Ron's Birthday

Stewing
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 07-15-03 20:41

Julian sits on the counter, in the dark, staring out the broad panes of the shop's windows, watching as the world gradually turns from a deep, dusky gray to the rosy gray of early winter morning. He feels a stirring of anger when he see lights popping on in the bakery across the way. His eyes narrow as he thinks back to the night of Valentine's.

Julian had given Briar a few days to cool off. When he did see her, Briar gave him the cold shoulder. Apparently Julian didn't offer up the apology she seemed to expect nor had he acted contrite. Didn't seem to matter to her that Julian had more or less lost his other best friend to who knows where and for who the hell knows how long.

Didn't matter that after Lysander left, Julian had found a letter from his friend asking Julian to take care of putting everything in the upper flat into storage and detailing where to store the items. Lys had apologized for leaving it to Julian to pack up Chyler's things and finally doing something with everything in the nursery but went on to say he just couldn't bring himself to do it and wasn't sure he ever could. Lysander had also mentioned what he'd said to Jules' face. Take the bigger apartment for Briar and himself. Lys knew that the work on the house won't be complete until after the winter weather clears and in always thinking what's best for his friend, he thought the couple would be more comfortable in the flat since it's bigger than Briar's and much larger than Julian's. Good idea if the two were still a couple.

Didn't matter to Briar that Julian spent the entire day of Sunday the sixteen of February as well as all evening that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday getting the Stratford's flat packed up and cleared out. It had so drained him that when Michael, Chyler's brother, showed up on Thursday with Chyler's father and Lys's father to help move everything into storage, Julian hadn't been able to think of one snide thing to say to the man. Besides, without Chyler there to run interference, it wouldn't have been fun to make digs at Michael anyway.

Nothing seems to matter except what Briar wants. When Julian still hadn't apologized to her satisfaction by Friday afternoon, she'd returned the engagement ring. Didn't even have the nerve to bring it over herself. Couldn't walk across the street and face him. No! She'd gone to the post office and owled it over. He'd been forced to pretend all day that Saturday as kids from the school came through that shop that him not being himself was due totally to Chyler's death and Lysander taking a leave of absence.

Bitch.

Rosalyn Burnshire had been such a pliable little thing. Always eager to please Julian and their other playmates. Parroting back many of her parent's ideas, which in turn were those of the Death Eaters. Joining in with the taunting of any Mudblood kids. Helping to play cruel jokes on the buggers.

What happened?

The couple that took her in and raised her ruined her. Good thing she changed her name because the Burnshires would not want their pure name blighted by someone like Briar who hangs around with such goody goods as the Weasel family and who allows her moral sensibilities to extend to dirty, mixed bloods and to Muggles living free from worry about domination from the Wizarding world. If the Burnshires had graves, they'd be turning in them in agony over what their daughter has become.

Julian had vowed he'd bring Briar back into Voldemort's fold, return her to being Rosalyn Burnshire. He's not about to let their broken engagement stop him at this juncture. As Julian unlocks the shop doors, turns the sign from closed to open, and begins lighting the many lamps scattered around the shop, his mind turns over some ideas, finally settling on one. He will get credit for letting the Dark Lord know of her existence and Julian won't even have to marry the bitch to do it.

Not Quite Tea with Mussolini
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 07-15-03 21:08

Since the staff meeting where Merdroit had been introduced as a replacement prof, Michael had kept up his attitude of slightly hostile politeness to the newcomer... So how Michael found himself in a small, smoky, stuffy bar drinking vodka with his cousin, he'll never know.

"How are your classes going?" Michael asks sociably. School is a safe topic.

"Fair at best." replies Merdroit, sounding bored. "It's shameful how poor some students are even the most basic spells. They'll never get up to Unforgivable Curse level."

"Piteous," Michael said. He was about to add a thought to that comment, but caught himself. Too risky. Instead he said, "It is much the same with me. You'd think purebloods would be much more talented."

They talk on a bit more, and Michael nearly gages when Merdroit makes a comment about his pathetic little cousin's failed attempts to blow up the school. "He is an auror now, in England. A good thing his stint at teaching didn't include potions. He never was very skilled at such sentive work."

As it was, Michael had graduated from Beauxbattons with top honours. Potions included.

The topic changes to Ivanova's mysterious assignment. Merdroit is anxious to show off his insider's knowledge of the mission. Michael lets his cousin ramble on a bit. Then he suddenly stands up and knocks the mug out of Merdroit's hands.

