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With Ginny, Mei, and Dudley
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 10-08-11 14:37
Walking inside a dim foyer, Harry pauses to let his eyes adjust. No sooner has he done that then he spots Ginny, Mei, and Dudley. Indicating to the hostess that he's with an already seated party, Harry quickly covers the distance to the table.
"Sorry I'm late. Someone held me up to the point I had to be rude and just walk away." As Harry gives Mei a peck on the cheek, Dudley a handshake, and Ginny are quick kiss on the lips, he doesn't get into that it was Peter Pettigrew doing the holding up. Unless Sirius or Remus filled their wives in, no one else knows Harry's been harboring Pettigrew. He feels twinges of guilt about that around Ginny, Ron, and Hermione but not enough yet to have him bringing them into the loop.
Dudley says with a small shake of his head, "You aren't very late. Only a few minutes. We've hardly had a chance to look at the menu."
They chat about nothing in particular while perusing the wide menu selection. After they've ordered Harry asks, "How's Aunt Petunia holding up with the wedding planning?"
"She's actually been very helpful," Mei replies. "She's really warmed up to me."
"Dad's coming around too, especially now that he's satisfied Mei hasn't got me under some sort of love spell. I'm going to get his knickers all twisted up again though. That is, if you'll say yes to something I'm going to ask you, Harry."
"What's that?"
"Will you be my best man?"
To describe Harry as stunned is an extreme understatement. Although Dudley and he are far from the enemies they once were, Harry would have thought his cousin would have half a dozen others he could ask to be best man, especially given that despite Mei being a Witch the wedding is going to be done fully Muggle style for the benefit of all the Muggle guests.
When Ginny gently prods him, Harry realizes he's taking longer than expected to answer. "Yes, Dudley. I'd be honored. Thank you for asking."
Dudley breaks into a broad grin. "Great! Want to come with me with I tell my parents you're not only coming to the wedding but are in it?"
Mei laughs, "You are so so bad, Dudley!" She looks across the table to Ginny. "How are your own plans coming along? Have a date picked yet?"
"Well, don't tell my mum, but yes, we do."
Harry's grinning now as well. "Talk about being so so bad. Tell them why you don't want Molly knowing yet, Ginny."
"Yes, do tell," Mei encourages.
"I'll tell her soon but right now it's been fun seeing the tizzie she works herself into whenever she brings up to me how a date needs to be set and I tell her we're working on it."
As lunch proceeds the four young people turn their conversation to that of what factors go into picking the honeymoon destination.
Oatmeal Raisin Biscuits
Author: Majandra
Date: 10-08-11 17:46
"Georgie," Majandra warns.
Georgie turns a wide eyed gaze on his mother acting as if he hadn't just been caught trying to nick an oatmeal raisin biscuit, or two or three, from the cooling rack. "I love you, Mummy."
"I love you too, Georgie, but no stealing biscuits."
"Just one? I love you lots."
"They're for the pool party tomorrow."
Majandra and George are hosting an all day pool party for all the Hogwarts staff and their families. In addition to the oatmeal raisin biscuits Maj has made three other kinds. She's also made two types of cheese balls to be served with crackers, and a selection of other fingers foods. Still to be made are three types of dips and vegetables to be prepared to dip in them. There will also be a variety of crisps that can be eaten with the dips or alone. Tomorrow, George is going to grill hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, and even has both beef and pork ribs. Maj thinks she'll probably make some salads to go with the "real" food and she'll an assortment of vegetables, cheeses, and condiments as well as fresh bakery buns.
Georgie has been mulling over Maj's statement about the biscuits. After some thought he says, "If I can eat one now I won't eat as many tomorrow."
Maj has to work hard not to laugh at his earnestness. "How about after you eat your lunch, you may have one for dessert?"
His forehead scrunches as he asks, "How many will I get tomorrow then?"
"You will have plenty tomorrow."
"If Killer eats his lunch, will he get a biscuit for dessert too?"
"Killer doesn't need people biscuits. That's why he has his own."
"Then can I have his oatmeal biscuit?"
"You know good and well that means Killer doesn't have an oatmeal biscuit, you goose. Now, go tell your sister and Daddy that lunch is nearly ready."
Georgie, his expression indicating he's going to try and think of a counter argument while on his errand for Maj, nods, "Yes, Mummy," and with a backward glance at the oatmeal raisin biscuits, exits the kitchen in search of Miranda and George.
