Awake!
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 09-08-03 18:49
I awoke early on the Saturday morning of the Hogsmeade tripÉa little too early. I was able to sneak out of the dorm without waking anyone up. I saw that no one was in the common room when I got there. I left the common room and was almost blinded by the sunlight coming in through the windows.
I walked into the Great Hall, and unsurprising, I found it empty. I stood at the door a moment and looked down the rows of tables and a smile came to my face when I realized that I could say something and it would echo. I thought about it, but I couldn't think of anything good to say, so I just turned and left.
I returned to my dorm, sat down on my bed, and started to think. I couldn't figure what else to do since I threw my crystal ball two days ago. It had another warped image, this time it looked like a wall, and I threw it. I hadn't bothered to look for it yet.
As I sat on my bed, I noticed that none of the others had waken up still. Pulling the curtains all the way open, I make it so I can see the closed curtains of Bronwyn's bed. Sitting Indian style on my bed, I leaned forward, and placed my hands right in front of my legs. I placed my weight on my arms, and lowed my head so my shoulders were behind my ears. With my head at a slight angle, I started to stare at Bronwyn's curtains and waited for her to wake up.
Know It Alls
Author: H Potter
Date: 09-08-03 19:28
Ron and Harry walk a few paces behind Ginny and Hermione and even further back from Majandra who seems to be fairly bounding towards the gates. Harry gives a nodding jerk of his head towards Maj, "George must be meeting Majandra today. Does that mean they've resolved whatever was going on?"
Ron gives a strange combination of a nod and a shrug. "Yeah, George mentioned in a recent letter he'd be in town first thing this morning, camped out at Bill's. I guess that means those two have things worked out. It's very confusing though. Something about George dating someone else."
"George went out with another girl and somehow that made things all okay with Majandra? I can see why you're confused."
Ginny, who must have overheard their remarks, calls back over her shoulder, "There's nothing confusing about it. Not once you know the whole story anyway."
Hermione adds her two knuts to the conversation, "It all makes perfect sense now."
Ron and Harry exchange glances then roll their eyes at the young women walking in front of them. Ron sticks his tongue out at his sister's back and then at Hermione's before replying, "If it makes so much sense, explain it to us."
Glancing over her shoulder at the two, Hermione asks, "You know the whole story, Ron?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"And you still find it confusing?" Ginny chimes in.
"Well, yeah. I would think Majandra would be having a bloody fit and all charged up for a great row with George about dating someone else. Why is she so happy over it? Or is it because it gives her the perfect excuse to give him the boot once and for all."
Harry, who doesn't know the full story, nods his head at Ron's words. Based on what little he's hearing now, Harry thinks that would be Majandra's reaction as well. He catches Ginny's eye as she swivels her head back around to watch where she's going as she walks. "If you two girls know so much, enlighten us please."
As they pass through the gates and continue towards Hogsmeade, Ginny casts one more look back at Harry. "If you don't understand now, then I really don't think explaining anything is going to help."
Hermione doesn't even bother to address the boys this time as she speaks, "I agree, Ginny. If they haven't gotten it, especially Ron who says he knows the full story, then they won't get it. We could explain till we're blue in the face and it wouldn't do any good."
Ron sticks his tongue out again but this time Harry does as well. In a sarcastic tone, Ron says, "Well excuse us for not grasping the ins and outs of someone else's romance as you two all knowing, wise women seem to have done. We bow to your superior knowledge."
Equally sarcastic but with a great deal of underlying humor, Ginny quips, "As you should, boys. We are superior to you in all ways. Why else do you think you are walking several paces behind? Next time though I fully expect rose petals strewn underfoot. Or better yet, I will allow you to carry me in a litter. That way I don't get my shoes soiled."
Eyes Wide
Open
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 09-08-03 22:02
Bronwyn awoke to the distinct feeling that she was being watched. She rose and crinkled her forehead, pondering for a moment. When she pulled open the bed hangings, she found the source of her strange feeling. Desdemona was sitting Indian style on her own bed, staring straight at Brownyn.
"Morning," she said. She didn't move from her spot.
"Morning," Bronwyn replied. She threw her legs over the side of the bed and padded across the floor to dig some clothes out of her trunk. "Are you going into Hogsmeade today?" Bronwyn asked. She swiveled her head around to look at Desi.
Desdemona's eyes had followed Bronwyn across the dormitory. "I was thinking about it. Are you going to go?"
"Of course. It's the last one of the year. Our last chance to get out of here before we feel the crunch of the O.W.L. exams. I'm starting to get nervous about them. Are you?"
"I'm trying not to stress about them. I figure if I'm prepared and have not driven myself mad in the process, I'll do okay."
Bronwyn turned around, a bundle of clothing in her arms. "Want to go into the village with me?"
"Sure!"
***
Half an hour later, Bronwyn and Desi left Hogwarts and walked down the grassy slope to the gates. Having not had breakfast yet, they went straight for Briar's Bakery.
"I don't know about you, but I'm craving a giant pretzel," Brownyn said as they slipped inside the shop.
"Is that breakfast food?" Desi asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Why not?"
