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Hogsmeade With Molly
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 09-19-16 20:19
Waving her hand in a somewhat vague direction Molly tells Ginny, "Before we leave I want to look at the tomatoes at the Magical Neep. Mine haven't done well this year. I don't understand why."
Jamie rambles along in front of Ginny and Molly. Albus follows his brother though at a slower pace, at least for now. He goes through spells of wanting to run full tilt everywhere. When the women reach McBloom and McMuck Ginny calls to them. "Back this way, boys. Gran and I need to go in here."
Inside, Molly places a pair of shoes on the counter. She talks with the clerk about having a similar pair made while Ginny has Albus sit down so she can see if a ready made pair that caught her eye will fit. Jamie decides he needs shoes as well, picking a pair that's just like Granddad's, including being about the same size as those Arthur wears.
He frowns, which quickly turns into a pout, when told the shoes are too big. The clerk jumps in to say, "We can make them his size if you like."
Ginny kneels to look Jamie in the eyes. "Do you really want shoes like this?"
Solemnly nodding Jamie replies, "I like."
Ginny looks at Molly then back to Jamie before asking the clerk, "How long would that take?"
"Not long at all. A few minutes."
Ginny nods, looking at Jamie again. "If you really want them we'll get them in your size."
"Weally weally, Mum."
The clerk moves from around the counter to take some measurements of Jamie's feet. After he disappears into a backroom with the shoes Ginny tries another pair on Albus. "I'm sure I could do the transfiguration necessary but it probably takes a certain finesse to get a larger pair like that to conform comfortably to a smaller foot." She pauses a moment, feeling Albus's foot inside one of the shoes she's just put on him. "Does it feel all right, Albus?"
"Owie."
"Rubs your little toe? I thought it might. This pair we tried first, no owie?"
"No owie," Albus affirms.
When the they leave the shoppe a short time later, the boys both have new shoes and Molly has a pair ordered. Ginny directs them to the nearby Rosa Lee Teabag saying to her mother, "I know we've hardly gotten started but I could use a cup."
"Mummy's tummy upset?" Jamie asks, remembering she had an upset the day before.
"Yes, poppet, just a little."
Concerned Molly wants to know, "Ginny, are you ill? If so, I can finish this to do list myself. You should go home."
Ginny shakes her head. "It's nothing, Mum, or I think it's not anything to worry with. Should pass in a few weeks."
"A few weeks?" Understanding dawns on Molly's face. "Are you certain?"
"Not one hundred percent, but I'm fairly sure."
Entering the Rosa Lee's Molly buys the boys a fruited scone to share, saying it's a celebration. Molly gets one as well but Ginny turns down a scone, wanting to give her stomach time to settle before eating anything. Over tea Molly and she discuss the to do list and when Ginny's planning on getting confirmation on the cause of her nausea.
(Noah) New Pet
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 09-19-16 22:30
Noah Stratford stared at the different animals at the Magical Menagerie. His parents, who were with him, along with his little sister, had said that he could take a pet to Hogwarts. With some many choices, Noah didn't know what to pick. He liked cats, and there were two in particular that had caught his eye: a hairless Sphynx and a rather obese explosion of gray fur that looked almost like a fuzzy ottoman. There were owls galore, toads of varying sizes and colors, lizards, vampire bats, and other creatures Noah couldn't even identify.
His mother reminded him by reading directly from his school supply list, "Students may also bring an OWL, a CAT, or a TOAD."
Noah turned away from a chameleon clinging to a tree branch with a slight frown.
"I know that's what it says, Midori," Liam commented to his wife, "and when I was at Hogwarts, the rules were the same, but I had a classmate with a pet tarantula and another with a snake. I heard rumor that someone had a miniature pony, too, but I never saw it with my own eyes. Maybe it was kept on the grounds instead of the castle."
"A pony!" Sophia exclaimed. "Can I have one, please?"
"We'll talk about it when it's your turn to start at Hogwarts," her father said.
Sophia tugged her lips down into a frown, but she didn't complain.
"I think he should pick something on the list," Midori said. "What if the rules have gotten more firm since you graduated, Liam?"
"That may be, with McGonagall as Headmistress," Liam mused. He turned to Noah and asked, "Well, what do you want? Something on the list, or something that possibly won't make it through the castle doors?"
Noah had walked back to the many bird cages. An owl was probably the most practical of pets. He could use it to write home or order things from stores, provided he had enough allowance.