Minutes Before A Professional Tryout (Wiggy)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 10-08-11 20:36
Standing a step beyond the Puddlemere United dressing room entrance, Wiggy takes a deep breath then moves further inside, shouldering his duffle bag higher. Locating the locker he'd been directed to he changes from his street clothes to Quidditch gear, his mind going back to the recent visit he'd paid Albus Dumbledore.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Mr. Hodfuffer?"
"I've been struggling with a decision and talking to you about it will help me decide what to do. Some professional Quidditch teams have offered me tryouts. I've accepted one invitation so far and may accept more. If I get offered a position with a team, I'm going to take it. I know finishing school is important so was hoping to work something out that would allow me to continue with school but also play professionally. I've even talked with Viktor Krum about the difficulty of doing that."
While Wiggy talked Professor Dumbledore had been sitting with steepled fingers. He looked over them to ask, "You would quit school to play Quidditch if we cannot or will not accomodate the practice and game schedule you'd have? May I ask why?"
"If not for being sent to Happy Haven, this past term would have been my last. I would rather get on with the life I should have had than sit in school an extra year thinking about what I'd rather be doing. What I'm offering is a compromise. I get to start my professional Quidditch career and stay in school."
"What is your parents' opinion?"
"They don't know yet but I know they'd tell me to stay in school. It's not their decision though and I'm an adult now. I wouldn't need their permission."
"You would be willing to put in the work required to keep up with your classwork and to do well on the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests all the while being a benefit to your Quidditch team?"
"Would it really be so different from playing on a House team seventh year?"
"It would be very similar, I should think, though not exactly the same. Professional Quidditch requires more time."
"Viktor Krum told me that the Bulgarian National team coach was willing to make certain allowances so that he could continue on at Durmstrang. I'd have a sit down with the coach of whatever team offered me a position. Explain the situation."
"As I strongly recommend completing one's education, if the choice is working with you to do both or you quitting school, then Hogwarts will work with you. If you do get offered a position with a team, I'd even be happy to sit in on any such discussion you have with the coach."
Wiggy had left feeling good about the conversation. He's still not told his parents. He'll wait and see how this tryout with Puddlemere goes. Or, if this doesn't work out, how any other tryouts he accepts go.
Finishing dressing, Wiggy grabs his brooms and heads out to the pitch, eager to get the tryout started.
Aberdeen
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 10-09-11 13:32
"A coffee, please, and a slice of that pie the diner there is having," Prunella Cromwell tells the waiter just before slipping into the seat to my right.
"What are you doing here?"
"Hello to you too. I got your owl."
"I wasn't meaning for you to come too."
"So I gathered from your message. What you didn't include was why you're here."
"I saw Max earlier today. He mentioned coming to Aberdeen on business and as it was his first time here how after his meeting take the rest of that day and all of the next to do a little sightseeing."
"But you saw him . Oooooh. It would have been him unless he's lying about having been here before."
"Exactly, and why would he need to lie to me about that?"
"Have you been sitting here long?"
"No, for awhile I was the few blocks over to where I'd lost sight of whomever I saw that day. I got hungry and wanted something refreshing to drink so came here where I was sitting when I first spotted him."
"As you are calmly sitting here I take it you've not seen anyone again."
"No, not yet, but I'm not giving up."
"The Ministry combed the area, Furnie."
"I know, but if who I saw wasn't Max and it wasn't Max at last year's Emrys Fest, then I would very much like to think that the man is Forest and that something happened to his memory when Smythe-Jones's people had him. I need to feel like I'm doing something "
"So, here you are. Well, now that I am retired I don't have much else to do all day. Mind if I surveil with you?"
"Of course not. I'm glad for the company."
Prunella's coffee and pie have arrived by that time. The pie looks good enough that I order a slice as well to eat after I'm done with the just arrived open faced sandwich I'd ordered shortly before Prunella got here.
Cheese Dip
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 10-09-11 15:14
Adding some sort of cheesy dip to her plate followed by a handful of tortilla crisps, Kissy stares down at the array of food trying to decide what else she wants to tide her over until having something grilled later.
"Cute swim suit," Mariposa Ravensdale says coming alongside Kissy.
"Thanks. I was just thinking the same thing about yours."
"Thank you. That looks good," Mariposa says of the cheese dip.
"It is. This is the third time I've come and gotten some and I've already asked Majandra for the recipe."
