Ellspeth's Herbals Etc -- Christmas Eve
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 04-01-04 08:54
Ellspeth was up in a flurry of preparations this morning. She had talked with Prof. Dumbledore a bit earlier in the week and had found out just how many students would be stay at school during the Holiday. She had carefully packaged a few more baskets and had decided to run it all over to the school that morning. The packages had all be wrapped in different color cellophane paper complete with name tags for each student.
Gathering her travel bag and began the spell over the baskets to shrink them in size and weight so they would all fit into the bag. Slowly they all began to dance around the room, shrinking smaller and smaller until they were a comfortable size to fit snugly inside her large carpet bag. Then with a flick of her wrist, they slowly floated over to the colorful old carpet bag and settled themselves quite nicely in every nook and cranny there. With a snap the bag shut itself and scooted quickly over near the door. Hopping just a bit excitedly in anticipation of the trip to Hogwarts School.
"Now, now," Ellspeth said laughingly, "Let me get my jacket and hat and we can be off."
She pick up a warm scarf, hat, and jacket, after putting on some high winter boots. The headed for the door. With a light little bounce, the bag jumped into her hand and they were on their way to Hogwarts School...
Azkaban: First Visitor
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 04-01-04 09:36
The door at the end of the hallway moaned as it opened, rousing Ethan from where he lay on his cot. He and many others in the cell block realized immediately that this wasn't a guard's ordinary rounds, whether for patrolling the length of the corridor or for doling out meals to the prisoners. It wasn't the usual time for either, and the men in the cell block knew this for fact because they'd all since memorized the schedules of their keepers. When everything was the same day in, day out, it was easy to catch on quickly.
Ethan sat up and listened as two pairs of footsteps made the passage down the darkened corridor. Neither person spoke nor made any sound other than the steady footfall as they walked, which grew louder as they came nearer to the opposite end of the hallway. When at last the pair came to where they could go no further, they turned to face Ethan's cell.
Overcome by surprise at the sight of one of the visitors, Ethan stood up and walked up to gate of his cell. A short, squat witch with dark hair pulled up into a tight bun studied Ethan with an incomprehensible expression on her round face. She bore a countenance unlike something Ethan had ever seen before, and it frightened him.
On the other hand, he felt more happy and relieved than he had in a long time. His mother had come to see him! He'd been allowed a visitor for the first time since his arrival at Azkaban, and on the day before Christmas of all days.
Offering her a timid smile, Ethan spoke softly, "Mum, I'm so glad to see you." He wrapped his hands around two steel bars and watched as his mother's features flickered from one emotion to the next, as if she couldn't quite decide how to feel.
She said nothing.
"Mrs. Somerset," the warden said, who was standing nearby, "I'll give you a few moments alone with your son. I'll be just down the corridor."
He turned away from her and fixed his eyes on Ethan. Smiling crookedly he said, "Good behavior gets you a Christmas visit." Then he walked away, assuming his post at the opposite end of the cell block, leaving mother and son alone.
Ethan didn't know what to say. He hadn't seen his mother in ten months, and yet he couldn't think of anything to tell her.
Maren, however, had plenty to say. She ceased the internal battle of emotions and settled on anger.
"So, you got yourself landed in Azkaban."
There was nothing motherly in the way she spoke, for she behaved not like a parent scolding a child but rather like an enemy confronting his nemesis or a stranger voicing disappointment to someone unknown, yet unliked all the same. She seemed distant and cold.
"It wasn't my fault," said Ethan, completely taken aback by her tone and expression.
Maren looked unmoved and unconvinced. "Oh yes, dear. I'm afraid it was."
Ethan felt as if he'd taken a hard blow to the stomach. His mother, the one person he could always count on, was now against him.
"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Maren continued angrily.
"A lot of things weren't supposed to happen, and yet they did and here I am!"
