MOM Headquarters: Dangerous Suggestions
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 12-25-02 20:02

Throughout the meeting, Michael watches Dierna carefully. She seems filled with mixed emotions, being at once still very happy after being reunited with her old friend Sirius Black (who she had always mainlined was innocent) and bothered by some invisible Bogart. When the meeting was over (hopefully soon) he'd need to talk to her to see what was bothering the auror. Her first complete week back to work, she'd need to show she was strong.

The meeting seems to drag on, but then a new issue is brought up by Justinian Gavel, the head of Magical Law Enforcement. "It seems to me," he begins, "that in light of recent evidence of You-Know-Who's rising, and that of numerous dark wizard's resurgence it may be necessary to once again empower auror with the legal capacity to use the Unforgivable curses."

Michael frowned, this was dangerous and he felt that an auror should be clever enough to capture an enemy without such spells. He knew that Dierna was firmly against the use of the Unforgivable Curses by anyone, but the emphatic force of her "NO!" caught the deputy-chief auror by surprise.

Alexis sighed and pulled out her wand.

Great! The very beginning of the very first class and it's a new spell. What did I expect, though?

She waved her wand in the shape of a capital "C" as directed, and said quietly, "Calientus!"

A smile broke across her face as the 'thermometer' rose a few degrees. It climbed five degrees and then stopped. Alexis waved her wand again, now feeling confident, and said the word louder, pointing her wand at the cup and holding it there. The temperature slowly rose until the cup began to steam, and then, softly boil.

Perhaps this year wont be so bad after all! She thought happily, right before the cup, which had continued to increase in temperature without Alexis noticing, overboiled and splashed boiling water on her robes. Alexis leapt up, nearly knocking over her cup and Azaelia in the process. luckily, the water didn't burn her, but left only a warm, embarrassing wet mark.

"Uh, Professor?" She called, trying to wipe off her robes and watch her cup at the same time, which was out of control and fast boiling itself empty, "Could you please teach us the counter-spell while you're at it?"

In Hot Water
Author: Prof Flitwick
Date: 12-26-02 08:44

"OH! My goodness, my goodness!" I exclaim as Alexis Black brings her cup to boiling and past. "Frigidius Max!" I shout, while making the stylized "F" shape with my wand. Within three seconds, her remaining water is a solid chunk of ice and her cup is frosted with sparkling crystals.

"Congratulations, Miss Black! I had not expected such "exuberant" results this soon." I take a quick scan of the other students to ensure that no one else is getting too close to boiling.

"Now, let us examine the "controls" which apply to this spell. To begin, Miss Black said the spell quietly and got only a slight heating effect. Then, with such positive reinforcement, she repeated the spell in a louder voice. In doing so, the cup overheated and the boiling water splashed about. I ask you, Did the loudness of her voice increase the strength of her spell?" I wait a moment, facing nine puzzled looks. "The answer is, "Not directly!" By saying the spell-word louder, she tightened the focus of her concentration. Please remember this! It is concentration, or focus, which will govern the strength of your spells. ALL OF YOUR SPELLS!" I repeat for emphasis.

"There are a number of ways to modify the strength of a spell. For most spells, especially those involving a physical change, you may use the suffixes "Max" or "Min". These will govern the rate at which the spell energy is transmitted. Also, you may terminate or stop the spell by simply by directing your attention away and by pointing your wand in a different direction–preferably, straight up–to avoid complications. Furthermore, there are "counter-spells" for each of the "physical" spells. In the case of the "Calientus" spell, the counter is "Frigidus"." I turn to the special demonstration board behind me and trace the pattern for the spell.

Returning my attention to the class, I use the Calientus spell to thaw the miniature iceberg in her cup. "Now! Please return to your assigned lesson. Try to control the energy flow so that your cup boils, GENTLY!" I add with a bit of a chuckle. I levitate a flagon of water to the desk beside Alexis, subtly hinting that she should refill her cup and try again.

