Seeking Answers
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 05-29-03 09:15
Having been unable to speak with Briar thus far about Adriana's mysterious disappearance due to an increasing amount of work at Gringotts, Bill set out early on Saturday morning for his usual cup of coffee at the Bakery.
His meeting with his father had proved fruitless as probably expected; Arthur Weasley could only supply Bill with condolences and a little bit of advice. "Set up a meeting with an auror, Bill. They're more trained at finding people than you are. If you'd rather I talk to some of my colleagues to see how they can help, I'd be happy to do it."
Of course, the problem in contacting an auror meant that Bill might have to be a little more upfront about Adriana, and he had promised to keep her secrets to himself, no matter what. It made things very difficult, for Bill knew that telling someone the truth, someone who had the power to do something, could help tremendously in any search for Adriana and Helena, should the latter woman be with her in the first place.
Revealing Adriana's secrets, however, could cause her to be placed in Ministry custody or worse––maybe even St. Mungos, should everyone think she's a raving lunatic. For these reasons alone, Bill wanted to talk to Briar Rose. She was one of few who already knew the whole truth, and whether she lacked the power of a Ministry official or not mattered little. She might be able to provide a little insight into Adriana's disappearance.
Bill and Briar had set up a meeting to talk over one week ago, but a unexpected drop-in visit by a Gringotts head of department from Diagon Alley forced Bill to cancel the meeting at the last minute. Busy assignments at work during the following week kept Bill from stopping by Briar's Bakery for the important chat, but finally things were starting to let up.
He strolled down High Street, adjusting the scarf around his neck to protect himself from the chilly January wind. With any luck, he'd catch Briar in a good mood...
Nervous?
Who's Nervous? Me!
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 05-29-03 10:25
Lawrence entered the Great Hall with Vera, ready for this round of the Wizard's Chess tournament. He was a bit nervous, his hand lightly coiled around one of Vera's as he waited for Professor Logan to make the initial greeting and announce who is playing who.
He trailed his gaze over the gathered players. Wondering who he would be playing. The first round had gotten the tournament down to four players. One from each house. This round would be the final round before the last game to decide who would gain the points for their house.
He looked slightly over at Vera who smiled reassuringly. He had spent every free moment practicing for this tournament, when he wasn't studying. He also owed Vera some quality time, which he would make up for once this round of the tournament was over. "Sorry I haven't been around much Vera. I'll make it up to you." Voice soft as he spoke, again waiting on Professor Logan.
He attempted to will the butterflies in his stomach to calm down, things would be alright he was a good player and stood a decent chance of making it to that final round. Though it would all be up to who he was playing.
New Toy
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 05-29-03 14:28
"No, Goyle," Draco repeated for the millionth time that morning, "I don't want to see the match today. No one interesting is playing, except for that Brumby girl, but I don't really know her that well anyway. Besides, chess is boring."
Goyle shrugged his gigantic shoulders and exchanged looks with Crabbe.
"If you two want to spend your morning watching the tournament, go on," Draco said, "but I'm not interested." When neither Crabbe nor Goyle made any move to leave the common room, Draco added insensitively, "You big oafs don't need me to chaperone you, do you? Big boys capable of going somewhere on your own, aren't you?"
They shuffled to their feet, obedient gazes cast to the floor as they mumbled "see you later" and wandered out of the common room.
Perhaps Draco had no better place to be than the chess match, yet he had absolutely zero desire to attend. He hadn't lied to Crabbe and Goyle when he told them that chess was boring. There was no action to it, and it didn't matter that the pieces were bewitched to maul and destroy each other. It just didn't have the same level of excitement as a Quidditch match.
Moreover, Draco opted against attending the chess tournament because he thought Clara might be there to support Slytherin to victory. Her best friend Tempest had participated in the last round, and so it seemed only likely the two would watch this one to see Faith conquer over the other Hogwarts Houses.
