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(Ariella) Poolside
Author: Beck
Date: 10-09-11 19:42
Ariella lounged poolside at the party hosted by Majandra Weasley and her husband and sipped a chilled butterbeer. Lawrence was in the pool, trying to keep a beachball in the air and out of the water. He lost the game soon enough and swam to the ladder to climb out of the pool.
"Good effort," Ariella expressed with a smile.
Lawrence chuckled and reached for the folded towel on the lounge chair next to Ariella's. "Are you implying I'm not very good at the game but at least I tried?"
Ariella laughed. "I'm not questioning your skills, but you did have an entire margharita before entering the pool."
Lawrence grinned and sat down, wrapping the towel over his shoulders. "Fair enough."
He leaned back and folded his arms behind his head, ready to soak up some sun.
Ariella turned onto her side so she could watch him. She thought about their conversation from when they first came home from their holiday abroad. Lawrence had proposed that they shop around for a home and sell the unused flat where Lawrence had lived prior to becoming Herbology professor at Hogwarts.
Ariella wasn't against the idea, but she also felt that they already had a home at Hogwarts. The castle was vast and when they were in their quarters, it was easy to forget that they weren't alone. Ariella supposed that the benefit of living elsewhere meant that Lawrence could get away from his workplace, if ever he felt stifled and needed a break. As far as she knew, however, he'd not once felt the urge to escape and spend time at his old flat.
If Lawrence really wanted a house, then she could be onboard for the investment, but her personal preference was to revisit the idea later. Although plenty of staff members lived at Hogwarts with their families, Ariella could see how raising children in a house rather than the castle had an advantage.
She reached over and threaded her fingers through his. A smile tugged at the corners of Lawrence's lips, but his eyes remained closed and continued to bask in the summer sun.
Working Solo
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 10-10-11 17:57
Fritz walks across the shoppe with several bottles of Flobberworm mucus under his arm and carefully stocks them with the remaining bottles on the shelf. Although the ornate bottles themselves are green, a deep, emerald color, the lighter green of the mucus is clear to see. Fritz arranges the bottles neatly on the shelf and then steps back to admire his handiwork. Satisfied by what he sees, he turns and goes back to the front counter. He's just in time too because a customer enters J. Pippin's and immediately approaches the counter.
"Hello, what can I do for you today?" Fritz politely asks.
The customer is an older witch with frizzy hair that is unnaturally orange. She peers at Fritz through thick glasses and says, "Do you have any Cure for Boils in stock? If not, I will accept the ingredients necessary to make my own batch, but I'd rather have the final product so that it can be used immediately."
Fritz doesn't see any visible boils on the witch, and he's polite enough not to ask why she needs the potion so badly.
"Yes, I think we do have some ready-made. If you'll follow me."
Fritz leads the witch to a glass case in which bottles of potions are kept. Some of the more volatile ones are kept behind the counter or in the back room. He opens the case and selects a slim, blue bottle for the witch.
"Will that be all?"
"For the moment, yes."
Fritz takes her back to the counter and rings up her purchase. She leaves a moment later.
The shoppe is empty now, and Fritz doesn't have any more tidying up to do. He's the only one working right now, but that's only because his manager has an appointment that's keeping him away for a few hours. Fritz wasn't sure he would be trusted to run the place unsupervised, still being rather new at J. Pippin's Potions, but his good work ethic has obviously shown his manager that he is reliable and at least potentially trustworthy.
With little to do but wait for the next customer, Fritz thinks back to the book Frau Hockenheim bequeathed him. After it spoke to him from a face emerging from its cover, Fritz thought of nothing else, even though work had been busy that day. What sort of magic was in the book that would make it sentient or at least act as if it were so? It was that much stranger because it had belonged to a Muggle woman.
After work that day, Fritz had wanted to tell Coco about it, but she'd been busy with something and he'd spent the evening at home with his parents. He'd woken up the next morning with flu-like symptoms and had remained sick in bed for three whole days after that. Despite being sick, Fritz had often gotten out the book to see if it would speak to him or reveal its face again. It never did. By the time Fritz was well again, he was positive that he'd been hallucinating, probably brought on by the beginnings of his illness.
