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(Anthony) Breaking News
Author: Beck
Date: 09-25-13 17:56
When Anthony arrived at work, he found the Auror Office frantic with activity. Something major had happened overnight, bringing in more employees than might normally be present on a Sunday. It didn't take him long to learn that the department's new magic prison bus had apparently been overtaken during the very important transportation of Berthold Beatenberg to the mainland.
Evidently, the ruse wasn't immediately found out, but when Berthold, or the man posing as him began to change appearance, all hell broke lose. In the end, the real Berthold was missing, one auror was lost, and the man in custody was one Hans Freitag, a resident of London. On top of it all, the remaining auror and bus driver both appeared to have gaps in their memories.
"See what kind of drama can happen when you're sleeping?" Desi remarked, over one of her signature strong cups of coffee.
"You being a night owl, does that mean you've known about this for a long time now?" Anthony asked, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Desi nodded. "The news broke on the WWN overnight. I was probably the only person awake to hear it, though." She shot him a grin.
"It's crazy, you have to admit."
"Yes," Desi agreed. "I'm sure that Hans guy is undergoing some serious interrogation right now."
"I'm guessing if they're holding him, then he's not a victim, is he?" Anthony mused.
"He probably volunteered for the job, like a suicide bomber."
They fell silent, watching the chaos a bit more before they simply couldn't delay the inevitable any longer. They both got to work on their respective cases, Anthony turning his attention back to Landon Dragonsblood. Every person he interviewed, every estranged family member, gave him more material with which to work, but seemingly brought him no closer to finding his target. Anthony was about ready to give up, but he'd never been much of a quitter.
He next thought to interview Keridwen's parents, Henrik and Ivy Hess. They lived in Caerphilly. Perhaps he would seek them out today, in fact. The frenzied activity in the office was somewhat distracting. Anthony watched some of his colleagues rush back and forth as more information became known. Things grew even more hectic when somebody shouted, "Someone's been pulled from the water!"
On the Train
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 09-25-13 18:30
Rowan sat in a compartment with Beatrix, surprised that they had managed to snag one for just the two of them. Each had a seat to themselves and stretched out on them as if they were very short beds. Rowan sat facing the window with her back against the wall and legs out in front of her, while Beatrix lay on her seat with her feet up on the opposite wall.
"So Emrys Fest is a music festival at the university?" Rowan asked.
"Yes, and you have to come! You just have to, Rowan!" Beatrix said. "It's loads of fun, and all the best bands perform, and, well, it's just a really good time."
"I would like that, and I'm sure Willow and Ash would too," Rowan added, knowing that her brother's name was already on Beatrix's lips.
"Is the university very popular?" she asked. St. Emrys, or any other wizarding university for that matter, didn't exist a quarter century ago. It was yet another major difference from what Rowan knew then and what she knew now.
"I think so," Beatrix said. "I think a lot of young people choose to enroll there after Hogwarts or wherever else they've gone to school to buy more time before entering adulthood. My sister Griet is a student there, but my sister Cornelia decided not to go to university. I think I might go when it's my turn."
"What would you study?"
"I have no idea!" Beatrix rolled onto her side, curling her legs on the seat. She propped her head in her hand and asked, "What about you? Do you think you might go to St. Emrys after Hogwarts, and what would you want to study?"
"Honestly, I don't have an answer for either question," Rowan said, shrugging her shoulders. "It's still a long way off before we reach that point in our lives, and I'm just trying to focus on the here and the now."
"Can I ask you a tough question?" Beatrix asked.
Rowan knew Beatrix would ask her anyway, so she just nodded and said, "Go ahead."
"Do you wish you could change things and go back into the past, or are you happy with your new life?"
"I'd go back," Rowan said, without even giving it a second thought. "Times were dark then, way darker than anything going on now, but we were together as a family. I miss that, and I miss the things I used to know, and my old friends. All that's gone."
Beatrix sat up and said, "But we wouldn't have met or become friends."
Rowan looked at her and smiled. "You don't know that. Maybe I would have become the nice next door neighbor who baked chocolately biscuits for you."
"Maybe, but that still wouldn't be the same… and would you really be nice or just a little bit creepy?" Beatrix teased. "Oh, speaking of sweets," she said, looking out the window of the compartment door, "I see the trolley lady approaching."
Rowan reached into her pocket for coins. "Think she has freshly baked chocolately biscuits for sale?" she asked.
