Monday Morning...Yes!!
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 01-30-04 10:00
Logan was up and dressed as fast as he could. First there was breakfast and then his first class of the day Defense Against the Dark Arts. He had to admit with what was happening he had begun to pay a lot more attention in THIS class lately. And then later in the afternoon was Transfiguration...that was always alot of fun too...but first he must hurry...
He noticed that the other students in his room were already up and ready to go. He had heard that Sora had broken his arm while trying a bit of experimenting with his broom, seems he had fallen off again, trying to overcome his fear of heights. "I think I am going to have to find a Quick Pillow Safety spell for him," Logan thought. "Maybe it would help save him from some of the bumps and bruises Sora always seemed to be getting." But when Logan looked over, Sora's arm was obviously already fixed and he was ready to head out again...
"Thank goodness for Madame Pomfrey," he thought again. Well, it was time to get started for the day, grabbing his robes and books that he needed for the morning classes he headed down the stairs at a run. He was starving and wanted the day to get started. Another day of school at Hogwarts had begun for him. It was wonderful. Hopefully looking around for other 1st year students from Gryffindor, he headed off the the Great Hall for something to eat.
Maybe something exciting would happen for him today. He was looking forward to it...
St. Mungo's:
Recovering
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 01-30-04 19:21
"No way. Miss ni Ciaran, just because I said you've made remarkable recovery, doesn't mean you are fit enough to go home. Especially in your line of work."
Sage Stewart, the Healer who'd been treating my replies when I ask if I can go home. "What if I just do office work?"
"No. Maybe by the weekend you can be released, but not now."
I sigh. I really can't stand being inactive. I feel so useless.
"Well, that's what happens when you get hit with powerful curses. Now be a good lass and drink this poison" Sage hands me a goblet with a bluish concoction in it. I make a face "That one tastes bad"
"Swallow it in one gulp and you'll not notice."
He turns around to anther patient, checking some charts and talking to the others. I swallow the potion and grimace. Sage comes and takes away the vile. "If you promise not to make break for it, you can walk around, maybe go the tea room."
"I promise."
"Very well." She makes a note on her parchment, then walks out of the ward.
The Benefits
of Food
Author: Nora
Date: 01-30-04 20:33
Nora started the morning on a rather lazy note and rolled out of bed around 8:30 AM, just enough time to get the Charms. She hadn't been feeling well lately and her three Slytherin companions had already left for breakfast, leaving Nora behind. Adjusting her eyepatch, the drowsy girl strolled into the classroom, taking her seat by Mary. "G' morning guys..." she sighed and followed along with the days lecture. She was hoping no to lose anymore points for the house for awhile.
After class the four headed to Potions, luckily it was their last class of the day. Nora stopped halfway to the room. "I'll meet you guys there, I have to take care of something." Quickly turning on her heels Nora ran to the common room, her head was spinning and she knew it was going to happen, again. She had been having these horribly dizzying episodes for the past few weeks and they were only getting worse. Nora knew she had a problem, but she wasn't planning on telling anyone. As soon as she made it inside her legs grew weak and she fainted, laying just inside of the entrance a trail of blood running down her forehead. Hopefully someone would find the form of the unconscious Slytherin, or hopefully Mary or even Professor Snape would come looking for her.
St. Mungo's:
On the Mend
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-30-04 21:13
A Healer shuffled out of the Rhett Aubrey ward of the spell damage floor at St. Mungo's. The soft padding of the departing footsteps brought Hermoine from sleep, and she opened her eyes, stretched out her arms and instinctively arched her back. Discomfort inflamed the nearly mended, yet sensitive wound across her chest, and Hermione immediately regretted the movement.
She shut her eyes and breathed silently for a few moments, attempting to minimize the unnecessary pain she had just caused herself. When she finally felt recovered, Hermione slowly sat up and removed the white sheets from her body. She gingerly stepped out of bed and gently placed a hand over the bandage covering her chest before walking a few paces to the metal-framed bed across from hers.
Its occupant was also awake, though he looked quite drowsy and a bit paler than usual. He managed a smile when Hermione neared him, and reached for one of her hands when she carefully sat down next to him.
"Hey," he croaked. He rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand.
