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Final Touches and Some Good News...Maybe
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 06-26-09 11:05
Lawrence had headed down to the greehouses after bidding Ariella a good bye and walking her to the gates of the castle. She had work today, and he wanted to go over a few final details for his classes which would start in two days. The feast would be tomorrow, and then classes would start in earnest.
His first class would be with the fifth year Ravenclaw and Slytherin students. He'd be going over the importance of the O.W.Ls and what it meant for their future schooling. Also, they would be going over berries, the starting lessons he'd chosen for the course.
He would need to head down to Briar's tomorrow afternoon and put in the orders for the baked goods he'll need for both Thursday and Friday this week. It was going to be a busy year for the fifth through sixth years, culminating in major exams for the fifth and seventh years during the end of the school year.
He was glad he and Marzipan had managed to work out a schedule for the greenhouses, it would make things a lot easier and keep them from stepping on each others toes and impeeding the lessons being taught to the children. The air around the school itself was almost 'better' now that things had returned to normal.
He double checked that he had enough copies of the syllabus for his fifth years on Tuesday and for the class on Wednesday. Tuesday and Thursday would be his busiest days with classes stretching from nine to noon, and then picking up again at two and going until three thirty. Monday, Wednesday and Friday he only had one course and that was not until two, leaving most of his day open for office hours and tending to papers.
Stepping from the greenhouse, he would head toward his quarters. A face appeared in the fireplace, Lawrence smiled seeing the face of his solicitor, hopefully the man had good news for him about the information he was seeking.
"Lawrence. So glad to have caught you at home. I've some news for you." Arlan's voice said as flames flickered green through his face.
"Do tell Arlan, hopefully it will be good news." Lawrence said.
"I've some paperwork being owled to you, talk to your wife and see if it is a go ahead and we will get started in transferring things back as they should be." Arlan said, and the words brought a bright smile to his face.
"I will do just that." He said. After chatting with Arlan a few moments the face in the flames would vanish and he would leave his quarters in a run, heading down to the village.
He wondered if Ariella wanted the rights back to her invention, or if he'd wasted the time in searching for a way to have it righted now that the she was no longer seen as a blood traitor. She deserved to have the rights back, and this was something he'd been working on, a surprise for her for the past week or so now.
Down Time
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 06-26-09 11:13
Orei and Jim sat curled on the couch in her living room, listening partially to the show that was on the radio...Neither were really paying attention to what song was on, or what the announcer was saying. They were simply enjoying the down time together, because tomorrow Jim would be returning to Hogwarts to finish his final year at the Wizarding School.
"See you on hogsmeade weekends?" He asked, peering down at her as she nuzzled a bit more into him.
"As long as I'm not burried under homework, most definitely. I'll miss getting to spend time with you as often, but hopefully the year will pass quickly. I've got another month or so I think before I have to start classes at St. Emry's."
Jim nodded and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. "We'll figure it out."
She hadn't even realized that they'd fallen into the simple lull of a relationship until maybe two days ago when she caught herself thinking about him a bit more than usual. Okay, so apparently she was not going to make it the entire summer being single.
"I should get going, need to get the rest of my stuff for school. Professor Masterson wants a specific Herbology kit from the shop in Diagon, and I've got to get a few other things that I need and Mum and Dad are taking me to dinner tonight since I'll be leaving in the morning." Jim said, slowly disengaging himself from her and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
"I will see you soon, promise. First weekend I can." With that he slipped from the house, heading down to where he would meet his parents and head with them to Diagon Alley.
Orei pushed up from the couch, a frustrated sigh heaved from her lips as she paced through the house, maybe she'd go for a run. Yes, that's exactly what she needed. Heading to her room she would change into a pair of running shorts and a tanktop. Tying her sneakers she would then slip from the house and begin her run toward the main road of the villlage.
Surprise Party
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 06-26-09 16:44
Furnella Hodfuffer waves from door leading into the Imperial Crown & Cauldron's garden. Griff turns to those assembled at a few of the tables, "There's the signal. Get ready everybody."
The chatter ceases and all face the door in preparation of yelling surprise. Others at the restaurant in the garden area but who aren't part of the gathering, turn as well to see, smiles on their faces, and a number ready to give friendly Happy Birthday greetings even if they don't know the young woman the party is for.
Very soon, perhaps half a minute, Lars Hodfuffer is holding open the garden door for Carys to show her to a table. Those assembled for the party shout, "Surprise! Happy Birthday!" the voices of the onlookers mingling with theirs. Alun and Griff had been practicing the words with Tristan, who for not quite three does well with his, "Su-pise. Hoppy birf-ay!"
