First Day
of Class
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 05-16-03 07:43
I had arrived late last night, and woke feeling groggy but excited, as well as a little anxious. I couldn't eat breakfast, the very idea of swallowing something making my stomach churn. I looked up and down the rows of students gathered for morning meal. I knew none of them, my cousin Neville having either already eaten or, the far more likely reason, still sleeping.
I left the great hall and moved down a corridor I hoped would take me to my first class, Ancient Runes. I was glad that it would be a class I was good at, almost all book work. I caught onto concepts and ideas brilliantly, but I couldn't seem to put them into practice. A portrait of a kindly couple and their baby mentioned to me that I was going to be late if I didn't hurry, which caused me to panic a little. I couldn't stand the thought of being late to my first class, so I sped up, which, of course, caused me to get completely lost. I ran around a corner - and right into another student.
"What's your hurry?" she asked.
"Oh, sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going, I do that sometimes." I smiled nervously. Today was not going so well.
"I've never seen you before, are you new?"
I nodded, feeling every second tick away as a precious moment that would make me even later than I was going to be. The girl seemed to understand my hurry.
"Lost, are you? Yeah, I know the feeling. What class do you have?"
"Ancient runes," I said, calming down.
"Oh, that's just down this hall. You must have past right by it." She smiled at me. "Come along, I'm heading that way anyway."
"Thank you very much!" I said, much relieved as I followed the girl back down the hall.
"I'm Alexis Black, by the way."
"Oh, Emma Crusher," I said. "Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you to," she replied. "Here you are, ancient runes. Hope you have fun!" I nodded and turned into the classroom, just as class started.
Busy Mind
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 05-16-03 08:46
Like most everyone else, Hermione was happy to be back at Hogwarts. She couldn't wait to have classes again, but since she had none on Monday, she'd have to wait one day more. Despite the extra time off, Hermione refused to sit idly by and relax with some of her other friends. Instead, she chose to get straight down to business and knock out all of this week's assignments -- a feat she would have long since completed, had her winter holiday not had so many ups and downs.
Ever since New Year's, the mood between Hermione and Gabriel had been different. He'd confessed his heart's desire to her one night and then apologized for doing so the following day. Hermione had listened to his every word and had agreed that things should not change between them on account of Gabriel's strong and startling emotions -- easier said than done, but they were working on it. Their friendship was far too valuable, and Hermione would have regretted it ever-so-much had she ended their long history based on these new developments in her friendship with Gabe.
During the days after, Hermione and Gabriel worked on mending their friendship, once again carving it into the purely-platonic relationship it had once been. They spent much time talking and expressing their feelings, much like people on Muggle talk shows. It helped tremendously in their progression to make things all right again.
It was true that sometimes, Hermione couldn't deny experiencing feelings of awkwardness or embarrassment around Gabe, but she knew that these emotions would fade in time. Her initial surprise and confusion after his confession had begun to recede as well. As more time went by, this vision of Gabriel possibly being something more than just a childhood friend had all but disappeared.
He wanted so badly for what they had to remain as it was, and Hermione couldn't have wanted it any differently. And so, they progressed on ironing out all of the kinks that had threatened their relationship, certain that one day New Year's would be something they could look back on and laugh about.
Despite at least one tense situation averted, Hermione had other things on her mind as well. Ron had written her consistently throughout the remainder of the break with updates on Charlie, Helena and Adriana. Charlie was still in Romania with no immediate plans to return to Great Britain. His older brother Bill had gone to visit and had thankfully reported back with good news. Charlie was recuperating well for one who had undergone such a dramatic emotional ordeal. He had immediately immersed himself in dragon keeping, something he had always had a great passion for.
News on Helena and Adriana came scarce. Neither woman had been seen since New Year's Eve, and it was tearing Ron's oldest brother apart. Bill had searched all of Hogsmeade for her, as well as Adriana's rooms at Hogwarts. Nothing in his home or her chambers looked touched by her; it seemed as if she had vanished into thin air. Hermione couldn't help but wonder who would fill in for her Muggle Studies classes at Hogwarts.
