Easter Break

145 Belgrave Square: Vacationing
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 08-21-03 23:13

The Spice Girls blared from the bedroom as the microwave dinged. Belladonna put the clove cigarette in the ashtray and put Eastenders on pause using the VCR remote. Mrs. McM was always great about taping it to be caught up with on vacation or trips to London. Really, if a witch bought a home outside the wizarding community, getting a squib as a housekeeper was perfect.

Bella picked up the reheated Chinese food that had been delivered yesterday and started eating it as she restarted the tape. Ivy Cottage was getting lonely and the thought of a few days with her family was too stressful, so it had been time to apperate to the garage where her car was kept and drive to London.

Immersing herself in Muggle culture was always delightful. There were always aspects that she had forgotten. Plus there was always new music that she hadn't been able to obtain on record. So, right now she was wearing a baby t-shirt, tight jeans, hair in a ponytail, and bare feet and sitting up on the couch while eating halfway decent Chinese. It was totally Muggle and she loved the change.

She'd be back in Ivy Cottage after the weekend. But for now, she was being a little crazy and after the tapes, she was hitting Harrod's and then to dinner with some friends. What lovely inventions, the telephone and electricity.

Returning
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 08-21-03 23:36

Sneaking around Hogwarts was a lot harder now with all the students in the school and no classes. Still, in the middle of the night it was once again easy. All of the students were in their rooms and teachers as well. Tonight, tonight wasn't a night for sneaking. Sorcha had to owl Lucius and see if he could do a complete background check on all of the professors at Hogwarts.

Important information, and possible blackmail material, could be hidden in their pasts. As Sorcha wrote the request she felt almost as if she was being pulled. She was almost done with the request when the pull became stronger. She started moving backwards, through the chair. The quill fell from her hand and landed on the floor.

Sorcha turned around to see where she was being pulled too. To her horror she found she was being pulled towards the bed. Her time was over; the counter spell had been cast. She would no longer exist. She would return to herself, becoming one person again.

NO! I don't want to go back! I'm not done yet! Sorcha tried to scream out, NOO! I don't want to go back! NOOOOOO! As much as she tried to make a noise, her screams would only be heard by her own mind as the two halves became whole once more.

Oh, Sweet Release!
Author: Veronica Dumbledore
Date: 08-22-03 08:45

This year had certainly been trying on poor Veronica. When her beloved uncle invited her to come teach, she had seen it as a grand opportunity and learning experience. She never dreamed it would be so much work.

"These are the times that try men's souls," Veronica said aloud as she gazed into her mirror fingering through her wavy, red hair. Suddenly spying a gray hair, she carefully picked it apart from the others and yanked it out, scrunching up her nose and wincing as it tugged from her scalp. "Yeesh..." she whispered, gingerly rubbing the now throbbing spot on her head.

"Benjamin Franklin said that, you know." She said turning toward Hermes who was sitting quietly on his perch, his neck nestled down and his eyes shut. He was clearly ignoring her. She slowly rose and went to sit near him. "These are the times that try men's souls," she repeated again, outstretching a hand to stroke his wing.

"He was a brilliant man really... for a muggle. It's a wise saying. He must have been a teacher at the time..." she concluded with a chuckle. "Well, boy, we're free for a week. What do you say we go home and relax?" It was obvious that he understood her, because at this point he outstretched his wings and began flapping wildly as if in an ovation of approval.

Veronica gave a gentle laugh and stood up to stretch as well. "Here you are, boy," she said as she unlatched the window behind him and swung it open. "You go find yourself some breakfast and I'll get dressed and talk to Uncle Albus... then we can both go home." Hermes was still for a moment, then with a cooing noise, he dove out the window and soared upward towards the forest.

Cramped, With Kittens
Author: Dolores Umbridge
Date: 08-22-03 19:30

It is the lot of those with noble purpose to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or whatever it was that Muggle author wrote.