"I want that one," Noah said, pointing to an owl with a striped front, brown wings spotted white, and a head with lots of dots. Its eyes were bright yellow.
Liam pointed it out to a clerk, who grabbed the cage and suggested a brand of treats and other necessities for the owl's general care. A few minutes later, Noah was out the door with his new pet owl.
"I think I'll call you Ramses," he decided.
Ramses, the Northern Hawk owl, hooted its approval.
Romeo and Juliet
Author: Mildred
Date: 09-21-16 14:55
Mildred had been given freedom to go to Diagon Alley on her own and buy her school supplies. She was in the need of a new set of robes, as well as some extra supplies for Alchemy, a new subject she was going to take next year. Due to the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament there would be no Quidditch this year and so Mildred was able to resist entering the broomstick shop and take a look at the most recent models.
She watched a little girl holding hands with her father, exiting one of the shops. Such scene touched her and she suddenly was pierced by an inner pain due to her father's absence. Despite Alexander's regular letters, she felt there was no connection between the two. Things had been better when he was at Azkaban. Mildred shoved those thoughts away and she kept walking around the street, savoring this feeling of independence, as she did her own shopping without her grandmother close to her, controlling all her moves.
She entered the junk shop, because Amelia had once found there a beautiful antique bracelet that she had bought for a low price. Mildred wondered if she would be lucky enough to find something that would interest her. She found Achilles at the counter, negotiating with the shop keeper. There was a big card box at his feet, filled with all sort of objects, which he was trying to sell.
The man deviated his attention from Achilles, as an old witch called him at the very end of the shop. He went to assist the client and Mildred took the opportunity to greet her friend. They haven't seen each other since the St. Emrys Fest. Achilles had gained a tanned complexion, the result of many hours in the sun. Mildred on the other hand, had spent most of her days indoors.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I do this once in a while to gain some extra money. My father has a lot of things in our summer residence. I take some minor things, and I sell them. It's not very profitable, since it's mostly junk, but it's still something."
Mildred went down on her knees to check what was inside the box. Like Achilles had said, most of it was junk, such as a broken clock, a small little marble statue of cat, two brass ink pots, and some books. Mildred picked one of the books. The title was Romeo and Juliet, a book she has never heard about. Achilles explained her it was a famous Muggle love story. Mildred opened the book, which had the words Property of Harold S. Sims on the front page, and she found an old photograph inside.
She picked it up with curiosity, a chill coming down her spine as she understood that the girl in the photograph was her mother. Sarah Campbell, or Howard in the photo, was smiling and blowing kisses, and adjusting her long hair. She was wearing her Hogwarts uniform. Despite being a black and white photograph Mildred could easily picture the blue and bronze colors on the tie she was wearing. There was an inscription behind the photograph, written in blue ink, in her mother's handwriting.
Happy birthday, Romeo! Yours, Juliet.
Mildred quickly slipped the photograph back inside the book, jumping to the quick conclusion that her mother had dated Achilles' father during their school years. What else could this mean?
"Can I have this book?" she asked Achilles. "How much do you want for it?"
Achilles made a deal for 2 galleons. Mildred paid him, and she said goodbye to her friend who was very satisfied with the money he had just made for an old Muggle book. The shopkeeper returned to their encounter and Mildred quickly said goodbye, rushing out of the shop. She quickly finished her shopping, not interested anymore in wondering around freely at Diagon Alley. All she wanted to do now was to go back home, lock herself in her bedroom and examine the book and the photograph inside with more attention.
SAT Meeting At Watling's
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-21-16 19:25
Chriselda Dresner of Durmstrang Institute inquires of Viktor in only slightly accented English, "Are you all right? You're quieter than usual."
"Yes, thanks. Trying to think of other names to add to the list."
This is not a fib. He is thinking of names to add to the list, names of people who would be neutral towards all the participating Scholastic Aptitude Tournament schools and thus be acceptable to everyone for making final obstacle course layout decisions and for officiating the various events combined under the larger event designation of Broom Racing.
Chriselda, Viktor, and the other sponsors had someone for the obstacle course designs lined up months ago but the person, only in her early thirties, recently suffered a series of transient ischemic attacks, often called mini-strokes. She is currently doing well considering and though the Broom Racing events are not until May of 2011, agreeing on someone else seems the best course of action.
