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Something Wrong
Author: Ella
Date: 11-17-12 09:45
Francis accepted the visitor's badge that fell from the slot in the red telephone booth outside the Ministry of Magic and pinned it to the front of his shirt. He had debated long and hard whether to talk to Mr. Harville about Ella's odd behavior. On the one hand, maybe Francis should let it go since Ella obviously didn't love him anymore. On the other hand, Francis felt strongly that something was terribly wrong. He just didn't know what.
The telephone booth stopped on Level 8, the Atrium. Francis stepped out and went to the security desk to check in and receive directions to the Legal Division where Mr. Harville worked. He had never been to the Ministry of Magic before and found it utterly fascinating. Wizards bustled here and there, carrying mounds of parchmentwork or simple briefcases. Paper airplanes buzzed overhead, acting almost like kamikaze missives, but never once crashing into anybody or anything.
Francis walked to a crowd of wizards waiting in front of bank of lifts. Each sat behind a polished, brass grille that gleamed in the sconcelight. One opened, but it filled too much for Francis to find any room. He caught the next one and took it to Level 2, where the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and its various divisions were located.
He followed the signs to the Legal Division, and then inquired at the reception desk for Mr. Dunstan Harville.
A few minutes later, Mr. Harville appeared, holding a coffee mug with The Broomstick Boys logo on it. When he saw Francis staring at it, Dunstan said, "It's Ella's."
Francis looked at her dad and said, "She's why I came. Do you have a minute so we can talk?"
Mr. Harville nodded and said, "Come on back."
He led the way to a room filled with cubicles, much like the ones in the Auror Office. His was one of the large ones, enclosed on three sides by high walls. Several pictures of Ella were pinned to the wall.
"Have a seat," Mr. Harville offered. He sat down in his swivel chair, while Francis sat in the only other available seat, a comfortable, cushioned armchair.
"I think there's something wrong with Ella," Francis blurted out, before Dunstan could ask him what was on his mind.
Mr. Harville frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean she's acting crazy," Francis replied. "I caught her at Emrys Fest with another guy."
Dunstan looked surprised by the revelation but did not have the exact reaction Francis hoped for. "I'm sorry to hear that, Francis. I know you care for her, and I thought she cared for you too, but is it possible she's simply moved on?"
"Maybe," Francis said, "but there's more."
He told Ella's father about how she had said she hadn't spent part of the summer in the Isle of Wight like Mr. Harville had indicated when Francis had first spoken with him in July.
This news bothered Mr. Harville. "She said she was going to spend time with her mother's family. I believed that's where she was."
"Well, she wasn't. She was probably with Zane," Francis spat.
Mr. Harville looked at him sharply. "What?"
"That who I caught her with at Emrys Fest," Francis said. "She's with him again."
Mr. Harville shook his head. "She's an adult now and free to make her own decisions, but I don't support that relationship at all. Obviously, she anticipated how I feel, or she's wouldn't be lying about it."
"Is that it?" Francis asked. "Won't you tell her to break things off with him?"
Mr. Harville sighed. "I can't do that, Francis. I can only tell her how I feel. She has to make the decision herself."
"But he's a terrible person!" Francis exclaimed. "He took advantage of her when she was underage."
"I don't disagree with you, Francis," Mr. Harville said, "but I'm afraid this is out of my hands."
Francis abruptly stood up. "I'm worried about Ella, and you should be too." He turned and swept through the rows of cubicles, determined to leave the Ministry of Magic as quickly as possible. Francis heard Mr. Harville calling out to him, but he ignored the calls and angrily continued on his way.
A Day to Remember (Dexter & Karma)
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 11-17-12 20:32
Today was the day. The twenty fifth of August, a day Karma and Dexter wouldn't soon forget. Dex stretched and slowly climbed out of bed. He left Karma asleep in bed and slipped off to a little café down the street and picked up a simple breakfast for the two of them.
"G'morning you." He leaned over and lightly kissed Karma's cheek, and she stirred awake.
