Shopping List
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 01-26-03 12:56

Rest over, it was time to go out. The first thing Electron needed to do was stock up his kitchen - he didn't know what he wanted in it yet. Electron was hopeless at cooking, but he thought he'd better at least make some sort of an effort. He couldn't eat out every day, after all, and there probably weren't that many places round here to do so. Well, he didn't know yet.

He pulled his dreads into a tail behind his head, and hoped that anyone recognising them would think he was copying the trend rather than setting it. Now, what else did he need? He should probably try to pick up a newspaper while he was out... Oh, good gods above, Rita Skeeter. The LAST thing he needed was to bump into her, now that he was back in England! His face went pale at the thought. She'd written an acidic review of one of his shows and quoted him as saying some equally horrible things that he knew for a fact he hadn't told her, because he'd never met her for longer than two seconds. She couldn't be in Hogsmeade, though - he hoped - but you never knew. Electron grabbed his wand and pointed.

"Accio sunglasses." He still couldn't speak above a whisper - the Sonorous charm always got him like that. Probably the party afterwards hadn't helped either - he grinned - oh yes, hangover cures. He was all out of those too! So, food, newspaper, hangover cures and something for sore throats. He ran over the list in his mind, then left, satisfied he wouldn't forget anything important.

It was bright outside - not bad weather for the middle of September. A little bit warmer than Dublin, even, where it had rained ALL day, but he hadn't minded, because Temple Bar was great fun. Looking around, he decided to go by the name of John, just in case.

Here was a promising looking little shop - Nevvyn's Notions and Potions! There must be something in here for his vocal trouble. Electron didn't want to spend the rest of the week talking in whispers and croaks. The proprietor didn't look like a rock fan, but "John" approached cautiously all the same, smiling in response to the enthusiastic greeting of the owner.

"I was wondering," he whispered, hoping the poor man could hear him, "if you have anything for a sore throat. I have to use Sonorous quite a lot, and, well..." He grinned ruefully.

---

Ron held the Magic Eight Ball firmly in one hand and without hesitation asks, "Do I love Hermione Granger above all else?"

He turns the Magic Eight Ball over and gives a very silly grin when the answer given is Most Assuredly So. Hermione gives Ron a playful punch on the shoulder and teasingly says, "Oh good! I would have had to break up with you if its answer had been No.

Harry chuckles while taking the Magic Eight Ball from Ron's outstretched hand. His face turns serious as Harry stares in deep contemplation at the ball then gravely asks it, "Will any of Professor Trelawney's dire predictions for me come true?"

Just a gravely, Harry reads the answer aloud, "Most definately not."

Everyone within hearing starts laughing and soon others are taking turns asking Hermione's Magic Eight Ball questions, from outright silly to downright serious. Hermione, with Ron's help, takes this opportunity to make a list of the presents she's received so far today and who gave her each.

Next, Harry and Ron gather up the various items and help Hermione carry them to her room. They also clean up the mess made from the party, which as it turns out isn't a very big one. All the cake was eaten, the keg of butterbeer Professor Flitwick provided is down to the dregs, and most everyone had thrown away the paper napkins and cups when they were done. Additionally, Hermione had dropped paper in a trash sack as soon as she'd pulled it off each wrapped gift.

They reach Hermione's dorm room and as Ron is depositing his armful of gifts on her bed, he spies a photo album. Curious, he thumbs through it and quickly sees it is composed of pictures of Hermione and Gabe, with each picture having special captions obviously written by Baine. He rolls his eyes and mutters to Harry, "The photo album I gave Hermione last year is much better than this one."

Harry does a little eye rolling of his own, not because he agrees with Ron necessarily but because Ron doesn't seem to get that it is perfectly okay for someone to have more than one photo album. Thankfully for Harry, he's saved from having to reply to Ron when Majandra walks in. "Great party, Ron! Harry! The cake was gorgeous! That was your idea, Ron, right?" Majandra asks, referring to the cake design of a likeness of Hermione sitting under a tree, book open on her lap and a stack of books on one side of her and Crookshanks curled up asleep on her other side. Faces of friends, including Harry and Ron of course, peer around the tree and out of nearby bushes as if getting ready to jump out in surprise.

