to follow, Prunella putting a hand on my back in reassurance though perhaps it's to help propel me forward.
I don't know how she's being so stoic. Perhaps it's something she developed over the years as an Auror or even just recently with the work she's been doing for the Ministry. Whatever the reason, however she does it, I admire her for being able to maintain the stoic demeanor even though I know that she's actually a very emotional person.
In the family room Jane Woods is pacing. Christopher Bloodstone bouncing a small child on his knee. Aspen Woods-Bloodstone sits with a baby to her shoulder, patting its back to burp it. Others are there as well, some I don't recognize but others I do like Sadie, Matt, their mother Tabitha, and father Tom.
There are no warm greetings. No smiles to let us know they're glad we came. These people are not stupid. I'm sure it doesn't help that I'm failing miserably at the trying to be brave face. What I really want is to be at home, alone, having a good wallowing cry.
Prunella didn't deserve to make this trip alone. She also knew deep down that I needed to come and be with her and the Woods for this.
Dave finally breaks the silence. His voice gruff from emotion he says to Prunella, "Get it over with. Make it official."
Her hand is still in the small of my back and I can feel the muscles in her hand tense. Or maybe it's just that I go more rigid, not really wanting to hear her say the words as the Ministry of Magic representative she's here to be.
"There is a relatively new device, the Blood Hound. It can track people down. The searches with it for Forest have led each time to a grave site in which there are a number of bodies may of which are yet to be identified."
Prunella pauses. I can tell she's getting choked up so I make myself speak. Make myself finish what has to be said.
"The Blood House hasn't pointed to any of the bodies as specifically being Forest's. The presumption for now is that he was buried there and one of the bodies might be his; however, the device is still new enough that the young man who invented it hasn't worked out yet how well Blood Hound works with bodies, particularly those in a mass grave."
"Particularly those that were there for as long as those have been without benefit of any method of preservation," Prunella resumes speaking.
"The official word though is that my son is dead," Jane flatly states.
"Yes."
I move to Jane's side. "He might not be."
"But he most likely is," Jane replies, taking the hand I've placed on her arm. "We should have a service."
"You want closure. I understand," I say in a near whisper.
"I would prefer to have my son back."
"So would I."
Prunella turns her back, looking towards the kitchen, the motion her arm makes telling me she's dabbing at her eyes. Dave shuffles his feet as if unsure of what to do next. His sister-in-law Tabitha quietly says, "As soon as you two set a day and a time, I'll start contacting the people on the list we put together."
My eyes go from Jane to Dave, to Aspen with the baby, to her husband and older child, then to the others gathered in the room. In a stronger voice I say, "I'll help do whatever needs to be done."
Prunella has turned back around in the meantime and adds her voice to mine, "I will as well."
Jane disentangles her hand from mind and stands up to walk over to her husband. Dave and she go into the kitchen for a few minutes then return with their decision with Jane saying, "We're going to see our minister but whether he can lead the service or not, we're going to go with when we've decided."
They go into the kitchen again, this time to Floo to the minister's, leaving the rest of us to start organizing a memorial service for Forest Woods.
So This Is Where All The Wands Were
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 06-13-09 12:52
"No wonder none of the confiscated wands have been found anywhere in the Ministry," Clara Smarts says with awe.
Geoffrey Blackwell's eyes rake around the space, lips pursed in a whistle.
From where he was helping check for any magic that would prevent them from entering or do harm, Griff stands with a hand on the just opened sliding door, taking in the scene before them as well.
"Told you I had something worth your time to see," Bryan Hadley smugly smirks. "Can I go now?"
Geoffrey turns eyes that had just been widened in wonderment but are now narrowed with distaste to Hadley, a former higher up in the former Department of Half-blood, Muggleborn, and Half-breed Registration and Regulation. "That's not the arrangement," Geoffrey reminds him.
"Say I escaped," Hadley whines, all traces of smugness gone in an instant. "I'll go to another country.
Still at the sliding door of the warehouse, Griff casually asks Hadley a question as he sweeps a pointed finger at Clara, Geoffrey, the others on team, and himself. "Did you know each of us had loved ones taken away by your department?"
"I was just doing my job. I know some of you worked at the Ministry that whole time." Hadley jabs his thumb first at Geoffrey and then at Griff. "I know for a fact you both did."
Geoffrey's larger form suddenly looks larger as he looms over the shorter, thinner Bryan Hadley. "I stayed on in hopes of finding clues to where my family was taken, including my two small sons. What's your excuse?"