The door opens again, and this time a girl enters the shoppe. She looks school-age, but not too young to be on her own. She produces a Hogwarts school supply list.
"Can you help me?" she asks Fritz.
"Certainly," he says. He steps out from behind the counter and takes her list, helping her find everything she needs for the new term.
Avoiding
Author: Illyria
Date: 10-10-11 18:30
The sangria Declan brought over hit the spot. Illyria sipped it slowly, enjoying its flavor and slushiness.
"My summer?" Illyria asked, in response to his question. "It's been fine so far," she said, which, with the exception of the incident with Nathan, was the absolute truth.
"I spent the first half in India visiting my sister," she elaborated.
"Did you do any sightseeing, or did you mainly spend time with your family?" Declan asked.
"Mostly I was with family, but I did get out and see a few things." She told him about some of her touristy visits as well as her misadventures with Indian food. Illyria didn't tolerate spicy foods very well and had mistakenly ordered extra spicy dishes on more than one dining excursion.
Declan got a good chuckle out of that. "I guess you know what not to order for next time."
"That's right," Illyria replied, laughing.
The pair chatted a bit longer and then fell into companionable silence. Illyria hadn't gone for a dip in the pool yet and considered it, but she also felt comfortable lounging poolside with a delicious drink and finger foods. Maybe later she'd go for a swim.
Without conversation and not really listening to those of the others at the party, Illyria inevitably started thinking about the incident with Nathan. She hadn't seen him since then and didn't want to either, because she couldn't trust herself around him. Maybe he couldn't trust himself around her either.
Illyria had also avoided Urania. Luckily, it had been rather easy. Urania was working on a big project at the Ministry of Magic and didn't have time or energy for family get-togethers at the moment. Even going out to dinner seemed like too much right now.
Illyria wasn't sure what the meant for Urania's relationship with Nathan, though. Perhaps she was still making time for him.
A splash of water made its way all the way over to where Illyria and Delcan sat. The distraction pulled Illyria back into the present.
"I guess that's my cue to get into the pool," Illyria told Declan. She took off her sunglasses and set down her glass. Then she got up and went over to the diving board. She climbed to the edge and then dove into the deep end.
Hint Of Tension?
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 10-10-11 18:57
Sirius puts a cut in half hamburger in front of James then asks Mira, "Did you decide what you want?"
"Hamburger."
Because unlike James Mira takes her burgers different ways depending on mood, location, and whatever other factors she uses at any given moment, Sirius asks, "What would you like on it?"
"Cheese."
"And?"
"Pickles."
"And?"
"Don't know."
"How about you come look at the choices and point out what you want?"
"Okay, Dad."
A few minutes later Mira is settled with her food and Sirius, before fixing his own plate goes to get refills on drinks for both his children and Drucilla. At the bar he's pouring apple juice for the kids when Adriana Fairchild walks up.
"I've wanted to ask you something since I got here, Sirius, but this is the first time I've been able to catch you alone."
Reaching for a pitcher of virgin dacquiries to refill Dru's glass Sirius says, "What's your question, Adriana?"
"At Harry's birthday party, I sensed a tension between you two. Is everything all right?"
Sirius is not about to get into the reason Harry's not high on his list right now. Not wanting to explain anything to Drucilla, at least until he can do it without getting infuriated all over again, is why Sirius had gone to the party as planned. As no one else has asked about tension between Harry and him, not even Dru, Sirius has thought he'd done well covering his anger and any tension with his godson.
Sirius pours Dru's drink and shakes his head at Adriana. "I'm not really sure what you're talking about, Adriana."
She doesn't look as if she quite believes him but instead of the protest he expects Adriana says, "I'm sorry. I must have been mistaken. Would you like some help carrying all that?" she asks with a nod at the three drinks plus the bottle of lager Sirius had snagged for himself.
"Thanks, but I think I've got it."
Sirius flashes Adriana a smile, gathers up the drinks, and carefully walks back to the table where Mira and James are sitting, wondering if he should ask Remus if he noticed Sirius was tense around Harry at that birthday party.
