Six Hufflepuffs
Go to a Pub
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 09-12-02 19:41
"She's a superstar. Just look at her strutting down the merry streets of Hogsmeade as if she owned the town." Toby laughed and linked his arm around Bronwyn's.
Bronwyn smiled and said, "She deserves all the attention she's getting!"
They were talking about Hannah Abbott, who was strolling a few feet in front of them, flashing smiles and waving her hand at other Hogwarts students who were trailing behind to catch a glimpse of the seeker who beat Harry Potter during the championship match a few weeks ago.
Kendra, Hunter, and Susan joined in on the laughter. It seemed as if the whole school was still in shock over Hufflepuff's big Quidditch win. The Hufflepuffs deserved it, however, and every Quidditch player from the House was basking in the victorious glory. No doubt it would continue for weeks to come.
"So, where are we headed today?" Kendra asked the group after the giggles subsided.
Bronwyn shrugged. "It's our last Hogsmeade trip of the school year. We might as well make it a memorable one!"
"Let's let Hannah decide," suggested Susan.
The five stopped in their tracks and turned expectantly towards Hannah, who was scribbling her name on a piece of parchment for a young Hufflepuff first year.
"Should we get in line?" Toby joked and moved to stand in the back of the small line that was forming in front of Hannah.
Hannah briefly looked up from the current parchment she was autographing and laughed. "Very funny, Toby. Why do I have to decide where we're going first?"
"Because you're special and we don't want to have to make the decision for ourselves!"
Hannah rolled her eyes. "Fine. How about a round of butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks? My treat!"
Bronwyn snaked her arm through Toby's again and grinned. "Whoa! Hannah's feeling generous today!"
"Yeah, yeah." Hannah laughed and waved good-bye to the young'uns who were standing around her in awe. "Let's go!"
The six Hufflepuffs picked up the pace again and sauntered over to the pub for a round of drinks.
Footsies
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 09-12-02 19:56
During the last Hogsmeade trip of the school year, Fred, George, and Majandra settled on drinks at The Three Broomsticks to start out with, and planned on visiting the Bakery later on during the day.
The three found a secluded table in the corner of the pub and ordered three frothy pints of butterbeer. When Fred observed that Madam Rosmerta was making her way over with the drinks, he immediately leapt up from his seat and crossed the room to take the tray from her arms. She seemed slightly shocked at his gentlemanly behavior, but didn't seem to mind the extra help.
He approached his table and first handed Majandra her drink, and then gave one to George, selecting the third glass for himself. Fred returned the tray to the bar counter, and then rejoined George and Majandra at the little table.
Their conversations were mostly focused on jokes and the business the twins would open during the summer, but a few times the discussion strayed to Majandra's upcoming OWL exams and the boys' NEWTs.
As the trio talked amongst themselves, Fred had the sudden urge to touch Majandra. As much as he didn't want to hurt George's feelings, he did want to be with George's girlfriend. Still, he couldn't bring himself to admit to the feelings aloud, and it seemed that Majandra felt the same way.
Instead, Fred decided to be inconspicuous and casually leaned back in his chair. His right elbow was draped over the back of the chair, and his left hand was resting comfortably on his left leg. Slowly and carefully, he extended his right leg from underneath his area of the table and reached out to rub his foot against Majandra's leg.
He continued the motion for several minutes, until a sudden outburst from George caused Fred to retract his leg to his end of the table.
"Oy, Fred! We haven't played footsies under the table since we were little kids! Would ya quit that?"
Majandra nearly choked on her butterbeer out of laughter.
Fred shook his head and muttered, "Idiot!"
"What was that, Fred?" George asked, staring at his brother curiously. "Something the matter with you today?"
Fred shook his head again and answered, "Just not my normal self, I guess. Need another round of drinks?"
Not waiting for an answer, Fred lifted his head and waved to Madam Rosmerta. "Another round, please!"
Fudge
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 09-12-02 20:12
"Stir it like this, Helena," Charlie said, wrapping his rough, right hand around her smaller and more delicate one as she gripped onto a wooden spoon. They were making brownies, and Helena was trying to mix the fudge with the spoon. It was swirling around in a big, glass bowl of melted chocolate.
Charlie was standing behind her, with his chin over her right shoulder and one strong arm around either side of her petite frame. As his right hand helped steer the spoon through the chocolate fudge, the left was wrapped around the glass bowl. Helena, too, had a grip on the left side of the bowl. Their hands were hardly touching, but for an unexplainable reason, the near proximity was enough to send pleasant tingles down each of their spines.
Helena sighed quietly and let her head loll backwards so that it fell against Charlie's broad shoulder. He continued the rhythmic ministrations of guiding Helena's hand around the bowl of fudge and lowered his head in such a manner, that his breath blew hotly against her exposed neck.
