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Intercepted
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-23-14 17:50
Ethan and Lilly got an early start to their day, which wasn't something out of the ordinary for the three year old. She always woke with the sun, though sometimes she got up before it. Luckily for Ethan, Lilly usually had no trouble keeping herself entertained. He often found her in her crib, playing with toys or soft books, or even singing to herself.
After breakfast and getting dressed, they set off for Muggle Bristol, where Ethan's family lived. The Towneleys had agreed to take Lilly for the day so that Ethan could visit Loch of the Lowes with Briar. Loch of the Lowes was a wildlife preserve Ethan had heard about from his brother Alton. It had spectacular views and nice trails. With the weather so lovely and summery, Ethan thought it would make for a nice place to visit.
He and Briar had gone out a few times since their first coffee date. Each time Ethan wondered why it had taken so long for him to notice Briar as more than just the witch who ran the bakery in Hogsmeade. She was pretty, intelligent, a loving mother, and, of course, an amazing baker. Things hadn't gotten very serious yet, but Ethan liked the direction they were headed.
After spending a short while with his parents, who complained he didn't visit often enough, Ethan apparated to Hogsmeade to pick up Briar. It was relatively quiet when he appeared in the village. Not many were out and about, perhaps because it was still the weekend and the perfect opportunity to sleep in. On a rainy day, Ethan would likely concur with that sentiment, but it was simply too nice a day to not go out and enjoy it.
With the bakery now in sight, Ethan's stride quickened in anticipation of his date. Just past Dervish and Banges, he felt a sudden prickling sensation, but by then it was already too late. Something struck him from behind and he lost consciousness.
---
Ethan awoke sometime later with a pounding headache and blurry vision. There was also darkness, which he attributed to his hurting head and/or failing sight, but he later realized it was because he wasn't on High Street anymore. He was in a cave, and leering over him were three people he hoped never to see again: Nero Noir, Meadow O'Guinn, and Hattie Harsnip.
Making A List, Checking It Twice (Jill)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 09-23-14 19:17
Jill surveys the nearly bare kitchen. "We need to do some shopping."
Etta nods in agreement. "I've been making a list. Marjani and I have a few things from rooming together but altogether it doesn't really even add up to the bare basics."
"A couple different sizes of pots. At least one skillet."
"Those are on the list," Etta tells Olive.
"Hand towels, cloths or sponges or both?" Marjani asks.
"Dish cloth and sponge, yes. I don't think I put dish towel though. Let me check."
The four friends sit down in chairs courtesy of Jill's mum at the round table that came from Olive's aunt. After going through Etta's list and adding to it items for the kitchen and other rooms in the flat, they start on a second list, this one for groceries.
The flat, located in a Wizarding section of Stratford-Upon-Avon, is three bedrooms, sitting room, and kitchen with dining area. They've decided that Jill and Olive will share one bedroom, Etta and Marjani one, and the third will be used as a study. They've gotten furniture in place, or at least in place as they think it will go for now, and have mostly unpacked. Jill, having more clothes than she realized, is glad the closet in her room is much larger than it appears since she has to share it with Olive.
As they move into the sitting room to use the Floo to start their shopping, Jill snaps her fingers. "Shower curtain. Unless we want to do a charm to keep water from splashing on the floor."
"Charm's fine but I think I still want a shower curtain," Marjani says.
Etta gets shower curtain added to the items for the flat list then she follows Olive, Marjani, and Jill through the Floo, all four racking their brains for what else they might have forgotten to put on the list.
Blakeney
Author: Ellis
Date: 09-24-14 18:03
Blakeney Ellis looked down at the letter in her hands. The first page was her acceptance letter to Hogwarts, signed by Filius Flitwick, Deputy Headmaster. She moved it to the back and revealed the second page of the letter, her first year supply list. Under uniform was listed:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)*
Blakeney looked up from her list and saw her sister Alys already ahead of her, making her way to Madam Malkin's. Her uniform requirements were the same, but Alys had grown some in the last year and needed something slightly bigger.
Blakeney followed at her father's prompting, but she looked down at the supply list again to see what else she needed to purchase. Obviously, she needed textbooks. She read through the various titles quickly. Under other equipment she found:
• 1 Wand
• 1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
• 1 set of glass or crystal phials
• 1 telescope
• 1 set of brass scales
• Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.*
Blakeney was most excited about her wand and wondered which one would choose her. She'd heard Alys tell about her experience and couldn't wait for her turn, which would happen soon enough.
