Preparations
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 07-20-02 10:55
Briar arises early and after a quick shower, she heads to the bakery's kitchen. Today is a Hogsmeade trip day for Hogwarts, which means that if the last trips are anything by which to judge, in just a few hours the shop will be wall to wall students. They will expect the shelves to be well stocked with a wide variety of sweets and pastries and Briar does not plan to disappoint them.
Figuring Bill might show up early for his morning coffee, Briar sets the pot to brewing before she does anything else. An impish grin spreads across her lips when she decided that if Bill does show, he'll have to earn his coffee today by helping out a little. Charlie too if he also comes, particularly if there's a promise of free fudge or whatever other sweet he might have a craving for.
With at least another hour to go before the Donnelleys are scheduled to be there, Briar gets to work, singing to herself as she goes. Today should be a very good day.
Memorabilia
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 07-20-02 21:00
I spent the morning getting things ready for Harry's visit. Since the break-in, I had cleaned up and taken inventory of exactly what was missing. I had also moved anything else that could be viable or useful to whoever's been plaguing me to Gringotts, in one of the top security vaults. If that wasn't safe, nowhere was.
I walk over other cupboard and take out a fresh table cloth and then spread it on the table, then I take the scones, cinnamon buns and pastries I had bought from the bakery and place them on the table, next to two bottles of butterbeer and my teapot. Hospitality is paramount to Irish wizards, and I uphold such standards for all my guests.
That done, I walk into my bedroom and look at the pine jewelry box, etched with lilies, sitting in the centre of my dresser. This was Lily's, I had given it to her for Christmas when we were students together. It was one of the items she had sent to me to keep. The polish shines as if it was new. I take the small key, open the box, and look at the contents: some pictures - ones that Lily had taken, a silver locket (another gift from me), and letters - Lily and James correspondences before they were married. Also a letter they had written to Harry, should they be found and killed by Voldemort and one other to me, written about a week before she and James were betrayed by their secret keeper, Peter Pettigrew. It is this letter, which I take out to read, one more time, before I pass on the box and its content to Harry. Then I put it back into the box, shut the lid and with the jewelry box in hand, I walk downstairs and wait for my godson's arrival.
The Mission
Begins
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 07-20-02 22:02
I start of my critical mission. I'm not sure where Wormtail is but I am determined to find him. I keep alert at all times. There is no telling what is lurking out there. I am careful to be discrete and subtle.
The first day, there are no signs of Wormtail. I take a quill and parchment and write:
Dear Dierna,
How are you?
I am starting the mission.
I am safe. Are you?
Remus Lupin
I attach the letter to the owl and send it to Dierna. Then I resume the search.
Saturday,
the 24th! Road Trip!
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 07-21-02 07:00
Pyrrhus languidly stretches, lies still for a few moments, then hops out of bed. He suddenly feels charged and can barely contain his excitement for today is the trip. After a quick shower, Pyrrhus hurries to get ready. Once fully dressed, he grabs his book bag and packs a set of clothes more suitable for a warmer climate. After double checking his money and making sure he's got everything they'll need, Pyrrhus heads to the common room to await his lady.
Setting out
for a Visit
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 07-21-02 12:50
On early Saturday morning, Harry, Ron, and Hermione happily set out for Hogsmeade. It was a lovely day with a few scattered clouds in the bright, blue sky and a few bold rays of sun shining down to the earth. The air was still quite cool, but not uncomfortably so.
Although the threesome had several plans for the day, their main agenda was to visit Dierna ni Ciaran at her home. At the Quidditch game a week before, Harry had learned that the school's auror was also his godmother. Since that day, Ron and Hermione had noticed a considerable change in their friend. He seemed so much happier than ever before. The only times it appeared that his smile vanished from his face was when he'd see Ginny and Prescott Clearwater together.
As they ambled down the cobbled road, Ron and Harry had to steer Hermione away from Twice Told Tales. She pouted, but they promised her that they'd all visit the bookstore in the afternoon. They continued on and eventually passed The Three Broomsticks.
"She lives just around the corner," said Harry, pointing in the right direction.
They rounded the corner and found themselves standing before a large Tudor home with an oak tree in the front yard.
"This is it," breathed Harry. "This is my godmother's home."
