Getting Back in the Habit
Author: Rolan Boyd
Date: 04-25-04 17:17
Rolan Boyd was awakened to someone calling his name and shaking him lightly out of sleep. Rather unwillingly, Rolan opened his eyes to see Terry Boot's face peering down at his.
"You're going to be late mate, best hurry," Terry said, moving off to his section of their dormitory room. Rolan rubbed his eyes slowly as he slid out of the warm bed. Glancing out the window, he saw that it was rather dark outside, but there was enough daylight to reveal a flurry of snowflakes floating down onto the lawns. Terry was busily stuffling and unstuffing his bag, trying to find the best arrangement for all the books, utensils, and parchment which he had spread out across his bed. Rolan noticed he was already dressed in his robes.
"What t-time is it did you s-say?" yawned Rolan lazily as he stood and stretched.
"Quarter of nine, get moving!" exclaimed Terry, surprised to see Rolan standing stupidly next to his bed staring at him.
"Quarter of... Merlin's beard!" shouted Rolan as it dawned on him how late it really was. "I thought you meant late for breakfast!"
"You've no chance for breakfast..." began Terry as Rolan stripped off his pajamas and pulled on his clothes as Terry tossed them to him. "I would've woken you earlier, but I figured you'd wake and join us in the Great Hall. Real sorry about that mate."
Rolan, however, was paying Terry little attention. As soon as his robes were on he began shoving parchments and books into his open bag next to his bed. Stopping for a glance at himself in the mirror (terrible thought Rolan as he scanned his unkempt-looking reflection) and then dashed out of the room.
"I'll see you in Dark..." Terry yelled behind him from the room, but Rolan was soon out of earshot.
Rolan found Kevin Entwhistle waiting for him in a queue outside the door to the Potions classroom in the dungeons. "We really should've woken you, sorry." said Kevin as Rolan reached his side.
"Nevermind that," replied Rolan as he caught his breath. "I don't suppose you have anything for me?"
"Yeah!" breathed Kevin as he suddenly remembered, reaching down into his bag and producing an object concealed inside a napkin. Rolan eagerly removed the napkin to find a breakfast roll wrapped inside. Although a bit too large to be eaten in one bite, Rolan greedily stuffed the entire roll into his mouth, causing a great lump to form in his cheeks as he chewed forcefully. Sensing eyes on him, Rolan turned to see fellow Ravenclaws Mandy Brocklehurst and Marybell Devons staring at him. While Marybell wore a look of disgust as her eyes followed the lump around his cheeks, Mandy stared with a stupid smirk across her face, having had a crush on Rolan since his arrival the previous year.
With a gigantic swallow Rolan forced down the roll as the door to the classroom opened and the students began to file into the room. He muttered a dry-mouth thanks to Kevin as they wove around tables and chairs to their usual spot; Mandy, Marybell, and Ravenclaw Morag MacDougal joining them there as well. Rolan sorted through his bag in an attempt to organize the materials he had thrown in hastily while the room around him filled with murmurs as conversations continued among the students.
"Quiet down," hissed Professor Snape as he strode into the classroom with the door banging behind him. The lack of a welcoming return-from-winter-break-greeting from his least favorite teacher did not surprise Rolan, Snape generally prefered rudeness to civility when it came to students.
"We will be proceeding where we left off prior to your recess," began Snape as he reached the front of the silenced room. He stare around the room for a moment before he continued, "You'll find ingredients and the necessary method" -- He flicked his wand in the air -- "on the blackboard" -- (scrawling words appeared) -- "and your supplies are in the store cupboards...Start."
Rolan was pleased to find his potion matching the description Snape had told them, although he had received a small amount of help from Kevin, who excelled in potions, during the procedures. Yet the variety of colors, smells, and even sounds around the room told him that several others were not as successful. Morag's fingers on her right hand had turned a dull gray and wrinkled during the procedures and Rolan realized that she had mistaken one of their harmful materials for a mild one which was to be sprinkled onto the potion by hand. Following a brief reprimand from Snape she was sent to the hospital wing as the discolorment had now spread across her hand and was threatening her lower arm. Rolan and Kevin poured their potions into flagons and placed them on Snape's desk as directed and cleaned away their materials just as the bell rang.
Although they he had already had four days of classes, the exhausting Friday schedule made Rolan feel as though he had just returned from break. In addition to a Potions essay assigned at the end of class by Snape, he would receive essays in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfiguration (actually Professor Flitwick assigned two essays as he had decided to begin with two different, but related topics).