"Mmm. Good morning Dexter. You're up early today."
"Well yeah, we have a lot to do today. I got us breakfast too." He sat a tray beside her on the bed and poured coffee for each of them.
"Thanks, Dexie this is perfect." They ate breakfast, and then relaxed for a little while. Dexter went to take a shower, and stepped out with only a towel draped around his waist.
"Hey babe, you want to shower while I get changed? We can meet at the spot on the beach in about an hour?"
Karma nodded, she couldn't help but stare at her boyfriend for a moment. "Uh huh."
Dex rolled his eyes and laughed a little. "Sweetie, if you stare any longer we'll get distracted and won't make it to the beach on time." He kissed her and then nudged her to the bathroom. She pouted a little, but ultimately went to shower.
Dexter quickly got dressed, and left his shoes behind in the room. He then made his way down to the beach so he could wait for Karma. The weather was perfect today and a light breeze blew across the sand.
A little while later, Karma was standing in front of the mirror. She smoothed a hand through her hair as she studied her reflection. "This is it." She smiled, and smoothed a hand over her dress.
Just then there was a knock on the door. Karma answered it and was greeted by Dexter's uncle Weston.
"Don't you look lovely, dear?" He offered his arm to the young woman in front of him. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, I'm more than ready." She smiled and looped her arm through Weston's. They made their way through the hotel to the spot where Dexter waited on the beach. Karma forgot to breathe as she took in the sight of Dexter. After a moment she pulled away from Weston and moved forward, the distance closed between them. She had to control herself and barely managed to not face forward and tackle him in a kiss. A smile played on her
lips as she joined him.
Dexter looked up as Karma and Weston approached, he forgot to breathe for a moment too; his eyes took in the sight of Karma. "Oh wow…" He moved closer and reached out to take Karma's hand in his own. "You look amazing, beautiful, fantastic." A smile played across his lips, this was really happening.
The Greek official had been standing with Dexter when Karma came over, and he cleared his throat. "I take it you two are ready to begin?" He smiled and couldn't help but notice how much self-control the young couple was mustering to not kiss at the moment.
Karma and Dexter pulled apart slightly. "I'm sorry, Sir." Dex smiled at the man.
"Good. Now, do we have a witness?"
Weston stepped forward. "I'm the witness, and Dexter's Uncle."
Dexter's hands were shaking as he laced his fingers with Karma's.
"Very well. Let us begin. Do you have vows prepared?"
Dexter nodded. "Yes, we do."
Karma closed her eyes for a few moments before she turned back to Dex, she held his hands in her own as she tried to quell the adrenaline rush that was building. "Dexter, you are everything that I want. I have loved you since the first time we met. I have never been more complete than when I am with you. In such a short time, you have become the person that I want to wake up next to every morning, and fall asleep with every night. I am thankful for that day when our paths crossed, and would not give up a moment of our time together. You are my soul mate, you are my other half. I love you, Dexter."
Dexter smiled and brought Karma's hand up to lightly kiss it. "My darling Karma. I honestly never thought I would find the love of my life. I still remember that day so vividly, I was instantly in love with you, and I knew we were meant to be together. You are the most amazing woman in the universe, you are my life. You make me feel like I'm walking on the clouds when we're together. Seeing you smile melts me. I love you with all my being, and that love grows stronger everyday we're together. My Karma, you are my soul mate, I love you forever and always."
The official for the ceremony smiled and turned to Weston. "Very well. Now, do you have the rings?"
"Alright, Dexter. Place the ring on Karma's left ring finger and repeat after me. I Dexter Morgan, give to you Karma Davyd, this ring, as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor and respect you."
Karma couldn't help but cry a little bit as her slightly shaking hand rested in Dexter's.
Dex slowly slipped the ring onto Karma's finger, a tear trickled down his cheek. "I, Dexter Morgan, give to you Karma Davys, this ring, as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor and respect you."
"Alright Karma.
Karma stood silently for a moment, and then she bit her lip to keep from crying as she accepted Dex's ring from Weston. "I love you so much, Dexter."