Dolores Umbridge ruminated thoughts of her role at Hogwarts as she rearranged her smallest plate with the cavorting kittens for the fifteenth time. She supposed she wasn't going to make the quarters she had been assigned any more livable, and might as well give it up as a bad job.

Since Albus Dumbledore was frequently at odds with Cornelius, she had hardly expected to be greeted with approbation, but, really!, the other members of the faculty had scarcely been cordial.

Still, she would persevere in spite of it, and in spite of the students who had rushed past her as if she did not exist, except...that lovely blonde girl in those elegantly tasteful pink robes, the one who had smiled at her all three days before she had left on her break, and, just as she was leaving, had reached into her purse and given Dolores a bottle of Versace perfume.

Miss Witherspoon. What a delightful creature! A unfortunate placement of houses in the radical Gryffindor, but still, a delightful creature, in PINK! Now, there was a candidate for an exalted position with the Ministry in the making. I must speak to Cornelius in her regard. I'm sure she will want to take a least one of my seminars.

Smiling, Dolores patted the perfume bottle. There were right-thinking students at Hogwarts, and it was her mission to find them.

MOM Headquarters: Meet and Greet
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 08-22-03 20:36

I glance at my office desk, currently stacked high with neglected paperwork, and an unopened letter with the Durmstrang logo on it- from Michael, of course. Before I start talking that lot I walk to the main room of Auror headquarters. "Magdin maith, Kingsley!"

"Good morning Dierna. Here's that report you wanted."

"Excellent thank you. Dawlish, is your report ready?"

"Not yet. Tomorrow."

"Fine. At the latest."

A crash announces someone else's arrival. I don't bother to see who it is. "Hello Tonks. Off to a good start, I see."

Just then someone I don't know crosses the room heading toward the far door and to the small hall. That's odd, I think to myself. She's heading toward the MUMA office. Arthur is still there and so is Perkins, so why would there suddenly be a new employee? I notice that Dawlish is staring after her. After getting him to 'wake up' I ask, "Who is she?"

No one seems to know so I make a mental note to introduce myself later. Meanwhile, paperwork awaits. I open Michael's letter first, after making sure it has the two initials, and breaking the code, once I have read, memorized and destroyed the letter I tend to some other mundane paperwork.

At some point I find myself wondering about Remus and Sirius. I know they are both intelligent and capable, but I still worry about them. They are, after all, my oldest friends. I have few enough of those left. I smile thinking of what that hateful Umbridge person would do if she found out I went against her "decree" and hired a werewolf. And better yet - can justify it.

Smirking at that thought I fill in more forms and the next time. "Welcome to the ministry. I'm Dierna ni Ciaran. I work in MLE." I deliberately leave on in what capacity. A tactical trick I often find useful.

Durmstrang Inst.: Unsavory Conversation
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 08-22-03 21:13

How many times can someone hear an argument before starting to believe it? Michael wondered, semi-listening to the Transfiguration professor's ramble about pure-blood superiority. Sooner or later he'd be asked his opinion and Michael would have to reply some suitably scathing remark concurring with the belief. Even though he didn't mean it, and only said it because he had to, Michael hated it. Michael really didn't understand how anyone could believe such archaic ideas. But that led back to his original question. And it worried him more than he cared to admit, that he may begin to believe some of this stuff because he'd been subjected to hearing it for nearly five months now. He noticed his cousin watching him. Michael has long suspected Merdroit of being a legilimens and so kept his thoughts carefully guarded. Michael's skill at occulmancy easily matching his cousin's probable skill at legilimens.

The possibility of starting to fall prey to Durmstrang's belief system wasn't the only thing Michael had on his mind: Sabina's birthday is in two days. He'd always taken time off to visit her, but this year that would be too risky. Merdroit would easily pick up on the date. Damned his no-good cousin! Michael also missed Blinkey, though for nothing in the world would he subject his house-elf to the kind of treatment she'd get here.

"Igor, are you listening?" asked one of the professors, Michael brought his attention back to the subject at hand "Of course. I don't think I need comment on such a self-evident trifle."

