Unexpected
Interruptions
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 06-15-03 09:11
As soon as his third class of the morning ended, Ethan locked himself up in his office and perused through the small handful of letters littered across his desk. A few owls were perched on the ledge of the open window and patiently awaited a treat as reward for their deliveries. Ethan ignored them, concentrating only on the parchments.
"MiracleGlo, the number one rejuvenating facial cream in the wizarding world," Ethan read aloud. He drew his brows together and frowned, setting the letter aside to read the next one. "Just-For-Wizards, hair color for the average man."
This is ridiculous, Ethan thought, Dumbledore ought to charm a junk mail filtration system on his tower. Not one letter in the bunch was anything more than a mere advertisement. "Blow-out sale at Dervish and Banges. One day only! Everything must go, go, go!"
Ethan rose from his seat with the intention of returning the letters to the owls so that they could be delivered to Dumbledore; these letters were of no value to anyone and likely not even Dumbledore himself. His plan to get rid of the evidence was thwarted, however, when a familiar voice called out, "Ethan? It's Dierna. Are you busy?"
Ethan froze where he stood for what seemed like an eternity. Damnit! What is that woman doing here? he thought to himself, quickly moving to shoo the owls out of the window and to stash Dumbledore's letters somewhere among his own paperwork. "Of course not. Come in, Dierna," Ethan finally said, pretending to rise from his seat when his former boss entered the room. He politely asked her to sit down in one of the empty chairs in front of his desk.
As Dierna spoke, Ethan regarded her carefully. His mind continually wandered, wondering why in Merlin's name she had to come today––right now––of all times. He allowed her to complete her speech before making any move to comment.
"I know that you do not agree with the use of unforgiveable curses by aurors, Dierna," he began, "and I do have to agree with you there––to a point." Wouldn't want an auror to use one on me or my master, he thought. "But, I think there can be times when such force is necessary. This is a very controversial issue, with, I think, pros and cons everyone can see.
"Now, a spy at Hogwarts, you say? This is very interesting indeed," Ethan said. Finally, something to report to Voldemort! "I, personally, have not witnessed any suspicious behavior by any of my colleagues," he started, managing a small smile, "unless, of course, you take Professor Snape into account. He's a bit of a shady character, isn't he?"
Dierna smiled too, but it was as if she was masking something behind her smile.
Curiosity overcame Ethan for the slightest of moments. He had known Dierna well...well enough, at any rate to know that she had an unnatural gift for reading people. Could she see the real Ethan at this very moment?
Her facial expression resumed its normal state almost immediately, and Ethan outwardly shrugged it off though he kept his wits about him. "I'm sorry, Dierna, but I'll do what I can to keep my eyes open and should I discover anything of interest to you, I'll report it to you right away." He flashed her one of his famous grins and added, "And to answer your final question, I think I've finally found my niche here at Hogwarts. As you'll remember, I had a tough time adjusting to being here, but things are finally starting to go my way. I'm quite enjoying...teaching," Ethan said, blue eyes twinkling.
Suddenly he exclaimed, "Goodness, look at the time! I've fogotten that a student has scheduled an appointment to meet me for office hours. Should be here any minute. We'll keep in touch?" Ethan rose from his seat and guided Dierna to the door by the small of her back after she got to her own feet.
"Absolutely," Dierna said, "and please, stay alert. Contact me if you discover anything."
"Of course," Ethan responded, smiling. "Take care of yourself, Dierna. Good-bye!" He waited for her to vanish down the corridor before he rushed back inside his office and locked the door behind him. "Damn that woman and her incessant meddling!" he spat, sifting through the papers on his desk for Dumbledore's letters. Since the owls were gone, Ethan decided to destroy the evidence. He approached his fireplace and tossed the parchments into the flame, waiting until they'd completely burned before he returned to his desk and took out a clean piece of parchment and a quill.
He quickly scribbled, "Dumbledore knows there's a spy at Hogwarts," and "ní Cíaran asks too many questions," and then discarded the quill for his wand. He quickly muttered an incantation and watched as the words on the paper disappeared. Deciding to hold off on taking the note to the owlery at that moment should Dierna still be lingering about the castle, Ethan made a mental note to do it after his afternoon classes.