"Karma, slide the ring on Dexter's finger and repeat after me. I Karma Davyd, give to you Dexter Morgan, this ring, as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor and respect you."
She slid the ring onto His finger. "I Karma Davyd, give to you Dexter Morgan, this ring, as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor and respect you.
Dex looked up at her, and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I love you so much baby. You mean the world to me."
He tried to stay composed and not start sobbing like a baby.
Weston grinned as he watched the young couple, he hadn't known Karma for long, but he was sure she and Dexter would be fantastic together.
"You have exchanged rings, pledged your love and devotion to each other. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Karma wasn't quite as successful as Dex was, and was already crying. Her arms slid around his neck as she leans into him. "I love you so very much, Dex." Her words were barely a whisper.
Dex slid an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "I love you too, Karma." He leaned in and kissed her passionately. One of his hands moved up to wipe her tears away.
Weston grinned and clapped. "Woohoo! Congrats kids!"
Karma smiled and leaned against Dexter. "I love you." She turned to Weston. "Thank you for helping, and keeping the secret. She hugged her new uncle and lightly kissed his cheek, and then she and Dexter shared another steamy kiss.
The couple pulled apart, and blushed. After finalizing everything, they headed back to their hotel room. "Let the fun begin!" Dex grinned as he shut the bedroom door behind him.
Today they started a new life together, as husband and wife.
Dexter and Karma both knew there would be backlash from their secret elopement, but they would deal with their friends and family. They were a bit afraid for Karma's parents to find out; her mother would not be pleased.
They were Mr. and Mrs. Morgan now.
The Brief Reappearance Of Kristen Leach
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 11-17-12 21:13
The bakery closed for the evening, Briar has a few things to do prep wise for the pre-dawn shift coming in to get bread rising for loaves, cinnamon rolls and a few of the other yeast based products, various other pastries started, and that sort of thing. She'll also do another walk through making sure everything is clean, in place, and ready for business in the morning, double check she's locked up the money after doing the accounting, then go upstairs to collect children. Grace had been wanting to use the obstacle course play area Aegean keeps updating for her and Charlotte came along to try out the newest layout. As Briar was working this afternoon and couldn't supervise Aegean came to do that. As Aegean was on Jasmine and Xavier duty, the house elf brought the twins who had just as much fun as the two older girls. Briar will help Aegean get Charlotte returned to Lysander, the twins to Julian's, and Grace will come home with her after spending a few nights with her father, Caerwyn, and "her" babies.
Putting out her office light Briar heads up the stairs expecting either to find children ready to get home, eat, and settled in for the evening or children just finding their second winds, enough energy charging them it's practically visible. She's hoping for the former but expecting the latter. At the top of the stairs is a security gate, put back into service years after Charlotte and Grace require it because of how mobile the twins are and how fast those two can be. Briar opens the door at the top of the landing, contemplating taking the high step required to get over the child's gate but on second thought decides she'd rather not risk an ungainly, undignified fall backwards down the stairs. Unlatching it, she steps through, closes it behind her, then shuts the door, looking around.
Charlotte is hanging upside down by her knees, seeming enthralled by the way her hair swished back and forth across the carpet underneath her. Grace is hidden in one of the tunnels but is audible with her loud giggling and playful taunting, "Can't catch me, Jazzy."
Not visually spotting or hearing any sign of either Aegean or Xavier, Briar asks Charlotte where they are. Hair continue to sweep back and forth the girl replies, "Xavier made the whole room smell so Aegean went to fix him."
With a nod Briar walks towards the bedroom where a change table and supplies are located stopping when at the sound of a quick, tentative knock on the door accessed by an outside set of stairs. Changing direction she moves to open it when the knocking resumes, quick, hurried knocks as if whomever is there is trying to rush those inside to answer.