That seemed to work and the topic resumed. Michael excused himself, clamming he had to "grade some papers."

Private Island Vacation
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 08-22-03 21:18

Bare feet making small, lazy pushes against the fine sand, Julian slouches further down in the hammock type swing, getting more comfortable. Even though his eyes are shut he turns his head towards the person beside him in the large swing.

"You know, dearheart, that at some point very soon someone around Hogsmeade will see you."

A small, almost sad sighing sound, escapes her lips. "I know. That's been on my mind alot these past few days."

Julian snuggles in closer to Helena, his lips finding her shoulder before resuming what to all outward appearances is a nap. "Once back from the island, how about you simply stop playing invisible?"

"It would be nice not to have to go to some hick, backwoods place to shop. I guess it is about time I return to the world of the living so to speak. Some will want to question me ad nauseum though."

Even though Helena's sitting in an equally relaxed manner with eyes closed as well, Julian nods anyway, understanding without being told that the stress on some means not only Helena's parents but irritants like the Weasels as well. "True but you won't have to do it alone. You'll have me. You'll always have me for as long as you want."

"My personal slave, is that it?"

"Something like that."

"That means I get to help you with whatever it is you are planning for Briar."

"Oh yes, definitely. I'm glad you interrupted the letter I was writing to put things in motion that day you returned to my life."

Julian lifts Helena's hand to his lips and kisses it before drifting back to that almost asleep state he'd been in. Even without looking, he knows Helena's smiling and it's that thought he holds onto as he once more totally relaxes.

Returning Part 2
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 08-23-03 00:33

Spells where flying in all directions, lights flashed casting shadows over the cliff rocks. The crucio curse erupted from me, but thankfully was blocked by the lone person being attacked. A kneazle flew through the air landing on one of the cloaked figures. A spell knocked the wand from the person's hand. They turned to run, and another spell knocked rocks loose, and they fellÉdown onto Dierna.

Sorcha woke up screaming. She shot straight into a sitting position, her black hair covering her face. Sorcha threw the covers off of her and almost on to the floor on the other side of the bed. She turned and almost jumped off of the bed.

"That was so real... It was... It was a lot like how they died. But Dierna didn't die, that was a dream. Wasn't it? It seemed so real." Sorcha changed into her robes and started to grade papers. The papers started looking like spells written in Gaelic. Sorcha dropped the paper, and jumped out of her chair.

Carefully taking a look at the paper that was just dropped, it was easy to see that it was written in a form of runes that the class had been learning about. "Why did I see a spell written in Gaelic?"

Sorcha wondered aloud. Then she remembered why. She had copies of spells written in Gaelic she had stolen from Dierna.

"I didn't steal anything, I couldn't have." Sorcha went over and opened a secret space that she didn't even know what there a moment ago. Inside were several pieces of paper with Gaelic writing on them. Sorcha took them and walked back over to her desk, where she spied a note. It didn't have a name on it, but it was her handwriting. It was a request for background checks on all of the Hogwarts professors.

"Why would I request background checks? How did I get these spells? How did I know where that secret place was? What's going on?" Sorcha asked herself. The memories hit her like a sack of bricks.

The spell that was cast on her came first. The burglaries she committed against Dierna. Kidnapping Tennille Dumbledore...which led to her death. The fight with Dierna which led to her capture and torture. Recruiting giants for Voldemort's army...by any means necessary. All of it, every detail came back to Sorcha.

A thud came from the floor as Sorcha landed from fainting. She was on the floor for almost an hour before she started to wake up. She was wide awake in minutes. She was pacing once again. Her mind racing with everything she knew.

"I have to do something. I...I...I didn't do those things...but I did. Or did I? No, I didn't...I think. I have to tell someone. But who? I can't just tell anyone. I know! I need to tell the authorities. I should tell Dierna. Yeah, that's who I'll talk to.