Initially, they were going to do the course designs themselves and do all the officiating but someone suggested that whichever one or two officiated a particular event might be inclined to show favoritism and make any close calls in favor of his or her school. This then led to bickering about how some might allow participants to practice the obstacle courses 24-7 if the layouts were known in advance, versus those who would allow practices but would moderate the amount of time spent so as not to risk students' grades.
Finally, they agreed to have a third party do the obstacle course designs to be revealed the day participants arrive at Watling's. Those competing in any of the obstacle course races will have three practice runs for their respective events. For those races and the regular broom racing two sponsors will officiate along with a third party who would have final decision on any judgement calls.
Viktor is thinking about helping but the list of potential neutral officiates together but he also can't get his mind off Theodosia's return from the grave.
After several minutes of repeatedly assuring Marjani, Zuberi, and Viktor that she is indeed Theodosia she suggested they all sit down there in the kitchen or move to the sitting room. With the three of them in shock and sure this was some sort of horrible, twisted joke, the shorter distance to the kitchen table on shaky legs seemed the better choice.
Once they were all seated Theodosia admits, "I know I could have handled this better, to soften the shock, but I was so anxious to see you all."
This caused Zuberi to dryly remark, "No way to soften the shock of your dead sister paying a visit and not be an Inferious or a ghost or even just a dream."
Theodosia gave a small smile at that and reached to touch Zuberi's hand but he flinched back, bringing sadness to her smile.
"Marjani, Zuberi, to explain how I'm here now I have to back up to an incident that occurred when we still lived in Africa. I was a witness to a triple murder. You both were young enough then that I made sure never to talk of it around either of you. The wizard got away and it was with my help and that of the other witnesses that he was identified. Turns out the murderer was the head of a small gang. All three of you are familiar with the violent history and continuing violence all over Africa. This man was looking to eventually become a war lord among the local wizarding community and who knows from there. The names of the witnesses were not disclosed as law enforcement worked to build a case against this man, Kakengo Fatuma."
Viktor interrupted. "If there were multiple witnesses, why would they need time to build a case?"
"They needed to gather evidence on his associates. Sending him to prison wouldn't be enough. His people would have created havoc in his name, killed witnesses, murdered others, possibly even try to break him out of prison if things proceeded that far. To build the case against all of them ended up taking years. Eventually, these people were arrested but some managed to be released until the trial, including Fatuma.
"I had met Daniel as a result of the those murders. He was one of the law enforcement officers. He first came to tell me in person, to warn me, that Fatuma and some of the others were free. He stayed around as a sort of guard even though at the time Fatuma and his people didn't yet know any of names of witnesses. Because you, Marjani, and you, Zuberi, knew our relationship ended on a negative note, Daniel decided to go with the desperately wanting me back stalker story to explain why he was around so much all of a sudden. Then somehow the list of witnesses, not just to the triple murder, but to other crimes, made it into Fatuma's hands. Some of the witnesses were found dead. Others disappeared. A few let the prosecution know they had remembered events incorrectly and could not, therefore, testify against any of the defendants. Daniel and his superiors felt it necessary to hide me until the trial ended.
"The best way to do that and to allow you two, and you, Viktor, to continue your lives as close to normal as possible, to keep you all from becoming targets, was to stage my death and with others around to make it seem real. The spell Daniel used didn't actually strike me. Seconds before I had broken a capsule hidden in my mouth that contained the same potion Daniel drank to make it appear he committed suicide."
"Could have warned us? Told us about all this before you faked your death?" Marjani interjected.
Theodosia gave an emphatic shake of her head. "You have to be believable. Your grief had to be real."
"For five years real?" Zuberi derisively snorted.
"Unfortunately, that's how long everything took. Fatuma initially made appearances at the trial along with the others who had been released until the trial. When it was apparent that there were still enough witnesses to put the lot of them in jail for life, or even be executed under that particular court's laws, Fatuma and two others vanished. Those of us who'd been protected had to stay hidden and our families couldn't be told any of us were still alive. If the three escapees had even a hint of that a single family member or a friend knew anything about us, that friend or family member would be at risk.
"What should have been a few months at most dragged on into almost five years. Fatuma and the other two were finally recaptured, along with some new members recruited in those five years who were linked to crimes during those five years. They and those others from the first trial are now all in prison, some awaiting execution. We remaining witnesses were finally released from protective custody. I couldn't wait for an official to come ahead to explain everything, to prepare you. I rushed here straightaway."
Viktor, who could still feel the pain from where Daniel blasted him in his attempt to intervene between Daniel and Theodosia, said nothing. He got up and left the kitchen, going to his room where he packed a bag in preparation of this trip to Watling's. He could think of nothing to say at the time, not even a simple welcome back to the living.