Briar barely had the door open wide enough for someone to pass through but the person there wedges in, urging Briar to shut the door. In near literal jaw dropping shock, she wordless complies to Kristen Leach's request. She finds her voice after the door is closed again and she's turning to look at Kristen but doesn't get a change just yet to ask the question forming. With the door now blocking her from the view of anyone passing by Kristen blurts, "Is it true about Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes, but "
"HE did it! I just know it! I told you it's not safe for any who know HIS name."
A hand outstretched to Kristen in an effort to calm the older woman, her head rapidly moving from side to side, Briar attempts to assure, "No, it wasn't him, Kristen."
"How do you know? Have they released a name?"
"They are being cagey about it. Some know. I'm fairly certain Bill Weasley does because he's was acting strangely when I saw him recently."
"Then it could be HIM," Kristen instists.
"No, it's not. They would have come asking me questions if they thought so. Remember, I was with you when you talked to the Ministry about him AND when you vanished, I was with Matthew to report it and had a round of questioning regarding him."
Kristen wilts. "Oh thank Merlin! I only just learned of Albus and I just knew HE was behind it so came to warn you."
"Where have you been, Kristen? Your son and husband are beside themselves. Your step-son even left in the middle of a business trip to go stay at your house to make sure Tommy was holding up," Briar says in reference to Kristen's husband.
"After my private investigator disappeared I was so paranoid and kept thinking someone was following me. Even after I reported what I knew to the Ministry, I didn't feel safe. If anything, I felt more in danger. I couldn't stand the thought of any of my family being hurt or killed because of me and thought that if I were to vanish they wouldn't be targets. I couldn't tell them or they might slip up somehow and HE would know I was in hiding somewhere and make one of them talk."
"You have to let them know you're safe."
"I can't do that."
"If you won't, I will. They are sick with grief, Kristen. Tommy looks as though he's ages twenty years."
"Oh, God, but no, I can't, I'm sorry."
"Please. Come home with me and I'll send for them to come over."
"NO! That would put you all in danger. Think of the children! I shouldn't even be here now but I had to know about Albus and warn you. Coming in person seemed the best way. And owl could be traced or your Floos could be monitored if I were to attempt a fire chat."
"I can't force you, but I WILL tell them I saw you."
"Do what you feel you must be keep in mind you are already in some degree of danger for what you know."
"I don't know anything, not really, just a name."
"A name of someone who didn't want to be remembered by people who were very good at keeping secrets in service of You-Know-Who." Kristen pauses, looking as if she wants to say more. After a second or two she steps back from Briar. "I'm sorry. Tell them I love them and will be in touch when and if I'm able."
Before Briar can say anything more, Kristen disapparates on the spot. Aegean, whom Briar had never heard come from the bedroom, Xavier on one hip, says, "If you need to go now, Aegean will see the children to Mr. Julian and Mr. Lysander."
Briar responds with a single shake of her head. "No, that's all right. I'll help as we planned. I'll go after. Grace will have to stay at Julian's for a little while but I doubt she'll mind in the slightest."
Charlotte, no longer swinging upside down but now hanging by both hands, flipping her legs back and forth between her arms, couldn't hear all of what Kristen and Briar said and what she did hear was of no interest to her. She'd continue playing on the low bar, amusing herself as if the two women hadn't been there at all, unlike Grace who would now be quizzing Briar about every little thing including why Mrs. Leach disapparated from inside "her" flat turned into an indoor playground rather than going outside like regular people.
Getting Grace and Jasmine out of the tunnels proved nearly as difficult as attempting to convince Kristen to go talk with her family but aftr the threat of missing a friend's birthday party in a few days Grace made an appearance in all of half a second with Jasmine gurgling behind her idol, all to happy to mimic whatever Grace was doing. A short while later, with a promise of a full explanation to Julian for the change in plans once she's return, Briar leaves to talk with Matther McQuillen and Tommy Leach.
Shopping List
Author: Roger Bexley
Date: 11-18-12 02:39
A wizard in a frayed, over-long frock coat escorted a dark-haired girl through the busy course of Diagon Alley. She had her hands folded in front of her meekly, looking around her with amazement in her big, dark eyes. She stared at the long robes and pointed, velvet hats; wondered at the strange wares in shop windows, and gazed forlornly at the Wizarding families gathered outside the Leaky Cauldron.
