Second Best
Author: Isolde
Date: 10-07-03 08:24
Isolde and Pyrrhus walked hand-in-hand into the Great Hall, finding it difficult to ignore the lack of Slytherin banners decorating the dining chamber. They had been so close to taking the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup, too, only to lose them both to Ravenclaw. Bad luck, Slytherin. Maybe next year.
They found seats side-by-side at the Slytherin table and sat down, speaking softly to one another about summer plans and goals for next school year. The Great Hall slowly started to fill with eager students and professors alike ready to stuff their bellies with a delicious meal over merry conversation. The end of the school year had finally arrived!
Unexpected
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-07-03 09:27
"See you tomorrow, Clipchin," Bill said as he locked his office door with a flick of his wand. The goblin nodded his head in acknowledgement and went through a door behind the teller counters, while Bill crossed the marble floor to the front doors. He stepped outside into the warmth of the coming summer, locking Gringotts' doors behind him with another flick of his wand.
Over the hill and past the gates of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Castle towered, the windows illuminated brightly from the candle- and torchlight within.
It wasn't dark outside yet, but the sun was sliding towards the horizon, ready to sink below the earth and bring upon Hogsmeade a starry night. Bill started on his path home, thinking of many things. He thought of Charlie in Romania, and Fred and George and their booming business in Diagon Alley. He thought of Briar and the little baby she was carrying, and of Adriana. Always of Adriana.
Where was she? What had become of her? Why...
Bill stopped in his tracks. He was standing outside the used bookstore, Twice Told Tales. Looking into one of the windows, he spotted someone he never expected to see there.
"What in Merlin's name is she doing in there?" Bill asked aloud. All thoughts of going home were forgotten. He made a beeline for the door and stepped inside to its welcoming jingle.
"Sorry, we're closed!" the woman said, looking up from the atlas stretched across her lap. Her eyes widened for the slightest of moments.
"You work here?!" Bill asked incredulously.
Muggle School
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 10-07-03 19:50
Tranquillina cracked her wrists and tried to focus on her text book. There was only a week left at her school, and she couldn't concentrate.
Her father was a muggle, but her mother was a witch, so Tranquillina was familiar with Hogwarts. She knew that, if accepted, this would be her last week of Muggle school.
She hoped that was the case.
Her mother, Patricia Wiles-Aemilius, had gone been in Gryffindor. Somehow, Tranquillina felt she was expected to do the same. Not to mention, she'd love to do it.
Tranquillina moved her eyes and saw her mother watching her impatiently.
"The wall isn't going to help you pass your science finals, Tranquillina." She pointed out, smiling.
"Sorry..." came Tranquillina's muttered reply, as she hurried back to her book.
But she still didn't see what it said....
Food Does
a Belly Good
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 10-07-03 22:28
The year had come to an end and Vera could hardly believe it. It seemed as though it had only begun. She hated having to say good-bye to her friends and teachers. She even hated saying good-bye to Hogwarts itself!
"Hey Vera! What are ya watin' for mate?! Let's go get some food!" Vera's friends beckoned to her.
"I'm waitin' for Lawrence. You go on ahead. Save a couple o'seats for us!" They nodded and were out the door.
A few moments later her beloved boyfriend came trotting down the stairs. "What 're you so excited fer?" She laughed. Lawrence had been in such a good mood all day.
"Well, I suppose the fact that I made it through the whole year! And doing good on the O.W.L's. At least I think so anyways." He smiled.
"I'm sure you aced it." Vera winked at him. "Whad'a say we go stuff our bellies, eh?"
Lawrence lifted his arm for her to take it. "I'd say that's a grand idea!"
We they arrived in the Great Hall Vera spotted their companions and took their seats with them. Talking and waiting for the feast to begin.
First Year
Gone
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 10-08-03 12:34
Fritz enters the Great Hall, smiling broadly at the sight of the blue and bronze banners hanging from the vaulted ceiling of the dining chamber. He makes a beeline for the Ravenclaw table and sits down among his equally excited housemates. The Great Hall is already quite full, though not everyone has arrived yet.
Fritz thinks back to the beginning of the year and his very first entrance into the Great Hall. How new and exciting that day had been! And now it was the end of the year and time for the End of Term Feast. Fritz, for one, could not wait for the feasting to begin! His mouth was already watering with anticipation!