Having expecting only to be meeting Tristan, Alun, and Griff, Carys looks both shocked and delighted to see the faces of friends old and new gathered there for her. Tristan struggles from Griff's arms and goes barreling to Carys, throwing his toddler's chubby arms around her legs, looking up to say again, "Hoppy birf-ay, Mummy! Come see!"
Carys allows Tristan to pull her by the arm to the tables where lunch will soon be served. They are near the gazebo, which is festively decorated and holds a table with a cake and presents. Balloons, that have offered Tristan no end of fascination and delight, float on both sides of the restaurant facing steps leading into the gazebo, the gentle breeze making them bob merrily about.
When Griff started planning the party, he'd ruled immediately ruled out any sort of gathering in Diagon Alley. The thirty-first of August might be Carys' birthday but it's also the day she lost her mother only four years ago. Griff considered other restaurants but ultimately the Crown & Cauldron won out because when he'd asked, Furnella Hodfuffer had guaranteed Griff this prime spot in the garden and if the weather had been bad, she put one of the private dining rooms on hold. Other places hadn't been willing to agree to also ensuring the party could take place inside in the event of inclement weather.
The day had begun with Griff going over to Carys', Tristan's, and Alun's where the two men and one toddler made breakfast for Carys and served it to her in bed. They'd then presented her with a certificate to be used that morning for a full spa treatment. She'd left for the spa thinking that afterwards she was meeting the three for a quiet family lunch.
Griff is certain he's gone a little overboard with the spa day from Alun, Tristan, and him, the surprise party with its lunch for everyone, and the other gifts he's gotten Carys, which include certificates for one of her favorite clothing shoppes and a charms for a bracelet. Each charm has the birthstone of someone important to Carys. Everything combined might be an extravagance but after her time at Goen Bren, Griff wants this first birthday to be extra special.
Everyone else has already put in their lunch order so after Carys has a chance for the surprise to sink in, the starters for each table are brought out and Carys gets her own main entre ordered. Sitting on one side of Carys, Tristan reaches over and grabs her arm. "Mummy su-pised?"
"Mummy is very surprised," she tells him with a grin.
"Me got you a pwesent. A "
Alun quickly shushes his great-grandson, "Don't tell, Tristan."
"You can help Mummy open it when it's time," Carys tells the child.
Tristan gurgles in agreement, accepting a breadstick from Carys, which he promptly starts brandishing about much like he's preparing to either cast a spell or conduct an orchestra. With Tristan momentarily appeased from spilling what he knows about the gift he picked out himself, Carys turns looks over his head to Griff.
"Thank you for this. It's wonderful and the spa was heavenly."
Griff's reply is honest and heartfelt. "You deserve a special day."
Things Take Too Much Energy
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 06-27-09 17:34
Emerald becomes aware of something sharp prodding her in the leg. She waves a hand at her brother and curtly orders with annoyance, "Stop!"
Hunter snorts at her. "I wouldn't have had to poke you if you'd pay attention."
"Pay attention to what?"
"Aunt Blythe has been calling your name. She wants you at the dressing room."
"I never heard her."
"Didn't hear me neither. S'why I poked you."
Grumbling under her breath about pests who masquerade as younger siblings, Emerald glares at Hunter than all but stomps across the store to where Aunt Blythe is passing articles of clothing through to Olive. Blythe flashes a smile at Emerald. "There you are. Olive, hand those other things out. I'll get Jade to hang up the ones we aren't getting."
Hearing her name Jade appears from behind a rack of clothes holding up what Emerald always thought of as a jumper until she ended up living in the UK and learned that their idea of a jumper is a sweater. "I found something I like, Aunt Blythe."
"Hand it here. Put these back for me then you can squeeze in with Olive and try it one. Thanks."
Blythe returns her attention back to Emerald, sorting through some clothes she's got off to one side. She holds up a thick looking cable sweater in black with yellow-gold thread running through it and some yellow piping at the cuffs and neck. Hufflepuff colors without screaming that it's Hufflepuff.
"It's nice," Emerald says, sounding somewhat bored to her own ears. She well imagines how she must sound, and look, to Aunt Blythe. "Looks a little big."
"I was thinking you could do layers, but if you don't like it, we can keep looking."
"No, it's fine. Really."
"Did you find anything you want to try on?"