Marjani, on the other hand, stated, "We held a funeral. We saw your body."
"Wasn't me. A mannequin was made to look like me."
That was the last of what Viktor overheard. He'd shut the bedroom door to shut out their voices. Once packed he wrote a note to let Marjani and Zuberi know he'd gone on and left for the trip, which he was scheduled to do that day, yesterday, anyway. Once here at Watling's he'd owled rather than firechatted. Theodosia might still be at the house and he's far too angry at the moment to want to see her again just yet much less chance having to speak with her.
His mind back to the list, he jots down another name, waiting for a break in the discussion to put it forth.
Hugo
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-22-16 16:36
Rose looked into the baby carrier perched on the coffee table facing the sofa on which Hermione sat and asked, "How come babies sleep so much?"
"Newborn babies don't know how to do very much other than sleep, eat, and potty," Hermione explained. "But as Hugo gets older, he'll get a little more lively. You were the same way."
Rose made a face as if she couldn't believe she'd ever been so boring. "I don't like him," she decided.
Hermione reached out to tug one of Rose's pigtails. "Why not?" she asked. Hermione had, of course, read a dozen or so books on introducing a newborn baby to an older child, the psychology of first born children, and other related information. She knew that Rose was probably feeling a bit jealous at no longer being the center of her parents' attention. Rose had also come to realize that she really wasn't a baby anymore.
Rose considered her answer before stating, "He looks strange." Then she elaborated with, "He's pink. And he hasn't got much hair."
Ron, Hermione, and Hugo had left the hospital only that morning. Rose had been with Molly and Arthur and had come home shortly after her parents and baby brother's arrival home. The happy grandparents had gushed over the latest addition to their ever increasing family and then departed to give the foursome time alone to get to know one another.
Ron came in the front door with takeaway from a place that served family friendly brunch and set everything out on the dining table. "Who's hungry?" he asked.
Rose bounded away from the boring baby in the carrier and told her dad, "I am, I am!"
"It's good you are, Rosie, because I've got just the thing for you."
He swept her off her feet and deposited her into her usual chair, which had a booster seat it in to level her up to the table. She immediately reached for a piece of cantaloupe. "Mmm, antelope," she said, always confusing the two.
Ron checked in on Hermione and baby Hugo. "Care for a nibble?"
"Yes," Hermione said. She eased up from the sofa and said, "The food at St. Mungo's isn't so bad, but I'm eager for something different for a change. Will you bring him in?"
Ron nodded and reached for the carrier. He brought it into the dining room and set it on the floor in between his chair and Hermione's, so that they could watch Hugo as he slept.
"Hugo's too little to eat antelopes," Rose declared, sounding extremely pleased with the realization.
"Yeah, it'll be a while yet before he's got any teeth in," Ron agreed. "Use your napkin."
Rose had begun to wipe her hand over the front of her shirt, but she picked up the napkin instead and wiped her melon-covered fingers. She couldn't see the baby carrier from where it was positioned on the floor, so for a brief moment it seemed as if things were as they had always been. Mummy, Daddy, and only child Rose.
Dragon Alley With Teens And Preteens
Author: Declan
Date: 09-22-16 21:16
Aiden points to Cranville Quincey's Magical Junkshop. "I'm going in there."
Finella adds for him, "Please, Mum."
Typical of someone his age he rolls his eyes at her before walking into the store. Joseph bolts in after him. Isla looks to Rand. "Want to?"
"Declan, may I?"
"Yes, sure."
The two younger kids vanish into the darkened interior, the lack of decent illumination most likely to help conceal just how junky the junk is. Declan looks to his sister. "Go in or wait here?"
"If you don't mind, I'd rather sit out here. It's a nice day."
They find a nearby bench to occupy, Finella asking, "Anything yet from Melanie?"
"Not a word since before school was out. Rand hides it well most of the time but he's upset and depressed. At least we've not heard further from Harvey either. Not a day goes by that we wonder if it will be when he has decided to try and take Rand away."
"Melanie swore she never signed off on that. Do you think that's why he or one of his followers didn't show up when school ended to whisk him away?"
"That's crossed my mind and others have wondered the same but we just don't know. I wish Melanie would reply to at least one letter so we'd have a better idea of what's going on."
"I still can't believe she flaked so completely. Running off back when, getting involved with that group, dumping her kid off on you without any sort of warning, going long periods without any form of communication. She's not the Melanie I remember."
