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Mumbai, India: Family Reunion
Author: Illyria
Date: 10-19-12 17:33
Ellianna Idith Bones, born last month, had the loudest set of pipes of any of the children born to the Jones girls thus far. Her cries were full, rich and constant. She cried when she was tired or hungry, and always seemed to be one or the other. She never seemed satisfied, either. The family marveled that she hadn't gone hoarse from the constant caterwauling.
They were sitting on the patio of the terraced home that belonged to Aidan and Erigone Bones and their growing brood. All of the members of the Jones family were visiting, except for Urania and Nathan. Urania was suffering from a difficult pregnancy and had been advised to take it easy by her healer, which meant that traveling to Mumbai was out of the question.
Illyria didn't feel any sort of satisfaction at knowing that the sister who had married the wizard she herself loved was suffering when Urania should have been experiencing one of the best moments in her lifetime. Illyria wanted Urania to be happy and healthy, and she wanted that for Urania's unborn child as well. She was somewhat relieved, however, not to have to see Nathan. She didn't want her vacation to take an awkward turn.
"I think she's going to be an opera singer when she grows up," Arsinoe remarked. Ellianna's pitch, even when crying, seemed perfect.
"What's an opera singer?" Alexandra asked. Having just turned four years old, she was the eldest of the newest generation of Jones girls and boys. Her sister Annabelle was not yet two, and their cousin Adrian, Ellianna's brother, was just over one and a half.
"An opera singer is someone who has a very beautiful voice," her mother explained. "They perform in concerts, usually to classical music."
"We'll have to find you some opera music to listen to," Illyria told her niece. "Then you can decide if Ellianna will have a chance at becoming an opera singer when she's older."
"She's not singing," Alexandra stated with absolute certainty. "She's crying, like a big cry baby."
"All babies cry a lot," Erigone said. She had Ellianna snuggled in her arms, but the comforting embrace seemed to do no good. The baby wailed incessantly.
Both Erigone and Aidan looked exhausted. Only Adrian, of the immediate family, seemed to be caught up on sleep. He was still at the age where he could sleep through anything, even the loud cries of his newborn sister.
"But most of them aren't as loud as that one," Arsinoe pointed out with a grin. "I'm starting to think she just likes the sound of her own voice."
At that, the baby fell completely silent and cocked her head in her aunt's direction. Her big blue eyes focused on Arsinoe's face. Arsinoe looked back in amazement.
Everybody watched the exchange with hushed anticipation until Alexandra exclaimed, "Finally!"
Ellianna looked at her cousin, who paid her no attention. Alexandra was busy brushing the hair of her doll. Ellianna watched Alexandra pull the brush through the doll's yellow hair over and over again. It made her sleepy very quickly. Her eyes fell shut and she slipped away, falling deeply asleep in a matter of minutes.
"What it something I said?" Arsinoe joked.
Illyria snickered. "I think she not only heard you but understood what you said."
"She read between the lines," Arsinoe's husband Quin said, nudging her in the side. "She knew you were implying that she's an attention seeker."
"I did not!" Arsinoe protested playfully.
"What's an attention seeker?" Alexandra asked.
This question brought out another round of laughter.
"What's so funny?" she asked, never once putting down the doll's hairbrush.
Illyria, as the only teacher in the bunch, decided to do her duty and define the phrase for her niece. Alexandra only half-listened, too busy with her doll to really give her aunt her undivided attention.
A short while later, Ellianna woke up from her power nap, fully reenergized. She opened her mouth, and the crying started all over again.
From One Frustration To Another
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 10-19-12 19:13
"Mummy, storytime is this afternoon."
"Yes, Grace, you've reminded me twelve times since breakfast."
Grace folds her arms and gives Briar a look so stern it's comical. "I just don't want you to forget."
Despite the urge to laugh at her daughter's expression Briar is trying hard not to get angry with her. She sighs, "I know that, poppet. You will get there in plenty of time. First, sit down and eat your lunch."
Grace unfolds her arms to put one hand on her now cocked hip. "But, Mum "
"No buts. Sit down. Eat. Only then will you go to storytime. I have to go to the kitchen but will only be a minute. You have that long to start eating lunch. If you don't want to do that, then you won't be going to storytime."