The Special
Day
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-21-02 14:12
Isolde bounded down the stairs with a black lacquer box in one hand and an envelope in the other. She found Py with his hands on the mantle over the fireplace. He was leaning towards it and staring to the flames with a slight smile playing on his lips.
"What are you so happy about?" whispered Isolde into his right ear as she came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle.
Py smiled wider. "Oh, I have a date with a beautiful girl today."
"How beautiful?"
"Very beautiful. The most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my entire life." He removed his hands from the mantle and stood up straight, twisting around to meet his girl face to face. "Do you know what her name is?"
"Tell me," Isolde demanded, smiling wickedly.
"Isolde Farnon."
A groan erupted from the other side of the room. "You two are so unbearably...what's the word I'm looking for?" Alexis turned to Azaelia, who had just trundled down the steps behind her.
"Romantic," Azaelia said quietly.
Isolde smiled and shot Alexis a look that read, Please keep an eye on Lia today, and then turned her attention back to Pyrrhus. "Ready to go?"
"Ready!"
The four Slytherins headed into Hogsmeade together and immediately made a beeline for the bookstore. When they got inside, Mrs. Stratford showed Isolde and Pyrrhus to the fireplace and then escorted the other two girls to the secret room.
Pyrrhus took the little black box from Isolde's small hand and opened it. He took a few pinches of Floo Powder from the box and threw it into the fireplace. The flames roared and turned green, and hand-in-hand, the pair stepped inside and stated their destination...
One is the
Loneliest Number
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 07-21-02 15:19
Fred trudged down High Street with one goal in mind: Find Zonko's Joke Shop.
The poor lad needed something to cheer himself up; something to keep his mind off of the fact that being single when everyone else had someone really stunk! Ever since Valentine's Day, Fred realized just how George must have felt when Fred and Sammi first got together on that very first Hogsmeade trip of the year. Now George was head over heels for the very pretty, brilliant, and not to mention generous Majandra Fine. Bill was madly in love with Professor Fairchild, Percy was practically engaged to Penelope Clearwater, Ron and Hermione's relationship was going strong, and even Ginny had found love with Prescott Clearwater.
Only Fred was in the single scene again...Well, Charlie too. Speaking of Charlie, Fred wanted to meet up with him to have a man to man chat about...girls. That was no pressing matter, however, and Fred continued his journey to the joke shop.
While he was there, he'd be sure and pick up a little something for his youngest brother. Ron's birthday was coming up, after all.
Fudge Snacks
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 07-21-02 18:52
Ginny woke energized, showered, dressed, and raced downstairs. She met Prescott and they grabbed a quick breakfast before heading down to Hogsmeade.
As they walked toward Hogsmeade, they talked about everything from seeing if Bill was at Briar's Bakery or at the inn, to sharing a butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks. After the short walk into town, the couple first went into Briar's to find out if Bill was there.
Upon their entry into the bakery, Briar had motioned them up to the counter.
"Hello Briar. How are you today?" Ginny asked sweetly.
"I'm fine, thank you. And you?" she replied.
"We're doing good. I was actually wondering if my brother Bill was here."
"Oh yes. He's in the back helping decorate a cake. I'll go get him for you. Here, why don't you and your friend have some fudge? I just made it."
As Briar goes to get Bill, Ginny and Prescott help themselves to a piece of still warm fudge. At the same time, Ginny questions if she heard Briar correctly. Bill decorating cakes?
After a short wait, Briar re-emerged with Bill close behind her. When Bill saw who had asked to talk to him, he raced around the counter and picked up his little sister in a bear hug. When he put her back down, Bill turned to Prescott and extended his hand.
"Good to see you again, Prescott. Let's grab a table and I'll treat you two to one of Briar's wonderful concoctions"
After about an hour Bill hugged Ginny, said his goodbye to Prescott then excused himself, saying something about locating Adriana.
After Bill 's departure, Ginny and Prescott continued talking and eating pieces of fresh, melt-in-your-mouth fudge. After finally deciding that they've had their fill of fudge, the couple exited the bakery to go in search of a birthday present for Ron.
Fear, Itself?
