Business
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 08-14-03 20:03

Bella thought for a second and finally decided.

"A small vault will be fine, I think. Expenses do mount up, though. The elves have no idea of how to find bargains, friends seem to think I'm running an inn, and the garden was a mess when I moved in. I'm not about to complain. It's really a lovely little place and wonderful for sabbaticals. I fell in love with it right away."

"I'll go with a large vault for personal expenses. Really, it'll be wonderful to store jewels out of the cottage. I know I'll sleep deeply knowing that they're at a bank instead of a safe behind a painting. I'll bring them over Monday when I wake up, and let the goblins transfer the money from London. I put full trust in Gringotts."

"Now, you moved into East Lane? Must be a nice change for you, but I do wonder how you handled the Scottish winter after Egypt. Every year I get chilled to the bone despite all the fires. The only thing that keeps me going is spring, although poor Digger's got hay fever. Does all the gardening with a face mask on, poor thing."

She chuckled. Really, it was wonderful to be able to talk to someone new who wasn't in the least bit overprotective. Liam was relaxing, but was still keeping a wary eye and a correspondence with her parents. Besides, banking was going to be much nicer and easier when someone she knew worked there.

Mysterious Mail
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 08-14-03 20:12

Pyrrhus lies back on the bright green carpet of new grass, seemingly staring at the thick, fluffy, pure white clouds in a azure sea of sky. Every few minutes a bird of some variety or other makes interesting geometric designs against the canvas of blue. None of this registers with Py. All that swims before his eyes are the words in an anonymous letter received in this morning's post.

During breakfast, a large, tawny, screech owl had swooped in and dropped the letter in Py's lap. Pyrrhus hadn't thought anything about getting a letter. He got letters and packages regularly. He'd shoved the letter into a pocket when the Great Hall was being cleared for the chess matches and didn't pull the letter out again until he'd exited the castle.

Py's brow had drawn together, creating deep furrows when he realized the letter was not from anyone he knew. That in fact the only signature was the orange line that read A Friend. The content of the letter was enough to cause Py to stagger dazed to the nearest bench. Once the words had sunk in, Py has carefully refolded the letter, slipped it back into its envelope, and pushed it as deep as he could into an inside robe pocket.

Pyrrhus doesn't really remember getting up from the bench but he must have since he somehow came to be where he's been lying for sometime now. If the information in the letter is true, it's just about the best information Py could ever hope to learn. If it's some sort of joke, Py will make sure the sender gets some equally heinous joke in return.

Py's thoughts are interrupted by the amused voice of a fellow Slytherin. "I didn't know you were allowed out without your sidekick, Pyrrhus. I thought there was some sort of law forbidding you to go anywhere without Isolde."

Upside down features come into view, peering down at Py.

"Hiya, Big D. Since when do Slytherins pay much attention to laws?"

"True, very true." Devo laughingly replies as she moves to sit beside Py then reclines back, head resting on her hands as she begins watching the clouds slowly scudding by. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

Plucking a stem of grass to chew, Py turns his head slightly, a wide grin on his face, "Oh, as many times as it takes for you to stop sounding irritated when I call you that. Then it won't be fun anymore and I'll have to find something else to irritate you."

The two Slytherins snicker then go silent. Py presumes Devo is enjoying the soothing quality of watching clouds on a wonderful spring morning. As for Py, he lets his thoughts wander back to the mysterious letter.

Making New Friends
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 08-14-03 20:53

One of the first years that Emma vaguely recognized from the common room took a seat not far from her and the other Ravenclaw fourth years. 'Hello,' Emma said to him. He seemed a bit surprised by the fact that she was addressing him. 'I'm Emma, Emma Crusher, and this is Kody, Ariana, who we all call Ari, Jade, and Drake.'

The boy nodded, 'Fritz.' he replied simply. His voice sounded a little odd, as though he'd been recently ill. Emma remembered hearing something about that in the hallway last weekend.

'It's nice to meet you, Fritz.' Ari nodded her agreement, and Drake held out his hand to shake that of the young Ravenclaw.

Telepathy
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 08-14-03 21:20

"Whatever am I going to do with myself when I leave this place?" Draco mumbled to himself. He was sitting on one of the plush sofas in the Slytherin common room, his feet up on the coffee table, crossed at the ankles, and a book propped in his lap. A Guide to the Ministry of Magic by Petronella Press, checked out from the library, delved deep into the history of the various departments. It also explained what each department commonly does today, offering a veritable selection of future career possibilities for the Slytherin, who up until recently hadn't given much thought to his years after Hogwarts (other than the occasional fantasy of playing professional Quidditch).

