Good Sport
Author: Mary
Date: 04-10-03 15:31

Mary and Crispin were bent over a table in the common room that Saturday, focused intently on a game of wizard's chess. Well, actually, Crispin was sitting casually in his chair across from Mary, a broad, self-satisfied grin on his freckled face. Mary, looking murderous, bent her head over the board, contemplating a way to get her king out of what looked distressingly like a checkmate.

Never one to give in, Mary had been pouring over every possibility for several minutes. When one hand shifted out from supporting her chin, Crispin sat up expectantly.

Slim white fingers glided ever so slowly toward the black king. Crispin's breath waited in his chest. He actually thought Mary was going to knock her king over in a sportsmanlike way. He was wrong, but no one expected what happened next.

Mary's claw-like fingers seized the king and flung it toward the unsuspecting Mortimer at top speed. The stone figure smashed to bits against the stone wall above Mortimer's head on the other side of the dungeon. Dust and flecks of rock rained down in slow motion on Mortimer's unwary head. Eyes wide with shock, Mortimer slowly ran his hands through his hair.

"Good game, eh?" Crispin said, his never faltering grin still plastered on his face. "Let's go play quidditch," Mary agreed.

---

Kicking Off
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 04-10-03 15:32

The day had finally arrived, and Captain Electron was riding on his nerves, half high and ready for the show, and half suffering from the irrational worry that nobody would come to the concert and he'd end up playing to an empty floor. He always had that thought, and it was always wrong, but it didn't stop him having it. Not to worry though. It only lasted for the few minutes before people started coming in.

At the door, one of Nevvyn's Brownie friends was sitting in the ticket cubicle, impatiently toying with the Magical Hand Stamper. Everyone who came in would be marked with the Captain Electron logo instead of having a boring old paper ticket.

The other two Toms, having agreed to take charge of the bar and sell juice, Butterbeer and the Muggle beverage, Coca Cola, were sitting on the bar right now. All three had already run all around the building, including backstage, and were thoroughly overexcited.

Onstage, Siobhan and the two lads were tuning things. Snippets of music and discordant sounds echoed around the walls. Electron sighed and paced, just as impatient as the Toms, watching the clock ticking over. He sucked on a Trumpetvine Pastille, ready to find out if it was everything Nevvyn had claimed. He was already dressed in his blindingly colourful stage robes, and as he passed the mirror backstage, he loosed his dreads from their ponytail and shook his head. Yes, he was ready to go. Now all they needed was an audience!

---

Special Assistants to the Captain
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 04-10-03 16:52

Some days ago I (or I should say, we) received an Owl message from Captain Electron. And a very strange message it was. I read it through several times before putting the matter to my Toms. In essence, it was a request for some help with the upcoming concert. Basically, the Captain was needing some help with some of the little peripheral matters like selling tickets, stamping hands, selling refreshments and souvenirs, and the like. I am sure that he was aware that Brownies get terribly offended if you offer to pay for their services. Instead, he offered to take them backstage after the concert, to talk to the band and just "hang out", as he called it.

Well, I must say that my Toms took it in stride. That is, if you can call rocketing around the room and bouncing off the walls, "taking it in stride"! It was some time before I could get them calmed down, such that we could make some plans. The Captain had indicated that all of the refreshments were on order, Butter Beer, Pumpkin Juice and Sodas (and ice, as well) from Madam Rosmerta. There was also an ample supply of musical hats and colorful shirts to be sold.

After supper that evening, we all had to "troop" over and take a look at the facilities. The captain and his group were still there, practicing, and going through the motions on one of their songs. During a lull, I told the Captain that we would be delighted to assist, and that we would like to look over the arrangements. Everything seemed to be in order. Tables and chairs for the ticket sellers and refreshment servers. Two small cash boxes with spells required for opening. Several boxes of plastic cups and napkins, all imprinted with the Captain's emblem.

There was just one other thing the Captain had asked me to see about. It seems that the concert-goers, once they have paid their way in, get their hand stamped with some kind of distinctive marking. Then they can come and go as they please. He explained that it was somewhat like showing your ticket stub, only non-transferable. Back at the shop, I gave this considerable thought. Something "distinctive", he had said. Far into the night, I worked, trying one thing and then another. Finally, with the right combination of spells and charms, I managed to get a working replica of the Captain's emblem. Satisfied, I just left everything on the work table and went to bed for a well earned rest.

