Today was going to be a looong day of classes for Vera. Having four hours of class time, and her first class being at nine AM...well let's just say she's going to sleep like a baby tonight!
After a great evening with Lawrence, Vera went to bed exited. She had always wanted to go to Australia, and now she had the chance! And best of all, she'd spend it with one she cared very dearly for. All she needed to do now was convince her parents. Which should be no problem at all.
Vera woke the Friday morning feeling refreshed and ready for a good day. She took a shower and made ready for class. First was DADA at nine o'clock followed by Transfiguration at ten. Knowing Lawrence didn't have class until One o'clock, she headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. When she arrived she saw Khloee sitting at the Hufflepuff table alone.
"Oye! Khloee...what are you doing sittin' by yourself eh?!" Vera smiled and sat beside her. "Besides, I thought you had class at One?" She rose a brow.
Khloee finished her bight of toast before answering. "Oh, I don't. I just felt like getting an early start today. Are you all pumped up for Snape?" Khloee grinned as Vera laughed. "I've dealt with Snape for six years! I think I'm plenty ready for today." She winked at the first year and started eating her food.
Khloee and Vera talked about classes and stuff until Vera had to go. They said their good-byes and while Khloee went off somewhere Vera went to Defense against the Dark Arts class.
Check
Author: Remadi Ye
Date: 01-31-03 02:39
After speaking to Annie, Remadi went back to the Gryffindor common room. She went to her dormroom for a moment to grab a manga, Magic Knight Rayearth, before finding a comfortable seat to read. Reading the manga she almost missed Annie come in and go upstairs. She wondered how Annie got so dirty as she put her manga aside to set up the Wizard's Chessboard. A little while later Annie came back down, nice and clean.
The two Gryffindors sat down and began playing. It had been a while since Remadi had played Wiard's Chess. She was used to playing chess with her tutors from UCF, muggle professors and college students. She smiled at Annie and they started. She watched Annie as she played and was happy to see that she actually knew what she was doing. As they played a small group started to watch us. This was what she enjoyed, playing in front of people with good competition. This was why she liked playing Quidditch and soccer and performing Chinese dances. She didn't let the other people distract her as she considered her moves. Both girls had the other at 'check' a couple of times, but neither one had been able to trap the other one's king for good. One by one they eliminated the other chess pieces from the board, trying to find the other person's weakness. As Annie finished making a move, Remadi smiled. It looked like she had found the weakness.
Patience in All Things
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 01-31-03 08:27
Sirius seals the twenty pound sack, easily hefts it over his shoulder and walks, partially stooped due to the low ceiling, through the hole in the wall back into his cellar. He swings the bag onto a large, growing pile of similar sacks then stands, arching his back, stretching kinked muscles. Sirius gives a small groan as several loud cracks from popping joints and ligaments echo through the room.
Glancing back through the hole in the wall and smiling to himself in satisfaction for how much he's accomplished so far today, Sirius decides it's definitely time for a break. First things first though. Sirius pulls out his wand and aims it toward the pallet of stacked sacks and levitates the pallet over to the cellar's newly built fireplace. He throws in some powder, calls out his destination, then walks through with one hand on the pallet to guide it. After depositing the sacks of dirt, Sirius apparates back home.
He showers off the layer of grime he's accumulated today, dons clean clothes then strides through the house to the front door, his intention to grab a bite to eat and then pick up a book on order at Twice Told Tales. Sirius isn't overly fond of doing business with the grown children of people who'd been staunch supporters of Voldemort all those years ago. People who may very well be Voldemort loyalists once more and who've brought their children into the group as well. The bookstore, however, is an excellent shop and its owners seem to have an uncanny knack for locating rare, impossible to find editions of vintage books. The book Sirius has ordered is a perfect example. He'd been trying to find a copy of it ever since being able to resume a real life but had had no luck in finding even a torn, badly used copy. But then, just the other day, on a whim, Sirius had stepped into Twice Told Tales and spoken with Lysander Stratford. Less than two hours later, Stratford had sent word to Sirius that he'd located a pristine edition and that he could have it in the shop by Friday. Without hesitation, Sirius had returned to the store, told Stratford, "Yes, definitely order it!" and paid a hefty deposit.