Wait, will she be willing to talk to me? I'm sure she will. She will want to capture...Him. But, will she just lock me away after all I have done? She should. I have done horrible things that I shouldn't have done. So, that's it, I'm going to go see Dierna and tell her everything, no matter what happens."

Sorcha gathered the spells and the note and hurried from Hogwarts. She walked far enough from the school to allow her to apparate to the MOM headquarters.

Returning with No Skorkack
Author: Luna Lovegood
Date: 08-23-03 19:23

Luna was taking careful careful inventory of her items. With Mirai and the Treighers out and about, there wasn't anyone to chat with, so she had time to make a few notes. Breaks were one of the few times she could actually retrieve all her things together and make sure they were in one place, since her fellow students had a penchant for taking her items and hiding them. They did always turn back up, but it made it hard when she really needed something and it had gone missing.

The post had been interesting this morning, though. Daddy had gone on a short trip in the hopes of finding the elusive Crumple-Horned Snorkack. He had been given a very good tip, but it was in the heart of a Muggle tourist area, so he had had to be very careful not to use anything magical.

She sighed. That had been his undoing. He had actually spotted one! Daddy was determined to get proof, but he had to pretend to be using an ordinary Muggle camera, so he went out to the edge to get the perfect shot. Well, he hadn't actually fallen that far, and it was very hard to know that the ledge would crumble, and it really didn't take very long for a nice Muggle to call for rescue....

Still, the Muggle patrol that had rescued him had used interesting enough equipment to please even Arthur Weasley, and Daddy was going to do an article about the sighting anyway.

Luna could mention the Snorkack here, of course, but no one would believe her, not even her friends. Then again, what else was new?

Meeting Postponed
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 08-24-03 20:00

I sat at Arthur Weasley's desk, fiddling with my wand as I thought over the last few days. Being cornered the other day by Dierna hadn't been unexpected, although a bit surprising since I hadn't expected a request so soon. Having felt that avoiding her would seem suspicious, I had quickly agreed to lunch. But luck was my friend, because the sudden appearance of Sorcha had a memo sent flying to Dierna. She had read it over, and then excused herself, suggesting to do lunch together another day.

I knew of Sorcha of course. We had even discussed her at the last meeting the other night at Avery's place. Lucius must have noticed her visit here, but just incase he hadn't I made a mental note to update everyone with my information, especially to my dark Lord. Unfortunately, it was about the only information I had dug up so far, which left me worried. I knew that He had little patience for incompetence. Some of the other death eaters felt that trailing Arthur Weasley was a waste of time, but I knew deep down that he was the one to watch. That he could hold some of the answers that we were looking for.

Sensing someone behind me, I turned and pasted on my well practiced smile.

"Hello Arthur."

"Dru!" I cringed inwardly at the horrid nickname, but continued to smile towards him. "Ready for a job? We need to head down to the muggle's James Street. Seems that someone is playing with the public bathrooms again. Very suspicious. Seems the toilets erupted, and sprayed right through the ceiling! I suspect magic, but need to get a closer look. We'll need to blend in, so make sure to dress the part. It's all Muggle from here!"

As Arthur rushed excitedly out of the office, I let the smile drop from my face. Darn muggles. I hated being around them, I hated being thrown into their world, and I hated having to pretend to like them! But it would all be worth it, if my hunch on Arthur turned out to be right.

MOM HQ: If These Walls Could Talk
Author: Voleta Barret
Date: 08-24-03 20:48

Only four days had passed since the coming of the new hall-mate, Drucilla Eternal. She had moved into the same office Arthur and Perkins shared. Voleta really could not believe that the ministry could even try to fit another worker in there, but they had. The whole floor was in more or less an uproar because of the new coworker.

Voleta had been spending as little time in the office as possible because it seemed that Drucilla would drop in at the worst moment to "chat" (more like spy...). Voleta was starting to think that she never worked. Arthur and Perkin's workload had not become any smaller since her coming. In fact, it seemed that it had grown a bit, but that may be because of the new "organizing" system they had been forced to adopt.

