Meeting Professor Somerset
Author: Angelina
Date: 02-04-03 02:26

I saw Professor Ethan Somerset at the banquet and thought of introducing myself but I hadn't the time that night.

As I walked the second floor corridor I thought I'd stop by his office and greet him. I went to his office door and gave a knock. "Who is it?" A voice answered and I took a deep breath. "Professor Logan, can I come in?" I said and the door opened. Professor Somerset stood in the doorway looking at me and gave a nod. "Professor, what can I do for you?" he asked. I managed a smile. "I thought since the two of us have been working hard, I thought we could use a trip to Hogsmeade for a bit of relaxation. That and maybe a talk."

I entered the office and like mine, it seemed simple, no clutter. Professor Somerset closed the door and went to his desk. "So what do you want to talk about?" he asked. I sat down and I felt a bit uneasy. "Oh you know, this that and the other," I managed to say and Professor Somerset picked up his cloak.

"Why not, so who's buying the Butterbeer?" I smiled and so did he as I got up. "First round's on me at the Three Broomsticks." He gave a nod. "Fair enough, shall we?" He opened the door and we both left to head to Hogsmeade.

Electron was up early, sorting out the scrawls he'd made on parchment over the week. He'd picked out the good bits and transferred them all onto one sheet, rather than several scraps, making the beginnings of what looked like a good song. He was pleased with himself. Well, it was a start.

It had occurred to him several times that he'd forgotten to buy any hangover cures while he was out shopping. It was the excitement of the Toms that was to blame for that. It had gone straight out of his mind at the sight of them. He had to smile, though. It was still strange, after all this time, to be able to make someone's day just by signing a bit of paper. Maybe this time he'd bring something for them–some of the promotional baseball caps from Temple Bar should do it. They played the instrumental he'd strutted on stage to. Worst-case scenario, he could throw them into the back if they started attracting too much attention to him, and they'd run after them and shut up!

There was an owl tapping at the window. Post already–he went to open it, and caught sight of a flash of red. Uh-oh. This was trouble. He knew a Howler when he saw one. For a moment, he was tempted not to let the owl in, but that would be worse, so he opened the window. The owl dropped the Howler and took straight off, not even waiting for a treat, and Electron opened it tentatively. Immediately, his mother's voice started bawling at him, immensely magnified.

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, pretending to be a big important person! When are you going to come home and get yourself a proper job? Not to mention a proper haircut. It's a disgrace. I read all about it in the paper, you know, you running around with all those young ladies..."

He shook his head, bewildered, backing away. It followed, hovering in the air, still bellowing in the same vein. He wished she wouldn't believe everything she read about him. Electron hoped none of the neighbours could hear it. That would blow his cover for sure. When it finally stopped shrieking and exploded in his face, his ears were ringing from the effect. His mood was foul. He jammed his hat on his head, completely forgetting to hide or even tie back his dreadlocks, picked up the baseball caps, his money bag and his shades and left, slamming the door so hard that the window shook. Now he definitely needed headache pills.

When he reached Nevvyn's, he peered cautiously around the door before entering. No sign of the Toms–yet. "I haven't got a hangover," he explained to Nevvyn, "yet. But I fully intend to have one tomorrow morning," he added darkly.

On the morning of the first Hogsmeade trip of the school year, Hermione awoke early and quickly prepared for the day. She was one of the first Gryffindors to enter the common room; a few first and second years were huddled in a corner discussing their Quidditch session with that famous professional seeker, Viktor Krum. ("Oh Merlin! I can't believe he's going to be here, teaching us how to play Quidditch!")

Hermione giggled and settled down in her favorite over-stuffed armchair by the fireplace. She checked the time and hoped that the boys would be down soon, because she wanted to treat them to breakfast at the Spinning Horn. Majandra had been invited along, but Hermione's roommate had politely declined since she had a lunch-date with George Weasley at the same restaurant.

Hermione briefly wondered whether or not she would be able to spend some time with Gabriel during the trip, since the opportunity to simply hang out at school never seemed to arise. She still hadn't properly thanked him for her gift, nor had she sent out any thank you letters to anyone else who had sent her a birthday present. She made a mental checklist of some of those people (like Prof. Dumbledore, Dobby and Viktor), and remembered that at least one gift arrived anonymously.

She was startled out of her thoughts when Harry and Ron appeared at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in their Quidditch gear.

"You're not practicing today, are you?" Hermione asked, rising from her seat.

Ron dropped his shoes by the foot of the stairs and sat down to put them on, while Harry stopped before the bewildered Hermione and answered, "Just for a couple of hours. Ravenclaw gets the Pitch directly after lunch, if they want to practice today..."

Hermione furrowed her brow and said, "I imagine they won't want to practice today, Harry. Hogsmeade trips don't come very often during the year." She paused, watching him re-strap one of his wrist guards as he listened to her in silence. "Must you really practice today?" she asked, knowing full-well what his answer would be.

