Early Morning Blues
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 08-18-03 10:29

The fifth year Slytherin girls awoke late Easter morning, Alexis and Devo awaking late enough to miss breakfast. Stomachs grumbling, they dressed and made their way to the common room.

"We could work on that potions essay." Alexis suggested. "Or not." Devo said, flopping unceremoniously in an armchair. "True, it is a holiday."

The two girls shared a sleepy silence. Alexis wondered what would happen if the fire suddenly leapt from its grate and set the common room ablaze. She smiled at the thought. Devo wasn't really paying much attention, she had her eyes half shut and a dreamy look on her face, too.

Isolde entered the common room shortly after, and she had no boyfriend in tow. Alexis gave her a questioning look, but she didn't seem to want to talk about it. As much as she enjoyed teasing the pair, Alexis would hate to see them have a falling out. Isolde seemed perfectly happy, however, despite the obvious lack of Pyrrhus, and the three began to talk animatedly about various inane schoolgirl things. The rivalry against Ravenclaw being a great part of their conversation. Things were getting tense between the two houses, but the Slytherins were smugly confident in their future possession of the quidditch cup.

They just had to make sure they didn't get cursed in the corridors before the coming match on the nineteenth. Of course, that didn't rule out the possibility that they would be doing the cursing...

Tea and Cookies
Author: H Potter
Date: 08-18-03 14:07

Harry slumps down in the Hagrid sized chair, throws his legs over one of the chair's large arms, adjusts a throw pillow under his head and stares up at the ceiling. One hand absent mindedly scratches Fang as the dog happily drools on part of the chair cushion.

Hagrid, his back turned to Harry as he stokes the fire under the tea kettle, states as much as asks, "Still no word, 'Arry?"

"Nope, not a one. I thought maybe he would at least send a little something for the holiday."

"'E's on uh mission, 'Arry. Not safe ta contact yer."

Harry slowly expels a breath, still staring at the ceiling. "I know. I just wish I knew if he's safe. Your sure you don't know anything about this mission, Hagrid?"

"Upon my soul, nort uh word. Tea's ready. Bring that tin uh sugar biscuits ter tha table, 'Arry."

Harry swings his feet around, being careful not to hit Fang, stands up and grabs the container of cookies. Resigned to the fact that Hagrid doesn't seem to know anything about Sirius's mission, Harry takes a seat at the table and serves the cookies while Hagrid pours the tea.

MOM - Misuse of Muggle Artifacts
Dept. Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 08-18-03 21:10

I kept my eyes fixed with the Minister of Magic, as he led me to what had to be a closet. But gazing up at the sign that hung crooked, I realized that it was indeed, the office for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. I blinked my eyes slowly, and broke my gaze with the minister.

"Thank you Cornelius. I can find my way from here."

His cheeks reddened, and in a bit of a daze he turned away from me and headed back to the elevator. Too easy, I thought. That man was more easy to manipulate than a puppy. The next part would be tougher. Arthur, although gullible looking, was much more sharper than he let on. I had to remember that. If I forgot it, even for a split second, my life as I knew it would be over.

Walking into the office, I saw Arthur sitting at his desk, and squeezing past the first desk, I made my way to him. I held his gaze. I forced my lips into a smile. And using all my power, I didn't blink once.

"Arthur Weasley, I am Drucilla. I've just been appointed to your office."

He frowned slightly, and for the first time I felt that small queasiness of panic. I continued to look him in the eyes though, and slowly the frown erased from his face, as an unnatural relaxed look replaced it.

"Yes, Drucilla. Cornelius told us all about you. Please take a seat. Uh, take my seat that is. We are a bit cramped here. Sorry about that."

My first step had been accomplished. I was in. Smiling in victory, I sat down and said in an innocent voice, "That's alright Arthur. I don't mind working closely with you".

Chocolate Treats
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-19-03 08:57

Around lunchtime, Isolde, Alexis and Devo decided to head up to the Great Hall to grab a bite to eat. They met Pyrrhus outside the great double doors of the dining chamber, a mysterious light dancing in his eyes. He smiled and pecked Isolde on the cheek before holding open the door for the ladies like a true gentleman. Upon entry in the Great Hall, the Slytherins noticed that many students and staff were already in the room, eagerly awaiting the start of Easter lunch.

After they took their seats, fantastic dishes of aromatic food magically appeared on the tables. Besides the main courses of turkey, lamp chops and steak, and yams, rice and green beans, little bowls of chocolate Easter eggs and pastel-painted hard-boiled eggs littered the tables. Isolde was reminded of the Easter egg hunt the house elves hosted last year. That had been a lot of fun.