Drucilla had proposed to Fudge that there was not enough paperwork being done on objects being confiscated. "You never know, Minister, Weasley or Perkins could be stealing some items that they confiscate. Such as electric plugs...." Fudge had mopped it up like the little bit of syrup left from your cakes in the morning. Nothing was sweeter.

Voleta had begun to fear for her own office. It was just a matter of time before Drucilla stormed in to "rearrange" and "organize" her office. Apparently because it looked like a mess, it was a mess to her. Her lip would always sneer when entering Voleta's office. Papers were spilling out of every file folder and cabinet. Empty ink bottles stacked nicely in a pyramid on the windowsill behind the desk with an almost dead plant to complement them. A total look of disarray was seen no matter which way you turned your head, but in reality, Voleta liked her office as it was. She knew where everything was; there was no problem in finding anything at anytime.

"There must be some way to get rid of her," said Voleta to herself.

"Get rid of who, dear?" said the painting of the old man on the wall.

"Oh!" Voleta always forgot that she really did have an office-mate. Most of the time he was not in his frame, but at the moment he seemed to be. "No one, Perry. No one in particular," Voleta gave a sheepish grin, trying to cover her tracks.

Perry was not impressed. He gave a loud snort and zoomed off to tell the person in the next frame.

"Oh, no! It seems I may be in trouble now!" groaned Voleta.

MOM HQ: Working Through the Holidays
Author: Amashelle
Date: 08-24-03 21:48

Amashelle took her place behind the front desk with a bit of a sigh. It was coming to the point where she was simply doing the same thing, day after day. Yes, things could get tiring quite quickly when one worked as an unimportant secretary in the Ministry of Magic. If it weren't for her Master's wishes for her to stay where she was, she would have got up and left some time ago.

But things would be picking up soon...

Merry Again
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 08-25-03 16:01

All was well in the world again...well, almost.

Since removing himself from near isolation, Bill's relationships with his family and dear friend, Briar, flourished. Nearly all the family, plus Penelope and Blossom and Briar, of course, had gone to the Burrow for Easter Sunday. Molly and Arthur had welcomed the entire lot of them with open arms, though a certain sadness for Charlie's absence lingered over all. Charlie had owled a day prior to the holiday with news of a nest of unattended dragon eggs and cited this for reason not to come home for Easter. Deep, down Bill thought Charlie's desire to remain abroad stemmed from something else...painful emotions from the memories of New Year's Eve. Ron and Ginny's absences were also noted, and both had sent a collaborative letter relating well-wishes to all, and they received a great, big letter from everyone in return.

Bill had kept silent with regards to Briar's latest secret. She wasn't showing yet, and thus had some time to keep the news of her pregnancy to herself until she was otherwise ready. They had left the Burrow early, directly after Arthur received an urgent call from the Ministry. Despite Easter's abrupt end, Bill and Briar had enjoyed the remainder of the evening taste-testing some of the baker's loveliest sweets.

Yes, much in Bill's life was perfectly fine, but a small voice in his head constantly reminded him about Adriana Fairchild. Where was she now? What was she doing? Was she all right? Would she ever return to him? He knew he couldn't answer any of these questions and that it was futile to keep asking them. A tiny part of him told him to simply give up. Things would never be as they were with her. Those days were long past. But another tiny part refused to give up hope. Yet, Bill knew he couldn't carry on like this forever. Someday he would have to reach a decision...

Now it was Wednesday afternoon, nearly five o'clock at that. Bill whistled a merry tune as he closed a manila folder and whirled around in his rolly-chair, depositing the folder into one of the filing cabinets on the back wall. He climbed to his feet and collected his briefcase--the one Aaron Miller's friend Bea had given him when he lived in Muggle London during the period of his amnesia. Walking out of the office and bolting it shut with a wave of his wand, Bill approached one of the teller counters and said, "Lock up for me, Grobian?"

The Gringotts goblin nodded his head, but kept his eyes focused on the brass scale upon which several dozen golden galleons were placed.