"If you hurt me, I'll sue!" Hadley says with alarm.
Clara laughs, "You think we'd leave any marks?"
Hadley's eyes bug out. Griff steps away from the warehouse door and takes Hadley by the arm. Steering the man inside he says, "Relax. She's joking."
There's a small office so Griff takes Hadley into it and pushes him towards a chair. "Sit. Move before you're told or try anything and Clara won't be joking anymore."
He joins Clara and Geoffrey who are starting a sweep through the warehouse. Just because there wasn't anything on the doors or windows doesn't mean there aren't curses and hexes hidden among the warehouse contents. Others on the team are on the other side of the building doing the same and some are studying a set of filing cabinets that were lined up just outside of the little office. Griff surmises they're making sure the cabinets aren't booby trapped before attempting to open any of the drawers to see what files are there.
Clara glances over her shoulder at Hadley visible through a window into the office. "If Oldridge lets him go without a trial, you two may have to visit me in Azkaban where I'll be sent for strangling the not so beloved Head of Magical Law Enforcement."
"Shacklebolt told him in no uncertain terms he's not to let another person go without a review," Geoffrey says.
"Oldridge isn't known for his fondness of Shacklebolt or that Shacklebolt is Minister now," Griff points out.
They don't say much more about Berwyck Oldridge after that because another on the team who is somewhat of a friend of Oldridge's moves in line with them for the warehouse sweep. A half hour after that Griff has to take his leave. He's wearing many hats around the Ministry these days and before being asked earlier to be part of the detail checking out the warehouse Bryan Hadley had told them about, Griff already had a meeting set up to finishing going over the files he'd worked on while practically running the Department of Magical Transportation. After today he shouldn't have to do any work with that department again, not even as a lowly PK Tech, the position he first held with that department.
As long as he's returning to the Ministry, Griff escorts Hadley there, depositing him to a Magical Law Enforcement holding cell before heading to Level 4 for his meeting.
(Seattle, Washington) Meeting the Family
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 06-13-09 13:06
The four from Britain come over to meet the newest boy in the family. Wotan, was pacing the room while we waited for him to arrive. The two boys and Bronwyn, waited on the couch. Bronwyn was doing a very bad job of containing her excitement. I stayed calmly near the window keeping an eye out.
Sure, I was excited, but Id also seen him being born so I could contain myself a bit. When my sisters car turned into the driveway, the control was gone. I ended up jumping and bolting out the door. I thought I should just let them walk in on their own, but couldnt stop myself from going outside.
I helped my mother and brother out of the car before walking back in with my mom. When my mom stepped inside, she walked up to Wotan and allowed him to hold his son.
From my vantage point, I saw Bianca was coiled to spring at Wotan. Bianca didnt like Wotan at all. Bianca blamed him for any evil she could, even a reference to destroying our families or something. She loved Wolfgang though. The fact that Wotan was holding the baby kept him safe from my sister. For now.
Wotan smiled at his son but was fairly quiet. It looked to me that whatever worry and regret hed been keeping inside vanished when he looked at the child. Wotan held the child for a long time. My mother had taken a step back and placed a hand on my sisters shoulder while watching the two. Looked like she was using my sister for support.
Bronwyn finally managed to make her presence known to her father, who handed the baby over to her. Bianca took a step forward, but stopped. I could see my mothers hand had clamped down on her shoulder. She wasnt just using her for support, she was stopping my sister from ruining the moment.
Hi Wolfie, Bronwyn said to the child, Youre so cute! Bronwyn followed up with more baby talk. Bron was playing and talking to Wolfie, as he will now be known, for a lot longer then her dad was. She didnt look like she was going to be giving him up any time soon either.
After a quick glance from my mom, I walked over to Bron. She didnt look up at first, but after a moment, and a sudden shadow, she looked up. I just held my arms out for the baby. She gave a quick, Bye Wolfie, before handing him over with a sigh.
I walked over to Siegfried, who was closer then Toby. He held his arms to hold Wolfie, but it was a rough hand over. He didnt really know how to hold a baby, but he caught on pretty fast. I took a few steps back to give the two a little room. Siegfried said a few things, quietly, to his new brother, before looking up at Toby.
Toby took the baby and held him for a moment before I heard, Awww, theyre so cute together
Bronwyn was standing right next to me when she said it. She was quiet so it wasnt disturbing anyone else in the room. I slapped my hand down on her shoulder.