Roger Bexley already carried his young cousin's purchases from Madam Malkin's, along with her pewter cauldron, brass scales and glass phials; Mary MacKenny had insisted on carrying her schoolbooks and her wand. She was very quiet, Bexley observed, with a side-long glance, but she wore a look of resolve on her queer, inexpressive face.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"No…" Mary's eyes edged along the sidewalk, towards a red-lacquered shopfront with a plethora of cages crammed behind the window. "Oh, Mister Bexley, is that a pet-shop?"
"Call me Bex, please. And yes, that is the Magical Menagerie. Do you want a pet, Mary?"
Mary considered her answer carefully – Bexley could tell she was used to guarding her responses. Having grown up among the MacKennys himself, he was not surprised. "My equipment list says I can get an owl, a toad or a cat. Do wizards usually keep toads as pets?"
"Some do. I believe in the old days, they kept them to test their potions on. I knew a boy in Slytherin who still tested his potions on his pet toad…he kept having to get the poor thing replaced."
"Eww." Mary wrinkled her nose. "I wouldn't mind a cat or an owl."
"Owls are very useful for carrying your letters back and forth. Cats are…well, I've never owned one."
Mary had approached the Menagerie's window, peering past the golden lettering. "I like cats," she said quietly. "But that owl looks pretty." She pointed at a white barn owl with brown markings. It turned its yellow eyes at them intelligently.
Bexley steered Mary towards the door, where numerous other Hogwarts student, old and new, were queued. "Let's have a look inside."
As they stood in line, Mary turned towards Bexley, gazing at him with her characteristically direct, slightly unnerving gaze. "Thank you for letting me stay with you, Bex."
"You're welcome," he said, perplexed. "It's the least I can do. My parents threw me out too, when they discovered I was different."
"How did you make it?"
"The Ministry made sure I was okay. And my dear old mum was a MacKenny, so...you're family. All I've got really." He gave a bemused shrug.
"Why don't you brush your hair?" she asked, cocking her head a little.
"Does this look like it could be brushed?" he asked, indicating the lopsided, curly mess on his head. "You're lucky you have straight hair."
"I'm going to try brushing your hair one day," Mary said coyly.
"I've always wanted to wear pigtails to work at the Ministry one day," replied Bexley, grinning. "Could you manage that?"
"Yeah, I think so. We'd need to get a hair-straightener…does your house have electricity?"
Bexley laughed. "Wizards don't need hair-straighteners. I'll take you to Madam Primpernelle's next, she's got all sorts potions for the hair. They never last more than a day, though."
Mr. and Mrs. Dexter Morgan Come Home
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 11-18-12 03:55
The five days between the wedding and the day that we'd had to pack up and head home were some of the best. Weston had treated us to a large celebratory dinner the day after the wedding because well, Dex and I had gone back to the hotel room and gotten a bit distracted, not bothering to do more than order room service for the rest of the day.
We'd toured the ruins and visited the romantic spot throughout the area we were staying, and even touristed like muggles for a little while.
We bid Weston good-bye and apparated about mid-morning Greece local time and returned home to the real world because on the first of September, I'd be returning to work. Which meant that I still had half a dozen things to do, including getting my classroom set up for my September lessons and getting the syllabus copied out. I'd added a few things to the lesson plans from last year, and I hoped that my students would enjoy it.
"Alright, lesson plans are done. I will head to the Castle early tomorrow to get my classroom set up, and then tomorrow we've got the start of Term Feast."
I couldn't keep the hint of sadness from creeping into my voice as I realized that this would be the first start of Term Feast without Professor Dumbledore, my second start of term feast.
Dex came up behind me and let his hands rest on my shoulders, massaging lightly. "It'll be alright. You aren't the only one that is dealing with this babe."