"We're a relatively new team, Hermione. Every available practice is very important to us," Harry replied calmly.

By now, Ron had finished putting on his shoes. He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Hermione, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Besides, we'll be in Hogsmeade in time for lunch, which means that we'll have the rest of the afternoon to run amok around town. Why don't you go on without us and we'll meet you at the Spinning Horn for lunch, my treat."

He looked down at her and smiled, running a hand through her hair. "All right, Hermione?"

"Oh, all right, but how do you plan on holding practice if Viktor is using the Pitch to teach the first and second years how to play Quidditch?"

Harry grinned and shrugged. "We'll work something out. See you sometime after eleven, Hermione."

He and Ron left for the Pitch, leaving Hermione to rethink her morning plans. She returned to her dorm room hoping to see Annabella, but she must have just gotten up and gone to the girl's bathroom. Majandra happened to still be in the room, so Hermione said, "Change of plans. I didn't realize that Quidditch practice wasn't cancelled today, so the boys aren't showing up at Hogsmeade until lunchtime. Do you want to go into town with me after some breakfast?"

Annabella woke later then usual on Saturday morning, and sitting up in her bed she rubbed her tired eyes. She knew that this was how she was going to always feel on a Saturday morning having four classes on Friday and then trying to catch up on homework too so that she would have all of her weekend free, especially Saturday for the Hogsmeade Trip! Annabella suddenly remembered and quickly jumped out of bed ready to change and get to the common room to see when Hermione and the rest of her friends planned on going.

But as she thought of her friends she suddenly remembered Gabe...and their kiss right before her Astronomy class. Anna took a seat on her bed once again as the thoughts, which she had been struggling with for the past day, came flooding back. Anna enjoyed spending time with Gabriel and would have never imagined that their friendship had developed so quickly. But she had never expected it to turn so quickly either.

Hearing the rest of the Gryffindor's in the common room, Anna decided that the best thing for her to do is let the matter rest. She had been trying to figure out how she felt about Gabe and the only result was her lack of sleep. Deep down, the relationship between Hermione and Gabe and how he felt about her kept Anna from seeing Gabe as anything more than a friend. Entering the common room, Anna spotted Hermione and decided to join her, trying to focus on her first Hogsmeade trip of the year and push all thoughts of Gabe out of her head.

Re: Veronica's Question
Author: Veronica Dumbledore
Date: 02-04-03 20:59

Veronica was silent for a moment. "Well.. It's not these walls that oppress me. No, they are almost like a warm blanket... good things too long forgotten. What troubles me are things too long not forgotten" She sighed, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger. "You remember the silly crush I had on Severus all those years ago? Well... I still feel for him, and I don't think it's all that silly anymore."

I wake up in the morning and look outside, it is sunny and crisp. "Ahhh! Ta la breá ann inniu!*" I quickly dress in some casual robes. I have some "housework" to do, and go for my morning walk. I always take a walk in the early morning to collect my thoughts and clear my head. Fortunately, my thoughts are a lot less clouded now, thanks to Nevvyn. Which is first on my to-do list: get refills on those potions!

I jog to the store, thinking to get there before the crowd comes in. Inside, I see a person I recognize immediately, despite the baseball cap and shades. I had been to his concert once before - in disguise and on assignment - and it wasn't too bad at all!

"An Magdin maith, a Nevvyn! I need refills for your miracle cures, please." I place the many vials on the table, and turn to the other patron, smiling knowingly. "When an associate in Baile Ata Cliath* told me you were moving here, I didn't believe her. But she was right, it seems. Captain Electron is indeed in Hogsmeade." I have to chuckle a bit at the "shocked" look he gives. "Oh don't worry, I'm not a reporter! And I certainly don't have any with me. It takes a much more clever disguise then sunglasses and a baseball cap to fool me."

--------
Ta la brea an innui = it's a fine day today
An Magdin maith = good morning
Baile Ata Cliath = Dublin

Re: Asking a Question
Author: Angelina
Date: 02-05-03 01:45

"Angelina, is something troubling you? You seem a little on edge." Ethan asked me that question with a smile on his face. I gave a sigh and our Butterbeers arrived. Taking a drink I nodded, "Yes there is. It seems that Madam Pince and I are having trouble in the library, more importantly the restricted section."

Ethan leaned back and gave a nod. "You know how it is. The students want to see what's in that area and try to sneak..." I held up a hand to cut him off. "It's not that at all." I said, "There has been scratching sounds going on in the walls. She's heard them and some of the books have been ransacked, and not just any books, ones that deal mostly with the dark arts."

Ethan seemed interested as I spoke. "I'm afraid someone is after a most important book. When the noises began in the Library something happened to me."

I looked around to see if no one was looking and took off my long glove, then I rolled up my sleeve. Ethan became wide eyed. "What the...how did you?" He couldn't say the words.