Ever since their relationship ended, Draco and Clara's friendship had been on the fringe. With Tempest lending Clara the support only a best friend could give, Draco very much felt that he should steer clear and wait for them to forgive and forget. Not a likely sentiment, that.
Finally deciding to take a stroll around the castle, Draco climbed to his feet and exited the Slytherin common room. He wandered through the vast dungeons, pausing every once in a while to poke his head into an empty classroom or broom closet. Usually doors were already open a crack, but on occasion they were completely closed. Locked doors proved the most intriguing, and after performing the Alohomora spell numerous times, Draco finally stumbled upon a cache of interesting artifacts.
The small room looked like an abandoned classroom, nowadays used as storage for odd trinkets and other items perhaps at one time having been placed in a lost and found bin. Several boxes littered the floor, while other bigger objects were covered with tarps and white bedsheets. Draco stepped inside the room, glancing quickly behind him before shutting the door. His eyes scanned the dusty room, halting on the box closest to his feet. He took a step towards it and knelt to investigate its innards, discovering only a stack of yellowed parchment and a few broken quills.
A neighboring box carried old socks and wizarding caps, and another was full of old textbooks. Draco turned away from where he stood and locked his eyes on a dirty, old globe resting on a dust-covered endtable. He approached it, running one finger across the sphere, removing a line of soot from the surface. Near the foot of the table was a another box, this one full of objects made of copper, silver and gold.
Draco knelt before it and pushed aside a few broken watches, admiring one even though its crystal was severely cracked. Beneath the watches were an old, brassy bracelet and a few silver water goblets, which were so dirty they were black. The item at the very bottom of the box caught Draco's attention the most.
It was a circular pendant made of tarnished gold with an oval ruby in the center. It hung from an equally tarnished, long and golden chain. It seemed neither special nor worth much money, but Draco pocketed it anyhow. Perhaps he could clean it up and give it to his mother even if it did look a little like a cheap piece of costume jewelry, or maybe he'd put a spell on it and use it for some mischief.
At any rate, Draco felt more satisfied then than he had earlier that morning. After poking around the room a few minutes longer, he returned to the Slytherin common room with the pendant in his robe pocket.
Oh Boy, Talk
about Butterflies!
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 05-29-03 17:02
I saw Lawrence and Cho as I entered the Great Hall. Faith hadn't shown up and we were waiting and wondering about who would play who. As we stood there I smiled at the others in a nervous sort of way, I mean after all I was the youngest player playing against some of the best players.
Taking a deep breath Professor Logan opened the doors to the Great Hall and smiled at us. "It's good to see you again. Follow me and you'll be seated with your partners." But she then looked around for Faith. "Where's Miss Brumby?" she asked and we all shrugged. Looking at her scroll she took a deep breath and sighed. "Well, let's go in shall we and begin."
Round 2 W.C.C.
Tournament
Author: Angelina
Date: 05-29-03 17:14
I greeted the students at the door and looked for Miss Brumby wondering where she could be. Sighing I escorted the students into the filled hall to the one table and smiled. "Mister Masterson you will play Miss Paul, Miss Chang you will play Miss Brumby if she shows up. If not, she will be disqualified and the fourth place points will be divided between the three of you."
I smiled as Lawrence and Annie sat there and Annie reached into the box drawing the black king leaving Mister Masterson to go first. I looked at the door and waited for the final player as Cho sat there looking as well. "Mister Masterson, Miss Paul, the same rules in the first round apply. No eye contact with the gallery and no signals to anyone in the gallery. Talk will only be chess commands and the words 'check' and 'checkmate'. Any problems with the rules raise one hand and I will go over the rule on that play. Mister Masterson, Miss Paul, good luck."
Castle, Knight
and Queen
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 05-29-03 17:37
"Oh bother!" I mutter to myself. Here it is, Saturday morning, and almost time for the second round of the Wizards' Chess tournament to begin. I had promised to write Dierna and give her an update on any progress we have made. By "WE", I am referring to "The Old Crowd". My hands are so cold that I can hardly hold the quill. I must remember to get that misfit window fixed in the Sitting Area. Bad place for reading on a frosty January morning. I stand by the fireplace and warm my hands for a few moments, before returning to my desk.