As for Helena, many didn't seem to care that she had apparently fallen off of the face of the earth. Some on the other hand, like Helena's parents, had a natural inclination to worry for their daughter -- even they hadn't heard from her at all since she walked out on Charlie before the wedding.
And then there was Ron. Hermione debated with herself whether or not to tell him about Gabriel's confession from New Year's Eve. On the one hand, she wanted to tell him to ease her own conscience. On the other hand, she knew what his reaction would be and she couldn't bear to imagine the consequences.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders, shaking all thoughts unassociated with schoolwork from her mind. She tucked a few textbooks into her bag, making a mental note to start preparing for Care of Magical Creatures class first, even though Hagrid's class probably required the least amount of work of all her other classes. Slinging the bag over her shoulder, Hermione cast a quick look around the common room and then exited through the portrait hole for the library.
No Monday
Morning Blues in Sight
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 05-17-03 21:28
Monday morning Lucius enters his office at the Ministry in a very bouyant, jubilant mood. As he moves to sit behind his desk a very smug, self-satisfied smirk plays across his lips while at the same time Lucius's normally frosty eyes have an even greater icy hardness to them. Lucius tents his hands on the desk, the smirk growing into a grin as he once more runs through the events of the previous evening.
Lucius and Radinka had returned to the little restaurant in Helsinki where they sat in the same shadowing corner and enjoyed a very pleasant, excellently prepared meal. They were finishing up their after dinner drinks when Karkaroff and his group of friends paid their bill and left the building. Lucius and Radinka waited a few seconds then paid their own bill.
Once outside, the two stayed well behind Karkaroff's group but kept them in sight. Lucius and Radinka walked hand in hand in a very unhurried fashion to give the appearance of a couple out for an evening stroll on a crisp, clear winter's night. One by one Karkaroff's friends peeled away to go their respective ways. Before long Karkaroff was alone and turning down a narrow, deserted street.
In a blink, Lucius had his wand out and struck Karkaroff from behind with Petrificus totalus and Radinka was pulling out the port key to transport the three of them to Karkaroff's new home. Before going home for the evening, Lucius had had a little fun with the Cruciatus curse showing Karkaroff how pleased the Death Eaters were to have him back in their midst.
The malevolent grin still on his face, Lucius returns his thoughts to the present and reaches for a stack of parchments in need of his attention.
Back to Work
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 05-18-03 20:18
The office suddenly seems overly quiet after the noise of the welcome back party that greeted me when I walked off the lift this morning. Most don't realize I was ready to come back the day after Christmas but everyone else vetoed my plan. Everyone else being the doctor, Josh, Bernie, Andie, and my parents. Despite what they all refer to as "Aaron's miraculous recovery" none have seemed able to accept that I have indeed recovered.
At least I got to spend Christmas somewhere other than a hospital room. The doctor had discharged me mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve and when I walked in the door to my flat. Speck was so excited to see me she spent several hours energetically zooming around. To my surprise, my father didn't turn around and rush off to catch a plane back to the States. Actually, I'm still in shock that he never questioned or hesitated in coming up with the money Chilblaine had demanded. Even more jaw dropping is how Dad's not once started an argument over how I betrayed him by not working for him as he'd always planned.
In fact, for Dad, he's been downright easy to get along with and interested in my life here in England. Keeps asking about my hobbies, friends, how and where I spend my free time. The day Bill Weasley came to the hospital to check on me, Dad had been every cordial. Unfortunately he'd been so friendly that even after I'd gotten everyone else out of the room Dad persisted in staying. This meant I couldn't talk to Bill about what I'd read in some of the wizarding books about healing properties. I couldn't even ask Bill how he knew I was in the hospital though I suspect Speck had sensed something and gone to him when I'd not come home for a few days only to have Mom and Dad show up at the flat.