Sirius walks the short distance from his house into the heart of Hogsmeade and pauses on the street trying to decide where he'd like to eat. A heavenly aroma wafting towards him from the new restaurant, The Spinning Horn makes the decision for him. Sirius enters, is heartily greeted by the hostess, and seated immediately. A short while later Sirius exits, now stuffed with grilled salmon with ginger lime sauce and all that went with the entree. Not so stuffed though that Sirius is going to pass on dessert. He strolls to Briar's Bakery where he has a thick slab of strawberry cake (drizzled in chocolate of course). After buying a cheesecake (marbled key lime and tangerine), Sirius heads to the bookstore.
Sirius walks into Twice Told Tales and sees that Julian Valentine is the only one of the shop owners visible at the moment. Since Valentine is patiently listening to old Mrs. Dreason long windedly, yet vaguely describe a book whose author she cannot recall, Sirius peruses the New Arrivals shelf while waiting his turn. Just as he's picking up an ancient, handwritten tome at least five or six hundred years old that he's sure Dierna would love (Druidic Rites and Rituals Of My Grandfather's Day by Foiranach Mac Murchada) a snide, sarcastic voice cuts through Sirius's pleasant thoughts.
"Well, well, well, as I live and breath. Sirius Black! It is so very good to see you've shaken off that fugitive persona, old chum."
Sirius, mustering his patience and determination not to get into a verbal war with anyone today, slowly counts to ten before turning and speaking in the same tone one would to a passing acquaintance.
"Hallo, Malfoy. Nice weather we're having."
Reunited
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-31-03 09:16
Bill awoke the next day and found himself resting on a metal-framed bed, which looked suspiciously like it belonged in a hospital. As his eyes focused in on his surroundings, he noticed that there were other such beds lined up in the room, whose walls, ceiling and floor seemed to be an unnaturally bright shade of white. All of the other beds were empty, save for one.
"Percy?"
The younger Weasley smiled faintly and said, "Reunited at last, Bill."
Bill sat up slowly, rubbing his head with one hand. "What happened to you? How did you escape? Where are we?"
"We're in the Cairo Wizarding Clinic," Percy answered. He paused for a moment, watching as Bill swung his legs over the side of the bed, and then asked, "Do you want to hear the whole story?"
"From the beginning."
Percy related the tale of his kidnapping, something Adallah had already spoken of during last night's great show-down with Bill. He explained that Nawif knocked him unconscious, and that he didn't come to again until much later, where he discovered that he was locked in what appeared to be an extraordinarily small closet. After his rescue by the Egyptian aurors, Percy learned that his cell had been a simple, hidden panel in Adallah's office, protected by a silencing charm in order to prevent his cries and shouts of protests from being heard by anyone visiting the office.
The Egyptian aurors had apparated outside Gringotts Bank after Bill had been able to make brief contact with them from Adallah's fireplace. The one Bill had spoken to had seen Nawif transform from a scorpion into a man, just as Bill had in the mirror hanging above the fireplace.
A team of aurors raided Adallah's office, disarming him and Nawif just as Bill went unconscious. With the two men apprehended, the aurors did a thorough search of the office for evidence on further criminal activity, and they located the hidden panel and rescued Percy. Percy was able to fill them in on some of what had happened, but told them that they would have to get the rest of the answers from Bill.
Both Weasleys were taken to the clinic after that, where the aurors allowed them to rest without the disruption of having to give statements and other such material vital to their investigation.
"They'll want to talk to you as soon as you're able," Percy said, concluding his portion of the tale.
Bill nodded and exhaled deeply. "I'm ready. I'll tell them everything."
"Good..." Percy paused, suddenly remembering something. "Oh, Bill. A letter from Charlie and Helena arrived while you were sleeping. I got one too, actually."
"Everything all right with them?" Bill asked, reaching for the envelope on his nightstand.
"Oh, yes...I do believe so..."
Bill raised an eyebrow. "Something tells me that our brother is up to something."
He tore into the letter and read it, his jaw falling open. "Merlin's beard. Charlie and Helena are married?!"
