A Simple Request
Author: Veronica Dumbledore
Date: 02-02-03 18:10
Veronica had grown weary throughout the week and needed to plan a good rest. What better way to relax, she thought, than to take a day off. With the Hogsmeade trip coming up, she had a great opportunity to get away from the pressures of teaching. Instead of the pressures of teaching, she would take on the pressures of chaperoning while getting a self guided tour of Hogsmeade.
She made her way through the halls to her uncle's office, and quite uninvitedly, let herself in. Though, not being devoid of manners, did wait graciously just inside the entrance. "Uncle Albus? Are you here?" She called out.
A Note and Poem
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 02-02-03 18:26
As I climbed the stairs to my room, I felt like I was walking on air. Man did Prescott know how to kiss. My head was still spinning from all the making-out we had done out side. While I slowly crawled into bed, an idea came to my head for a poem to add to my book of poems for Prescott.
9-20-96
Tonight I climbed up the door and opened the stairs, I said my pajamas and put on my prayers. Then I turned off the bed and crawled into the light, All because you kissed me goodnight!
***
In the morning I'll wake up and scramble my shoes, I'll pick up my eggs and toast my newspaper. I won't even be able to tell my left from my right, all because you kissed me last night!
***
Then in the evening at last I'll feel normal again, So I'll pick up my brother and call the owl, I'll speak to my kitten and throw Australia a mock bow. At midnight the sun will still shine bright, All because you'll have kissed me goodnight!
After I finished writing my thoughts down, I wrote a quick note to be delivered to Prescott along with the book of poems.
Dear Prescott,
Thank you for the wonderful night under the stars. You have no idea how much I actually needed that. I hope this book of poems brings you a smile everytime you read it.
All my love,
Ginny
And with that done, I drifted off to sleep.
I Apparate back at Hogsmeade after a satisfying day: I have not completely caught up on my backlog of work. It works well, because I can now help Michael get everything in a pace for his assignment -and convince him not to disown me. Thinking that being is a good reason to celebrate, I go off in search of Sirius to ask him over for a drink.
"Now where can that man be?" I wonder. I drop in the restaurant and bakery -he's already been to both of those places ON the way I remember that I'm supposed to meet with Nevyyn today or tomorrow to check on my "progress." But first, I come across the bookstore. I step inside and look around, even from behind I recognize some whom I detest as much as I like Sirius: That disgusting, oily, evil, sardonic (and not even very nice!) Lucius Malfoy. Great. What a way to ruin a perfectly good day!
Even from where I am, I can tell that Sirius would like to clobber Malfoy. And it's not at all a bad idea - I'd even help. However, Sirius is showing remarkable self-control(seems he's improved at that since school days) in NOT doing just that. Instead of giving the git a well-deserved broken nose, Sirius coolly replies "Hallo Malfoy. Nice weather we are having."
"Fine weather indeed, A chara." I say, approaching the two. I decide against hexing Lucius, and instead give hi ma sharp, warning look. Then I turn to Sirius again, "I caught up on all my work today and feel like celebrating. Would you like meet me at the Three Broomsticks in about five minutes?"
The Hard Part Begins
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 02-02-03 21:31
After three weeks of searching, I am certain I found Garou. A scraggly-looking man with chin length hair, dressed in grey with dark eyes and a scarred, rough face, looking just like the pictures. Before approaching, I carefully consider my choice of words. After I have decided on a course of action I go up to Garou and say in a callous, hard tone of voice, "Lou Garou, I take it?"
The man turns around and glares at me. "Who are you?" He growls.
"My name is Remus Lupin," I reply in the same harsh voice.
"What do you want?"
"I have heard of your reputation," I reply, "and came to assist you."
Announcing the Players
Author: Angelina
Date: 02-03-03 04:13
As the Hall filled, I looked at Professor Dumbledore and asked him if I could make an announcement. He gave a slow nod and I rose as Professor McGonagall tapped her glass with a spoon, then the hall went quiet.
"Students," I began and all eyes were upon me. "In the past few days I had a list for a Wizards Chess Tournament posted. At first I wasn't sure it would work but to my surprise I had some students show interest. I would like to take the time at this moment to announce those who signed up. When I call your name, please come forward to the Head Table."
I reached into my robes and pulled out the list, then unrolled it. "For Gryffindor: Miss Annie Paul and Miss Remadi Ye." The two girls got up and were smiling. As they came forward, the Gryffindor table applauded and a few whistles sounded.
"For Hufflepuff: Mr. Lawrence Masterson and Miss Ainsley Giacinta." The two got up and were met with the same amount of applause and whistling. The two then shook hands with Annie and Remadi as they came forward.
The four began to chat as I looked back at the list. "For Ravenclaw: Miss Cho Chang and Miss Aradia Forest." The two girls came forward as they walked. It seemed like they just glided down the isle and were met with a very loud round of applause and whistles as they too greeted the others.
