A Visit to
the Past
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 11-22-03 00:08
Sorcha stood looking down the mouth of a cave. The entrance was partly blocked by an old cave-in. All of the rocks weren't removed after the cave-in, and they probably never would be. Sorcha had almost died here, but she was the lucky one. Two other people didn't make it out in time, two people very close to Sorcha. She had watched as the rocks feel, covering them up.
She wasn't there when the rocks were removed, in order to find the bodies. All she had been told was that they had been found and they didn't make it. She hadn't been back here since that accident. No one would take her when she was to young to go alone, and she never really had time before.
A scratch in the dirt next to Sorcha reminded her that Ailsa was still there. Ailsa was looking between Sorcha and the cave. She didn't want to go into the cave if Sorcha was going to.
"Ailsa, I'm not going to go into the cave. I want to be alone for a bit, so go have fun," Sorcha said. Ailsa looked and tilted her head, but flew off. Sorcha now stood alone. She turned and looked over the field that lay a short distance below her. The large green expanse with hills around all sides was beautiful.
There were very few trees in obscure the view, and all the details were visible. Sorcha could see cars driving along the roads, and people moving about. She could see why people would call Ireland magical, it truly was.
Sorcha turned once again to the cave mouth. She walked over and sat down on a bolder that was lying on the ground a short distance to the cave.
"Mom, Dad, I know I haven't been able to make it here before. I'm sorry. I know that you've been with me the whole time, in spirit. But, I want to apologize for not living up to your expectations of me. I'm still trying."
A Few Thoughts
Author: Ariana Maison
Date: 11-22-03 09:23
Ariana sat on the edge of her bed staring at the wall. She'd just gotten home a little bit ago from seeing Jeron home. Though she'd be going back to her friends at school the following day, none were like her cousin.
Of course, this year, She thought. I've got prefect duties...and hopefully quidditch.
Smiling she lay back on her bed and thought about it. This year shouldn't be too bad. Despite having to make herself behave a bit more, she kinda liked the idea of being a prefect.
Besides, the shiny badge looks really good on me. Giggling, her thoughts were interrupted.
"Ari!" Her dad's voice floated up the stairs. "Come here for a moment, please."
Ariana jumped up and raced down the stairs. "Yessum?"
Ariana's dad laughed. "We just wanted to make sure you're okay. You seemed a little upset earlier."
Sitting on her father's lap, the girl smiled at her parents. "Don't worry Daddy n Mum...I'm fine!"
"Ah...our little girl is growing up." Ariana's mother blinked back tears.
Ariana rolled her eyes. "Chill parentals." Then the girl grinned and raced back up the stairs, calling; "G'night, love you guys!"
Sigil Magic
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 11-22-03 09:24
Sidi rolled over and tickled Adams ear. He was still fast asleep. She did it again. He exhaled. His hand fluttered by his ear. She continued to tease him. Finally his eyes opened and a smile crept across his face. "Hey gypsy." he said groggily rolling over and pulling her to him, kissing her. "How 'bout some hot muggle love." She giggled.
They finished, dressed and went downstairs to breakfast. Adam was enjoying his bacon, eggs, toast and coffee while reading The Daily Prophet. He looked up.
"What the hell is that?"
"What does it look like?" Was Sidi's response.
"A stick. Why are you waving a stick at me?"
"It's not a stick. It's a wand."
"You must have gone to Walmart and not Ollivanders."
Sidi was shocked. "You know of Ollivanders?!"
"Ollivander's - Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC." Adam recited. "I'm not stupid." He wasn't going to show her the advertisement on the page of the The Daily Prophet he was reading.
"It doesn't matter where I got it, for now it's a wand ok?"
Adam shook his head. "Ok." He took a bit of toast and eggs then washed it down with black coffee.
"Why do you have a Walmart wand?" He put down The Daily Prophet knowing full well there was some kind of lecture or lesson coming.
