An Arrangement
Author: Isolde
Date: 05-27-02 09:06
On Christmas Eve, Isolde, Pyrrhus and Alexis strolled into the Great Hall for a festive dinner. Azaelia and Robert were left behind in the Slytherin common room because they couldn't keep their paws off of each other and the other three were unable to pry them apart. The pair would probably be joining their friends for dinner later, if they were even hungry for food, that is.
As the trio made their way to the house table, Isolde spotted Pete Marsh sitting alone. It had been decided earlier that Pyrrhus and Isolde would try to hook him up with Alexis for the Snow Ball. He was available, afterall, and interested according to Pyrrhus.
So, the Slytherins headed over to where he was sitting and joined him at the table.
"Hey Pete," Isolde said, smiling wickedly.
Pete looked up from his plate, "Hi there."
"Have you met Alexis yet?" Pyrrhus asked, grinning broadly at her.
Introductions were made, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Even if a romance didn't grow from this, at least there was a great possibility that they would enjoy each other's company at the ball.
Christmas
Eve
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 05-27-02 09:38
Harry and Hermione wandered down to the Great Hall by themselves. Before they had left the Gryffindor common room, Ron had mentioned that he just wasn't hungry. They knew he wasn't telling the truth when his stomach let out a rather loud growl. Still, he refused to come down with them.
"Don't worry," Harry comforted, leading Hermione over to the house table. "He'll come join us in a bit, I'm sure of it."
Hermione wasn't the least bit reassured, however. Ron was angry, and it certainly seemed like he would forever stay that way.
Nevertheless, she tried to push him from her mind and concentrate on the festive spirit of Christmas Eve.
The hall had been decorated with greens and reds, and ghosts were floating around humming Christmas tunes. The tables were all decked out with silver plates and matching goblets. Huge platters of turkeys, geese, and sides of beef lay spaced about in the center of the long tables and smaller bowls of side dishes surrounded them. The food sure looked good, and it smelled delicious as well!
Amnesia
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 05-27-02 10:28
Bill awoke the day after the accident complete with aches and pains, but the worst part of it all was that he couldn't remember a thing. It was as if his mind had betrayed him, erasing every memory he had ever made. He couldn't even remember his own name.
When his eyes had flickered open, the nurse checking his vitals had smiled and said, "Welcome back, Bill."
"Bill?" he had repeated uncertainly. His voice had been forced and somewhat scratchy.
"Yes, Bill Weasley. That's you, right?"
"Bill? Bill Weasley? Erm...Is that my name? I don't really remember...I don't remember anything."
It had been later determined that Bill was suffering from amnesia, which had been caused when he hit the pavement after the cab ran into him. Little did they know that there was a little more than that to Bill's memory failure.
The doctor had decided to keep Bill at the hospital for one more night to run tests and for observations. Otherwise, the redhead seemed to be just fine. He didn't complain too much about the pain in his backside or the bruises and scrapes he received elsewhere.
That afternoon, Aaron had come to visit Bill in his room. The patient had been sitting up in his bed, flipping through television channels. For some reason, using a remote control or even watching television had seemed very foreign to him. But Bill just attributed this to his accident. Watching TV was something he probably did everyday before his injury, right?
"Hey, Bill," Aaron had said, taking a seat next to the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Bill had turned away from the television set and looked at Aaron curiously, "I don't remember you? Are we friends?"
"Not exactly. We just met yesterday," Aaron had answered. "I seem to be the only one who knows you, Bill. We can't locate any of your family members or friends, and you didn't have an ID on you with your home information. Look, the doctors are probably going to release you tomorrow, but it doesn't seem like you have anywhere to go. Why don't you come to my place for a while until you remember more about yourself?"
It was agreed. The following morning, the day before Christmas, Bill was released from the hospital. Aaron and Bernie picked him up and drove him to their flat, giving him a couch in a little nook of the apartment to sleep on.
Bill walked around the place, trying to remember something–anything at all.
"Maybe this will help," Aaron said, retrieving the list of names Bill had kept in his pocket two days ago.
