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A Reason to Celebrate
Author: Xiomara Sofia Serano
Date: 11-10-12 04:09
The morning had dawned exceedingly well for Xio, a light smile curled her lips as she read the headlines of The Daily Prophet. The headline had given her the most thrill of all, because finally one of the biggest figures in equality within the wizarding world was dead, murdered no less.
"It is a wonderful day Alexander, I think I will celebrate."
"Oh, and why is that Xiomara?"
"Why, Albus Dumbledore is finally dead." A malicious smile spread across her features as she reclined in her chair, sipping her mug of coffee. Her daughter not yet making her presence known, but she knew the girl was awake.
"That is a cause to celebrate for you isn't it. You disliked him so, much like Smythe-Jones and He Who Must Not Be Named. It is a pity he didn't die sooner isn't it?"
"Of course. Now, leave me be so that I might enjoy my breakfast." The words slid past her lips as she turned her attention back to the newspaper and began reading through the article in its fullest while enjoying the breaking of her fast.
"Mummy? Why do I have to dress like this today?" Jasmine asked as she stepped into the breakfast room.
"Because you will be taking tea with a very close friend of Mummy's. You need to be on your best behavior, and this is an important meeting for you, as it will be part of your presentation into society once more. Though, you are young, I want you presented in the proper circles so that things go well when we present you properly into society."
The nine year old girl sighed and sunk into her chair and sighed. "Yes Mummy."
Xiomara ignored her daughter's petulance and gleefully continued finishing her breakfast. She knew that the wizarding world was divided in their responses to the death of Dumbledore. The death of the Hogwarts Headmaster would be met by the dark wizards still living would be rejoicing and those that supported equality among blood status and things of that nature would be mourning the death of the ancient wizard.
(Emily) At the Apothecary
Author: Liam Murray
Date: 11-10-12 07:39
Emily had gone to Diagon Alley with her mother to buy some supplies for Hogwarts. She already had most of her things purchased, including her wand, but there were still some items on the list that she needed, including some supplies for her Potions class.
Emily noticed that today most of the witches and wizards at Diagon Alley were dressed in black and none of them seemed interested in buying anything. They would just gather by a window, or in a cozy section of a shop and they would comment on the most recent effect that had changed the wizarding world forever: Albus Dumbledore's death.
Emily had always heard good things about the Hogwarts' headmaster. But she had never seen him, not counting with his image on the chocolate frog card and so she didn't really felt sad or unhappy with his death. Liam and Andrew were disturbed with the news and they were already trying to figure out who would be the next school's headmaster or headmistress. Liam was sure it would be Minerva McGonagall but Andrew said that just because she was the Deputy Headmistress that didn't mean she would replace Dumbledore.
Slug & Jiggers Apothecary was crowded because in honor of Dumbledore's death the owner decided to run a promotion of dragon's blood where you would buy three flasks of blood for the prize of two. People kept talking about the deceased wizard and most of them tried to figure out how exactly he died and who killed him.
Emily could feel her mother's impatience as a witch in front them was ordering more than a dozen of dragon's blood flasks, confusing a young employee with pimples on his face and oily hair who looked like this was his first day of work in the shop.
"We are never going to get out of here," Florence Murray complained, looking at her watch. "We couldn't have picked a worst day for shopping."
"I feel the same way," a man said behind Emily and his mother. He clearly was a muggle because of the clothes he was wearing. He was accompanied by a blond girl. Emily looked at her and noticed she was holding a flask filled with eyes. She couldn't identify to which creature the eyes belonged to. "My son broke one of my daughter's flasks. I told him a hundred times not to touch them. The eyes spread around the room and I am sure we didn't catch them all. My wife send me right back to London to buy some new supplies. Wendy didn't want to lose the chance to comeback to this place. I thought this would be a quick purchase…" he took looked to his watch. "I cannot believe I am going to miss the football match. "
"Your daughter is going to Hogwarts?" Emily's mother asked.
The men nodded.