And so it did. Sidi started. ÒWhat would you do if you saw someone coming at you with a wand?Ó
"Run?"
"What good would running do if someone had a wand?" She countered.
"Um. Nothing. But I'm not a Wizard I suppose I would be killed or something."
"Well, let's just say you did have magic. What would you do?"
"I'd make my breakfast warm again."
"Adam!"
"Sidi!! I don't want to do this."
"What would you do?" Adam frowned. If he didn't play it wouldnÕt end. He sighed. "I'd make a big bubble to protect me." He smiled and pulled her to him. "And my loved ones."
"Oh that's good!" she praised him. "I want you to do something for me."
"Oh no." He muttered "What now?"
"Anytime you see me with the wand. I want you to say what you just said about a protection bubble. But say the word wand first."
Embarrassed, Adam laughed. "Why? That's stupid."
"Please? Just do it?" she begged.
"What's in it for me?"
She put her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear.
His eyes grew wide and he fidgeted in his seat. His grin showed his approval. "Really? YouÕll do that?"
She nodded.
"Wand. I'll make a big bubble to protect us." He said quickly. "You'd better keep your promise!" He added.
"I will if you will." She smiled.
"Oh, you know I will." Adam licked his lips.
Sidi laughed. "Men!"
All day long and for some time to come Sidi would keep the joke wand with her. Every time she saw Adam she would lift the wand. Every time she lifted the wand he would respond with the appropriate response. If he forgot a word she would remind him and make him do it over. True to his word and to his hormones Adam made the effort and was rewarded for it.
The magic lessons had begun.
Turin Estate:
Getting Ready to Leave
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 11-22-03 18:03
Michael had just finished the last of his packing when Blinkey appears.
"And want is that, Blinkey?" Michael asks, indicating the mini-suitcase the elf is carrying.
"Blinkey go with master!"
Michael has to smile. "And who will look after this place and my flat when I'm gone?" he asks. "I'll only be back here on holidays."
"Blinkey come back on weekends to keep house clean. Blinkey go with Master to Hogwarts! Master no say Hogwarts bad place for Blinkey! Hogwarts very good place!"
Michael shakes his head. "Why do I have a feeling you are not taking "no" for an answer?"
"Because Blinkey not take no! Blinkey stay with master!"
"All right, Blinkey. Come along."
Michael exited the house with his boxes, followed by Blinkey, and the two dissaparate to Hogsmeade.
Tea With Nevvyn
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 11-22-03 22:25
Adam and Sidi were enjoying a quiet moment in each other's arms on the sofa in front of the fireplace in the shop.
"You did not!!!" Adam's jaw dropped.
"I did. Remember a while back when I went shopping in the village?"
"You lie!"
"No! I swear Adam. It was Captain Electron."
"Shut Up! And you never told me?? What, you just stood on Nevvyn's porch and he walked past you??"
"Oh goodness!" Sidi jumped up happy for an excuse not to tell him that she had seen his favorite rock star because she was oogling Professor Dumbledore.
"I need to make the post-office before it closes! She started to laugh. Your medicine comes by owl now! I have it delivered there so it's not lost."
Adam got up. "Speaking of Nevvyns. We never got the list filled. Perhaps I should go with you???" He said but knew he had to mind the shoppe.
Sidi cleaned up, dressed and was on her way. She stopped at the Post-office to claim the packages of Adam's numerous medications then happily found Nevvyn's shoppe open. The bell jingled as she entered.
I'm Looking
for Voldemort
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 11-22-03 22:36
Adam looked down the street again to the Hogsmeade Library. Ten steps. No one was out and about and a library really! No one causes trouble in the library.
I bet they're not even allowed to bring wands in there. He tried convincing himself. All the customers in the shop have been really nice. Perhaps this is a nice community. I could run down. Grab a few books on Voldemort and his Death Eaters, run back. I could hide them in the wagon out back and read them at night. Sidi wouldn't know I left and Bob's yer Uncle. Yes, that's the ticket! Adam slowly traveled down the walk and inhaler in hand opened the door to the Hogsmeade Library.