"Hey."
"How are you feeling?"
"Better." Hermione exhaled a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment before turning back to Ron. "My father's alive. He's back in my life, even if he's nothing more than a shell of a person."
Ron looked pensive for a moment. "Healing technology is improving everyday, Hermione. We may see a cure for him yet."
Hermione wanted to believe Ron's encouraging words but she knew better. She expelled another sigh and nodded her head. "I'm just happy he's with me again. I thought I'd lost him."
"Why don't you ask a Healer to let you go see him? I'm sure they'd be happy to take you to his ward."
"Yes, I'd like to go do that and I want to write to Harry as well to find out what we've been missing in class," Hermione said.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Is there ever a time when you don't think about class?"
"Don't start, Ronald Weasley," Hermione said crossly. "At least Harry's got his priorities in order. I'm sure he'll do fantastic on his NEWTs." Her expression softened and she moved to lay down next to Ron.
"We almost died."
"I know," Ron said gravely. He wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders and gently pulled her to him.
They lay there together silently, grateful for what they had and mindful of what could have been.
Bad Habits
Author: Kairi
Date: 01-31-04 00:40
After a light breakfast, Kairi, Sora, Tranquillina, Roane and Riku all headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was located on the second floor of the castle. Kairi thumbed through her class schedule as the group walked down the hallway. Although it's been about two weeks since she started, Kairi still didn't have her schedule down. She nearly walked into a wall had Riku not grabbed her before hand!
"Why don't you memorize your schedule while we're not moving..." Riku pointed out.
"Ehh...heh heh heh..." Kairi scratched the back of her head in embarassment. "You're right, yeah..." Everyone laughed at her.
Riku rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You really should get out of that habit Kairi...! You're always reading or looking at something while your walking." It was true, Kairi had that bad habit of not watching where she was going. Riku won't have to be watching her at all and still prevent her from running into something.
Kairi ruffled her brows. "You know me to well." She smiled. Yes the two had known each other all their lives. They grew up together in Hawai'i.
"Hey Sora, you remember that time at Waikiki when Kairi tripped over someone's beach towel and knocked over that stack of surf boards?"
Everyone laughed again. "Yeah man! I sure do! And I thought I was the clumsy one here!"
Kairi smacked Sora over the head. "You are the clumsy one here. That was the first and last time I did something like that! That was a long time ago..."
"Well, I'm off in this direction." Riku was a year ahead of them, so he had different classes. "I have Transfiguration first. I'll catch up with you guys later on."
"Have fun in class Riku!" Tranquillina and Roane said in unison. Riku just waved and was on his way.
When the bunch had reached the Defense Against Dark Arts room they each took their seats. Tranquillina and Roane decided to sit together, while Sora and Kairi took their seats together. It wasn't long before class started...
Late for
Class...
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 01-31-04 11:03
Logan skidded to a halt just outside the door the his first class of the day...he quietly opened the door and slipped into a seat at the very back..."Good grief," he thought to himself, "I have got to quit getting lost on my way to this class.
Professor Turin glanced in his direction for just a moment and then went on with the lesson...
Logan quickly got his books in order and then settled down to listen to the lesson. Taking out his parchment paper and quill pen he started taking notes, hoping he hadn't missed anything and studiously trying to act like he hadn't "actually" been late.
Looking around he noticed Sora and Kairi sitting a bit farther into the classroom. Kairi grinned and Sora just laughed a bit. They had seen this happen too often to him...Thank goodness they understood how much he enjoyed reading and how forgetful he could become when it came to being on time.
Logan smiled back and then put his nose right back next to his paper, getting a small blot of ink right on the tip of it.
"Good grief," he thought, "and here I was just starting to think this was going to be a great day."
Trying to ignore the ink he paid extremely close attention to what Prof. Turin was now telling the class...
A Helping
Hand
Author: Sora
Date: 01-31-04 11:43
Sora stared at Logan for a moment, and then went to his notes. It was interesting, but he was anxious for classes to be over to have the rest of the day to relax.
When the bell rung, Sora was the first to get up. "Hey guys, I'll catch up with you okay?" Kairi, Roane and Tranquillina just nodded their heads with an "okay!" Kairi then clocked Sora on the head. "Remember, next class doesn't start till 3:30!" and they all made their way to the Gryffindor Common room.
