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Runner
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-06-17 18:49
Sutcliffe Park Athletics Track was located in Muggle Greenwich, and it was convenient for Ethan when he wasn't staying over at the castle or in Hogsmeade. The track was located within a nature reserve, through which the river Quaggy ran. In addition to the track, there were running routes through the reserve, as well as an outdoor gym and table tennis facilities.
Ethan had never been much of a runner, though he considered himself to be in shape. When he was an auror, he'd had to be physically fit in order to keep up with dark wizards. Since trading his fieldwork days for teaching, Ethan was a little less fit, though not too out of shape either. He also recognized that he was getting older and that maybe exercising would do him some good.
Seeing younger staffer Dante Knight running around the Hogwarts grounds put to mind that maybe Ethan could take up running too. He'd taken Lilly to the Sutcliffe Park before and knew about the athletic facilities on site. Recently, Ethan decided to give it a go, and now he had a healthy habit. The question was, how long could he keep it up?
Lilly was staying with her grandparents today, but Ethan wasn't alone on the track. His former enemy turned good friend Maverick was jogging alongside him. It seemed Maverick's reason for getting into shape was to impress the girl he'd been dating a good while, who just so happened to be Aveline Boggs.
The men ran in silence. They were both feeling pretty good lately. The threat of Project 25 ever rising again was a non-issue, now that Adriana Fairchild was dead. The old gang met every now and again, but things were far more relaxed at their meetings, and usually there was a lot of drinking involved.
Ethan eventually decided he needed a break. He slowed to a stop and then leaned forward with his hands on his thighs, breathing deep. Maverick had gone a bit further down the track, but then he gradually backtracked and grinned.
"Too much for ya, old man?" he teased.
Ethan looked up, still panting, and grinned back. "Very funny."
"I was thinking we should go to a pub after this."
"And replace the calories we just burned?" Ethan asked, standing upright again. He crossed over to a bench where he'd left a towel and a water bottle. He used the towel to wipe off his face and then draped it over his neck before taking a good swing from the squeeze-top bottle.
"Why not? If we want to bulk up, we need to be on a high-calorie diet."
"Who said anything about bulking up?" Ethan asked, laughing. "I'm just trying to stay young."
"You're forty-one years old, Ethan. You're not exactly ancient."
"With the life I've led, I sometimes feel like it. Okay, let's go to the pub. Where to, Maverick?"
Maverick started to rattle off some he knew in the area, but Ethan suddenly found himself no longer listening. A figure among a tree-lined area of the park had caught his attention. It was a wizard who looked suspiciously like…
"Nero!" Ethan exclaimed, fumbling for the wand stuffed into the pocket of his running shorts.
Maverick whipped around, but there was a loud crack around the trees, and the figure disappeared.
"Was it him?" Maverick asked, his own wand in hand.
"Had to be. He disapparated."
Ethan realized then that he and Maverick were holding wands in a Muggle area. Fortunately, nobody else was currently on the track with them. They hastily put the wands away and decided to go to a pub whose name Maverick hadn't spoken aloud.
(Cornelia) The Chase
Author: Griet
Date: 09-07-17 18:03
Cornelia ran through Diagon Alley, dodging shoppers and vendor stalls as she chased after the perp she was hired to capture. It was far too crowded to use her wand. With it being summer and a month shy of the new term at Hogwarts, Diagon Alley seemed even busier than usual. Cornelia had no choice but to run rather than use her wand and risk hitting an innocent person with a spell.
The perp, a skinny wizard with scraggly, graying hair and pale blue eyes, darted into Knockturn Alley after nearly knocking over an elderly witch.
"Of course," Cornelia muttered under her breath. She skidded down the uneven steps and finally brandished her wand. Knockturn Alley wasn't exactly a happening place.
The runaway wizard dodged behind a series of barrels set up outside The Hanged Man and attempted to crab walk to the door. Cornelia blasted one of the barrels, which had an open top and appeared to be filled with rain water, though it smelled a bit foul. Wooden planks and liquid exploded in all directions. Fortunately, Cornelia was far enough away to avoid getting hit by the smelly water, but the perp got soaked.