"Don't I wish!" Beatrix exclaimed. "I think we'll have to settle on Chocolate Frogs and Cauldron Cakes if we want a chocolate fix."
She got up and slid open the door. When the trolley lady came by, she and Rowan bought sweets, mostly of the chocolate variety, and then settled back onto their seats.
(Adriana) Concerned
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 09-27-13 16:23
Adriana sat in near darkness in the room she used as a library and contemplated the severity of recent events. The news of Berthold Beatenberg's escape from custody had reached her. Although she knew he would devote what remained of his sorry life to seeking his revenge, she did not fear that he could do her harm. The charms she had cast upon him would see to it that he couldn't talk about what he had seen and done while a member of her ranks, unless he knew someone powerful enough to break them, and she doubted that very much.
No, what concerned her the most was the knowledge that Hans Freitag had gotten himself arrested. She had not been as careful with him, despite knowing that his loyalties might be divided between herself and Berthold Beatenberg. Adriana didn't know the nature of his arrest, other than he had been using polyjuice potion to impersonate the other wizard. Had he done so willingly, or was it all part of someone else's plan?
If the former, then she had reason to fear for her safety and the well-being of her followers. Hans could tell the authorities everything, from the position of her most secret hideout, to the identities of the other wizards in her service. He could reveal plans, past and future, at least that of which he had prior knowledge, for Adriana didn't always share everything with everyone.
If the latter, then she could only guess that Hans had betrayed Berthold and that being substituted in his place was punishment for his disloyalty. Perhaps Hans would hold his tongue with respect to Adriana and her supporters.
Still, she wasn't sure she should take the risk. If he had already told all, then she and the others either needed to leave in a hurry, or they needed to prepare for battle. If he hadn't yet but would eventually, either as leverage in a bid for freedom or a reduced prison sentence, or under torture or a truth serum, then Adriana needed to prevent him from getting the chance.
"Xiomara!" she screeched, not even certain the Death Eater was present in the abbey.
She heard rapid footsteps, but it wasn't Serano who entered the library. Instead it was Ivanova.
"She is not here, my Lady," he said, "but I will call for her."
He rolled up the sleeve of his arm to reveal the Dark Mark tattooed there. Ivanova pressed the tip of his wand to the mark and then lowered both his hands.
"Have you reached a decision about Dex?" he asked, while they both waited for Xiomara to answer the call. "He refuses all food and is wasting away before our very eyes."
Adriana waved her hand, not even wishing to think about Dex at the moment. "Get him a cheeseburger," she said dismissively. "Something that smells so good he can't refuse. I can't deal with him right now."
"Very well," Ivanova said, backing from the room.
As time ticked by, Adriana thought about what she would say to Xiomara. There was only one possible outcome. Xio had to take Hans out.
Lazy Days of Summer
Author: Rylee
Date: 09-28-13 09:21
Single Parent Household.
That is what my family has become.
My father is now moved out, gone to live with the woman he'd been having an affair with and may he be happy and healthy. I as the youngest daughter, will be, by my choice living with my mother. I'm not moving half way across the world just to start from the bottom again when it comes to my schooling and making friends. So, I'll be staying in England, thank you very much.
After mom picked me up from the station we headed to grab lunch, where I learned a bit more about the trip that my mother was taking to Israel to do some philanthropic type thing. She said she'd be helping with children of the conflict between Israel and Palestine or something like that, which is for the most part a major muggle concern, but wizarding families are being impacted as well and she wants to go be helpful.
She has no idea how long she's going to be gone, but ultimately she hopes to be back by mid-summer at the latest for now. She'll probably go back after I go back to Hogwarts and be home on the holidays. At least I am capable of caring or myself and if anything I could go spend some time this summer with my sisters where they are living.
After I'd gotten home I'd spent most of my time unpacking and working through a few things – writing a few letters that I sent off with Lixue to be delivered to the few friends that I did have now. My days were currently filled with doing a workout to ensure that I keep myself fit as well as some laziness listening to the WWN.
It was Wednesday, and it was the first full day that I was buy myself. Mom had left for Israel early yesterday and we'd fire chatted when she'd gotten checked-in and was situated in her hotel. I had a house elf that was eager to cater to what I needed but for the most part I fended for myself (much to the annoyance of the house elf). I had plans to meet up with Aderyn at some point in the next week or so either here or on Diagon Alley and just hang out and maybe do some shopping.