Ron nods in reply then blushes red as Hermione exclaims, "That was your idea? I LOVED it. What a brilliant idea, Ron!" She hugs Ron tightly and gives him several quick kisses then ends the embrace with one, much longer kiss. Harry rolls his eyes again and steps out of the room. Majandra, presses another package in one of Hermione's hands then follows Harry.

After the kiss ends, Hermione opens the gift from Majandra, a handmade throw pillow in red and embroidered in gold with the Gryffindor lion. She tosses it on her bed and turns back to face a broadly grinning Ron. He pulls Hermione back into his arms, "You realize we are alone? A good time, I think, for yet another gift. Sixteen. Or, if we count the one to grow on, seventeen."

Before Hermione can say a word, Ron kisses her deeply. When they come up for air, Ron says, "That's one. Ready for number two?"

By way of reply, Hermione's lips once again meet Ron's.

---

Another Satisfied Customer
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 01-26-03 18:58

Two of the Toms and I finish the sorting and stacking, and take a break for a bit of lunch. The other Tom still hasn't returned from the Castle. Not that I am terribly worried or anything. He probably stopped to chat with the House Elves. We have just set down to large bowls of potato and leek soup when the door chimes jingle their merry tune.

"I'll get it!" says Tom, jumping up and nearly upsetting the entire table.

"NO!" says Tom, as he catches his bowl before it slides off the tilting surface. "It's my turn!"

"Both of you sit right where you are!" I tell them. "I remember yesterday's fiasco when you frightened that little girl and her dog. You mustn't go racing into the shop like a pack of wild animals. Remember! You always approach a customer with a smile and your best manners." I rise slowly and make my way into the shop with a smile on my face.

Standing at the counter is a rather "unusual" fellow. Rather non-descript robes, an over-large hat with a slouch-brim, pulled well down, dark glasses and a mass of bright red dreadlocks pulled back to the nape of his neck. All this I take in as I approach the counter. "Good day, Sir! And how may I be of service?"

In a hoarse whisper, sounding like gravel being trod upon, he asks, "I was wondering if you have anything for a sore throat. I have to use Sonorous quite a lot, and, well..."

"Say no more! Say no more!" I caution. "If you continue to abuse your voice, you may cause permanent damage." Turning to survey my cabinets, I quickly find the large bottles of purple fluid. "Claritus! Yes! This is the very thing! Make it up myself. Lee Jordan swears by it." I say, showing him the label. I tick off the ingredients: "echinacea, agrimony, myrrh, sage and wild pansy, viola tricolor. One-half teaspoon in a glass of water. Gargle three times a day. Should have your voice back in short order." I stop and think of his earlier effort to speak. "Perhaps you'd like to try it right now. We have a WC at the back of the shop. Yes! I think you'd better try your first dose right now!"

I hand him the bottle, along with a disposable glass and spoon. He quickly retires to the back, and I hear strange noises for several minutes. He returns, eyes still watering from the effects of the gargle. Briefly, he removes his dark glasses and wipes his eyes with a linen kerchief. There is a sudden burst of recognition. I've seen his photo in the news.

"Say! You're one of those "rock singers", aren't ya now?" I chuckle as he makes "shushing" noises at me. "Don't keep up much with the modern music, but I've seen your face in the papers. Not to worry! Your secret's as safe with me as with the Parish Priest." I shake my head in wonderment. "That's the cause for the abuse of the Sonorous Charm." I think a minute, then fetch a tin of Trumpetvine Pastilles from the shelf. "Try one of these before you next go on stage. Reduces the backlash from Sonorous!" I push the tin toward him.

"So! What brings you to Hogsmeade? there's precious little singing goes on round here. Except maybe Miss Briar Rose, when she's baking."

---

Feud
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 01-26-03 19:50

Flanked by Crabbe and Goyle as usual, Draco set out for Hagrid's hut for his last class of the day, Care of Magical Creatures. The girls, Clara and Tempest, had gone off together earlier that afternoon to share some girl-talk, but had promised to meet up with the boys in class.