"Yes, as a first year. We were surprised when she received the letter. Wendy is already counting the days for the start of the school year. But my wife and I are a bit anxious. We wished we could at least do an online tour to the school but Hogwarts has no website…"
Emily didn't understand half the things the man said. Instead she looked to Wendy who gave her a nervous smile. Emily smiled back to her.
"I have two sons at Hogwarts. I attended the school myself. There is no best place in the world to learn magic. And my daughter Emily will be a first year as well. "
"That is wonderful! My daughter has been afraid she will arrive to the school and not make any friends because only recently she found out she is a witch."
"Well Wendy, that is not true," Emily's mother assured her with a kind smile. "There are plenty of students whose parents aren't witches and wizards and they do as well as the others and they have many friends. And who knows maybe you and Emily can be friends."
"Do you have an owl? Maybe I could give you my address and we could write to each other. I could tell you all about Hogwarts, if you want. My brothers talk about it all the time and I have been there more than once."
Wendy grinned and accepted Emily's offer, saying that she was happy to have someone to write to and that finally her owl would be doing more than just hunt for rats during the night. Emily gave her address to Wendy who used a strange object she called 'pen' to write it down on her hand because she had no paper available.
Finally the line moved and after purchasing her supplies Emily said goodbye to Wendy, saying she was looking forward to receive her letter.
News and a Request - Mockridge Townhouse
Author: Kirley Mockridge
Date: 11-10-12 08:53
Nephele looked at Kirley, who'd come home for lunch. He'd been called into the Ministry in the middle of the night, going with the Minister to Hogwarts, though he didn't stay long. There were too many things to be handled from the office itself. Her eyes were wide as she looked back down at the paper. "How?"
"Don't know yet. Looks like Avada Kedavra but I can't say for sure. That's not my job," Kirley answered.
"Will the school be safe enough for Valeria, with him gone?"
Kirley nodded. "Even if there's some new rebellion afoot, Valeria's pedigree should protect her. Her parents were loyal til their deaths, Mother has kept her ties and you and I have stayed out of the spotlight. I'm loyal to the office, and while I like Kingsley, that doesn't mean I'll stick my neck out too far."
Nephele nodded. "Alright then. Let me know when the funeral is, we'll attend with you. I'm certain Mother will want to be there too."
"Naturally, it's one of those events she wouldn't miss, making all the right sounds but secretly gloating that he's gone," Kirley agreed. "Did you see the rest?"
"You mean about Grimshaw-Spore? Mother must be beside herself, she and Phineas were friends."
"Yeah, but Mother knows he's disgraced as well, and if he's in Azkaban, even she won't go out of her way. She'll stick with her friends who aren't imprisoned. And with family as well."
"Did you happen to see Callandra's picture as well?"
"Callie Catesby's been wanted for ages, Neph."
"Yeah, but I think her sister's paying more of the price when they keep printing the photos. Must be hard to be identical with situations like this."
"You want me to see what I can do to protect your ickle pet Raven?" Kirley asked, teasing his twin as he'd often done about Cassie. At Hogwarts, Nephele's studious reputation had hardly been helped by her frequent study partners, two students a year behind her, one a fellow Slytherin, the other from Ravenclaw, identical but for the trim on their robes.
"Just do what you can, Kirley. Cass doesn't deserve to be tarred and feathered for looking like Callie. It's not right. Plus, if she ever closes up that shop of hers, I'm out of luck. No one's better at finding obscure Potions tomes, including theory and experimentation, than Cass."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Wonderful. I'm going to go send an Owl her direction, to see if she can find a particularly obscure book I've come across in my reading. It may offer some advice on how to twist existing potions to other uses, if the needs are similar."
"Good. I need to get back to work. Hopefully, I'll be home for dinner, but I can't promise. I'll Owl the date of the funeral, if it's been decided yet," Kirley said, getting to his feet and heading back to the Floo.
