Recreation
Author: Mary
Date: 08-20-03 10:20
"Hey Crispin, can I rip your ear off?"
"No." He replied in a monotone, as if the subject bored him. He didn't even look up from his exploding snap card creation.
"Please?" Mary asked again.
"No."
"Hey Mortimer, can I rip your ear off?"
"Uh..."
"Don't hesitate, if you like your ears." Crispin suggested, concentrating on his teetering palace of cards.
"Why do you want to rip off ears so badly, Mary?" Mortimer asked.
"I want to know if its possible."
"She's been at it awhile, asking for volun-" Crispin was cut short by the small explosion. The cards burst into flame, sending ash and bits of paper everywhere.
"Hey Crispin, your hair's on fire." Mary said.
He gingerly felt his head, and found it unscathed. There was a silence as Crispin looked around for something else to do.
"Mort, let's play chess."
"Alright."
"I wonder how the pipsqueak did it." Mary interjected. The boys groaned.
"Would you get off it, already?" Crispin said, digging around under his chair for a fallen rook, "A first year Gryffindor beat a seventh year Ravenclaw. It had to have been a mistake, some sort of circumstances..."
"I bet she cheated, the slimy git." Mary seethed.
"It doesn't matter." Crispin said, replacing the piece on the board and sitting down at the small table with Mortimer.
"Why didn't you enter, Crispin?" Mortimer asked. His only response was a shrug.
"You first."
Mary sighed and leaned forward in her chair, grabbed someone's homework off of the table nearby, and stuck the end in the fireplace. She held the parchment while it slowly burned, trying to read the name in quickly burning ink. As the flames approached her fingers she tossed it in and wiped the ashes off on her robe.
"Whose was that?" Crispin asked.
"No idea. It was just something to burn."
"Hey, was that mine?" Mortimer asked, enraged.
Mary shrugged and leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed.
"It's great to be on holiday." She said dreamily.
Still Staring
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 08-20-03 21:19
Spring Break...what better time to practice? A whole lot of free time to fill and no classes to go to. This was the perfect time to practice with the crystal ball. Or at least that's what I thought. It was going just as it always did...nowhere.
I was still sitting on my bed like normal, staring at the ball...like normal. I was getting tired of staring at the ball. I just might have to ask Professor Sacheverell for help or advice. I think she could help me with it.
Then something strange happened. My ball started to do something, like turn white. It started to do a smoke-like effect inside. It cleared up and it looked like a wallÉmaybe something wooden. It looked like it was very close to the ball. I looked up but I didnŐt see anything that would look like that from where the ball was sitting.
"Stupid ball!" I yelled, "Why won't you work?" I took the ball, raised it over my head, and threw it across the room. It landed on the floor, ricocheted off of a bed post and ended up near the wall. What someone would see if they looked in the ball now was exactly what I had just seen.
I didn't look at the ball as it finished rolling. I just stood up and started walking for the door.
Holidays and
Truth Told
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 08-21-03 01:19
It was Easter and things were a bit quiet around the Gryffindor Common Room but around the castle some of the students still couldn't believe I won the W.C.C. Tournament being only a first year.
As I sat there at a table doing some of my school work a fourth year Gryffindor came up to me and sat down. "Oi Annie, got a question." He said and I looked up at him. "And that is?" I asked. "Just about everyone is wondering how you managed to beat a seventh year at wizards chess." Slapping my quill to the table I had had enough. I stood up and went to the fireplace. "Excuse me, can I have everyone in the Common Room's attention." I asked as all heads turned to me.
"You know I have heard people talking about my winning the W.C.C. against Cho Chang. Well I have something to say. My grandfather was England's champion chess player when he was a young man, my father was the junior chess champion when he was a kid. I was brought up on Muggle chess and when I played Cho I recognized that some of the moves she made were similar to Muggle chess and acted on it. So I hope that answers any questions about how I managed to win, thank you."
I finished and calmly went back to my books. As I sat down I was a bit frustrated and sighed as I began to finish my work.
What the Future
Brings
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-21-03 13:46
Bronwyn sat in the Hufflepuff common room sorting out her class schedule for the upcoming year. Occupational brochures and other reading material littered the surface of the small coffee table, as well as the sofa upon which the fifth year student sat. Today's ritual of picking electives was much different than in previous years, for this time life after Hogwarts was at stake.
It made the whole process of choosing electives all the more stressful, and Bronwyn desperately missed Kendra's sagely advice. Her best friend would have known exactly what classes to choose, and she would have gladly guided Bronwyn onto the proper path. Sighly, Bronwyn leaned back in her seat and pondered what she saw for herself in the future.