Dierna,
I have received a mysterious note from Fletcher. He claims there is a "spy" within the walls of Hogwarts. In a followup meeting with him, on Tuesday last, he could not (or would not) give the source of his information. However, he did say that the three words; "Voldemort", "spy", and "Hogwarts", were all mentioned in the same breath. this was in a conversation he "overheard", in a place where he should not have been. He also inferred from the context, that it was not a student. I have put the entire Castle on alert for any sort of unusual activity, but I have not yet put any restrictions on the students.
Best regards,
Albus
Rolling the parchment into a tight tube, I tie an seal it, and rush off to the owlery. I take the first bird I see, attach the message, and whisper the addressee's name, before turning and rushing back down to the Great Hall and the Tournament.
Chess!
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 05-29-03 19:09
Cho sat patiently, at length Miss Brumby entered, she made her apologies quickly to Miss Angelina before taking a seat. Cho smiles, "Hey...Hope everything's alright."
Elizabeth nodded, "Everything's fine. Shall we get on with it?"
Cho nods, "You draw first." The other nodded and drew the white knight, Cho breathed a sigh of relief; she hated going first. Quickly the game progressed, Cho matching or defeating Elizabeth's move early, then getting stuck in the middle.
Snowball Fight,
Anyone?
Author: Kody
Date: 05-29-03 20:04
Kody gazed around the Ravenclaw common room, taking in everything oriented upside due to his upended position on one of the oversized armchairs. Anyone entering the common room from the hall would first see Kody's gargantuan feet sticking up from the chair. One would have to walk around to take in the rest of Kody's long, lanky form, his dark hair forming a mop on the floor in front of the chair.
A familiar pair of shoes walks by Kody. They come to a stop at a nearby chair as the shoes' owner unceremoniously plops down, his legs sprawling in front of him. Kody turns his head as if to address the shoes.
"You going to the chess thing, Drake."
"Don't think so. You?"
"Uh uh. You think Tony's going?"
"Probably. Unless you have something more interesting he could be doing."
"We could build opposing snow forts and"
"And have a snowball fight," Drake says to finish Kody's sentence. "You round up whomever you can find who's interested, I'll go get Beck and anyone he and I run into who's game. Meet you down on the pitch in, oh, say twenty?"
Drake nods even though he knows Kody can't see his head. "Excellent."
Both boys hop up, Kody taking a second longer as blood goes rushing back to the rest of his body, and grab their coats, scarves and gloves. Kody barrels out of Ravenclaw House, calling back over his shoulder, "See you in twenty!"
Messages
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 05-29-03 21:12
After my usual morning walk, I find an owl sitting by the window, waiting to be let in with his message. When I open the door, he flies in and drops the letter, with its special seal, and sits on the back of a chair. I conjure a treat for it and read the message. I cannot say that its content surprises me, there have been spies at Hogwarts for the past several years. Still, I'll have to talk with Mundungus about this. I look through my diary to see when I am free.
"Hmm, meetings, meetings. Oh well, I'll just have to play hooky," I comment to myself, then summon a quill and some ink.
Mundungus,
I need to talk with you about the spy at Hogwarts. Whenever you are available, please come to my office. The sooner the better.
Dierna
I send this letter away with my own owl, then consider a reply to Dumbledore.
Olamh: I'll speak to Fletcher further on this issue. I might be able to get enough information to figure the puzzle out for myself. I'll let you know the result of this discussion after he and I meet.
Meanwhile, I think you have done all you can. I can come and unobtrusively observe the school, see if anything or anyone strikes me as "odd," if you like. Should I meet with you sometime to talk more about this? I can make myself available whenever it is best for you. Meetings and paperwork, which only distract me from the job at hand, can wait. And of course, my door is always open to you.
Slan!
Dierna
I attach the message to the owl's leg and send it off to Hogwarts.