Mariposa dips a crisp in, makes a sound indicating she thinks it's extremely good then dips a carrot stick into another dip that Kissy thinks may have spinach in it. "That one's really good too. Everything is. I can't believe how much food Maj made."
Pausing in mid-reach for a plate Mariposa asks, "She made everything?"
"According to Saffron. Speaking of her, have you seen her post-baby body?"
"I saw. It's hard to believe she had a baby in June."
"I hope I get my shape back that quickly when - if - I ever have a baby."
"Have you made a decision?"
"I think I'm going to give it a shot but I'll wait to do it so that if it takes, the timing will put having the baby after end of term. That way I won't have to take any time off from work."
"Time off for what?" AJ asks as he comes up to the table to get a sampling of the food.
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to try for a baby and am going to try and time it so I have it over summer holiday."
"I still say you should let me set you up with someone, do things the old fashioned way."
"If I want to be set up on dates I've got my parents for that, thank you very much."
"Yes, but I bet the men I'd set you up with would be better suited to you. Besides, making a baby the old fashioned way is so much more fun."
Mariposa laughs. "He's got you there, Kissy."
"True, and I'm not giving up hope on meeting someone. I just don't want to wait much longer to have my first child. Where are you going with the cheese dip?"
"It's so good I'm going to take the whole bowl. You know Maj has more," AJ innocently grins.
Mariposa tells him, "She might have more but Kissy and I will fight you for what's in that bowl and don't even think about spooning all of it onto a plate to carry off."
AJ makes a face at them both but complies by returning the cheese dip to the table. They watch him closely as he adds some to a plate. "Happy now?"
Kissy shakes her head. "No, because if I keep eating cheese dip and this other food like I am, I'm going to get enough of a belly that you'll all be wondering if I am indeed pregnant."
AJ shrugs. "Then stop eating. Leaves more for me."
Kissy snickers, adds another dab of the cheese dip to her plate then turns to the drinks table to get another butterbeer.
Friends, Surprises and Extended Curfew
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 10-09-11 16:34
I hate moving.
This is the second time in over a year that I've had to move. But, this time I am more than willing to make an exception because we are moving out of Aunt Ephona's tiny apartment in Diagon Alley and into a house of our own. We will be having a house warming party, something small for us to show off the new house.
At the moment I was unpacking the last few boxes for my room, they were the only ones left. My trunk was already at the foot of my bed waiting for the new supplies to go in it when I head to the village tomorrow to get shopping done. There were already things bought in Diagon Alley before we left, and those were in my trunk. I purchased an owl as well, because Ares didn't seem to want to leave Aunt Ephona's apartment. Stupid cat.
"MOM! Have you seen the portfolio that has my posters in it?" I called, heading out of my bedroom. Spell-o-tape is a wonderful thing, and a quick way to hang posters.
"I think it is downstairs in the closet by the staircase." She called as I headed down the stairs and tugged open the closet door, I pulled out the black artists portfolio that I used to store my posters in and smiled.
"Thanks Mom...also, when I get stuff hung up I'm going to head into the village. Kida, Whitney, and Arthur will be there and we are going to play a game of laser tag and grab something to eat at Burger Wizard." I said, lugging the portfolio upstairs and tossed it on to the bed. I quickly pulled out the posters, some of which were new, gotten for me from Emry's Fest while I was in Athens.
After I finished getting things situated, I changed into a pair of jean shorts and my brand new Cleaver shirt, slipped on a pair of trainers and headed downstairs. "Be back later Mom." I said as I headed out the front door.
"Be back by six thirty." My Elona called from the kitchen, where I heard the distinct sound of her getting ready to cook something...I secretly hoped it was her baklava.
"Alright." I said, slipping out of the front door, making sure I had my key and some money in my pocket. Then I headed down toawrd the main part of the village, quickly pulling my hair up into a pony tail as I rounded the corner and headed toward the park where Kida, Whitney, Arthur and I were supposed to meet.
"HEY!" Blake called as he saw me heading toward the picnic table where they sat. I sprinted the distance and gave them both a hug, Arthur was gifted with a kiss on the cheek as well.
"Hey you two. Oh, we are having a cookout the last weekend in August, something just a little get together at the house. I'm going to owl Marlow and see if she and her sister want to come for the day." I said as I hooked arms with both of them, one on each side, and we headed toward the game center at Blossom's, as the three of us were in the mood for a game of laser tag and to see what other mischief we can get into for the rest of the afternoon.