Bill spun on his heel and strode across the marble floor, pausing only at the doorway to say hello to a customer who had just come in at the nick of time. "You've got about 5 minutes," Bill said, grinning, and then he stepped outside into the crisp, spring air.

He wasn't in the mood to head home and really only had one destination in mind...well, two. The door chime to Briar's Bakery dinged sweetly as Bill stepped inside. The lovely Briar was standing behind the front counter, covering some of the sweets beneath the display case so that they'd remain soft and tasty tomorrow.

"You're about 15 hours too early for our coffee date, Bill," Briar said, smiling.

"I'm not here for coffee," Bill said, "I'm here to take you out to dinner. Let's go to the Spinning Horn."

"Well, I was thinking of just warming up some leftovers..." Briar started, but Bill was quick to jump in.

"I'm too lazy tonight to whip up something myself and as fabulous as your leftovers sound, I'm really in the mood for a fresh, full-course meal. Let me treat you to dinner, please? It's either this or heading over to Bella's; she gave me an open invitation to dinner, though I'm not sure if a three-hour notice will be enough." Bill checked his watch and wrinkled his forehead in thought. When his eyes focused on Briar's again he saw that she was laughing at him.

"All right, all right. I'll go to dinner with you," she said. "Let me just finish up here and we can go."

"Need any help?" Bill offered.

"Just as long as you don't taste-test anything. I don't want you to spoil your fancy full-course dinner!"

Being Helpful
Author: H Potter
Date: 08-25-03 17:55

Harry chews his lower lip while studying the chess board. Sitting across from him, arms folded and looking smug, Ron waits for Harry to make what Ron is sure will be Harry's last for this particular game. Harry shifts as he moves his hand toward the piece he finally decided to move. His fingers begin curling to pick it up but then Harry pauses, his hand hovering over the board. Harry gives himself a mental kick. How could he have missed something so obvious?

Harry glances up at Ron, the look still there but it's not quite as smug now. He now sees that Ron had subtly been maneuvering Harry to make the exact move he'd almost just made. Glancing back to the board, Harry moves a different piece then looks up, his grin wide.

"Check."

Ron scowls then grins as well, knowing Harry's got him this time. Ron concedes the game to Harry and as the two boys start setting up for their next game, Hermione suddenly appears waving pamphlets and flyers in their faces.

"You have filled out your class forms haven't you? It's hard enough getting Snape to accept us into this next N.E.W.T. level Potions class but if the forms are late you'll have no chance at all."

Ron scowls again but this time his look doesn't quickly melt into a grin. "I don't need that class. It's been torture enough this year as it is."

"What if you don't make it as a professional Quidditch player, Ron? You need something to fall back on."

For once, Harry agrees with Hermione on this one. "Hermione's right. I think you'll make it in Quidditch but let's say you don't, Ron. You could end up deciding on a career that requires a strong Potions education. I'm not thrilled about taking Potions again but if I'm going to have a chance at being an auror, I have to have it."

Hermione nods, "I feel the same way about taking the class but several careers I have my eye on require it, such as healing."

Ron pushes back from the table, his eyes flashing angrily. "Then I'll coach. I thought friends were supposed to support each others important decisions." Ron stalks off muttering under his breath about people who suck the fun out of perfectly nice, class free holidays. Harry gives Hermione a chagrinned look. She shrugs, "Ron's only angry because he knows we're right and that even coaching spots can be difficult to obtain. I'll end up filling out his class form anyway, I'm sure, so he's going to take Potions if Snape accepts him into the class." Harry looks in the direction Ron went, gives his own shrug, then starts putting the chess pieces away. "I'll go talk to him after he's cooled off a little. In the meantime, want me to help you figure out what classes to put on Ron's form in case he doesn't do it himself?"

Hermione smiles her thanks and sits down in the chair so recently vacated by Ron, spreading pamphlets and flyers over the space. Within minutes, she and Harry are debating the pros and cons of various fields Ron might consider if he doesn't succeed professionally in Quidditch.