Propped Against A Wall
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 11-10-12 13:19
Word that the Minister of Magic would soon be giving a statement regarding the death of Albus Dumbledore had a steady stream of reporters gathering round a spot with the Atrium fountain serving backdrop where Kingsley Shacklebolt would soon appear. Standing with his back to the wall, Harry waits to hear what Kingsley has to say. At the moment his anger with the Minister at being shut out of the investigation serves to hold his grief at bay. Harry has lost count of how many times he's pestered Shacklebolt to be put on the case since last night.
A familiar red head navigates through the growing throng to join Harry. Eyes rake him up and down before Ron comments, "You look as if the only reason you are upright is because of that wall."
Harry starts to deny with the words he's been spouting all day, "I'm fine," but changes his mind. "Pretty much. You don't look so great yourself."
"Is it wrong that I came this close to shoving everything off my desk and using it as a cot?" Ron holds two fingers pressed together so firmly the surrounding skin goes pale white with a rim of dark pink.
Harry had last seen Ron in the predawn hours at Hogwarts. "Did you get any sleep after you left the school?"
"None. When I left last night, all we knew was that someone had been in an accident and that Dumbledore was involved. I went home to fill Hermione in and then I went to the Burrow. I thought Mum and Dad deserved to hear about it in person."
"How are they?"
"Holding up. Dad's here at work. I looked in on him after I first got here and then again when I got back from a task force meeting I could miss."
"That serial killer one?"
"Yeah. We're still getting requests from other countries wanting to see if certain unsolved murders can be tied to our perp. As long as she's still being tried for the cases we've got her on and as long as there is a chance other cases can be attributed to her, the task force continues to meet once or twice a month. What have you been doing today?"
"Trying to convince you know who to let me on the case."
"Still denying you, is he?"
"It's to the point he told me he has a special cell in Azkaban for me until the case is cleared if I say another word to him about being on the investigation."
"I take it then that you also got no sleep."
"You would be correct. Ginny thinks it was someone from the Ministry contacting that woke us."
"It wasn't." Ron states rather than asks.
"It was, I don't know, odd. I've not had such strange dreams to speak of since that period of time when Bellatrix Lestrange and I were somehow linked. The dream itself was murky. I could see shapes, hear voices but couldn't make out specifics. There was a bright green light and at the exact same time a massive shock of pain shot through my scar, waking me up. I tried going back to sleep but couldn't. The pain dulled some but continued throbbing for a long time; still was when the Ministry contacted me."
Ron looks worriedly at Harry. "Pain in your scar? A bright green light? Was the timing off all this by chance about when time of death has been established?"
"Give or take."
"I didn't think your scar ever bothered you anymore."
"It doesn't, not really."
"Does that mean it sometimes does?"
"Nothing major. Every now and again I get a slight flair up. Nothing truly bothersome or long lasting and nothing at all like last night. Promise you won't say anything, especially to Ginny or Hermione. They will blow it all out of proportion and I can already hear Hermione lecturing at me."
"You really should say something, like maybe to Kingsley who's familiar somewhat with times past when your scar was troublesome."
"Like I want to give him yet another reason to put distance between me and, " Harry can't bring himself to say Dumbledore's death, ending up referring to it as, "the case."
"You don't know that."
Harry gives Ron a look.
"Okay, you're right. He probably would. Any idea what the press conference is about?"
"Kingsley is going to give the first official statement on," Harry sighs, exasperated with himself. He could say Voldemort when hardly anyone else would but he can't bring himself now to say Dumbledore. "On the case. He also wants to assure parents that the perp was not someone who secretly breeched the wards around the grounds and snuck into the castle. This was someone he knew and allowed to get close, maybe even invited into his office and out onto that balcony. There is no need for parents or students to be alarmed as there is no reason to think the perp will return to target students or other staff."
"Now that I know, I should probably get to some parchment work on my desk." Ron continues standing alongside Harry, back to the wall as well. After several seconds he says, "My feet don't seem to be cooperating."
"There Kingsley is anyway. Might as well stay."
The Minister of Magic reaches the spot designated for him to stand during the press conference, flash bulbs going off all around as the press starts picture taking, wanting that perfect photo for whatever edition their respective papers and magazines will carry this official statement.