It had been one of those days. Bella had gotten out of bed and fallen right to the floor of her tower. Luna had been quite amused, even despite having been woken up by the thump and the exclamation made after Bella unsteadily got up. That had hurt, but between the dizziness and the fact that her voice was becoming husky, she was certainly catching a cold. Go figure she'd be the first to catch a cold. Must be the delicate bone structure, or maybe that just explained the bruise. She wasn't going to think about it.
What needed to be done was to get something quick to fix her up. It would be impossible for her to mix up something from her supplies. So, that meant getting dressed and going to Hogsmeade to get something from the new potion shop, not to mention something for headaches and her throat. Her throat killed her, and speaking above the wind was hard, as was yelling at first years to stay away from certain places.
She pulled on one of her blue velvet robes, tied a scarf around her neck, and checked herself in the mirror. Pale, very pale. Well, as Izzy said, red lipstick and a bit of rouge covered a multitude of sins. Of course, they often led to a multitude of sins, so it was good that they were covered up. As for her hair, a snood and a good brushing would cover that up.
She picked up her basket, and resolutely set out on her way. She had to find out the delivery service. Luna would just have to get off her lazy feathers and get useful. Bella could tolerate a few weeks of owl grumpiness, especially if it meant not having to run her own errands. Some things needed to be done.
The walk to Hogsmeade was actually quite pleasant. The cold air did her a bit of good, although it was quite sad to see the seasons change. If she had her way, it would be eternally spring and summer, not that autumn leaves weren't nice and snow wasn't quite fun to play in. She walked carefully to her destination, slowly making sure of her steps.
She gasped when she walked into Newyn's. The place was absolutely perfect in every way. There was every sort of cure, and some other objects that bore looking at. Oh, the place was wonderful in every way, if you asked her. She wondered along the shelves, touching this and that and peering at the objects in the counters. Certainly wouldn't hurt to replenish her potion making supplies, especially not at these prices.
She mentally checked off the potions that she needed. When the owner came, she thought it might save time to know exactly what she wanted. The bottles looked so lovely. More like perfume bottles than bottles of medicine, but that wasn't such a bad thing. If one had to take medication, best to do it in lovely bottles.
"Hello? Is anyone here? I'm ready to check out now. I just can't decide what to buy. Have any recommendations for something for colds and flu? Plus, I also have headaches and my voice is giving out. I'd really appreciate the help. Oh, and if there's anything for bruises, some of that too please. Large amounts, if you have any."
Meeting Miss Sinistra
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 01-31-03 18:06
I am having a quiet game of dominos with Tom, when I hear a voice from the shop. I put the game on hold and rush to meet my customer.
"I beg your pardon, young lady," I announce as I see her at the counter. "I did not hear the door chimes. And how may I help you, today?" I study her as I approach. "Are you with the school?"
She introduces herself as Professor Sinistra, teacher of Astronomy, and then repeats her request for remedies for colds and the flu, headaches, and bruises. "Ah yes! I think we have just the thing for the virus that seems to be going around." I unlock one of the cabinets and select a small, decorative vial of pale violet liquid. "I do believe this should do the trick... a basic tincture of echinacea, with a little yarrow thrown in to relieve the fever and congestion, and a bit peppermint to open the sinuses. This is to be taken, ten to fifteen drops in a cup of hot water, or tea, if youÕd rather, three times a day.
"Now, for the headache we have what I call, "Superin"." I pull down a bottle of dark emerald green and place it on the counter. "This is essentially an extract of willow bark in a sweet syrup, with a bit of skullcap, wood betony, and valerian. Three or four drops in water or tea should do the trick. However, do not exceed four doses per day. It tends to make one a little groggy.
"As for the bruising," I look at her pale skin. "I would recommend this tincture of hyssop and wintergreen in purified oil." The golden liquid seems to glow within the faceted flask. "You can either massage this into the affected area, or put a few drops onto a hot compress and apply directly to the area. However, do not use this around your eyes! It will sting without mercy!" I pop the stopper and let her have a smell. She pulls back with a start. "Even the diluted vapors can make the eyes water.
