Thursday Morning
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 05-25-03 10:03
Harry, Hermione and Ron slid into their seats in the Ancient Runes classroom, glancing around the room to exchange good mornings and hellos to some of their classmates. Most everyone in the room had a full slate of classes today and another full day tomorrow, and while for some the return back to work seemed unwanted, the majority were quite happy to be back at Hogwarts, even if it meant having to go to class and suffer through boring lectures, homework and exams.
Hermione, for one, was very eager to get on with things. She had had class with Hagrid on Tuesday and Muggle Studies with the new Professor Spencer yesterday, but neither class had thus far stimulated her mind in any manner. With a Runes book open on the surface before her and quill poised over clean parchment, Hermione smiled warmly at Majandra and then over to the Ravenclaw side of the classroom where Gabriel sat.
By the time Professor Sorcha had begun today's lecture, Hermione's hand was moving furiously across the page as she scribbled down notes and diagrams regarding various runic symbols.
A Visit and
an Invitation
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 05-25-03 20:37
My holidays are fast closing and next week I'll be back at the ministry of madness. I think again that I'll be needing a partner while Michael is in Durmstrang. It will be strange not having Michael's calming influence. But for now, I am going to visit Nevyyn and ask him to tea - an invitation I should have extended long ago.
The chimes on the door rings as I step into Notions and Potions. Currently, the shoppe is quiet. From the backroom the Toms are playing and replaying some favorite Captain Electron tune. Nevyyn, who is sorting though some box or other, turns and smiles to see me.
"An tranhnona maith," I say, approaching the counter. "I came to thank you for your gift. It made me smile, and I never refuse luck when it comes my way. I also came to ask you to tea, if you are not too busy, and some traditional Irish hospitality."
Whoa!
Author: Majandra
Date: 05-25-03 21:33
Glad to be done with class until late this afternoon, Majandra exits the greenhouse with the thought of going back to bed. She quickly changes her mind when Majandra overhears Hermione suggesting that they all head to the library to study for the test Professor Snape will surely spring on them tomorrow.
A short while later, Majandra and some of the others are seated in the library, open Potions textbooks and parchments full of notes spread out before them. Within minutes of arriving, Hermione has everyone taking turns asking potential quiz questions.
As Majandra searches her memory for the answer to the current question a strange feeling comes over her. Much to everyone's surprise, Majandra suddenly stands up and walks stiffly over to Neville. Just as stiffly she bends to bestow a kiss then jerkily walks back to her own seat and sits down with an undecorous plop.
Everyone at the table and a few at nearby tables stare at Majandra in shock. Neville looks too startled for words but the most perplexed is Majandra herself.
No one sees her brother Pyrrhus with a small group of friends stifling giggles as they emerge from behind a bookcase and quickly leave the libary.
Redecorating
Author: Saffron
Date: 05-25-03 22:03
After the last of the third year Hufflepuffs and Slytherins trickled down the new staircase Dobby and some of the other House Elves had cobbled together Tuesday night, Saffron fetched the curtains she had stayed up late last night to sew. Winky had been nice enough to stay up and help, ensuring the new drapes would be ready to hang today. Saffron knows she could have sped things up a little by using an enchanted needle but Saffron has always enjoyed doing her own sewing, needlework, and embroidery.
The material for the curtains, curtain rods to replace the existing one, and numerous items for the classroom, office, and Saffron's living quarters had been purchased on shopping sprees with Dobby and Winky. Additional items had been ordered from a variety of catalogues the House Elves had provided. Saffron knew it would take awhile but in time, the set of rooms would be a much brighter, more inviting. Places Saffron would actually want to be. Plus, the classroom would become a place the students might like coming to and working in.
Saffron stands on a stool to take down the old, thick, heavy, overly ornate and dark curtains and the equally ornate rods. After making sure of the proper placement for the brackets that go with the new curtain rods, Saffron hangs all the new drapes of a light and airy aqua color. When the last one is up and its tie back is in place to allow light in, Saffron steps back to admire her handy work. The aqua of the drapes looks very good against the pale coral of the walls. Wall that Dobby and his companions had painted while Saffron and Winky sewed the curtains.
Thinking once more about how helpful the House Elves have been, Winky and Dobby in particular, Saffron takes a break from her work and sits down with some of the catagolues in hopes of finding appropriate thank you gifts for them all.
Planning and
Potions
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 05-26-03 05:40
Getting ready for Potions class I kept the spell Professor Logan gave me over Christmas in mind for when I saw "HER" again. As I entered the dungeons I took a deep breath and fingered my wand under my robes apprehensive about what will happen next.