Bill took the list from his hand and read over the names..."Mom, Dad...I guess I have parents. They must be worried about me...Charlie, Percy–" Bill snorted and stifled a laugh. "I feel sorry for that guy. What a name!" He continued to read over the list, each name sounding less familiar than the last.
Frustrated, Bill sunk into the couch and sighed.
"You went Christmas shopping," Aaron said, crossing the room to get the bags and parcels. "Maybe if you see these gifts, you can remember who they were meant to go to."
Together, they went through each individual gift without any progress.
Aaron held up the emerald ring, "For your girlfriend maybe?"
Bill shrugged, "Maybe." His eyes raked over the list one more time. "Maybe this Briar woman is my girlfriend. That's such an odd name, though, isn't it?"
Aaron chuckled.
Bill sighed again. The clues he had just weren't helping matters. How long would it be before he remembered anything? Would he even remember?
Waiting for
the Women
Author: Toby Beck
Date: 05-27-02 10:40
On Christmas Eve, Toby and Hunter sat quietly in the Hufflepuff common room, waiting for Kendra and Bronwyn to come down so they could escort them to the Great Hall. Hunter's leg shook nervously. There was something particular he was going to ask Kendra tonight. Tonight he was going to ask her to the snow ball–as if he hadn't waited long enough.
"Relax, Hunter." Toby said reassuringly. "She's going to say yes." Hunter let out a sigh of relief.
"Of course," continued Toby, "She was going to say yes. There is a chance that she might be so angry with you for waiting so long that she'll just laugh in your face!"
Hunter hurled a pillow across the room at Toby. Toby then did the same. The two friends were in a full on pillow fight by the time Bronwyn and Kendra appeared on the stairway.
"Ahem," interrupted Bronwyn. The boys looked up to see that both of the Hufflepuff ladies were beautifully decked out for the evenings festivities.
"Kendra," Hunter began to ask nervously. "May I walk you to dinner? There's something very particular I want to ask you."
Toby's younger sister blushed but shook her head yes. Hunter and Kendra walked arm and arm towards the door. Toby looked up at Bronwyn who wore a triumphant smile on her face as if she had something to do with Hunter's proposition.
Toby flashed his classic smile and said coolly, "I don't suppose Miss Dewhurst would like an escort to the Great Hall now would she?"
{Baliseon}
Kalgrie's Battalions
Author: Lord L. A. Higginton-Smythe
Date: 05-27-02 11:29
"I don't understand you Britons. How hard is it to possibly complete things?" said Kalgrie to Lord Lludd Alfred inside the Consuls' chambers. It had been weeks since the British Ministry of Magic had been ordered to remove the dementors from Azkhaban and still nothing had been done.
"Now you see why I refuse to be Minister of Magic there," chuckled Lludd, "It's a not with the pain to try and fix the problems there. If you want something done you must do it yourself, truly."
"See, do it ourselves," replied Kalgrie thoughtfully. She raised her wand and a far off bell rang. Within moments a man appeared within the room. He was dressed in a full blue cloak, but he was not wearing an ordinary cloak, it was instead marked on the chest with a white symbol, the mark of the Committee. He stood tall and proud.
"Yes Consul Iulok?" asked the man formally.
"Commander, how many do we have now?" asked Kalgrie ignoring the confusion in Lludd Alfred's face.
"My lady. Your forces have grown to three battalions of fifty wizards and witches each. One hundred and fifty troops are at your disposal. Might I also remind you that Operation Fire-Breath is running on schedule," said the commander proudly.
"Very good commander, very good. Ready your battalions. Leave one here to protect the Assembly. The others are to prepare to disembark for the north at my word," said Kalgrie turning away with a pleased smile.
"Yes my lady," replied the commander and he bowed gracious before disapparating. Lludd Alfred seemed to find something humorous in it all or he reminded something to chuckle at for that is just what he did.
"I see you've been concealing this from us all very well. I wonder why you even choose to show me," said Lludd Alfred without expecting an answer.