Maren went on as if she'd never heard his outburst. "You were supposed to achieve many great things, Ethan but you failed us. Your father is very disappointed. He worked hard to get you where you were before you threw it all away. How could you ruin your life? You were priveleged! Not many were or ever will be in the position you were in, lad!"
She expelled a deep sigh, then continued. "If you ever see the error in your ways, I fear it will be too late to save you."
"I suppose I don't blame you for being angry and disappointed with me, but you must understand when I say it wasn't my fault!" Ethan explained, raising his voice a little though he knew full-well everyone present was already listening whether it was their business or not. He didn't care. "I can't tell you why everything went wrong. I can't tell you whose fault it truly is, but I've accepted the blame for the horrible things I've done. They were my crimes. That's why I'm here."
He sighed, rubbed his eyes with his palms and looked at his mother. In a lower tone he said, "I've never seen you this way before, Mum."
"You are not my son. Goodbye."
Maren turned abruptly and walked down the corridor, leaving a stunned Ethan in her wake.
G' Mornin!
Author: Sora
Date: 04-01-04 09:48
Dreaming... Dreaming... ACK!!
Sora woke with a start as he just realized that he hadn't gotten his parents a present! "What time is it?!" he said as he looked over to Felix, then the clock. "Ten o'clock? YIKES! I've overslept!" Sora jumped out of bed, put on his strange looking clothes and then headed downstairs to the dining room.
Riku and Sora's parents (Jack and Garnet) were already there talking amongst themselves as they ate their breakfast. Sora was just a tad bit disappointed that nobody bothered to wake him up. But Sora sat down at the table, grabbed a piece of toast and started to spread some marmalade on it.
"Good Morning Sora!" greeted Garnet. "Sleep well?" Sora's mouth was full, so he just nodded. Jack only laughed. "Typical Sora! My, I haven't seen you eat so much before!" Sora paused for a second, then just shrugged as he smiled with his cheeks full of food. Riku then gave a laugh. "Wow Sora! You look like a chipmunk!"
After breakfast, Sora pulled Riku out of the dining room. "So... wanna do something today?" Sora asked. Riku thought for a moment. "Mmm... Yeah sure." Sora laughed. "Can't you show a little excitement? I mean, c'mon! It's Christmas Eve, fer cryin' out loud!" Riku just smiled. "Oh, okay Kiwi." Sora ground his teeth together. "Would you PLEASE stop calling me Kiwi! At least while we're here? I don't want my parents to start calling me that! My mom would go ballistic!"
They both headed up to Sora's room, where the family owl was perched on his bed. "I forgot to get my parents a present, so I'm gonna order something from Ellspeth's Herbals in Hogsmeade." Sora explained. Riku just looked curious. "What are you gonna order from there?" he asked. Sora just gave a little grin. "I heard that Ellspeth has some exotic plants there, so I'm just gonna give her a description of something I'm looking for."
"And what's that?"
"Well, My mom has always wanted a pet dog, but she couldn't get one because of my Dad's allergies."
"Ohhh, I see where you're goin'."
"Oh yeah!"
Sora took out a pencil and a piece of paper and started to write:
Dear Ellspeth, I hear that you have some exotic plants and I was hoping you might have something I'm looking for. You see, my mother's always wanted a puppy but my dad is allergic to dogs. Do you have anything that would solve my problem here? If so, I'd like the plant to be sent here today... if possible. I'll send you payment once the parcel gets here. You have my word for it.
Sincerely,
Sora Hearts.
Once it was written, Sora tied the letter onto the owl's leg. It gave a soft 'Hoot' and flew out the balcony door. After watching the bird fly off into the distance, Sora and Riku then closed the door. "It's FREEZING out there!" exclaimed Sora. Riku only laughed. "Hey, Let's go find something to do. If you want, we can go to Daigon Alley?"