Though looking mutinous Grace complies, sitting at the table where Briar has set out lunch for both of them. In the bakery's kitchen, Briar checks on everything currently baking then picks up Swiss chocolate cake that someone had ordered for a party only to cancel picking up when the party was postponed. Briar has it cut up into small pieces to offer as free samples to any customers coming in. She would have put it out earlier but Grace had had a healer check-up and she forgot to mention it to anyone else.
After making a stop at the display cases to set the cake on top of the one nearest the register with a clear domed cover over the plate, Briar goes to join her daughter to eat lunch, sitting where she can see the rest of the room. Grace seems to be eating though very slowly. "You do realize, sweets, that the slower you eat the longer it's going to take to go over for storytime?"
"I know. I want to be there right now so much it's making me not hungry."
"I am sorry you feel that way but I am not going to send you over to Blossom's without lunch when they most likely have already had theirs. You would get cranky waiting for a snack. Look, here come Caerwyn and Gus. How about I get them to walk you to storytime after you've eaten?"
"What if they don't want to take me?"
"I bet you they've had their lunches and are coming to get afters and then will be going to Blossom's Gaming Centre so they will not mind at all having you along for the walk over."
Briar gets up to both greet the boys and find out what they'd like to have. After getting them settled, she sits with them to finish her lunch as they regale Grace with a funny story about practicing Quidditch for their Hufflepuff team. Grace forgets her frustration with Briar and impatience to leave, eating her lunch while listening raptly to the two boys. A very short time later Briar is sending them off to Blossom's, Caerwyn carrying a giggling Grace piggyback.
With Grace no longer there to pester her about getting to storytime Briar tidies up the table she and the kids had used and a few others now vacant. When the door opens again Briar looks up from behind a display case where she was rearranging to make room for a fresh batch of cake balls. Her smile widens at seeing who's come in. "Matthew! It's good to see you."
It's only after she's spoken that Briar notices the worried look creasing Matthew McQuillen's face. Before she's able to ask what's wrong he gets out a question of his own. "Have you seen my mother in the past day or two?"
"No, it's been more like five or six day since I've seen Kristen," she says with a shake of her head.
"Dammit! I was really hoping you had. No one in the family has seen her but we don't know if it's been one day or two that she's been missing because my stepfather was gone overnight."
Briar goes cold, well remembering the day Kirsten told her about having Kellen Fitzmorris investigated and the person she hired to do it going missing. She'd gone that very day with Kirsten to the Ministry to file a report. Taking a deep breath Briar asks, "Has your mother ever mentioned the name Kellen Fitzmorris to you?"
"Not that I recall. Why? Does he have something to do with her being nervous and edgy for the last several weeks? Is she having an affair? Do you think she's gone off with him?"
"No, not an affair. I only wish it were that simple. Here, you'd best sit down while I tell you what I know."
Anxious and now somewhat confused Matthew sits, paying close attention as Briar starts at the beginning with the photo Kristen found with the man no one remembered.
(Caleb) Friends?
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 10-20-12 13:25
At first Caleb thought he would hate to spend time with the uncle and aunt he barely knew, but he ended up being wrong. They were both very friendly and he was actually having fun with them.
During the day he would explore the grounds around the house in the company of Leo, her aunt's cat. He had the feeling the cat was somewhat there to watch him in case he would get into trouble. Boo, Caleb's cat, was jealous of the attention his owner gave to Leo, but the boy could not help to be marveled with her aunt's cat: while Boo liked to lay on a pillow most of the time, Leo chased mice and climbed to the oddest places he could find. Once, Caleb spent an entire afternoon trying to convince him to get down a tree.
At the evenings his aunt would let him play with her telescope as long as he liked. He would also talk about Quidditch with his uncle and they would always argue when it came to pick the best chaser of the British national team: while Caleb would vote for Wiggersmythe Hodfuffer, his uncle would prefer Aveline Boggs. Eugene said that although Hodfuffer had a great potential he was still quite young and he still needed some more experience on the Quidditch pitch.
Uncle Eugene also revealed to be a great cook and Caleb liked to go to the grocery store with him, sometimes giving suggestions for the menu while Aunt Celeste taught him the Hogwarts anthem and how to make a knot on his tie, since he did not really know how. Such skill would come in hand once the school year started.