Odd, Unexpected News
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 11-10-12 16:48
With the day off from MacFusty's and having already checked in once at Nutt's & Bolt's, Coco has spent part of the morning weeding. It, and stopping to play with the energetic Cashew, his long Basset Hound ears cutely flapping whenever he runs, have served as good distractions to the major news out of the Wizarding World today. The weeding now done, she has a blanket spread over the grass where she is on her back, face to the sun, Cash snuggled against her using an arm for a pillow, little sleeping puppy sounds escaping him every so often.
Coco has just about drifted off herself when a shadow falls across her and the bright light across her eyelids goes dark. As she's opening her eyes to see who it is the person speaks. "Coco, I'm glad to find you home."
As she gently dislodges Cash to sit up, Coco smiles. "Hi, Chad. How are you?"
"I think I'm like many, wondering if Albus Dumbledore is actually gone."
"It does seem a little surreal, doesn't it?" By this time Coco is on her feet, the deeply sleeping puppy in her arms. "It's nearly lunch. Want me to fix you something?"
"No, but thank you for the offer. Could we sit down somewhere? I have something to tell you."
"Sounds serious," Coco says as she points to a wrought iron table and chairs.
"It is."
"You're not here to say your dying or something awful like that, are you?"
"I'm not dying but it is something awful."
Chad won't say more until they're seated at the table. Even then he seems hesitant or, Coco guesses, he isn't sure how to start. When he does, he seems to have picked the direct, no hemming and hawing about approach.
"I probably am not your father?"
"I don't understand."
"Let me back up, explain. I started noticing some changes that could be an indicator of a problem men in my age range may experience. I had a checkup that led to a more thorough checkup along with some tests. One of the tests revealed I am sterile. My healer believes I have been so since childhood. It's not 100% but he said even if I wasn't completely sterile all this time, I most likely could not have fathered a child."
"Oh."
"That day you walked into my office and I learned you are Briony's daughter, I knew without question you had to be mine. You do look like her but you have my coloring and I swear I see some of my mannerisms in you. I don't want to even think of Briony being with someone else that summer but I have to accept the possibility that she was. I want you to be my daughter. I hate asking this of you, but would you agree to a DNA test so we'll both know for sure?"
"Yes, of course." Coco wants Chad to be her father as much as he wants to claim her as his daughter but it's only fair to them both to be certain. "I can go today to give my sample if you like."
"I would like to know but I also am not in a hurry if my healer is correct, if that makes sense."
"Makes perfect sense to me. Let me put Cash inside with Papa Wal and Mitzie and tell them I'm going out. Do you want to come in?"
"I'm not sure I'd be good for the small talk that would ensue for the minute or two we'd be inside."
Coco understands that so with a nod and a, "Be right back," she goes to deposit Cashew inside. She's back in just over half a minute, purse tucked under her arm. "There's a spot apparation spot 'round this side of the house."
Shortly after that, the two disapparate for St. Mungo's.
(Azaelia) Feeling Conflicted
Author: Isolde
Date: 11-11-12 06:25
Azaelia stood on the balcony of her hotel room in Madrid and gazed out at the Royal Palace in the distance. She wondered what it would be like to live in a palace, but then she reminded herself that she had lived in a castle once and probably already had some idea. Thinking about Hogwarts inevitably brought Dumbledore to mind.
The news of his death hadn't reached her on her wedding day, which had been a small affair with just family and a few friends. Azaelia had learned of the news through a letter and newspaper clipping Isolde had sent her. Her cousin apologized for being the bearer of bad news, especially because Azaelia was on her honeymoon, but Isolde thought she should know that the wizard who had given her a job at Hogwarts had died. A letter had also come from Professor McGonagall.
Robert stepped out onto the balcony and wrapped his strong arms around her middle. He placed a kiss on the side of her neck and asked, "Do you want to go back?"
He had asked her this question several times since Azaelia had first gotten the letters.