"I know." I leaned back against him and sighed softly, closing my eyes and merely relishing in the fact that he and I had managed to pull off this elopement without the secret leaking out. Only two people had known about the engagement and that was Ember Morgan and Weston Morgan, because he'd been asked to serve as witness.
I pushed up from my chair and grinned. "So, I'm thinking dinner party this weekend? Since we do have an important announcement to make."
Dex grinned and knew that there would be half a dozen questions and they would both probably get the third degree about the elopement. Either way, we spent some time creating a list and penned out the invitations, tactfully choosing to leave my parents off because I wanted this to be an enjoyable affair and not one that dealt with my mother spewing her dislike for my chosen husband.
"Alright. I'll get these owled off, and I think I'll grab some take-away from somewhere on the way back. Anything you are in the mood for?"
I looked up from the list of invited guests and shrugged. "Surprise me?"
With that Dex headed out and I couldn't help but smile.
The invitations would be sent out to Bronwyn, Desi, Ember, Fallon and Fletcher, Driver, Cameron, and Easton and Fia. Just a small dinner party.
In the mean time, I began penning a letter to my mother and father. One that would not be sent until AFTER the dinner party this weekend.
Unprepared
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 11-18-12 05:48
Celeste looked at the view from the window of her living quarters on the sixth floor. Soon the Hogwarts grounds would become filled with students but for now the beautiful landscape was free of humans.
"It is good to be home," she found herself saying, turning to Eugene who was adding some sugar to his tea.
"Indeed. And this year we don't need to brew any Polyjuice potion, so that is a plus."
Celeste nodded in agreement. Her mind went to Dumbledore and how he had comprehended her situation. She the thought about his funeral and how she had revealed her true identity to the rest of the school staff during that day. They all understood her what she had to done and she could not help to think that even in his death Dumbledore had find her a way to reveal her true self to the other teachers without being the center of the attentions.
Everyone was thinking about Dumbledore's death and about who and how, so even they were all curious about Celeste's new look they did not give it much attention to it. And she was very thankful for that.
"You weren't the one who had to drink it."
She sat next to her husband and served herself with a cup of tea. Their cat, Leo, lay lazily on an armchair. Eugene caressed his fur and then he asked Celeste if she had everything ready for the start of the term. She replied positively and she was actually eager to start getting ready for work. She suspected most of the staff felt that way: going back to the routine would make them feel better with themselves and not think about their Headmaster's death.
Eugene offered her a plate with biscuits and then he told his wife that Caleb's mother had written to them.
"She thanked us for taking care of her son. And apparently he keeps talking about us to Jennifer. She wrote saying she owed us a big one, but I told her that is what family is for."
"Of course. Caleb is a good child. But I am concerned…"
"That girl again? You are obsessing, darling."
"She is a bad influence. I can tell. I just hope they don't end up at the same house."
"As if that would make any difference," Eugene replied with a laugh.
"Still, I will have to keep an eye on those two," Celeste insisted.
"Leave them be, dear. They are children. And what is wrong if they get into trouble once in a while? Isn't that the way they learn?"
She sighed. She knew he was right and she didn't want to interfere with Caleb's life at Hogwarts. She didn't want him to feel embarrassed because his aunt was a school teacher. As for that girl, Sophie, Celeste just hoped she would find other friends to play with and leave Caleb alone. But of course she knew things never go as she liked and so she was sure they would continue with their summer friendship.
"I was thinking we could go out to Imperial Crown & Cauldron and have dinner. What do you think?" Euegene asked changing subject. "And maybe we could pass by Baby Witch as well…"
"Since when do you care about baby supplies? Oh wait…you want to have that talk don't you?"
"You have been pushing back this conversation for a while now and with Caleb's staying and Dumbledore's death I decided not to insist. But now I think we can start talking about it again. I really want to have children..."
"I knew you were being too nice when you asked me out to dinner," she said pouting.
Eugene laughed. Celeste did not see where the joke was. She was not prepared to have this conversation. Not yet. Eugene really caught her by surprise. She thought he had dropped the matter months ago. But it seemed that it has been always on his mind.