The Burrow: Relaxing
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 04-01-04 10:27
Hermione lay on the sofa in the Weasley living room, head resting in Ron's lap and legs curled close to her body beneath a light, green and white checkered woolen blanket. A Christmas tree towered high in the corner of the room, and several presents were already underneath the green-needled boughs for tomorrow morning's festivities. A few of them were gifts Hermione had purchased for the Weasley clan, among them the books for Ron she had bought in Hogsmeade at Pots and Pages.
She shut her eyes, tuning Ron out who spoke about --what else-- Quidditch. Instead, she thought about the past few days, which had been quite busy. On Sunday, Hermione had spent the whole day at St. Mungo's with her father. He'd been moved into a new ward, which he shared with Gilderoy Lockhart, of all people. Hermione's former professor showered her with autographed photos, which she gave to Molly Weasley later that evening.
On Monday, Hermione had taken her apparation exam and passed with flying colors. Her new found mode of transportation proved useful when she apparated to Oxford University yesterday. There she took a tour of the campus, met with advisors, other faculty and students, and took the test she'd been preparing for this past month.
With these things now out of the way, Hermione felt she could spend more time on the most imminent thing at hand: the NEWT exams. She'd been keeping up with her studies, of course, but hadn't put as much effort into preparing for the final exams as she had for preparing for life after Hogwarts.
"I'd want to stay in the country to be close to you, of course, but if I get an opportunity like Toby Beck," Ron was saying, when Hermione tuned back into the conversation.
"Distance isn't much of a problem for wizards, Ron," Hermione said. "If you want to go to Australia, Hawaii or Timbuktu, you certainly should. Don't let me keep you here. Besides, there's no guarantee I'll be living here permanently either."
"Where would you go if you left the country?" Ron asked, stroking Hermione's hair.
"I have two options so far: Cairo and Athens. But those are truly on the bottom of my list for the moment. I think I'd rather stay here in England for now, if my other plans don't fall through, of course."
"And what are your other plans, Hermione?" Ron asked, curiously. She'd been secretive, though willing to say something, of what her future might bring -- just never enough to satisfy Ron's curiosity.
"I don't want to jinx myself by talking about it, Ron," Hermione said slyly, smiling. "Hopefully it'll all work out in the end."
Ron changed the subject, "So, what did you get me for Christmas?"
"I'm not telling, Ron, but I will tell you what I got Harry."
"What did you get Harry?"
"I sent Pig -- I hope you don't mind -- with the gifts."
"Gifts? He gets more than one?" Ron exclaimed jokingly.
"I couldn't help myself," Hermione answered, laughing. "I bought him a schedule for the new year and a book called Forty Facts about Flobberworm Farming. I hope he doesn't already have it."
"He probably does, and if not, then he probably already knows those forty facts and then some," Ron said. "Isn't that a strange career choice for him?"
"It does seem odd, but if it makes him happy then so be it."
"HA! So if Quidditch makes me happy, then so be it," Ron shouted gleefully.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
Diagon Alley and Hey There!
Author: Sora
Date: 04-01-04 16:52
Finally getting Riku to get his butt out of the house, the two boys went about to Diagon Alley, Sora's only been there like... a lot, but he still didn't really know the way. This presented a problem, but luckily, they found it! "Oh boy! They sure did a good job of keeping it hidden!" Sora snapped as he made his way through the pub and out to the brick wall. Riku just chuckled and followed Sora.
Sora pulled out his wand and tapped the brick combo, and they both made their way inside. "Luckily I didn't forget to bring my Wizard money! Otherwise I'd be in trouble!!" Said Sora as he checked his pocket for his little sack of galleons. He looked over to Riku. "So, wanna check some places out and then get some ice cream?" Riku looked at Sora with an 'are you crazy?!' expression.
"You're right... it is a crazy idea..." said Sora. They both only shrugged and went on about their business. Sora looked left and right at every store. "Hmmmm... what would my dad want for Christmas anyways? He basically has everything he's ever wanted or needed!" Sora then gave a long sigh. "I hate having rich parents..."