Startled, her left hand slipped off the edge of the bowl, and a few fingers dipped into the creamy, chocolate fudge. Helena's head snapped forwards, and she stared into the bowl, slowly removing her fingers from the smooth substance. At that moment, Charlie had let go of Helena's other hand and had moved his left hand away from the bowl, placing it onto her tiny waist. He turned her around and carefully took her sweetened hand into one of his, raising it up to his face.
She gazed at him imploringly, knowing exactly what he was going to do and anticipating every glorious moment. Slowly and carefully, he took one of her fingers into his mouth and licked it clean. The gentle movements of his tongue were agonizing and left Helena craving for more. Charlie continued the motion with the rest of her chocolate-covered fingers, and when his duty was completed, he licked his lips.
The quick movements of the pink tongue darting out to lap up any stray bits of fudge were so erotic, that Helena could hardly wait for him to direct his attention back on her. As if reading her thoughts, Charlie's eyes found Helena's, and his hands found the small of her back. He took a step towards her, tilted his head downwards, and...
"What the @#$%!" Helena shot up into a sitting position in her bed and clasped her head with one of her hands.
She had been having the most...wonderful...erm...frightening...ah... She didn't know what to call it. Unexpected, for sure. Pleasant? Maybe. But it's Charlie!
Helena shook her head and glanced at the clock. It was late, but it wasn't as if she had any other place to be. Well, she was planning on meeting Charlie later that day, although she wondered now if it would be awkward, especially, since she had such a dream about him. But was it really so outrageous that she dream about Charlie in such a way? They had been spending considerable amounts of time together, lately. In fact, they enjoyed each other's company. Things were a far-cry from the way they felt about one another when they first met so many months ago. OK, so it wasn't a bad dream. It was nice...but did Helena want something like that to occur in reality? Time would only tell.
Memories
Author: Angelina
Date: 09-13-02 01:28
As I walked the halls of Hogwarts going to the Professors Lounge I went back to the days when I was a student there. I was like Moaning Myrtle in some ways always being teased about my sticklike frame and my awkward movements as a teen.
But then I remembered my friends, most of them killed due to Voldemort (I wasn't afraid to say his name but had to watch it when saying it around some of the magical community.) or they were cursed which was worse than death.
I finally reached the lounge and sat in one of the chairs at a table, pulling out the lesson plan I went over what Professor Sprout had in mind for the students and which years will be doing what plants and in what greenhouse.
I studied the plans carefully then looked over the names Sprout had an eye on who were noted to cause trouble.
I had to laugh at some of the names for some of the families I knew well (by reputation of course.) I got to the name of Malfoy and the name rang a bell. It was the same surname that was dismissed from the Board of Governors for the School last year for a incident into trying to get Professor Dumbledore fired from his position as Head Master of Hogwarts.
I remember that day rather well, I was tending my plants at home when Loki came with a message from my uncle (who is on the board.) telling me of the news. I was so relieved that my Venus Flytrap almost had my hand for lunch as I came to close to it with my pruning shears.
I put the list away and began to organize my lesson plan I had enough time to go to the Greenhouses and tend to the plants there just before the students get back from their trip to Hogsmeade.
I looked around the Lounge and sighed, I never thought I would be here in this Lounge as I hugged the planner close to me. "Ah what a life you have had." I told myself then left the room.
An Owl for
Marina
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 09-13-02 10:09
A large tawny owl fluttered in one of the open windows at the Public Library in Hogsmeade. He flapped his way over to a desk where a pile of parchment sat, and a pair of glasses laying atop the pile. The owl left the envelope for the head librarian and left.
A dark green, wax stamp with the Hogwarts crest impressed upon it. On the envelope face, it was addressed to:
Marina Sanjarya Astolferos
de Gatta
Head Librarian of Hogsmeade Library
When the librarian returns she will read a note written in neat handwriting from the Head Mistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall. The note reads:
Dear Miss Astolferos de Gatta,
What a lovely idea you have come up with! The Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore has passed your letter on to me, believing this to be a wonderful idea. It will give them more choices if we are out of any books in our library at the school.
Please, if you have any more plans, send me an owl. Or, if you would like to meet and talk things over, that would be wonderful, too. Thank you for your ideas!
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy HeadMistress
Butterbeer
Author: Kendra Beck
Date: 09-13-02 10:49
Kendra nearly choked on her butterbeer as she over-heard George Weasley yelling at Fred for playing footsies.
"Hey, Ken, you okay?" Bronywn asked as she patted Kendra a couple of times, hard, on the back.
Kendra sputtered. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just over-heard something funny."
"What's you hear?" Toby asked as he leaned in on his elbows, around Bronwyn who was sitting on one side of Kendra, Hunter on the other.
Kendra shook her head. "Nah, nothing important. Just those Weasley brats being silly again."
"Still!" Hannah chimed in.
The six had a good chuckle and finished their butterbeers.
