History of
Zzzzzzz
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 06-17-03 20:44
Py's chin gets closer to his chest as his eyelids seem to have a ton of weight suddenly added to each. His head jerks up as Isolde pokes him and he turns to grin at her. In a low whisper he asks, "What? Was I snoring?"
"No more so than everyone else," Isolde giggles. "I wanted to know if you wish to add anything to this letter I'm writing Lia."
Pyrrhus nods and as Professor Binns drones on at the front of the room, Isolde hands over the half-written letter to her cousin. He scans what Isolde has written so far and sees she's mentioned what she's wearing to the dance. Py knows his lovely girlfriend wrote to Lia awhile back about Hogwarts having a Valentines dance this year and how Py had made sure to officially ask Isolde the second he learned of it.
As Py adds his own thoughts to the letter, he starts to mention to Lia what he's giving Isolde for Valentine's. Py stops himself just in time, thinking what an idiot he'd be to write that information where Isolde would of course read it. His grin broadens as he thinks of the orchids he's ordered for Isolde's corsage. Most girls would be expecting roses, and indeed Isolde will get roses on Valentine's, fifteen dozen to be exact. But, for the dance Py wanted something different. Something special. Vivid, dark pinkish-purple, mini orchids should look great against the teal of her dress. Though, in Py's opinion, even the most beautiful flowers in the world pale in comparison to his Isolde.
Py finishes his hello to Lia, briefly mentioning Isolde and he have more plans for the voodoo dolls, then passes the letter back over to Isolde. After that, Py props his chin on his hand and lets his eyes start drooping again.
Not-So-Good
Morning
Author: Sykra Sawyer
Date: 06-18-03 09:50
Sykra opened her eyes to the sunlight drowning in through the window. She sighed. Two classes today...oh joy.
Yawning, she got up. Getting dressed, then making sure her highlights were still bright, she caught of a calendar. Sitting down she sighed. Valentine's day was pretty much here and all that came to mind was Orlando isn't here.
In attempt to not dwell on it...Sykra decided to go get some breakfast before her first class. So she slowly made her way towards the Great Hall. On the way her running into more people than usual, along with tripping down the stairs...about three times. The Ravenclaw didn't think she'd ever make it to breakfast.
Visit
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 06-18-03 15:01
With his hair well hidden and his biggest pair of glasses perched on his nose, Electron wandered up to Hogwarts castle, hoping he could get in and meet Professor Dumbledore before coming across any students. Too much to hope for, he knew, but at least he hoped he wouldn't be mobbed, either by fans, or the ones who didn't like his music. They were worse. He was a little nervous by the time he reached the entrance, and sidled through, wondering how he was going to find the professor.
It was too dark inside for his glasses, but he didn't dare to remove them, instead peering over the tops looking for someone who seemed to be in authority. There were a few students wandering around. Some of them threw curious glances in his direction, but so far it seemed safe.
After waiting for a few seconds, Electron picked a direction at random and wandered, admiring the portraits all over the walls as he did so.
Blank Slate
Author: Gabriel Baine
Date: 06-18-03 15:31
Gabriel never told Annabella of the thing which happened in Ron Weasley's room on New Year's Eve. It was supposed to be forgotten, and in hindsight Gabriel declared the ordeal ridiculous and insignificant. He anticipated the same response from Anna, though she would have also chastised him in favor of Hermione. The argument they had antagonized one another with a couple month past was now an apparent example of their confusion; while each was determined to command the other's interest, neither understood how exactly to define their relationship. Both adopted a strategy of cleaning their previous slate once they returned to one another after the holiday recess. Immediately they found success. Anna became the dominant force in the friendship, an outcome of Gabriel's intentions before to open a romantic relationship, and that she had guarded much, perhaps too much, of herself from him before. By February each was acquainted with one another's family, Gabriel decided one day to send a later to Anna's mother and would received a delighted response with two dozen homemade cookies. Slightly put-off by Gabriel's audacity, Anna wrote to Gabriel's mother and received a long letter including an array of Belgian and French candies, and a request to make Gabriel write to her sometime.