I saw the small group of Slytherins standing there and saw Mary. Taking a deep breath I shook my head. "No, later, not before class. Snape would kill me or worse, expel me," I thought and walked past Mary and the others hearing their snickers. I felt the blood pound in my ears and counted to ten. "Aw, what's the matter Gryffindork, can't tie your shoes?" one of the Slytherins said and the group broke into laughter as the class began to enter the room and took their seats.
"Soon," I thought, "very soon I'll get her."
A "QUIET" Thursday
Morning
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 05-26-03 14:28
I must have taken leave of my senses, giving my Toms all those music cubes for Christmas. The din from the store-room is deafening, even out here in the Shop. I walk to the doorway and stand with hands on hips as I bellow, "D' YOU LADS THINK YOU MIGHT TURN DOWN THE VOLUME JUST A BIT?" They freeze in mid step. The only movement in the room is the dust motes stirred by their vigorous sweeping and lively jigging. One of them snaps his fingers and the volume drops to a tolerable level. "I thank you. The vibrations were shakin' the merchandise from the shelves!" They look a bit chagrinned, but not too much, and are soon back to their sweeping and dancing. I return to my task! A large crate of potion ingredients has finally arrived, and I am busily sorting through the straw packing, checking the invoice against the contents. The door chime jingles its merry tune and Dierna steps in with a bright Gaelic greeting and a thanks for the small Christmas gift I had sent. "Tá mé go maith!" I respond, "I am doing quite well! And, I am never too busy to be visiting with a lovely lass." I pile the straw back into the crate and dust off my hands.
"Tom!" I shout over the music from the back. Three grinning faces appear in the doorway. "Would one of you lads be so kind as to come out front and mind the store for a bit? I'm going off with Miss Dierna. Shouldn't be too long."
Thinking and
More Thinking
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 05-26-03 14:48
It was early afternoon when Bill apparated to Diagon Alley. He had left the goblin Clipchin in charge of managing the Hogsmeade branch of Gringotts while he took care of some urgent business with the Ministry of Magic. It was urgent business of a personal kind––Adriana Farchild was still missing, and no clues whatsoever pointed in any helpful direction to find her.
After a search of her quarters in Hogwarts and another thorough combing through her belongings after their arrival to Bill's home a few days ago, it rapidly became apparent that the hunt to find Adriana would not be an easy one. Bill had often thought back to New Year's Eve, trying to remember every excruciating detail. It didn't help that he hadn't been present when she vanished from sight; he had been too preoccupied with Charlie at the time.
One concrete fact stood out alone among a whirlwind of frantic and agonizing thoughts: Adriana had followed Helena.
Many seemed to think that wherever Helena was, Adriana might be. This logic appeared sensible because like Adriana, Helena hadn't bee seen since that night. Two women were missing, both last seen at virtually the same time, with one following the other. It was generally and quite sorrowfully agreed that since neither woman had been heard from in well over a week, that something terrible must have befallen them.
Search parties had been sent out, and even Bill himself had scouted the area around the Burrow for any clues as to where Adriana and Helena may have gone or what may have happened to them. As much as Bill didn't want to think about it, he couldn't help but believe that Voldemort played a vital role in Adriana's disappearance. He thought back to that day when Adriana had told him everything––her deep, dark secrets. She had said that Voldemort had often spoken to her telepathically, that she and Voldemort had some kind of bond.
It sickened Bill to think that she was with him now, perhaps serving as his minion to carry out his every evil whim, or perhaps far worse––maybe she was under torture in a prison cell for refusing to join Voldemort...or dead. If Helena had also fallen into Voldemort's radar, she of seemingly no use to the Dark Lord would very likely be deceased. Bill briefly wondered how that would affect Charlie, were it to be true.
He shook his head and allowed his feet to carry him to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, where he wanted to see his brothers, but with Fred still out of town with Blossom, George was running shop alone. Through the window, Bill spotted the twin stooping over the front counter with his elbows propped on the flat surface and his head cupped in his hands.
"Hey, George," Bill said, after the door chimed signalling his entry.
George looked up and smiled. "Hey, Bill. What brings you to Diagon Alley?"
"Going to see Dad. Fred still gone?"
"Yeah," George acknowledged. "Any word from––"
"None. Heard anything?" Bill asked, "anything at all?"
"No," George said, "I'm sorry, Bill."
Bill sighed deeply and rubbed his face with his hands. He had promised Adriana that he wouldn't tell anyone anything she had told him, not even his family, but he longed to spill his thoughts to somebody...