"What time do you have to get home?" Arthur asked as we got ready for a game of laser tag with a few other kids who were in the gaming center.
"Six thirty." I said, rolling my eyes, wondering why in the hell she still had a six thirty curfew on summer vacation.
"Your mom is seriously mental. Six thirty? I figured we'd play until six, and that won't even give you enough time to actually eat your dinner by the time we get to Burger Wizard and order." Arthur said with a shake of his head.
"I know it, she must think that I'm like ten still." I said as I straightened my pony tail and dove into the fray of our laser tag game. After that statement, all conversation was off until the game was over.
Once the game was over and we'd turned in the equipment, we headed to Burger Wizard intending on making the most of things since I had to be home at six thirty. We slipped into one of the booths and I snagged one of Kida's chicken nuggets and she grabbed an onion ring off my tray, and we both snatched a tater tot off Arthur's tray.
"Alright, did you guys manage to get your permission slips in for the Hogsmeade trips next term right?" I asked and the pair of them nodded.
"Yeah, as soon as it came in, it was owled back one day later."
"Same here." Arthur added popping a tater tot into his mouth after dunking it in some katchup.
"Good, and I haven't decided if I am going to take the train in this year, I may just head up from the village." I said, before taking a sip of my soda and looking over at Kida and Whitney.
"Okay, okay. I will take the train in with you guys." I said giving into the pleading looks on their faces. "Besides, the extra cuddle time with you won't hurt." I said looking at Arthur and grinning.
"Really guys?" Whitney said, and pelted us both with a tater tot.
The guys walked me home after we finished eating and I was home with five whole minutes to spare. "I'm home mom." I called, after waving good bye to Kida, Whitney and Arthur and shutting the front door. "Can we seriously talk about my curfew? I mean really?"
"In here Adina..." Came my mother's voice, and I heard more than one person moving around the dining room. When I stepped in my jaw dropped.
"Hello Adina, pleasure to finally meet you." The handsome gentleman said, extending his hand to me in greeting as he rose from the four seater table we had in the dining room.
"H..hi, and you are?" I said moving forward to accept his hand for a quick shake.
"Adina, this is Michael Williams, the wizard I've been seeing for the past few months." My mother said, offering her daughter a smile.
When had my mother started dating? Why hadn't she told me? "Nice to meet you Mister Williams." I shot my mom a glare, wondering why she suddenly decided to spring this on me, and turned running up the stairs to my room.
"Excuse me Michael." My mother said and soon I heard her knocking on my bedroom door, and opening it a bit so she could talk to me.
Pool Party
Author: Declan
Date: 10-09-11 18:54
"You look disgustingly fit."
Declan turns to find Illyria Jones on a lounge chair regarding him from behind dark sunglasses. "You look extremely fit yourself."
Illryia laughs, "Climbing all those stairs to and from the Astronomy Tower does have a positive side."
"I was thinking about grabbing a drink. Want anything?"
"Something fruity and slushy."
Declan manuevers around Miranda Weasley climbing out of the pool to go around and climb the ladder to a twisty slide. He watches as she squeals loudly in glee as she shoots down the slide. He can't help but grin at her contagious laughter, continuing on towards a table of food and a bar. After adding some food to a plate he goes to the bar to see what the options are.
George Weasley, standing nearby at a grill, tells him, "The slushy green is a classic margharita. The red with fruit bits is some sort of slushy sangria Maj wanted to try. We can also do up dacquiries or a piña colada or if you prefer something else."
As there is also a variety of other drinks - wines, juices, beers, water, Muggle carbonated beverages, rum, and so on - Declan shakes his head. "What's here is great, thanks."
"Miranda, let him use the slide too!" George calls. Looking back at Declan he says, "That child has taken to swimming so well I swear she's better than I am."
Declan laughs. "My parents used to say that of my sister and me but we did grow up not far from a beach."
Pouring a margharita and a a slushy sangria, Declan returns to where Illyria is sunbathing near the side of the pool. "You get to choose. Traditional margharita or slushy sangria."
"Hmmmmm. The sangria I think."
He hands the drink over then sitting on another lounge chair holds out the plate. "Want some?"
Illyria picks something that looks like a two bite puff pastry filled with a cheese and some sort of meat, ham Declan thinks. Before popping a potato crisp covered with some sort of dip into his mouth Declan asks, "How's your summer been going?"