They looked and passed almost every store (but deciding to check out the quidditch shop later) in Diagon Alley when they came across an interesting looking store. "Critter's and Supplies?" Said Riku. Sora just jumped up and down. "Hey! Let's go inside!" Riku only gave a small shrug. "Sure, besides I'm freezing my butt off!"
Once they went inside, Sora went nuts! "Wow! Look at all the cool stuff they have! I'll find my dad a present for sure in here!" he said as he zipped this way and that. Riku just laughed. "Take it easy Sora! Don't hurt yourself!" he said. A few minutes have passed, when a familiar voice came into Sora's ear. "Hello! How may I help you?"
Sora knew that voice! He straightened up, looking over to the voices direction, and could it be?? Is it she??? YES!
"Roane! What's up?"
Turin Estate, Corinth: Christmas Visit
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 04-01-04 18:26
Michael had barely entered the manor when a blond streak of energy that materialized into his niece, Sabina.
"Oncle Michael!!!!!" she wrapped her arms around her uncle's leg, clinging tightly. "I missed you soo much! Why do you never come and see me? Are you to busy for me?"
Michael ruffled the girl's hair and picked her up
"Jamais trops occupe pour toi, Cherie."
"If you don't come see me more often I'll have to ground you!" Sabina said, with all the seriousness an eight-year-old can muster. Michael tried not to smile.
"Well, I don't think I want to be grounded. I guess I'll have to owl the Castle and tell the headmaster I'm being held captive by my niece."
Helouise rolled her eyes. "I'm sure he'll understand the severity of such a threat, Michael."
"Certainment." agreed Abelard. And this one is as threatening as they come.
"Are you laughing at me?" Sabina asked, looking from her parents to Michael. The three adults shook their heads. "Nooo!"
"Can I open presents now?"
Michel put Sabina down. "When Monsieur Eatos arrives and grandma and grandpa are ready."
Sabina ran off to get her grandparents, the Elder Turins. Just as she got back. Dragging the elderly witch and wizard behind her, a house-elf announced.
"Master, Aneas Eatos has arrived."
Sabina bounced around, "YAY!", and ran off to drag Michael's friend into the parlour.
Malfoy Manor
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 04-01-04 19:02
"So, what do you want to do today?" Draco turned his head slightly to the right to look at Santhea, who was studying the ceiling with great interest. They were lounging side-by-side on a couch in one of the sitting rooms with their legs propped up on a matching footstool. The ceiling above their heads was painted with images of some of the Malfoy family's ancestors, with a pair of serpents serving as the frame for each portrait.
Santhea shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. What do you want to do?"
Draco studied her profile quietly for a moment.
"We could play some Quidditch," Draco started after the moment's pause, "or some chess. We can go outside and make a snowman."
Santhea finally turned her head to look at Draco. "Does you family have any traditions for Christmas Eve?"
"Nothing in particular," Draco said. "If we're all about we usually have a proper sit-down dinner, and sometimes we exchange a gift or two when we're too impatient to wait for Christmas Day. What about your family? What are... were... your traditions?"
A change in expression overcame Santhea's face, and Draco abruptly amended his question. "What do you think you'd be doing today if you were in France with your friend?"
She turned her head and stared at the ceiling again, watching as the forked tongues of the snakes flicked out of their mouths and as their eyes shone from the lamplight in the room. When she finally spoke she didn't answer Draco's question and instead asked, "What did you get your parents for Christmas?"
Draco turned his head to resume staring at the ceiling. "I bought a silver pocket watch for my father and had it engraved with his initials. For my mum, I found a bottle of her favorite perfume... it's been hard to find these last few years. She'll be thrilled."
He stopped talking and starting thinking about the gift he'd bought for Santhea: a silver necklace with a serpent pendant, which had sparkling, emerald eyes. He hoped she'd like it!