As he studied the book, his hand inadvertently slipped into his robe pocket. Fingers started to fondle the circular medallion and its heavy, golden chain. For weeks now, Draco had been carrying the medallion on his person, seemingly unable to leave it in his dorm room as he often had directly after he first found it. While he rarely wore it, since he knew the risks involved, the temptation often overcame him. He often wondered what others were thinking of him.

His enemies, his friends...perhaps they said one thing, but did they really think another? At other times, Draco simply wanted to wear the medallion to learn dark and embarrassing secrets, to tickle his funny bone and satisfy his lust to mess with peoples' minds.

Today, the common room was virtually deserted as many Slytherins either retired to their beds to sleep away the remainder of the day, went to the chess tournament to support Faith or simply were out and about. The few students in the common room with Draco weren't paying attention to him, so he slipped the pendant from his pocket and put it around his neck, tucking it on the inside of his robes so that it couldn't be seen.

All at once, a quiet voice erupted through his brain and said, Whatever possessed me to sign up for Arithmancy?

Draco smiled, turning a page in his book. Hopefully he'd hear something interesting.

Staring
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 08-14-03 21:24

I sat there in my bed staring at my crystal ball. It wasn't moving, or doing anything weird like that. It was just sitting there! No matter what I tried to do I couldn't see anything with the ball. Well, I could see myself, and what was on the other side of the ball, but that doesn't count.

I had been up already to eat breakfast. My bed wasn't made...as normal. I figured why should I make my bed every morning when I am going to screw it up every evening. Some of my roommates didn't eat breakfast, and one or two of them where still asleep. So, I was being quiet, of course I was since I was doing nothing but staring at the crystal ball, which was still sitting on my bed.

Why don't you just work? Want me to get a new ball? I angrily thought. I then began to consider if I could watch things in a mirror. Perhaps a small hand mirror...like maybe one or two inches across...circular would be good. I started thinking as I continued to stare into the ball.

Plaguing Thoughts
Author: Annabella Mayberry
Date: 08-14-03 22:18

Annabella sat in a large chair located in the common room of Gryffindor House, with a book and a letter in front of her. Gabriel had recommended a book to her that she was reading but the letter she had received from her mum yesterday kept taking priority in her mind. A while back, Anna had written to her parents about Gabe's offer to spend the summer with him. Anna had been excited and wished nothing more than to spend that time with him, but yet there was some nagging feeling that just wouldn't go away.

She had almost thought her parents would say no to her request but according to Elaine's letter, her sister had to do some persuading and Anna's mother had even called Gabe's and Annabella assumed the two of them worked out the arrangements since she got a reply that said it was all right for her to spend her summer with Gabe!

Anna couldn't believe herself - here was the reply that she had been waiting for such a long time to receive and now doubts began to spring up in her mind. Could it be because she was nervous for their relationship to progress further? After all, she was about to meet his parents and live with them for an entire summer! Anna dropped the book on the chair, and left the common room. As she made her way down the moving staircases, Annabella tried to push all the doubts from her mind and succeeded as she saw Gabe standing at their appointed meeting place, and quickly jumped into his embrace. "They said yes!"

Gabe grinned and pulled her closer, "We will have one amazing summer!" he whispered to her before pressing his lips softly against hers. Anna rested her head against his shoulder with her past doubts forgotten as she tried to imagine what a summer with Gabriel Baine would be like.

Nightmares
Author: Santhea Fennally
Date: 08-15-03 04:47

The nightmares that had started a week ago were getting more and more violent. She saw Stuart, surrounded by black-cloaked figures, all of them aiming their wands at him. When the first spell hit him, he screamed and crashed to the floor. Laughter filled her ears, a cold and high-pitched laughter, merciless and cruel.

She ran towards her brother, trying to reach out to him, trying to help him. But suddenly two strong arms yanked her backwards and a cold voice whispered into her ear, "He's a fool, he deserves this..." When she turned around, all she could see was a white mask and cold grey eyes.

Struggling against the Death Eater, she managed to grab his hood and pulled it down. She froze. Platinum blond hair; not long, but short.

A low moan made her turn around again. Stuart's face was covered in blood, as were his robes and the ground around him. Suddenly she was free again and rushed to his side. A wand appeared before her face out of nowhere and when she raised her eyes, she stared into the face of none other but Draco Malfoy. She could not hear what he was murmuring, but suddenly blinding green light hit her brother's chest...