Smiling, Isolde helped herself to a foil-covered chocolate egg and savored its taste in her mouth. Nothing like chocolate to make a good day great.

Truth Be Told
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 08-19-03 12:34

Shortly before Pyrrhus was ready to move on to dessert, his parents, worry etched on their faces, stick their heads into the hall waiting for Py to look their way. He'd been keeping a watch for them so it takes only seconds for Py to see them and excuse himself from the table.

Majandra, sitting at the Gryffindor table at the end nearest doorway, also sees the Fines, though unlike Py she's greatly surprised to see them. Surprised but happy that is, as she jumps up to greet them.

Standing just outside the Great Hall, Majandra hugs and kisses both her parents then says in a rush, "Why didn't you let me know you were coming? You could have joined us for a very nice Easter lunch. There's nothing wrong is there?"

Py glides up behind Maj just then and answers for the two adults. "I asked them to come. Owled them yesterday afternoon and I received their reply this morning. It's nothing that concerns you so the thought never crossed my mind to mention a word to you."

Majandra looks from Py, whose snotty tone though normal here at school is never tolerated at home. Sure enough, their father, eyes narrowed, quickly calls Pyrrhus on his attitude. "Keep that up and I'll be speaking to Professor Dumbledore about some detention time for you."

Their mother nods her head in agreement. "You're already on thin ice, Pyrrhus, for the cryptic message. Your father and I are always pleased to see you and your sister, and if you were wanting a visit, all you have to do is ask. There's no need to write letters implying something dire is going to happen. The only reason we didn't rush here the moment we got your owl is because you at least stated in the letter that there was no medical emergency. If this is about grades, I would hope we would have heard from Professor Dumbledore or one of the other professors."

Paul Fine stands with arms folded, fixing his son with a "you'd better make this good" stare. Eliza Fine takes a hands on hips stance, waiting for Pyrrhus to clue them in to what his letter was all about. Py glares at Majandra and haughtily sniffs, "I suppose you can stay."

Paul Fine arches an eyebrow and hisses, "You're not too old to take over my knee, Pyrrhus. I won't warn you again about your attitude nor about how you address your sister. If you care to be able to sit down over your holiday week, I suggest you change your tone."

Pyrrhus grins much like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. "Well that's just it, isn't it? She's not my sister." Py's eyes rake over Eliza and then over Paul as he sneers, "You aren't my mother and you with your mudblood, certainly aren't my father."

Before she can't stop herself, Eliza Fine's hand whips out and slaps Pyrrhus. "Don't you ever use that filthy word."

His cheek stinging but refusing to show that the slap affected him at all, Py grins again. "What? No quick denial? Just an order not to use whatever words I please to accurately describe a Muggle born?"

The way Pyrrhus says Muggle makes it sound as ugly a word as mudblood. Majandra, shocked that Py would make such accusations while using foul language in front of the parents and shocked that their mother actually slapped him, takes several steps back as if to distance herself from the small circle of brewing anger.

Paul, his arms now hanging stiffly by his side, states through clenched teeth. "We are your parents. Majandra is your sister. I believe I shall speak to Professor Dumbledore afterall about taking you out of Hogwarts. Those Slytherins you associate with have warped you and it's time for their influence on you to end."

Pyrrhus pulls out an envelope and extracts a letter from it. "According to this, I'm adopted."

Eliza snatches the letter and reads it, her face draining of all color. Paul takes the letter and after reading its contents, quietly asks, "Where did you get this?"

"I received it yesterday morning. Do you deny the information it holds?"

Paul looks at Eliza who returns his gaze, her eyes starting to look a little wet. She gives an almost imperceptible nod to Paul. He turns to face Py. "We were never going to tell you. We thought we were the only two living who knew. It seems the truth is coming out whether we wish it or not."

The letter, having fluttered to the floor after Paul read it, beckons to Majandra who picks it up unseen by the other three. She too reads it then stands wordlessly by, not sure if she should also be upset, even angry, with her parents.

Over the next several minutes, both Pyrrhus and Majandra remain silent as Eliza and Paul corroborate the information in the letter.

Imagination
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 08-19-03 15:02

Pyrrhus excused himself from the table politely and made his way toward two adults at the doors.

"Hey, are those his parents?" Alexis turned to Isolde after he left.

"Yeah." She replied.

"He's not got himself expelled, has he?" Devo asked.

"Is someone ill?" Alexis suggested.

Isolde was not listening to her friends, but instead silently watching the door for her boyfriends return. Devo and Alexis looked at each other, minds alight with possibilities, none of which were pleasant. Of course, neither of them hoped their friend or his family was in trouble.

Only time would tell, and that depended on whether or not Pyrrhus would reveal his secret.

As for Alexis, she was positively dying of curiosity.