"And for Slytherin: Miss Tempest Aisling and Miss Faith Brumby." The Slytherin table went crazy. It was as if they won the house cup or something of that nature and I was a bit uneasy at the moment. The two girls came forward and just gave curt nods to the others.
"The first round will be played on Oct. 12th. I hope you will come and cheer you respective houses on for the games and wish the players luck. Thank you, players, for signing. I'll let you know of the details soon."
The players went back to their seats and the feast began. I felt rather happy with myself for giving everyone a chance to earn extra points for the house cup.
Letter-making
Author: Mirai Schultz
Date: 02-03-03 05:48
She sat on one of the high-backed chairs near the fireplace in the common room. Her feet were tucked under her blue dress, shawl draping over her bare shoulders. Parchments lay on her lap, quill poised to write on her right hand. She stared at the fire, oblivious to the world around her, as thoughts and words swirled inside her head. Finally deciding on what to write, she bent down and started writing.
Onii-chan,
It's been weeks since I've started here in Hogwarts and I've missed you, mama, Maya, and even grandmama! =) How have you been? You didn't write anything to me since that last letter of yours and that was a month ago before school started. I have a lot to tell you. Although I'm not quite sure how you'll take this. I'm sure mama and Maya would be thrilled... Excited even.
Brother, Diether and I are together now. Now, don't react like that. I can just imagine that you dropped the letter after reading that line. I'll tell you everything as soon as we can see each other again. Which is the other reason that I'm writing to you.
We're having this Hogsmeade weekend on the 28th. You know, the only wizarding community here in the country. I was hoping that you'd find time to go there so we can talk. If possible, bring mama and Maya with you. I'm sure Maya will be ecstatic to see the nearby village of the school she'll be attending next year. There's this bar that my new friends told me about, The Three Broomsticks. We can meet there. Just tell me what time you can come.
Be happy for me, onii-chan. Write back very soon, ok? And don't use Artemis. She's been busy lately, flying back and forth here and Switzerland.
Ai shi teru,
Mai
Rereading her letter, she rolled it up and went up to her room where Artemis, her owl, is waiting for her. She tied the letter to the owl's foot and gave it a little treat before sending her off. She went back to the common room to find Diether reading a book, to which she curled herself to and listened to his breathing, immersing herself in the hypnotizing stroke of his hand to her hair.
onii-chan - older brother
ai shi teru - I love you
Those Parchments
Author: Christina Triegher
Date: 02-03-03 06:07
"What's in those?" Kennard asked, gesturing to the parchments on her other hand.
Looking at her hand, she realized, or rather remembered, that she brought the parchments that contained images of Kennard. As she felt her face flush, she held them up shyly, breaking the eye contact they had.
Instead of laughing, as she had imagined he would do once he saw those, he just smiled when she peeked at him. A genuine smile of appreciation.
"I didn't know you can draw this well," he said in awe.
She breathe a sigh of relief. "I thought you'd laugh at them," she said. "But then, I thought that that's what you'd do before... this... this day..."
He leaned and kissed her forehead. "I love them," he told her. "Can I keep some of these?"
"Pick whichever you like," she answered, and he did.
"Wanna go back now?" she asked moments later.
He nodded in reply.
Together, they walked hand-in-hand down the bleachers and into the castle.
Greenleaf Withdrawal
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 02-03-03 11:25
Cho walked back to the Ravenclaw House, wet obsidian hair drying over her shoulder, she says the password and enters the commons, waving to a few people as she walks to the stairs, she pauses. Quidditch practice had gone well, but she hadn't spoken to Fynn very much except to praise him or give him pointers. She bit her lip, debating. She wanted to go talk to him, but she wasn't sure where he was and didn't want to Golbez if he wasn't in his dorm. Not that she didn't like Golbez, she just wasn't in her normal mood and she couldn't get back into it.
Cho trudged up the stairs and slipped quietly into her dorm, glad to find that no one had come up yet. She french braids her wet hair and slips into her pajama pants and a t-shirt. The days had gotten colder and so had their room, so she slips a blanket over her shoulders and attempts to work on her homework. She sat back in her chair and sighed, blowing out her candle and going to the window, giving up on homework. She opens the window, letting the cool, fresh air envelope her, eyes traveling to the stars as knees bend to rest feet on the window seat and mind wanders, remembering...
They were on the train to Hogwarts and she sat alone in the compartment dwelling on her summer and her past. Then she heard him in the back of her mind walking down the train aisle with that charismatic swagger that was neither too proud, nor too humble. She didn't acknowledge him yet, too deep in memories at that time. Then he stopped near her, deep voice soothing and gentle, "Hi Cho."
She sighs, rubbing the tip of her nose, her face red from the frigid air, returning to the present as a cold gust blows into the room. Shivering, Cho closes the window a little bit and resituates herself, leaning the back of her head against the wall. She pats her hair, testing to see if it was dry, feeling it wasn't quite, she takes her hair out of the restrictive braids and slips off the blanket. She curls up into a big overstuffed chair with a book, trying to focus on something other than the Fynn withdrawal she was going through. She'd have to talk with him tomorrow, she wanted to here his voice directed at her, to feel his strong hand encompassing hers securely.