In hindsight, I should have known better than to leave such temptation within reach of my Toms. I awoke the following morning (yesterday, it was) to find the three of them had decorated each other with the magical stamper. Hands, arms, cheeks, foreheadÉ any bit of exposed skin was a fair canvas for them. During my lecture, I tried to remain "The Stern Father". However, it was all I could do to keep from laughing at their rueful expressions with all the little electrons whizzing around. Fortunately, with some strong soap and hot water, we were able to remove most of the garish colors.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now it is Saturday morning, the day of the Hogsmeade Visit and the Captain's Concert. The three Toms have gone off to see if there are any last-minute items to take care of. And I am left to mind the store. I do hope some of the students will stop by. I have a new supply of four-color, pre-inked quills. Also something which is very new on the market... a "self-checking" parchment which highlights any words which are misspelled. So far, it is only available in "English", because that's the only language the inventor-wizard knows. However, if it catches on, I am sure that other languages will be available soon. As I wait for the students to arrive from the school, I busy myself by tidying up the place a bit.

---

Preparations
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 04-10-03 18:35

With today being a Hogsmeade weekend for the Hogwarts students, Briar had risen early to get extra baking done. The bakery these days offered more than just pastries and other sweets. There have always been a variety of bread and for the past few months items such as savory souffles and quiches have been available. It's greatly helped having a local contract with Nevvyn's Notions & Potions for the various herbs and spices Briar uses daily. The two shop owners had recently reached an agreement and had gotten the contract signed that same day.

Briar looks out the front window of the bakery at the sound of tapping. Smiling at one of the Toms, Briar motions him to come in. A minute later the Brownie is walking out the door with all the food ordered for the Captain Electron concert this afternoon. After a laughing, parting shot to Tom of, "Now, don't let it get back to me that you got so hungry on the way back that you arrived with empty boxes!" Briar returns to her work. Returning to the kitchen, Briar pops several pans of cookies in to bake while also wondering why none of her employees have shown up yet.

By the time Sirius Black has appeared for breakfast and to pick up an order he placed days ago, Briar is still all by herself and beginning to worry. Cora's has been late before but Brigit and Quinn are always reliable. If one can't make it the other does and if both look to be late, they send an owl.

"Well, Briar mutters, "if no one's shown up by the time students start arriving, I'll send one of them to the Owl Post to get messages off for me. Not sure what I'll do if no one can make it in to work today."

Sighing heavily, Briar focuses on getting organized just in case she does have to go it alone today.

---

Groupies
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-10-03 19:51

Despite the unexpected loss to Ravenclaw in Quidditch last weekend, much of Hufflepuff House was ecstatic by the time the second Hogsmeade trip rolled around. Bronwyn, particularly looking forward to the Captain Electron concert ("Oh, he's such a dreamboat!"), gathered a great group of friends together to go into town for the event. She even included her brother Siegfried, a third year, into her circle of friends today. This went without a hitch because Toby's younger brother Anthony, a fourth year in Hufflepuff House, also joined them; he and Siegfried got along wonderfully and took great pride in teasing their older siblings about their relationship.

Hunter, Hannah and Susan also comprised the group, each excited about getting into town and away from Hogwarts for a change. Emma joined them in the walk into town, but hadn't quite decided on whether or not she'd be attending the concert. She wanted to spend some time with her parents at the Spinning Horn, but promised to meet up with the gang later, should she decide to go to the concert after all.

During the morning hours while waiting for the concert to begin, the Hufflepuffs visited various shops: The Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes, Briar's Bakery, Twice Told Tales...Bronwyn even popped into the new Gringotts Bank to "open an account," but everyone knew she just wanted to catch of glimpse of a certain redheaded Weasley.

"He's too old for you," Toby had said, pulling her out of the bank and onto the crowded street. He had laughed at the bemused look on her face and added, "Besides, what do you need him for when you've got me?"