Upon arrival, Draco strolled over to the fence post and leaned up against it with his arms folded across his chest. Crabbe and Goyle took their positions at either side of him, but lacked the finesse to pull off their idol's stance and demeanor.

Draco watched the other Slytherins arrive, turning his nose up disdainfully as Pansy approached the hut. After the massive amount of points she lost for Slytherin last year, Draco had lost all respect for her. His opinion of her had lowered all the more because she hadn't done a thing to rectify the situation.

Thankfully, it was the beginning of a new year. Slytherin was most certainly still in the running to win the House Cup.

Draco's narrowed eyes looked away from Pansy and focused on a group of Gryffindors drawing closer to the hut. There was perfect Potter and his pathetic friends. Granger and the Weasel seemed attached at the hip, their hands clasped tightly together. When they came closer, Draco noticed that the sickeningly happy pair's lips were rather pink and swollen.

He smirked and snickered under his breath, never imagining in a million years that the insufferable know-it-all would allow Weasley to pull her into a broom closet for some quality time. Despite her constant adventures with Potter and Weasley, Draco had pegged Granger as the poster-child for goody-two shoes.

As if aware that he was staring at her, Hermione shot Draco a stern look and then turned away to talk to Majandra Fine. Ron had followed her gaze and narrowed his eyes at Draco, crossing his arms in a similar fashion.

Draco's lip curled into a defined sneer and he drawled, "What's the matter, Weasley? Afraid your little girlfriend's going to realize what a nobody you are and leave you for someone with a little more class?"

Hermione and Majandra stopped talking abruptly and turned their heads to stare at Draco. Harry moved to Ron's side, who had gone red with anger.

"What? Someone like you, Malfoy?" Ron spat venemously.

Draco looked appalled. "Me? Date a mudblood?"

Crabbe and Goyle snickered.

"Don't you call her that, Malfoy!" Harry exclaimed, putting out his arm to prevent Ron from lunging at Draco.

Hermione narrowed her eyes and declared crossly, "Malfoy doesn't have any class, only money and too much pride."

Draco's eyes flared with hatred, but before he could respond to Hermione's comment, Hagrid burst out of his hut with a large, furry creature and started the day's lesson.

---

Delivery
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 01-27-03 10:08

A large, tawny owl swoops in through an open window into one of the Gryffindor dorm rooms. She drops a large package onto Hermione Granger's bed then with a mighty flap of wings, gracefully flies back out the window.

Inside the pale brown parcel is a well protected box wrapped in shiny, metallic, copper-colored paper. Inside this box, surrounded by a cloud of ivory tissue, is a picture in an antiqued silver frame. The picture is a goofy caricature of Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Viktor Krum.

The enclosed birthday card has a note, which reads:

Dear Hermione,

I hope you are having a most happy birthday. The caricature artist used several photos I provided of you, Ron, and Harry, and myself of course. Please be muchly enjoying the drawing.

Your very good friend,
Viktor

---

A Dobby Delivery
Author: Dobby
Date: 01-27-03 12:53

Dobby enters Hermione's dorm room just in time to see an owl depositing a gift on his friend's bed before sailing out through an open window. Dobby thinks it is wonderful that Hermione has so many friends sending her nice birthday presents. None, however, could possibly be as wonderful as the presents Dobby has for Hermione. The House Elf places at the foot of Hermione's bed a large basket containing a cookie bouquet (each cooking looking like a glorious fall flower or a leaf). Beside the basket Dobby puts a slim box. The box, wrapped in boldly checkered paper in vivid shades of green, contains a Dobby made Scottish style tam in the deep maroon of Gryffindor with a pom pom on the top in Gryffindor gold and the Gryffindor lion stitched in the same gold color. Patting the tam sitting on top of his own head, a tam in blinding blue and open your eyes orange, Dobby smiles in satisfaction and skips all the way from Hermione's dorm room back to the Hogwarts' kitchens.

---

Climax in Cairo: Part Four
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-27-03 13:26

A look of concern remained fixed on Bill for a few moments, but pure delight soon passed over Adallah's face. He rose from his seat slowly and stayed positioned behind his desk as if it provided him with some sort of solid barrier between him and the angry redhead. In reality, however, Adallah wasn't the slightest bit alarmed for his safety and well-being. He kept his feet planted firmly to the ground as a mark of his power and authority.