By attaching himself to Anna Gabriel continuously raised the question within himself whether she was meant to be a replacement for Hermione. Deep within him the answer always returned as a yes, no matter how he argued against it. Four of Gabriel's five years spent internationally were in New Zealand. At his school he amassed many unique friends which he regarded with differing levels of closeness, and the same was true for the friends he made among the ordinary muggles when at home with his parents. Hermione had existed only in memory and, as he know felt, as the strongest representation of his longing to return to England. Never had the question of replacing Hermione been raised in his head prior to Anna, yet none the best friends in his life had been girls with the exception of those two.
It was Anna who dealt with the uncertainty of how a boy and girl becoming so close could withhold romantic temptations. Had either been plain or eccentric the situation would have been understandable, yet both were engaging and attractive people. Neither Hermione nor Anna was aware that nearly every minute Gabriel spent in New Zealand had included a girlfriend on his arm. Both unknowingly competed with Gabriel's routine of having such relationships a constant part of his life, and the fact that he considered both to be extremely close to him complicated the matter. Gabriel never failed to find an interested partner but had rarely emphasized much on intimacy, excluding physical intimacy, so having a close relationship with a girl had always been romantically inclined. Anna faced the continuous suggestions and insinuations of a love relationship from fellow students and her mother and sister through letters, as well as Gabriel's tendencies to assert physical implications that he wasn't exactly regarding their relationship as just best friends. Whenever Gabriel's hands held on too long or reached uncomfortable places, she had to forcibly respond. Anna noted that Gabriel never seemed to pay any attention to his trespasses and she eventually resorted to enlisting her sister Elaine's opinion on how to react to sexual advances. She scolded herself for never questioning Gabriel's virginity and when she asked him about it she further scolded herself for being shocked when he replied no, he wasn't. Elaine told Anna to tell Gabriel that she wasn't happy with his behavior, and despite her reluctance, when Anna did speak to Gabriel about it he failed to understand what she was concerned about. He hadn't tried to kiss her and they weren't constantly embracing one another, and Anna witnessed the impulsive and sexual indications from him still.
Anna and Gabriel continued to forge a closer bond, however, and Anna was excited over the upcoming dance. She had spent several weeks dealing with Gabriel's frustrations with Quidditch and she knew that the festivity at Hogwarts would finally drive the sport from his mind. No one asked her to the dance as the two were considered a couple by the older students, but to Anna's humor and horror she was asked by a few gutsy boys from lower years, to their disappointment. When Gabriel did mention the dance over homework one night, Anna was amused by his presentation of a request that she go with him:
"So were going then? A'ight."
They had both relaxed towards one another over a month to a point where the freedom with which they regarded their relationship had reached a level Anna had worked had to avoid. Best friends or a couple, everyone seemed to have the same conclusion except Gabriel and Anna.
Heisenberg
says...
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 06-18-03 19:37
...you can never know the exact position of an Electron! Remembering this bit of Muggle physics and knowing that Captain Electron would be visiting this morning, I sent Londy out to look for him. Fortunately, she found him on the second landing, admiring some of our vast collection of artworks. Actually, he was flirting with three Dryads in one of the paintings. And they were flirting back! As I say, Londy found him before he could get too lost in the labyrinth of magical corridors and shifting stairways. After politely introducing herself, she leads the Captain to my office.
"Good Morning, Captain!" I rise from my desk to greet him. "Would you care for some tea? Pumpkin Juice?" I offer. He politely declines. I suspect his tastes run to stronger stuff, but we do not keep that here at the Castle. Handing him one of the papers from my desk I say, "Here is the contract I have drawn up. The only thing missing is the remuneration." The Captain names a figure which I consider reasonable, and I pen the figure into the blank space I had left for that purpose.
"And now, Sir! I must apologize for being a poor host, but I have some urgent matters to attend to. If you would like, Londy can give you a tour of the Castle." The Captain begs off, claiming he also has a pressing engagement. I walk him to the door and give Londy instructions to escort him to the front door. "I shall see you tomorrow evening, then! Thank you for making yourself available on such short notice." With all the other things going on, our verbal arrangement had completely slipped my mind.