Sora waited outside the door to the DADA classroom, when Logan came out holding a stack of books. "Hey, let me help you with that!" he said as he took a couple of books to hold for Logan, who smiled. "Thank you very much!" he said. Sora gave him his usual comical grin.
"I see that you arrived late, but don't feel bad, I'm usually always late," said Sora as he walked up Gryffindor tower with Logan, who just laughed. "I noticed!" Sora smiled. "Yeah, it's quite a hassle!" he said jumping over the trick step.
"So tell me about yourself Logan?"
Wandless and
Annoyed - to Put it Mildly
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 01-31-04 11:50
Bellatrix opened her eyes and blinked rapidly, trying to become accustomed to the infernal daylight peaking through the closed curtains. It took her a few moments to place herself and the reason why she was lying here in bed.
Ah...ni Ciaran. It was all coming back now. Bellatrix remembered the exact moment when she had the auror in her grasp, about to use the Avada Kedavra curse. Before she could get the words out, the bitch had used some kind of magic lightening spell which had badly injured her hand and side. Then she remembered the pain and the blackness and had disapparated.
She had appeared in the study, frightening Rodolphus half to death in the middle of fiddling with his bloody chess set. In the split second she had realized she was safe she had blacked out.
So here she was, suffering from forced bed rest, and incensed at the way the whole thing had turned out. She pushed the covers back and noticed her hand was bandaged, as was her side. Even small movement caused a great deal of pain but Bellatrix refused to give in.
"Rodolphus!" she yelled at the top of lungs. This was also a mistake as it allowed her wounds to stretch and open slightly. She gasped in pain, feeling sweat bead on her forehead.
There was a crack as Rodolphus apparated into the room, apparently expecting the worst. He looked relieved to see her awake and conscious. "Bellatrix, dear. You're awake!"
"Apparently so," she drawled humorlessly.
"What in the Dark Lord's name happened to you?" Rodolphus asked. "You just appeared – battered and bloody – out of nowhere. You've been unconscious for a full week. What did you do and where's your wand?"
"My wand?" snapped Bellatrix, not comprehending what the man was saying. Then she remembered – the lightening spell had all but disintegrated the thing, burning it into oblivion except for the handle. She thought she had put it in her pocket, but perhaps it had fallen out. "I returned Granger to his stupid little daughter. It was all going so well until the Weasley child showed up, followed shortly by ni Ciaran."
"Dierna ni Ciaran?"
"Yes, Dumbledore's pet Auror." Bellatrix paused, gingerly waiting for her side to stop throbbing. When it appeared it wasn't going to, she gritted her teeth and continued on. "It was too good to pass up. I've been waiting to get her since school. You remember how she was, always hanging around that damned Lily Evans. She never forgave me for what I did to Evans. We just started up where we left off all those years ago. She allowed me to get distracted with my hate, Rodolphus. She made me think she was the important one – not getting to the Granger child which had been my original goal."
"There's nothing in the Daily Prophet about any of this you know," Rodolphus said. "How is it possible?"
"I must have killed one of them!" shrieked Bellatrix, trying to sit up. "The Weasley boy was dead, for sure! I got Hermione with the Diffindo curse!"
Rodolphus scurried over to his wife's bedside, planting a firm hand on her shoulder and forcing her back under the covers. "Try to settle down, dear!" he coaxed. "I'll check the paper again, incase I missed something. Meantime try to relax. I'll get the healer back in to look at your side and we'll have you as good as new."
"Don't baby me, Rodolphus," Bellatrix warned. "I'm more worried about my damn wand than me. I'll heal, but if one of the Order gets hold of my wand I'm in trouble."
A Visit to
St. Mungo's
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 01-31-04 12:38
Having checked her room and found her absent, I asked the nurse at the desk where I might find Ms ní Cíaran. She directs me to the Tea Room, where I see Dierna sitting on a sunny windowsill, sipping from a steaming cup of tea.
"Well! Good afternoon!" I say as she looks up. "It's good to see you up and about. On my previous visits, you were still sleeping off the effects of that last blast from Bellatrix."