(Bowen) Superpowers
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 09-28-13 14:31
Bowen Goodnight looked at the old broomstick with suspicious. He still didn't believe such object was used to fly. Mrs. Ross had found her son's broomstick in the attic of her house and she thought Bowen would like to have it, even if it was an old model. But she added that a Cleansweep would never let him down.
He was alone behind the building that had been his school. It was summer and what better place to be without being disturbed than a school? Despite Mrs. Ross warnings, Bowen wanted to try and ride the broom. But so far he had just limited himself to look at it, a bit fearful that he might actually fly up in the sky and then smash his body on the concrete playground floor. His hands passed by the old wooden cable of the broomstick as if it was a sleeping beast, ready to wake up at any moment.
"What are you doing, Bo?"
Bowen looked up and he found Daisy Averill in front of him. She was wearing a pink dress and her knees were scratched, probably a result of trying to play football with her older brother, Stuart, and his other friends. Bowen knew she would be in trouble when she got home, but Daisy never seemed to care.
"Nothing," he quickly replied.
Daisy was a year younger than him and most of the times Bowen thought she was annoying, because she liked to follow him and his brother around when she had nothing better to do. But things had changed when she saw him practice magic. It had been an accident and not even Bowen knew how he was able to make a pot filled with dead flowers to start blossoming again. Daisy had been marveled and she believed he had some kind of superpower. She had told her family about it, but they only thought she had a fertile imagination and was joking.
Bowen had thought the same thing, until he found out it was not some sort of power, but magic. He wanted to tell Daisy about it, and how he was a wizard and he was going to study in a school that was located in a castle. But Mrs. Ross explained to him the difference between Muggles and witches and wizards and he learned he could not share anything with Daisy at all.
"What is that broomstick for?" the girl inquired, vividly.
"Nothing. My mother asked me to throw it out, because it's old and there's no use for it."
Daisy studied the broomstick and her fingers touched the inscription where it was written Cleansweep 11.
"I never heard of this brand before."
Bowen just shrugged his shoulders. Daisy sat next to him. There was a moment of silence where they just stood there, looking at the empty playground where they had played many times during recess at school. Daisy was the one breaking the silence:
"My mother told me you're going away next school year. Your mother told her you have been accepted in a boarding school outside Dorset."
Bowen nodded in confirmation, but he didn't give her anymore details. Daisy continued:
"Is this because of your superpowers, Bo? Did your parents find out about it and they are sending you away? It happens a lot on the television…"
Suddenly Bowen got mad. He wanted Daisy to stop insisting that he had powers. Mrs. Ross told him that when Muggles knew more than they should, their memories were altered. And he didn't want anyone to mess with Daisy's memory.
"I don't have superpowers, Daisy."
"Of course you do! I saw what you have done with those flowers."
"That was a trick. I fooled you. You should have seen your face, " Bowen simulated a laugh.
Daisy looked at him in horror and shock.
"But…"
"It was a joke Stuart and I had planned. The flowers were made of plastic."
Bowen noticed Daisy's hurt expression. Tears started to form in her blue eyes.
"I hate you, Bo! I am glad you're going away to that school, so we don't have to see each other again."
The tears rolled down her face. He called out her name, but she started to run away from him. Bowen didn't follow her. Maybe this was for the best, he thought. However he couldn't help to feel guilty for making Daisy cry. He looked at the broom and spontaneously kicked it away. Suddenly being a wizard had lost all its fun part, since he could not share it with any of his friends.
Luncheon Date
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 09-28-13 16:14
Apparating to the agreed upon restaurant, Lucius sets Carina down and takes hold of her hand. Though very upscale the establishment has a dining area for those with small children and as the restaurant is a particular favorite of Asteria's and Draco's, Lucius had quickly consented to their choice of meeting spots.
Carina, dressed in an original creation from their shoppe Narcissa's, a recently added line of clothing for tots, is charming in the pink and yellow outfit. Her pale curls bounce with each step in her eagerness to see her big brother.
Lucius and Carina are shown to the table where Asteria and Draco await. Draco's hardly had a chance to stand up when Carina throws herself at his legs, hugging him as tightly as her little arms allow.
Lucius gives Asteria a kiss on the cheek and shakes hands with Draco before sitting. Draco resumes his own seat, Carina in his lap for the time being. After the initial exchange of pleasantries and Lucius asking what the other two recommend he order for himself and for Carina, Asteria smiles over at her husband who is listening intently to something Carina is telling him.