"Shut up you idiot! You never know when there are Aurors about!" With that, Michael storms off, biting back his laughter, leaving the stunned Merdroit to pick up BOTH their tabs.

The Pink Girl...Hmm
Author: Sean Belgar
Date: 07-16-03 07:53

Sean as standing with a group of people but was oblivious to the conversations around him. He had noticed a girl he had never seen before. She had just walked into the Great Hall with Harry and Ginny. She was wearing a lot of pink. Ginny was pointing a person out to the pink girl.

He saw Ginny's finger land on him and he went still and silent so he could here what Ginny had to say, "-and that's Sean Belgar but he likes Majandra." He wasn't sure he liked Majandra anymore. He was starting to think it would be best to be friends because she was in love with George.

He saw Emma walk up to the pink girl and they started talking excitedly. Then the pink girl hugged Emma. Sean turned to Kody and asked, "Who is that over there in the pink?"

"No idea," came the reply. "Ask Emma she appears to know."

"Nah. I will just go and introduce myself," said Sean as he walked over to the pink girl.

He stood next to Emma patiently waiting for them to sop talking. When she finally noticed that the pink girl kept looking his way she turned and saw him there. "Oh hello Sean," she said. "I was just talking to-"

"Reese Witherspoon," interrupted Reese. "You're Sean, right?"

"Uhh, yeah. So you came from Beauxbatton?"

"Yes," she said. She had a great, dazzling smile.

"I am on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team," he said trying hard to impress her. "Do you like Quidditch?

Determined to Impress
Author: Reese Witherspoon
Date: 07-16-03 08:48

I was finally talking to another guy! Ooo! Of course I didn't show all my enthusiasm, just a preview of it! His question about Quidditch hit me. I have watched it before but a conversation about Quidditch? I mean I much prefer something much more fun...like...shopping! But then, he is a guy and guys don't really like to shop.

"Oh yes! It's quiet fun to watch but I don't think I would like my face socked with that round thingy shooting-"

"That's a bludger," Harry quickly reminded her.

"Oh of course! That bludger thingy!"

Reese smiled and winked at Sean.

It seemed like everything was going fine until Draco appeared. I mean is it wrong for a girl to like five guys at the same time? I do think it is alright! I mean I'm not with anyone and having to like people just alright! It's err...friendly?

"Oh look," Draco drawled as he came upon us. He met Potter's defiant gaze for the briefest of moments before settling his cold, gray eyes on the new girl, me. "Lockhart's upchucked a daughter." He smirked at me.

I didn't quiet understand what he meant by that. I mean, who's Lockhart and I am not the daughter of this Lockhart. Draco left and that made me a little disappointed but I was determined to impress him but how? For the time being, I turned my attentions back to Sean and they began chatting...about Quidditch...ugh... but hey, at least I'm chatting with a good looking guy.

Bored?
Author: Sean Belgar
Date: 07-16-03 08:58

Sean stood there talking with Reese. All his problems seemed to fly away. She was so beautiful. Then he noticed she wasn't very interested at what they were talking about, or was that facial expression because of what Draco had said? He decided it was because she was bored.

"So what do you like to do?" he asked in what he hoped was an interested voice. He actually was interested in what she had to say because her voice seemed to soothe him. She was growing on him quicker than any other girl he had seen. He only hoped he was growing on her.

It appeared that she liked a lot of people but he was determined to be the one she chose.

Green or Blue?
Author: Reese Witherspoon
Date: 07-16-03 09:12

Reese quickly noted that the Slytherins were dressed in green.

Green...hmmm...anything green, oh yes that skirt with the fur scarf! And that Parisian hat and with the final touch a green robe! But wait...I don't have a green robe...I'll get it somehow! Ugh! I am Reese Witherspoon and I'll get any guy I want and Draco was way too cute and I want him!

Sean broke my concentration on what to dress to impress Draco but she didn't quiet mind. Sean was quiet cute as well and he had those eyes you could just drown in and I was quiet impressed that a guy asked what I liked.

"Oh shopping, chatting, shopping, chatting, boys, and shopping!"

I know guys didn't like guys unless they were gay but he did ask me what I liked and I do like guys.

I noticed that Sean was wearing blue, the color of the Ravenclaws. Oo blue! I have a blue cocktail dress that I can wear underneath a blue robe! Then again...I don't have a blue robe oh wait I do! But it doesn't have the Gryffindor emblem...hmm...