Cairo: Questions and Answers
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 12-26-02 09:37

Bill entered Adallah's office with some trepidation. Last night the curse-breaker had overheard a conversation about him between his boss and Adallah's faithful sidekick, Omar Nawif. When the curious pair had stumbled upon Bill, he pretended as if he hadn't heard a word of their conversation. It seemed, however, that Adallah thought otherwise. The president of the Cairo branch of Gringotts bank had told Bill to stop by his office the following morning for a little chat.

Now, as Bill stood inside Adallah's office, he cringed under the scrutinous eye of his boss. What did this man think of me now? Bill wondered. Not willing to let his eyes leave Adallah, Bill's peripheral vision let him know that for once, Nawif wasn't around.

After what seemed like an eternity, Adallah's hard gaze softened and his features became friendly. He smiled and gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Please, sit down, Bill. We have much to discuss."

Startled, Bill stepped forward and settled himself in the chair. To disguise his curiosity in Adallah's sudden change, Bill also smiled and asked, "What can I do for you, Mr. Adallah?"

"Please, call me Khalid. We've known each other long enough now to be on a first name basis. Besides, I think I can consider you as more than just one of my employees." A sudden glint in Adallah's eyes told Bill that there was definitely something unusual about this situation.

"All right then, Khalid," Bill conceded. He paused, organizing his thoughts. Then, he asked, "What did you want to talk to me about?"

Adallah drew his brows together pensively and replied, "Last night in the tunnels...Nawif and I were discussing your future."

Bill knew this, of course, but feigned surprise. "Oh...I'm to be sacked?"

"On the contrary, Bill. You have done a great many thing for this bank. We'd all be fools to let you go." Adallah paused for a moment, rising from his seat to pour himself something to drink from a serving cart in one corner of the room.

Bill's eyes followed Adallah's movement, and he noted that next to the serving cart was a small aquarium on a short, limestone pillar. That's new, Bill commented to himself.

"Fresh guava juice, Bill?" Adallah offered.

"Yes, please. What's in the aquarium?"

Adallah swiveled his head around to grin at Bill. "My new scorpion."

"Ahh..." Fascinating as they were, Bill had seen plenty of scorpions in and around Egypt that he didn't feel the need to press his nose up to the glass of the aquarium in order to ooh and ahh at Adallah's new pet.

While Adallah resumed his attention on the drinks, the conversation from last night echoed in Bill's mind.

"Mr. Weasley's work is extraordinarily good, Nawif. I'm certain your observations have made you aware of this..."

"Yes. He is quite adept in breaking curses as well as creating defenses. He will be very useful for the..."

"He has a reputation for..."

"Yes. I have made that observation, and I believe we will need to continue to keep an eye on him..."

Suddenly, Adallah's voice brought Bill back to the present. "Bill, you have a reputation for being hard-working." He paused mid-thought to take a sip of juice.

"He has a reputation for..." Did Adallah's words from last night really mirror what he just spoke of?

Adallah set down his glass and continued, "You received the highest recommendation from Zahid. Like I said, Bill. We'd be a fool to let you slip through our fingers."

Is this it, then? Bill pondered. His better instincts told him no.

"In case you're curious," Adallah added, "Nawif has been keeping an eye on you for me. If it has made you uncomfortable, then I am sorry."

Bill shook his head. "Don't be, Khalid. It startled me a little, yes, but you must have your reasons..."

"Yes, I do," Adallah admitted. He stared intently into his glass before lifting his eyes to meet Bill's. "You will do great things for Gringotts, Bill. I can very well see a promotion in the very near future, my lad."

A promotion! Bill whistled under his breath and leaned back in his chair. Yet there was that glint in Adallah's eye again, and while many of Bill's questions were answered...his reputation, the reason Nawif spied on him...one question still lingered.

"He will be very useful for the..." For the what? If Adallah meant what he said this morning, then the answer to that question may very well be the continued growth and success of Gringotts as a whole.

Although the feeling that all was not right in the world lingered in Bill's mind, his face fooled Adallah into thinking that he bought the man's every word. He left the office with a whistle on his lips and skip in his step.

A few moments later, Adallah rose from his seat once more and went to refill his glass. "Well, Omar," he began, glancing at the aquarium, "it looks like Mr. Weasley doesn't suspect a thing."