Blushing
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-15-03 11:47
For perhaps the first time in her young life, Bronwyn blushed. The pink glow grew hot and flushed across her cheeks, and she cast her lashes downwards and turned her head away so that Toby wouldn't see. She looked delighted, though. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and as Toby's thumb massaged a mini circle on her hand her face broke out into a radiant beam. She turned her head to look Toby in the eyes and whispered, "Oh, Toby."
He grinned and cupped her cheek with his free hand, running his thumb over her rosey skin. "You look beautiful when you blush," he said. "You should do it more often."
Bronwyn continued to smile, reveling in the moment.
"So, Bronwyn," Toby echoed, "what do you say?"
She found her voice again and said, "I gladly take your beautiful radish roses as a token of your love for me––does this mean I can't eat them now?" She laughed and then picked up where she left off using a softer tone, "and I'd be more than honored to be your date to the Valentine's Day dance."
Toby's grin lit up the room, and he leaned in to kiss Bronwyn on the lips.
"Hear, hear!" Hunter suddenly shouted, and Susan giggled.
Bronwyn and Toby started to laugh, too, after they parted from each other's embrace. The four friends talked some more about the dance and other such things until it was time for Bronwyn to go to History of Magic class. She bade her friends farewell, scooped the two radish roses into her hand and tucked them gently into her bag and went to Professor Binns' class with her head stuck in the clouds.
Essay Question
Author: Majandra
Date: 06-15-03 12:53
As the time for one o'clock classes draws near, a number of students in the Great Hall gradually file out. One of those not in any rush to leave is Majandra. Her first, and in fact only, class on Tuesdays is Care of Magical Creatures at four this afternoon. So she sits idly eating from a bowl of sliced pears, oranges, pineapple, and peaches while reading over what's she's written so far in the Potions essay due Friday.
Majandra is only vaguely aware of someone sitting down opposite her at the table. The sound of a throat clearing several times also doesn't capture her attention. It's not until the person very slowly and distinctly says, "Majandra," while at the same time reaching across to touch her arm does Majandra actually look up.
"Oh, hello, Neville. I'm sorry. I wasn't paying much attention."
Neville nods and solomnly asks, "Potions essay?"
"Yes and I've got nearly five pages so far but I've a sneaking suspicion it won't be nearly enough. Do you know that as of this morning, Hermione mentioned having seven pages. If she's worked on it since breakfast, she's got to have at least a couple of more pages completed."
"I've got two so far. Well, that's stretching it. I wrote really big."
"Need some help with it, Neville?"
"Yeah, if you don't mind."
"Not at all. Might help me to figure out where I can expand or add to my own essay."
As Neville fishes out his Potions work from a knapsack, his voice slightly muffled due to his bent over position and a table in between them, he asks, "Um, Majandra, would you, as strictly a friend, um, and if George wouldn't want to beat me to a pulp, would you, er, go to the dance with me?"
Neville's head pops back up just then and his face is a bright enough red to rival any Weasley's hair. Majandra laughs lightly and reaches over to pat Neville's hand. "George and I are working some things out, besides, George is also not here. Strictly as a friend, yes, I'd be delighted to go with you to the dance, Neville. That is, if you would rather go with just a friend instead of one of the other girls."
Neville's blush deepens as he mumbles a thank you before shoving the two pages of parchment with his essay over for Majandra to read. Bending her head over to study what he's written, Majandra casually says, "I was planning to wear midnight blue. In case you are thinking of a corsage. Now, about your essay..."
Popping the
Question
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 06-15-03 18:26
Seconds after Care of Magical Creatures ends, almost all the students take off at a dash back to the castle in hopes of getting out of the cold as soon as possible, though three do remain behind. Harry, Hermione, and Ron accept Hagrid's invitation for their choice of hot chocolate, cocoa, mulled cider, or tea. He's also got a selection of cakes and cookies to offer and before any of them needed to find a polite way to say no thank you to Hagrid's cooking, he grins at them, "That thar Briar not only puts me cakes ta shame but Oi 'ave ta admit Oi'm addicted ta them."
Ron had thought the selection looked too good to be something made by Hagrid but it's nice to have the assurance that the sweets actually are from Briar's Bakery. He reaches for what looks to be a pumpkin spice cupcake and much to his delight it is, and with a creamy center to boot. Ron's reaching for his second one before Harry or Hermione have even taken bites of their first. His mouth is stuffed when Hagrid sits down after pouring their respective choices of drinks and asks the trio, "Yer goin' ta tha dance?"