I need someone to help me about this. I can't choose! Green or blue?

"Ginny! Let's go back to the common room."

"But-"

"Please?"

"Ciao Sean!" I said, giving him a wink as I pulled Ginny to follow me back to the common room.

In a Hurry Are We?
Author: Sean Belgar
Date: 07-16-03 09:26

Sean stood staring after Reese and Ginny. What did you do now you big idiot. You always seem to chase them off. He thought to himself. He sighed as he walked back to the Ravenclaw table.

"So who is she?" asked Kody at once.

"Her name is Reese, she is quite nice," he said sitting down. "Not to mention beautiful," he said a little quieter. "She doesn't seem to like Quidditch though. She doesn't seem the type that would, mind you, but I gave it a shot.

"She paid a lot of attention to Draco though. I hope he doesn't go and mess things up for me. I have already lost someone I liked. I can't imagine what I will do if I lose her. But I have only known her for about fifteen minutes. She grew on me fast." said Sean.

"Why did she run off? What did you say?" asked Kody who seemed quite interested.

"I am not sure. I asked her what she liked and she ran off with Ginny. She seemed like she liked my company, of course I could have just imagined it."

An Upcoming Anniversary
Author: Santhea Fennally
Date: 07-16-03 11:56

Santhea sat in the Slytherin common room, alone. Everyone else had gone to the Great Hall for breakfast, but she had decided to remain behind. Ordering some light food directly from one of those annoying house-elves, she was now staring at an old photo, barely knowing what she was eating.

A boy of 18 was grinning at her, proudly wearing the Ravenclaw colours. 'What a fool, as if being in Ravenclaw was something to be proud of. Well, at least not Hufflepuff or Gryffindor...' Tears started to fall from her eyes and her heart felt as if an iron fist was closing around it. 'Oh Stuart... Why? Why didn't you hold on to your promise?'

It was still 28 days until the first anniversary of his fall. The 29th of March ... a day she dreaded like nothing before. Worst was that there was no one she could turn to with her grief. Her family had turned their backs on Stuart just after he left Hogwarts, unwilling to even speak his name. Here at school there was not a soul she could ever trust with something like this. Especially if she wanted to hold up the image she had been so carefully establishing. The cold, unfeeling Slytherin couldn't possibly have feelings other than contempt and the like. Love was out of the question.

Her back to the entrance she did not realize the presence of the one person she least wanted to see until it was to late. Until Draco Malfoy leaned over her shoulder, smirk firmly in place, softly whispering, "You boyfriend, Fennally? Or should we say ex-boyfriend?"

Dress to Impress
Author: Reese Witherspoon
Date: 07-16-03 16:47

Ginny had been finally freed from Reese's grip and followed her to the Gryffindor common room and up back to the girl's dormitory. Reese first took her wand out and said quietly, "Accio Polaroid camera."

The Polaroid camera rose from one of her opened trunks and flew to her.

"What's that?" Ginny asked with fright in her eyes.

"Oh don't be scared! It's a muggle camera! I got it as a gift from a muggle friend years ago but now I use to take pictures of myself."

Ginny looked at Reese and thought she was full of herself but Reese quickly came in and saved herself from having a bad image.

"Oh, no I don't use it to admire myself, just to see how I look in a certain dress or outfit!"

Ginny gave a sigh and moved from being full of yourself to fashion obsession. Ginny then realized why Reese was doing this.

"You're trying to impress Sean aren't you?"

"Oh and Draco. I really can't make up my mind to impress first but let's first see what type of outfit looks good first!"

Ginny gave a deep sigh and asked Reese, "What am I supposed to do?"

"You're supposed to take a photo of me!"

Reese came over and showed her how to work the Polaroid camera and when the photo came out of the slit, Ginny was startled.

"See? It's all white but once you shake it and wait for a few seconds the picture comes up! See!"

Colors began to emerge and finally the two of them can see a dull wooden closet they had taken a picture of it.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

"Oh but Green isn't my color. I mean I know that the Slytherins color is well green but there is no good dress that is well green. I'll try pink in front of him and Sean again but a different outfit this time!"

Reese grabbed a pink underdress and went to the bathroom and changed. She came back and Ginny said, "Errr that's what you're going to wear?"

"Oh of course not! Just wait!" Reese said with a smile.