He looked around for the computer but couldn't find one. He went to what looked like a huge card catalogue and opened the drawer pretending he knew how to use it. Looking in the "Vs" he pulled out a card.
"Vanshing Spells : invisible section 445. Well, how do I find an invisible section?" He tried a new card. "Veela" he read. "Over there. Over there? What the hell does that mean? This is insanity." He grew increasingly frustrated and decided to ask for assistance.
He slowly walked to the desk, stopped and took a hit of the inhaler.
"Excuse me. Will you help me? I need to find Voldemort but it's impossible to...." He said gesturing to the card catalogue.
The older Librarian recoiled in horror at the name of He-who-must-not-be-named.
"...figure out how to use that." Adam's voice trailed as the staff became animated.
Two young female library volunteers let out loud gasps.
"We do not speak that name here young man!" The older witch hissed.
"I just need books on Voldemo..." He stopped himself from saying the rest of the name. "A biography perhaps?"
The young witches started backing away. One started crying.
Adam suddenly realized that he was in trouble and tried to change the topic. "No, not Volde..."
"How could any decent wizard consider to bring such filth into his home. Why would a man contaminate his mind with the mere viewing of the most vile name in our world..... Why?"
"Uh, Death Eaters? What about Death Eaters? I'll take that instead."
A group started to hover. "He's asking for the Dark Lord." A tall Wizard said aghast. "Ee's wantin' ta learn about Death Eaters!! Screamed a dumpy blond witch with too much make-up. "'Ee wants to BE one!!"
Adam's chest got tight. "No! I just, I..." He started to back away.
The tall Wizard whipped out his wand. "You're sain' 'is name!"
Adam threw himself to his knees on the floor and covered his head with his arms. He was paralyzed with fear at the sight of the wand. "Wand" his subconscious took over. "I'll make a bubble to protect me."
Witches and Wizards spung up from all over the library. All of them wielding their wands. A plethora of Spells filled the air; Evanesco!! Stupefy!! Impedimenta!! Protego!! Mobilicorpus!! Petrificus Totalus!!
Adam crawled into a corner continuing to cower, seriously struggling for air.
"You're one of 'is!!" The librarian cried out and started to run. The women, children and a few of the men in the library started to scream and run as well. All of them positive they were about to be converged upon by Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself. Panicked people poured out of the library and onto the street.
Sidi Stops
In
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 11-23-03 09:25
I am about to drowse off, contemplating the dust motes dancing in the sunbeams. I have been trying to read another of the books from James' extensive collection. Howsoever, my mind is tending to wander today. The Shoppe has been made ready for the influx of students, as school will begin again in a few days. The shelves are full and I have a goodly supply of herbs and botanicals laid up in the stillroom. My potions cabinets are fully restocked, and there is nothing to do but wait. The Toms are out back, somewhere, on some sort of adventure, and I am alone for the day.
The jingle of the door chimes brings me abruptly back to reality. A young woman enters the Shoppe and approaches the counter. I do the same from the opposite side, greeting her with a cheery, "Good day, Miss...." I let the words trail off, not knowing the young lady's name.
"...Ross!" she supplies with a sweet smile. "I am Sidi... Sidi Ross, from the new store down the street. 'Pots & Pages' it's called. We sell books and gifts, and we have a variety of coffees to drink. Oh! Do you like coffee? We have some very nice ones... flavored... or plain, if you like. And we have books... lots and lots of books... on almost any subject..." She stops and begins to blush a bit. "Please excuse me, but I do tend to run on, sometimes."
I chuckle at her 'confession', as I suffer from the same malady. "Well then, I am pleased to meet you, Miss Ross. I am Nevvyn, proprietor of this small shoppe. And what may I do for you today? Are you looking for something specific or just browsing?"
