She's Made Her List and Checked It Twice
Author: Angelina
Date: 04-28-03 05:56

Going over the stacks of gifts in my office I went down the list and gave the boxes next to the names a check. "Let's see: Professor McGonagall, Highland heather to be delivered to her office by Twinkle...check. Professor Snape, a year's supply of a new breed of plant for potions to protect from sunburns...check. Professor Veronica Dumbledore, an Abacus for her Arithmancy class or private use...check. Professor Sorcha, a new telescope...check, and Professor Albus Dumbledore, a dozen pairs of socks and a jar of lemon drops...check. Madam Pomfrey, a stethoscope and a new updated wizard's medical journal...check."

I finished the professor list and thought of the students who stayed behind and finished the list for them. Now it was time to go down to Hagrid's hut to see Charlie and give him his Christmas gift.

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 04-28-03 16:09

Despite knowing that the Ministry of Magic would not like him to leave Hogwarts, not even for the holidays, Ethan had convinced Dumbledore to allow him to go home for a few days. ("Just for Christmas, and I'll be back before anyone has missed me!") He'd take the utmost precautions, of course, neither drawing attention to himself nor announcing to the world that he had left the security of the castle for a little, old cottage in the woods.

Early Monday morning, when it was still a bit dark outside, Ethan quietly left the castle and strode across the white lawn, keeping his eyes alert and one hand gripped around his wand -- just in case. He tiptoed past the gates of Hogwarts and took a few paces into the village of Hogsmeade, noting how sleepy and calm it seemed. With a pop, he disapparated.

When he reappeared, he was standing on the doorstep of his parents' home in Canterbury. Snow topped all of the trees around them, and icicles hung from the tree branches. From somewhere nearby, the sounds of owls hooting softly echoed through the chilly air, making gentle music in an otherwise quiet wilderness.

Ethan paused outside his doorway, pondering for a moment about how much his life has changed within the past six months. Last summer, he was an auror working with Bulgaria's finest Quidditch player, Viktor Krum, to stop a band of dark wizards from doing their evil deeds. They'd lost and won that battle all in one night -- a Muggle man and a witch died, but the evil mastermind and his followers were caught and put behind bars -- only to escape a few months later.

Now, he was a Hogwarts professor and exactly what he had been fighting against those past few years as an auror -- dark, evil...a new man -- and somehow he knew that his parents knew all about it. Somehow he knew they didn't care, that in fact they might enjoy it. Perhaps they've been waiting for this all along...

Suddenly encouraged to step inside the house, Ethan grabbed a hold of the doorknob and let himself in. A Christmas tree as tall as the ceiling stood off to his left in the small living room. It was a deep, rich green and decorated with silver ornaments. The smell of gingerbread wafted through the air from the kitchen, where Maren, Ethan's mother, stood with her wand out as she muttered a cooling charm onto a fresh batch of cookies.

Her eyes lit up when she saw her son enter the room, and she dropped her wand and bustled over to embrace him. "Oh, Ethan! You didn't tell us you were coming home!"

Ethan laughed. "I wanted to surprise you!"

Maren parted from her son and studied him curiously for a moment, her dark eyes searching his face for any signs of it.

A grin tugging the corners of his lips, Ethan's eyes flashed wickedly and he said, "I'm not the same man I was when I left for Hogwarts, mother."

"So, I've heard," Maren said, gently taking one of his hands into hers. "Come with me."

Ethan followed his mother to the back of the house, to the only room Ethan rarely went in -- his father's study. As usual, the door was shut and probably locked. Maren raised her free hand to the door and knocked, and at her husband's command she and Ethan entered the room.

Dorian Somerset, a man with neatly combed, short, gray hair, spectacles on the bridge of his nose and a distinguished air about him, looked up from his copy of the Daily Prophet and peered at his wife and his son.

"Your son is home from Hogwarts, Dorian," Maren said, gesturing for Ethan to take a seat. "I believe the two of you have much to discuss."