"Um, no, not yet," Emerald hedges, not admitting she's not even begun looking.
"I have some other things here I thought you might like. Want to try them now or after you've looked around more?"
"I'll do them now if Olive will make some room for me in there."
"And me!" Jade says coming up behind them to grab the cute pink jumper she'd found.
"I'll go look around more and also see what your brother is up to," Aunt Blythe says, sounding harried.
Emerald accepts the stack of things Blythe has picked for her and follows Jade into the dressing room Olive has strewn with clothes of her own to try. She doesn't know what's wrong with her. All she does know is that she feels apathetic and bored with everything and everyone. Emerald isn't even that excited about returning to Hogwarts tomorrow. At times she wants to scream at everyone to leave her alone about it and just go find a job.
Digging deep within her, Emerald finds just enough energy to go through the routine of trying on the clothes, agreeing with whatever her sisters and Aunt Blythe say about the fit and color. That's far easier than having to actually give an opinion and to pretend she gives a damn.
Maybe on the train tomorrow she'll sleep the whole way.
When at last they are done with the clothes shopping, they finish getting the supplies Olive and Emerald will need to go to Hogwarts in the morning. By the time they get home, Emerald is well past wanting to curl up in a ball and take an undisturbed nap. She can't though. Emerald had agreed with dinner with Phin since she'll be cooped up at Hogwarts soon. Heading in to take a shower, Emerald finds she's not even excited about seeing her boyfriend. She'll have to force a smile and get through the evening. Unfortunately it takes a great deal of energy pretending she's interested in what's going on around her.
Back To School Shopping
Author: Fionna
Date: 06-27-09 20:42
"Don't make me confiscate those," Blair Chang warns Catriona and Cat's two friends Bianca and Polly.
"Honestly, Mother, why you even let them got those silly things. They're thirteen year old girls. A bit old for water wands aren't they?"
Cat frowns up at her sister. At ten years older than Catriona, it seems that of late Leslie makes a concerted effort to let Cat know just how juvenile Leslie thinks her younger sister is. Standing just behind Leslie, and thus where Leslie can't see her, Bianca points her water wand at the older girl and pantomimes shooting her.
All Blair says to her elder daughter, "You did not have to come along."
"I know but I thought perhaps I could spend a pleasant day out with my mother and sister. I didn't know we'd be making forays into the joke shoppe. Not only a joke shopped but one that's having a grand re-opening sale."
Knowing it will annoy her sister more, Cat very matter-of-factly informs Leslie, "Water wands played a very important role during the Battle of Hogwarts to end the siege."
"Yes, well, whatever," Leslie says somewhat snottily. Turning to their mother she says, "I'm going to pop over to Terrortours and see if Fionna's free for a break."
Tired by now of Leslie's constant griping, bitching, and criticizing, Blair gives an overly bright, forced smile. "Yes, why don't you do that, Leslie. Here, take some money to treat Fionna to some sort of refreshment."
Blair hands Leslie some coins then turns to the three younger girls. "Flourish and Blotts for textbooks then the ice cream parlor is just down the way from there if I recall. I think we could all use a snack."
Cat exchanges grins with Polly and Biance. Leslie is out of the way, at least for a little while, and they'll get ice cream soon! For Cat the day is enjoyable overall, despite Leslie's sniping, because it's the first time that her mum's been the one taking her school shopping. Not only that, but Cat is living with her mum again. She loved being with Aunt Moira and Uncle Angus but she's got her own home again.
Cat's mother and step-father have finally ended their honeymoon. It was to have been a year long but they keep going more places. It was only after Cat was out for summer holiday that they decided to take a break from traveling. They even bought a home in the English countryside.
Cat's father, who is a diplomat for the Ministry had briefly returned to England from Finland when the Finnish Ministry cut off its political relationship with the British Ministry over its segregationist policies and it's program of persecution. Since divorcing though, the only residence he's maintained in Britain is a very small, very much of a bachelor's pad flat in London. He's back in Finland now, and Cat did visit him there over the summer, and she also went with her cousin Fionna on a Terrortours trip, the A-Mazing Minotaur Encounter one in Crete, but it's been good to be with her mum again and have her own room in her own home. It doesn't yet feel much like home yet but Cat is sure it will with time. It's just like any new place.
The foursome reach the bookstore where Blair had them divide up to get the textbooks so that they are more quickly done and one to Florean Fortescue's, Cat already practically tasting the banana split she hopes to get.