Naturally, Toby's handsome face came to mind, but deep, down, Bronwyn knew that this dream would likely not remain a reality. He was graduating at the end of the year and probably had a fantastic future ahead of him. The little girlfriend at Hogwarts would be forgotten.
Okay, so it probably wouldn't be as disheartening as that, but Bronwyn nevertheless knew they'd part ways by the end of the school year. It was something she hadn't dwelled on. "Live in the now," she said quietly to herself, and that was precisely what she intended on doing until that day of days.
"What can I do for myself?" Bronwyn pondered aloud, trying to get her mind back to the task at hand. Since taking over the role of Quidditch commentator, she had done quite a bit of public speaking and she liked it. Perhaps a position at the Ministry would satisfy her interests, unless she wanted to commentate professional Quidditch, of course.
Becoming alert, Bronwyn dug through some of the papers next to her, looking up only briefly when Desi came stomping into the common room. "Bad day?" Bronwyn asked, fishing out a brochure on the Department of Magical Games and Sports. She set it aside, starting a special pile just as Desi replied, "No, just a little irritated." She plopped down in a neighboring chair.
Bronwyn selected a rather thick packet on the Department of International Magical Cooperation and placed it on the pile. "The crystal ball, again?" Bronwyn asked.
Desi nodded. "I threw it against the wall."
"Did it break?"
"Nope."
"I had no idea they were so durable," Bronwyn admitted as she picked up a sheet of parchment on the Wizengamot. She placed it on top of the pile and waved her wand, collecting the unwanted brochures with one swish. "Want to look at these?" she asked Desi.
"Sure," the other girl replied. "You don't want them anymore?"
"No, I'm just going to concentrate on these." She indicated to her small pile. Hopefully, the packets would contain enough valuable information for Bronwyn to reasonably select courses for the new school year as well as decide on a promising career for the future. Smiling, she suddenly felt as if Kendra was still with her after all.
Others Relax
on Their Breaks
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 08-21-03 15:47
Lawrence was well aware of what Holiday it was, but he was also aware that he had O.W.Ls coming up in a couple of months. Despite the constant reassurance from Vera, he was still constantly studying. At the moment he was hunched over a table in a corner of the Common Room looking over several Astronomy charts and charting the stars from his notes the night before. He was still making plans to go see Professor Belladonna when he got the chance, to get a bit more help on his Astronomy.
He had taken a break from the books long enough to play in the final round of the chess match, and because he was unfortunately too busy studying for his O.W.Ls had forgotten about it and hadn't practiced at all. Though he was happy with his third place finish. Perhaps he would do better next year, but right now that was the least of his concerns.
Finally finished with Astronomy he tucked the star charts away and pulled out his homework for History of Magic. How many more goblin wars or troll revolutions or what ever could there possibly still be to write about? Lawrence really didn't want to know the answer to that question, at least not right now. He quickly penned a brief outline of the three scroll essay, and set the outline to the side and began working on the essay itself.
He was so wrapped up in working on his essay that he didn't even here Vera come down stairs and sit across from him. "I'll make you a deal, take the rest of the day off from studying and I will let you get back to it tomorrow ok?" Her voice finally filtered into Lawrence's brain causing his quill to still its movement.
"What do you want to do Vera?" He asked quite willing, yet somewhat reluctant to put the work away. But he had been neglecting her lately and figured he did owe her a little time together, besides he had something for her that he had had his Aunt pick up from a Muggle Store and send to him for Vera. It had come in on an owl this morning.
"How about we relax a bit on the grounds near the lake?" She said taking his bag of books and dashing up the stairs to the girls dorms and safely tucked his bag in her room. She came back down and laughed at the puzzled look on her boyfriends face. "What? It is so you don't have to even fight the temptation to start studying again today. I'll give it back before bed time ok?"
This seemed to placate him and he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. "What would I do with out you?" He asked grinning as he let go of her and picked up the box that had been sitting next to him at the table. "Happy Easter Vera." When the box was opened it was a chocolate bunny rabbit. "Now, lets head out to the lake and relax for a bit. Maybe head to the pitch and play catch with a quaffle?"
The two continued to chat and determine what they else they would do on Lawrence's forced study break for the rest of the day.
Another Holiday
away from Home
Author: Orieliah McCoi
Date: 08-21-03 16:03
Orie sighed softly as she sat curled up in the common room, gaze lifting occasionally to trail over those within. Wishing she could spend some time with Brett, but unsure where he was. She was currently waiting on an owl from her parents for the holiday, but was quickly losing hope. She knew her mom and dad were busy especially with her Dad getting a promotion over the Christmas holiday.