Before he could get over his shock and run into the pub, Cornelia hit him with a binding spell. He wasn't going anywhere.
She marched up to him and grabbed him by the arm to escort him to Frost Fugitive Recovery Agency.
"What, no wand?" she sniped at him.
"It got stolen," the perp said, sounding petulant despite being a few decades older than Cornelia herself.
She yanked him toward the exit, but paused when someone from the pub shouted, "Hey! What did you do to my barrel? You'll have to pay for that!"
The perp smirked at Cornelia. She ignored him, reached into the pocket of her pants, and pulled out a business card. She tossed it in the general direction of the pub's proprietor and said, "Bill the agency."
A short while later she sat the perp down in a chair at the agency and went to speak to her boss.
"Got another one, Vanderbilt. Good on you."
"It's Mayfield now," Cornelia corrected, and not for the first time.
"Right, right. I keep forgetting that. Go write up your report and then take a break or get some lunch. Whatever you want."
Cornelia nodded and went to her desk. She sat there a while thinking about her wedding to Cassander Mayfield. Their wedding had taken place the weekend after Griet and Valentijn's. Where Griet's had taken place on the cliffs in Cornwall, Cornelia's had taken place on the Dover cliffs. Griet had worn white and Cornelia had worn black.
Griet and Valentijn's honeymoon had been to Ireland. Cornelia and Cassander had gone to Iceland, where they'd attended a three-day music festival for heavy metal enthusiasts. It had been a lot of fun.
Cornelia smiled to herself at her desk, but then she stopped when she saw the perp grinning at her from his chair across the room. He'd not yet been escorted to the Ministry of Magic. She scowled at him and started writing up her report.
(Anthony) In the Neighborhood
Author: Beck
Date: 09-08-17 18:24
Anthony stepped out of GalloLoans after following up on a lead having to do with a case involving fraudulent activity. He didn't have any other business in Diagon Alley and was therefore prepared to head straight back to work, but as he made his way to The Leaky Cauldron, his sister's new shoppe caught his eye.
The pie shoppe was not yet open for business and probably wouldn't be before the end of summer. Ariella was diligently preparing everything, but as she was doing most of what she could do alone, it was a slow process.
Anthony figured she was there now, and he wasn't wrong. He found her debating how to arrange the newly delivered furniture. There were some small round tables and chairs, and a series of booths. The booths were against the wall already.
"What are you doing here?" Ariella asked, when her brother turned up in her shoppe.
"I was in the neighborhood for work," Anthony replied, looking around. The interior had looked much plainer the last time he'd visited. Now the shoppe was really starting to show some personality.
"Oh? Anything interesting?"
"Not really," Anthony replied. "This place is looking good."
"Thanks," Ariella replied, grinning. "I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm glad. It's getting my mind off things, you know?"
Anthony nodded. He didn't need to bring up Lawrence's name. He sure did wish the punk would show his face, though, so he could put his fist into it for breaking Ariella's heart and leaving Karina and Adam. With any luck, he'd get caught for his alleged dark wizard activity down under.
"Did you decide on a name yet?"
Arielle brightened. "The pie is getting installed next week."
"The pie?"
"Yes, remember how I told you the top level will be outfitted to look like a pie? Paint and some moldings or whatever?"
Anthony nodded vaguely. "You mean outside, like on the roof?"
"Not the roof, exactly, but the entire rounded part of the top story." Ariella thought for a moment and then shrugged. "But yes, I guess you could argue that the top of the pie is the roof."
"Okay, but the name of your shoppe will be…?" Anthony queried.
Ariella's grin got only wider. "Pie in the Sky."
Anthony chuckled. "I like it."
"Me too. Say, what do you think of this layout?"
Anthony proceeded to give Ariella his opinion on how the small tables and chairs ought to be arranged, but he didn't stay for very much longer. He had to get back to the Ministry of Magic, after all.
Never Ever Bad
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 09-08-17 19:12
"When are we getting wands?" Mira asks.
Drucilla asks a question in response. "How many times have we answered that question already?"
"Seven," James informs them.
"Was not."
"Was too."
"Was not."
"Was too."
"I said it's not!"