Her parents had initially thought to bring them to Diagon Alley on the last day of summer, but an opportunity to visit London had presented itself early. Blakeney was glad to get her supply shopping out of the way, if only so she could have plenty of time to look everything over before it was time to board the Hogwarts Express.
Her father put his hand on her back to steer her into the shop, where she found Alys already standing on a stool, being measured for brand new robes. Blakeney patiently waited her turn and couldn't help but grin when she put on her uniform for the very first time. After a long year of waiting for her chance to attend Hogwarts, her time had finally come!
* From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Summer Reflections - Mockridge Dower House
Author: Valeria Mockridge
Date: 09-25-14 15:20
Valeria was sprawled on the bed in her old room in the Mockridge Dower House. Nephele and Pip were away on their honeymoon, after which, Nephele would be living in Hartcrofte House, not the townhouse any longer. Valeria would still spend time with her, and with Kirley, but for now, she had moved back to her grandmother's home.
The wireless was playing in the corner, but it wasn't really anything she was paying attention to. While she liked music, she wasn't as into it as a lot of the girls at Hogwarts were. The next song was one that had played at the reception after Nephele and Pippin's wedding. A slight smile danced across her lips as she remembered not just the smiles on her aunt and her new uncle's faces, but that this was the song Anton had asked her to dance to.
It had been awkward, but at the same time not, and she'd be lying if she said she hadn't enjoyed it. Both families approved of them spending time together, but while she might dream, Valeria was not about to admit to anything outside of her private thoughts.
He had been a good dance partner though, and they had even shared a few laughs off the dance floor at the older members of Society and their bizarre tastes in fashion. At one point, while they were sitting in a corner talking with Niccolo and Petula, or attempting to, given the recently promised couple's self-involvement, Val had thought she'd seen something lurking in Anton's gaze. But it was gone when she looked again. And it had unsettled her enough that even a few days later, it was still on her mind.
It might bear watching once they got back to Hogwarts...
Temptation
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 09-25-14 18:26
Chance sat in her office and day dreamed about the St. Emrys Feast and how much fun she had watching the sexy men on stage. It was fun to have friends to hang out with it was something she hasn't really had in a long while because she was either busy with work or she had been dealing with Torrance's illness when she was in New York.
Sorting through her research Chance thought about New York and the trouble that was following her everywhere she went. It was why, in the end that she and Jonathan had decided to move back to England. Now her boss wanted her to investigate the drug scene in London. She sighed and picked up her quill and began writing her weeks article about a bust that went down in London not long ago.
It turned out Temptation was the drug of choice for young witches and wizards these days…and the Tempting Confectionary Company of New York City was now looking for it's niche market in London and she suspected the rest of Europe.
Chance's research had led her to one shoppe in Diagon Alley by the name of Decadence Bakery and Sweet Shoppe and that seemed to be the one shoppe that most of the witches and wizards were getting their 'confections' from. The drug was highly addictive and once you had a taste you wanted more and more and more to the point that you would give anything to have one last taste. It was a devastating drug.
When the article was written and proof read she showed it to Jonathan and he looked it over for her and she sent it by inner office mail to her boss for the days edition of the Prophet.
Heart Break
Author: Cate
Date: 09-25-14 18:51
Cate sat at the table in her parent's house and looked at the daily prophet from the previous day. There was a noise behind her and she turned and looked and there was an owl tapping on the window. Getting up she went to the window and took the post and gave the owl a treat and then she sat down again. Shuffling through the mail she found a letter that was addressed to her she turned it over and found it was from Preston.
Dear Cate,
I know you have the trial coming up and I would like to be there for you but you've effectually pushed me out of your life. I love you but I can't be with you if you won't let me in. I am sorry about what happened to Jordana but no one can change that now.
I wish I could be there to help you and be by your side but you have your other friends if you will let them in. What I am trying to say is that I think we should break up. I am sorry for doing it like this but I just can't bring myself to see you right now. I'm sorry.
Preston
Tears fell from Cate's eyes she was under enough stress without having her boyfriend break up with her.
"Darling what's the matter? You're not thinking about Jordana again are you?"
