|
|
You Forgot
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 04-26-12 19:27
Forty-five minutes ago Hermione arrived home coming in through the kitchen where Ron was putting food in Crookshank's and Hero's food bowls. She swept in, going right past him without really looking at him, "Sorry, I'm running late. Just give me five minutes."
It was more like ten but Hermione still managed to do a quick change, freshen her make-up, and put her hair in a stylish updo. Returning to the kitchen to find Ron leaning over one counter flipping through a magazine she realizes he's still in his work robes.
He grinned at her appearance. "Wow!"
She frowned at his. "You're not changing?"
"Why? I've not got any stains, or didn't at lunch."
Her expression changed to one of disappointment. "You forgot."
"What?"
"It's Valentine's. You were going to make reservations at Bel Cielo."
"Sorry, but we can still go."
"It's Valetine's, Ron."
"If you don't mind not having Bel Cielo, I'm sure I can figure out a place for us that's not fast food."
"I just can't believe you forgot."
Ron held his hand out to Hermione. "I'm sorry, but give me a chance and I'll make it up to you."
None too pleased with her husband on their first Valentine's together as a married couple, her lips thinly drawn, Hermione looked as though she had more to say but ended up taking his hand without a word. In return, Ron gave her a bright smile, patted her hand as he tucked it in close to his chest. One apparation later had Hermione staring at the picturesque narrow lane he'd brought her to.
Frowning again, but in confusion rather than anger she asked, "Is this "
"La Rue de Belles Femmes, yes." Ron had released Hermione's hand but only so he could divest himself of his Auror's robes.
"You're wearing a suit."
"You're very observant. Is the purse your carrying one of those with loads of space?" Ron nodded at her little evening bag as he folded his robes.
"Yes, you know I like carrying a book or two to read if I find myself with time to kill." Accepting his robes to put into the purse she asked with her puzzled frown still in place, "Are you going to explain?"
"It's Valentine's."
"Yes, we've established that."
Giving her a mysterious smile, he'd reached for her hand again to stroll down the Paris shopping equivalent of London's Diagon alley. Though she quizzed him with a few more questions along the way, Ron refused to say anything just then. After stopping in a few shoppes, buying some fresh fudge and truffles in one, they finally emerge onto a Muggle street. With a gentle tug Ron gestured, "This way."
A pleasant hand-in-hand stroll a block and a half led them to a park-like area lined with flower bedecked horse drawn carriages hoping to attract both tourists and couples looking for a romantic buggy ride through part of Paris. Ron took them straight to a black carriage with a perfectly white horse whose mane and tail is braided with dark pink roses. "This one."
The carriage driver and Ron handed Hermione up but when she had gone to sit she frowned once more. "Someone forgot her bouquet."
"No, they're yours," Ron answered, picking up the flowers and handing them to her.
"The suit, knowing exactly where to come, flowers waiting for me. You've set me up, Ronald Weasley."
"And your complaint is?"
Laughing then, the carriage taking off with a slight lurch, Hermione assured, "No complaint," then to back up her words gave Ron a very nice kiss, but a short one. "I don't want to miss the sights."
Hermione and Ron have been to Paris before but not in a carriage with a driver giving a running spiel on the history of the area and of particular sights they pass. They've just crossed over the Seine and the horse is pulling over to the curb.
"This is our stop," Ron tells her.
He'd already paid the driver but Ron gives a tip, thankful that Harry had reminded him at lunch to exchange some galleons for French Muggle money. Hand-in-hand again, Ron leads Hermione down some stairs to the river. A little further down they stop at a boat that's loading people.
"This is us."
"A horse drawn carriage ride and now a river cruise."
"A dinner cruise passing some of the most famous Parisian sights." Though he doesn't need to, he then mouths, "Muggle sights."
Ron gives their names to a staff member with clipboard. She greets them in perfect English. "Welcome aboard, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley." Gesturing behind her, "Please help yourself to champagne and hors d'oeuvres. There is music and dancing through there. Dinner will begin a short time after we're underway."
Sipping champagne, Ron carrying a plate of hors d'oeurvres for both of them, they take a table where they can put down their things, enjoying the water, the night sky, the city lights, and the music. After they've been there about five minutes Ron says, "I will probably step on your feet a few times but would you like to dance?"
"You know I do."
As the second song is coming to an end, the boat slowly pulls away from its docking. They return to their table to sip more of their champagne and eat a little of the hors d'oeuvres. Looking at Ron over the rim of her glass, Hermione asks, "How long have you been planning this?"