He set his glass down on the serving cart and stepped over to the aquarium, taking off the lid with both hands. Then, he put one hand inside the aquarium and scooped up the black scorpion before setting it to the ground. All at once, the black, arachnid form morphed into a tan-skinned Egyptian man.

Omar Nawif threw back his head and laughed.

Although not very successful at first, by the end of Charms class, Isolde had managed to bring her water to a boil. Professor Flitwick praised his students for their efforts and abilities and then announced, "Class dismissed!"

Careful not to spill water on her way out, Isolde gently stepped out from behind her desk and left the classroom with Pyrrhus, Azaelia and Alexis. "You did a great job, Alexis," Isolde lauded, smiling. "I think I'm just rusty from not being able to do magic over the long summer break!"

"I think we can all use that excuse," Pyrrhus exclaimed, laughing. "What class do we have now?"

"Herbology," Azaelia answered, directing the others in the correct direction.

They climbed down a few flights of stairs and then exited the castle into the bright sunlight and blue skies of the great outdoors. Green grass felt soft beneath their shoes as they marched over to the greenhouses where Professor Logan awaited them.

First Day
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 12-26-02 19:15

Astronomy was so boring, but there were still a few laughs. I had forgotten how funny my cousin Justin could be. But even through the laughs, my mind was in a different place.

I was contemplating on how I could maintain my self-control while around Harry and Prescott at the same time. Somehow I new it was crazy to think that I could just dump Prescott at that very moment and run to Harry and say that I loved him, and I had always loved him. But I felt in my heart that if Harry truly felt the way he said he did towards me, then both he and I could wait until things changed between Prescott and me, if they ever changed.

Since my next class wasn't until 8:00 a.m., I made my way up to the common room, along side Justin, to catch a few more hours of sleep before venturing down to eat breakfast. As I headed down to the great hall to get some breakfast, I ran into Prescott.

He volunteered to walk me to my next class since he didn't have a class to go to. Before he left to go back to the Ravenclaw common room, he gave me a kiss on the cheek and said he's see me at lunch and that we could go for a walk around the grounds before my afternoon classes.

Charmed, I'm Sure
Author: Emma Riley
Date: 12-26-02 19:52

My first Hogwarts class and I'd been forced to slip in late. Figures. When I had returned from breakfast to collect my things for class, I had trouble getting Reggie, my pet ferret back into his cage. The little rodent often gave me trouble, but something about the unfamiliar location seemed to make it worse. And then, since I was the last out the door of the Hufflepuff Common Room, I had to make my way through the unfamiliar f Hogwarts on my own in search of the classroom. Why couldn't they have given us a tour of this place?

I slipped into the back of the Charms classroom and into a seat without too many people noticing, thankfully. A few heads turned, but they quickly went back to their work.

Charms. I had always been good at charms and had actually done this particular one in a previous semester. There happened to be a lot of call for warming spells in Canada, where I had just transferred from.

I grasped my unusually long wand lightly and tenderly, moving it through a perfect, scripted C. I watched the water heat quickly and evenly, beaming over the success. At least I was off to a good start. Unfortunately, the counter-spell was not one of my best, and I prayed that class would be over before I had to perform it.

No Classes
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 12-26-02 23:26

Not having any classes until Tuesday at 3:00...Vera had looked over her schedule 3 times the night before to make sure that was right! She had a three-day-weekend...all year! What luck!

The clock stroke 12:30 in the afternoon when Vera finally toppled out of bed. She had tripped on her covers and fell on the floor. With a groan she pushed the covers off her and threw them on her bed, glaring. She was still not quite awake. After getting dressed Vera slowly made her way downstairs to the common room.

She had just reached the Great Hall for lunch when suddenly a student tripped on the floor in front of her, causing Vera herself to tumble atop her. Face first to the floor. Vera lifted her head up and leaned against her hand, tapping the floor with her other fingers. She was still lying on the girl who had made her fall. Vera had a sour look on her face. She finally decided to get up, and then she folded her arms glaring at the girl and tapping her foot on the floor. The other girl slowly stood up with a scared look about her face.

"Sykra Sawyer..." Vera bluntly said. "I might 'ave known."