Trying to
Watch, Really
Author: Margaritte Triegher
Date: 05-29-03 22:55
She hurriedly woke up her roommates and dressed up for the second round of the chess tournament. As usual, Mirai was having trouble supporting Cho, as she also wanted to support her friend Lawrence. But, like before, they convinced her that she forget anything about her friendships with the other houses and root for Ravenclaw.
Not wanting to distract the players and have them commit any errors because of her, she discreetly smooth down her hair and whispered to Mirai.
"How's, um, your brother?" she asked quietly.
Mirai glanced at her with a sly grin.
"What?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing," Mirai answered, as she continued looking at the players. "Just seems like you're interested or something..."
Trying to hide her blush by lowering her head, she said, "Just wondering."
"Right."
"No, really."
"Right..."
"Mai..." she said softly, so as not to disturb the concentration of the players.
"He asked for you, by the way," Mirai grinned at her before turning her attention back to the games in front of her.
She didn't have the breath to answer back as she sucked in loads of air, trying to suppress the shriek that's wants to blow out from her mouth.
"Concentrate on cheering, will you?" Christina told her suddenly, sharing a grin with Mirai, then smiling mischievously at her.
She just quirked an eyebrow as she already had her reactions under control and tried to focus on the supporting her house to win the Cup.
Chess
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 05-30-03 05:34
Lawrence was good, in fact, we were even and I just kept my eyes on the game. As the game went on I wondered what to do next, then I saw a good move. "Knight to E-5," I said and took his bishop. Lawrence smiled a bit and gave a nod at my move as my knight demolished his bishop.
Professor Logan walked up and down the table checking out both games and every once in a while looked at her chart of rules. I looked at my opponent and thought what he'd be like in school. I heard he was a nice person and had a girlfriend but when it came to Wizards Chess he was just like me, new to the game.
Late to Rise
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 05-30-03 08:47
Fritz kicks off his covers and opens the curtain surrounding his four-poster bed, rubbing his eyes with his fists as he swings his legs over the side of the mattress. A yawn escapes his lips, and when his eyes adjust to the morning light in the room he realizes that everyone else has already gone. All of the other beds are empty and made, and it takes Fritz only a few minutes to remember that today is the day of the second round of the chess tournament.
Fritz has always been fond of chess; he used to play with his father all the time at home. Of course, they always played ordinary chess––not wizarding chess, not that there was much difference in game play between the two.
He shrugs, planting both feet firmly on the cold floor and consequently shoves them into a pair of slippers. A bathrobe is draped over the back of his chair, which he grasps and puts on as he fails to stifle another yawn.
Wer spielt Heute für Ravenclaw?* thinks Fritz as he runs a hand through his unkempt hair. "Ach, ja,**" he answers quietly to himself.
Cho Chang is playing for Ravenclaw, and people say she is skilled at everything she does. Head Girl, seeker and not to mention Quidditch captain––Fritz is quite impressed with her list of extracurricular activities and honors, but he doesn't know her well at all.
The German boy's mind briefly shifts gear as he begins to wonder what sort of accolades he will earn during his years at Hogwarts.
---
*Who's playing for Ravenclaw
today?
** Oh, yes.
Gathering
the Troops
Author: Kody
Date: 05-30-03 19:01
Kody walks just far enough into the Great Hall to be able to see if Anthony Beck is there. Kody's eyes rapidly scan the rows of spectators and near one wall he does indeed locate Tony. Kody quickly and quietly steals up behind the Hufflepuff and taps the other boy's shoulder. When Tony turns to look, Kody inclines his head toward the doors. As the two make their way out, Kody gets the attention of a few others.
Seconds later, a small group is standing just outside the Great Hall. Upon hearing Kody's idea, they scatter to their respective houses to get coats and gloves. Kody, already bundled up, goes outside and heads for the pitch, knowing there are bound to be others already outside who'd want to join in as well.