Discovered
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 10-08-03 15:19
Helena looked up from the atlas spread across her lap and gazed at Bill Weasley. "Yes, Bill," she started slowly, closing the book gently and setting it aside, "I work here." She stood up and clasped her hands behind her back.
Clearly, Bill looked stunned and at a loss for words. "You work here?!" he repeated, eyes wide and a tinge of pink coloring face. He quickly recovered his tongue and blurted out, "Are you insane? I thought you hated this place as much as I do, if not more!"
On the inside, Helena was laughing. Oh, what a fool you are Bill, she thought to herself. You don't know the half of it!
But on the outside, Helena cast her eyes downwards and studied her shoes. "I needed a job. I didn't know where else to go," she said carefully. She raised her eyes to catch his predictable reaction.
"You could have come to Gringotts, or half a dozen other establishments in this town. I'm sure someone would have offered you a job," Bill said, eyes ablaze. "Besides, what happened to dragon keeping?"
"I've given it up," Helena said, and as an appropriately timed afterthought she added, "It reminds me too much of Charlie."
Score one for Helena.
Bill's facial expression was classic. He looked all at once shocked, understanding and unforgiving. "C-Charlie? You still think about him?" "Of course, I still think about him!"
Helena exclaimed, suddenly rediscovering the short fuse she had been known for. "I was married to the man, I am married to him!"
"And it's high time something is done about that," Bill stated. "Either you two patch things up or you end it once and for all. It's no good for either of you to remain in limbo for this long."
"Do you honestly think he'd want anything to do with me anymore after learning about my past with Julian?" Helena exclaimed incredulously. "He obviously doesn't, otherwise we'd be together today."
"What is your present with Julian?" Bill asked, shifting gears to the whole reason he entered the bookstore in the first place.
"What do you mean?" Helena said casually. "He's my employer." Among other things.
"I can't honestly believe you'd willingly step foot in here to work for the man who allegedly humiliated and hurt you so badly," Bill mused. "Unless..." He cocked his head and studied Helena curiously.
Another Year
Goes By...
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 10-08-03 20:10
The Great Hall is resplendent in banners of blue and silver. The Ravenclaw Eagle is highly in evidence, proudly displayed in a wide array of presentations. Most at the Ravenclaw Table are sporting blue hair, a custom started by some of the First-Years to support their Quidditch team. I wonder how long this tradition will continue. Even Professor Flitwick, down the table to my right, is showing his true colors with streaks of blue in his copious whiskers. I look from my place at the high table, across a sea of shining faces. Youth! Yes, in some cases it is truly wasted on the young. Those who do not take advantage of it. Those who take life, and themselves, much too seriously. Others seem to revel in it, taking every opportunity to experience it to the fullest. I see some of each type before me... and all manner of gradients in between the two extremes. My eyes slide down the length of the Gryffindor Table until they come to rest on a pair of red heads. Weasleys... Hogwarts has played host to a generation of them. An within that one family, you have the entire spectrum of diversity. From the quiet confidence of Bill, the energy of Charlie, and the priggishness of Percy... to the riotous antics of Fred and George. The two at the table are the last of the current crop... at least until some of the older ones get busy on the next generation.
The Hufflepuff table is astir with last-minute hugs and promises to write. Notes are being exchanged with addresses and invitations to visit and all that. Only Slytherin seems somewhat subdued. I fear they were counting too much on taking top-honors this year. The venomous looks, usually reserved for Gryffindors, are being directed more toward the Ravenclaws. Fortunately, the Ravenclaws are totally oblivious to all this.
Minerva, seated on my right hand, leans over to whisper that it is about time to begin. With authority and long practice, and a little help from a Sonorous charm, she gives her water goblet three sharp raps with her teaspoon. The crystal notes race the length of the Hall, sweeping quiet before them. All eyes turn to face the head table as I stand.
"Welcome! Welcome to the Hogwarts Traditional End of the Year Feast! Before we turn our attention to the food, however, I would like to take a moment to announce the results of the various House Competitions.