Sykra wrinkled her brows together. "Heh heh...Umm, sorry?" She shrank down a bit. "You know me...clumsy me..." She smiled slightly.

"You can go now." Vera ordered. And the Ravenclaw quickly removed herself. Vera rolled her eyes with a sigh. Lawrence came darting over.

"Vera...Are you alright?!" He asked. "I'm fine, I'm fine...Having a bit of a 'falling' day. If you get my meaning." Vera then suddenly grinned. "Shall we eat? I'm starved!"

runes/ distracted/ doodling
Author: Fynn Greenleaf
Date: 12-27-02 05:17

:p :) ;) :( :o)

Fynn doodled on Cho's notebook with his quill. She laughed, a tinkling, soft laughter. Some others in the class turned around- it didn't matter. The room was musty and Professor Sorcha was currently in the midst of explaining a new chapter. It was all very interesting- Fynn liked Ancient Runes, but for now, he couldn't concentrate. School had just started, so he was still getting accustomed to the new newness of everything, thinking, "Ah, last year I did this...or I sat there....", mundane things like that. He thought, most of all, of what had changed. Of course he'd be focused, and do well, but for now, Fynn just fidgeted quite a bit, flipping his pen expertly, or daydreaming.

And so the lesson went on. He leaned over to see what Cho was doodling. Hearts, a profusion of them, in a myriad of colours and very prettily done. Want to see a drawing of my heart? Fynn scribbled beside her drawings. Why not? :p , she wrote in reply. From the front of class, they must've looked like they were diligently taking notes. Fynn grinned at Cho, and then drew a strange looking creature (a mixture of an owl, a Tellytubby and a house elf) with four legs, a confused expression, and big, googly eyes. She nearly burst out laughing-but Professor Sorcha mercifully decided to ignore her for now, and continued taking questions from attentive students.

Enough of that. Fynn smiled at Cho, then turned away to his notebook. He looked up at her profile from time to time- how her hair was braided so intricately, how in symmetry, and kissable, everything was-the light on her hair, in her eyes, on the tip of her dainty nose. In a few minutes, he'd sketched her-roughly, but it was her- Cho, with a heart shaped pendant around her neck- looking to the front of class, at something beyond the border of Fynn's lined note paper.

Fynn tore out the page, quietly, and gave it to Cho. "There's my heart, you have it" he said softly as she unfolded the rustling paper.

Awaiting a Response
Author: Voldemort
Date: 12-27-02 20:29

Months have gone by since I sent James Simpson a letter advising him that it would be in his best interest to ally himself with me, and not that fool Dumbledore.

Months. And no reply yet.

True, he has not openly opposed me . . . has not joined the fools in their futile quest to combat my forces (which continue to grow stronger and more powerful). Perhaps he needs another letter, more pointed if not yet outright threatening.

Or perhaps he needs a different form of persuasion entirely. My spies inform me that he is "interested" in my clever spy at the Castle. Perhaps she can "persuade" him into giving very serious thought to his alliances.

After all, there is no real neutrality. And if he will not join me, he will have to be dealt with accordingly.

Charms Class
Author: Remadi Ye
Date: 12-28-02 06:06

After skimming throught he first part of her book for Charm's class and deciding that math is much easier with a calculator, Remadi decided she would leave a little early for her first class of the day. She was a little afraid of getting lost and she always likes to be early for classes if she can help it. As Neko sees her get up to leave, he quickly jumps up onto her shoulder.

"I don't know if you're allowed into classes," Remadi says to him as she returns her math book to her trunk. "This isn't dad's university. The rules here are different. You can stay, though. I'm sure the teachers will say something if you're not allowed in."

Neko purrs into her ear which makes her laugh. She strokes his body as they make their way through the castle. They have a little bit of trouble with one staircase, but Remadi soon finds her way to the Charms classroom. She gets there about five minutes before the 5th year's class is over. She is about to open the door and slip into the back of the room when Neko puts his nose into her ear.

"Neko," Remadi says, shaking her head. "Oh yeah, I'm not supposed to go in yet. Thanks, Neko. I guess I have to remember too that this isn't UCF." She leans against the wall beside the door and goes over various charms she knows as she waits for the class to end.