"Well," she begins. "I do need to purchase a supply of certain herbs which I use in my work."
"I was just about to brew up a pot of tea," I tell her. "Would you care to join me? We can sit and discuss your needs in comfort." I lead he to the hearth and comfortable chairs, then tap the kettle with my wand and say, "Calientus". Within a few seconds, it is whistling merrily. "What would you prefer?" I ask. "I have Darjeeling and Assam from India, Lapsong Soochong and Oolong from China, Earl Gray, and a variety of herbal teas."
Preparation
is Everything!
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 11-23-03 10:30
It had taken Bellatrix weeks of watching and careful planning to put her master's orders into effect. She had struggled with the idea of waiting and the preparation. It was part of her nature just to lash out and deal with the consequences later – usually ending in another's death.
Instead, she had kept Voldemort's words closely to mind. "You are restless, and strike blindly out of boredom. So far you have not been caught, but one day you might. Yes, this was a good strike - but a lucky one. You must not get careless." Those words had been burned into her mind and she was determined not to fail. To be truthful, the strike on the Granger's had been lucky, very lucky. But now she was ready to strike at the heart of the Wizarding World. Let them see that Voldemort's Death Eaters were not to be trifled with.
So, a few weeks had gone by and she had spent much time standing in the shadows of a dingy street outside the Ministry of Magic, watching and waiting for unsuspecting wizards to come and go. She was waiting for the right person – specifically, a person who visited the Ministry on a regular basis, but not one who might be a regular visitor. This was what had taken so long to accomplish. She had marked her wizard last week, a plain woman with a pinched expression of disapproval, one who blended perfectly into the background and probably wouldn't be noticed. What she did inside the Ministry, Bellatrix had no idea, but she wasn't about to enter and find out.
As if on queue the witch arrived, and Bellatrix pulled out her wand, muttering a whispered "Imperio" in her direction. Once she was sure the witch was under her control, she beckoned to the woman, pulling back further into the shadows so nobody would see them. The witch followed her, wearing a puzzled expression, but showed no sign of recognizing Bellatrix, even though her face must be on many wanted posters at this point. Bellatrix took a mental deep breath and began telling the woman what she wanted. "You will proceed down to the ninth level of the ministry. Once there you will enter the Department of Mysteries and take the prophecy relating to Harry Potter. Bring it back to me at this location." Bellatrix held out a small map showing a house clearly marked on the edge of a forest. "Now go."
As the woman nodded and then walked up to the telephone booth, Bellatrix allowed herself a small smile. She would wait for the woman in the cottage, expecting her in a few hours. She decided it was time to leave, as too many people where starting to arrive outside the building. With a final check to make sure the woman was inside, Bellatrix disapparated.
A Lengthy
List
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 11-23-03 12:39
Sidi accepted the Assam tea.
"Thank you so much. It is quite kind of you." She sat.
She pulled out a small scroll and unloosed it.
"This is my list." The list unrolled to the floor. Nevvyn chuckled.
"I understand it's quite lengthy and quite impossible to fill. She giggled nervously and tugged at the shell hanging from her neck.
"I used to teach a class so it is quite a comprehensive list. One gets used to having such things around."
Nevvyn perused the list. Sidi watched his face. He glanced up. "Quite and interesting list Miss Sidi. You say you teach a class? Hogwarts?"
"Oh, no." she quickly responded. "In Romania."
"Ahh, The Sighisoara School of Magical Arts."
"Yes."
Nevvyn smiled. "Well Professor Ross." He winked.
She blushed, giggled again and fondled the shell. Nevvyn again returned to the list.
Sidi felt a twinge of paranoia. Professor Dumbledore had warned her that although the wizarding community was a close knit and welcoming community there were those with certain ideas on bloodlines and purity of magic. Those witches and wizards would not accept anything less than pure upstanding wizard blood. Adam would be considered a valuable piece of property such as a house elf and she would be considered of undesirable breeding.