"You know because I choose to let you know. These are my affairs, and it is all within the powers of the consulship. I will supply the Committee's magical army. You. You will supply ensure that Britain simply their aurors."
Anticipation
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 05-27-02 16:29
Fred, George, and Sammi rushed to the Great Hall suppressing torrents of giggles. They had outfitted every doorway in the castle they could find with Missletoe, a product that wouldn't have happened had it not been for Majandra Fine.
In one of her more lucid moments, Majandra had thrown her arms around Ron to meet with the three older Gryffindors in the common room. She explained the concept of the prank–a couple had to kiss under the magical plant and it would either explode over their heads or it shoot berries at them. Fred and George couldn't believe their luck.
"Wot did I tell ya, George?" Fred had said later that day. "Majandra's got all these brilliant tricks in 'er mind. If only she'd stop lusting over every breathing male and start telling us about these ideas of 'ers."
The two had set to work almost immediately, and with Sammi's help had decked the halls with their special treat.
On Christmas Eve, the place looked spectacular. So far, no lucky couple had tested out the tricks, and Fred, George and Sammi could hardly sit still in the Great Hall. They were just waiting for their first victims.
Satis-by-the-Sea,
Magic-sur-le-Mer, France: Christmas Eve
Author: Belladonna
Date: 05-27-02 16:54
Bella adjusted the ice pack on her head as she sat at her mother's writing desk. She should have answered the letter yesterday, but something had told her it wasn't wise to write to your chap while hung over. Okay, so it wasn't even wise to sit up when hungover.
Today had been her first day out of bed. She had pulled on some sky blue bikini, wrapped a coral sarong around herself and tentatively headed to breakfast. When she arrived, there was laughter as Izzy held up a sealed letter. Dylan whispered something to Brynn, who playfully slapped him.
"How's the hangover, Bella? Late for breakfast, eh? Some of us made it to dinner last night, but you were too busy sleeping it off and we let you...can't believe it takes a whole day for you to recover. Wonder if I should send Charlie pictures of you dancing on the beach...sensory overload in the extreme! Hope you don't do that at Hogwarts, Wild Child!
Ouch! Brynn!"
"You got a letter from Romania. My God, you are dating Charlie Weasley! Didn't believe it. Dylan's so got to send him the pictures, Hells Bells! You did go to Romania that weekend and what were you two up to? Dys and I have this bet..."
"Dyls told me after the game you won. Can't believe my 'darling' husband snuck out to a Quidditch game. God, you people will be hopeless until the World Cup and that's just if England doesn't make it !"
"The World Cup! Tony, did you get the tickets? Might want to get an extra one for Bella's chap. You know, Darling, Christmas is such a lovely time for engagements. Maybe he'll join us still?"
"Oh Lord...Bella Weasley? Mrs. Weasel Minor? Like that'll happen soon with the way she's frowning like that. Awww...what's the matter, Beautiful?"
"I'm fine, Luc. Charlie's caught something and will be in quarantine. Won't be able to make Christmas or New Year's. Looks like I go unkissed at midnight again. Poor guy sounds so depressed. Mumma, may I use your desk to write him later? I'll deliever the letter myself, as he hasn't been getting them before."
"Not a chance Bella. Not about to let you get sick and don't 'But, Da...' me either. No way."
"Not what I meant. I'll just go to the camp, hand it to an owl, and be back in time for dinner. I want to wear my New Year's dress, so it won't go without use. Brynn can have it then. Please, Da? Oooh, pour me another mimosa!"
A few hours later and after the ice pack had been applied to her head, she had neatly piled all of her mother's business papers and was sitting down at the cherry desk with the windows open to sniff the sea air. She nibbled on the quill dipped in gold ink as she looked at the cream page in front of her.
Dearest Charlie,
The owls must have gotten lost. I've been going nuts waiting to hear from you and wondering what was going on with us. Really, I'm staring at a lovely beach, feeling warm sea air, and none of it means anything without you here.