Harry starts to nod then thinks better of it. "I think I'm going with Ginny. I've not actually asked her. Just sort of assumed we'd go together."
Hagrid shakes his head sadly, "Yer shouldn't orta assume, 'Arry. Girls loikes ta be asked awl offical. Innit that roight, 'Ermione?"
Hermione nods in agreement, "You aren't technically going steady with Ginny, Harry. She's probably hoping that you two are going to the dance together but for all she knows you don't want to go to the dance at all. You should ask her, Harry, and put her mind at ease."
Ron only half listens to the conversation because he's far more interested in the food than whether Harry officially asks Ginny to the dance or not. She should just know automatically that Harry's taking her.
After they leave Hagrid's hut, Harry sprints ahead, muttering something about locating Ginny. Ron drapes an arm around Hermione, drawing her closer both to give them each some added warmth but also because he simply likes the feel of Hermione being so near. As they walk, Hermione worries about whether ten pages is enough for the latest Potions essay or if she should write even more. Ron says nothing so as not to have Hermione ask him how many pages he's written for it. She'd go ballistic if she knew he's not even started on it yet. Instead, Ron thinks about one thing that he did pay attention to at Hagrid's.
Girls like to be officially asked. Hermione had agreed. Ron doesn't get why he'd need to ask his steady girlfriend to a dance they both know they're going to but maybe Hermione wants, maybe even needs, to have him ask. Inwardly Ron sighs at how complicated women are. Nonetheless as they reach the steps leading inside the castle, Ron drops to one knee and takes Hermione's hands in his.
"Hermione Granger, would you do the honor of allowing me to escort you to the Valentine's dance?"
Finally
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 06-15-03 18:57
Ginny sits in one of the oversized armchairs near the roaring fire in the Gryffindor common room. Her Transfiguration textbooks and notes are spread on her lap as Ginny reviews for a possible quiz during class tomorrow. Ginny's concentration is broken when Harry comes hurtling into the common room, breathlessly calling her name as he speeds up the stairs towards the entrance to the girls' dorm.
Ginny responds with, "Over here, Harry," he's so busy rushing about Harry doesn't notice. Amused and puzzled at the same time, Ginny shakes her head and sits there watching to see just when Harry realizes he's now passed her by three times.
When at last he comes to a halt in front of her, the panting Harry bends over with his hands on his knees and catches his breath. In between gulps of air he exclaims, "There you are, Ginny! Never thought I'd find you."
Ginny waits in silence, her mouth turning up into a fetching grin when Harry finally gets to the point of why he was looking for her. "Ginny, I'm sorry I didn't say anything before but I thought you'd know with being asked. I have been told I'm wrong on that score. Will you go to the dance with me?"
"And here I thought I was going to end up having to ask you," Ginny giggles. "Yes, I will go to the dance with you."
News
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 06-15-03 20:22
Alexis slides into the common room after spending lunch in the library to find (with no surprise) her friends limbs in a tangled mess. Alexis had been very disturbed to hear a couple fourth years in the library ask each other to the Valentine's dance that Friday.
"Friday is Valentine's day," Alexis said slowly, "and I didn't realize it."
"Well," Isolde replied, "you're not really into that whole love thing."
"True," Alexis admitted. She decided not to ask if they were going together. It was obvious, and she knew Pyrrhus was likely to find some elaborate way of asking, anyway. He would be irked if Alexis pointed the subject in that direction and spoiled the surprise. "So, we have potions in an hour. I barely finished the reading. Ugh..." She plopped down in a chair and smiled warily as her friends immersed themselves in each other and didn't respond. She tactfully turned her chair away from them and stared at the dreary gray dungeon wall.
Alexis thought about what the dance would be like and felt queasy. She couldn't dance, and didn't relish the thought of being a lonely wallflower. Maybe she wouldn't go. She shrugged mentally and forgot about it. She didn't like to plan so far in advance, and besides, she had the potions quiz in an hour to worry about.
"Oh hey, Alexis, did you hear about your sister?" Isolde called.
"What about her?"
"Yesterday, someone cast some spell on her that turned her into a donkey."
Alexis whirled her chair around and grinned, "You're joking!"
"It wasn't you?"
"No, don't they know who it was?"
"No!" They laughed.
"I bet she knows, though. That boyfriend of hers or whatever he is, he has a creepy way of finding things out." She said this more to herself than anything, though. This made her wonder if Mary knew about the voodoo doll.