"Draco's going to be a wonderful father."
As if on cue Draco looks over to Lucius. "Parenthood is actually the reason Asteria and I wanted to see you."
Asteria happily announces, "We're expecting."
Lucius stands and moves to pull first Draco into a hug then Asteria saying as he does, "Excellent news! That is bloody excellent!"
Unsure of how he feels about being a grandfather just yet, or how he'll break the news to Bellatrix that she's to be a great aunt, Lucius focuses on being happy for his son's impending fatherhood, agreeing with Asteria's assessment that Draco will make a wonderful father. Look who is role model is.
Death of a Patient
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-29-13 08:34
"Healer Weasley!"
Hermione looked up from the report she was writing and saw Intern Cavendish step into the doorway of the room. His chest was heaving, and there was a wild look in his eyes.
"What's the matter?" Hermione asked, immediately dropping her quill and rising to her feet.
"It's Wheatley," Cavendish replied, beckoning her to follow him to the patient's room. "I had just gone in to run some tests, when I noticed that he wasn't breathing. I tried everything, but I think I was already too late."
They hurried into the room to find a nurse holding onto Thaddeus Wheatley's wrist. She looked up when the two healers entered and shook her head sadly. "No pulse," she stated.
Hermione went to one side of the patient's bed and checked his vitals. His eyes were open and stared at nothing at all. The whites had gone a bit yellow. The many pustules covering his entire body were in various states, some merely bloated and red, others broken and slick with foul-smelling pus.
That Mr. Wheatley might not ever recover from the curse afflicted upon him by his neighbors was clear, and that he might die from the curse had always been a possibility, if not a certainty. Still, the fact that it had happened disappointed Hermione. His condition had remained unchanged since the early days of his admittance to St. Mungo's. There had been no indication that he had worsened, especially so suddenly. She frowned and turned to Marco.
"He's dead," she said. "Prepare the paperwork. I'll notify his family."
Marco stared into the face of the dead wizard for a long moment and then nodded his head before turning away to complete his assignment. Hermione sighed and instructed the nurse on what to do before committing to the difficult task of telling Mr. Wheatley's family that he hadn't survived his unfortunate affliction.
Changed Plans
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 09-29-13 17:13
"I thought you were spending time with Dad today," Mariposa says as she hands Zabrynna a cup of tea.
Zabrynna shrugs, stirring honey into the tea. "The plans changed."
"From the tone and your expression I take it you mean Reva?"
"She knew Dad and I had plans today, has known for over a week."
"And?"
"She informed him last night she'd accepted an invitation for the both of them, to a barbeque. When he reminded her of our plans she pretended that she'd forgotten since she hasn't also been included. Not having it on her own social calendar had it flying right out of her mind. Dad suggested she go alone but Reva pouted about how it would ding her career as the barbeque host is her boss and she had committed the both of them to go. Short of Dad taking ill or a death in the family she simply couldn't see having to tell her boss she'd mixed up dates and that Dad already had something scheduled. That would make her look bad in the eyes of her boss. Dad didn't want to cancel with me but she'd begun crying and saying never mind, she would attend by herself and would somehow manage to save face."
Mariposa, running a finger around the rim of her own teacup sighs. "I can't say I'm surprised. She's pulled something like this before."
Zabrynna pulls a face. "Have I mentioned how much I hope they break up soon?"
"Only four or five dozen times," Mariposa says with a chuckle.
"Do you think AJ would mind much if I put in a few hours?"
"I don't see why he would. The more you help, the closer he is to being able to finish that particular book."
"Where is he today?"
"He had an idea for a plot twist in that thriller he's also working on. AJ decided he'd be more productive with it if he worked at the castle instead of here. If you're going up to the school tell him if you two are back here by around 2, we can have our own afternoon gathering and cookout. I'll contact a few people. Have him invite anyone there he wishes."
"You mean Declan, don't you?"
"If he's around and AJ wants to invite him."
"You know he will."
"Don't you think it's time to stop avoiding Declan?"
"No. Maybe. No. I don't know."
Mariposa doesn't say anything. She just gives Zabrynna a look that isn't at all helpful. When Zabrynna leaves a few minutes late for the walk to Hogwarts she's no closer to figuring out if she's ready to socialize with Declan or continue avoiding him as she has since that Rita Skeeter article came out.