---

She woke with a start, covered in cold sweat. Tears were welling from her eyes, "Oh Stuart, please no..." What had Draco to do with Stuart's death? Why had he suddenly appeared in her dreams? When she finally left her dormitory she was still shaking. It couldn't be, it couldn't!

Reaching the Common Room she spotted him right away. This time not in black, but his usual Hogwarts robes. There was no white mask upon his face, and yet, was he not always wearing a mask? Only once had he dropped his cold appearance, last week when she had said things she never should have.

Draco's head that had been stuck in a book snapped up to meet her gaze. His eyes widened suddenly and for a fleeting moment he looked ... could it be? ... concerned. But then he quickly shock his head and returned to his reading. And yet, why was it that she suddenly felt a calming presence in her mind and a familiar voice speaking comforting words?

Lazy Bum
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-15-03 11:01

A yawn escaped Bronwyn's lips and she struggled to rise from her bed, collapsing for the hundredth time as the warmth of her bed and the comfort of her pillow lulled her back to sleep. She knew she ought to get up and get some studying in; the O.W.L. exams were nearing each day and Bronwyn wasn't nearly prepared enough for them. Still, it felt so nice beneath the pile of covers and it was Saturday...

Finally, the fifth year Hufflepuff rose from her bed, kicking off her covers and groaning. Frankly, she could think of so many better things to do than study for her Potions or Transfiguration O.W.L.s, such as spending the day in Toby's arms or snuggling in her bed a few minutes longer. She knew that those few minutes would turn into several hours if she continued to remain in bed, and Kendra's soft voice echoed somewhere from memories past, "Come on, Bronwyn. Study hard. It's important."

It was enough to get Bronwyn motivated, if only for a moment. She pulled the curtains of her four-poster open and threw her legs over the side of her bed. As she padded barefoot to the chest at the foot of her bed, Bronwyn noted that at least one other roommate still slept. The bed hangings were drawn tightly shut and the faint sounds of steady breathing could be heard.

As she rummaged through the trunk, a familiar voice spoke, berating the crystal ball she held before her. Bronwyn looked over her shoulder at the speaker, seeing her seated indian-style on her bed, the curtains drawn partially open. "You know," Bronwyn said, "I don't think any student here has truly had any luck with those things. I've not taken Divination myself and I'm not familiar with how to read a crystal ball, but from what I understand unless your name is Cassandra or Miss Cleo, you're not going to be able to see the future with that thing or anything else."

"Who's Miss Cleo?" Desdemona asked, unfamiliar with Muggle infomercial personalities.

"A Muggle psychic," Bronwyn replied, "something like a Seer, I suppose."

She collected her bathroom items and a clean set of clothing for the day and turned to face her roommate. "Are you practicing for class or for your O.W.L.s?"

"Both," Desi responded, throwing another hateful look at the circular ball on her bed. "I think I'm going to need much more practice with this thing."

Bronwyn grinned and said, "Well, good luck!" and then she departed from the dorm room to finally get ready for the day.

Introductions
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 08-15-03 15:14

Fritz shakes hands with Drake and replies to Ariana's comment with, "Nice to meet you, too." He's seen all of them around the school before, mostly in the common room, but hadn't ever spoken to them before until now. Fritz offers a "Hallo" to Kody and Jade, whom Emma just presented, and then turns to Emma herself, who initiated the introductions. "It is a pleasure to finally put names to your faces."

He smiles, hoping he isn't passing along the remnants of his cold to the others. It's nice to finally meet some more of his fellow Ravenclaws, even if the school year is nearly at its end. All return their attentions to the activity on the two chessboards, silently willing Cho to take the Chess Cup and score some House Points for Ravenclaw.

The Vaults
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 08-15-03 16:00

Bill smiled warmly, marking an "X" next to the signature line on the bottom of the form before turning the parchment around and sliding it across the desk. He passed the quill to Bella and said, "Sign here."

As she wrote down her signature, Bill admitted, "Living here is a nice change of pace. I love Egypt and honestly wouldn't mind living out the remainder of my years there, but this wonderful opportunity arose and I just couldn't decline the offer." There was another reason why Bill chose to return to Hogwarts, but it wasn't one many ears should hear. When Bella returned the quill to Bill's hand, he said, "All right, everything is ready to go for the account transfer. Let me whip up the forms for the new account and then I'll take you downstairs to see your new vaults."