Following Defense Against the Dark Arts, Rolan joyously helped himself to several servings at lunch, Kevin's roll having done little to quench his hunger. He ate voraciously while reading a borrowed Daily Prophet and catching snid-bits of conversation around him.
"I do love Fridays," smiled Su Li, who had joined them for lunch. It was her way of reminding them that she spent her Fridays without classes, pursuing leisure while they endured many of the toughest classes.
Terry, however, wore an expression which told Rolan that he wasn't feeling the same as Su. Although he had only one class Fridays, Terry had made minimal progress on his homework during the week. The only exception was a Herbology report which he written with Rolan. Ahead of him was an unattractive weekend of work, not helped by his Quidditch practices. Rolan recognized immediately that he would be having to offer Terry his help to complete his work before Monday arrived.
With his stomach satisfied, Rolan headed off for Charms with Lisa Turpin. There, he remained in good spirits until Flitwick's surprise double essays.
Preparations for the Dueling Club
Author: Prof Flitwick
Date: 04-25-04 17:44
"Oh! My Goodness!" I mutter to myself as I fairly bounce down the Grand Staircase. "I'm so excited!" We haven't had a Dueling Club at Hogwarts since that popinjay Lockhart tried to get one started. Perhaps if he knew what he was about, things might have gone better. "Oh! This will be great fun!" I'm so glad that Michael Turin asked me to help out, rather than one of the others.
I enter the Great Hall and find that it is fortunately deserted, at least for the moment. Pacing the length of the Hall, I locate the small markings on the floor. These marks describe the extent of the Dueling Arena. It's been a long time since it was put to use. I hope I can remember the spell. I go back to the northern-most mark and tap it with my wand. Then, I proceed clockwise around the Hall, tapping the other five in turn. Finally, I stand at the side opposite the fireplace and raise my wand. "Arenaeus Constructum Instantia!" I proclaim, waving my wand in the complex set of figures which are required for this operation.
I stand with a smile on my face as I watch the long tables and benches quietly fold themselves away and slide into place along the wall. The center part of the floor begins to sink and a low guard-rail rises around oval depression. There is a faint shimmer above the rail which tells me the shields are in place. However, I need to test this to be sure.
Opening the wicket gate at one end, I step into the arena. The floor is marked off into areas for each opponent, and a goodly space of "no-man's land" in the middle. I purposely aim high and make the traditional "E" motion while calling out "Expelliarmus!" I am greeted with a flash and a shower of sparks as the spell impacts the shield.
Well, everything seems to be in place. Now, I'll just wait around for Michael and the students.
Dueling Club Meeting #1
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 04-25-04 20:31
Michael appraises the great hall, set up for the dueling club. He's heard stories about the previous dueling club. There no doubt this time around will be better. Michael is much more competent than Gilderoy Lockheart - or at least he hopes he is! Michael also has experience with this kind of thing. He'd run dueling clubbed for several years at Beauxbattons.
Michael sees Flitwick is already there and practicing. He smiles to see the short spirited professor looking excited.
"You know, I think you may be more excited than the students." Michael comments to his colleague, "I know some students already know the basis disarming charm. No need to have them become bored. I figured we can divide the group into two sections. The more knowledgeable students can learn the shielding charm, while the newer students can learn how to disarm. I suggest we each take one group and coach them. Do you have a preference?"
No sooner has Michael finished the last question, then the students begin shuffling into the Great Hall.
Dueling Club Meeting #1
Author: Natalie Rose
Date: 04-25-04 21:19
Natalie walked into the Great Hall with more confidence then she had felt in a while. Yesterday before History of Magic, while she was trying to finish her homework for Potions she muttered to herself that she wished she had someone to help her when a girl with a kind face approached her. She introduced herself as Majandra, Maj for short. Natalie was so grateful and relieved to finally be meeting someone she almost forgot to mention her name. Maj told her that she excelled at Potions and would be happy to help her. They finished the homework in record time, and Natalie was so thankful that she now knew the material. She had to leave Maj after they finished so she could make it to class on time but she asked if maybe she could sit near her at dinner. Maj said, "Of course," and the rest of the day seemed to fly by.
Now it was Friday and she was excited for the first dueling club meeting. She had only one class today, Herbology, so she was able to catch up on all the assignments from the week. She walked into the Great Hall and was separated into a group that already had experience with the disarming charm. She paired up with a boy and they practiced the shielding charm they were taught. After only a couple tries Natalie was successful. She felt the feeling of happiness creep back into her. They kept practicing for a while until the meeting was called to end.