Alexis grinned; the mental image of Mary the Donkey would keep her spirits up for quite some time.
It's You
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 06-15-03 21:26
Hermione suppressed a giggle and tugged Ron by the hand. "Ron, you're getting your robes all wet!" she exclaimed. When Ron made no move to stand up, Hermione added, "If you catch a chill, you won't be attending that dance, Ronald Weasley. You'll be up to your neck in blankets, tucked warmly in your four-poster bed. I'll see to it, and then I'll attend that dance by myself!"
He didn't believe her for a second. His eyes still shone full of love and wonder, so much so that Hermione felt herself go weak in the knees. She cupped his hand with both of hers and rubbed it for warmth as she added, "I'd much rather go with you, of course. I'm delighted you asked me, although you really needn't have, but I'm glad you did..." During her ramblings, her gaze had somehow found the snow-covered ground but when she met Ron's gaze again she smiled. "So, my answer is yes. I'll go to the dance with you."
Ron's face broke out into a grin. He stood up, ignoring the wetness where his knee had been resting in the snow and embraced his Hermione tightly. "You've made me the happiest man on earth," he said, stroking her hair as he spoke softly into her ear. "Now," Ron began impishly as he put some space between him and Hermione, "let's go to the common room and warm up a little before dinner. I'm already hungry, but it's early yet."
Hermione laughed and exclaimed, "Always thinking about food, and if it's not food it's Quidditch––"
"...and if it's not Quidditch it's you," finished Ron, smiling.
MOM Headquarters:
Unsettling Thoughts
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 06-15-03 21:47
Back in my office, I think back on the conversation with Ethan. It is unsettling, very much so in fact. On the surface it was normal enough, but there was more below the words. Is minic a bhéonn ciúin ciontach* I comment to myself - yes, that's Ethan: charming, intelligent, talented and quiet, not outspoken like myself.
Should I talk to The Olamh about my unease? Should I first wait to gather evidence, to be sure I am correct in my suspicions? In my mind I hear Cailte, my teacher in the Druidic ways saying "Is doimhin époll an amhrais"* . I made my name as an auror by reading people and seeing through deceptions with unfailing and uncanny accuracy. My intuition has not been wrong before. There is no reason why it should be wrong now.
I cannot afford to second guess myself now. In the morning I will speak to the Olamh and from now on I will watch Ethan very closely.
* = the quiet one is often guilty
* = deep is the hole of doubt
Greenhouses
and Gossip
Author: Angelina
Date: 06-16-03 02:53
With Valentines Day vastly approaching, the students were all talking about the dance and who was going with who. "Ah, young love," I thought as I went about teaching the class as they worked on their latest project.
My mind also wandered to William. It had been a while since my grandfather's death that I heard from him and wondered if he was all right. Walking along the rows of benches I nodded at each student as the worked and stopped to help those who needed it.
Soon the bell rang and the students prepared to leave. "All right class, next time I'll see you all in Greenhouse 3 so be prepared. The class left and I finished cleaning while waiting for my next class. As I finished a tap sounded on one of the windows. I went outside and saw an owl with a message in its beak. It was cold and shivering. Taking the poor thing into the greenhouse to my work bench the owl went to the small perch and ruffled its feathers.
Opening the scroll I saw it was from William:
************************************************************************************************
Dearest Angelina,
Sorry it's been a while but things have been busy for me. I want you to know I'm safe and I'm planning to see you soon. When will be a surprise. Just remember I love you very much. Don't lose hope in me.
Love William
************************************************************************************************
I read the letter over again and smiled I gave the owl a treat and let it out to go to the Owlery to rest as I watched the owl fly my heart soared as I thought of the note William gave me.
Order Away
Author: H Potter
Date: 06-16-03 15:36
The second Muggle Studies was over, Harry bolted to the owlery in search of Hedwig. That turned out not to be necessary though because the moment he walked in, Hedwig came swooping down to Harry. Glad to have remembered treats for her, Harry feeds Hedwig the pieces of bacon he's snagged at breakfast then tells Hedwig he's got a very important flower order to deliver. He ties the piece of parchment onto the owl's leg and watches as her large wings gracefully unfurl. After Hedwig has soared away, Harry slowly walks out and in the general direction he would go to reach the Gryffindor tower.