She sighed. "Yes and no," she admitted. "I want us to enjoy our honeymoon, but it's hard to let everything go when Dumbledore's death is looming over us."
"There's never good timing when it comes to somebody dying," Robert said. "You're allowed to grieve, if that's what you want. I know Dumbledore was important to you, as your headmaster and employer."
Azaelia turned away from the railing to look at Robert. "But I don't want to feel this way. We are on our honeymoon. We just got married." Her fingers danced across his bare chest. "I want to feel happy, and only happy."
Robert kissed her forehead. "I know. Why don't we go out and do some sightseeing? Getting out might take your mind off things."
Azaelia nodded. "Okay. Where do you want to go today?"
"Well, why don't we see how the Muggle royal family lives?" Robert asked, eyeing the palace in the distance. "Is that all right with you, Mrs. Blackheart?"
A small smile flitted across Azaelia's face. "Yes, Mr. Blackheart. That's fine."
She allowed him to led her from the balcony into their room. They got ready for the day, spending a little more time in the shower than necessary, and then set out for a little sightseeing.
People Watching and Meeting New People
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 11-11-12 07:17
"Seriously, I can't believe one of the most famous wizards in the world is gone. I mean, my first year at Hogwarts and I don't even get to meet him."
"I know. But at least you still get to go to Hogwarts next year. I still have another year to wait."
Nichole and I were currently sitting outside the ice cream parlour enjoying some pumpkin spice ice cream and talking about the events that had been sprawled across the expanse of today's Daily Prophet: The Death of Albus Dumbledore.
"I know and it is going to suck a lot being away from you for the school year, but I will so be owling you as often as I can and you'd better owl me too."
"Of course! I mean you are my best friend the whole world. You'd think I'd forget about you just because you went off to like the best school in the Wizarding World or something." Nichole grinned at me and finished off her last spoonful of ice cream.
"I know, just making sure. I mean you are going to be busy out here in the real world while I am off learning and things."
I finished off my own ice cream and leaned back in my chair, debating on pulling out my sketch book and sketching the people wandering through the shopping district.
"I am going to miss spending afternoons here and just people watching and filling my sketchbook with the different people that I come across. I wonder how many of the kids here will be on the Hogwarts Express with me in a couple of weeks. There are some that look about the right age to start at Hogwarts, though I heard my aunt say that some people may consider taking their kids out of Hogwarts with Dumbledore gone."
"I think that girl over there will probably be attending, I mean look at all the stuff she's carrying." Nichole said, pointing to a girl about their age walking with her mother, they'd just come out of Slug & Jiggers Apothecary with no doubt the required potion supplies needed for the school year.
I grinned and quickly sketched the woman and her daughter. "I'm going to find out her name so I can add it to the sketch. I don't do it often, but if she is going to be on the train I wanna know her name."
I slipped away from Nichole for a minute and approached the woman and her daughter.
"Hi! I know this is going to sound weird, but can I know your names please? So I can add them to the sketch that I just did.."
I showed them the sketch and waited to see their reaction.
Both of them were exceptionally impressed with the skill in the drawing and the young girl was the first to offer her name.
"My name is Emily. I am going to Hogwarts next year, are you?"
"I'm Florence Murray. Pleasure to meet you."
I added their names and smiled.
"If you want I can owl you both a copy of the drawing. My name is Araxie, I'll be going to Hogwarts next year too. Maybe we can sit together on the train?"
"Maybe and that would be awesome! I'd love a copy of it." Emily said with a grin.
"Cool. Write your address here and I will owl you a copy in the next day or so."
We talked for a few more minutes before they headed off to finish the rest of Emily's school supply shopping, and I headed back to Nichole who was eagerly waiting for the details.
"Her name is Emily, that's her mother Florence, and I'm owling them a copy of the sketch when I make it, and yes, she's going to Hogwarts next year."
We talked for a few more minutes, before we headed into the art supply shoppe and I got a few more things before we headed home. I wanted to get the sketch done, and may even send them one colored with the few notes I'd taken when they'd been walking away of colorings for them both.