I wait until the two are well away from the bottom of the staircase and the gargoyle before venturing forth, myself. I check the time. Almost eleven. Ethan should be through with his last class for the morning. I take my time, not wanting to arrive before he does. I approach the door and hear movement beyond. I knock and a tense voice replies, "It's the Headmaster, Ethan!" I reply. "Do you have a moment to talk?" From the other side of the door, I hear some muffled grumbling and the sound of a drawer being hastily slammed shut. The door opens and I face a very tired-looking Ethan Somerset. This is not the same cheerful young man we interviewed only a few months ago. The dark circles beneath his eyes tell of long hours and missed sleep. Lost weight and slouched posture reinforce the impression.
"By Merlin's Beard, Man! You look terrible! Are we working you too hard? Some of your co-workers were wondering if you were ill!"
He shrugs off my question with muttered comments about a touch of the influenza. As he rambles, I stroll slowly about the office, looking at nothing in particular and everything in general. Crumpled papers peeping from the lip of an almost-closed drawer. Fragments of charred parchment in the fire grate. An abnormal amount of owl droppings on the window sill. These are a few of the things I notice in my casual survey. "Have you been to see Madam Pomfrey about this "influenza"?" I ask.
Ethan rationalizes that he has not had the time for such a visit.
"You must be getting a lot of mail! Your window sill looks nearly as bad as mine. I'll have one of the House-Elves take care of the mess, right away. Could breed disease, you know!" I stroll back to near the desk, where Ethan is standing. "Yes! I think you are working too hard to make this new job a success. I am ordering you to take next week off. I will take over your classes. Don't worry about your students. I'll find something interesting for them to do. I want you to go off somewhere where you can rest. Somewhere warm! Agreed?"
He nods agreement, some of the tension visibly draining from his look.
"Finish your classes tomorrow. Then, unless you are staying for the dance, I want you to go somewhere relaxing." I give him a pat on the back. "We can't afford to lose another DADA instructor." With that, I turn to go, showing myself to the door.
On my way back upstairs, I congratulate myself on having placed some seemingly innocuous spells on a number of Ethan's personal effects. If this bird flies the coop, we will know where he lands.
Waking Up
Author: Clara Devaki
Date: 06-18-03 22:05
Clara woke up, not wanting to get up but knew she had to. Yawning she got dressed and brushed her hair. Hungry, she went and shook Tempest awake.
"Let's get some food."
"How 'bout you get food, and I go back to sleep?" was the groggy answer.
"How bout you just get up and join me?" Clara knocked Tempest on the floor then went to finish getting ready before going to eat.
Request
Author: Mary
Date: 06-18-03 22:10
At Draco's urging, Mary set out to request permission to bend the rule permitting first years from having their own broomstick at the castle. The school's Clean Sweep Five simply wouldn't do anymore. She and Crispin thought up a compelling speech in the common room that morning and were getting ready to present their case.
Thursday morning at nine o'clock after potions Mary waited for everyone to leave before confronting Professor Snape. She walked purposefully up to his desk, trying to put on a winning look and failing. She wasn't really afraid, she rather liked Snape, but he could sometimes be temperamental. Snape's eyes looked at her then flickered to Crispin hovering nearby, then back to Mary.
"Yes, Miss Black?"
Mary took a deep breath and began to spit out her entire arsenal of reasons, "Well, professor, seeing as how I'm on the quidditch team now, I was hoping I could have my own broomstick to play on. It would really help our chances for winning the cup, although we're going to win no matter what, but I'm the slowest person on the team and it's because of the school broom, and..."
"That's quite enough, Black. I've never heard you say so much before. I'll talk to Dumbledore and see what I can do. Do you need to purchase one?"
"No professor, I have one at home. A Nimbus Two Thousand." Mary wrinkled her nose. She hated having Alexis' old broomstick, but it was better than what she had now. Anything was.
"Alright."
"Thanks."
Mary and Crispin left. Crispin gaped at her.
"What?" Mary said irritably.
"I've never heard you say so much at once, either. You must want a broom terribly, that's all."
"I do."
The
Second Visit & A Forced Holiday
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 06-19-03 07:55
The missive from Voldemort had arrived shortly before Ethan's eight o'clock class on Thursday, forcing the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to delay a reply until after his three morning classes. Time had permitted Ethan to read the note before rushing to his first class. Its contents had been brief and easy to remember so Ethan had it quickly disposed by way of the fireplace. Better to destroy the evidence lest Dierna or Dumbledore decide to pay a visit to the office.