Groans from Siegfried and Anthony, ooohs from the girls and a very cheeky, "He's dating our Muggle Studies professor anyway," from Hunter had ceased the conversation with a round of laughter.

By then, it rapidly neared the time for the start of the concert. The gang made their way to the location, fished in their robe pockets for a galleon each and happily anticipated the show...

---

At the Workshop
Author: Mary
Date: 04-11-03 15:48

After the game of chess, Mary and Crispin headed down to the pitch with Mortimer to attend the quidditch workshop. Mary wasn't about to miss a chance to be on a broomstick.

Mary mounted her broom and took off with ease. Mortimer was pretty good, but Crispin was not a natural. Taking cruel delight in flying circles around Crispin, Mary also occasionally playfully ran into him, nearly knocking him off.

"Hey!" He shouted angrily. "Revenge for beating me at chess this morning!" Mary called back amid shouts of laughter.

Viktor Krum shouted at her to pay attention, and she obliged. Viktor was one of the few people she respected, since she knew there was so much quidditch knowledge she could learn from him.

---

Another Workshop
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 04-10-03 20:21

After grabbing some breakfast, Viktor headed down to the pitch to get things set. To his surprise, Coco (and Pea) are not only there already but Coco's started getting out the equipment. Viktor thanks Coco and together they finish getting everything ready. Coco keeps up a running conversation but since Viktor doesn't understand ninety percent of what she's saying, he just keeps nodding his head and smiling a lot.

Levski, Dimitrov, and Volkov arrive at about the same time some of the Slytherins appear. While waiting for others to show, Viktor and his friends allow those present to get warmed up on their brooms.

As the small group whizzes around overhead, Viktor takes the opportunity to get firsthand information from this teammates. The Bulgarian ministry is livid that Viktor escaped their protection and Volkov was told by a cousin in the ministry that Viktor's whereabouts are known to them and they very much want the pride of their national Quidditch team back to keep an eye on him. Volkov said that according to his cousin, those in charge of safeguarding Viktor are in Hogsmeade lurking around waiting for him to leave the school grounds. Dimitrov adds that their coach wants Viktor to stay put at Hogwarts. If someone could slip out of protective custody then someone could slip in and harm Viktor and while Hogwarts isn't perfect, the coach believes it's still much safer. The coach is also working on places Viktor could practice with the team in secrecy.

Viktor merely nods, taking in all this new information as his friends talk. Although he does like it here at Hogwarts, Viktor hopes it won't be long before his full freedom is restored or until the threat from Koyla's cult fades away. The arrival of more students brings the adults' discussion to an end.

Time to get the second workshop fully underway!

---

A Visit from Aunt Morgana at Hogsmeade
Author: Ledara Knight
Date: 04-11-03 16:34

Ledara had looked forward to this trip to Hogsmeade for some time. SO many studies to do, and she wasn't into Quidditch. She preferred Muggle baseball back home.

Earlier in the week, she received a letter via Aunt Morgana's owl, Archamedes. Ledara had been eating lunch with some of her fellow Gryffindor classmates when Archamedes flew into the hall. She opened the letter after she gave the owl some roast chicken and some water. The owl hooted pleasantly as it ate.

My Dear Ledara,

As I have learned, you and your other fellow students, 3rd year and over, will be visiting Hogsmeade. I will be arriving soon to meet you there. I will have your Christmas gifts from all of us here at the castle.

I will be staying at the Hogsmeade Inn through the holidays to visit with you, and to visit with an old friend of mine, Prof. Minerva McGonagall. I will have a surprise for you, little one. Hope to see you soon.

With Love,
Aunt Morgana.

Ledara smiled as one of the other Gryffindor students asked what was up. She told them about her Aunt going to be at Hogsmeade. Ledara had spent last summer with her, and enjoyed every minute there. She couldn't wait!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ledara and many others of the students arrived at Hogsmeade. The narrow streets were crowded with students, professors, and other visiting wizards and witches. She made her way to the Hogsmeade Inn and entered. The Inn was quite pleasant. Nice and warm as a cheery fire roared in the fireplace.

The innkeeper looked up and asked, "Can I be helpin' ye dearie?"