She stood by and watched as the Great Hall's tables and benches slid back into their original place and the sunken part of the floor used to practice dueling rose back into position. A sad thought entered her head as she saw how jovial Prof. Flitwick was acting. He reminded her of her father with his enthusiasm and she knew in just four short days she would be turning 15 and mourning the anniversary of her parents' death. She turned and left the Great Hall to go back to the common room. She tried not to let the thoughts of the tragedy ruin her high spirits.
Planning a Booth
Author: Saffron
Date: 04-25-04 23:32
Calling, "Come in," in response to the knock on her office door, Saffron beckons Lavender and Parvati to each take a seat. She pushes a plate of sandwiches across her desk then gets up to pour drinks for the girls.
"Thank you for coming during your lunch break, Lavender, Parvati. I would have met you in the Great Hall but the new Dueling Club is having its first meeting right now. To say the least things wouldn't be conducive for us to talk."
Lavender takes a large bite out of one of the sandwiches while Parvati tries to decide which of the remaining sandwiches she wants. Both glance expectantly at Saffron, wondering why she's called them to a meeting. They don't have long to wait.
"Memos have recently gone out to the faculty concerning an event Professor Miller is organizing for the school. There is to be a Winter Carnival on Valentine's Day. One of the booths is fortune telling. Professor Miller has asked me to be in charge of the fortune telling booth and I thought both of you might like to take at least one shift each. You don't have to, of course, but it should be great fun. I'd give you each extra credit."
The girls exchange eager looks, their eyes suddenly bright with excitement. Parvati grins at Saffron, exclaiming, "We'd LOVE to, Professor!" as Lavender bobs her head up and down in agreement before adding her own voice.
For the rest of their lunch break, until both girls have to leave to go to a class, the three make plans on what the Fortune Telling booth will look like. As Parvati and Lavender leave, Saffron invites them to come to her living quarters the next day to start putting together Fortune Teller outfits, using some of Saffron's belongings.
After the girls have left, Saffron dashes off a note to Aaron Miller to fill him in on the help she's drafted and the decisions made about what the Fortune Telling booth will offer - palm reading, crystal ball gazing, and just for sheer fun, fortune cookies will be handed out to every visitor to the booth.
Friday Morning
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 04-26-04 07:23
Friday at last! I sat on my bed, reluctant to get up. Classes didn't start until 2pm today, which made sleeping in a sorely tempting treat. It was my rumbling tummy that finally convinced me to get up. Stepping over Saturn (Tranquillina's cat), I made my way downstairs to the common room. Spotting the rest of the gang, I gave a sleepy smile that turned into a huge yawn.
"Who's up for breakfast?"
On the Job
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 04-26-04 07:49
"Where did things go wrong Sirius?"
I sat at the desk I shared with Arthur, staring at the framed photo of Sirius perched precariously on the corner of the desk. The photo smiled, and waved, but didn't provide any answers. The "miraculous" recovery of Harry Potter had taken me by surprise, and had set back my plans. No longer was he the boy who was fascinated with flubberworms and closed off from the world. On the same note, Sirius was no longer distracted from his work by spending his time worrying over Harry. This left two alert men, ready to focus their attentions on my Dark Lord again.
Playing with the diamond slide on my necklace, I sat deep in thought. Which direction to take now? I clearly had Sirius under my charms, but how could I use this to my best advantage? There had to be more I could do to best serve my Dark Lord, but what?
Breakfast!
Author: Sora
Date: 04-26-04 09:25
"So, whose up for breakfast?" asked the Sleepy Roane. Sora jumped to his feet and began to jump up and down. "Oh! Oh! Let's go! I'm starving!" he said. Kairi stared at him. "If you're so excited to go why didn't you go by yourself in the first place?" she asked. Sora stopped bouncing and thought about it for a moment. "I don't know... Maybe I just don't like to eat before you guys," said Sora. Riku began to laugh. "I agree, if Sora eats before we do, there wouldn't be any food left for us!" he said. Everyone began to laugh.
"Yeah, you're probably right." Said Sora, but in any case Sora grabbed Roane's hand and then ran to the portrait hole. "Let's go Roane! Let's eat all the food before everyone else has a chance to grab any!" he said. Roane gave a sly smirk as she stared at everyone (who began to look a little worried). "Yeah! Let's go!" she said as she and Sora dashed out of the portrait hole.
"Riku... I don't think they're joking..." said Kairi. Riku gave a serious look. "You're right! Let's go before Sora eats everything!!" he said as he, Kairi, and Tranquillina ran out of the common room after Sora and Roane.
Going Mental
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 04-26-04 09:58
"I think," the Captain announced to nobody in particular, "I may -" he kicked a hat that was lying around on the floor and it landed in his armchair, "go mad from utter, headwrecking, boredom!"