And then it hit him. "Briar!" he exclaimed thoughtfully, and his eyes lit up as if he had just solved a puzzle. She was one of few who knew the truth about Adriana. In fact, Briar's own history resembled Adriana's so closely that it only seemed right that Bill talk to her. Maybe her safety was in jeopardy too...
"What about her?" George asked.
"Hmm?" Bill said, confused for a moment. "Oh! Sorry, I just remembered I meant to meet her later today, and now I better go off and see Dad to see if he's heard anything about Adriana and Helena. Bye, George!"
"Bye, Bill!"
Bill gave a friendly wave and stepped back out into the cold, wrapping his scarf more tightly around his neck as he strolled towards The Leaky Cauldron. He figured if he didn't have time to speak with Briar tonight, he could always do it tomorrow, but at any rate, it needed to be done. Maybe she could help him find Adriana.
Classes and
Things
Author: Annabella Mayberry
Date: 05-26-03 20:25
Annabella sat a row behind Harry, Ron and Hermione in her first class of the morning, Ancient Runes with Professor Sorcha. She tried to pay attention as much as she could but on vacation she had slept late and now had to once again readjust to her early mornings. Regardless, Anna was glad to be back at Hogwarts and happy to be around her friends once again.
Anna glanced at Gabe sitting at the opposite side of the classroom and wondered what he was thinking. She didn't have a chance to speak to him before but hoped that after this class they would have a chance to talk and she hoped to ask him if anything was wrong. It was true that Gabe sometimes had that melancholy look about him but this was somehow different.
After a few more notes, the class was over. Annabella briefly wondered what she would do for an hour since Herbology didn't start until 10 at it was about 9 at the moment. One look around the room told her that Gabe had already left and she wasn't sure if he had a class after this or not. Deciding that the library would be the best place to spend her hour before class, she made her way there and found an empty table. Taking out her Ancient Runes notes she gave them a look over before deciding that she would rather read another book. She left her things on the table and scanned the titles of the books trying to find something that would keep her attention in between classes.
After catching some light reading, she made her way to the Greenhouse for her Herbology class. She had no problem keeping her mind on the class, as it was quite an interesting lecture that was given.
Around noon, Anna decided to get something to eat and hoped to meet some of her friends in the Great Hall.
Malice
Author: Mary
Date: 05-26-03 21:04
Mary smiled maliciously as Crispin quipped, "Whats the matter Gryffindork? Can't tie your shoes?" at the little squirt as she passed by on her way to potions. Mary could tell they were getting to her, but she was sure she wasn't going to try anything. Especially in front of Snape. She'd lose dozens of house points for that.
In potions Mary caught the small Gryffindor looking at her and fingering her wand. "You know," Mary said, "I almost forgot you existed." She turned back to the potion she and Crispin were working on, but she could still see the girl's face turning red from the corner of her eye. She thought she saw her mutter something back under her breath, but she couldn't be sure what it was.
Just let her try something, Mary thought, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve...
Mary and Crispin recieved top marks on their potion that day, and Snape even made an example of them to the class. That seemed to put the pipsqueak in an even fouler mood, so Mary delighted in what she thought of next. She waited just outside the door of the classroom and held her foot out. As expected, the Gryffindor (whose name Mary still didn't know) tripped and splattered on the stone floor. The girl scrambled to her feet and pulled out her wand, pointing it with an unsteady hand at Mary. She was trembling with rage and Mary, completely cool, raised her eyebrows in mild surprise.
"So she's finally going to stick up for herself, huh? Come on, loser, let's see what you've got."
Mary held out her arms invitingly. Annie Paul, furious, opened her mouth to speak.
Irish Hospitality
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 05-26-03 21:17
"Ta failte romat ar mo teach,*" I say, opening the door and ushering my guest inside to the kitchen. The WWN, set as usual to the Irish channel I like, is playing "The Rights of Man," my favourite hornpipe. Of course, in my opinion, ALL hornpipes are terrific by definition - this one is especially so.
Once seated at the dinning room table, Blinkey comes out with our "light" and "small" tea - enough to serve all of Temhair's nobility at the Great Feast. I wonder if she does the same for Michael - I expect so.
"And how are you, yourself, young lady?" he asks me, helping himself to some baking.
"Go brea! I am just finishing a month's of holidays, which I needed." I pause for a moment. "You know, I can't honestly remember when I last had real holidays! Last Christmas I was fighting those abominations in Azkaban - that's what earned my promotion to chief auror - and before that I was supposed to be off to enjoy the Ireland-Bulgaria World cup match, but gods know all hell broke loose then! Next week I'm back to work, and as well as my load, which is heavy enough, I have to cover for Michael. He's away on assignment for an indefinite period of time. I'm going to miss having him around. I think he's the only person who kept me sane!"