Ethan slid into the offered chair and allowed his eyes to briefly scan the room before they settled onto his father.

Mr. Somerset nodded and said, "Why don't you bring us each a cup of tea, Maren, and then you can join us."

"Very well," the dark-haired woman said, and she bowed out of the room to fetch the tea.

Meanwhile, Dorian searched Ethan's face, who only stared back stoically, waiting for his father to speak first. "How do you feel, Ethan?" he said after the brief period of silence.

Ethan swallowed and gave a half shrug. "You might say I feel better than ever, Dad. Did you know about this...this thing that's happened to me?"

"Yes, your mother and I both knew..."

"Did you know it would happen before it happened?" Ethan asked.

Dorian folded the newspaper and set it down on the neat surface of his desk. "Why are you asking questions you already know the answers to, Ethan?"

Ethan shook his head. "I don't know." He paused and rubbed his eyes with the balls of his hands before speaking again. "Well, I know. I just don't know why I know."

"Part of you doesn't care," Dorian supplied, accepting his cup of tea when Maren returned to the room. "And a part of you does, but this will pass. Soon, you won't care about those feelings you've had before. Soon it won't matter to you why this has happened."

"Thanks," Ethan said to his mother as he took his cup of tea, and then he turned back to his father. "I've been contacted already...I've a task to do. I don't want to fail."

"You won't," Maren said soothingly.

"But if these...these feelings get into the way..."

"They won't," Dorian stated knowingly. "By the time you begin, you won't question anything anymore. It will just come naturally to you."

Ethan's train of thought kept jumping from question to question; some he could answer himself, but some he truly had no answers for. He quietly sipped his tea, his brow furrowed.

"It happened on Halloween," Ethan started, meeting his father's eyes again. "Was it just a coincidence?"

Dorian shrugged, offering no answer.

Ethan turned to his mother, who was sitting in a chair against the wall. "How long have you both known about this? How long has it been since you've learned that I was to become a minion of the Dark Lord himself? How is it that you both don't care?"

Again, his questions were met with only silence.

"Why do I feel like this isn't supposed to happen?" Ethan asked, turning back towards his father. He set his tea cup down forcefully, causing tea to spill over the sides of the china.

Suddenly, an overwhelming headache passed over Ethan. He winced, clutching onto his head. It vanished as soon as it came, leaving him slightly disoriented for a few moments, and like the flood of questions that had suddenly washed over him, he immediately felt satisfied.

"Why don't you get some rest, Ethan. Take a little nap and when you're awake, I'll let you have some cookies." Maren smiled and rose from her seat to her assist her son out of the room. She closed the door behind them, leaving Dorian alone in his office.

Mr. Somerset placed his elbows on the desk and tented his fingers together as he pondered. His son had many questions -- some of which he already knew the answers to, but many of which he needn't be bothered with. "You'll forget all of your concerns soon, Ethan," Dorian said quietly.

Oh, Let the Festivities Begin
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 04-28-03 21:40

My Mum told me that my Aunt Aggie would be arriving from Scotland today, I tried to act happy when she told me but it was hard. I never felt comfortable around her, she just had a strange way about her...it reminded me of the kids in Slytherin house. Actually I think my Mum told me that when her and Aunt Aggie went to Hogwarts and she was in Gryffindor house like me and Aunt Aggie was in Slytherin. So I guess it all makes sense.

Mum and Aunt Aggie did not get long well at all, they did not even pretend to get along...and that is why it made me wonder why she was coming here at Christmas for anyway. Oh, and Aunt Aggie hated my father even more than my Mum because he was a Muggle. Oh the joys of family.

The more I thought about it the more I wished I would have stayed at school for the Holidays.

I needed to get a couple more presents so I told Mum and Dad that I was going to go for a walk and I headed out. It was fun to walk around in all the little shops in London, there was always so much to look at. London was truly a magical place at Christmas (no pun intended). All my friends from school had been given their gifts before I left for home but I had not gotten anything for Mum and Dad. Mum would be easy to shop for, there was a little shop just round the corner and they carried the crystal swans that she fancied so...and had quite a collection of.