Still Near Prague
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 10-11-11 15:55
Amusedly watching Carina gaily spinning circles in the lawn Lucius pours another cup of tea, turns the page of one of the papers he reads - this a copy of Britain's The Daily Prophet - and thinks about having a few finger sandwiches brought out. Sensing movement behind him Lucius says, "Three or four of those cucumber sandwiches, Dinky."
"I thought her name is Blinky," Draco replies, coming into view.
"Probably. You know I can never keep them straight other than Bellaxtrix's Kreacher and that traitorous Nobby."
"Dobby."
"Yes, whatever. This is unexpected. What brings you here?"
"Asteria and some of her friends came shopping for the day so I'm meeting them after awhile for dinner. I've asked her to marry me."
"That's excellent news! The Greengrasses are the right sort of people."
"We've not set a date yet but I will of course let you know first thing when we do. We have decided that we'll have it somewhere that you and Aunt Bellatrix may attend without being harassed by anyone from the Ministry."
"You mean you don't want your wedding day marked by the spectacle of your father being arrested as the former governor of the City of Hope Community for Nons?"
"Not since it would mean I'd probably end up having to take Carina with me on the honeymoon as I cannot picture Aunt Bellatrix agreeing to take her for a short time."
"You know, I wasn't sure how Bellatrix would be with Carina since she's not Narcissa's child but your aunt is amazingly good with your sister."
"I visited Aunt Bellatrix in Venice the other day. I was there for a meeting and had a little extra time so dropped by. That house is such a bright pink it almost glows."
"Doesn't it just?" Lucius chuckles.
"I was surprised to learn that Bellatrix wasn't behind some attacks against Potter and Weasley."
"What attacks were those?"
"I didn't mention them? They didn't get much mention in the paper, if any at all. I forget. The Ministry didn't have much to say at all, not wanting employees to get worked into a panic. Given my past with Potter and Weasley, and given who some of my relatives are, I was asked a few questions then I poked around and learned a bit more. The first incident involved Potter and had something to do with an interoffice memo sent to him that had been cursed. It had also been dipped in a nasty potion or something like that. The details I did manage to get are still somewhat sketchy. The second incident involved Weasley and a Hit Wizard. There was a box of office supplies that contained a noxious, irritating, and possibly fatal gas. The third was a bomb at Potter's front door. With each indcident there was injury but no one died."
"More's the pity. Bellatrix denies involvement, you say?"
"She knew about as much of the incidents as you did. I just knew she was behind them."
"If I'd known about them at the time I would have thought of her as well. I can easily picture her doing something like any of those things just to keep things stirred up."
"I'm curious as to who is behind the three incidents now that I know it wasn't Bellatrix, or you for that matter."
Lucius nods in agreement but further conversation on the topic is put on hold because Carina has finally noticed that her beloved big brother is there. Loudly giggling gleefully, she comes running at top speed to hurl herself at Draco.
Date Nite - Not So Good
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 10-11-11 16:58
After constant hounding, I gave into my Mother's desire for one date with a gentleman she said would be perfect for me. However, at this point in time he was proving to be less than adequate in all things. He could not even perform the simple task of being interesting. At the moment, he was rambling on about some sort of bug he is collecting or some other boring crap like that. I mean, I can understand that I can be boring because I am a history buff, but this, this is well and truly boring.
"If you see, this beetle is the absolute best of its kind because of what it does for the ecosystem that it lives in."
"Melvin…or Marvin, or I'm sorry I seem to have forgotten your name. Not to be rude, but we are at a nice meal, and all you seem to talk about is bugs, isn't there anything else that interests you that is much more dinner table appropriate?" I said.
He sniffed in distaste at my little outburst. "It is Malcolm. No, this is my life's devotion to these bugs, all of them. I do apologize that you do not share my passion, but perhaps we can talk about a topic of your choice that is much more interesting than bettles." There was sarcasm lacing his voice and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the situation.
"No, I think that we should just see this meal to the end and be done with it Malcolm. I mean, you and I have absolutely nothing in common. You collect bugs, and I am more inclined to squish them beneath one of my fabulous designer boots, and even then I would think about it before I stomped on them. But, bugs are definitely not dinner time conversation." I said, finishing off my glass of merlot with a sigh, and quickly waiving the waiter over for another glass of the merlot.