Today Caleb was outside throwing stones into a lake that was nearby his aunt and uncle's home. He had received a letter from his father. In a few lines he expressed the hope Caleb was doing well and that he was having fun. The boy still couldn't believe his father had walked away like that without even saying goodbye, but part of him knew he shouldn't be so surprised. He should know him better.
Caleb threw another stone into the river. He would very much prefer to ride his broomstick but his aunt warned him their property was near to a muggle village and she didn't want him to be caught and get into trouble.
"What are you doing?"
Caleb dropped the stone on the ground and looked around surprised. In front of him there was a girl about his age with dark hair, a few inches taller than him. He concluded she was a muggle because of her clothes. Caleb didn't hear her approaching.
"Just throwing some stones into the lake…"
"Can I try?"
But before he could reply she had already picked up a stone and thrown it. She smiled with satisfaction when she noticed she had beat Caleb's throwing range.
"You live in that house over there don't you?" she asked, pointing to his aunt and uncle's home that could be seen at a considerable distant.
"Just during the summer," he explained throwing another stone at the lake. He didn't manage to beat the girl. Caleb wondered if he should take his wand out of his pocket and give it a try. Immediately he realized that was a silly idea because the girl was a muggle.
"I have been watching you for a while. You're always alone." It was not a question and before Caleb could say anything in his defense the girl made an interesting proposition: "If you like we can play together. I live at the village nearby."
"What's your name?"
"Sophie. Sophie McCourt. And you're Caleb."
"How did you…?"
"I heard your mother calling you for dinner."
"She's my aunt. And how long have you been spying on me?"
"For a while now. " She shrugged her shoulders not giving much importance to it. "So what to you say? Friends?"
Caleb looked at her a bit unsure. She was a muggle and he never really had much contact with muggles before. He didn't know much about the muggle world at all. However the idea of having someone to play with was very tempting. Sophie looked at him with impatience, perhaps not believing he was taking so long to make a decision. Finally Caleb gave her a reply, offering his hand to her which she shook:
"Yes. Friends."
Picnic In The Grass
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 10-20-12 14:56
With everything that I've had to do for work, this was one of the best. All I had to do for the time being is look like I was enjoying myself. Right now, that wasn't too far from the truth. Hell, I was enjoying myself. Granted, laying on a blanket in the middle of a grassy quad at university was something that felt weird, but I am willing to lay in the sun if I'm getting paid…
If Bronwyn had seen me carrying the picnic basket, she would have had a heart attack. However, I did have an appearance to keep up. Since Orion is as much of a workaholic as I am, and because we're a 'new couple', I had decided to make sure he ate lunch. Honestly, since I was assigned to just this one case, I didn't actually have anything else to do.
Ok, Orion came up with the idea of the picnic. I was against it at first, but he explained it rather well. Being seen as a couple on the campus would reduce suspicion as to why I'm there constantly. It would also give the two of us a chance to watch people for any suspicious activity. Never a bad thing to try and narrow down a field of suspects.
As I looked around at the few people walking around us, I couldn't help but look at Orion. I couldn't help but wonder if he'd looked up my personnel file. I thought about looking through his, but I figured it would be a pain just to even find out if the Ministry had one. It was probably hidden deep in the back of the Department of Mysteries.
"You do realize this blanket is a Jolly Roger, right?" Orion asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Yup. It's hard to find a good blanket of Black Bart's though," I replied matter-of-factly.
"Not exactly a picnic blanket, is it?" He observed. Maybe he knew enough about pirate history to know what I was saying, or he didn't want to take the bait.
"I didn't like the one that came with the set and I didn't have any others, besides if you weren't afraid of dirt…"
"I'm not afraid of dirt," He interrupted, "I just hate grass stains, they're a pain to get out and I don't have a house elf to do laundry."
"Get a washing machine," I replied, knowing he was never in one place very long.
"Magic house."
"Laundromat."
"I always find a dry cleaner. It's a great way to start conversations with poten..people." He caught himself before he slipped. It must be weird for him to be himself as a cover.
"I hope you like the sandwiches," I said, changing the topic, "I actually made them." I actually did. I may burn water, but if cooking wasn't actually involved I was ok in the kitchen.