Now Dad on the other hand, I was not sure about. Maybe I would get him a new leather bound journal and a quill set. He would love that, yes that is what I will get him.

After getting the last presents I went home and started to place them under the tree when my Aunt Aggie popped out from the other room just as I was putting Mum's swan under the tree and yelled, "Boo!" at me almost causing me to drop the present.

I turned to Aunt Aggie and wanted to say something, but that was all I needed was to have her turn me into a newt or some other creature. I turned back to the tree placing Mum's present under it, "Hello, Aunt Aggie," I said trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

Holiday at Malfoy Manor
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 04-29-03 09:25

Malfoy Manor glistened with festive holiday decorations. Deep green wreaths of holly hung on every door and matching greenery wrapped its way up the massive marble columns at the front of the house. An enormous Christmas tree stretched as high as the ceiling in the foyer, its rich green branches decorated with silver ornaments and tinsel. Already, packages wrapped in green, red and gold littered the floor underneath the tree.

After a pleasant lunch with his mother (his father was out-of-town on business), Draco added two more gifts to the pile underneath the tree. For his mother, he had bought a pair of silver pendant earrings with round lapis lazuli stone insets. He knew she loved silver and earrings, and while he wasn't sure whether the blue stone was the correct choice he did believe that it would bring out the color of her eyes.

Knowing Lucius Malfoy to be a fine collector of the arts, especially things pertaining to the dark arts, Draco had ordered something special for his father from the orient. He had just wrapped the black box containing six porcelain miniature masks with shiny, gold paper. Legend had it that these masks were originally intended to ward off evil spirits. Evidently, after three of the previous owners lost their minds, it was decided that these six masks were faulty. They eventually ended up in a dark arts shop in Hong Kong.

Draco had picked up a flyer for the shop while visiting Knockturn Alley during the summer. He had ordered a catalogue then and kept it safely hidden in his trunk while at Hogwarts, only taking it out last week to make the order for the masks. Surprisingly, they were still in stock.

He hoped his parents would enjoy their gifts, and he couldn't wait to see what they bought him. Deciding that a slice of cake sounded mighty fine right about then, Draco slipped out of the foyer and sought out a house elf to get him that piece of cake.

Christmas and Charles
Author: Angelina
Date: 04-30-03 02:20

With the crunching of the snow beneath my feet I saw some of the students who were staying enjoying the morning with a snowball fight. I gave a little chuckle as I strolled past and gave them a wave, which was returned with a chorus of "Hello Professor."

Making my way to Hagrid's I went around the back to where Charles was kept and saw he was on his rock. "Good morning, Charles," I greeted, "and a Merry Christmas." Charles turned to look at me and lept from his perch, the snow crunching under his feet as he walked. "Greetings Miss Gryffindor, it has been a while." I apologized and brought the gift forward. "This is for you," I said and opened it. Inside was what looked like a charm necklace that bore the Gryffindor Crest. I then put it around his thick neck and stood back. "It's you." I smiled and Charles purred.

As I stood there I heard a crunching sound coming from the Forbidden Forest. Knowing full well what lurked in there I pulled my wand and my mark began to burn. "Charles stay on guard. You never know what it could be." I then felt the hot breath of Charles on the nape of my neck and we stood there, then it happened.

In a flash of teeth and fur something dark hit me upside the head. I heard Charles roar and I got to my knees searching in the snow for my wand. Whatever it was knocked me clear to the gate. "Accio wand!" I shouted and my wand flew to my hand.

Standing up I shook my head to see Charles grapple with a large beast. Trying to get a clear shot I stepped forward to try and use a spell to stop the battle when something jumped on my back and we fought. Soon there were two more beasts attacking. Gasping and struggling I managed a few short bursts from my wand. "STUPIFY!!" I shouted and some of the attackers fled back into the forest.