"Would there be anything else you're wanting?" I ask as she surveys the shelves behind me. "Did you mention something about soreness of the throat or scratchiness of the voice? Hmmm..." I take a bottle of "Claritus" from the shelf, noting that my supply is getting a bit low, I shall have to be making some more before too long. "Here again, we have the echinacea, an infusion, this time. With a touch of myrrh, sage, agrimony and wild pansy. Now, with this, you are to put a half-teaspoon in a glass o warm water and gargle, as needed.
"Will that be all for today?" I start adding up her bill to see what it is she owes.
Re: Check
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 02-01-03 02:30
Remadi made her move and looked at me. "Check," she said and I saw the bind I was in. I heard some muttering from the others and I took my time looking over the board for a move. I saw a way out and made my move, saving my king for now but I then saw I had her king in danger but he wasn't in check.
Did she see the move or not? Remadi moved and I smiled as she made her next move. "I hate to do this to a good player, it's been fun." I said then told my queen where to move. "Checkmate," I said and Remadi looked at the board. She then looked at me. "Not bad. I think we both have a chance at the tournament, but you do have your weakness," she said and I nodded. "I know. I've tried to break that habit but it's been hard."
We didn't realize what time it was. It was close to dinnertime and I was getting hungry. "How about I help you on that problem. They're bound to see it at the tournament and those Slytherins play for keeps."
We all made our way out of the Common Room and down to the Great Hall. "I could use the help thanks," I said and I felt I found another friend.
Blossom shifts the box from one hand to the other then reaches to open the door at Weasley's. She flashes a smile at Fred and calls out a greeting but since he's waiting on a customer Blossom will wait to give him a hello kiss. Blossom goes straight back to the office and begins unpacking the box.
Once done, she walks back out into the shop area, is stopped by a customer needing help, and then escorts the man to an aisle of merchandise where the product he's wanting is located. Along the way, Blossom spies George kneeling on the floor, several open boxes scattered around him. After making sure the customer no longer needs assistance, she goes to speak to George.
"Hi, George! Making a new display?"
As he greets Blossom, George also nods. "'Allo, Blossom. You might say I'm trying to put a display together but I don't like how it keeps turning out. Been at it for hours."
"Sounds like you need a break. I brought a box full of food from the deli. Someone owled in an order for one of the special lunch spreads for eight with instructions to have it ready by eleven this morning. The order also indicated the person would be picking it up. Then the person never showed. Mr. Munch, the new manager, gave me the entire order. It's got fruit, soups, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and lots of other goodies. Even drinks. So come on to the office and have lunch or if you've already eaten, a snack."
George nods and extends a hand for Blossom to help him off the floor. Once in the office, between bites of a thick sandwich, George asks Blossom for any suggestions she might have for the display. As they toss ideas back and forth Blossom tells George, "Fred explained to me that a week from tomorrow is something called Hogsmeade weekend for Hogwarts students. I can have all my work at Gringotts for next week done before Saturday and someone whose shift I've covered a number of times at the deli can work in my place that day. Soooooo, if you'd like to spend the entire day at Hogsmeade with your girlfriend, I can help Fred out here."
George cannot say yes fast enough and nearly chokes himself on a bite of cheese in the process. He leans across the desk and gives Blossom a crumb encrusted kiss then with a goofy grin on his face, resumes eating. About then, Fred sticks his head into the room.
"Oy! Trying to steal me girl, are you?" He asks with a laugh before depositing a kiss on Blossom's upturned face, "Hi there! I was hoping you'd stop by."
Fred sinks down in the only empty chair and grabs a sandwich. "Merlin but I'm starved! This morning, just after opening, lunk over there accidentally dropped and stepped on the sandwiches we brought and neither of us has had much chance at lunchtime to go get anything or send out an order for a delivery."
George reaches for a second sandwich as Fred starts on his first. "I heard your offer to George, Blossom. I think it's a smashing idea. Rather than just a couple of hours, he and Majandra can have the whole day. Of course, it does mean putting up with you for the entire time."
Fred flashes Blossom a cheeky grin as she reaches out with one foot and gives him a pretend kick. "Don't you mean it's me having to put up with you?" she retorts. "I suppose you'll be expecting a few stolen kisses too. It shall be rather difficult to bear but I'll manage somehow."