He busied himself with the other set of parchments, marking boxes and filling in little bits of information here and there, all the while exchanging smalltalk with Bella. It was nice getting to know her as somebody other than his brother's girlfriend or ex-girlfriend, as the case had been for well over a year now.

When he finished writing, he had her sign the form. Then, he gave her duplicates of each set of parchments to keep for her records. With the paperwork out of the way, Bill spun in his rolling chair and opened a small vault on the back wall, where he retrieved four sets of keys.

"These two are for you," Bill said, dropping two golden keys into her open palm. "These two," he continued, indicating to the remaining two in his hand, "are for extra security and remain here at the bank at all times. Now, why don't you come with me and I'll show you your vaults."

Together, they left the office and went to the spiral staircase in the neighboring room. Bill led her first to the small vaults, as they were on the outside of the spiral tunnel system. The vault number for her household expenses account was "21". Bill inserted his key and asked for hers. She pressed it into his hand, and with it in place under the bank's key, the door swung open. "You're free to fill it today, if you'd like."

She shook her head, explaining she'd do it on Monday when she planned on bringing her jewels and other personal items. Bill nodded his head and closed the door of the vault, retrieving his key and Bella's. Then, he led her onwards down the winding corridor. They finally stopped when they reached the very center of the basement, where the biggest vaults were located.

Bill asked for Bella's key, dropping her other one back into her palm. He stuck it and his own into the keyholes of vault number 54. The door swung open revealing a dimly lit chamber. Bella nodded her approval, and after Bill shut the door and handed her one key, pocketing the other, the two returned to his office.

"Is there anything else I can do for you while you are here, Bella?" Bill asked.

Working
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 08-15-03 22:00

Grading papers was a difficult challenge. It wasn't the papers that were the challenge it was the scratching and fluttering noises that were coming across the room. It was low and constant. It was Ailsa sitting on her perch putting some scratches in it to make it more comfortable and doing some preening.

"You know," Sorcha said while she looked up, "You could do that outside." Ailsa continued to preen. Sorcha continued, "Why don't you go hunt something?" Ailsa looked up. "You could, the window is not locked. You know how to open it. That way you don't bother me while I grade these."

Ailsa hobbled, hopped, and flew a little to get to the window. She let herself out and flew off. Sorcha was now able to concentrate on the papers without the scratching. She picked up a paper by Hermione to read it. When she was done an idea had started to form in her mind.

Since most of the students were able to do such great work consistently, maybe they would like to do some fun activities. It would be too much work to redo the class, so maybe something like an after class club. Maybe the students could learn about famous places that have runes, and translate the rune script. Sorcha thought. She began to lean back in her chair as she began to work out the details.

Companionable Silence
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 08-16-03 12:34

Draco's eyes lifted from the open book in his lap when mournful thoughts entered his mind. He recognized the voice in his head, as well as the cries. Santhea Fennally had just entered the common room, eyes red and swelling with tears. The fair-haired Slytherin dropped his gaze back to his book, but his ears and mind remained alert.

She said nothing to him, and thought very little, though the occasional lament for Stuart flickered through her head. She dropped into one of the neighboring seats, looking in Draco's direction but not really seeing him. Draco looked up, met her gaze and raised a questioning eyebrow, but Santhea's face stayed pensive and morose, yet also calm.

After studying her for a moment longer, Draco returned to his book, and together he and Santhea sat in companionable silence.

The Deflating Draughts
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 08-16-03 13:48

In the Potions classroom, Professor Severus Snape was grading flasks of Deflating Draughts, an in-class assignment his fourth year students completed during the week. A dozen or so oranges, having undergone treatment with a Swelling Solution, were the subjects Snape used to test each student's potion. Most of the draughts were mediocre at best, but one or two students so far had shown competency worthy of full marks.

Although Snape appeared to be allotting full concentration on the task at hand, his mind was elsewhere. He thought about his plan: the one which would bring him back into the dark fold and into Lord Voldemort's good graces, the one which would enable him to continue the work assigned to him by Dumbledore...or so he hoped. He hated staying idle, doing nothing.

Patience is a virtue, Snape reminded, shaking his head of greasy hair.

Before he could do anything, he had to fully think through his idea. It would do no good to waste somebody's time when there were other important matters to be dealt with, yet Snape knew that he must eventually confide in someone. When the time is right. His ideas involved many risks, and at least one other life would be at stake. Another opinion and outside insight would certainly help Snape see whether or not his plan had any promise, or whether it was best to return to the drawing board. At any rate, something had to be done.