She grabbed a suit covering and zipped it down and found a wonderfully pink suit! It was adorable! Alongside was a pink Parisian hat, long and elegant white gloves, a matching pink mini skirt and a pair of new Dolce pink shoes. Everything was pink but Ginny looked at it with quiet a shock, seeing so much pink for an outfit. Actually everything was pink including the matching bow scarf on the right shoulder.

"Isn't this adorable? I got this made for me through a friend at the Dolce & Gabbanna Boutique! Oo! This should at least knock out a few boys!"

Reese raised her wand and said, "Accio ensemble" and all of the outfit rose in the air and followed Reese to the bathroom. She took quiet awhile to dress and once out, she looked absolutely gorgeous! Her hair was curled at the end and was it was shinier then ever! Her nails were newly painted pink as Reese was blowing at them, trying to dry them as soon as possible.

"Well, what do you think?"

Ginny was stunned. It was just well pink.

"It looks well very pink."

"Oh thanks! Now take a picture!"

Ginny took the camera and gave it a snap. A white thick paper slid out and it began to form colors until it showed Reese in a full pink suit.

"Isn't it just absolutely gorgeous?"

Ginny nodded but she had to say something. "Reese, our uniforms are supposed to have Hogwarts emblem on it."

Reese nodded her head and she turned to the side and on the mini skirt at the end was the Gryffindor Emblem, the lion in pink.

"I think this will do! Wait now for the finishing touches!"

She opened a blue velvet box and in it was a three strand pearl necklace. Ginny gasped at the pretty necklace and Reese sighed at it and carefully tied it at her neck. Then, she slid on her white gloves and grabbed a pink Louis Vuitton bag that Ginny hadn't seen yet. Finally, Reese took out a mini Burberry perfume bottle and sprayed it on her neck and wrists.

It was well over an hour but Reese was ready to impress both guys with one outfit and she was determined to take both by a storm.

Re: In a Hurry Are We?
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 07-16-03 17:32

Emma followed Sean back to the Ravenclaw table and caught the tail end of his conversation with Kody. "Oh, I should warn you not to look into her likes and dislikes too much. Back in France, her likes changed with the tides and she tried to impress basically ever guy in the entire school." She knew it was harsh, but she didn't want her friend to get his hopes too high.

"That bad, hey?" Drake asked with a grin as he glanced over his shoulder at the door Reese had exited through.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Boys," she muttered and took a seat.

Hmmmm
Author: H Potter
Date: 07-16-03 19:15

Harry stands mouth agape as Reese hustles Ginny from the Great Hall before either Ginny or he is able to say a word. The two are already out of sight when he thinks to move and goes rushing after them.

He gets all the way back to Gryffindor house and is told by someone else that the two went into the girls' dorm. Harry moves to stand at the entrance and loudly calls "Ginny, you promised to have breakfast with me!"

From somewhere Ginny's voice floats down to him, "Give me a couple of minutes Harry. Reese has me helping her with something."

Harry leans against the wall and patiently waits, finally hearing Ginny saying, "I did promise Harry, Reese, so I'm going to leave you on your own now. I'm sure you understand."

He hears Reese reply, "Though I would very much like you to stay and assist me, when I comes to affairs of the heart I understand perfectly! Later today come find me, Ginny, and we'll discuss how highlights will do you a world of good."

Ginny emerges from the girls' dorm and takes hold of Harry's outstretched hand. As they walk back to the Great Hall, Harry leans very close to Ginny quietly speaking near her ear, "How did you know that Sean likes Majandra? I've not heard a word about it."

In an equally low voice Ginny replies, "I've seen him looking at Majandra a few times when she didn't know it and I've seen them once or twice talking together. The look on his face was that of someone who's got a crush. Sort of like the look he had by the time Reese ended their conversation. I doubt Majandra's aware that he's had feelings for her that go beyond mere friendship."

The two walk in companionable silence for the rest of the way. Back at the Great Hall they go straight to the Gryffindor table where they sit side by side. Just after he's piled a stack of pancakes on his plate, Harry once again leans over to Ginny. He whispers, "Er, why do you suppose Reese didn't know who Flitwick was? She's been here, what? A week? So wouldn't she have been in Charms twice by now?"