One Lady Dancing
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 04-01-04 22:24
Bella looked around at her quarters and smiled at the arrangements of holly and ivy. Perfectly seasonal and elegant for having spiced wine. The mistletoe was very seasonal and perfect for having someone special over for spiced wine and hormone soothing. John had come over and they had confirmed holiday plans in their respective planners. Christmas was so much better when you were in a relationship. Christmas morning breakfast with John and his family, Christmas dinner at Hogwarts, and Christmas night at her parents' party.
It would be a day, that was for sure. Breakfast would be depressing, especially since John's father was so much worse. As things were, Duke John wouldn't even survive to attend the wedding. Poor Lady Pat looked more and more drawn and tired. The only laughter would be forced and the mood would be quite depressing.
Christmas afternoon would be a bit better. Usually she skipped the Hogwarts feast, but as Hufflepuff head, it was her duty to attend. They were so boring, though, and Snape glaring drained one of any and all holiday cheer. Besides, she never did get along well with most of the other staff. For some reason, they found her scatterbrained and frivolous. Well, excuse her for not being wrapped up in her job and having a life outside of Hogwarts.
Thank God for that night. Her parents' Christmas party would be just the cure. Too much music, too much dancing, too much drinking, and far too much fun. She'd pop into something red and sparkly, dance with John until her shoes turned to tatters or her heel broke, drink champagne until her head hurt, and end up being guided to one of the many bedrooms. Lady Stella expected no one to be sober enough to leave, and rarely was she disappointed. Merry Christmas, Bella, and plan for a happy New Year!
Small World
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 04-02-04 06:50
I looked up in surprise, amazed to hear Sora's voice.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" I rushed over to greet Sora and Riku.
"Looking for Christmas presents. What are you doing here?" Sora asked me excitedly.
"I live here! This is my Dad's shop. Our apartment is above the shop."
As if on cue, my dad walked down the stairs and into the shop.
"Do you need any help, dear?", he asked.
"No, these are my friends Dad. Let me introduce them to you."
The Far Side of the World
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-02-04 14:34
"Okay," Bronwyn said, removing the lid from a clothing box. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor in Desi's living room, surrounded by festive wrapping paper, ribbons and bows, scissors, a roll of tape and colored tissue paper. Desi sat in the recliner nearby and watched her friend through half-open eyes.
"Are you paying attention to me?" Bronwyn inquired, shooting a questioning look at her friend, who showed no signs of interest in wrapping Christmas gifts.
Desi blew some hair out of her face and grumbled, "I still think we should have done this yesterday or the day before that. Those presents aren't going to get to Hogwarts in time for Christmas."
"Even if we'd have sent them off yesterday or the day before, they wouldn't have gotten to Hogwarts tomorrow either. I don't think express owls can fly clear across this country and the Atlantic Ocean overnight or in a few days time. Should we try Muggle post?"
"I don't know if Federal Express even knows where Hogwarts is!"
Bronwyn rolled her eyes. "The boys know we're on the other side of the world. They'll understand that we can't have gotten the gifts to them sooner. Now," she redirected her attention to the first clothing box, "let's see what we have here."
She lifted a pair of neatly pressed Khaki pants and set them aside gently. "I think these will go nicely with this navy blue polo shirt. What do you think, Desi?"
"Navy blue is a Ravenclaw color."
"So, what?" Bronwyn selected a piece of white tissue paper and set it into the box before replacing the Khakis with the blue shirt. "Blue is a nice color, and I think it'll look fabulous on Seb."
She started to wrap the box in matching blue wrapping paper, which had silver snowflakes all over it.
She tackled the next box and each one from then on with less and less support from Desi, who had no fashion sense whatsoever (according to Bronwyn). The only piece of clothing Desi had agreed upon when she and Bronwyn raided the shopping mall the other day was a black T-shirt with the word REBEL written in white. Bronwyn added it to a box with a pair of casual blue jeans.
"Okay, done!" Bronwyn finally said, admiring the stack of wrapped presents now awaiting to be sent to Scotland. "Now what?"