Breathing hard I put my hand to my face and felt blood. Whatever it was only managed to beat me up and scratch me to no end. Weak and in pain I tried to get to Charles who had just fended off the last of our aggressors. He turned to me just as I sank to my knees in the snow. "Miss Gryffindor," he boomed and I held up my wand. I then pointed it towards the castle and red sparks flew from it winding their way to whoever manages to see it. Then all went black as I passed out.

Evening at the Burrow
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 04-30-03 09:27

Fred, George and Blossom appeared at the Burrow shortly before sunset. Molly and Arthur Weasley had invited them and the rest of the family to Christmas Eve dinner and to spend all of Christmas Day with them. This meant that an already crowded house would become even more packed -- beds would be charmed to hold more people and plenty of sleeping bags with cushioning charms would be scattered around the house.

When the twins and Blossom arrived, Molly welcomed them with open arms. Percy and Penelope were already there as were Charlie and Helena. They were all seated in the living room, drinking egg nog and exchanging conversation. Blosson had already met these four previously, but the two Weasley siblings she had yet to meet were Ron and Ginny.

"Oy, Mum," Fred said, giving his mother an affectionate squeeze. "Where's Ron? Where's Ginny?"

"They're upstairs somewhere," Molly replied, turning to George to give him a hug and then embracing Blossom. "Welcome to my home, dear. Do come in and sit down. Egg nog?"

"Yes, thank you," Blossom said, smiling. She emptied her arms of parcels and packages, placing them under the Christmas tree.

By now, two sets of feet thundering down the stairs could be heard. First one ginger-haired boy appeared, followed by a girl.

"Fred, George!" Ron exclaimed, his eyes lighting up happily. "Good to see you both. This must be Blossom," he said, when his eyes fell upon the other girl.

"Nice too meet you, Ron," Blossom said, shaking his hand.

"Likewise," Ron replied, grinning.

Fred gave Ginny a hug and then introduced her to Blossom. "This is Ginny. Ginny, meet Blossom, my girlfriend."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Blossom," Ginny said, smiling.

"Hey, where's Bill?" George asked, looking around the place. "Isn't he coming too?"

"With Adriana," Charlie said. "They'll be here." He grinned, one hand clasping one of Helena's.

"Well, as soon as we're all here, we can begin eating," Molly exclaimed cheerfully.

Sparks
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 04-30-03 15:03

Exiting his chambers, Professor Snape silently strode down the corridors of the dungeons, pausing only briefly to exchange a "Happy Christmas" with the Bloody Baron, who had excluded himself from ghostly Christmas caroling around the castle. When Snape reached the landing in the entrance hall, he could hear quiet, yet excited conversations coming from within the Great Hall, where Christmas Eve dinner was about to commence. A great number of the student body had gone home for the holidays, but quite a handful had decided to remain at Hogwarts.

As Snape walked from the staircase of the dungeons to the massive double doors of the Great Hall, a jet of red sparks shot past him and continued up the marble staircase to the first floor. He halted in his tracks and whipped around, his black robes whirling as if caught in a tornado.

"Mr. Obsidian," Snape snarled, taking a few short strides to the oak front doors of the castle. He noted that Jet clutched onto a mouse in one hand–a mouse who seemed quite keen on getting free from the Hufflepuff's tight grasp. "Have a care," Snape began harshly, resuming his stern gaze on Jet's face. "Your foolishness could have injured someone, and need I remind you that unauthorized magic in the castle is strictly forbidden, festive spirit or not. Five points from Hufflepuff."

Jet's eyes flashed defiantly and with a tinge of...

An odd feeling overcame Snape for the slightest second, and he cocked his head and furrowed his brow as he studied the boy, who merely stared back as his grip tightened on the mouse. When the rodent back to squeak loudly, Snape's eyes dropped to it.

"Professor Snape," Jet stated boldly, "I didn't shoot those red sparks."

The mouse continued to squeal.