Ledara smiled back. "Yes, I am looking for my Aunt. Her name is Morgana Knight. Has she arrived yet?"

The innkeeper nodded and pointed to a table in one corner near the fireplace. There was her Aunt Morgana. She hadn't changed a bit since last summer. In fact, she was enjoying a conversation with old friends from her student days at Hogwarts.

"Ledara! It is good to see you again, little one! Come, sit and visit with me."

She introduced Ledara to the two wizards and the one witch that were talking to Morgana. "This is Durgos Flagherty, Socrates Ionia, and Isis Hotep. They attended Hogwarts with myself and Prof. McGonagall many years ago. My friends, this is my grand-niece, Ledara Knight, from the USA."

They all shook hands and greeted each other. She sat down and enjoyed time with her Aunt Morgana.

---

Thoughts & Memories
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 04-11-03 18:40

Hogwarts students once again filtered through the iron gates of the school, bringing reanimated life into the otherwise ripened village; not that all of the locals in town were old bores who mused about the weather over a cup of tea on a daily basis. At any rate, the arrival of the students, generally ranging in age from thirteen to eighteen, brought about a sense of whimsy, surely augmented today by the Captain Electron concert scheduled for the afternoon.

At Twice Told Tales, Lysander stood in the doorway of his office and crossed his arms over his chest as he casually leaned up against the frame. He watched as students came into the bookstore, most conversing energetically about the concert and thereby disturbing the normal quiet of the shop. Many simply wandered around ignoring the books on the shelves, perhaps only entering Twice Told Tales to avoid the cold outside. Others came in and perused each aisle, merely browsing the titles but certainly taking an interest in what the shop had to offer.

Thus far, no Slytherins had entered the bookshop. The secret room in the store lay dormant, eager for its favorite visitors to stop by for an afternoon of interesting reading and whatever else they had in mind.

As Lysander thought about the secret room, his mind drifted to Bill Weasley, who had once come threateningly close to discovering it. At least, Lysander remembered feeling quite unnerved as that troublesome Weasel nosed his way into the store, determined to uncover some kind of dirt on the three former Slytherins. Julian, ever-cool, had remained confident that Bill's efforts to detect anything out of the ordinary, anything illegal, would be futile. How right he had been.

Bill never found the secret room, the concealed chamber in which Harry Potter's unconscious form had been stored until Voldemort had come to collect him. When Bill left the country weeks later, Lysander had felt a rush of relief. Random visits from the world's most annoying detective–was that really in his job description anyway?!–would cease, and Lysander hoped this would be the case forever.

Unfortunately, he came back.

Bill Weasley now had a home in Hogsmeade, and to top it off, his new occupational duties included heading the new Gringotts bank in town. The Stratfords had debated whether or not to obtain a vault; it would certainly be much more convenient than going to Diagon Alley every week. Yet, their extreme dislike for the redheaded Weasel kept them from jumping at the chance for banking services here in town. They were well aware of what Julian thought of the matter..."Business is business." He didn't give a damn what Bill Weasley thought of them just as he didn't give a damn about Bill Weasley.

Lysander's contemplation ceased when Chyler called for him to fluff her pillows. At four months pregnant, she glowed with beauty and joy. She sat in one of the armchairs in the room, an old book of names propped in her lap.

"What do you think about this, Lysander?" Chyler asked, thumbing back a few pages to find what she had marked.

Lysander leaned over her shoulder after adjusting her cushions.

"For boys: Bryan, Garreth, Kay..." She paused and looked up at him.

"Those are all wonderful, dear," Lysander said, kissing the top of her head. "And for girls?"

She resumed her gaze on the page and read, "Claudine, Elsa, Gwen, Lynna..." Again, her eyes searched her husband's.

"All very lovely, my sweet."

"I haven't gone through this entire book yet, so I'm sure my list will expand..."

Lysander thought, Like your tummy, but he had the mind to hold his tongue. Although Chyler was less moody nowadays than she had been the past months, he did not want to try her temper. Instead, he smiled and kissed her cheek.

Just then, the door chime sounded and a group of students entered. Lysander righted himself and crossed the room to see if he could be of any assistance.