Author: Peter Pettigrew
Date: 07-21-02 20:29
Peter was afraid. In fact, he was absolutely TERRIFIED. Walden McNair and Lucius Malfoy had just informed the Dark Lord that the Head Auror had sent Remus Lupin on a mission to find Wormtail.
Lupin must have told Dierna - the head auror - the REAL story, which was bad, very, very bad. Because Dierna had always suspected Peter of being the spy. Had put the clues together in that uncanny way she had. She had also made Wormtail a promise, when the threat against her best friends had begun to peak.
"Listen to me Peter, and listen well. I know what game your playing and I want to make the ante clear: if anything should happen to James or Lily, anything at all, I swear you will live to regret it."
Which was yet another good reason to frame Sirius (who he feared just as much as the Head Auror) and fake his own death. However, Remus (another one he feared) must have told her that he was alive, and he had been the secret keeper. And now, Dierna was proving true to her promise, and had sent Remus to find Wormtail.
Which made completing this newest mission of the Master's very difficult. But he MUST complete it, or the Dark Lord would spare the Head Auror, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin the trouble of hunting down and killing Wormtail. If he failed, Wormtail was snake chow.
Waterloo
Author: Belladonna
Date: 07-21-02 23:02
Bella Sinistra, woman on a mission, strode through Hogsmeade carrying a sweater and a cake. Her appearance was much better than it had been the past few weeks and she looked remarkably pulled together for someone who left a room full of books everywhere, even if she seemed a mixture of determinedness and irritability. Darn it!
She knocked on the door of the room in the inn until it was opened before thrusting the sweater into Charlie's hands. She had heard that he was there, looking after Bill.
"Here, I found this while I was going through my closet looking for a jade green brocade skirt. I must have borrowed it one day. Are you alone because we need to talk, you and I, face to face alone about what's been going on lately. I'll make some tea and you slice the cake. We'll be here for a while, so I brought nosh. This isn't like me at all, but if I think for a minute, I'll lose my nerve, so just go along with it. Talk after I'm done.
Okay, this would be so much easier if you knew my parents. I take that back----if you knew Mumma. Da's a bit of alright and the most wonderful father imaginable, but that's another subject. My mother, Stella, has this irrational streak that makes her feel like all her children should be married or they're miserable and unhappy. Now, I seem to be the only unmarried one in the family, so I bear the brunt of her attentions.
Lots of pressure to settle down, meet some nice man, give her grandchildren, and settle down. Okay, she's right about my probably needing someone responsible because I can be as flighty and irrational as she is sometimes. However, I needed to learn that I was young too.
Anyway, that day at Hogsmeade, the della Rosa irrationalbility kicked in and I felt like what you said was that you were never going to marry me and that hurt like hell. I ran to the tower and had a good cry-fest. I felt so guilty afterwards and was too ashamed to say what was really on my mind.
Meanwhile, there were several letters that didn't get to me. This made me think that you didn't care for me one bit. Then, at Christmas, I got more irrational as I had to listen to jokes about you having it off in quarantine with Helena Tufton and my mother's well-meaning comments about settling down. You can imagine how I felt, especially when my father forbade me from checking on you. Had to settle for daily reports from Stephen.
Okay, then came that bloody Quidditch game when I saw you and you didn't even acknowledge me. By that point, you probably didn't recognize me. I was miserable----literally wouldn't eat, couldn't sleep, and cried all the time. An old friend, on orders of my family, came by to try to fatten me up and comfort me. It killed me seeing you again.
On Valentine's Day, I had a bunch of friends in. We decided that I couldn't handle things as they were and that I needed to break up with you to recover health and sanity.
Okay, I screwed up our relationship from the beginning when I pushed you. If it helps, I pushed myself too. Then, I didn't communicate with you, which made matters worse. Pretty much doomed something that could have been wonderful and lovely. Still think we could have been perfect, given time. I'm not afraid of dragons, passionate about Quidditch, and can whip up French dishes in seconds. As for you, you're nice and stable and could have probably grounded me like I need to be.
Now, that's what I had to say. I'm convinced that you'll always be my true love and I know my heart's absolutely broken, but it's my own fault and I'll mend. I'm just sorry what I did to you and what could have been. Really, I'm just sorry we'll never get to do some of the things I had hoped: coffee in Venice, strawberry picking party at Avonsford, watching the sunset from my favorite Parisian bridge, or cuddling up in front of a warm fire in Vermont.