New Year's will be sheer hell, but won't be the first time I've gone unkissed at midnight. I'll be chaperoning the slumber party in really cute pajamas. You'll make it up to me when you get well. Maybe dinner at a smart London restaurant and drinks with my parents?
Everyone's disappointed about you not coming, but nothing can be done. Don't worry about disappointing me. North stars are constant and nothing changes that. I've understood about your job always and don't expect to have what Adriana has in Bill's spending all his free time with her. Just get better or stay well. Whichever.
You really owe me. Mumma keeps saying how Christmas is a great time for engagements. Course, I'm too busy missing my chap and wondering what'll happen when he gets better. I'll drop by when you're out of quarantine. Happy holidays and enjoy the present. I'll be thinking of you and bulling Stephen into updates.
Bella
She picked up a gaily wrapped package containing a rather expensive man's watch with the inscription and her letter before leaving the desk and apperating off to the reserve's post office. This owl would make it, as would her letter.
A Conversation
Author: Majandra
Date: 05-27-02 21:24
Majandra sits in one of the large, overstuffed chairs by the fire in the Gryffindor common room putting the finishing touches on a necktie for Dobby. A few others are hanging around and some are still up in the dorms but most have gone down to Christmas Eve supper. As she works, Majandra's thoughts go round and round with a sudden conundrum. Hearing Ron's voice float down from the top of the staircase, she puts her sewing aside. Better to go on and get this out of the way.
Majandra stands at the bottom of the steps, looking up as Ron walks down. She can't help but notice the rolling of his eyes when he spots her. Majandra can hardly blame him for that.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Ron, but may I talk to you privately for a moment?"
Ron doesn't try to hide his surprise. Majandra standing before him without attempting to attach herself to his arm, not a single cutesy name, and apologizing for disturbing him then politely asking to speak to him. Definately not the same Majandra who's been clinging to him since the Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw match.
"Errr, ummm, sure, Majandra. How about over there?" Ron nods toward one empty corner of the common room. With so few people around, he figures it would be relatively private.
Once tucked into the corner, Majandra shifts back and forth from foot to foot. Ron just folds his arms and leans against the wall waiting for her to say something. Sighing, Majandra forces herself to speak.
"As you know, this school year I've not really been myself. I keep getting these strange crushes that start in a heartbeat. Sorry, didn't mean to make a pun. Anyway, each come quite suddenly and each has lasted a varying amount of time then seems to wear off."
Ron started nodding his head with her first sentence and continues to do so, as if saying, "Yes! Yes. Let this crush be over!" though as yet he's not actually said anything.
Majandra looks keenly down at the floor as if searching for something then shifts her gaze back up to stare frankly at Ron.
"The last day or so I've felt less and less in love with you. I know that must be a relief and I can't apologize enough. I don't know what comes over me. A little voice in my head keeps telling me something's wrong but I can't seem to help myself. I've very sorry. I plan to apologize to Hermione as well."
At the mention of Hermione's name, Ron face darkens into a scowl. Knowing she's the cause of that look, Majandra rushes on.
"I'll make sure she knows you were totally innocent. It was all me. And I won't make you to take me to the ball. You and Hermione will make up and it's not right of me to hold you to the promise made in asking me as your date."
Now Ron sighs and does his own uncomfortable shifting.
"It's like this, Majandra. I do love Hermione but she showed how little trust and faith she has in me. My anger at her has to do with that and I don't know when I'll get past it. So, how about you plan on still going with me?"
Majandra screws up her face in thought for a moment.
"All right but on one condition. If Hermione and you do make up before the ball, you understand that I'll willingly step back so you two could go together. Okay?"
Ron nods then gives Majandra a cheeky grin while sticking out his hand to shake hers.
"It's a deal. Now, how about walking with me to the Great Hall for supper. I'm starving and you look like you should be too. You seem to be getting thinner by the day."
Majandra chooses not to comment on her lack of eating and instead asks Ron to wait a minute while she runs Dobby's necktie up to her room. Ron, now at ease with Majandra, waits patiently for her then offers her his arm. As they walk, they talk about what the upcoming play the Muggle Studies classes are putting on. Majandra, who'd nearly signed up for that class, expresses relief that she didn't and therefore doesn't have to be in the play.