Hell make a great father someday, Toby looked up when I said that. I looked over at Bron, Not sure about you though
And whats that supposed to mean? She said, offended.
Well, boys dont like shopping sprees in the mall.
Well, my daughter will! She came back, quickly catching on that I was only teasing. Toby, before I could say something, handed Wolfie back to me. Bronwyn managed to do some baby talk before I walked over to my mom and handed Wolfie to her.
She asked Wotan to follow her upstairs, which he did. Bianca still looking like a tightly wound spring. I watched my mom and Wotan walk up the stairs and out of sight.
Oh my god, he is sooo CUTE! Bron exclaimed.
Full Plate
Author: Marzipan
Date: 06-13-09 13:12
"When I left Hogwarts at the end of my seventh year, it never crossed my mind that I might be moving in again," Weston remarked, as he set a box onto another in the new quarters he and his wife would be sharing at the castle.
"I thought for sure I'd never come back after the Snatchers got me," Marzi replied, still in disbelief that she had her old job again. It would be a modified version, with her only teaching the first four years rather than all seven, but Marzi didn't mind. She was simply glad to be back, and glad that everything in her life seemed to be falling into place perfectly.
Although she and Weston had been searching for houses to live in, they'd ultimately decided to accept living quarters at Hogwarts. Perhaps someday they would take up the search again, especially if they ever started a family, but for now they would be comfortable in the castle.
Marzi arranged her clothing in a beautiful teak armoire and then glanced at the time on her watch. She had so many things she needed do, like review her old lesson plans and check on the plants in the greenhouses. She also wanted to get with Professor Masterson and coordinate their uses of the greenhouses so that they don't step on each other's toes throughout the school year.
There were things she wanted to do too, like finish unpacking and organizing her rooms, and to visit with Illyria, who was also back at Hogwarts and in her old role as Astronomy professor.
She decided that she really ought to cross out some of the items on her to-do list, so she kissed Weston and told him she'd be in the greenhouses if he needed her. If she saw Professor Masterson there, she'd have a talk with him about scheduling the greenhouses for their various classes. Otherwise, she'd check on the plants and gardening tools and make sure she had everything she needed for the first few weeks of classes.
Large Gathering
Author: Saffron
Date: 06-14-09 16:22
Saffron adjusts the blanket on which Niccola is sleeping so that it's fully in the shade. Coming up behind her Aaron asks, "Are you sure the kids aren't bothering her?"
Turning in the circle of Aaron's arms Saffron looks up, smile on her lips. "She's sleeping like a baby."
Shrieks from the pool and Deak's voice calling out, "Marco!" have Aaron looking back that direction then down at their daughter. "I guess she is," he smiles back.
Hand-in-hand they return to the lounger chairs nearby, laughing at the antics in the pool. One of the Wenlock cousins, not quite 7 year old Lauren MacDougal, joins them, sitting her wet self down on the end of Saffron's lounger.
"Aaron, why is it called Marco Polo?"
"In the Muggle world, Marco Polo was an explorer hundreds of years ago. He's famous for his travels and the stories about what he encountered on them. As to why there's a swimming pool game named for him, I don't know."
"Can we look it up later on the infernet?"
"Internet and yes, we can do that."
"Okay!" Lauren grins as she jumps up and runs to the pool to leap in over the still it Deak's head.
Lauren's vacated spot is taken over by Sassy. "This is nice. Good idea you had, sis."
Saffron laughs. "The credit really goes to Aaron. All I did was suggest that we barbeque today. He translated that to mean invited everyone we know over for a cookout and swimming party."
"All I know is that Neil is having fun directing at the barbeque pit. It's almost as if he's channeling Da," Sassy says then quickly adds, "but in a good way."
"I should go join them. See what's needed," Aaron says jumping up.
"What is it about men and barbeque?" Saffron grins, watching Aaron's hurry away.
Sassy moves to the now empty lounger beside Saffron's. "Your mother-in-law is great. She's in the thick of the sidewalk chalk with Jordan."
"Frannie's wonderful. She's really taken everything in stride, from learning a Wizarding World exists to helping with the Resistance movement. She was a little hurt that I hadn't told her about Niccola but like everyone else, she understands why."
"Except for Da."
"Except for Da. Birdie's been by several times, here and the castle, but Da is being... Da. When he has seen Niccola, he stands with arms folded looking at her like she's going to bite him or give him some sort of infection."
"He was a little standoffish with Sage as a baby if you recall."