(Alanna) Old Tricks
Author: Beck
Date: 11-18-12 07:13
Alanna heard the mail cart before she ever saw it. It had a squeaky wheel that usually didn't grate on her nerves but did today. She'd come into work with a slight headache, only to be magnified by Reed Wycombe, who after weeks of being on best behavior had resorted to his old tricks again.
Being only slightly more senior than Alanna, he nevertheless felt that he could pass off onto her menial tasks like getting him a cup of coffee or filing away some parchmentwork. Alanna refused everything, having her own work with which to keep her occupied.
Reed still had his bodyguard shadowing him everywhere, which seemed a bit ridiculous, not just to Alanna but to everyone else who noticed (and the hulking bodyguard was very hard to miss!). Alanna wondered what reason Reed had given his superiors for allowing Bronco MacDuff access to the legal offices where he worked. Obviously, he'd been very convincing.
The mail cart stopped next to Alanna's cubicle, giving her a brief reprieve from the irritating, high-pitched noise. The mail clerk passed her a few envelopes, many of which bore the now-recognizable handwriting of Mrs. Hepplewhite, the witch intent on closing down Petals stripclub in Hogsmeade village.
"Thanks," Alanna said, a little more harshly than she intended.
The mail clerk didn't seem to notice, however, and pushed the cart on to the next cubicle. Alanna grimaced, wishing somebody would oil the squeaky wheel, and then turned to the envelopes she had just received.
Closing down Petals wasn't a government issue, not when the reason for shutting it down was based on the issue of morality. Alanna had eventually said as much to the determined older witch, but it had fallen on deaf ears. According to one of the new letters, Mrs. Hepplewhite was getting a petition signed by others interested in closing down the establishment. She already had 23 names, she wrote excitedly.
Alanna sighed and threw the letter down onto her desk.
"Bad day?"
She steeled herself for the conversation to follow and turned to look up at Reed. He was leaning on the wall of her cubicle, coffee cup in hand, and Bronco MacDuff standing over his shoulder with his beefy arms crossed over his broad and muscular chest.
"No," Alanna lied, getting up and brushing past them both. "It's just that some people never learn," she said. She went into the break room and poured herself a cup of tea. She half expected Reed to follow her but felt immense relief when he didn't.
Anticipation (Peeves)
Author: Abdul Hazrat AlGunud
Date: 11-18-12 11:12
From the empty classrooms in the dungeon to the deserted crenellated top of the Astronomy Tower, the Peeves found the castle to be altogether too quiet. Of course, this would shortly change. Soon another crop of first year students would arrive to learn the ways of magic. Older students would return to their respective houses.
With the death of Dumbledore, the school seemed to have a different feel. Oh meals were still prepared in the kitchen and the infirmary was still open for business (amazing how people managed to get injured at the castle, even when classes were not in session), but a new sense of uncertainty had permeated the castle. It was as if the building itself was holding its breath. The spirits who haunted the castle were not immune to this sense of uncertainty.
Peeves could not recall the last time the death of a headmaster or headmistress had caused such a stir. Dumbledore had been no mere wizard, but still, no one had become this emotional when Phineus Nigellus Black or Everard had passed away. The poltergeist thought back to previous staff members. Most he cared little for, but a few lingered on in his memory. Dear old Herbert Beery, now there had a cheerful soul. Always happiest in the greenhouse, teaching students Herbology. Ogg, the former groundskeeper, was another such person. Despite his gruff exterior, he had always appreciated the poltergeist's jokes. What would constitute a proper memorial for Albus Dumbledore? The recently deceased headmaster had been fair-minded. Perhaps the best tribute would be a bit of irony. Peeves, of course, knew just the place to construct such a memorial.
Anyone passing through the East wing late that evening would have been startled to see the statue of Gregor the Smarmy. It was draped in robes and wore a beard and glasses that were crude facsimiles to those of the recently deceased headmaster. The statue held a sign that asked, "Who will be next?" As if to emphasize the point, several portraits of former staff members had been painted with black x's.