Anyway, as long as I'm being completely asinine, and I know I am, I'll give you the choice: we can slowly start again from the beginning, on any terms you want with me on my most patient behavior, or you can tell me good-bye and that's it. It's up to you, but I hope you make the right choice."
She sat down and ran her hands through her hair. Izzy was right: love made one do crazy things and sometimes you just needed to gamble. Trouble was, one could win, but one could also lose big. This was Waterloo, and she had no idea if she were Wellington or Bonaparte.
Brief Visit
with Briar, Ginny and Prescott
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 07-22-02 07:56
As usual, Bill had gone over to Briar's Bakery for a cup of coffee and to chat with his dear friend. He had expressed his excitement to Briar about visiting with his brothers and sister that day, since it was another Hogsmeade weekend trip for the older Hogwarts students.
It was later that morning, when Bill had been easily persuaded to help decorate cakes in the back room, that Ginny dropped by the Bakery with her boyfriend, Prescott. Frankly, Bill had been surprised that his little sister was with Penny's brother instead of a certain dark-haired, green-eyed boy. Still, Bill couldn't help but think that Ginny and Prescott made an adorable pair.
They found a table in the corner of the room and enjoyed some of Briar's delicious fudge snacks, and they talked about everything from school, to Quidditch, and to summer vacation plans. After an hour or so, Bill excused himself because he wanted to meet up with Adriana. He shook hands with Prescott and gave Ginny a big hug. Then, he pulled a small, gray box out of his pocket and passed it to Ginny.
"Your very belated Christmas present, Ginny," Bill said, smiling.
Ginny popped the box open and gasped when she saw the little silver-banded ring with the kitten charm. "It's so cute! Thank you, Bill!" She threw her arms around her brother one more time.
Then, Bill waved good-bye to Briar and slipped out of the Bakery, making his way towards The Three Broomsticks.
Visiting
Author: H Potter
Date: 07-22-02 09:26
Harry, suddenly shy, knocks tentatively on Dierna's door. With a poke to his ribs from Hermione, Harry blushes with a sheepish grin then knocks more loudly. The door is fairly flung open by a beaming Dierna who heartily greets them. After Harry formally introduces his friends, Dierna ushers them through pleasant rooms to a cozy table set with refreshments. A catlike creature comes bounding over, startling Hermione and Harry. Ron, apparently unfazed at seeing such an animal in someone's home, drops to one knee and extends his hand to pet it.
"What are you two being jumpy about? Haven't you ever seen a kneazle before?"
Before Hermione and Harry can reply, it's Ron's turn to grin sheepishly. "Oh, right. You probably haven't. We used to have one when I was really little. He was extremely old by then as he'd Mom's pet from before she and Dad married."
Hermione and Harry, over their initial surprise, both also kneel down to pet the kneazle as Dierna introduces her pet. "Harry, Hermione, Ron this is Siabhra. I can already tell she's going to be disappointed when you three leave. From the rapturous look on her face it's clear she thinks you are her slaves here to do nothing but pet and pamper her."
This brings laughter to everyone, particularly when Siabhra practically glares when all four move to the table and take seats. The kneazle does have a look which seems to say, "How dare you abandon your duties of scratching me!"
Dierna gives Siabhra a treat then gives her full attention to the others. To both Harry's and Ron's delight, she passes a plate loaded with a variety of little cakes, cinnamon buns, and other sweets.
Dierna also offers drinks with the boys both accepting frothy mugs of butterbeer while Hermione decides upon a piping hot cup of tea.
After several minutes of chit chat about school, the interests of the three younger people, and Dierna's job, Harry's godmother says, "I suppose you're ready to talk some about your parents, Harry. Also, I mentioned I had some things belonging to Lily."
Dierna produces a box and hands it to Harry. Rather than opening it right away, Harry, feeling his eyes go watery, just sits and stares at it while thinking, "My mother's hands touched this jewelry case."
Arrival &
Greeting Old Friends
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 07-22-02 10:04
When Helena apparated to Hogsmeade, she found the street to be packed with Hogwarts students. Children were running every-which-way with joyful excitement and little care. It seemed that a majority of the crowd was heading to Honeyduke's, on whose front door Helena had practically landed.