Don't Have Any Interest In Each Other
Author: Declan
Date: 09-30-13 10:39
Draining the dregs of his butterbeer Declan swallows while nodding in agreement with something one of AJ's and Mariposa's barbeque guests has said. The empty butterbeer bottle an excuse to extricate himself from hearing more about the scintillating career as head of the department overseeing the use, licensing, regulation and standardization of flying carpets in Great Britain.
After depositing the empty Declan grabs another bottle then walks over to the table where a bounty dishes is spread on a table. How Mariposa pulled all this together so quickly he hasn't a clue. He helps himself to a few things then moves to sit on a vacant stretch of lawn. No soon has he sat than AJ is there, plopping down beside him, a bottle of a dark ale in one hand.
"Having a good time?"
"As always. You two have put on quite a feast considering Mariposa only decided a little earlier in the day to have this many people over."
"She's so good at organizing this sort of thing, Furnie and Phlagmelina have begun trying to talk Mariposa into overseeing the catering aspect of the restaurant."
"Is she considering it?"
"She is but she's not sure she could do it and continue with her Cliodna College of Healing program at St. E."
Unconsciously, Declan's eyes have sought out Mariposa across the yard as he and AJ talk about her party planning skills. She's deep in conversation with one of her friends and with Zabrynna. Noticing the direction his friend is looking AJ suggests, "You should go over and talk to her."
Knowing full well who AJ means Declan nevertheless says, "I hardly know Mariposa's friend."
"Ha ha." AJ takes a deep pull on his ale before continuing, "You two can't keep avoiding each other if you're also both going to be around Mariposa and me."
"Did you ever consider Zabrynna and I simply don't have any interest in each other?"
This time AJ's laughter is enough to cause him to start choking. When he finally catches his breath and wipes at damp eyes, he croaks, "I'll believe that the day someone's able to convince me Lord Voldemort was working for world peace and has been sorely misunderstood and maligned."
Deciding that another denial would be found equally amusing Declan says nothing. AJ, still coughing some, decides to go see if eating a little something will help.
Alone for the moment Declan would very much like to go over and at least say hello to Zabrynna but remains where he is for the time being.
Hogsmeade Outing
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 09-30-13 12:58
Phin and Emerald had gone for awhile to Phin's Uncle AJ's barbeque. After making the rounds to say goodbye and thank Mariposa and AJ for inviting them, they decide to stroll around Hogsmeade for awhile. Though they've not yet settled on a place to move in together, there are some things they know they will need as Phin's current place is small and he's never bothered with much beyond the necessities and Emerald is still at Aunt Blythe's and Uncle Woody's. The couple thought they might get in some window shopping and take note of anything they think they might want to get later while discussing once more their pared down list of possible places to live.
In one shop Emerald is drawn to a set of pots and pans. Perplexed Phin remarks, "I've got cooking things."
"A cauldron for soups and the like and a single small saucepan does not constitute having cooking things."
"Don't forget the skillet."
"The skillet is smaller around than the saucepan and you broke the handle and can't remember what you did with it to fix. You know, for someone whose mother owns a restaurant, you are amazingly light on what you call cooking things."
"I get by. Besides, with a mother who owns a restaurant and who likes to cook when at home, and a girlfriend who's a fair hand in the kitchen, how often have I actually needed to fend for myself?"
"Good point."
"You like these do you?" Phin asks, tapping a couple of the pots and pans of the set on display.
"Yes, but we should shop around a bit and be on the lookout for sales."
"I knew you were going to say that," Phin says lightly laughing. "Say, that's interesting. Maybe we should add that to the list."
Emerald can't help but roll her eyes. "You want a knife block shaped liked a human head?"
"Why not? It's amusing."
"It's strange and a little twisted."
"Right. Amusing."
Emerald makes a giggly snort and tugs on Phin's sleeve. "Come on. Let's see what other amusing items are to be had."
A little while later, sitting on a bench in the park, sharing a cup of Travis Ravenclaw's unique ice creams from Botanicals & Beyond, laughing over some of the stranger kitchen wares they'd seen and debating again which place on their short list they should sign a lease on, Emerald suddenly turns serious.
"Phin, there's something I've been thinking about for awhile now. Something I want to ask you."
Scraping the spoon around the side of the cup to get at the last of the ice cream he asks, "What's that?"
"Will you marry me?"