"About a month. There was checking out several of these types of cruises, making arrangements with that carriage driver, finding the perfect hotel "
"Hotel?" Hermione interrupts.
"We are staying the night in what is describes as a very pretty B&B. There is a bag with a few things already there."
"I can't believe you did all this without me finding out."
"After this dinner cruise, we're going up the Eiffel Tower to see Paris at night from above and then there's this."
Ron pulls out a small jeweler's box and sets it in front of Hermione.
"You did all this, got me flowers, AND a gift?"
"Of course."
The gift isn't much, a simple charm in the shape of a medical caduceus, but Hermione seems quite pleased with it, which is all Ron wanted.
Holding out his hand he asks, "May I have another dance?"
A Change of Plans
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 04-27-12 02:45
Nate waited for Phyllida a few steps away from the entrance to the Slytherin Dungeon. Students would leave from time to time, most of them as couples, and they would send Nate a suspicious look that he strongly suspected was related to his dress robes. He hated wearing fancy clothes, he felt somewhat ridiculous in them. But he was going to the banquet with Phyllida, and they had agreed to dress up for the occasion.
Finally she appeared, wearing a stunning green robe. His first reaction was to mutter a 'wow' to himself. She was gorgeous. He took a step in her direction, wishing her a happy Valentine's Day, and she did the same. They walked together to the Great Hall, stopping at the door.
Nate's eyes opened wide at the decoration. The rose petals, the cupids, and the hearts everywhere…he was certain he'd feel more romantic at the Shrieking Shack than inside the Great Hall.
"So…shall we enter?"
"Yes, of course," Phyllida said. They started to walk towards the door but at the last moment she pulled him back.
"Wait! Your bow-tie…let me adjust it…" she took her time with it, even if Nate had the feeling his bow was perfectly fine. He had checked himself more than a thousand times before leaving the dorm. "There. Much better now."
"Thank you," he replied and they edged forward again. He noticed that like him Phyllida seemed a bit stiff - hardly at ease with the idea of having dinner at the Great Hall. This time it was him who stopped her.
"Something wrong?"
"Yes…your hair is a bit messy..." That was the only excuse he could find, though both of them were aware it was a shoddy lie: Phyllida's hair was pinned up in supernatural perfection; not a strand out of place. But Phyllida played along and excused herself, heading to the nearest bathroom in search for a mirror.
Nate poked inside and he spotted Tim. He made Nate a signal to come in but he shook his head negatively. Tim laughed and then he turned his attention back to his date.
"I'm back," Phyllida said, tapping his shoulder lightly. He gave her a smile and then they stood there without moving.
"We are not going inside, are we?"
"I don't think so. But I'm starving."
Nate nodded and told her to figure out a place for them to hang out while he fetched some food. He entered the Great Hall, glad everyone was too preoccupied to notice his temporary intrusion. He grabbed a plate and started to pile it with cupcakes and heart shaped biscuits. Unfortunately, he was spotted by a hovering cupid who showered confetti on him in wrath; he wasn't able to fetch anything else. He returned, shaking pink confetti out of his robes and hair.
Phyllida couldn't help but laugh but she helped him to remove the confetti with her hands. Nate thanked her and he asked her where they should go. Phyllida picked up a cupcake and took a dainty bite.
"The Pureblo- I mean, the Commons Room."
Just Friends
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 04-27-12 05:07
Felicia was finally ready. She had taken a long time to pick up what to wear and then another half an hour to decide what she would do with her hair. She had picked a red dress and her brown hair had been braided. Johanna had been sat on her bed as she observed Felicia having a anxiety attack because she couldn't find her earrings.
"Just take one of mine," Johanna told her with impatience standing up. She was wearing a simple blue dress. She wasn't wearing any jewelry and her hair was the same way she wear it every day. She had agreed to go with Gus to the Valentine's banquet but that didn't mean she had to dress up for the event. She would have used her daily robes if Felicia hadn't insisted with her to wear something else.
Johanna just wanted to have dinner and leave. She was not going to stay for the dancing part. Felicia on the other hand was very excited. Baltus Crane had invited her to the banquet and she accepted right away. The two witches met their dates at the Slytherin common room. Felicia and Baltus soon ignored everything around them, just focusing on each other. Soon they were leaving the common room.
"Where are they going?" Johanna asked.
"To the banquet of course," Gus replied.
"But I thought we would all go together, with Mark and Kate."
"Mark and Kate have their own table, and Felicia wanted one just for her and Baltus as well."