As I take my seat behind my desk, I hope that things will start getting back to normal. Everything but Dad that is. It's been very nice not having him constantly harangue me about every little thing. He and Mom are supposed to leave for home on Wednesday. Hopefully after I have some breathing room again I can go to Gringotts to access the books I need to check.
As I start sifting through the pile of mail, I suddenly wish it were Wednesday afternoon.
Worried
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 05-18-03 20:47
"Can you handle things here for a few hours, Grobian?" Bill pleaded, running a nervous hand through his hair. It had grown back to its original length; it was hard to believe that one year had passed since Bill's memory loss. During that confusing time, Bill had cut off his trademark long hair while living in Muggle London. He could still remember the look on his good friend Aaron Miller's face at the sight of Bill and his self-imposed impromptu haircut.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Grobian the Gringotts goblin replied dutifully.
Bill sighed, rubbing his eyes with the balls of his hands out of frustration and sleepiness. "I told you to call me, Bill. This is supposed to be a relaxed atmosphere."
At least, he wished it were so. Despite his great attempts to calm down and feel at ease, he simply could not do it -- and for good reason: Adriana was missing.
The love of his life hadn't been seen for days -- not since New Year's Eve, in fact. When she didn't return to the Burrow the following day, Bill felt worried. He knew that ordinarily, notification to the proper authorities of a missing person of less than twenty-four hours would probably lack the urgency of an immediate search. But a voice inside his head shouted that these were not ordinary circumstances.
Adriana's words from that day when she told him her secrets had begun to echo throughout his head, and they continued to do so as Bill rushed away from Gringotts Bank. Even before so much time had past after her initial disappearance, Bill had very good reason to be worried. Adriana was, after all, the spiritual daughter of Voldemort!
Bill could still feel a rumble of laughter tickle the back of his throat at the unimaginable thought -- even though this time it was far less funnier than when she had first relayed the news to him. In fact, this time there was nothing funny about it.
It suddenly became very real to him. His Adriana...was she with Voldemort now? Had something...happened to her?
Being somewhat quasi-kin to Voldemort certainly took the cake, but having a parent as a former death eater and being the unknown cousin to Harry Potter also seemed to make the situation look very grim.
Bill shook his mane of fiery red hair in an attempt to organize his jumbled thoughts, suddenly remembering that he had forgotten to tie back his hair earlier that morning. His mind had been preoccupied elsewhere, as it was at every waking moment and even during the hours he managed to sleep at night. Adriana invaded his dreams; images of where she could be or what might be happening to her haunted him night and day.
During a brief bout of clarity, Bill remembered that Adriana's things were arriving at his home sometime today. A few of the house elves from the school were delivering her things since Hogwarts would be needing a new Muggle Studies professor to fill her shoes for the new term, which just happened to start today.
Suddenly stopping in the middle of High Street, Bill furrowed his brow pensively, completely ignoring the unpleasant weather around him. Gray skies loomed overhead ominously and a sharp wind penetrated through the thick fabric of his coat and his robes. His mind was so focused on thoughts of Adriana and her possible whereabouts, that Bill didn't even notice that his fingernails had turned blue from the cold.
All at once, his mind settled on a plausibility as his eyes focused on a building nearby. Bill knew that Adriana had been in the "Slytherin circle" during her youth. That bothersome Valentine or his pal Stratford may, no, likely knew something about Adriana's disappearance -- something other than the fact that she had vanished days ago.
Bill approached Twice Told Tales with every intent of finding the answers he needed, but upon arriving at the doorstep, he realized that the store was closed. He suddenly remembered that Briar had mentioned Chyler Stratford suffering and dying from complications during her pregnancy the very night Adriana had disappeared.
It seemed even those Bill had no liking for were suffering during this time of year... Sighing deeply, Bill turned away from the bookstore and returned to Gringotts Bank.