"He's a lot standoffish with Sage now."
Saffron smirks, "That's because Sage had the audacity to grow up and just like us come to the realization that Da is not the end all, be all."
"Birdie certainly thinks so."
"Which is why Da's latest marriage might actually last for a change."
Across the pool, Sage and Georgia Copperpot come into view. Sassy nods her head that direction, "What's the story there?"
"No idea. Whenever I ask anything having to do with Georgia, Sage blushes. I don't remember him being like that with Aubrey."
"How old is Georgia?"
"She would have been a sixth year in September so if she's not already 16 she will be soon."
"She seems nice enough though a little... I'm not sure how to put it," Sassy laughs.
"I know what you're trying to say," Saffron grins. "She is nice and she is a little, whatever the word is. I'm just glad to see Sage dating again. I don't think in that time between Aubrey and Georgia he had a single date. Girls were interested but he wasn't."
Saffron moves to get off the lounger. "I should check on the status of the crisps, dips, and other snacks. Keep an ear out for Niccola for me?"
"Of course!"
"I won't be long," Saffron smiles, moving to circulate around the pool area and the rooms inside where people are also gathered, doing her hostess duties.
Confrontation
Author: Jolyon
Date: 06-14-09 17:11
With Hagrid's assistance, Jolyon had everything ready for the Start of Term. Where previously he'd used Hagrid's unoccupied hut as an office of sorts, now Jolyon had a space for himself in the loft of the barn. He found it convenient to have his desk in the same building where he held his indoor classes, though he mostly found himself elsewhere on the grounds throughout any given day.
Since he had no pressing business to attend to at Hogwarts, he went to St. Mungo's to see if he could learn more about his father's duplicity. Perhaps he would even confront the old man.
When he arrived outside his father's door, Jolyon realized that once again, Emanuel had company. It wasn't the healer this time, but a long-retired colleague of Mr. Kent's. Jolyon arrived at a most opportune moment, for Emanuel stated, "You mean to say that you set me up?"
"Oh, well..." There was a pause. "Yes. I'm sorry, I really am, but I was so near my retirement and I didn't want to get sacked. So I fibbed a little to the boss, and you seemed the easiest person to pin the blame on. I would have come forward earlier, but..." Another pause. "It only seemed right that I confess to you now on your deathbed."
Jolyon listened intently for what came next, but Emanuel disappointed him by saying, "Well, I'm glad you told me." He yawned loudly and added, "I'm feeling a little tired. Perhaps you'll leave me now?"
"Oh, certainly. I'm glad we could have this talk. I hope you... I hope you feel better."
No more words were exchanged between the two men. Emanuel's former colleague came scurrying from the room, and Jolyon pretended to take notice of something else in the hall. When the man turned the bend in the corridor, Jolyon reached a quick decision. He strode into the room, surprising Emanuel, who was sitting up and about to climb to his feet. He made to sink back onto his pillow but read the expression on Jolyon's face perfectly.
"Well?" Emanuel pressed, sitting up again and stretching out his legs.
"Do you want to tell me why you are faking dying?"
Emanuel arched a bushy brow. "Why do you make that claim?"
"I overheard you and your healer some weeks ago, and I don't know what that other man did to set you up but I'm surprised you let him walk out of here just like that."
Emanuel got to his feet and paced a little by his bed. Jolyon tried not to flinch when his father got too close.
"I'm a little bored with the charade anyway," Emanuel finally said.
"So you admit it!"
"Yes, and what of it? So you figured it out. Wasn't your brains that did it, was it? It was just happenstance that you discovered the truth. Good for you."
Jolyon tried not to let his father make him feel bad or angrier than he already was. "So why did you do it?"
Emanuel's face broke out into a wicked grin. "That man who just visited me confessed one of his darkest secrets to me, and believe you me, I intend to collect on what he owes me. He's not the only to come clean to me over the last few weeks. People are brutally honest to dying men. I've learned things. Bad things. Good things. All things that will benefit me in the end."
"You'll not get away with any of it," Jolyon replied stiffly.
"You going to stop me, boy?" Instead of stepping toward Jolyon to stab a finger into his chest, Emanuel climbed back into his bed instead.
"Well, how to explain suddenly no longer being terminally ill?"
Emanuel shrugged. "Miracles do happen. Now give me one and get out of my sight."
Jolyon took a step closer to the bed but then thought better of it and left the room. He went to the nurse's station first to find out who his father's healer was and then to his mother's to tell her everything.