Their teasing is interrupted when George suddenly jumps up and dashes out of the office, half eaten sandwich in one hand. "Be right back. Going to owl Maj and let her know we have the whole day!"
Blossom doubles over with giggles as Fred rolls his eyes at George's announcement and wryly states. "That'll be the fourth time today he's owled Majandra. He couldn't find time to get us lunch to replace the sandwiches he ruined but he can send multiple love letters to his girl."
"Awwww, poor, starved baby," Blossom says in pretend sympathy. "How about I kiss it and make it better?" she adds with a giggle before moving to sit on Fred's lap and giving him a warm kiss. Hearing a customer in the store calling for assistance, Blossom gives Fred one more kiss then jumps up. "You finish eating, I'll take care of it."
Dear Maj,
Meet me at the Spinning Horn Saturday the 28th, 11:30 sharp! Be there or be.....tracked down.
George chuckled and let out a little growl as he raised his quill and dripped it into the ink again.
I love you sooooo much, and miss you soooooo much. Take care and I'll see you soon.
Love,
George
He folded the letter, sealed it and gave it to his owl to deliver to Majandra. He couldn't wait until next Saturday!
Finishing Up
Author: Belladonna
Date: 02-01-03 20:42
Bella smiled. It was as he had read her mind. There seemed something for everything she needed. Plus, the instructions were so simple even she wouldn't have problems remembering them. This in itself made this place so wonderful. She'd be coming back for anything she needed. The thought of spending half the winter in here getting things to fix her up was actually rather amusing.
She thought for a few moments about what else she needed and satisfied herself that she had everything she needed. She smiled in thanks.
"Hmm? Oh, no, that and the potion making supplies in my basket and the remedies are it. You have no idea how grateful I am for fixing me up with everything that I needed. It's lovely to go somewhere and have everything right at hand. I'll be coming back soon, I promise. I spend half the winter sick and the other half having voice problems. Oh, and please give me another bottle of the Claritus. I never want to be without."
She smiled as she paid, knowing that this was a wonderful place and Hogsmeade was lucky to have it. Next, it would be back to the castle to wrap Miss Granger's gift and then to London for a special appointment that she wasn't about to miss.
Seeking Privacy
Author: Kennard Philips
Date: 02-01-03 21:45
After Muggle Studies has ended, he and the Triegher siblings went back to their common room to enjoy the rest of the day just lounging around. They arrived there with Mirai thoughtfully writing on a parchment, occasionally chewing on the end of her quill Diether announced that she's writing to her brother, informing them of the nearing Hogsmeade weekend when they could see each other again.
He, on the other hand, has his thoughts somewhere else. Or rather, someone else. Deciding, he got his guitar and whispered something to Christina before heading out of the common room, telling his friends that he's just wanting some time alone.
He arrived at the empty quidditch pitch and sat on the nearest bench. Propping a leg on the seat below him, he began strumming his guitar, humming with the song he's playing. Lost in his music, he dimly heard a voice singing the words of his silent song. Without losing a beat, he turned his head to see that Christa has followed him, just as he had requested. The parchments she held on one hand almost went unnoticed as she sat beside him and finished the song with him.
She sighed then smiled at him. "So, what is it?" she asked.
Looking out of the open field, he strummed his guitar again, and this time, he sang what he wanted to say.
"If I lay my voice down at Your feet
Will you still hear my song echoing
That I might end this game of hide and seek
Because in You I am complete
Oh in You I am complete
All the voices I hear in my sleep
All the sins of my past whispering
To stay off my knees and on my feet
Oh but they, they can't compete
Cause in You I am complete"
He looked at her eyes as he sang, noticing her emotions flicker within her. Ending his song, he spoke to her softly.
"I've always had this strange feeling when I'm with you. I dismissed it before as I thought it was because I know nobody here and that being your friend would be enough to control it. But, it just grew..." he paused. "Christa, would you be mine?"
Her eyes grew big with his revelation. Then her smile grew big, too, with his question.
"I would love to," she answered him simply and placed a kiss on his cheek.
He reached out to hold her hand when he remembered seeing parchments earlier.
"What's in those?" he asked, gesturing to the parchments on her other hand.
Her cheeks colored as she slowly showed them to him.