The Much
Awaited Hogsmeade Trip
Author: Chyler Stratford
Date: 09-13-02 11:01
Chyler seemed to skip around the store.
"Chy, if you don't calm down, I'll be forces to douse you with cold water." Julian said from the doorway. He was leaning against the doorjamb.
Chyler made a face at him. "You spoil my mood, Jules, and I'll be forced to turn you into a frog."
"Ha! Might be nice. A princess could come along and kiss me." He laughed at his adopted sister.
Chyler looked over her shoulder giving him a sly look. "How about a bullfrog?" She made her best impression of a bullfrog sound and they both ended up doubled over with laughter.
"I don't care that you're so giddy," Julian flinched at that word. "Just calm down a bit, someone will think you're up to something. Ooh, you've got a customer."
Chyler wiped the tears of laughter from her face and greeted the customer as she watched Julian slip into the back to speak with Lysander.
"Good morning, is there anything I can help you with today?"
Depression
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 09-13-02 11:46
Charlie couldn't understand why he was so depressed on this Saturday morning. It had been a couple of weeks since the Quidditch Championship game where she saw Belladonna and her new fellow.
Charlie had gone to the game with his Helena. She wasn't much of a sports person, but Charlie wanted to show her what he used to do when he was at Hogwarts. She'd done a good job at keeping his mind off of the pain he felt over Bella and the fact that she had moved on so fast after they broke up.
Charlie ran a comb through his flaming red hair and decided he would head over to Briar's a bit early. He and Helena were going to meet there again that afternoon and have dinner later that night and maybe watch the stars - well, okay, that was his idea. It would remind him of Romania, but then again, he really wasn't sure if he wanted to be reminded of Romania so early.
Charlie through his comb down. "I've got to move on! This is just stupid! Bella and I just weren't mean to be and that's that! So deal with it Charlie Weasley!" He leaned forward and stared hard at himself in the mirror. After a moment of studying himself, he turned and left for Briar's.
Odd Happenings
Author: George Weasley
Date: 09-13-02 12:22
George Weasley knew that his brother was acting odd lately, but this truly proved that he was really acting odd! Majandra, too. They both seemed so different, and George wasn't exactly sure how he should handle it. Maybe it was because they had lost the Quidditch Cup?
He tried to pull activities for all three of them to get into, but it seemed that Fred and Majandra would gang up on him. I mean, sure, it was fun, but it was odd at the same time.
Madame Rosemerta brought over three more butterbeers and left. The three of them sat sipping their drinks for a long time in silence. George had begun to stare into the wood grains of the table, but then he looked up at the still silence that stretched between Fred and Majandra. They were looking at each other and trying not to smile, their eyes held a look of preoccupation.
George cleared his throat. "I'm bored. Whattaya say we go over to Zonko's or somethin'?"
Bulgaria:
Joining the Inner Circle
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-13-02 19:21
After being given a small push, the old warehouse door creaked open and a small stream of light filtered into the darkened room. Ethan tentatively took a step forward and squinted his eyes as they adjusted to the darkness. A hand pressed into his back, encouraging him to enter the room fully.
"Are you sure about this, Viktor?" Ethan said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Viktor's reply was said in an equally hushed manner. "Yez. Koyla iz being waiting for uz. We don't vant dizappointing him."
Ethan nodded, realizing Viktor was right. Today was a very important milestone in the undercover work both men were undertaking. Koyla had set up a very special meeting with his inner circle, and Ethan and Viktor had been invited. Both Ethan and Viktor were quite confident that Koyla was interested in inducting them into the fold.
This was wonderful news in the sense that Ethan would be able to learn so much more, and that he would be able to share his new knowledge of the dark arts and dark wizarding folk with Dierna and the other aurors at the Ministry. At the same time, the deeper he delved into the inner workings of everything evil, the more perilous his situation became.
Ethan never felt any qualms about risking his life in the line of duty, but he couldn't help thinking about his family back home and how much they would miss him if he were to be captured or killed. It was all part of the job, however, and Ethan knew what he was doing was for a very good cause.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan took a few long strides across the room, his eyes clearing and focusing on a set of stairs leading to a basement. Viktor was on his heels as he took the winding staircase down to a dimly lit hallway. Several doors lined the hall, and one towards the back was ajar.
Ethan and Viktor went to it and upon peering in the room, found a handful of wizards sitting in metal chairs around a circle. They were all dressed in plain, black robes, and the hoods of the robes were covering their bowed heads. Ethan and Viktor exchanged quick looks of puzzlement, before noticing that two chairs in the circle were empty and that two black robes were hanging on hooks next to the door.
To alert the other wizards of their arrival, Viktor cleared his throat and moved to shut the door behind him. Every bowed head snapped up, startled by the newcomers' presences. Ethan and Viktor remained calm, quietly waiting for the hooded-figures to do something. Suddenly, the person farthest from them threw back his hood and smiled that ever-so-nauseating toothy grin.