"And where does that leave us?"
"I went to see Professor McGonagall on Sunday and reserved a table for two."
"You must be joking."
But by his expression Johanna knew he wasn't. Not wanting to make a scene she pulled Gus by his hand and took him to his dorm. She shut the door and only then she started to get mad at him, accusing him of tricking her. That he said they would only go as friends and nothing else. He shouldn't have reserved one of the romantic tables for them; they could just sit in the regular ones. Gus replied that it was just a table with a pink towel, candles and flowers and that didn't mean anything.
"Of course it does! Everyone will think we date."
"And? We know we aren't dating and that's all that matters. Let's just have a nice dinner together and tease the other couples. I bet one galleon that Felicia is going to kiss Baltus by the end of the banquet."
"She is not going to make the first move."
"Wanna bet?"
*
He held her hand the entire way to the Great Hall. Like her, Gus was not wearing any fancy clothes but Johanna had to admit he did not need those to look handsome. She deviate her eyes from him, trying not to feel embarrassed as her thoughts went to Gus' muscles. They sat together at the one of the tables and some eyes went to them immediately.
"When this is over I am going to kill you, Gus Van Tassel," she muttered.
"Hush. Just ignore everyone and enjoy the meal. Look they even have your favorite desert!"
Johanna had no idea how Gus knew about her favorite dessert, but she guessed it was normal after more than 4 years eating meals together. Gus then whispered in her ear and what he said made her giggle. Baltus and Felicia had seemed to forget about their food and were making out at their table in front of everyone.
"You owe me a galleon."
"No because we didn't see who kissed who first."
They laughed together. When the food arrived, Johanna was feeling more relaxed about this entire situation. She even waved at Mark and Kate who were seated not very far from them. Meanwhile Gus wanted to try out every dish available. She didn't oppose to that and she even made an effort to accompany him but of course he beat her. They talked about a little bit of everything, from classes to Quidditch. There was even a moment they recalled their days at Happy Haven.
"They made us break our wands, remember? I cried that night, "he confessed.
For a moment she saw the little boy he has been and not the tall muscular hot guy he had turned into. She knew what Gus had felt because she had cried as well. It was more common to hear people crying at Happy Haven's dorms during the night than the happy snoring of content people. Johanna couldn't help herself and she kissed Gus' cheek. He seemed surprised but he did not say a thing about it. Instead he picked up her hand and asked her to dance with him. She accepted it. After all there was nothing wrong about two friends dancing with each other.
(Aleydis) Having a Good Time
Author: Griet
Date: 04-27-12 09:44
Nobody had asked Aleydis to the Valentine's Banquet, not even Basil Wynbourne, who was rumored to have a crush on her. Aleydis wasn't sure what she would have said, had he asked her. She only knew him to be an unpleasant boy, but Aleydis admitted to herself that she really didn't know him at all. Perhaps the real Basil was quite different than the face he put on for everybody else.
She sat at one of the sections of Hufflepuff table with her cousin Sadie and their roommate Abigail. They didn't have dates either and though Abigail seemed to begrudge that fact, Sadie didn't seem to mind at all. She looked around the Great Hall in amusement and took a drink of her nonalcoholic beverage everytime she spotted a couple making out. Aleydis played along but Abigail didn't seem interested in having any fun.
She looked at the flowers pinned to Aleydis's updo. "Where'd you get those?"
Aleydis gently touched the flowers with her fingertips. "They were a gift."
"From?" Abigail demanded.
Aleydis shrugged. "I'm not really sure. An anonymous Valentine."
"Oh, so Basil Wynbourne then," Abigail replied matter-of-factly.
That thought had come to mind, but Aleydis really didn't know for sure. She hadn't heard of anybody else crushing on her, but she supposed it wasn't impossible.
The flowers really were beautiful. They were exotic-looking, an orangey-red, and attached to a comb. Aleydis thought they might be a variety of orchid, but she didn't really know. At any rate, she'd decided to wear them as a thank you to whomever had gotten them for her and had also dressed to match. She had a sweater dress that was the same shade as the inner-most part of the flowers.
"So, are you going to thank him for the gift?" Abigail asked.
"Assuming he gave them to me?" Aleydis asked. "I don't know. I'm sort of afraid if I say something to him, he'll get ugly with me. I certainly don't want to embarrass him in front of all these people," she added, gesturing at the expanse of the room with one of her hands.
"I heard he's mad that his secret got out," Abigail said. "He's the type who wouldn't want to be seen with anybody but another Slytherin."