Snape lifted his gaze to meet Jet's eyes once more. "Are you aware, Mr. Obsidian, that your mouse is a non-regulation pet? Students are allowed to bring owls, cats and toads to Hogwarts–not mice." He of course ignored the fact that Professor Dumbledore acted leniently in regards to the rules; Ron Weasley had kept a rat at Hogwarts for nearly three whole years.

In all his time at Hogwarts, Snape had never seen a Hufflepuff look at him in such a way before. Jet's narrowed eyes burned holes into Snape's, and his fingers clenched ever tighter around the poor little mouse. It clawed at his hand, desperately trying to escape.

Unexplainably amused, Snape stated silkily, "Consider this a warning, Mr. Obsidian. You can keep your pathetic five points."

With a final sneer, Snape turned abruptly and continued to the Great Hall, where the feast was already underway.

Presents and Things
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 04-30-03 15:20

We were sitting around the Christmas tree singing Christmas Carols, it was a tradition that we did every year, sit and sing Christmas Carols and open one present each on Christmas Eve saving the rest for Christmas morning.

Looking over at Aunt Aggie I could see she was less than happy to be here. So it made me wonder even more why she was here then. It gave me a chill to even think what she might be up to. I wish she would just go away...in fact I did not care if I ever saw her again.

After we opened our presents Mum got up to go get the Christmas cookies, coffee and punch we had been making, and I started to stand to follow and help her, when my Aunt Aggie stood and pushed me back to the floor where I had been sitting. I wanted to say something but I held my tongue. I just looked over to where my Dad was by the tree and he smiled at me and motioned me over to where he was. I crawled over there to him and laid my head in his lap and he stroked my head with his hand and told me how good it was that I was home and how much he missed me when I was away at school.

Now the kitchen was not the place to be this Christmas eve, Aunt Aggie and Mum got into another one of their fights...I could hear bits and pieces of it, it was something about ditching her Muggle husband and her Mudblood daughter and joining her or she would not protect her when Voldemort came for her family.

The next thing I heard was Mum dropping the silver platter with the cookies on it. I jerked my head out of Dad's lap and jumped up and ran to the kitchen followed by my father to hear Mum yelling, "I will do no such thing and I don't ever want to hear you mention that name in my house again!" then she stooped down to pick up the cookies, I walked over to her and kneeled down telling her I would do it. When she looked up at me I saw tears in her eyes.

"Mum, are you alright?" I asked placing my hand on her shoulder. She just nodded in reply but I did not believe her. I titled my head to the side to look at Aunt Aggie and glared at her, but my glare was met with an equally hateful stare, and Aunt Aggie mumbling some thing about Muggles and Mudbloods under her breath.

Melancholy Meal
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 04-30-03 21:00

Alexis slipped silently into the great hall for the Christmas Eve meal. For her this Christmas was melancholy. Despite the festive decorations and cheery inhabitants, Alexis felt incredibly lonely. She and her sister seemed to rattle about the common room every day. The food, of course, was amazing. The house elves always showed off during the holidays.

To nobody's surprise Mary didn't show up at all. Alexis suspected Mary would be getting her food straight from the elves. Usually first years didn't know how to get into the kitchens, but Mary's minion (that freckled boy with scraggly hair that followed her around everywhere) seemed to be a sort of spy.

Mary's Minion.

Alexis mulled those words over in her head and thought they sounded stupid. How could an eleven-year-old have a minion? Alexis intended to rest her head on the table, but ended up smacking it rather hard so that she sat up quickly, cursing under her breath.

"I need to go play quidditch," she thought to herself. A quick glance at the enchanted ceiling told her that would be an impossibility today. Oh well. Back to reading Not-So-Natural Disasters or, heaven forbid, she'd actually do some homework.

Transformation
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 04-30-03 21:18

Progress has been slow, and things are still at a stalemate with Garou. Tonight is a full moon, and with no potion, things are going to be much more dangerous. The moon is clearly visible, so the transformation takes place almost immediately. After transforming, I look for a target that happens to be wandering around across my path. The other werewolves who are around (including Garou) are also looking for targets.