After Potions Class
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 12-28-02 13:17

Fritz breathes a quiet sigh of relief when Professor Snape, the cruel Potions master, dismisses the class with a grunt. All throughout the last hour, Fritz listened attentively, genuinely interested in the subject because it seemed so much like his favorite scientific field, chemistry.

As he and Coco leave the dungeons together, Fritz's mind wanders to the start of their first class, when Professor Snape stormed into the room and barked out his instructions. The startled Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff first years were almost immediately put to work. Fritz and Coco partnered up, successfully brewing a basic potion by the end of class.

Now, the Ravenclaw first years have a long break until their next class, Herbology at one in the afternoon. Fritz is quite sure that this next class will be similar to another interesting scientific field, botany. The more the new Hogwarts student learns about magic and the parallels between it and what he has always known from the Muggle world, the more Fritz enjoys his new life as a young wizard.

9 AM History of Magic
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 12-28-02 13:35

Draco Malfoy's only class on this day was History of Magic at nine o'clock. He leisurely climbed out of bed, sliding his feet into a pair of black slippers after which he slipped on a matching robe, emblazoned with the Malfoy family crest. As he strode out of the room for the bathroom, he passed by both Crabbe and Goyle's beds where he flicked their porky faces with his fingers in order to wake them up in time for class.

After washing up, dressing in his school uniform and grabbing a quick bite to eat, Draco strolled down the wide corridors of Hogwarts tailed closely by Crabbe and Goyle. When they arrived in the History of Magic classroom, Clara and Tempest were already there, saving three seats. Draco slipped into the one next to his girlfriend and leaned over to give her a kiss.

"I thought you three would be late," Clara admitted, checking her watch.

A second later, Professor Binns floated through the blackboard and welcomed the class. He hovered over to his podium, flipped open a rather large textbook and began to drone on about some sort of rebellion or another. As soon as he uttered his first few words, half of the class was already snoring softly, Draco included.

Dizzy
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 12-28-02 18:24

Cho glances to him as his meaningful words reach her ears, but he - obviously well practiced at staring and not being noticed - had already turned his eyes back to Prof. Sorcha as though he'd never taken them away from her. She opens the picture slowly, a sudden intake of air and a breathless expression of wonderment her reactions to his amazing sketch. If only we weren't in class! were her thoughts, for right now, she was working hard to curb her desire to wrap her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

Cho felt light headed all of a sudden, her emotions making her dizzy, she brushes her fingers over the picture, regaining her focus and composure, "It's gorgeous Fynn..."

Fynn smiles gently, looking to her, "She's prettier in real life though...I could never do her justice." She blushes gently, gesturing to the heart pendant around her neck in the picture, looking to him questioningly. He merely nods, no words needed, their faces were rather close now, tauntingly close, maybe Prof. Sorcha wasn't looking...Cho, however, was the first to look away, reaching one hand under the table to squeeze his hand, intertwining her fingers in his, reaching her quill over to write on his paper After class... ;-)

Belle had woken up late that morning and was in such a hurry she almost ran out of the room with mismatched socks. Well, almost was apparently her middle name this morning. She almost missed breakfast, which wouldn't have been so bad, since she was surprised she kept everything down with all of her nerves. She'd forgotten her books for History of Magic and was therefore almost late to her class. She slumped into her seat, feeling guilty already even though she hadn't done anything. She arranges her things on her desk and glances around the room, wondering who would be kind enough to sit next to this frazzled mess.

MOM Headquarters: Meeting Mayhem Pt. 2
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-28-02 21:00

"NO!!!" I shout louder than I had intended. The issue was one I had always objected too, but there is a much more raw reason this time.

Justinian looks at me. "You object? Ah wet, I seem to recall you never did agree with such a legislation."

"It is dangerous and hypocritical, both. If it is wrong for Death eaters to use the Unforgivable curses, then it is equally wrong for Aurors. They are called "Unforgivable" for a reason; and that reason doesn't differentiate."