"There's always Cornelia," Aleydis joked.
"Speaking of," Sadie said, pointing with her goblet at the oldest Vanderbilt currently at Hogwarts.
Aleydis and Abigail turned to look and raised their eyebrows. Cornelia was dressed rather tartly and looked as if she were on the prowl. Maybe she had finally gotten over Gervaise. It had certainly taken her long enough, thought Alyedis to herself.
"How long do you think she'll get away with wearing a skirt that short?" Sadie asked.
"I'm surprised Professor McGonagall hasn't booted her from the Great Hall yet," Aleydis answered. "Look at those boots!" They were thigh high and had stiletto heels. "Where did she get that get-up?"
"Probably Petals," Abigail said, with a snort.
Aleydis and Sadie giggled.
(Adriana) Disciplinary Measures
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-27-12 11:50
Adriana sat at the staff table and ate a slice of cheesecake topped with raspberries and sauce. She, like some of the other staff members and many of the students, had arrived at the Valentine's banquet sans an escort. Adriana didn't mind, though. It had been years since she'd had a date for Valentine's Day, which might disappoint anyone else her age, but Adriana felt very comfortable being single––even on a day like today.
She wore an LBD and the infinity pendant Bill had given her for Valentine's Day many years ago. She looked good and she knew it too.
Adriana sat next to Ethan Somerset. He was also alone, with not even his baby to keep him company. Sometime during the course of the evening, he'd mentioned that his parents were watching Lilly while he attended the banquet.
Adriana still felt an odd twinge on occasion when around Ethan. She suspected it had something to do with his former connection to Lord Voldemort, but she couldn't understand why. The twinge sometimes made her feel angry, and other times felt like a warning. She didn't like the feeling and didn't know what to do about it.
Ethan suddenly started choking on his wine.
Adriana turned to him, but he seemed to be recovering already and pointed across the room.
Adriana saw Professor McGonagall looking extremely flustered. She was standing in front of Cornelia Vanderbilt, who was dressed like a common hooker.
"Maybe I should help," Adriana said. She got up and crossed over to where Professor McGonagall was attempting to discipline Cornelia, who had her arms crossed and looked bored.
"And you, a p-prefect!" Minerva spluttered.
"What's wrong with my outfit?" Cornelia asked, her voice devoid of any real emotion. "I'm not exposing anything, am I?"
"T-that's besides the p-point!" Minerva replied.
Adriana sidled up next to her older colleague. "Let me help," she said, and then she nodded her head in the direction of the impressively large chocolate fountain. "I see Hubert hasn't learned his lesson yet," she added.
Indeed, the first year, whom Adriana knew to be a clutz from her Charms classes, was leaning over the fountain again with a wafer in his hand.
Minerva cast Cornelia one last disapproving glance and then bustled off to deal with the Hubert.
Adriana took Cornelia by the elbow, and none to gently. "I'm going to be blunt with you," she said, leading Cornelia outside the Great Hall and into the mostly deserted entrance hall.
She let go of Cornelia's arm and turned so that they were facing one another. "You look like a slut."
Cornelia's eyes went wide, as if she couldn't believe a teacher would say something like that.
"If you're looking to impress some guy, then you'd be better to show some class––not your ass, got it?"
Cornelia still couldn't manage to say anything.
"You're making a fool of yourself out there," Adriana went on. "What were you thinking?"
At these words, Cornelia looked down and mumbled, "It's Valentine's Day."
"Yes, and?"
"And this is my first one without him," Cornelia exclaimed, a pained expression marring her pretty features.
Adriana studied Cornelia for a long moment. "Who ended it? Him or you?"
"Him," Cornelia said sullenly.
"Well, he's a jerk. You don't need him. And you don't need to dress like that to prove some kind of point."
Cornelia chewed her lower lip. She actually looked like she might cry. Adriana was certain this girl had never cried in her entire life.
"Thanks, Professor," she finally murmured. "I think I'm going to call it a night."
She started to turn away and head for the stairs to the dungeons, but Adriana reached for her arm. "Wait. Professor McGonagall looked pretty unhinged back there. She would have given you detention had I not intervened."
Cornelia nodded. "So I am in trouble."
"You're to serve detention with me. Everyday for two weeks for an hour after classes and before supper."
"What about Quidditch practice?"
Adriana shot her a look.
"Okay, okay," Cornelia said, holding up her hands. "I'll be there… your office?"
"Unless I tell you otherwise, yes."