Lunchtime
Author: Remadi Ye
Date: 05-19-03 06:47
Remadi couldn't stop smiling. Even after an hour of monotony in HoM, there was still a smile on her face. She sad that she wouldn't see her father and old friends for a few months again, but her happiness over shadowed these feelings for the time being. After dropping of her books in her dorm room, Remadi heads towards the Great Hall. Walking towards the Gryiffindor table she spots Annie Paul and decides to sit by her. Annie looks up as she sits beside her.
"Hello, Annie," Remadi says, still with the silly smile on her face. "Did you have a good holiday?"
Lunchtime
and Silly Smiles
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 05-19-03 07:06
"Hello Annie," Remadi said as she sat down next to me at the Gryffindor table and had a smile on her face. "Did you have a good holiday?"
I smiled back at her in a dreamy sort of way and gave a nod. "It was wonderful," I said and fingered the necklace chain around my neck. "OK, Annie, that look doesn't come from a perfect score on a paper. What's up?"
I took out the necklace and showed it to her and told her about Tim and me. Remadi and I giggled after I finished and I sighed, "But he dosen't know I'm a witch, I just told him I left Miss Conner's to go to a school for gifted students and left it at that. I've already told two of my friends and I don't want it to get around to the whole neighborhood."
Remadi gave a nod and changed the subject, "How goes it with the W.C.C Tournament? Studying hard?" I nodded and picked up the book I got from the library. "The History of Wizards Chess and Some Famous Plays." I took a drink as Remadi fingered through the book. "Did you find out who you'll be playing?"
I swallowed. "Yeah, Masterson of Hufflepuff. I heard he's good. I just hope these plays could help out." Remadi smiled again and so did I. "Just think about your plays and his. I know you'll win it for Gryffindor."
Collisions
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-19-03 08:26
After Charms class, Bronwyn waved goodbye to Emma Riley, who had wanted to return to the dormitory to catch a little shut-eye before lunch. Bronwyn, on the other hand, perhaps feeling a little uncharacteristic, decided to head to the library to study.
She had the sneaking suspicion (though maybe it was just a remembrance from four years experience), that Professor Snape would be returning their Potions exams from the end of last term this afternoon during class. As punishment for their low marks, and certainly as a special treat to the good professor, Snape would likely give them all a brutal tongue-lashing and then a new exam to start off the new year.
Bronwyn figured it was probably in her best interest to do a brief preparation for today's Potions class. With several hours to kill until lunch (if she was even hungry) and then until class itself, Bronwyn knew she could put a dent in her Potions assignment. She could even get some Care of Magical Creatures work done, not that it was necessary.
As Bronwyn made her way to the back of the library, seeking out a table farthest from the other students in the room, she accidentally bumped into another blonde-haired girl, causing the girl's books to fly out of her arms and scatter across the floor.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Bronwyn exclaimed, and she was immediately met by a harsh "shh" from Madam Pince.
Bronwyn knelt to the floor to help the girl, whom she recognized from some of her classes, and repeated in a whisper, "I'm really sorry. Your name is Chance, isn't it?"
When the girl nodded her affirmation, Bronwyn extended her hand and said quietly, "I'm Bronwyn of Hufflepuff House. Nice to meet you."
Once Chance's books were once again in her arms and both girls were back on their feet, Bronwyn smiled and whispered, "Well, I'll see you around," and with that, she continued through the library to find a secluded table.
Several hours later, when Bronwyn could no longer ignore the persistent rumblings in her stomach, she gathered her strewn books and parchments together and left for the Great Hall. She was busy shifting the books in her arms when once again, she collided into someone, this time outside the great double doors of the dining chamber. Her books came crashing to the ground next to her feet.
Bronwyn couldn't help but laugh. She must have climbed out of the clumsy side of the bed. As she knelt to collect her books, she realized that the person she had run into was the same one she had collided into at the library!
I Keep Running
into You?
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 05-19-03 14:56
After my Ancient Runes class I went to the library to get a little studying done. I had Defenses Against the Dark Arts after lunch and I wanted to get a head start on the homework for it. I was making my way to a table near the back of the library when a pretty blonde girl ran right into me and caused us both to drop all our books.