The only one there to reply was Hendrix, who dutifully squawked and flapped his wings.
"Huh," Electron grunted.
The problem was that ever since the run up to Christmas, Electron had been insanely busy: finishing the album so that it could go on everyone's Christmas wish list, getting it into the shops, touring the shops and signing things, and playing the odd gig in between. And after all that was done, he'd bewitched a quill to sign stacks of photos and caught up on his fan mail. He'd enjoyed a few days' relaxation, pub crawling with Boomer and a few of his mates, and dancing the nights away at Dublin's Lillies Bordello, because what was the point in being able to apparate if you couldn't pop home when you wanted to? Met some of the lads from an Irish Muggle boy band, which had been great craic really, and picked up some girls while he was at it.
Then he'd spent a couple of days sleeping and recovering from the accumulated hangover, and then he'd redecorated his front room, rested again, and come to a standstill. Electron had actually run out of stuff to do.
Maybe he ought to put the hat on and go out for a walk around Hogsmeade... after checking that it wasn't some Day Out for the students... and avoiding Pots and Pages!
Learn Something New Every Day
Author: Mary
Date: 04-26-04 16:46
Nora, Crispin and Mary slid into the great hall, their wands already in their hands. Nora and Mary both bore identical smirks. Crispin's face was his usual blank mask.
"Alright everyone!" Professor Turin said from the platform, "Divide into two groups. Those of you know know the disarming spell and those who don't."
Nora and Mary glanced at each other. Nope, they didn't know the disarming spell. But now that they were about to learn... oh, all sorts of windows of opportunity could open.
"Would you be my opponent?" Nora said slyly.
Mary grinned, "So you want to be beaten mercilessly?"
"Somehow I don't think it will turn out like that."
Mary smirked, and the two pointed their wands at each other.
"Get ready to be thrown about like a paper... doll... in a hurri...caine..." Nora said, her voice starting out in its usual vindictive tone, but every word faltered a little more, and she ended up falling over into a faint. Mary blinked.
"Woah! How did you do that, Mary?" Mortimer said excitedly. Crispin cuffed him over the head.
Duels
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-26-04 18:52
After Charms on Friday, Bronwyn and Desdemona went to the Great Hall for the first meeting of the newly instated Dueling Club. The organization had last been present at Hogwarts during Bronwyn's first year. She and Kendra had come, eager to see Professor Lockhart, and watched with great interest as he tried to duel with Professor Snape.
Now, several years later, Professor Turin called the shots and Professor Flitwick served as special assistant. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor immediately paired off the students and set them to practicing a disarming spell on each other. Bronwyn and Desi worked together, taking turns with the spell.
Every once in a while, Professor Turin or Professor Flitwick walked by and gave further instructions or tips on wand carriage, or otherwise praised them for their abilities. Bronwyn and Desi smiled and laughed and had a very good time -- until Arlington walked through the double doors of the Great Hall.
Desi saw him first and immediately looked away. She lowered her wand arm and shuffled her feet nervously, as if suddenly distracted by something on the floor. Noticing her sudden discomfort, Bronwyn looked for the source and saw Arley standing in the doorway. He scanned the Great Hall and eventually locked eyes on Bronwyn, who shot him a small smile. He didn't return it and instead looked at Desi, who'd found her normal countenance again and was looking Bronwyn straight in the eye.
"Just ignore him," Desi said, plain and simple.
Bronwyn looked at Desi and raised her wand. "He's walking this way."
"So, just ignore him." Desi fell over and lost her wand to Bronwyn.
"I'm not going to ignore him if he talks to me," Bronwyn said, "and frankly, I think you two need to get over it and play nice."
Desi scrambled to her feet and snatched her wand from Bronwyn's offering hand.
Arley, in fact, didn't approach them but brushed past them to work with Lee Sickleby, who was standing nearby. The room suddenly became thick with tension. Desi continued to ignore Arley. Arley occasionally smirked at Desi. Bronwyn rolled her eyes and Lee seemed oblivious to it all.
Unable to bear it any longer Bronwyn threw up her hands in frustration and said, "You two need to sit down and have a chat." She looked from Desi to Arley and back again.
Lee looked puzzled.
Suddenly, Bronwyn's feet fell out from under her and her wand went skittering across the floor...
Good Try
Author: Nora
Date: 04-26-04 19:42
After several minutes Nora's eyes fluttered open. "Sorry about that, I just got a little dizzy. Ready to continue?"
Mary smirked and raised her wand, firing the disarming spell at Nora, who promptly avoided it.
"I told you this wouldn't turn out the way you thought!" She grinned and sent Mary's wand flying. "Good try though."