Sirius would put a hand on a shoulder of each twin but as he's carrying the awkward bag with cauldrons and other potions supplies as well as keeping hold of toddler Regulus's hand he settles for sternly ordering, "That's enough! The point is, Mira, you've asked the question several times and your mother and I have answered it several times. Ask again and you won't get anything from Ollivander's today."
"You as in just me or you as in both James and me?"
"Mira," Dru says warningly.
"Muuuum, it's a what you call it question."
"Valid," James supplies.
"Yeah, one of those."
Dru makes an exasperated noise. "You as in you, Mira, though James is skating on thin ice."
"What did I do?"
Zaria takes that moment to pronounce, "I'm neeeeever bad. Never ever."
Neither Sirius nor Drucilla can help it. They laugh. When Mira nods in agreement then says, "Me either. I don't know why I get into trouble," they laugh so hard that Sirius almost lets go of Regulus's hand so he can bend over to catch his breath. Almost but he stops himself and just in time too as Regulus has spotted a kitty flouncing in and out of the Magical Menagerie's sidewalk displays.
Small Update
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-09-17 14:21
"While I appreciate the notice, I'm not sure what to do with the information, such that it is."
Hermione was seated across from the Prime Minister in his office. She spread her hands out in understanding and replied, "I wish I could tell you something specific other than a threat remains. I'm told the Ministry of Magic is using every means necessary to get details, but it may be a long process. In the meantime, all either of our governments can do is remain vigilant."
Kingsley had recently called her into his office with an update about the undercover operation the Auror Office was undertaking to infiltrate the Death Eaters. The mole had successfully been invited to Death Eater headquarters, but a series of complex spells prevented him from giving its location. He couldn't even confirm if the place he'd gone to was an abbey, which had been previously reported by Elphias Doge during his own undercover stint as Death Eater Silas Mimsy.
Elphias had not been back to the abbey since well before Adriana's death. He had tried in vain to get an escort back, continuing the ruse that the food he ate while in toad form affected his memory, but his requests for assistance had gone ignored. In the beginning, it was thought the probable chaos in the aftermath of Adriana's death was to blame, but in light of new, though vague evidence, it wasn't so certain anymore.
The Ministry's mole had seen something at Death Eater headquarters that had shocked him, but he couldn't say what it was. All that could be gathered was that it was extremely serious and that the Death Eaters were very much still organized.
"Is your source trustworthy?" the Prime Minister asked.
"Yes," Hermione replied. She didn't know who the mole even was, but she trusted the Ministry of Magic.
"Then, we shall remain vigilant."
Hermione nodded. "I will, of course, keep you apprised of any developments."
"Thanks. I want to know what we're up against."
"So do I," Hermione said. "So do I."
(Tessa) Shopping with Chip
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 09-10-17 09:47
Tessa and Chip sat together at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor in Diagon Alley. Chip's parents and Tessa's guardian had agreed to the soon-to-be Fifth and Fourth Year Hufflepuff students' request to go school supply shopping without adult supervision.
They'd already gotten much off their respective supply lists, but there was still more shopping to be done. An ice cream break in between seemed logical.
"Are you going to try out for Quidditch again?" asked Chip. He was eating sticky toffee pudding-flavored ice cream.
"Yes, I think I will," Tessa replied. It seemed like ages since she'd played, though, so she might very well be rusty. "I'll probably go for Beater again, though I suppose other positions will be available. Only four of us are coming back," she added.
Chip scrunched his face, trying to remember who had been on the Hufflepuff team the year before last.
Tessa helped him out. "Me, Conrad, Duncan, and Sophie. Assuming they want to play again and in their old positions, that leaves Keeper and two Chaser positions."
Chip grinned. "Think Blakeney will try out?"
Tessa nearly choked on her apple crumble-flavored ice cream. "That's a funny joke," she finally managed.
"Did she really meet with all those foreign guys this summer?" Chip asked.
Tessa shook her head. "No, but she's been writing furiously to all of them, and she's been receiving letters in return. I think she's convinced she's dating all of them, but I'm not sure how she's keeping them straight."