"Oh, I am sorry!" Bronwyn exclaimed. Kneeling to the floor she helped me to pick up my books. "I'm really sorry. Your name is Chance, isn't it?"
I nodded to the girl and smiled, "Yes my name is Chance, I'm in Gryffindor house."
"I'm Bronwyn from Hufflepuff house."
"It's nice to meet you. I had better get to work before Madam Pince comes over here. See ya around." and I was off to my table to get some work done.
The time flew and it was finally lunchtime. I went to the Gryffindor tower and put my books away noticing a letter on my bed. It was from Casey...Ariel must have brought it while I was in class. I grabbed it and made my way down to the Great Hall to get some lunch, when the same girl from the library ran right into me again. Boy this girl must be having a rough day, I thought to myself.
Inclining my head at Bronwyn I smile at her..."I seem to keep running into you today." I knelt down to help her pick up her books and we begin to talk...she asked me where I was from, "I live in Muggle London, and you?"
Bronwyn's smile broadens and she says, "London."
"Really!?!" I exclaim excitedly, while Bronwyn nods at me. "Where abouts in London?"
"Hammersmith, in the wizarding sector...you?"
Fighting the urge to jump up and down I smile at her keeping my composure, "I also live in Hammersmith, but I don't live in the wizarding sector. Probably why we did not know each other till now. Only my Mum is a witch...my Dad's a Muggle but totally cool with all of this. The even cooler thing is my Mum's brother married my Dad's sister and my cousin also has magical abilities...her name is Casey Ross, you might know her? She used to go to school here till last year, when she moved to the US...her parents got new jobs there and she had to go with them...I miss her so much. I did get an owl from her today though." I grinned holding up the letter from Casey. "Well I hate to cut this short but I need to get something to eat and get some things together before DADA this afternoon. It was good to talk to you again though. Maybe we can get together and chat later on if your not to busy?"
Back to Work?
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 05-19-03 15:27
Ever since Harry left on Sunday to return to school, the house seems overly quiet. Not a peaceful, pleasant quiet but a lonely, forlorn quiet. Deciding he'd like at least some semblance of noise and company Sirius heads to The Spinning Horn for lunch. As he walks there and after he's seated, Sirius thinks about returning to a real job. The house has been finished to his satisfaction, the yard still needs some work but it's the type of work that can wait until spring and summer, the tunnel and vault have been completed, and the majority of people have accepted Sirius as being a free, innocent man.
There are a number of jobs to choose from. Sirius can take a regular ministry or tackle one of the missions Dierna has been needing help on, among other things Voldemort, anything Voldemort related, or discovering how Koyla escaped.
By the time his meal is served, Sirius has begun making a mental list to weigh the pros and cons of each job and getting excited at the prospect of working full-time again.
After Lunch
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 05-19-03 15:58
After lunch, Fritz and Coco head to Herbology class, each waving happily to Oreileah, with whom both had briefly spoken while in the Great Hall. Both Ravenclaw first years had told the young Gryffindor about their holiday, leaving no detail out of their adventures.
Fritz had, without a doubt, thoroughly enjoyed his vacation break with Coco's family. They had been an ever-so-interesting lot, and it mattered none that Fritz hadn't understood most of what they had said to him or even to each other. All he knew was that they were a great, happy, friendly bunch and Fritz was very pleased to have been able to meet them.
They pass through the great double doors of the castle and begin ambling down the incline to the greenhouses. The cool January breeze does not go unnoticed by either, but they don't let the chilly weather dampen their spirits. Both are very happy to be back at Hogwarts!
First Day's
Always the Hardest
Author: Saffron
Date: 05-19-03 17:56
Saffron Sacheverell, the new Divinations professor at Hogwarts, takes the last bite of a really excellent chicken salad sandwich then for the umpteenth time since first laying eyes on it surveys her classroom.