"First, I should like to mention the Wizards' Chess Tournament, a battle well fought by all the contestants. The final standings are: Annie Paul - Gryffindor - 25 points, Cho Chang - Ravenclaw - 20 points, Lawrence Masterson - Hufflepuff - 15 points, and Faith Brumby - Slytherin - 5 points." I pause for the applause and cheering.
"The Quidditch Cup, this year was won by RAVENCLAW!" I smile down at the Ravenclaw Table, but no one there is paying the least bit of attention to the Headmaster. They are thoroughly caught up in their cheering.
"And now, for the House Point totals for this year. In fourth place we have Hufflepuff with a total of 135 points." The crowd applauds, but there is not a great deal of cheering. "Taking third place is Gryffindor with 235 points." Applause and some cheering erupt from around the Hall. "In second place is Slytherin with 460." This brings a scattering of polite applause, mainly from the Slytherin Table. "And finally, in first place, taking the House Cup as well as the Quidditch Cup... RAVENCLAW... with a total of 575 points." Cheering comes from three of the four tables. Slytherin politely abstains.
"And now, with those formalities out of the way, I do not think it wise to stand between a Hogwarts student and anything which resembles food! Let the Feast Begin!" I sit down and prepare to enjoy the variety of victuals which have appeared before me. I have only a few end of the year announcements, which I will save for later.
Feasting &
Summer Plans
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 10-09-03 11:08
Dumbledore announced the start of the feast and suddenly plates and bowls of the most delicious-looking and aromatic foods appeared on the tables. Hermione helped herself to some lightly-battered chicken legs, some yellow corn and rice, while Ron scooped himself a large spoonful of mashed potatoes, some green beans and a big slice of steak. Endless quantities of a variety of food stretched the length of each table, and Hermione was already eyeing the next few things she'd add to her plate.
"I love these things," Ron said between a mouthful of food.
"The greenbeans?" Hermione asked.
He swallowed and said, "No, the feasts. We can stuff ourselves silly on the best meals imaginable."
"Can you believe that next year is already our last here at Hogwarts?" Hermione questioned, changing the subject. She picked up a silver goblet filled to the brim with pumpkin juice and took a sip.
"Where has the time gone?" Ron agreed.
"I don't know, but I do know this," Hermione started, setting the goblet back down and retrieving her fork, "we have the NEWTs at the end of the school year, which means next term will not be easy. We'll have to study all day everyday."
"Don't you do that anyway?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well yes," Hermione replied, "but my point is, next year we will have to be very serious about our studies. More so than we have ever been."
"Hermione, let's not talk about studies and schoolwork anymore," Ron pleaded. He was smiling. "Let's talk about this summer. Holidays. Vacation. A well-deserved break from Hogwarts. So, when will you come visit me?"
"After I spend some time with my parents," Hermione said. "I'm excited about seeing them again. It's been so long."
"You saw them at Christmas," Ron reminded.
"Yes, but that was half a year ago." Hermione elbowed Ron gently in the side and shoveled some corn onto her fork. "If your Mum will allow it..."
"She will."
"You don't know what I was going to say." Hermione poked Ron again.
"Doesn't matter. She loves you. She'll allow it." Ron winked.
"Very well. I'll reserve the wedding chapel."
"The wedding chapel?"
"Yes, for our wedding this summer," Hermione said calmly.
"W-wedding?!" Ron's ears burned.
"Oh, I'm just being silly, Ron," Hermione said, laughing. "Honestly. What I was going to say is if your Mum will allow it, I can stay with you from the middle of the summer until it's time to return to Hogwarts."
Ron's face was still burning when he nodded his head in agreement and croaked out, "O-okay."
Hermione leaned to him and pecked him on the cheek. "Is it all right with you?"
"Oh, yes," Ron said, having recovered from Hermione's joke. He kissed her softly on the lips. "I'd love for you to spend all of your summer with me, but I understand that you want to see your parents. They probably want to see you anyway."
Hermione nodded and returned to her meal. "And what are you doing for the summer, Harry? Sirius is still out of town, isn't he?" She looked across the table at Harry, but he was busy in conversation with Ginny and he didn't hear her question.
The Million
Dollar Question
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-09-03 12:32
"Unless what, Bill?" Helena asked, throwing her hands into the air. She looked more and more irritated by the minute.
"Unless Julian's blackmailing you or something equally vile," Bill supposed. "Otherwise why would you set foot in this place?"