She closed her History of Magic textbook and tossed it aside. It was times like these she wished she could have her CD player here at Hogwarts, but knew because of the way things were designed she couldn't use it, so she didn't even bother bringing it with her when she came. She got up and gathered her things and headed toward the stairs and her room. She tossed her books on her trunk and looked up as she heard scratching at the window. She smiled when she saw Aage.
She quickly let him in and took the small package and letter from him. She offered him a few owl treats she had with her and then sent him off to the owlery while she opened the letter and gift from her parents.
Dearest Orieliah,
We are glad to hear that things are going well. We are looking forward to seeing you when the school year is over. Things have been going well here, especially since your father's promotion at Christmas. We thought you could use something to remind you of spring and summer back in California, so we found this dolphin pendant for you, to add to your charm collection. Happy Easter darling daughter, and we will see you soon.
Love always,
Mom and Dad
Orie smiled lightly and tucked the letter away and added the charm to her necklace with a smile. She then headed downstairs again and smiled when she saw Brett and his sister in the common room. She sat down and the three quickly jumped into an animated conversation about anything and everything.
Amusement
Author: Brady
Date: 08-21-03 18:51
"Well, Phil, it's our first official day of spring break. What ever are we going to do to amuse ourselves?" Brady asked. He was stretched out on the main couch in the Slytherin common room, feet propped on the low table in front of him and arms crossed behind his head.
"Well," Phillip suggested, "we could do that Transfiguration essay for next week, or we could start on that star chart for Astronomy or we could work on our schedules."
"Fun, Phil," Brady emphasized, "I said let's do something fun."
Phillip grinned. He was sitting on the edge of the coffee table. "How about we go to the Pitch and play some Quidditch?"
"Now you're talking," Brady said. He moved to get up, casting a glance across the dungeon to the fireplace, in front of which a group of first years sat. "When exactly are our schedules due?" he asked, heading in the direction of the dormitory.
Phillip followed suit and said, "It's the same thing every year, Brady. By the end of the week."
"You know, I think they give us this week off just so that we can spend more time thinking about school."
"It's only two elective classes you need to think about, Brady," Phillip said, "and you can make it easy on yourself and pick the same two you chose for this year."
"Ah, but change can be good sometimes," Brady admitted.
By now they were both in the fourth year boys' dormitory. They retrieved their brooms, which weren't the latest models as neither one played Quidditch for their house team. A little fresh air outside the castle would do both some good, and they could always work on those course schedules for the new school year after supper.
On the Quidditch
Cup
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 08-21-03 19:42
Draco strolled into the common room just as Macnair and Wilder were leaving and plopped down on the abandoned sofa. Invariably, his hand drifted into his robe pocket and clenched around the circular disk there. His mind wasn't on the medallion or its properties, though, but rather on the championship Quidditch game scheduled for the end of the month. He was certain, without the slightest doubt, that Slytherin would beat Ravenclaw.
Nevertheless, a few extra practices couldn't hurt. In fact, Draco had booked the Pitch for tomorrow and Thursday morning to sandwich Slytherin's usual practice on Wednesday evening. He wanted to be more than ready to take on Ravenclaw. At any rate, one thing was for certain: Ravenclaw would be toast.
"Quidditch Cup, here we come," Draco mumbled.
Just then, two familiar voices erupted throughout the common room. Tempest and Clara entered through the portal and leisurely walked past the couch, the former throwing a nasty look over her shoulder at the blonde boy. Draco suddenly wished he had thought to wear the necklace, for he'd have loved to read their thoughts, particularly Clara's. Alas, too many people were in the common room and Draco didn't want to reveal his secret treasure.
Instead, he met Tempest's gaze boldy until she walked out of sight with Clara at her side. Despite the hostilities off the field, there weren't any between them on it. Only one thing mattered when they were playing Quidditch as a team: winning.
And win they would.
Location Unknown:
Two Become One
Author: Voldemort
Date: 08-21-03 20:14
Watching from my lair I know that the chief auror is getting closer to an answer. Too close. Soon she'll know the truth so I cast a spell:
Sorcha who is good becomes rejoined with Sorcha who is bad. They started as separate parts of the same person, were divided and now are once again together.
But this spell I cast has an aftereffect: she can remember what she did as each character and to whom, but her memory of me, my other followers and where we hide are erased by the rejoining.
The morning will find her disoriented and confused, then remembering what she has done.
Garden Party
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 08-21-03 20:41
Lucius and Narcissa stroll through the well planned garden, enjoying the lawn party hosted by the Averys. The couple drift to a stop before a large, impressive fountain with a statue of a wizard. The wizard holds his wand aloft, water shooting from it much like sparks might fly out of a wand. Lucius nods toward the fountain, "I quite like this. What would you think of something along this line, though smaller of course, for the garden room?"