As soon as the last of the third year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students filed out of the room, Ethan hurried into his office and locked the door behind him before settling himself at his desk. He took out a clean piece of parchment and a quill and wrote:
I fear the auror will pay me another visit very soon. As for the headmaster, I know not what he knows. He has yet to confront me, but I feel a visit from him will be unavoidable.
When the ink faded into nothingness, Ethan quickly sealed the letter and stood up with plans to dash off to the owlery but a startling knock at the door and the voice of Professor Dumbledore promptly changed those plans. He ripped open a desk drawer and hastily stuffed the letter inside, slamming the drawer shut with vigor and a louder bang than he would have liked.
Grimacing, Ethan mentally scolded himself for his stupidity. He ran a shaky hand through his hair and stood upright again, exhaling deeply a few times before inviting Dumbledore into the room. Ethan attempted to put on the face of the friendly, good-looking professor everyone had known from months previous but he seemed to fail miserably. His responses were kept short and his trademark smile chose not to reveal itself.
In the end, Dumbledore was led to believe that Ethan was suffering from a lousy case of the flu, and to his surprise, Dumbledore ordered Ethan to take a week off for rest and relaxation.
After Dumbledore left, Ethan remained rooted to the floor where he had stood during the brief conversation. He recounted the old man's facial expression, body language––anything which might suggest that Dumbledore had an ulterior motive for just checking up on one of his fellow professors.
Ethan had no absolute proof, certainly, but he felt extremely worried all the same.
Even after Dierna's unexpected visit from the day before yesterday, Ethan hadn't felt threatened––a little worried, yes, but nothing to get overly nervous about. He knew her well-enough to anticipate her way of thinking, but Dumbledore––he was a very powerful wizard, both revered as well as feared, and despite having known the man since August, Ethan didn't know him very well.
Shaking himself, Ethan made sure his door was locked before returning to his desk. He opened the drawer and removed the letter, breaking the seal in order to add a post script to the seemingly blank note.
Dumbledore came for a visit just now; ordered me on holiday for a week following my classes tomorrow. I can't read him, but I fear he suspects me. I'll be going to Canterbury to stay with my parents.
As soon as the words disappeared, Ethan resealed the letter and brought it to the owlery where he sent the note via barn owl. Opting against lunch––somehow he didn't feel hungry anymore––Ethan returned to his office and remained there until his afternoon classes began.
New Party
Dress
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 06-19-03 10:12
The large owl arrived while Coco was eating a late lunch. It had dropped the package onto the empty seat beside Coco, the noise just loud enough to cause Pea to stick his head out of Coco's pocket. Coco gave the owl a treat, quickly gobbled up the rest of her lunch, then grabbed the package and headed to Ravenclaw house.
The second she got to the first year girls' dorm room, Coco ripped the package open, then squealed with delight as a Ravenclaw blue and silver colored robe. The enclosed note is from Mitzi Bolt.
Dearest Coco,
Wal mentioned you are going to a Valentine's party. I thought you'd like a new dress, well robe in your case, to wear. After you returned to school from the holiday I found one of your hair ribbons that you'd told me was your house colors. I used it to get the colors for the robe right.
Love,
Mitzi
Coco held it up in front of her before a mirror. "Oooh, Pea, it's crackin'*!"
Coco tried on the robe and declared it a perfect fit. She preened so much that when she finally realized the time she scrambled to change and took off at a run, book bag clutched in one hand. As she careened out of the common room, into the hall, barely missing someone, she exclaims, "Out o'tha way. Blimey, Oi'm goin' ta be late fer Charms!"
~~~~~~~~~~
cracking = the best, wonderful, excellent, etc
Hasty Preparations
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 06-19-03 11:05
Having taken his leave of Professor Dumbledore, Electron managed to make his escape from the castle without bumping into any sharp-eyed students, and enjoyed a leisurely stroll back to the village in relatively dry weather. He checked the time as he got back home, and made sure the fireplace had a large open space in front of it.