Helena rolled her eyes and made an annoyed noise in the back of her throat. "Come off of it, Bill. Nothing strange is going on here. No one is forcing me to be here, under false or other pretenses. I'm here willingly."
Bill raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Why torture yourself?"
"I'm fine, Bill." Helena sighed exasperatedly. "Look, after New Year's Eve I took some time to be alone with myself, and during that time I was able to take a step back and look at my life. I've done so many stupid things, I've had several regrets...but that's all part of living, isn't it? I'm not going to let my faults and downfalls get me down anymore. You could say that I'm facing my demons. I'm looking everything and everyone in the face and I'm saying that I'm not going to back down. I'm not going to give up. I'm going to get what I want."
"And what do you want, Helena?" Bill asked.
"My life back."
Bill studied Helena quietly for a moment, trying to read her face and body language. Was she the same person he once knew? Maybe, maybe not. But why did she feel the need to lie to Bill about Adriana? He knew without a shadow of a doubt that Helena had been with Adriana for six weeks following their disappearances. It wasn't until mid-February that Bill learned that they were both alive, and Helena came to Hogsmeade alone shortly thereafter.
"Helena," Bill resumed slowly, carefully planning out each word, "I need to ask you something. I think it might be difficult for the both of us, but I need to know the truth."
"Is it about Charlie?"
"No," Bill said, "it's about Adriana."
Year One Gone,
Now Looking Forward
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 10-09-03 16:30
As Professor Dumbledore made his announcements and mentioned my winning the W.C.C. Tournament I blushed a bit. I didn't feel I did anything special, just won something I love.
As I blushed I felt some pats on the back as the Gryffindor table cheered. Soon the final points were mentioned and everyone knew Ravenclaw won the House Cup since the Hall was decked out in the Ravenclaw colors and eagle banners.
I was grateful like the others that Slytherin did not win the cup. After Professor Dumbledore's announcements the plates filled with every food imaginable and we all began to eat. As we ate I looked at Remadi and smiled. "Remadi I just want to thank you for all your support this year. I sure needed it. It's great to have you for a friend." Remadi smiled and raised her goblet. I raised mine in a toast then we both drank. I then thought of giving her my address to write and managed to find a scrap of paper and a quill and wrote it down. "For the summer. I hope we keep in touch."
I then looked at Orie and felt good to know her as well. Two friends made and one, well..., one nemesis but who cares. My first year was over and now it's home then soon my second year and whatever comes my way.
MOM - Riding
the Elevator
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 10-09-03 19:41
Pushing a pesky memo out of my face, I feel a sense of renewal wash over me, after having taken a few days to let everything at the meeting with the Deatheaters sink in. The meeting had left me recharged in energy and focus. More than ever, I wanted to prove myself to my dark lord.
As the elevator opened, I smile in pleasure. Dolores Umbridge. Just the woman I wanted to talk to. As the doors closed again, I turned to Dolores.
"Hello. I don't think we've met yet? I'm Drucilla. I work in the department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts."
I watched as Dolores eyed me up and down carefully. When she smiled at me, I figured I had just passed her approval.
"Dolores Umbridge. I've heard things about you, Drucilla. And let me just say, you are just what the Ministry has been lacking lately. In fact, you remind me of myself."
The elevator stopped.
"Hem hem. This is my floor, Drucilla. Let's meet for lunch, shall we? Let's say around 1 p.m.? See you then."
As the doors slid shut again (but not before another annoying memo flew in and dinged me off the forehead of course), I smiled. Dolores would be a handy friend here. And a well-placed distraction, to take some of the focus off myself. Very handy indeed. Smiling to myself, I leveled my wand at the slightly crumpled memo, and watched as it started to smoke and then burn.
Got a Minute
to Spare
Author: Santhea Fennally
Date: 10-10-03 06:25
Santhea's eyes where scanning the Slytherin table until finally they stopped on a familiar platinum blond head. The young man, no boy if his behaviour was any indication, it belonged to had been going to great length to avoid her since that last time they had collided.
Now was as good a time as any to finally speak with him and, she shuddered at the thought, thank him for his, no there was no better word for it, thoughtfulness. Gracefully she raised herself from her own seat and walked over to where Draco was sitting. With, nausea built in the pit of her stomach, Pansy Parkinson.