Invitation
Author: H Potter
Date: 05-30-03 21:34
Harry had gotten up just in time to grab some breakfast before the Great Hall was revamped for the chess match. Ron already been gone when Harry woke up and there'd been no sign of Hermione or Ginny either nor had Harry seen them while he ate breakfast.
Harry's been strolling around the halls, checking places like the library for his friends, but so far he's not located a single one of them. About the time Harry's walking back down the main corridor to the Great Hall, he sees Anthony Beck hurrying towards him.
The younger boy stops long enough to say, "Snowball fight with snow forts down at the pitch. Welcome to come if you're interested!"
Without waiting for a reply, Anthony rushes on. Harry thinks things over and then he too is scurrying down the hallway, heading back to Gryffindor Tower to get his coat.
Within fifteen minutes, Harry has out of the castle and well on his way to the pitch.
Snowball Fight?
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 05-30-03 21:35
Emma had gone for a walk on the grounds, contemplating all that had taken place in her first week. As she neared the Quidditch pitch, she noticed a crowd of people gathering, among them was her classmate, Drake. She went over to him and asked what was going on.
"Kody and I are arranging a snowball fight, would you like to join?"
She nodded eagerly. "I take it neither of you were all that interested in the chess game."
He made a face. "You know how much I love chess," he said. "Kody had to beg me to come do this instead."
"I'm sure he did," she replied as Kody came up to them, leading a small group of other students. He said that there were more on the way and looked around at those already gathered.
"Will you be joining us, Emma?" he asked her.
"You really think I'd miss the chance to through something at you two without getting in trouble, did you?" She smiled innocently at the two boys.
"You're assuming you'll be able to hit us." Drake shot back, grinning. In response, she picked up a handful of snow and 'accidentally' dropped it on his head then moved backwards a few steps in case he decided to retaliate. He made another face and scooped up his own handful of powder.
Cryptic Message
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 05-30-03 22:37
Ethan paused outside his window observing a group of students treading through the snow towards the Quidditch Pitch, all of them bundled warmly and wearing bright smiles across their rosey faces. He watched them for a moment briefly wondering why they weren't staying indoors where it was warm, but then instantly remembering how children sometimes don't seem to notice the cold, especially when they are having fun.
While his gaze was focused outdoors, an owl flew into his line of vision. Ethan's sapphire bullets focused intently on the roll of parchment clutched in the animal's talons, and for a moment he thought of summoning it to him, bird and all. As luck would have it, the owl shifted its flight path slightly and starting coming for the window. Ethan opened it wider and stepped to one side to allow the owl easy access to the ledge.
It swooped through the window, bypassing the cozy spot on the ledge and instead perched itself on a stack of parchments on Ethan's desk. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor crossed the room and removed the letter from the bird's claws, rewarding the light brown owl with a gentle stroke across the feathers.
When he unrolled the parchment, he found it to be blank.
Invisible ink? he thought to himself, and he bent over his desk and flattened the parchment with his hands against the surface. Almost as if his fingers were the key to a locked door, a fine script began to form on the parchment.
It's time to meet the others.
And as quickly as the words appeared, they vanished leaving nothing but a blank piece of paper. Ethan stood upright, allowing the parchment to curl from beneath his grip. Cryptic message. What the hell is it supposed to mean?
But somehow he knew. The others, they were people like him. But where am I supposed to meet them?
Knowing nothing else to do, Ethan reached for one of his quills and scribbled, When and where? on the same parchment. After a few seconds, his words disappeared from sight.
So, it's not exactly invisible ink. Enchanted parchment, perhaps.
Pausing briefly with his hand poised over the parchment, Ethan debated whether or not to add anything else to the note. Finally deciding to make mention of recent observations around the castle, Ethan wrote, Believe security has been tightened. Am watchful for further news, and soon these words also vanished into thin air. He rolled the parchment back up and secured it within the patient owl's talons, rewarding it with another smoothing of the feathers. "Sorry, I don't have anything to eat on me," Ethan apologized, sending the owl on its way. He watched it fly until it was nothing but a tiny speck against the dull, gray sky.