"They're good," he said, seemingly relieved for the topic change.
"I should have asked if you were allergic to anything though."
"I'm not," He said, he then leaned in so he was like an inch from my ear and whispered, "There's a man watch us, over your left shoulder. Distract him." He pulled back and stood up, turning to leave. I gave him a quick wave before he headed back towards his office.
I took a moment to look around, and spotted the guy. I stood and stretched, before bending down to pick up the remnants of lunch. Glancing at the guy, sure enough he was enjoying the view. Men were so easy. With a blinding speed Orion appeared from nowhere and grabbed the guy taking him by total surprise.
By the time I made it over to them I heard the guy choke out, "work for the Ministry." Damn, false alarm.
Fundraiser at Mockridge Manor (Cloris)
Author: Nephele Mockridge
Date: 10-21-12 09:27
Cloris looked around. Everything was exactly how she wanted it, so she nodded her head briefly at the house elves lined up before her. "Good. Now make yourselves scarce," she ordered. The tables were set up, charmed to keep everything at the perfect temperatures for the appetizers and beverages. Decorations, in the the shades Cloris had chosen, were perfectly situated, transforming the ballroom from it's normally cold elegance into a warm, inviting space that still managed to look both opulent and graceful.
Two pops had her turning, facing her son, her daughter and her grand-daughter, who had travelled with Side-Along Apparition. "Kirley, Nephele, Valeria," Cloris greeted. "I'm so glad you could make it.
"Oh, stop, Mother. You know, no matter our private disagreements, Mockridges do not cause a scandal," Kirley answered, stepping forward to kiss Cloris' cheek. "We would not disgrace you publicly. Especially not at a fundraiser for those displaced by the Smythe-Jones regime. It's a cause close to Minister Shacklebolt's heart."
"That is a comfort," Cloris said as Nephele stepped up and brushed her cheek against her mother's. Valeria came up next, and the older woman had to bend down as Valeria did exactly as Nephele had, a perfect imitation of her aunt's greeting. "I think you've grown, dear girl."
"Just a little, Grandmother," Valeria answered. The young girl was dressed simply, in the same deep mint green as her aunt. But where Nephele's dress was cut to accentuate her form, Valeria's was much more suited to a child. Nephele's halter neckline drew attention to the simple necklace she wore, a gift from Alistair and Odelia before Valeria had been born. The silver beading between her breasts made the cut appear lower, but Cloris could find no complaint with it. Nor with Valeria's dress. Kirley's dress robes were perfectly tailored as well, and the older woman nodded as she examined them.
"Excellent. I expect our guests to begin arriving soon. I have invited a few children, Valeria, who would be appropriate friends for you at Hogwarts, though they may not all be in Slytherin," Cloris said. "I do fully expect you to be there, you have a cunning streak, even if it's not fully developed yet."
"Yes, Grandmother," Valeria answered, casting her eyes down demurely. It was easiest when dealing with Cloris to simply answer yes and no and to look at the floor.
"It will be cocktails for the first part of the evening, as our guests arrive, and then we shall all have dinner. After dinner, the children will retire to the conservatory, where Ibby has games out for them," the Matriarch explained. Her children nodded and flanked her, Valeria standing by Nephele's other side as the first of the guests were announced.
Transfiguration Mishap
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 10-21-12 10:47
A black and tan tabby cat stood on all fours with its back contorted into a high arch. Its sharp claws, desperately in need of clipping, were extended and pierced small holes into the white sheet on the hospital bed. The cat's tail flicked from side to side in agitation.
"Joy Shelton," read Hermione from a chart taken from the foot of the hospital bed, "accidentally transfigured herself into a cat this evening and discovered herself unable to reverse the transfiguration."
A student healer from St. Emrys, Delana Wilde, stood next to Hermione. "Should we try reversing the spell?" she asked.
Hermione shook her head. "We tried. There is something else at work here. Tell me what you think it could be."
Delana considered the options. "Maybe she ate something that is affecting the transfiguration. Charmed food gone wrong? A potion?" She thought for a moment longer. "Maybe her wand is the problem? Or she used a non-traditional incantation or some sort?"
"Great," Hermione said. "Which option to you propose we pursue first?"