"Oh, aren't you two cute? I hate to interrupt your nice little rendezvous, but..." she smiled down at the two seated students, "Have you got a minute to spare for me, Malfoy?"
Pansy glared at her; face contorted as if she had just bitten into a lemon. "Can't you see that he's busy? And why would he want to be with the likes of you? Or are you going to cry again if he doesn't come quietly?" she snickered.
"That's enough, Parkinson." Draco's voice was dangerously low, and Pansy seemed to have lost her voice because she could only open and close her mouth like a fish, but no sound came. The blond Slytherin turned to Santhea, "Shall we then?"
---
The huge oak doors had closed behind them, and now they stood just outside the castle's main entrance. As soon as they were without earshots, Santhea whirled around and snapped, "Why didn't you tell the whole school? Go on, this is the perfect opportunity. Everyone's assembled in the Great Hall. Go on, tell them!"
Draco gazed at her, puzzled, "What in Merlin's name are you talking about? Tell them what?" Hollow laughter cut through the warm night air, "What you apparently told Ms Parkinson! I knew you'd make me regret it, I knew it the moment I sank to the floor wrapped in your arms. But I never thought you'd stoop this low!"
Comprehension dawned, "I see. Let me ask you something. Did you look around the Common Room before, as you put it, you 'sank to the floor wrapped in my arms'? She was there! She witnessed it! All of it. For some reason that is beyond me I tried to hush her up..."
Her eyes widened in shock, "You ... you what? Why?" Draco shrugged, "Search me..." For one second, the ice in his eyes seemed to melt away, granting her an insight into his... No, she must have imagined it. Because there it was again, accompanied by his infamous drawl, "Anyway, you wanted to talk to me. What about?"
Her face was set, a mask of indifference, "Well, I never got round to thanking you for, well, your 'kindness'." The last word was no more than a hiss. "And I don't what you to think that I was brought up to act ungrateful..." She leaned forward, their faces only inches apart and whispered, "Thank you." With that she crossed those last inches and softly brushed her lips against his. 'No, your heart didn't jump just now. You're perfectly alright...' Pulling back and turning towards the doors, she made to leave.
But she never made it this far. She was held back by two insistent arms; and the soft voice against her ear, "I think you could be a little more grateful, don't you think?"
Not So Forthcoming
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 10-10-03 07:54
"Adriana?" Helena questioned casually, running a few fingers through her hair. "What about her?"
"When you ran away from the Burrow on New Year's Eve, Adriana followed you. You could have very well been the last person to see her that night." Bill paused, studying Helena's pensive facial expression. What is she thinking? And suddenly, the overwhelming urge to just tell all overcame Bill and he added spitefully, "In fact, I know you were."
Helena's face contorted with outrage. "What do you mean? I told you I'd been alone for six weeks. Alone doesn't include Adriana."
"The reason I know you weren't alone in hiding is because she told me so," Bill stated, eyes flashing brightly. "Why did you lie to me that day at The Three Broomsticks? Why are you lying to me now?"
"Did you ever stop to consider that perhaps she's the one who has been lying to you?" Helena countered boldly.
"She wouldn't do that," Bill said.
"Wouldn't she?"
"She wouldn't," Bill repeated, determined. "Look," he sighed deeply, "maybe you're just trying to protect her or even yourself. I know something is terribly wrong with her. I know that you have to know it, too. And as much as it kills me to say it, I know that you may know more about it than I ever will."
Helena said nothing and only stared at Bill.
"Do you have any idea where she is now?" Bill asked, the anger from his eyes gone and replaced with hope. "Do you have any idea how I can contact her? How I can bring her back?"
Helena shook her head. "She's gone, Bill. Nothing you or anyone else can do will bring her back." And short of a miracle, what Helena had just said was the truth.
Adriana was gone forever, though the mystery of all the whys and hows remained ever present. Bill didn't want to give up. He didn't want to surrender to the truth. Adriana had slipped into the dark, and she'd never again see the light.
Bill excused himself and left the bookstore, frazzled and in a daze. Clearly, a lot was on his mind, and the question of Helena's business with Julian and Twice Told Tales was at least temporarily forgotten.
Shaking her head, a small smile crept across Helena's face.