"Tell me, Adallah, why is my brother's wand in that aquarium?" Bill repeated, gritting his teeth together menacingly.

With a hint of a smile playing on his lips, Adallah declared calmly, "I see there is no use in denying that I know the wand belongs to your brother. I knew when I met you that you possessed an ability to solve mysteries and to annoy those with secrets to hide. That is why I sent Nawif to keep an eye on you, Bill. Not so much for a promotion, although I will admit that you are very skilled and perhaps quite deserving of such an honor, but to keep you in check. Nawif was informed to prevent you from putting your nose where it doesn't belong."

Bill retorted roughly, "I had an unsettling feeling about Nawif from the very beginning. You jumped onto my suspicious persons list much later. I didn't see it before, but it certainly makes sense now. You seemed very determined to satisfy the Pushkins; almost too eager to have them open up an account with Gringotts. Now, I know it's every good banker's desire to persuade perspective clients to choose us over some other bank, and the richer the better, right?"

"You're a smart man, Bill," responded Adallah. He flashed his pearly whites and continued pleasantly, "As I said, the Pushkins have some very rare items, which would make an incredible sum of money on the black market. Why do you suppose I had you and Mosi handle the security on the vault? I did not want to draw any attention to myself in the event that the vault is broken into.

"I sent Nawif," here he cast a glance at the aquarium, "to spy on you both, to memorize the combinations and charms used to get into the vault, but you and Mosi were too good for him, Bill. No man other than those who created that security system could get through the barriers on pure memory."

Bill's gaze wavered back and forth between the aquarium and Adallah's face.

"I sent Nawif to go to your flat and get me the blueprints. He had seen you put them in your briefcase," Adallah explained. "Had no one answered the door, Nawif would have broken in and searched for the plans without any harm coming to anyone..."

"Percy..." Bill started, and Adallah chuckled.

"Yes, Percy. As it turned out, someone did answer the door. Nawif had no intention of kidnapping him, but when the plans were no where to be found..."

Bill balled his hands into fists and interrogated fiercely, "It was you who sent me those anonymous letters, was it not? Why did you schedule the trade for tomorrow when you're so freely giving away all the answers I need today?"

Bill shook with anger and without giving Adallah time to reply demanded, "Release my brother, now!"

Adallah ignored Bill's order and replied steadily, "It was I who sent you those letters, and it is true that I had no plan to reveal everything today. I can see that you have no patience, however, and what a poor character trait that is. No matter. You won't have to wait long for me to finish you off..."

Bill didn't give Adallah the chance to finish his statement and instead reached for his wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

Adallah's wand, which had been resting on his desk, shot into Bill's hand. The redhead's next command sent cords flying out of the tip of his wand. They bound themselves around Adallah's wrists and ankles, causing the man to fall backwards into his high-backed chair. With another flick of Bill's wand, Adallah's protests were silenced by a gag.

Bill debated reaching into the aquarium to get Percy's wand, but much greater favored not getting stung by the deadly scorpion. Instead, he strode over to the fireplace and tossed powder into the flames to contact one of the Egyptian aurors he had talked to the previous evening.

He had just made contact, when a reflection in the mirror hanging over the fireplace caught his eye. The scorpion in the aquarium seemed to grow and change...

---

Electron felt as though there was smoke coming out of his ears after his first dose of Claritus, but his throat was already feeling better. This mixture was invaluable. If Trumpetvine Pastilles were anything like as good, his whispering days were a thing of the past!

He put his handkerchief away as the proprietor asked, "So! What brings you to Hogsmeade? there's precious little singing goes on round here. Except maybe Miss Briar Rose, when she's baking."

"I'm on a writing break," he explained, raising an eyebrow as his voice came out loud and clear. "Hey! That really works! Thank you!"

The proprietor chuckled in response, and Electron continued, "I was looking for somewhere quiet to work on my next album, and this seemed like just the place. I guess I did overdo it last night..." he grinned. "Dublin's a great audience. But the only thing I want to do with a newspaper right now is read one, so I really do appreciate you keeping this quiet." Electron wasn't that sure he could trust a parish priest. He actually did read newspapers. But at least he'd trust Nevvyn's Notions and Potions with the state of his voice in future.