Narcissa voices her agreement. "Yes, for that one corner that always seems so empty. Speaking of fountains, the one you ordered for placement in the reflecting pool is to be installed tomorrow. I can't wait to see how the snake statue will look with the water dripping slowly from its fangs."
"Draco gave me the idea for it. Brilliant head on that boy when he chooses to use it. What time is the dinner party at the Fudge's on Wednesday?"
"Dinner is at eight with cocktails at seven-thirty. Boorish, peasant-like people but we do what we must for the cause. Oh, there's Bellatrix! She looks frightfully peaked. Being out in the sun today will do her some good."
Narcissa gives Lucius a peck on the cheek then waves to get Bellatrix's attention. Lucius watches his wife walk away then resumes his stroll. Seconds later he's joined by Avery.
"Nice party. Where did you find this place?"
"An elderly aunt has had it for years. She can't successfully apparate anymore, hates traveling by the Knight Bus, and only Floos when she absolutely has to do so. This house and grounds are so remote that means Aunt Blanche very rarely visits here. She offered it to me as an early part of my inheritance from her so I of course said yes. The party planning has been in the works for awhile and when you mentioned, Malfoy, that you'd like to have a meeting this evening, I thought we could hold both here."
"I had my reservations at first when you initially brought up having both here but now that I see this place, all I can say is jolly good show! Excellent idea, Avery."
"Care to share with me what this news of yours is or are you going to make me wait until the meeting is called to order."
"Swear on pain of death you won't say a word to anyone before the meeting?"
Avery laughs, noting the twinkle in Lucius's eyes. "But of course I swear! Now tell me!"
"Well," Lucius casts a look about to see if anyone's within hearing range and despite not seeing anyone, he still lowers his voice several octaves, "we have confirmations on more of the names given to us by Karkaroff and Harpsichord. One of those with a positive lead is Myrtle Marbleline."
"Myrtle the Marblehead? Isn't she the one who turned in Claudia and Algernon?"
Lucius grins that grin of his that's a perfect combination of evil and charm. "Yes, my dear Avery, the very one."
Avery gives Lucius a pat on the back. "Algernon was one of my very best friends. Promise me I get to have some of the honors when we have Myrtle over for tea."
Lucius starts snickering. "Over for tea. I like that. And yes, there's no reason why you can't play host when Myrtle comes to visit."
Darling Louis
Author: Reese Witherspoon
Date: 08-21-03 21:10
I was quite satisfied! My gowns, dresses, and cosmetics had come in time and I was overjoyed! New gowns! New dresses! Oh, the scent of such joy!
Most of the clothes were of the newest design! High laced bows, large gowns with a metal skeleton underneath the dress, and stiff corsets.
This does not look like Versace but more like 18th Century France! It was quite a giggle as the dresses were so large and so wide and so ridiculously decorated but it was indeed Versace; it said so inside the dress.
The jewels were quite large as well. Large blue diamonds, hard pink sapphires and glazing emeralds. There was one beautiful diamond necklace which must have been worth five chateuxs! It was just a stunning collar of diamond leaves and pink diamond roses with a gilded silver edge.
Oh dear! This will look fabulous! It's not pink though...
There was a letter there too. A large scroll with the stamp bearing the seal of the fleur de lis.
Who can this be... Carefully unrolling it, the paper was thick with such a soft and buttery feel yet scented with such a familiar aroma of sweet flowers...
My dearest Reese,
You haven't written since your departure for that dreaded city called London then your transfer to that horrific school! How is it? Must be horrible, just horrible with strange and awkward kids.
Anyways, have you missed me? I have. I've missed you so very much. You probably don't since you've seen the new boys at school. Probably forgot about me, but then again, you are you.
Your mother, the Duchess of Orleans, was kind enough to allow me to send this letter with a gift. I hope you enjoy it.
Adieu dear Reese,
Jacque-Louis de la Capet.
I hesitated. The first time I had ever hesitated to open a gift. I was nervous, scared, anxious. I can not believe that this...this...boy would still be sending me gifts after I turned him down a year ago.
I had carefully and slowly unwrapped the small box, and opened it.
It was stunning.
A large diamond ring gilded with smaller diamonds around it, the skeleton being made of silver, with the fleur de lis on the ring itself.
My eyes began to water, my face blushing with embarrassment, and finally swung the stained glass window open and threw the ring towards the cold and stone floor of the old and gothic school called Hogwarts.