Saffron had her first look late last night after she'd arrived at the school. To her dismay the room was a dark, claustrophobic mess with a lingering, headache inducing aroma of a rather stinky brand of incense. Even worse was the fact that the office and living quarters were much the same.
While looking over Professor Trelawney's grade book and lesson plans, one corner of Saffron's mind had been busily thinking of everything in the classroom that needed changing. After writing out her own lesson plans for the week and deciding on what office hours to post, it had been well past midnight and Saffron had retired to her bed where she dreamed of all she needed to accomplish within the next few days.
When Monday morning rolled around, Saffron had stumbled out of bed and upon seeing the time, had hastily dressed so that she could have a little time to gather her thoughts before the first students arrived.. Once there she'd lit the fire, making sure there was nothing in it that burned with a heavy odor, and put a kettle on to boil for tea. Next she'd opened all the curtains and taken the scarves off the lamps. Everything else would have to wait until after that last of her three classes today.
When the first batch of students arrived, all fourth years from two of the four Hogwarts houses, they'd been a little surprised to find a substitute waiting for them. After everyone had arrived and Saffron had taken the roll to familiarize herself with the faces that went with the names she's stored into her memory last night, she'd explained the turn of events.
"I am Saffron Sacheverell. Professor Trelawney has taken a sabbatical. Over the winter break she had a vision from her inner eye showing her high in the Himalayan Mountains in Tibet under the tutelage of a spiritual swami. She packed up and left the second her vision was over. Now, I know it won't gain me any points in your favor but take out a piece of parchment and a quill for a pop quiz. I need to assess your knowledge of Divination thus far."
There had been groans but after the quiz was over and the students learned the quizzes would not count as anything but a participation grade, they all stopped frowning at her. There wasn't much time left in the hour so Saffron after had given them a reading assignment about the Tarot she'd asked for input on what the students liked or didn't like about the classroom.
Her next two classes had been almost identical to the first, the only difference between the level of knowledge she expected the fifth and seventh years to have over the fourth years. When the last of the fifth years had left at eleven, Saffron had read over the quizzes for all three classes then had ordered soup and a sandwich from the kitchen.
Dusting crumbs off her robe, Saffron begins making real changes to the classroom. The first thing she does is gets rid of a number of the tables. There had been around twenty in the room and since each seats no less than four, it seems as if Professor Trelawney was forever expecting to have no less than eighty students in her room at a time. More really when one counts the sofas and extra chairs haphazardly crammed around the room.
The second thing Saffron does is to make the remaining tables a better height for use when one is seated in one of the cushy, chintz chairs Professor Trelawney preferred over regular chairs. After that came getting rid of all the flounces and poufs and playing around with the curtains until finally deciding they simply needed to go.
In the time remaining before supper, Saffron began tackling the biggest of the jobs - making some sense of what's on the shelves and organizing everything. It's a real wonder that this Professor Trelawney person managed to get a single thing done much less actually teach!
Durmstrang
Institute: First Lesson
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 05-19-03 20:42
"I trust you have not forgotten all you learned over the holidays," Michael began, entering the dark potions classroom. "Two weeks can be a dreadful strain on the memory." Michael continued to pace. "I think I shall test your memories. Everyone, take out your cauldrons. You," he pointed to a student near the back. "Come here." She did, looking confident. Michael handed her a goblet full of some substance. "Drink it." She did, then doubled upon the floor. Michael glanced at her briefly. "Get up, sit down." She did, somehow, looking rather ill. "This student has been poisoned. Concoct the solution by the end of class."
Frantically the students began preparing various serums to cure their classmate. Some asked questions to determine just what poison had been used. The girl wasn't at risk of death, of course, just nauseated. Michael has left out the deadly ingredient from the potion, but neglected to tell the students this. He also had the counter-poison on hand, in case the students proved disappointing.
Several pairs came up with the correct potion. At the end of class, with the student restored Michael addressed the class. "Let this be a lesson to you all, NEVER ingest an unknown substance - EVER. It may be the last thing you ever do. Class dismissed."