"D'you mean," she begins, "that you came by and didn't leave me any chocolate?"
I laugh softly, pulling a chocolate frog from my pocket. "Considering your condition, and all the other things they were pouring into you, I thought the chocolate could wait." I hand her the frog, then pour a cup of the rich Darjeeling for myself and take a seat near her. "In truth, I came by with the intent of giving you a thorough scolding. Why, in the name of all that is Great and Good, did you NOT send up the signal, as we had arranged? You were the one who insisted on such precautions!"
She takes a deep breath and explains how events had developed, and how she barely had time to fend off Bellatrix' attacks. "What was it that she hit me with?" she asks as she finishes her tale. "I'm not so sure we will ever know!" I reply. "There was not enough left of her wand to perform a proper Prior Incantato. However, the handle was identified by Ollivander, as belonging to Bellatrix Lestrange." I pause to take a sip. "We also have blood samples, confirming that it was she who attacked you. All the evidence is being gathered by your cohorts at the Ministry. We have a very strong case against her... enough to send her to Azkaban for the rest of her life. The only problem is, we do not have her in custody. The only one who remains unconvinced is Cornelius Fudge! And I don't think I could convince him that she was a danger unless she were sitting on his desk, firing curses directly at his face!"
Dierna chuckles, then winces as it pulls at one of her injuries. "Yes! He has gotten rather stubborn and set in his ways. Unfortunately, he has a crowd of sycophants who keep telling him that he's doing the right things, and that he's the greatest head man he Ministry has ever had. It's enough to make you sick!"
"Ah, yes!" I sigh. "Well, we shall just have to keep working on that one." I finish my tea and set the cup aside. "Well, my Dear Young Lady! I dislike short visits, but I have a package to deliver to another pair of residents."
"Are you meaning Ron and Hermione? They're just down the hall."
"Well then! Take care of your self, and rest well. We need you back in action." I give her goo hand a little squeeze, pick up my parcel, and head down the hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I give a rap on the doorframe as I enter. One bed is empty and the other is... not! "I am amazed!" I smile at the pair, who are lying there holding hands. "I would have never thought these hospital beds were designed for double-occupancy." Hermione sits up rather too quickly and spends a moment regaining her equilibrium. "I thought you two might be in need of a few chocolate frogs, knowing what hospital food is really like." I fetch an even-dozen of the little hexagonal boxes from my large pocket and set them on the bedside table. Hermione thanks me for my thoughtfulness, while Ron simply grins in anticipation. "Professor McGonagall also sent along a little something." I unwrap the parcel. "She was thinking it would be a great shame if you were to get too far behind in your studies!" I hand each of them a stack of their own textbooks. It is Hermione's turn to grin. Ron merely groans and rolls over to face the window.
"Why, thank you, Professor Dumbledore!" she exclaims. "That was very thoughtful of both of you. I was beginning to worry about the same thing."
"Well, I cannot stay long. I still have a school to run. However, I just wanted to assure myself that the two of you were truly on the mend. Never can be too sure of these Healer's reports... all full of technical terms and such!" I take out another chocolate frog and quickly bite the head off. Stuffing the remainder into my mouth, I look at the Famous Wizards trading card inside. Effie Clincher (1869 - 1962)? Hmmm... never heard of her. Ah... here it is... Inventor of synthetic earwax, used to flavor Bertie Bott's Beans. Well! That certainly is a relief... To know that they are not using the Real Thing!
"Well, I expect the two of you to watch over each other. Take care of yourselves, and get plenty of rest. I shall see you in a few days; either here, or at the school. good-bye, now!" I step back into the hallway and find one of the out-going apparation rooms. With a muffled 'pop', I am back in Hogsmeade, with a short walk back to the Castle.
Grief
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-31-04 19:00
A sprinkle of yellow, red and brown leaves fell from the overhanging branch of a nearby tree as a gentle October wind assailed the little village of Hogsmeade. Bill was standing in the cemetery before a new grave with hands stuffed in the pockets of his coat and a scarf dangling loosely around his neck. His blue eyes were free from tears yet vacant as he stared down at the tombstone marking the final resting spot of Adriana Fairchild.