---

Fan Club Meeting
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 01-27-03 18:42

"Well, of course it works!" I laugh at the surprised look on his face. "You're not dealin' with just some "Medicine Man" peddlin' "Snake Oil" to the natives, now." I grab a quill and scrap of paper, and start toting up his bill. "Let's see now. That'll be one Galleon, six Sickles and eleven Knuts. I know it's a bit steep, but the price of myrrh these days is out of sight. D' you want me to wrap it up?"

As I busy myself with the wrapping, he proceeds to tell me his purpose here and a bit about the audiences in Dublin. He also requests that I keep his presence in Hogsmeade a secret. I solemnly promise to do just that, on the silver hair of my Sainted Mother's head. He laughs again, pays his tab and prepares to leave. As he turns to go, Tom rushes through the door and comes to a screeching halt in front of him.

"C... C... Captain Electron!" he exclaims in an over-loud voice. "Hey! Guys! It's Captain Electron! In the flesh!" The other two Toms poke their heads out of the storeroom, then come rushing in to worship at the feet of their idol.

Here now! Stop it this instant! I exclaim! Apologetically, I turn to my customer. I am truly sorry for the behavior of my "associates". So! You are The Captain Electron they have been talking about. They are great fans of yours. Sir! May I introduce Tom, Tom and Tom. They are brownies from the western isles, and have been with me for many years. Come to think of it, I do believe I have heard some of your music. Not bad! Not bad at all! Now, as you ask, your little secret will be safe with me... with all of us, after I have a little chat in the back room with my friends.

Before the Captain can leave, Tom dashes into the back room and returns with the liner notes from Captain Electron's latest Sono-cube. "Could you please autograph this for us?" he begs. After a moment's hesitation, the Captain reaches for a quill and affixes his signature in bold gold letters. Tom carefully blows the ink dry then slides the paper back into the case. The three of them stare blissfully at the gold letters, then disappear into the back.

"Again, Good sir, I apologize for their actions. They are somewhat like overgrown children at times. And since you are incognito, how shall I call you in the future?"

"Just call me "John"!" he replies as he picks up his package and starts for the door.

"John!" I call out. "Your sunglasses?" I hand him his shades and watch him depart, then turn to go have a little chat with my "Toms".

---

A Quiet Stroll and a Long Night
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 01-27-03 13:47

Lawrence and Vera spent some time strolling around the grounds, eventually ending up by the lake. He stood behind her his arms wrapped around her waist holding her back against him, his head resting on her shoulder. They stood there in silence for some time and just looked out over the lake's surface reflecting the moonlight.

"Vera, I know the school year just started, as did we just start seeing each other, but I was wondering." he stopped for a minute, eyes lingering on the lake's surface, now rippled by the breeze that blew over them. "Would you like to spend some time in Australia at the end of the school year? I am going for a month over the summer break, I would like it if you'd come with me."

He could tell he had caught her off guard with his offer. "You don't have to answer me right now Vera. I had already told David that I wouldn't know for certain if you could come or not. So I told him to prepare for two so that way if you can come, things will be ready."

Vera nodded and turned to kiss him lightly. She nodded "I will let you know soon Lawrence. As much as I'd like to stay here longer with you, I think it's best we both head in to bed. We both have class tomorrow."

He nodded and they turned and headed back to the castle and into the common room. "I'm going to stay up for a little while longer. My class tomorrow isn't until one and I still have some homework to do. So I will see you some time tomorrow, probably in the afternoon."

She nodded and they kissed good night he watched her enter the girls dormitory and headed to his room quietly as to not disturb his roommate. He gathered his books and headed back to the common room, Sydney his cat, trailing right at his heels.

He sat at one of the tables and pulled out quill and parchment and began working on the essay for DADA, three and a half scrolls later, he began to look over what he needed for Muggle Studies.

The minutes slipped into hours and soon the sun's rays starting to lighten the sky. He packed up his books and headed to his room, he needed sleep. He collapsed in to bed after changing out of his school clothes and into his pajamas. He was asleep before his head even touched the pillow.