"I suggest this is a matter to bring up at the next Aurors meeting," adds in Michael, breaking tension before it can rise. "We have one next week, so the Chief auror and I can bring it up then and bring the general reaction to our next meeting."

The meeting resumes normal boringness, until mention is made to the trials of Koyla. Justinian, as MLE, is supposed to oversee the trials, but instead says, "I suggest that the chief auror be left to finish what she started. It was Dierna who sent Ethan Somerset to assist Viktor Krum with the investigations." I had intended to ask this myself, but am grateful for Justinian's suggestion. I also detect that there is more to this than the desire to see me finish what I started, but that is another matter.

"I would be pleased to run the trials, if that is what you wish. I also suggest that Michael assist me, since he ran the show while I was . . . absent." Michael nods assent and the issue is settled.

The meeting goes to other topics, relating to Voldemort's rise (though Fudge still tries to act as if nothing had happened). When I mention my very real experience with the Dark Lord, Fudge glosses that off as a mere aberration. I am about to retort when Michael puts a hand on my shoulder to calm me. Fudge also remarks about how worried he was during my absence. Other add in their concern, most of them sincerely. However, when Lucius Malfoy states his concern in that oily, cool-as-you-please voice I can't take it. Once I stop chocking on the water I happen to be sipping, I match his gaze and say with a decided edge to my voice. "Oh yes, Lucius. I know exactly how worried you were about me."

He left charms class at nine a.m., which meant he was free until he had to go to potions at two. He headed to his room. He tossed his books on his bed and went to drop of a letter that needed to be owled to his Aunt Maribel. With that done he headed toward the Great Hall to relax and hopefully find Vera, since no one he saw in the common room had seen her as of yet.

He was busy chatting with a few other Hufflepuffs who didn't have class right now, when Vera entered the Great Hall, and watched the brief interaction between Vera and Skyra before moving to Vera's side. They talked briefly before heading to grab some lunch. "So I take it you either have a late class, or no classes at all today." he said as they got their lunch and headed toward a table.

He laughed when she shook her head. "Nope, no classes until three o'clock tomorrow." Lawrence nodded and nudged her lightly.

"Lucky you. I've got three today. I have Astronomy, Charms and Potions. But on the bright side, I have a huge break between Charms and Potions."

They ate and talked about this, that , and everything. "So I still have some time before I have to be in class, what do you want to do?" he asked her after they'd finished lunch and were headed toward the Hufflepuff house's common room.

Guys and New Friends
Author: Mirai Schultz
Date: 12-29-02 06:16

She went with Christina and Margaritte to the Great Hall then to their first class, Transfiguration. They met the guys entering the Great Hall ten minutes before their first class. They got an earful from the girls who left them standing there and covering their ears. She, Christa and Marga were laughing so hard they had to control themselves before entering the classroom. The three guys barely made it in time as they slipped in and sat in front of them just before the professor walked into the room.

Soon, Mirai was engrossed in listening to Prof. McGonagall that she hardly noticed that Christa wasn't taking notes like Marga. This is one of her favorite and best classes in her old school and she is sure that with a professor like McGonagall, she is going to like this class in Hogwarts, too. She was already trying to perfect today's spell when she noticed that Marga kept shaking her head at Christa then turns back at her parchment taking notes.

"Why are you shaking your head at her?" Mirai whispered to Margaritte sideways so as not to attract Prof. McGonagall's attention.

"She's doodling... Again," Margaritte answered.

Hearing this, Mirai leaned over to Margaritte and looked at Christina's drawing when Prof. McGonagall turned her back on wrote something on the board. Then, she returned to her seat, smiling. Christina's parchments were full of caricatures, cartoons, and sketches of Kennard.

"Does he know?" she asked Marga.

"Nope," she answered. "And I'm letting her do it in her own time."

She continued before turning her attention back again to her lesson, then her other routine which is shaking her head at her sister then taking notes.

Mirai on the other hand, decided to keep the information she just received to herself. However, she smiles to herself once in a while, excited at the prospect of Christina and Kennard being a couple. They look good together, she thought as she and the other Ravenclaws walked out of Transfiguration and looked at Christina and Kennard walking together ahead of them, in their own world.