After what seemed like ages of dueling with Mary, Nora walked towards Professor Turin. Her steps gradually becoming more and more wobbly as she approached him. "What else are we going to learn today, Professor Turin? Ya know, it's still hard calling you that, make me think of him. I can't believe you're his cous..." Once again Nora had used up all her energy fighting with Mary, and she ended up face down on the floor infront of Michael, unconscious.
Watching the Lesson
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 04-26-04 20:21
After diving the groups and walking around, occasionally pointing out a mistake in from or pronunciation. Such things matter, unless you want an elephant on you.
The group learning to disarm is doing well, catching on to the charm with ease. The other group, learning protegio, is finding it a bit harder. As students learn the skills, Michael and Prof. Flitwick tell the students to teach their peers.
About two thirds of the way through the club, Nora walks up, starts to say something, then collapses. Michel looks calmly to Mary and a few other Slytherins standing near by.
Michael picks the girl up and tells His assistant that he's taking Nora to the Hospital wing. He comes back a short time later.
"I think they are catching on rather well. Will need something more challenging next time." He comments to Flitwick.
What You Get
Author: Mary
Date: 04-26-04 20:58
"She does this all the time." Mary said flatly to Professor Turin, who held the one-eyed Slytherin loosely in his arms. He gave a sort of half-smile to Mary as he made his way to the hospital wing.
"Give her a tube, or something!" Mary shouted after him, angry.
"You're partner-less." Mortimer said.
"Sin partner." Crispin added, nodding
Her glare told them to shut up before she jabbed her wand in their eyes. They obliged, Mortimer with shifty eyes and Crispin with a faint smile.
"Miss Black, why don't you accompany Miss Masters to the hospital wing? She may be disoriented when she awakens, it would be nice to have a friend there." Professor Flitwick beamed at her.
"Who says she's my friend?" Mary muttered darkly, kicking viciously at a wand that skittered in her direction.
She ignored the irritated, "Hey!" Shouted after her by the wand's owner as she stalked up to the hospital wing. Stupid Nora, fainting all the time. How can she do anything if she's a freaking skeleton?
Nora awoke a few minutes later in a bed with Mary seated across from her, death-glare-of-doom firmly in place.
Basic Offense and Defense
Author: Prof Flitwick
Date: 04-27-04 07:10
At the beginning of the meeting, Michael and I had separated the Dueling Club members into those who knew something about the "sport" and those who knew very little. By agreement, I took the latter group and spent a while in teaching them the basic "Expelliarmus" disarming spell. With this, it is quite easy to flick an unsuspecting opponent's wand out of their hand. When this same spell is used at full power, it can apply sufficient force to send your opponent flying across the room.
Before too long, my entire group had "mastered" the spell. Well, perhaps mastered is too strong a word. Let us say, they had learned enough that I was able to sort them into pairs and have them try it on each other. Standing to one side, I watched carefully to ensure things didn't get out of hand and that there were no serious injuries. I was rather surprised when one of the young Slytherins, the one called 'Pirate', collapsed right at Michael's feet. I didn't see that she had been hit by any spell, but she looked quite deflated. Michael left the entire group in my care, while he rushed her to the hospital wing. Apparently, this is not an uncommon happening.
I keep them at their practices, moving from one pair to another, mostly making minor corrections to stance and posture. In dueling of any sort, it is always a good idea to present the smallest possible target to your opponent. Another tip to survival is to stay balanced on the balls of your feet, so that you can move quickly in any direction. As I tell the students, "Don't let them catch you flat-footed!"
All in all, things seem to be progressing quite well. However, I think it is a bit early to begin the actual contests. I would like them to have a few more spells in their arsenal before we pair off to begin establishing the rankings.
Try and Try Again
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 04-27-04 18:13
Viktor enters his castle office and slumps into the chair behind the desk. He'd made yet another trip to Azkaban in an attempt to see his friend Ethan. As with every other visit to the prison, Viktor was turned away. Like every other time he'd been, Viktor left a letter for Ethan though Viktor's fairly certain the letter is thrown into the dustbin as soon as he's gone but just as he won't give up trying to get in to visit Ethan, Viktor won't give up trying to get someone to pass on a letter to Ethan. Another thing Viktor won't ever give up on is getting the full details of what happened with Ethan to land him in Azkaban.
Sighing, Viktor leans back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk before suddenly sitting upright again. He's just remembered he needs to send a reply to Aaron Miller about helping at the upcoming Winter Carnival. Shuffling some papers in a drawer, Viktor locates a blank sheet of parchment then begins writing an official reply.