It's not long before the two reach the Great Hall and just in time to witness Fred's and George's latest invention. Both double over in laughter as Eileen and Lee duck trying to avoid being pelted by berries flying at them from what looks just like mistletoe.
Azkaban Fortress:
Christmas Chaos
Author: Voldemort
Date: 05-27-02 21:35
The fools at the Ministry think they can walk in and get rid of the dementors . . . but they couldn't be more wrong. Within a short time of my summoning, all my loyal servants are assembled at Azkaban. They are ready...and waiting for the Aurors and Hit Wizards to arrive.
The Dementors release the imprisoned dark wizards, most are too weakened to be of use right away . . . but they will return to me, and eventually add to my following. The few wizards that are there guarding are killed; only one is allowed to escape. His report in London will summon the Ministry wizards to Azkaban, where they will be killed as well . . . and my victorious rise to power will truly begin.
Merry Christmas
Indeed!
Author: Adriana Fairchild
Date: 05-27-02 22:15
On Christmas Eve, Adriana paced through the castle uneasily. There was still no word from Bill, and strange things were starting to happen to her. She let out a sigh. Now is when she needed Bill most.
Two days ago, while shopping at Twice Told Tales, Adriana had actually believed that Bill had left, that he didn't love her. Two days ago, while shopping at Twice Told Tales, Adriana had fallen–briefly–under Voldemort's control.
Spending the entire day on edge was not Adriana's idea of a merry Christmas. And things took a turn for the worst when she happened upon Pyrrhus Fine in one of the lonely corridors that afternoon. As soon as the young Slytherin noticed Professor Fairchild, his smug smile turned into a nasty scowl. He was evidently still bitter about her testimony in Hermione's hearing on Halloween.
"Why, Mr. Fine," Adriana cooed coyly. "Getting yourself into any trouble lately?"
Why, Miss Fairchild, Pyrrhus thought to himself. Getting yourself into any Weasel's pants lately? But said nothing.
Adriana, however, could hear his thoughts. Immediately angry, she snapped without thinking "That'll be 10 points from Slytherin!"
"For what!?" Py shouted furiously, then recoiled in awe. Had she read his mind?
"For your–" Adriana almost blew her cover. "For slaying Priam." The young professor retorted sarcastically. And with that she continued swiftly down the hall.
When Miss Fairchild had reached a seemingly safe enough distance from the Slytherin, he scowled. "Just wait until You-Know-Who comes back," Pyrrhus snarled under his breath, "and then I'll–"
"And then you'll what?" Professor Fairchild, though down the hall, had heard his comment and her voice echoed monstrously through the hallway. Pyrrhus tried to hurry away but his feet were held fast to the ground.
"Hey! You're not supposed to use magic on the students!"
"And you're not supposed to want to support Voldemort," Adriana snapped smartly as she closed in on the boy. Her casual way of saying "Voldemort" caused Py to shudder slightly. "So do tell me, Mr. Fine, what you intend on doing when the Dark Lord returns."
"We're going to destroy Muggles and Muggle loving wizards like you!"
Adriana threw back her head and laughed with evil amusement. "You little fool. Do you honestly think that Voldemort is going to consort with the likes of you?"
Py's face burned with anger. "Of course he will, I'm a Slytherin."
Adriana laughed even harder. She seemed to become a completely different person. Very different from the person Py thought she was anyway.
"Voldemort may accept your support, in the beginning," she continued in a vicious tone, "But once he becomes all-powerful he will have no use for his loyal death eaters. And in the end you will be crushed under his heel just like the rest of us."
Her brown eyes gleamed with a golden glow. Her voice was low and ominous. In every sense of the word she was terrifying.
And then all at once her expression changed. First surprise and then anger. But this time she appeared to be angry with herself. Adriana dropped her eyes and pulled herself together. Pointing down the hall, she spoke in a hushed and collected voice. "Move along, Mr. Fine."