Nevvyn knows not to enquire too far into Michael's mission, having worked for the ministry himself for a bit. After some camaraderie and filling up on tea and cakes (And other assorted goodies as well), Nevynn says he has to make sure the Toms haven't brought the store down with their blaring music in his absence. I smile and thank Nevvyn for his company and promise to visit him when I can.
* = welcome to my house
Returning
on a Friday
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 05-27-03 11:51
Just in time for the weekend, Electron thought with some satisfaction as he stepped out of his Hogsmeade fireplace and dumped his bag on the floor. Not that he was actually doing anything from Monday to Friday right now. A well-deserved break - and he got to choose exactly how long his Christmas holiday lasted!
He opened his owl-cage and Hendrix flew out and immediately settled down on the back of Electron's armchair. Before leaving for Dublin, Electron had had to use the most powerful clean-up spell he knew to remove the "traces" of Hendrix from the back of that armchair. Now he was thinking he might buy a new one and let the owl use that as his perch. He also should go shopping, since the kitchen was bare - again.
Well, time enough for that tomorrow. Electron and the gang had had a very large lunch in a little Tex-Mex restaurant just beside Trinity College, hiding in the shadows, chatting under cover of the loud pop music in the adjoining pub. He wasn't at all hungry, and since someone had secreted half a burger and some chips in her bag, neither was Hendrix.
Lunch Date
Author: H Potter
Date: 05-27-03 18:50
Harry enters the Great Hall, his eyes scanning the Gryffindor table the second he steps over the threshold. He's fairly oblivious to Hermione, Ron, and several other of his housemates following closely behind, his thoughts on one person. Ginny.
This morning as he was sprinting out of the hall from breakfast on his way to Potions, Harry had stopped long enough to arrange to meet with Ginny for lunch. Harry then had run hard to make it to Potions before class started. He'd skidded into the room then dove for his seat mere seconds before Snape breezed into class announcing a quiz. Harry had just enough time to shoot Hermione a look of thanks before Snape read off the first question.
For once, Charms hadn't been much better than Potions. Neville couldn't seem to get the stress in the right place and ended up causing havoc for everyone sitting near him. When Charms ended, Harry couldn't have been more relieved if he'd tried.
Harry hones in on Ginny's hand waving at him. He quickly closes the distance and plops down beside her, his bookbag making a loud thud on the floor. Harry grins at Ginny, taking one hand and giving it a squeeze before turning to spoon soup into both their bowls.
Calm in the
Midst of a Storm
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 05-28-03 17:34
"Honestly, Briar, I don't see what the bloody problem is! I went through a devilishly slow process of dealing with the Ministry obtaining legal ownership. Given that the former owners died defending You-Know-Who meant the paperwork took hell of a long time to push through. When I gave you the deed at Christmas you seemed happy enough and we spent a couple of cozy days looking over the list of what needs to be done to make the property liveable again. Now you want to put everything on hold? You've been dragging your feet again with the wedding plans and now you want to indefinitely put off having repairs made to the house we're going to live in after we're married?"
Briar stands patiently waiting for Julian to end his tirade with a few very colorful words. Ever since Chyler's death such a short time ago, Julian has been snappish and quick to anger over every little thing. The only person Julian maintains his calm with is Lysander.
Julian lets out an angry sigh then folds his arms, glaring at Briar.
Sounding as unruffled as she looks, Briar meets Julian's gaze. "You know that's not what I said, Julian. I didn't even imply it. I asked you what with all that's happened if you would prefer to not have to worry with it for a while. As far as the wedding goes, most of the planning's been done. Also, not only has there been nothing to do regarding it the past two weeks but since New Year's Eve, talking about our upcoming wedding, something that should be a happy event, simply hasn't seemed the right thing to do around you."
Julian opens his mouth to speak but Briar quickly cuts him off. That's not a criticism against you so don't try to make it one. You are deeply grieving for Chyler and the baby. You are trying to be as supportive as you can to Lysander who is grieving even more deeply than you. Do you really think, Julian, that I would be so callous as to talk excitedly to you about the wedding? And when I brought up the house I simply meant that if you aren't up to meeting with the contractor to go over the renovations, I'd go alone."
Some of the tension eases from Julian's taut frame. The strain around his eyes lingers and the pain of his loss is still etched in his features and Briar knows this will likely be the case for weeks to come. She gives Julian a small smile, turns to put the last of the just washed lunch dishes away, then moves to give him a peck on the cheek. Briar picks up her coat and scarf, donning them even as a frown returns to Julian's expressive mouth.
"You don't have to leave just yet do you?"