Ginny's face screws up in concentration. "Oooh. You're right. But you know, I don't know if she was there or not either day. I was so busy concentrating on mastering the latest Charms work since it's definately one that turns up alot on the O.W.L.s that I couldn't tell you who was in class either day and who wasn't. Then again, she didn't seem to know Brett either so that's why I introduced him. She should have at least recognized him from classes and around the common room even if she didn't know his name."

Ginny and Harry exchange puzzled looks, shrug, grin, then dig into their breakfasts, their conversation turning to Ron's lunch surprise.

A Wink of Luck
Author: Reese Witherspoon
Date: 07-16-03 20:50

Walking slowly out the door, heads began to turn, well most of them were really boys including a few she had been inspecting.

"Bonjour!" I called out and walked slowly over to Emma and said, "Salut girlfriend!"

"Hey Reese! What you are wearing is the best so far you have!"

"Oo thanks!"

"Hey," called out a voice.

Reese turned her head and saw Sean and her eyes drowned in his and quickly said, "Bonjour!"

Reese gave Emma a hug and quickly walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat in front of Ginny.

She didn't eat anything but drink water. She was more waiting for Draco or any guy including Sean to walk over to her. Minutes passed and Reese was becoming impatient and so she decided to take things in her own hands.

Reese got up, gave a wink to the guys still staring at her and opened her bag. She grabbed her perfume and sprayed it a little on her hair. As she came to a finish, she took her bag gently and walked slowly on her high heels to the Slytherin table and winked at a few boys over there. Emma noticed her and gave her a wink of luck and Reese gave one back at her as she swished her hair to the side.

The naive French girl finally winked at a few Slytherin boys and said, "Bonjour mon garcons, now where is Draco?"

A few Slytherin boys opened their mouths in awe while others were stunned but she was waiting for there answer.

She Cries in Silence
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 07-16-03 21:59

Draco quietly slipped into the Slytherin common room, eager to get a few minutes alone to himself despite having wanted Crabbe and Goyle to join him only moments earlier. During the short walk from the Great Hall to the dungeons, Draco's mind had been on the medallion -- the very one resting in his robe pocket. Ever since that day the Slytherin discovered its purpose he had usually kept it on him, although rarely around his neck as it was intended to be.

At sight of Santhea Fennally sitting on one of the cushiony leather sofas, a sinister smile crept across Draco's pale face. He slipped his hand into his pocket and fingered the golden medallion before quietly removing it from its location. After slipping the chain over his head and stowing the medallion beneath his robes, Draco approached the sofa and leaned over Santhea's shoulder, noticing for the first time the tears rolling down her cheeks and the photograph in her lap.

Inwardly, Draco's heart soared. A Slytherin crying? Almost too good to be true.

"Your boyfriend, Fennally? Or should we say ex-boyfriend?" Draco said softly, his tone laced with cruelty. Her mind had been blank from the moment he put on the necklace, and to his disappointment it remained that way for a few moments. He took the brief lull in her thoughts to take a closer look at the picture, where he observed that the photographed boy donned Ravenclaw robes.

He smirked, remembering Fennally's dance with Fynn Greenleaf at the Valentine's dance last month. "You're all talk, Fennally," he drawled, turning to look at her tear-stained profile again from where he stood behind the couch. "You think you're so tough, so Slytherin, yet on the inside you're mush. You're soft."

She backhanded her tears and suddenly gazed venemously at him, but her thoughts eventually betrayed her.

Bloody git. What does he know, anyway? Her mind shifted gears and tears fell anew from the salty pools in her eyes. Draco took in the new information with interest, the ever-lasting smirk prominent on his distinguished face.

Unable to stand his obvious amusement any longer, Santhea abandoned the remains of her meal and sprung from the sofa with the photograph in hand. En route to the girls' dormitory, Draco seized her by the arm and said, "Wait, Fennally."

She jerked her arm away from his grasp, but made no move to continue her flight. Draco stood next to her, debating what to say and how to say it. She was still thinking about him, the brother who had been so dear to her before he chose to go against his family's wishes. She missed him, and while Draco didn't know the bond between siblings since he had none of his own, he seemed to feel her pain. It didn't seem to matter that this brother betrayed everyone.

Yet suddenly, the words of comfort Draco wanted to utter melted away. Her family was right to sever all ties with her brother. He betrayed them all and paid for it with his life. Instead of offering Fennally a few words of understanding, Draco turned away from her and settled himself on the couch, saying nothing more to her for the rest of the morning, even when she returned to the common room to reclaim the remainder of her meal.