She wanted to apologize and talk to him and it was eating her up inside.
Enter Veronica, Stage
Left
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 02-03-03 17:41
Standing near the top of my library ladder, an absolute necessity for reaching the higher shelves, I am looking for a particular volume on the life of Merlin. I know it was here back in 1982, when I last had cause to refer to it.
A voice calls out from below, near the entrance to my office. "Uncle Albus? Are you here?" With that kind of salutation, it can be none other than my niece, Veronica.
"There are those who would claim that I am not ALL here," I reply with a chuckle as I descend the ladder. "Come in! Come in!"
I walk down the steps to the main level of my office to greet her. "And what is it that brings you all the way up here? Is this business or a social call? Should I fetch my Headmaster's robes, or can I just be "Uncle Albus" for a while?" I lead her to a comfortable seat, near the window which overlooks most of the Hogwarts grounds. "Would you care for some tea, or perhaps some pumpkin juice?"
Re: Enter Veronica,
Stage Left
Author: Veronica Dumbledore
Date: 02-03-03 18:50
"Pumpkin juice would be fine," Veronica said with a smile as she took a seat. "And as for your prior question, it's a bit of both. I wanted to help chaperone the Hogsmeade trip. I desperately need out of the castle. There is so much clouding my mind." She sighed deeply and looked at her uncle as if for some divine guidance.
The Grey Lady hoped that no one would see the flowerpot of mums floating from Ravenclaw to Gryffindor. The pot of golden mums floated right out the window and into the window of Gryffindor and set itself right next to the door of Hermione's room...a belated surprise for Hermione's birthday...would she know who they were from?
Drinks on Me
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 02-03-03 20:08
Lucius, knowing Dierna has deliberately excluded him in her invitation, pretends he's not noticed the slight. Lucius elegantly nods in greeting, the timbre of his voice smooth when he speaks.
"Very good to see you out from behind that huge pile of parchments on your desk, Dierna. I hear the rebuilding of the prison is going quite well thanks to your input and direction. Sirius, did you give Dierna assistance as only someone with an insider's view of Azkaban could?"
Lucius's eyes narrow shrewdly as he continues, "How exactly did you escape? I do not recall any of the official reports, then or recently, detailing how you did it."
Sirius flashes a smile at Lucius but the other man's eyes are anything but friendly. There is a hint of malicious glee in Sirius's voice when he pointedly says, "Since I am not working for the Ministry, I don't keep up with what information is in which report, Lucius. However, I don't think Dierna minds me saying for her that those who needed to know how I escaped were fully informed."
Lucius internally flinches at Sirius's words but to his credit, his outer facade never cracks. Instead, he gives a deep chuckle, "I could stand here and exchange veiled barbs with you all day but I have an engagement to attend. It pains me deeply I cannot join you, Dierna, for a celebratory drink. Do enjoy yourselves. Have one on me.
Have two. Madam Rosmerta can bill me." With a curt nod, Lucius tucks under one arm the parcel of books he'd been holding and strides from the store. Once outside, Lucius vanishes with a loud POP.
The Parting Glass
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 02-03-03 21:52
"Well put! I love seeing Lucius Malfoy put in his place!"
As it was, I DO know exactly how Sirius escaped and Sirius had indeed helped me with the plans for Azkaban. Other than Dumbledore, Sirius is the only person outside of the ministry whom I have kept informed of my plans and actions. I have infinite trust in my long time friend, and value his advice and input. "See you in five minutes."
At the pub we look at the wine list. "We should order the most expensive vintage on the list and have THAT billed to Malfoy," said Sirius, look at an expensive import from an exotic island.
I shake my head, laughing, "I was about to suggest that myself." Some things just don't change. I am glad that this is one of them.
Madam Rosmerta takes the order, with a curious look when I indicate it's to be billed to Lucius, and returns a short while later with two mugs.
"Mmm... This is quite excellent. I'll have to remember to thank Lucius at work on Monday. Slainte!" We chink glasses. After a brief pause, I ask, "You didn't see what books he bought did you?"
"No. But I did see this" With his typical pushes over a large rectangular package, wrapped in brown paper. "Open it." Curious, I open the package - inside is Druidic Rites and Rituals Of My Grandfather's Day by Foiranach Mac Murchada. I stare disbelieving at the tomb for a minute. Mac Murchada founded the organization where my mother worked. I had yet to track down any of his books. At a very uncharacteristic loss for words, I give Sirius a huge embrace.
We talk about this and that for the rest of the night, until the Three Broomstics closes, then drink the "Parting Glass"* and walk to our neighbouring homes together.
----
*The Parting Glass is the Last drink of the night, before pubs close in Ireland