Her hand on the doorknob, Briar replies, "I don't need to be back to the bakery just yet but Bill needs to talk to me. I've already delayed it a couple of times already to spend the time with you. Whatever he wants to speak to me about is apparently very important. Has something to do with Adriana's disappearance."
Briar walks onto the outside landing to Julian's flat, pulling the door behind her while calling out, "I'll be back over with supper for Lysander and you. Sevenish."
Briar walks down the steps and hurries off to Gringotts to meet with Bill while inside Julian's anger erupts again at the thought of Briar cutting time short with him to go spend it with the Weasel.
Smiling Irish
Eyes
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 05-28-03 18:21
Dierna and I had a fine visit, but I must admit that I overdid it by more than a bit when it came to eating those fresh scones with the clotted cream and current jam. I know full well that Blinky brought out two plates of twelve, and I am thinking that Dierna ate only five or six. Her house is a cozy little bungalow with a small garden of herbs and flowers, all surrounded by a low hedge. All as comfortable on the outside as it was on the inside.
She talked of her heavy workload, made greater by the reassignment of Michael. I will have to remember to bring her some of my own "Pepper-Upper" potion. Similar to the one used by Madam Pomfrey, but considerably stronger. She is a sweet girl, but I fear she is working too hard. Were I a bit younger, I might even volunteer to assist her. Well, perhaps my potions will do the trick.
When I returned to the shop, all three Toms were busily unpacking the large crate and storing the contents in their proper places. They were such good helpers that, after we closed for the evening, I took them all down to the Three Broomsticks for a treat. I let them have anything they wanted, except the Butterbeer. It affects them in the same way that it does the House Elves, and I didn't think we needed a trio of rowdies for the evening.
Who Do You
Voodoo?
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 05-27-03 21:10
A few minutes after rolling out of bed and dressing, Pyrrhus entered the common room in time to see Isolde walking out. He rushed to her side and offered Isolde his arm. The couple strolled to the Great Hall, the closer the got the hungrier they became as wonderful aromas wafted down the hallway.
The two sat down side by side at the Slytherin table, exchanging malicious grins when both catch sight of Majandra. Over the Christmas break, Pyrrhus had bought two voodoo dolls, one that he sent to Alexis and one that he kept for himself. After returning to Hogwarts this past Sunday and hearing how much fun Alexis had had using hers to torment Mary, Py had gotten a devilish gleam in his eyes. He'd immediately owled off for another doll. It arrived just a couple of days later and before long Py was ready to use the two dolls.
Pyrrhus still doesn't know how any of them were able to maintain any semblance of composure when hidden behind one library bookcase he had the Majandra doll walk over to the Neville doll and give it a kiss. Once the very small group had safely exited the library, they'd set off at a hard run until none could stand it any longer and one by one they stopped, breaking out into fits of laughter.
Since then, Py and Isolde have been thinking of what to do next with the dolls and, more importantly, to whom.
The Storm
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 05-28-03 22:33
When Briar arrived back at Julian's flat that evening, she found broken glass and pottery scattered all over the floor around the back door and a terse note tacked by a sharp knife to the door frame.
Julian had let his anger get the best of him. He'd ended up hurling anything breakable at the back door while pretending each piece was Bill the Weasel's head. Once he'd run out of things within easy reach, Julian had snatched a piece of parchment from a drawer and hastily scribbled a note telling Briar exactly what she could do with her meal. Jules had left it where she would be sure to find it.
After that he'd apparated to a Tuscan villa owned by his family where he spent the rest of the evening drinking one glass after another of wine, grieving for Chyler, and thinking about what he could do to speed things along with Briar. The sooner she's back in Lord Voldemort's family of followers, the better.
End of Another
Friday
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 05-28-03 22:41
The week was long and arduous. The whole day was for sleeping. That seemed to be what Sorcha did in her spare time, sleep. She could remember a time, not that long ago, that that wasn't the case. It is just the way things are now.
Sorcha woke up around dinnertime, and looked over at Ailsa. Ailsa looked at her, which seemed to convey the message, "Eat."
"So, you want me to go eat something, huh?" Sorcha asked Ailsa, who responded with a small bird-like nod of the head, "To eat or not to eat. That is the question now isn't it? I haven't ever been like this have I?" Sorcha asked without looking for a response before continuing, "The only time I ever remembered having trouble with wanting to eat was after my parents died and I felt like a part of me was ripped out."
With a flutter of feathers and a shifting a feet, Ailsa caught Sorcha's attention.
"Alright, alright, I'm going, I'm going." With that, Sorcha rose from her bed and made her way slowly towards the Great Hall.