Chip smiled, and then his expression grew kind of serious. He fiddled with his spoon and then remarked, "We've been dating a good while now."
"Yeah…" Tessa cautiously replied.
"I really like you, you know," Chip went on, "and you might even say that I love you."
He looked up from his ice cream bowl, expecting her to be pleasantly surprised. She was shocked to be sure, but she wasn't overjoyed by his declaration of love.
"Tessa?" he asked. "What do you think?"
Without hesitation she answered, "I think we need to break up."
Kids
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 09-10-17 16:05
Lysander sat across from Astrid and two-year-old August in The Crown & Cauldron. The DNA sample Lysander had provided the court for Axel Ek's divorce proceedings had proven that he, not Axel, was August's father. The news had come as a surprise to Lysander, despite knowing the possibility that August was his.
Lysander already had two children from different mothers, and now he had a third, though publicly Lysander only had two baby-mommas. He was not at all upset by the news, however, and would provide for his youngest son any way he could.
Lysander thought for sure that Axel was a decent enough wizard who might like to remain in the life of the child he'd for so long thought was his, but that wasn't the case. Axel promptly received his divorce and moved back to Sweden.
Astrid, meanwhile, changed her name back to Thomason and dropped the Ek off of August's name. Lysander would have preferred to have August take his last name, but he wasn't going to push the issue. He felt that he owed Astrid a lot already, since as far as everyone knew, she was also Dylan's mother. Lysander wanted the ruse to continue, even with Adriana dead and gone.
"You can move into Charlotte's room after she leaves for Hogwarts," Lysander said, "at least until you figure out other arrangements."
Despite leaving Scotland, August had not left Astrid and August their residence. They were currently staying at the inn in the village.
"Okay, thanks," Astrid said. She seemed very subdued. Despite stepping out on her husband, she had cared for him and still did. He was a good man. Certainly a better one than the wizard seated across from her in the restaurant.
"We should have realized things," Astrid began after a while, but she trailed off when Lysander held up his hands and shook his head.
"It doesn't matter anymore. It's in the past. We know the truth now and need to do what's best for our kid. Our kids, even."
Astrid looked around to make sure nobody was nearby to eavesdrop and then leaned forward over the table. "Are you glad she's gone?"
"Ecstatic," Lysander replied, knowing exactly who Astrid was referring to. "I don't have to worry about Dylan anymore."
"I'm happy for you," Astrid expressed, and she meant it.
August banged his sippy cup onto the tray of his high chair and said, "Drink Mummy!"
Astrid took the cup from him and poured a bit of water in from the carafe on the table. "There you are, August." She turned back to Lysander then and said, "We should rethink our custody agreement in light of the news."
"Yes, let's."
(Ash) Trying and Failing to Help
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 09-11-17 08:04
Ash sat in a small conference room in Auror HQ at the Ministry of Magic. A glass of water was in front of him on the table. In his lap, he clutched a rubbish bin. He'd puked three times since Connor MacRoth began questioning him today. At least he hadn't passed out, like he had on a previous day of questioning.
To say he was shocked to have seen Voldemort alive was an understatement. The revelation worried him tremendously, particularly since it had been Voldemort who had ordered Dolohov to curse the Westwick family all those years ago.
Unfortunately, Ash couldn't share his fears with anyone except those already in the know, and he would never do that. His efforts to relay information to Connor and the other aurors assigned to cases involving the supposed Death Eaters came with a severe price. Ash couldn't say anything, and any time he tried, he experienced intense pain or crippling illness.
He felt rather useless, on top of scared. Connor tried to assure him that his work was important and that with time, the spells cast on him would come down, but Ash didn't feel very confident in his own abilities. Voldemort wanted him to prove his loyalty via actions, and Ash was terrified about what that might entail.
"We need to stop," Connor finally said. He could see that Ash was turning greener by the moment. "I'll get a healer to check on you and then you should get a little rest before you head back to your division."
Ash nodded his head slowly. "Sorry I've not been much help," he managed in a weak voice.
"Be patient," Connor advised him. "Your efforts will pay off in the end, trust me."
Ash really hoped so. The world needed to know that Voldemort was alive and at the head of the Death Eaters again.