"Me either. I don't know if she has ever fully grasped how difficult all this is on Rand. Zabrynna and I have tried to make him feel as at home as we can. He's got friends. He settled in nicely at Hogwarts, doing well in classes and his professors seem to like him. I think that they'd be full open with me if there were any problems. But, you know, no matter how well he seems to be doing, he's depressed, he feels abandoned, he's angry."
They halt their discussion for the time being when Joseph comes out of the junkshop, beckoning his mother to come in so he can show her something he's decided he must have. As they shop along Diagon Alley they'll have other opportunities to continue the conversation without children's ears to hear.
Announcements
Author: Griet
Date: 09-23-16 15:37
When Griet arrived with Valentijn at her parents' home in Canterbury, she found most of her siblings and their significant others already there. The only one not yet present was Cornelia, who was probably purposefully late in order to make some kind of entrance. Her mother, Aleydis and Basil were busy getting food on the table.
Griet had wanted to get together with everybody for dinner, because she had an announcement to make. As it turned out, Cornelia also wanted to share news with the family, so the decision was reached for everybody to get together for supper on the last day of August, even though it was in the middle of the work week. With everyone's varied and busy schedules, this evening just so happened to be the best option. It would also be a send off for Franciscus, who was returning to Hogwarts in the morning.
The food Catharina, Aleydis and her boyfriend were setting out wasn't anything homecooked. Catharina had placed a big order with a local Chinese restaurant. There were appetizers like pork potstickers, crispy spring rolls and sesame pancakes. Main courses included honey walnut shrimp, black pepper beef, chicken fried rice, roasted duck, sweet and sour pork and a lot of steamed white rice.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Griet asked.
Her mother replied, "You can pour drinks. There's a pitcher of chilled water, and there's also some hot Chinese tea in the kettle."
Griet got everyone a glass of water and set out tiny teacups for the Chinese tea. Her parents only owned a few actual Chinese cups, so the other place settings received espresso cups instead.
"We're here!!!!" Cornelia bellowed from the front door a few moments later.
"Good," Franciscus said, from his seat in the living room. "That means we can finally eat now." He promptly got up and moved to the table.
Cornelia gave him a sour look and said, "It's not like it's so very late, Franciscus. We're eating dinner early this evening since it's a school night and all." She smirked at him, since he was the only one actually going to school tomorrow.
"Dinner's ready!" he called out in response, and also in an effort to get everybody seated so he could tuck in to the good-smelling meal before him.
The rest of the family entered the dining room and sat down. Johannes and Catharina sat at one end of the long table. Next to them going clockwise was Franciscus, Beatrix and her boyfriend Pablo, Cassander and Cornelia, Griet and Valentijn, and Basil and Aleyis. They started passing around dishes and filling their plates. Finally, Cornelia couldn't take it anymore. She just had to share her news and do it before Griet could steal her thunder.
"Everyone! Cassander and I have an announcement to make." Cornelia smiled at her longterm boyfriend and then reached down the front of her V-neck top. She pulled out the pendant on the end of her long chain and revealed that it wasn't any ordinary charm. It was actually a modest, though very sparkly diamond engagement ring on a white gold band.
"We're getting married!" she exclaimed.
Catharina jumped up from her seat to embrace her second oldest daughter, followed by her son-in-law to be. "Oh, this is just wonderful."
There were hearty congratulations around the table, though Griet's well wishes were a bit subdued in comparison.
Once Catharina was back in her seat, she looked towards her eldest and asked, "And what is your news, Griet?"
Valentijn put an encouraging hand on her shoulder. He could tell that she didn't necessarily want to say anything anymore, at least not then and there.
Everybody was looking at her expectantly, though, including Cornelia, whose expression also said, Beat that!
With a sigh, Griet reached into the pocket of her jeans and removed her own engagement ring. The diamond was exponentially bigger than the one on Cornelia's ring, and it was set onto a platinum band studded with smaller, sparkling diamonds.
"We're also getting married," Griet said, with less enthusiasm than Cornelia had displayed moments before.
Catharina's face lit up even more. She sprang up from her seat again to hug Griet and Valentijn. "How wonderful, how wonderful!" she exclaimed. "You two could have a double wedding!"
Griet looked at Cornelia, who'd exchanged her smirk for something akin to a grimace, though it was an honest attempt at smiling. It appeared that Griet had outdone her after all.