...
The song is entitled Complete by Stephen Speaks.
Preparing for Dinner
Author: Angelina
Date: 02-02-03 02:12
I finished my walk. I saw one more name on the list for WC, Miss Faith Brumby from Slytherin. I smiled and took down the list. "Eight players, not a bad start," I said and made a note to let the house elves know how I would like the Great Hall set up when the tournament starts.
I entered the Great Hall and saw that I was the first to enter. Each table was set up for dinner. I looked at the room closely and took out a piece of scratch paper, then began to draw what I had in mind. "I wonder if Dobby would like to lend a hand," I wondered. My mind went back to the day I released the Lion of Gryffindor and the house elf's reaction. He seemed like he thought the lion was going to eat him before I reassured those there it was okay.
The door opened and some of the students began to enter chatting amoung themselves and I got an occasional greeting from them. I made my way to the Head Table and sat at my respective seat. I looked down the hall from that prospective and my plan seemed to work for the arrangements.
Soon the Hall began to fill and I finally got a chance to see our new DADA Professor Somerset. I had overheard some of the girls talk about him and giggle but of course they did the same for Gilderoy Lockhart. "You hated him didn't you?" A thought pop in my mind to which a reply came out of my mouth, "Lockhart was arrogant and suffered from Narcissism in the worst way. I knew from the start he was too good to be true when his books started to come out."
The Head Table began to fill. Madam Pomfrey came in and gave me a nod, then took her respective seat. "Miss Logan, that Bulbus Pus you sent me was perfect. Now I have enough for the full year," she said and I smiled.
As the day's end started to near, I wondered to myself if I would have the time to give Prescott his "gift" (if you could call it that) at dinner or if it would have to wait until the return trip from Hogsmeade tomorrow afternoon. After much deliberation, I decided that I would give it to him tonight.
Suppressing the urge to go and find Prescott among his friend at the Ravenclaw table, I returned my attention back to the conversation at hand between Australia, Brett, Eileen, and myself. We were discussing all the things we could do on tomorrow's trip into Hogsmeade.
When I finally saw Prescott get up and leave the Ravenclaw table, did I excuse myself to follow him using the excuse that I still had a lot of homework to do. As soon as I was through the doors of the Great Hall, I saw him leaning up against the wall next to the main doors. The moonlight was shinning brightly behind him. With a quick nod I followed him through the doors and out into the moonlit night.
He led the way down towards the lake, but stopped several yards away from the it. There were 2 blankets laying on the ground, which he had already laid out for us, under the tree were we stood. I gave him a questioning look. He explained that the blankets were for a night under the stars along with some very much needed time alone and a very high possibility for making out.
In between the 30-45 minute make-out sessions, we talked about this and that. The night sky slowly filled with stars. When we finally decided that it was to cold to stay out all night,even with the blankets, I gathered the blankets under my arm and walked hand and hand with Prescott back to the castle. After he personally escorted me back to the Gryffindor Tower, we shared one last goodnight kiss before I climbed through the portrait hole and up the stairs to my room.
"Ah, yes!" I reply to Miss Sinistra's complaints of winter illness. "The chill and the damp do seem to take a heavy toll on the respiratory functions." I finish adding up her bill. "Let's see, now! That comes to exactly five Galleons, nine Sickles and thirteen Knuts."
As she starts digging in her purse for he correct amount, I have a thought. "You wouldn't happen to have one of those coupon books sent out by the Hogsmeade Business Association, now would you?"
"Oh! Thank you. I had completely forgotten about that." She pulls out a slightly dog-eared booklet and starts going through it.
"There! There it is, near the back. See? "Twenty-five Percent off First Purchase at Nevvyn's Notions and Potions"." She tears the white slip of paper from the booklet and hands it to me. "So! Five, nine and thirteen, less 25%... That should come to... I do a little re-figuring. Yes! That comes to four, two and twenty-four. Quite the tidy little savings!"
I take a moment to make sure all the stoppers are secure, then wrap each of the flasks and vials and bottles as well as her packets of herbs and other items into a neat and compact bundle. "Thank you!" I say as I hand her the package and collect her cash. "Do come again, sometime!"