She excused herself and pushed her way through the throng of people, until she got to the road directly across from the sweetshop. It branched off from High Street; an old, cobbled road with a few apartment buildings as well as the Hog's Head pub.
The first building on the left side was where Allison Caufield lived. Helena and Ally had been friends from before the time Helena had to move to Sweden with her parents. Both girls had taken the separation hard, but had kept in touch throughout the years.
As Helena approached the building, Ally burst out the door and threw her arms around her old friend. "Helena! Oh my Merlin! It's sooooo good to see you again! It's been, how many years? Too long, that's for certain! You've just got to come inside and see who's all here! They'll be soooo excited to see you again! Come on, come on!"
Helena laughed. "You haven't changed one bit, Ally."
Allison was Helena's age, but in appearance quite different. She was tall and voluptuous, always a hit with the menfolk. Her long hair was auburn in color and quite curly. Her personality was also very different than Helena's. Bubbly by nature, Ally could talk a mile a minute, and had the ability to strike up friendly and entertaining conversations with perfect strangers.
Ally's apartment was small, but decorated very modernly with bright colors and odd shapes everywhere. In the living room, a few witches and wizards lounged around conversing and laughing loudly.
The noise died down when Ally appeared with Helena in tow, and immediately, the latter woman was buried beneath a pile of bodies. There was plenty of laughing and catching up to do with her old friends, and Helena couldn't have been any happier.
Soon, she found herself sandwiched between the very charming Bran Hatcher and the equally handsome Geoffrey Blackwell. Both men were also childhood friends from her youth, whom she rarely got to see because both were highly involved in their careers. Bran, a tall, broad-shouldered, blonde-haired, blue-eyed god was currently a pro-Quidditch player for England. Geoff, on the other hand, worked for the Ministry of Magic as an auror. He was always being sent out on various missions that kept him away from home and quite busy. The raven-haired, blue-eyed man turned to Helena and asked, "How's dragon keeping? I cannot imagine a little girl like you tackling a full-grown beast!"
Helena smirked, "You just have to learn the right moves, and you can handle anything."
Laughter erupted around the room. It was good being back in Britain, Helena thought to herself. She let her eyes scan the room to reacquaint herself with the rest of her friends. Across from the couch, Ally sat perched in the lap of Clint Dupree, a dark-haired, dark-eyed wizard who was a little on the short side, but still very cute. The two had been dating for a month now.
In a bright pink, fuzzy loveseat, sisters Clarissa and Natalie Lehmann sat. Both were tall and platinum blonde, and as careers took up modeling wizarding-wear. On the floor with elbows perched on the coffee table sat Avery Sanchez, a dark-haired, dark-eyed, olive-toned beauty who was the only person Helena could literally see eye-to-eye with. As children, both girls were dubbed "the Shrimps" by their taller friends. Avery and Ally were roommates.
After a bit more conversation and a few jokes, the eight friends decided to go down to the Hog's Head for a round of drinks.
Visitors
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 07-22-02 19:46
"Siabhra*, off my chair!" I say as the kneazle jumps on my chair as I am to sit time. She glares at me superiorly and I shake my head "Kneazles are then times as infuriating as regular cats." I turn back to the char "Don't make me move you, Siabhra" I warn, the cat gives me a look which clearly said I dare you!" And lets out a loud yowl as its hit with a levitation spell and find himself being moved and plopped onto the floor unceremoniously. "Well, I DID warn you!" I say as she storms off in a kneazle version of a tantrum.
Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, and I talk about interests, school my job and other things before I bring up to the topic for which they have come.
"I suppose you're ready to talk some about your parents, Harry. Also, I mentioned I had some things belonging to Lily."
I push forward the hand-carved jewelry box, again realizing how strange it's going to be not to have this anymore.
"I made this for your mother as a Christmas gift." I explain. "That was the fifth year of our friendship, and I wanted to give her something special." I find, even after fifteen years, talking about Lily still makes me a bit sad. "She had come to my home in Dunasidhe, an all wizarding village in Ireland, for the Christmas holidays." I watch Harry examine the case, respecting his silence and let him be the one to speak first.
(* Siabhra, pronounced SHEE-vra, means "spirit")