Cate shook her head and thrust the letter onto the table in front of her. Her mother picked up the letter and began reading it.
"Oh, I am so sorry sweet heart. I know that he meant the world to you." Her mother walked over and slipped an arm around her daughter and held her close.
(Catesby Castle) An Intriguing Reference
Author: Callandra Catesby
Date: 09-26-14 05:36
The library at Catesby Castle was a good two storeys high with shelves that stretched from floor to ceiling. About halfway up, at first storey level, a mezzanine balcony ran around the outside of the walls, giving access to the upper level of books. The mahogany and brass balustrade on the balcony gleamed in the lamplight.
A figure moved amongst the furthest rows that contained the most ancient volumes: heavy leather-bound tomes cracked with age whose yellowing pages smelled musty despite the best efforts of the house elves to keep them dusted. Callandra fingered the spine of one volume, but then shook her head and moved on.
Where was it?
The reference had been in one of the older family volumes, a journal written by a seventeenth century Catesby, passing remark about a hidden chamber. Callandra had been immediately intrigued. She was not foolish enough to believe she knew all of the castle's secrets, but she had thought that she knew a great many of them. This hidden chamber, though, was one she had never encountered.
The lamp light flickered and just for a second seemed to highlight a faint inscription high on one of the shelves. Callandra frowned and leaned in.
"From the lake, the lady's outstretched hand reached forth for Excalibur..." she read aloud.
Odd. She didn't remember ever noticing that before, but then she hadn't spent much time amongst these shelves; the topic of the volumes held no particular interest for her. It was an odd thing to be written there though. These tomes had nothing to do with Arthurian legend.
"The lady's outstretched hand reached forth for Excalibur..." Callandra repeated to herself, and looked around. Her gaze fell upon a suit of armour positioned - seemingly for decoration - against the wall at the end of the bookshelves. Steel gauntlets wrapped around the hilt of a broadsword, the blade's point resting between the armour's feet. "I wonder..."
She walked over towards the suit of armour. A hand on the sword hilt achieved nothing, but a tap of the wand made the helmet's visor creak open. A hollow voice came from the empty interior.
"Excalibur was wielded by?"
"Arthur," she replied to what was clearly some sort of password system.
The visor slammed shut, the suit of armour raised the sword in salute and then creakily stepped aside. A door hidden in the wall swung aside.
Callandra stepped through and into the shadows.
A Scene at Magical Menagerie
Author: Jane Linton
Date: 09-26-14 07:22
The Lintons had used Floo powder to travel all the way from Liverpool to Diagon Alley, London. Jane was in front of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. A bag with new school robes was at her feet as she read the supply list she had received from Hogwarts and which she added a few items to it herself.
"An extra set of robes: check! Books: check! Potions' supplies: check! Quills, parchments and ink: check, check and check! Next on the list is cat food, for Charcoal."
"Then we should go to Magical Menagerie. It is right over there," Mr. Linton declared. He had gone to Diagon Alley plenty of times and he knew exactly where to go.
Jane followed her parents after picking up the bag with her new robes. She was also carrying a bag with some of her school books and her face became red with the effort as she tried not to lose her equilibrium while meandering around the other transients. The hot summer sun did little to help. Jane put her things down on the floor the moment the family reached to Magical Menagerie. She felt thankful for the cool temperature inside.
Unfortunately the establishment was very chaotic, as many other boys and girls with their respective parents were taking their time looking at the agitated creatures inside the shop's cages, which felt apprehensive with so many attentive eyes focused on them.
Mrs. Linton told her husband to go outside and guard the school supplies, while she and Jane waited in the line so they could buy Charcoal's food. As they waited, Jane looked around into the cages' contents, feeling pity for some of the animals and hoping someone would later appear to give them a proper home. Not very far from where Jane and her mother were standing, there was a boy around her age, talking to a witch who was wearing dark pink robes and had long golden hair. He was next to a cage with a cat and was begging his mother to buy it for him.
"I promise to study hard and have excellent marks this year if you buy me a cat. Pleaseeee…"
"You have promised me exactly the same thing earlier when we passed by Quality Quidditch Supplies and you wanted be to buy that broomstick displayed at the window."