I rolled my sleeve down and put my glove back on. "I've had it since I was born. It is the mark of the Gryffindor line. When the trouble started, it began to glow and burn. I had to run outside and then it appeared, the Lion of Gryffindor." I took another drink, then set the mug down. Ethan just stared at me.

Butterbeer, Bliss
Author: Fynn Greenleaf
Date: 02-05-03 01:52

Cho watched them and glanced over to Sykra and Orlando before looking to Fynn, eyes finding his, murmuring softly so that only he could hear, "I'm so lucky..."

"I believe, Miss Chang, that it is I whom is lucky," Fynn said softly, correcting Cho and looking at her with a twinkle in her eye. "As circumstances have proven, it's going to be very hard running away from me once I have you in my eye."

"Is that so?" Cho replied, laughing and swinging his hand in hers under the table. He was glad that things were corrected, back in their place- and being here erased all his other troubles, memories of his mother's plight, tests, essays, everything dissipated- save for the girl beside him. "I'm afraid it is," Fynn said, smiling again, as he leaned in to kiss her.

This was happiness- mugs of butterbeer, warmth, laughter, Cho. Back to earth. "Where to after this, milady?" Fynn asked, grinning, mischievous.

Hide Captain! Hide!
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 02-05-03 08:23

The Toms are in the back room, rearranging some boxes and I am taking inventory of my potions stocks when I see a shaggy head poke around the edge of the door. "Good day to you, John!" I offer, recognizing the fellow even through his disguise. "And how is our neighborhood Rocker, today?"

"I haven't got a hangover..." he announces, yet! "But I fully intend to have one tomorrow morning!" His look is as dark as the bottom of Murphy's well.

"And why might that be?" I ask, trying to find the source of his mood, the better to determine his needs.

He takes off his shades and drops them on the counter. His face is red, along with both of his eyes. "Just a little matter of a Howler from my mother," he growls. "Seems she doesn't approve of my lifestyle. She doesn't approve of my MUSIC and, what's even worse, she doesn't approve of my HAIRCUT!" He ends on a rising tone, then pauses for breath. Realizing he is nearly shouting, he continues in a quieter tone. "Reads all about me in the papers, she does! Knows every little thing I say and do! Yes INDEED! If you read it in the papers, then it MUST be true! OH! How I would love to get my hands on some of those reporters!" By now, his crumpled hat has joined the sun-glasses on the counter. His dreadlocks are fairly trembling with suppressed fury.

I shake my head and "Tsk, Tsk!" in sympathy. "Aye! My own mother did not want me to go into the service of the Ministry. Thought I should stay near home and study to become a practitioner of the healing arts. Gave me a hard time of it, she did. Thought I should DO something with my God-given talents, instead of RAMBLING ABOUT the countryside. Never could tell her what I was about... rooting out the "Dark", and all that. Top Secret stuff!"

Breaking out of my reverie, I remember John's opening remark. "So then! I suppose you'll be wanting a cure for what you're planning?" I ask with a wink and a grin, knowing full well that the good Captain will be consuming a great deal of alcohol within the next several hours. I stop to consider what might be best to bring him back to "the land of the living".

I am just about to suggest some possible remedies, when the door opens and it is my friend, Dierna. "And a Good Morning to you as well, Dierna!" I greet her. "How may I help you?" She places two empty vials on the counter, requesting refills. She turns to the Captain, who was unsuccessfully trying to vanish, recognizing him immediately. There is a brief conversation between the two, while I fetch new vials of "LoTen" and "SleepTite". Since she seems in a bit of a hurry, I quickly wrap her purchases and tell her the cost of one, three and nine. She plunks two golden Galleons down, and I give her change of fourteen and twenty. She scoops up her change and her package and, with a smile and a wave, she is out the door and jogging along the street.

Turning back to the Captain, I say, "Let's see, now! I expect you'll be wanting some "Superin" and a bit of "Oxdetox". I pull one of the emerald green bottles from the cabinet, and add a small, dark colored jar of pale blue capsules. Holding the bottle of green liquid up to the light, I explain, "This will help to relieve the pounding in the head. Four to six drops in water or tea, but not more than four times a day. 'Twill eat up the stomach if abused." I chuckle at the look on his face, as if that is the least of his worries. "Now, for the capsules! They are not to be taken internally. Simply hold one beneath your nose, crush it, and inhale deeply. Essence of oxygen, with a trace of fresh piney woods scent. We have other aromas, but they are mostly floral and more suited to the ladies."

I turn to wrap his packages and note a small group of students, looking as if they might stop in. "John! Quickly!" I whisper. "Into the back! If you should like to preserve your anonymity, do as I say." He grabs his hat and glasses and slips through the doorway. With a wave of my hand and a few muttered words, I place a spell of silence over the doorway. Just barely in time, too, as I hear the beginnings of the Toms' enthusiastic welcome.