He had gone to collect her corpse from the Romanian Ministry of Magic last Friday, and brought her home to Hogsmeade. The funeral was held the following day, and all who could attend did. It was a small ceremony, with mostly family present. Since putting her in the grave, Bill had come to visit Adriana often, sometimes two, three or four times in one day for hours at a time. It seemed so unreal at times, as if he was lost in a dream or a nightmare. But the reality of the situation hit Bill as well, and it hit him hard.
And not only did he have Adriana's death to contend with but also the near tragedy that had befallen Ron on the same day Bill had received Charlie's letter with the grave news. Thankfully, the seriousness of Ron's situation alleved itself slightly with a good prognosis from the Healers at St. Mungo's. He and Hermione were likely due to be released and returned to Hogwarts within the week.
Bill shivered, absentmindedly adjusting the scarf around his neck. He gave one final look at Adriana's grave and whispered, "I miss you," before beginning the slow amble back to the East Lane. He just happened to pass by two familiar plots as he went by; one rather recent and with strong ties to the Weasley family, that of Helena Tufton, and the other from nearly a year ago, that of Chyler Stratford. Bill couldn't help but picture the Hogsmeade graveyard filled with plots of friends, family and familiars.
The very thought sickened him, but what sickened him the most was knowing that his nightmare could well become a reality. The world was growing darker day by day, and with Voldemort free and increasingly stronger whether in body or in number, it was certain that more tragedy would come; more deaths would occur.
Bill unlocked his front door and let himself inside, shutting the door with his back as he leaned up against it. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, willing the past week and a half to have all been a very bad dream. But he knew better, and opened his eyes and walked through the cottage discarding his scarf and coat as he made his way to the kitchen to brew himself a strong cup of tea.
St. Mungo's:
Pensieve
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 01-31-04 19:30
I had half expected Dumbledore's lecture. But behind his gentle (more gentle than expected) reprimand, I recognize the genuine worry that his words mask. It is more an honour than I deserve, to be so valued by an Olamh.
I explain about finding Hermione and Ron, the speed with which things transpired. It is completely true, but after he leaves, I realise its not the entire truth.
I could have signaled when I first saw Bellatrix. Signaled before she ever knew I was there. And I know enough sell to stop her even momentarily to buy time. Why hadn't I? I know the answer: There's too much history between us. I wanted to take her down and drag her back to Azkaban. For the Longbottoms, for calling lily Mudblood and worse, for Hermione's parents. Justice is the best revenge. And I wanted to be the one to deliver it. I still do, more now that before.
That, and that I'd become too used to fighting alone. Too stubbornly independent to call for help when I should. Even when it's just a blink away. I'm not better, greater or more skilled than anyone else. I just always believed that I should be able to tackle anything. I have always expected more of myself than I do of others.
Dumbledore already knows this, no doubt.
Just then an owl flies in with a parcel. I open it and find two thin stones, inscribed with Ogham.
No signature, but I know who it is: Cailte, reminding me of a lesson I have yet to learn. Sometimes it takes more courage to ask for help, than to stand alone.
Sao Paulo,
Brazil: Reasoning
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-31-04 19:49
Ever since Berlin, Ethan knew that something in his life was terribly amiss. It was a familiar feeling, one he hadn't really experienced in a year--not since Voldemort first came in contact with him. A tiny voice in Ethan's mind reminded him that things weren't as they should be, that things had been very wrong for quite some time now. He had to change. He had to revert back to his old self.
Ethan said nothing of his conflicting thoughts to Kep-Tian when they saw each other in Berlin and Morocco, but the Vietnamese Death Eater often found reason to question his friend. "What's wrong, Ethan?" "What are you thinking about? I can tell there is something on your mind." "You look concerned. Is something the matter?" Ethan's face always betrayed him, but still he said nothing.
Now, secluded in a trendy flat in Sao Paulo, Brazil, quite away from Kep-Tian and his incessant questions, Ethan was able to finally have peace and some time to think. He tried to place all relevant events in his mind from the Koyla investigation with Viktor Krum and the death of Kendra Beck, Ethan's new position at Hogwarts and his first contact with Voldemort, his black out on Halloween and full transformation on New Year's Eve, to his discovery at Hogwarts, subsequent flight and everything that had occurred since then.