"And you didn't get it for me. All my friends have broomsticks and I don't! I am sick of using the school ones, they are old and slow. But I don't mind as long as you buy me a cat. I promise to take very good care of it and to do well in classes. Come on mom…please, please say yes…"
"No, Iago. I will not buy you any cats today. And that is the end of the conversation young man."
"You're awful. I hate you!"
The witch sent a look of guilt towards the rest of the clients who were watching the scene, apologizing for her son's behavior, and marched outside the shop followed by the boy. Jane gasped as she recognized him as being a Hogwarts student from her own year. The line slowly progressed to the cashier she tried to forget the scene she had just witnessed and carry on with her life.
Copperpot Cousins
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 09-26-14 13:55
Alice Trainor consulted an all too long to-do list. Scanning the shoppes in the vicinity she points with a graphite based quill towards Ollivander's. "As long as we're right here, let's go on and get your wand, Sylvester."
"I want one too," Edwina states, hoping she doesn't sound like she's whining.
Sylvester looks disdainfully at his younger sister. "You can't have a wand, Winnie."
"Can too."
"Can't."
"Can."
Alice looks up from making a notation on the list. Looking sternly from one child to the other she sternly commands, "Both of you stop."
"But..."
"No buts, Sylvester. Stop the bickering. Edwina, you may have a wand but not today. The only wand you'll have until you're going to Hogwarts is a toy or a candy one."
"That's not fair!" Edwina protests.
"Yes, well, take that up with the Ministry of Magic, sweetie."
"It's a law?" Sylvester asks.
"You know that underage witches and witches aren't supposed to do magic on purpose."
"So it's not a law?" Sylvester asks, wanting his mum to clarify.
Wanting nothing more than to go home, have a cuppa, and put up her feet but the shopping isn't even half done, Alice says with a sigh, "Don't try my patience, Sylvester."
Edwina and Sylvester exchange a rolled eyed look as they follow Alice into Ollivander's. Although there are no other customers right then the shoppe has a cramped feel because of all the wand boxes piled and stacked in what look to the Trainor children as every available space.
A wizard appears from behind one of these piles on the counter. Alice beams a smile. "Hello, Mr. Ollivander."
"Alice Copperpot. I've not seen you since you came in your seventh year to replace your first wand."
"I still miss that wand though this one I've had since that one broke has served me rather well. Oh, and it's Trainor now. These are my children, Edwina and Sylvester. Sylvester begins Hogwarts in September."
Somewhat peevishly, Edwina steps back with Alice to watch as this Mr. Ollivander person who somehow remembers her mum from the dark ages. The older wizard seems to size up Sylvester before pulling out a wand box from the bottom middle of a one of the shelves packed with similar boxes. How he knows what's in that particular box is beyond Edwina but from the way Mr. Ollivander talks, he knows exactly what wand the box holds.
Edwina observes in awe as Sylvester follows Mr. Ollivander's instructions, waving the wand. Pretty bright purple sparks fly out as Sylvester's feet come out from under him. Regaining his feet, he hands the wand back to the older man, accepting another in its place. The second wand waving causes a couple of boxes to fly off their respective shelves but nothing more. It takes three more tries to get the one that seems to satisfy Mr. Ollivander as having picked Sylvester.
When they walk out of Ollivander's Sylvester is gripping a 11 9/10" maple wand with a dragon heartstring at its core. He reluctantly puts it in its box to put into one of the cloth shopping bags. Using her quill as a pointer again, Alice says, "Astronomer's Nook is right there."
"But we have a telescope." Edwina says this in hopes of hurrying them along without needless stops so they can get ice cream or some other sweets soon.
"You think your father's going to let Sylvester or you take his telescope to school with you?" Alice asks with a smile in her voice.
Mum has a very good point there so suppressing a sigh Edwina trudges along behind Alice and her brother, hoping she not only gets ice cream out of this shopping trip but something for herself as well. She bets if she asks for something like a book, she's more likely to get that than if she keeps asking for items Sylvester needs for school. It's not like she really wanted that cauldron afterall but a wand, Edwina does sigh now, that would have been bloody lovely to have gotten.
Déjà Vu
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-26-14 17:54
Ethan had the distinct feeling of déjà vu, though not everything mirrored the previous experience exactly. For one, the last time he found himself trapped in a cave it had been December and damned cold. He'd also been sick out of his mind. At least this time around it was the dead of summer and he still possessed all his mental faculties.