Cornelia sighed and said, "Okay. Can I go now?"
Adriana nodded. "Go."
Cornelia hurried to the staircase and disappeared from sight. Adriana tapped her chin thoughtfully and then returned to the Great Hall to give Professor McGonagall an update.
Happy Valentine's Day
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 04-27-12 14:17
While tonight was a school night for both of them, Lawrence had class tomorrow (teaching) and Ariella had classes at St. Emry's plus a shift at Briar's he'd opted to not go another country extravagant for tonight's plans so he'd made reservations for him and Ariella at The Albermarle in London.
He'd also sent all of the women in the Beck family flowers for this special day (including Plum, Alanna, Bronwyn and even the new members of the family). Maggie had also received a bouquet of flowers from him for Valentine's day as well as a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings and matching necklace.
They'd been taken by a hired car to the restaurant from a bed and breakfast that he'd booked them into for the night. Formal attire, something Lawrence hadn't worn for a while and Ariella looked absolutely stunning. They settled themselves at the table and the waitress took their wine orders and they looked over the menu.
Lawrence had been here earlier and had made a plan with the waitress and the special gift would be given during dessert toward the end of their meal. At the moment, they would enjoy their meal and quite a meal it was.
As the waitress brought dessert, she set a simple chocolate tartlet in front of Ariella she would see that nestled upon a small circlet of paper was a diamond and emerald ring. Lawrence slid a flat velveteen box across the table and within held matching earrings, necklace and bracelet.
"Happy Valentine's Day my love, and we are spending the night in the bed and breakfast that we left earlier. I know you have an early start in the morning so I do not intend on keeping you out too horribly late," he said with an impish grin.
Unexplained Arrival
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 04-27-12 14:41
A blinding white light erupted inside Borgin & Burkes. It seemed to originate from a glass cabinet, which rattled violently, causing objects to move perilously close to the edge of the shelving. The bright light filtered out in rays from the cabinet and then went out suddenly, plunging the shop in total darkness.
There was a crash, then shattering glass. Objects fell to the floor and made an array of sounds, depending on what they were made of.
In the darkness, a girl knelt on the floor, her hands bleeding from the glass. Her heart hammered in her chest, and the thumping sounded like thunderclaps in her head. She didn't move, even though the cuts on her hands stung. She waited for her eyes to adjust to the dimness of the room, which seemed to take eons.
She listened intently to her surroundings. Certainly somebody would have heard all the racket she'd made. But no one came to investigate.
Eventually, when she felt like she could see and also felt confident enough to get up from her crouched position, the girl stood up and looked around. She knew this place. She was inside the dark arts shop Borgin & Burkes. But how had she gotten there?
She moved to the counter, her shoes crunching on broken glass. She found a lamp and lit it, so that she could better see. Borgin & Burkes looked the way she'd always remembered it, cabinets crowded with curiosities, shelving overflowing with various dark objects. The only difference was the mess in the middle of the floor. The glass cabinet had come off the wall and stood crookedly between two other shelving units. Some items were still inside, though many had gotten knocked over or askew. Everything else lay broken on the floor. Everything, but one object the girl instantly recognized.
It was a single Russian nesting doll. It would have been the smallest in the set, but the rest of the dolls were no where in sight. The girl quickly snatched it from the floor, wincing as her injured hands ached and more blood oozed from her cuts. She clutched the doll in her hand and frantically searched first the floor and then the glass cabinet for the rest. When she didn't find them, she scoured the rest of the shop.
The girl grew more and more frustrated when she didn't find them. She stepped into the storage room at the back of Borkin & Burkes and felt overwhelmed at the volume of unopened crates and boxes stacked there. She knew she couldn't search them all. If only she had her wand!
Her wand. The girl had seen it get snapped in two. She knew that even if she could find the pieces again, it could never get repaired. She'd seen a couple of wands in Borgin & Burkes but she didn't dare use any of them, knowing that they were likely cursed.
She felt overwhelmed and frustrated and gradually came to the conclusion that it was possible the rest of the dolls simply weren't at Borkin & Burkes. But if not there, then where were they?
She looked at the little doll in her hand. She now understood how she had gotten into the dark arts shop, but everything else remained a mystery. She felt very much alone and didn't know where to go or what to do. What she did know was that she wasn't safe at Borgin & Burkes. She blew out the lamp and crunched over the broken glass to the front door.
It chimed when she opened it. The girl made a hasty exit and ran down the dark alley, letting her feet take her where they wanted to go.