Some time later, the gang, plus Hendrix, tumbled out of the fireplace, Floo Powder scattered in their wake. It was time to start dragging stage clothes out of storage, fitting them on and tweaking them, before a quick run-through of all the songs they intended to play at the dance. Then they might all go and have dinner at the Three Broomsticks; after all, if anyone at all knew who Dumbledore had booked for the dance, they were supposed to be in town now...
How Do You
Get to Carnegie Hall?
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 06-19-03 19:53
"Practice, Practice, Practice!" That was the response I got when I asked the Toms what they were up to. They have been secreted in the back storage of the storage room every evening for the past week. They erected a Sona-Screen to keep the noise down, but I could still hear the muted sounds of their instruments from time to time. Finally, my curiosity has gotten the upper hand with me. I poke my head into their little enclave and ask, "And just what is it that you are practicing for?"
One of the lads looks up at me with wide-eyed innocence. "Oh! Ah! Didn't we tell you?"
I fold my arms into my "Stern Father" pose and ask, "What is it that you DIDN'T tell me?"
The three look from me to each other and back again before answering. "Well, we're going "Professional"! You know! Big Time! The Captain has asked us to open for him at the Valentine's Dance, up at the Castle!"
"OH! Did he, now?" I try to suppress a smile. The lads have been getting pretty good with their instruments. "And just what do you plan to play for the Hogwarts Students?"
Tom looks at me and grins. "I Don't Want to Talk About It!" he says.
My eyes open VERY wide and I open my mouth to say something, but he continues. "It's a song by Rod Stewart! We've also been working on "Hotel California", "Salsbury Hill", and a couple of others. We also thought to do some of the old tunes that you like so well. You know! A few jigs and reels, with a little fancy footwork thrown in!"
"And all of this is to take place on Friday evening?" I ask.
"Right! Day after tomorrow! D'you want to hear our rendition of "Evergreen"?" Tom hands me a copy of the sheet music which the Captain had provided.
I follow along as they play the latest Barbra Streisand song. I am rather amazed, at the soft harmonies from voice, harp, tin whistle and uillean pipes. "BRAVO!" I exclaim as they finish the number. "Well, lads. It sounds as if you're about ready! I'll leave you to your practicing." With a grin on my face, I return to our living quarters and fix myself a cup of tea.
New Forest:
A Few Bad Men
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 06-19-03 21:48
I don't know what I had hoped to accomplish by putting off a second meeting with Ethan until Friday. The most I had done was to remember several Triads dealing with justice, evidence and the verification of truth - all which served to remind me that my case was decidedly substandard. If this was Druidic Ireland, no Brehon would give credence to my case.
Frustrated, I decide to go again to the New Forest house where the muggles were killed on Samhain. I think I am very close to cracking that case. But there is still something I am missing: The big question of WHY this family and this house was singled out; and how numerous magical items found their way into a muggle home.
I know immediately that the house is not vacant. Several fresh footprints are in the snow and, opening the door, tracks lead through the house - very careless! Wand at ready, I follow the tracks down the hall to the secret passage.
At the end of the hall I see a man standing guard outside a room. I take a step forward, and before he can act, knock him out with the stupify spell. I magically bind him, in case he wakes up, and fling the door open. In unison, four men turn and recognize me.
"It's ní Cíaran!"
"Kill her!"
They draw their wands, but I am faster. "Expelliarmus!" I catch the wand and snap it in two. "Petrificus Totalus!" He falls to the floor. His comrades, too intent on killing me, don't make any move to help. For some time we send spells and counter-spells at each other.
"Scream - OW!"
While I was casting a spell one of the men had sent a painful curse knocking the wand from my hand and sending it sliding across the floor. The curse also torches my arm a lovely shade of black. Right now, however, I don't have time to worry about my war wound. Both Death Eaters are sending the killing curse at me. Since I am now wandless (not that having a wand makes any difference faced with this curse) I duck out of the way. The spells hot the wall and ceiling (one has really bad aim) and ricochet across the room, causing the walls to crack. Suddenly realizing that the house is about to implode, they disapparate. Without time to find my wand, or figure out how to transport the unconscious death eaters (I'll have to send the magical catastrophe department here) I disapparate out of the house and back to the ministry.