"Indeed." He said, seeming to turn into a petulant child, as he pushed the remainder of his chicken dilruba and sullenly sipped at his wine.
"I was not aware that all men turned into children when they are rejected. I bid you good night Malcolm. Have a wonderful night." I said, after finishing my second glass of merlot and pushing up from the table, dropping my napkin upon the plate, which had held a delicious sarsoon machhi, which is a slightly spicy fish dish. "Do lose my number Malcolm."
With that I plucked up my purse and headed to the door, nodding my head to the hostess and stepping out into the night air. My mother was surely going to demand a fireside chat about this one, or I would simply get a howler mail from her in the morning or sometime in the middle of the night, it all depended on when Malcolm tattled to my parents about my behavior unbecoming to a young Indian woman. "Bloody hell." I muttered beneath my breath, and soon ducked into an alley way, making certain that I could not be seen, disapparated with a pop and was soon standing just outside the gates of Hogwarts.
Rather than heading through the gates, I turned and instead wandered toward the Hog's Head wanting a stiff drink before I ventured to my bed. I should have simply said no to the date and gone to the pool party, because it would more than likely be the last time I could wear my swim suit and soak up the final rays of the summer sun and scope out the male staff, seeking out any who are still single and potential arm candy. Though, it was perhaps obviously a bad idea to date one's co-workers.
At Cousin Tallulah's
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 10-11-11 18:28
"I still don't understand why you never say much about your school, Georgia."
"It's tres vair dull, Tally-ho. Literally. Dull gray. Piles and piles of rocks. Also, my sex god boyfriend Sage Porter is no longer a student there making it even duller than the dullest dull thing. Now, what are you attempting to do?"
"I want to have a performance ready for when term starts again. I can only imagine how lovely it would be boarding away with with boys."
"You have lads near your performing arts school."
"Not the same as live in. Used to have them, before I was accepted there but no more. What should I wear for a tap dancing on roller skates lunch performance?"
"Lots of padding and I don't just mean your padded nunga nungas holder."
Tallulah sighs, "I'm finally getting them in but compared to you I make flat look like C cup. I will never get a sex god boyfriend."
"Buck up, little cousin. If I can find a sex god in training in the form of ickle Wilbur Tremaine for my bestest pally Isabelly, I can help you as well. First, we will get you some boy entrancers. Then, when you run into the lads from that nearby school for lads where there must be some potential sex gods, you will be able to coyly bat your eyes at them, instantly entrancing them. Just beware of accidently misusing the eye entrancer glue so you do not glue your eyes shut. You'd come off as a bit barmy then, eyes squizzed shut while attempting to look alluring. Now, show me what you've got so far on your tap dancing roller skate dance as we may need to buy padding when we go for boy entrancers. And lippy. You need a standout color of lippy. When you have them looking at your face, entranced by your non-squizzed eyes, they will naturally look to your lips."
I move back to give Tallulah to demonstrate what she's come up with so far. Good thing too because apparently a tap dancing roller skate dance means falling down a great deal in a variety of sprawled out positions. I hope Tally-ho receives a generous allowance to buy all the padding needed.
When she's done she gamely pulls herself back up. "That's it so far. Clearly lots of practice needed and some sort of finale to end with panache."
"You know you could always make the falling down appear to be part of the performance."
"Ooooo-er. Good idea! I can title it Suffering For One's Art."
"We must celebrate. This calls for," I almost say Troll Dance but then Tallulah might ask why Troll and not Viking when the hats look like Viking hats and the clubs could be Viking clubs. Good thing Izzy, Catherine, and Edith are not present to hear me call it, "The Viking Dance. Luckily, I packed the proper accoutrements."
Minutes later, Tally-ho is swinging her club and grunting alongside me in the Viking Dance that is really the Troll Dance.
Definitions:
tres = very
vair = very
sex god = On a scale of 1-10, makes 10 like like a zero.
nunga nungas holder = brassier
ickle = Little but sometimes instead of smaller it can mean younger.
boy entrancers = false eyelashes
squizzed = squinted, squeezed
lippy = lipstick