"Let's examine her stomach contents," Delana said. She moved to the cat, which tensed even more if that were possible and emitted a low, menacing growl. Delana immediately drew her hands back and looked at Hermione.
"I'm not really comfortable around cats," she admitted.
Hermione, a cat lover and someone who'd had the unfortunate experience of turning into a cat herself once a upon time, slipped the patient's chart back into its holder and carefully approached the unhappy feline.
"It'll be all right, Joy. We're just going to take a look and fix you right up."
Fix was apparently the wrong word to say because the cat yowled, jumped off the bed, and hid underneath it.
Hermione wanted to laugh, but she maintained her professionalism and carefully got down onto the floor. She couldn't lean forward because of her stomach, so she had to tip herself sideways to look under the bed.
Light green eyes studied her.
"Please come out, Joy. We want to help you, and we can't if you don't let us. I suppose it's possible the spell will reverse itself in time, but we really don't know how long that will be, or if it will really happen at all. Maybe we can reverse the transfiguration tonight, but we won't know unless you agree to let us help you."
The cat thought for a moment and then slinked out from under the bed, winding its way around Hermione before jumping back onto the holey sheet.
Hermione climbed back to her feet and smiled at the cat. "That's better. Now, hold still…"
Queued Up and Clued In
Author: Griet
Date: 10-21-12 14:05
Griet and Tucker stood outside Amarna, a wizarding night club in London. The queue to get into the club wrapped around the entire building. After quite a big of waiting, they turned the last corner and finally found the coveted entrance within their sights. A big, burly wizard stood at the door and decided what lucky club-goers could enter, and which would get turned away from the club.
The pair were celebrating the fact that they were finally feeling better after the recent full moon. They clasped hands and leaned into each other as they waited in line. Tucker wore a nice pair of jeans and a dark, button-down shirt. Griet wore a scandalously short, silver, shimmering, sleeveless dress. It sparkled when it caught the light.
They were very nearly to the door when Griet spotted someone she hadn't seen in well over a year. Morgan Blakely, dressed in black slacks and a dark red dress shirt, appeared on the street with his arm around a witch Griet didn't recognize. They were seeking the end of the queue, but had gone around to the front of the building first.
Morgan saw Griet almost as soon as she had seen him. Recognition dawned. He seemed torn between taunting her as was his habit and moving on to the back of the line with the witch Griet decided wasn't just his date but his girlfriend. She wondered how they met if all Morgan did was live in his parents' basement. Then again, perhaps he had finally grown up, found a job, and gotten his own place.
In the end, Morgan said something to the witch beside him and then crossed over to where Griet and Tucker stood in line. His girlfriend stayed behind and watched the exchange with mild curiosity on her heavily made-up face.
"Griet," Morgan said, more politely than he had ever been when in conversation with her.
"Morgan," Griet responded.
Tucker quirked his eyebrows but said nothing.
"How are you?" Morgan asked.
Griet raised her own perfectly arched eyebrows and asked, "Are you really making pleasantries with me?"
Morgan scowled and then glanced quickly at Tucker before turning back to Griet. "Your boyfriend?"
"Yes. This is Tucker."
Tucker held out his hand. "Hi. Nice you meet you…?"
Morgan shook his hand. "Morgan," he said. "I went to school with Griet."
He and Griet both knew there was so much more to their history and just attending Hogwarts together, but neither needed to elaborate further.
Griet nodded to the pretty witch standing in the street. "Your girlfriend?"
Morgan's gaze never left Griet's face. "Kaya," he said, not really answering her question. He seemed to want to say something else, and Griet braced herself for whatever insult or degrading comment he might make. Instead he said, "There's something I think you should know."
"Yeah? What's that?" Griet asked, not even sure she wanted to know.
He paused for the briefest of moments, then said, "Clover is getting out of prison next week."
End Of The Muggle Studies Trip
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 10-21-12 14:07
The past week and more has been busy. Part of last week was spent making sure yet again that all paperwork, passports and reservations were in place for the 7th years Muggle Studies sponsored trip. I'd also sent out reminders to everyone to be sure and visit Gringotts to exchange galleons for Euros.