Doubt started to plague her. Was he judging from her needs that she indeed was not brought up in the magic of witches and wizards, but the vagabond thieving gypsies? Was he going to throw her out of his shoppe? Could he just possibly be contemplaying his inventory?
Panic started to rise in her. Sidi broke the silence. "You, you are a friend of Professor Dumbledore yes?"
Sidi's Lengthy
List
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 11-23-03 17:41
I come near to choking on my tea as Sidi slips the ribbon from her scroll / list, and it unrolls onto the floor. However, I manage to cover this slip with a bit of a chuckle. I take the list from her hand and start to read, mentally ticking off the items I have in stock, and those which I would need to place on a special order. As I am doing this, we chat a bit about her background. I also make comments as to the availability of one item or another. "I think we can handle most of this," I tell her.
However, as I reach the bottom, I shake my shaggy head. Three 'Patent Medicines', the likes of which we do not have around Hogsmeade. Nyquil, Motrin, and Tylenol? I am wondering what any self-respecting Witch, Wizard or Herbalist would be doing with those things. "We have much more effective herbal remedies," I tell her. "Ah well, I suppose we could get some sent up from London, or perhaps, Edinburgh." The time I am taking, perusing her list, seems to be making her nervous.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, she blurts out, "You... You are a friend of Professor Dumbledore? Yes?"
I study her for a moment, wondering at the basis for this question. "Well, I suppose you could say we are friends. We certainly are not enemies," I chuckle. "I have been asked to fill in a time or two up at the School, and we have had some business dealings. He does stop in to buy supplies and an occasional remedy. That is usually when Madam Pomfrey is away." She lets out a small sigh of relief, but still clutches her Gypsy amulet as if it would save her from the Dark Lord, himself. "Why is it that you ask? Do you know the Headmaster?"
A Nice Chat
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 11-23-03 18:55
Sidi almost turned green, Tylenol and Nyquill? How humiliating can this be? She thought.
Her cheeks were flaming red, "I'm so sorry. Adam must have written that. He's my muggle. He's a muggle. You understand. I appreciate your willingness to try to get them. Please don't waste your time." She stuffed the list in her bag.
"I only know Professor Dumbledore through correspondence. He spoke at Sighisoara. I've seen him speak a few other times as well. He's a great man. I was just thinking if you were friends then you would probably share some of the same philosophies. The important ones anyway."
She took a breath. "It's so nice to have someone to have a conversation with. I met a lady named Dierna Ni Ciaran as well...well an Auror really... oh I suppose she's a lady and an Auror...Anyway, she really helped us out. She was an impressive sort, very intuitive and intelligent. I was hoping we could talk more but she had important business to attend to."
She sat the empty tea cup down on a table. "You said you've taught at Hogwarts! What do you teach and how did you end up here? You don't seem the type to have lived in one place all your life."
Shopping
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 11-23-03 20:34
Fritz steps through the archway at Diagon Alley and walks along the cobbled path, weaving in and out of the crowds of Hogwarts students old and new, their parents and other patrons. He stops first at Flourish and Blotts, booklist in hand, and gestures for his parents to follow him to the Defense Against the Dark Arts section. They maneuver from shelf to shelf until Fritz has all the required texts, and then they go to the check out counter to pay.
Next, it's off to Madam Malkin's for new robes. Fritz has grown some during the past year and is surely to outgrow his newest wardrobe by next season's end. His parents kindly hold onto his parcels of books while he gets fitted for his robes and once these are paid for, the family heads to Quality Quidditch Supplies. After much convincing, his parents agree to buy a broomstick for their son. It's a Lightening Bolt, last year's model but a fine broom nonetheless.
Extremely pleased, Fritz treats his parents to ice cream at Fortescue's. He just can't wait for tomorrow to roll around, so eager to return to Hogwarts is he.