"Viktor! Ethan! I'm so glad you could make it!" Koyla got to his feet and took a few steps towards the men, his arms outstretched in a welcoming manner. "Those two robes there are for you two. Just throw them on and take your seats! We didn't want to initiate this meeting without you boys. You two are, after all, the special guests."
While Ethan and Viktor were changing into the plain, black robes, the other wizards in the small circle were removing the hoods from their robes. Ethan immediately recognized Grigori and Stefka, who was smiling radiantly and patting the empty seat next to her. The other wizards looked familiar as well, but Ethan had never spoken to any of them before. He had only seen them at the various parties and social gatherings Koyla had held over the past few months.
Dressed in the proper regalia, Ethan and Viktor crossed the room and found their seats. Once again, Koyla took his, that sickening smile never leaving his deceptive face. Nerves were slightly on edge, as Ethan waited for the meeting to actually start.
"Now," began Koyla, eyeing the two new initiates eagerly, "we're ready to begin."
Date Time
Author: Belladonna
Date: 09-13-02 19:50
An Italian love song hung through the air as Belladonna Sinistra finished winding the last curl of dark hair around her finger and looked outside from her seat on the opened stained glass window. From there, one could see almost the entire grounds of Hogwarts and a bit of the town too. It was a great view and she had spent many a spring night leaning out and viewing the stars while the warm air caressed her hair and face as gently as a lover.
Yes, it was certainly May. Classes would wind down soon, and she would be off for the summer. Her schedule was packed, one house party after another, a strawberry picking party at her Avonford, a week now and then to relax at her London home, time spent in Italy, and a week or two at one of John's homes. She sighed contentedly, thinking that there'd be no change in seeing each other often. He was invited to the same parties she was and barely a day would go by without a meeting. This was truly wonderful.
The chiming clock caused her to get up and slip on a lovely cornflower blue skirt and a lace up peasant blouse. She was meeting John for a drink in the Three Broomsticks and it was high time she confessed how she felt. She loved him and couldn't deny it any longer. It had come to her during the day of the championship game when they were having dinner. She had felt quite odd, and that night, the pieces of the puzzle fit so well that there was no other name for it but love.
Not that she was ready for marriage. Nothing of the sort, really. She could see it happening down the road, but for now, she still wasn't ready. What she was ready for was more kisses, wooing, and more time with John. She laughed as the last statement her mind made. More time when they were scarcely apart? Well, it was certainly love.
She looked at the mirror as she applied a touch of pink lipstick. Absolutely luminous and fairy dust wasn't quite the reason. No question about it, pure happiness was the best beauty secret in the world for pink cheeks, a secret smile about the mouth, and a sparkle in the eyes. She had found herself dancing about and singing, not to mention feeling so light she could float.
It was silly to hide something like that. John would be happy to hear it and she'd be happy just being "his" Bella. She felt guilty about moving on after Charlie, but it wasn't meant to be and it seemed like John was. Pure perfection, really.
A Plan Set
in Motion
Author: Jet
Date: 09-13-02 19:55
Filled with anticipation and nervous energy, Jet had been up well before the sun. Even with weeks to plan for today, there's always a chance for something to go wrong. All it takes is for one small thing to blow the whole thing.
As he walked across the grounds, down to the cliffs and then took a seat on a flat rock overlooking the lake, Jet had run through a mental check list. Message to the bookstore sent. A reply from Lysander Stratford received. Message to Harry in place. His reply also received. Both messages to Jet memorized and destroyed. Box in place at the cavern on the Hogsmeade end.
Pushing a hand through his thick, black hair, Jet sighed and headed to the chamber to keep himself occupied until the designated time arrived.
A few hours later, when the sun had finally put in an appearance and assuring today would be yet another fine, spring day, Jet had emerged from the cave and made his way back to that same flat rock. He pulled some fruit out of a pocket and proceeded to eat breakfast while impatiently waiting.
To Jet's vast relief, at exactly the designated time, he heard his name being called from above. Pulling from his deep down memory of his normal Hufflepuff self, Jet stood and gave an energetic, friendly wave.
As Harry fairly galloped down the path towards him, Jet's inner voice said with a snigger, "So far, so good!"
A Trip to
the Greenhouses
Author: Angelina
Date: 09-14-02 13:25
I walked the grounds and ended up at the greenhouses. Entering greenhouse one I made sure all was in order for the finals for the students. I had tested some of the muggles who were interested in muggle herbology and knowing rare plants in both worlds I know I can make the tests just as well. Seeing the plants were ready for the first years I went to the next greenhouse then the next all was in order and I was a bit nervous as I left them. "Stay calm," I told myself, "you can do it."
I smiled and decided to take a trip to Hogsmeade and relax.