---

Saying Goodbye
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 04-11-03 21:14

(Friday December 13th)

Michael wasn't sure what was worse, Blinkey despondent and clinging onto his right arm or his seven-year-old nice, Sabina sobbing and clinging onto his left arm.

"NE va pas, Oncle Michael! NE vas pas, je vas te manquer tròs!"

"Now, Sabina. tu est tros gros pour pleurée come ça." Michael gently pried her off his arm, and gave her a hug. Sabina's reply was a loud sob. He ruffled her hair gently. "It's not like we'll never see each other again." Michael was definitely feeling guilty.

Just then, Helouise enters the room and takes in Michael's new style. "Michael, dear, that colour looks horrid on you."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence." Michael had come to that conclusion himself. "Always here to offer support. When are you leaving?"

"Later tonight, I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Better you than I, dear brother!" Abelard said, as he entered the room and picked up the still-sobbing Sabina.

"And thank YOU too, brother."

Later that night, after managing to console Blinkey a little bit and telling him to "take good care of Dierna" (to whom he'd already said goodbye and other things), Michael gave Sabina a final hug and kiss and said good-bye to his brother and sister-in-law. With a final "pop" Michael disaparated to start his assignment at Durmstrang. The thought briefly passes his mind that it's Friday the 13th - which Muggles and many wizards consider unlucky. The timing is either very appropriate or rather inauspicious. Michael hopes it's the former - not the latter.

---

Playing Toss
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 04-12-03 19:30

Fritz kicks off and soars into the air, taking a few moments to adjust to his broomstick. While not a natural at flying, he seems to have gotten the hang of it. He does some simple maneuvers, not quite brave enough to attempt anything daring, and then stops in midair with the others to await Viktor's latest instructions.

From down below, Viktor tosses the quaffle to one of the Slytherins and directs him to pass it to somebody else. He does it, and the next person is asked to do the same. This process is repeated until everyone is comfortable tossing the quaffle from person to person while in a stationary position in the air.

Next, the young students practice passing the quaffle while in motion. Clearly, some are more coordinated and skilled than others, perhaps showing early signs of their futures as chasers for their own House teams. Fritz, for one, cannot possibly imagine himself playing Quidditch for Hogwarts one day...but perhaps with a bit more practice, this will change.

---

A "Small" Meal?
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 04-12-03 21:44

I had done all I could to console Blinkey and convince her that Michael would survive his mission at Durmstrang. This afternoon, Blinkey seemed in better spirits. By noon the house was clean (wow!) and she was busy preparing what passed to her as a "small lunch." ("Blinkey look after Dierna ní Cíaran!" she announced proudly - probably as requested by Michael). The "small" part was debatable enough to feed all of Hogwarts AND have leftovers.

"This is supposed to be a light lunch?" I ask, looking at the assortment of foods in front of me.

"Blinkey sorry! Blinkey get carried away."

"Don't be sorry, Blinkey. You didn't do anything wrong. And you certainly don't have to "look after" me. You don't belong to me."

"Master say to look after Dierna!" (Ha! Thought so.)

"Oh, did he now?" I say with a wry smile.

"Yes! So Blinkey do as Master Michael say!"

I look again to the food (including some baking brought from Briar's Bakery). "Well, there is no way I can eat this alone. I'm going to invite Sirius, Harry and his friends over."

---

Flying High
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 04-13-03 11:42

Coco is happy just to be flying. Quidditch is fun to watch and it's okay to play but flying... flying is blood brill*! Absolutely crackin*! The dog's bollocks*! Coco did another loop de loop and then inverted to make an upside down pass over the pitch. Far below, on the sidelines, Pea looks like nothing more than a petite speck on his pillow. Coco would have gladly brought Pea along for the ride but apparently the little dog is not as fond of making roller coaster type loops in the air nor is he as thrilled about flying upside down as Coco is. Viktor's friend and teammate Volkov calls out for Coco to come join his group for some practice hitting the bludgers. Waving one hand and nodding to show she hears him, Coco does one more giant loop then zooms over to join Volkov's group of students.

~~~~~~~~~~

brill = brilliant
crackin(g) = the best
dog's bollocks = absolutely fantastic