He tried to break it down further and concluded that the Koyla investigation likely had nothing to do with Voldemort. So, when did it really begin? At Hogwarts, Ethan thought. I joined the staff and a few weeks later started hearing voices in my head like a madman. I didn't realize who I had the pleasure of hearing until Halloween after I blacked out in my office.
Ethan sat back in his recliner and ran a hand through his hair. Why did Voldemort contact him in the first place? What made Ethan so special? Unlucky, is perhaps a better way to describe it, Ethan thought bitterly. Why did I doubt myself so much during those first few months of the change?
"Because I knew something was very wrong," Ethan finished aloud, "like I do now." Ethan's transformation also hadn't been complete when he first questioned the voice inside his head. It wasn't until New Year's Eve at his parents' home in Canterbury that everything felt natural. But what prompted him to doubt everything once more? This shouldn't be happening, Ethan reasoned with himself.
And although he only speculated it to be so, he was absolutely right.
Starving
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 01-31-04 19:55
Tranquillina rubbed her eyes, and finally put down her homework. It was nearing dinner, and thank heavens for that! She was starving. She pushed her cat, Saturn, off her lap (which she regretted many a'scratch-later).
She leapt down the Gryffindor Common Room stairs two at a time. She finally reached the Great Hall, taking in the heavy aroma of good cooking with great delight!
Letting her eyes scan the tables, she spotted 'the gang.' She plopped herself down next to Kairi and smiled happily.
"Hallo, all!" She greeted. She received a chorus of replies, before the others turned back to their meals. Tranquillina took this opportunity to start mounding the food on her plate.
Good gracious, it looked good....
Finding Nora
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-31-04 20:16
Isolde left the dormitory and headed for the common room, where she hoped to meet Pyrrhus and perhaps even Alexis, Devo and Alicia. It was dinner time and the Slytherin sixth year was absolutely starving! She hadn't done anything all day, except for do a little reading and some research on a topic for a paper due in Care of Magical Creatures class. She skipped breakfast (because she overslept) and only had a bite to eat for lunch.
Isolde entered the common room and looked around for her friends but the chamber was completely empty...except for the prone body of Nora at the entrance. Alarmed, Isolde hurried over to the young second year and knelt down beside her. The girl was face down on the cold, stone floor, so Isolde rolled her over and frowned at the sight of a thin trail of blood on Nora's forehead.
Isolde slapped Nora's face lightly, then a bit harder when the young Slytherin didn't stir. Nora remained motionless, utterly unconscious and alarmingly pale. By the looks of things, Isolde was pretty certain Nora hadn't been hexed but she wasn't one-hundred percent sure either. She whipped out her wand and rose to her feet.
"Mobilicorpus," Isolde said as she pointed her wand at Nora's body.
The young girl rose into the air and hovered before Isolde, who walked her out into the hall and up the stairs towards the Hospital Wing...
Marking Papers
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 01-31-04 20:54
"Dierna ni Ciaran and students are all right?" Blinkey asks Michael, as he worked in his office, finishing grading the NEWT paper that had been due last Friday.
"Yes, Blinkey. The healers at St. Mungo's have assured the Headmaster that all three casualties will make a full recovery. No doubt Miss Granger will be distressed at missing the essay due date. Hopefully she'll realise that being in the hospital constitutes "extenuating circumstances" and I won't penalise her or Ron for handing them in late."
Michael wrote the grade on the last paper and put it in the "marked" pile.
"Why Dierna not ask for help?"
"The one hundred galleon question." He answered, laughing slightly. "Because she's hopelessly stubborn?" Michael shook his head. "I don't know, Blinkey. I've tried telling her not to be so stubborn. But Dierna doesn't listen."
"Master Michael send Dierna Howler! Then Dierna ni Ciaran must listen."
Michael laughed. "I'd thought of that, actually. But then I decided the Healers would not appreciate the loud howler in what is supposed to be a quiet hospital wing."
"That true," Blinkey conceded.
It was alter that night, just as Michael was drifting to sleep, that he suddenly remembered a conversation about little known curses from when he was "teaching" at Durmstrang.