Friday had been Quidditch Con where Saffron caved and let me get Niccola a teeny little broom and Brandon an even tinier one. Though Nic's still on the young side I've already put her name in for the Quidditch Little League for when the time comes. I'd have gone on and signed Brandon up too but Saffron told me I was being slightly ridiculous when he's only just recently turned one. I guess I can see her point. Maybe next summer I'll get his name on the list.
Saturday Saffron and I joined Sassy and Neil, Sage and Georgia, Deak, Drake and Ophelia, my sister Natalie and her husband and both their girls, and a few others at the British National Team's match against Lativa. After that was time at home to finish packing for the trip as well as making sure we'd packed everything Nic and Brandon needed for a week at their Aunt Natalie's.
Early Sunday morning Saffron, the other Hogwarts professors going on the trip, and I loaded into the Magical RV. We made the rounds picking everyone up for the trip before heading to Heathrow. This being a Muggle Studies trip to Muggle Germany and Austria means using Muggle transportation. We flew from London to Frankfurt for the first leg of the trip that included a visit to a castle very different from Hogwarts castle, Neuschwanstein. We spent Sunday through part of Wednesday in Germany then take a relatively short flight to Vienna, Austria.
At the moment the group is touring Schönbrunn Palace. When we're done with the palace there are gardens and Tiergarten Schönbrunn, considered to be the oldest zoo in the world. Part of tomorrow morning we're visiting a museum then everyone will have plenty of time to shop, eat, and stroll around. We board a plane tomorrow evening taking us from Vienna back to London. We've left the Magical RV in the long term parking so once we're all cleared through customs it's back to the RV to take everyone home.
Saffron, Deak, and I are going Sunday to the States to Natalie's both for a family visit and to pick up Brandon and Niccola. When we're home again, I'm hoping to get a day of doing nothing but sleeping though I am not going to hold my breath on that one.
The tour guide has us continuing into another room of the palace, most everyone in the group paying attention as she tells us about the room and more of the palace's history, any thoughts of sleeping all day put on hold for the moment.
Threat Of A Grounding (Liannah, Marlow & Lauren)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 10-21-12 15:27
Frowning sternly at her three daughters Madeline MacDougal warns, "That's it. The next one of you to say anything even remotely unpleasant to your sisters is grounded for the next three days AND will NOT go one the trip to see the World Cup match."
Liannah, Marlow, and Lauren scowl at each other but wisely stay silent. They know their mother well enough to know when she's not bluffing with a threat. Liannah has a lunch date tomorrow, not that her mum knows that. Madeline thinks she's meeting a few girlfriends from school.
Marlow is going over to Heather's tomorrow night for a sleepover with Heather, Eden, and Jade Green. Being stuck at home instead would be torture.
Lauren has no immediate plans for the next few days but she's hoping she'll get her wand from Ollivander's today since they're here doing some early school supplies shopping. She's wanting to play with it some tomorrow, or maybe practice is a better way to think of it. Their home being magical, she has a better chance of getting away with a little "practice" than someone her age in a Muggle home would. It's just a matter of doing it when Mum or Dad won't catch her or when Liannah find out and tattle. Marlow might rat her out but she'd be less likely too, or so Lauren thinks. Sometimes Marlow is worse than Liannah but not usually. Being grounded for the next three days might mean her wand getting locked up because knowing Madeline, she would suspect that putting Lauren's just acquired wand away would be a horrible punishment for her.
Being forced to miss out on a few days in St. Petersburg, Russia for the Quidditch World Cup is also unthinkable to the three girls. It's not as though these things happen every year or that their family goes to every single World Cup when the match is held. If two of the sisters got to attend the one who didn't would never hear the end of it. Worse, what if only one of them gets to go? That one would be sure to torment the other two about how glorious the whole thing was.
The three MacDougal sisters follow their mother into Flourish and Blott's. There, Madeline passes each of them a list. "There are the textbooks you'll be needing. I'll be over in the cookbook section."
Thankful to be able to split up as much as the genre and titles arrangement of the bookshoppe allows, Liannah, Marlow, and Lauren go in search of their textbooks for fall, each sister determined not to be say something to one or both of the others to earn a grounding and having to miss going to the Quidditch World Cup in just over a week. Locating the text she'll have for Charms, Lauren takes a moment to flip through it, wondering if there's a first year level spell to help her keep her mouth shut around her sisters. If so, it's the first one she'll practice.