While walking, Harry thinks about the order he just sent off. Ginny told him that right after the dance was announced, she and her mother messaged back and forth several times to decide what Ginny would wear. Having all five of the older boys financially independent was a big help to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley but that didn't mean Mrs. Weasley was going to rush out and buy new dress robes whenever Ginny or Ron had a reason to dress up. Mrs. Weasley's last note was firm and final. Ron can wear either the dress robes he's had since the start of term back in the fall or he can wear the dress robes from the wedding that wasn't. The same goes for Ginny. Her choices are what she already has at school or the white robes from New Year's Eve.
Ginny decided to wear her robes from the wedding, telling Harry that very few people from school saw them, they are perfectly beautiful robes, and as long as Charlie, or even Bill for that matter, doesn't see her dressed up in them having a good time Ginny thinks everything should be fine.
With Ginny wearing white, Harry is sure he can't go wrong in what flowers he orders for Ginny's corsage. His biggest concern really was whether to get a wrist corsage or one that she would pin on. After mulling this over much of last night and over breakfast, Harry had finally penned the order just before dashing off to Muggle Studies. Now, upon further reflection, Harry fervently hopes that Ginny likes the wrist corsage of mixed colors of roses, with one deep red rose at its center.
Back to Business
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 06-16-03 16:17
Rising early on Wednesday morning, I head straight for my office. One day away from the Castle! I will likely have a mountain of messages to attend to. I open the door to see Londy quietly puttering around, dusting off some of the various treasures and artifacts I have collected. After years together, she knows exactly which ones are safe for her to handle.
"Good Morning, Londy!" I greet her. I look at my nearly empty desk. Three or four messages are neatly stacked to one side. Quills, ink and parchment near at hand, for any needed responses. "Ah! Did a bit of cleaning and sorting while I was gone?"
"Nossir! Professor, Sir!" she replies. "Not so many owls as on other days."
I shrug off the anomaly with a smile. It would be a pleasant change if those advertisements were to stop coming altogether. I glance through the messages and discard three of the four. "Trash!" I mutter, crumpling them into a single ball and pitching it into the fire. The last is a note from Moody. I will end to that later. My first order of business is to confirm a few things for the Valentine's Day dance and party. Taking a clean sheet of parchment, I write:
My Dear Captain,
Are you and your group still available to provide the music at our Valentine's Dance? I remember we had discussed this briefly, after your Hogsmeade concert, but do not recall that we had finalized our plans. Please let me know soonest. If you would like to come up to the castle, either today or tomorrow, I would be most happy to show you around.
Best regards,
A. Dumbledore,
Headmaster, Hogwarts
Rolling the message into a slim tube, I tie it with a bit of red and white ribbon, in keeping with the season. "Londy?" I hand her the message and ask, "Would you please take this up to The Owlery and send it off to Captain Electron in Hogsmeade?" She slips out the door on her errand, quietly closing the door behind her.
I take out my wand and check Moody's message for traps. Ah! Yes! Here it is! The wax seal contains a latent "Incendio!" spell. If broken without the counterspell, it would ignite and destroy the parchment in a flash. It would probably take out my whiskers, as well! Cautiously, I neutralize the trap and break the seal, unrolling the message on the desk.
Albus,
Not much to report on this end. Have been
I am fairly certain that Malfoy is up to something.
nosing around the Ministry, mostly watching
He is popping in and out of the office with great
the comings and goings of various people of
frequency. Have not been able to track him, as he
questionable connections. No patterns that
is using rapid multiple jumps, whenever he
I can see, so far. I am certain that several
apparates. His first jump is almost always to
Key members of the Ministry have gone back
Knockturn Alley. By the time I get there, the trail
over to Voldemort and the dark. Have been
is already cold and confused. Am sure he is running
checking dust bins and the like. Found a few
off to Voldemort, wherever he is hiding. No luck
things that make no sense, but nothing concrete.
with those magical tracers. Will keep trying.
Will keep my eye open and read between the lines!
Moody
I read Moody's message several times, looking for hidden meanings, a cypher code, anything that would make sending this worthwhile. On a whim, I try something from my old school days. I pass my wand across the parchment and say, "Interstitial Illuminatus!" Suddenly, I am able to "read between the lines". It is not great news, as I have suspected Lucius for some time.
I take the parchment to the merrily-burning grate. Tossing it into the flames, I wait until it is completely consumed. I stir the ashes around to make certain there is nothing left. Returning to my desk, I scratch my chin and wonder what to do next.