What made the situations the same was Nero Noir. He had been behind that first kidnapping too, only he'd disguised himself as his dead sister Morgain and lured Ethan to the cliffs in Hogsmeade while the latter suffered from mental delusions. The real culprit had later been identified as Nero, but he had gotten away before the authorities could catch up to him.
Now it was Nero again, this time one third of a terrible trio seeking revenge on the one wizard who had managed to muck up their lives one way or another. Nero still blamed Ethan for Morgain's death, even though it had been Nero himself who'd dealt the killing blow. If not for Ethan sabotaging Project 25 and Morgain getting caught, Nero would have never needed to kill her in the first place.
Meadow hated Ethan for taking her book (no matter the fact that Callum had given it to him), and that it had been him who had figured out what she was when dumb Callum had never had a clue. She also hated him for unknowingly saddling her with a whiny preteen.
Hattie loathed Ethan for a laundry list of reasons. He had single-handedly messed up the years of work she had put into placing him first with her family as an infant and later with the Somersets, who would raise him to eventually (and unfortunately, temporarily) do the Dark Lord's bidding. Ethan had figured out her part in the whole matter and sent her to Azkaban, along with many others. He had also put her husband in prison (it didn't matter that her Gerald had shot him first).
Ethan wasn't certain he was still in Hogsmeade, but he thought he might be. Nero hadn't said anything to the contrary and would probably find it amusing that his victim was in the same cave from almost exactly ten years ago.
"Do you want more, Somerset?" asked Hattie, who stood over him and kicked him in the ribs. She jabbed her wand at him and used the Cruciatus Curse. If not for the fact that he was in pain, Ethan might have laughed at the fact that Hattie appeared to be experiencing puberty for the second time in her life, only this time as a boy. Hattie's voice cracked, and though the body of Penn Ellison had grown a little, it was still on the scrawny side.
Meadow leaned against an outcropping in the wall of the cave and asked boredly, "Are you quite done, Hattie?"
Hattie shot her a scornful look. "Do I look done?"
Nero clapped his hands. "Children, children. Let's be civil."
"You be civil," Hattie muttered, as if she really wasn't an older witch.
Nero grinned evilly at Ethan, who was sweaty and looked like he needed a bath. "I bet you've wondered why no one has found you yet."
Ethan couldn't answer right away, but then he managed to say, "I have some ideas on that matter."
"Oh, I'm sure you do," Nero said. "Ever the investigator. Oh yes, I've taken precautions to make sure no one can do a locator spell on you. This cave is sound proof, so you can shout all you like and nobody will ever hear you."
He nodded at Hattie, who said, "Crucio!"
Ethan cried out and writhed on the cave floor.
When the curse stopped and his moans subsided, Nero went on. "Since you're not under the influence of a mind altering potion and haven't gone stark raving mad yet, just in case you somehow manage to get out of your bonds, you'll not be able to leave the mouth of the cave. It's charmed to keep you out, sort of like the charms used to keep a dog within a perimeter. Do you understand, Dog? You have to obey your master, and your master is ME."
"And me," Hattie said.
Meadow rolled her eyes. "Can we go now? He stinks."
Hattie looked at Meadow disdainfully. "How do you even survive?"
"Children, enough," Nero said. "Come. Let's kennel the dog and call it a day."
Hattie frowned because she wasn't quite ready to end her torture session, but she stowed her wand and followed Nero to the mouth of the cave. He made quick work dismantling all the protective spells. Then he and the others stepped out and built the spells back up again. They leered at Ethan from the other side and then turned and made their way home.
Ethan expelled a sigh and squeezed his eyes shut. He had no idea how much time had passed. He thanked his lucky stars that Lilly was with his parents and hoped that she would stay safe there. He also hoped that Briar would forgive him for standing her up on their date. Hopefully she wasn't cross with him for long, though he also hoped she wasn't worried sick over his disappearance. It was bad enough that Lilly might be wondering why her daddy hadn't come to take her home yet.
He started to shift position but everything hurt too much, so he stayed put. The ground was hard and his bound legs and wrists made any position uncomfortable. Ethan sighed again and tried to get some rest, knowing another torture session was likely to happen tomorrow… unless Hattie got her way.