Desdemona shrugged and said, "Well, you've got a point there."
They found a table close to the front of the shop and ordered various breakfast sweets, including the giant pretzel Brownyn had so desired.
"So, where do you want to go after this?" Bronwyn asked, taking a sip of chocolate milk. She looked at her roommate expectantly.
A New Mission
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-09-03 10:58
Three weeks had passed since the battle between Kep-Tian and Taz-Marah in Memphis, Egypt. Since that fateful day, Kep-Tian had agreed his allegiance to the Dark Lord but requested some time to recuperate before making his formal submission to Voldemort. Because a new task fell into Ethan's lap, he allowed the request and sent Kep-Tian to a safe-house in Moscow.
It had been the day after all the excitement in Egypt that Morgain had contacted Ethan with news of another task. She had discovered a potential ally and wanted Ethan to be the one to bring the identified woman to the dark side. Morgain had requested Ethan to meet her at a small bistro in Cairo after a few days, where she explained the focus of the mission and what exactly it would entail.
"Diagon Alley?" Ethan had exclaimed, incredulous. "You're asking me to go into the lion's den?"
"There are ways for you to go unnoticed, Ethan," had been Morgain's reply.
And so, after careful preparation Ethan apparated to Diagon Alley a week ago and studied his subject discretely in the guise of a man with dark hair and eyes and an olive skin tone. In his observations, Ethan observed that the woman always looked expectant as she sat at her desk. Was she waiting for something or someone?
Finally, after a week of scrutinous investigation Ethan decided to make his move. He discarded the copy of the Daily Prophet he had had open in front of his face but that he hadn't been reading and crossed the busy street to enter the building across from him.
Approaching the woman's desk, Ethan cleared his throat and asked, "Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to have the latest figures on the mysterious Muggle deaths that have been happening lately, would you? My name is Evan Salisbury. I work for an independent Muggle relations organization." He held out his hand and smiled warmly.
Thinking and
Waiting
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 09-09-03 11:49
Bill didn't go into work today because it was a Hogsmeade weekend for the Hogwarts students and he was expecting Ron and Ginny to arrive with their friends for lunch. On top of this, George had apparated into town to see his girlfriend, Majandra, and he was spending the wait at Bill's cottage.
George was fairly quiet during the morning, as his mind was perhaps focused solely on Majandra and any activities planned for the day ahead. This left Bill ample opportunity to think about the various things that had been occupying his mind for quite some time now. The most prevalent thought in his mind regarded Adriana.
In February during the last Hogsmeade trip, Bill had been so close to telling Harry the truth about her. He had wanted to do it, but at the last moment changed his mind. Now, another opportunity to reveal all was presenting itself and the knowledge that his Adriana was likely gone for good meant that any further delay was no longer necessary.
By now, it was nearly common knowledge that Helena Tufton was alive and well, even though Bill had known the truth for much longer than most anyone else because of the letter Adriana had sent him several months ago. After the initial meeting with Helena at The Three Broomsticks, Bill had casually mentioned her presence to his mother, who had in due course told everyone she had ever met.
What wasn't known about Helena was where in Hogsmeade she was currently residing and what she was doing in the village. Although Bill desired to speak to Helena about the six weeks she spent with Adriana in America, he was patient and knew that the truth would be revealed eventually. More important matters were at the forefront of his deepest desires, particularly his will to bring Adriana back safely. However, as more and more time passed, Bill knew Adriana was moving further and further from his grasp...if she wasn't completely gone already.
Sighing quietly to himself, Bill shook the thoughts from his mind and tried to engage his brother into conversation.
A Sudden
Interruption
Author: Darksong Shadowhart
Date: 09-10-03 16:50
Shadowhart had returned from Egypt a good deal more relaxed and a good deal tanner. She had been working nonstop for weeks to catch up with the work she believed she had missed in her absence, and she still believed herself to be slacking.. Everyone knew how her temper flared when she was behind, and so they had stayed well clear of her desk, so she was surprised when a gentle voice interrupted her work. She immediately looked up with a scowl across her features, but her stormy expression cleared quickly when she realized that the man hadn't meant to disturb her.
He introduced himself and held his hand out to her. Darksong took his hand, and returned his smile with one of her own, even if it was a little forced. "Evan, it's nice to meet you, I'm Darksong Shadowhart. I may have seen those figures you need pass across my desk sometime today, but it may be a few minutes before I can locate them again." Shadowhart grinned a little sheepishly as she indicated the huge stacks of paper that filled her desk. "If you wouldn't mind staying for a few minutes while I get things under control?" she suggested tentatively.
"Not a problem," Evan answered, watching the woman begin to scour her desk for the sheet of parchment she needed.
"So where did you say you worked again?" Shadowhart asked him, her eyes quickly scanning the papers while she tossed the unneeded ones aside just as hastily.
"An independant Muggle relations organization," he responded, "we work in-"
He was cut off as the woman held up a piece of parchment triumphantly. "Aha! I think this is the one you need!" Shadowhart said, offering the page of statistics to him.
Hogsmeade
Trip
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 09-10-03 17:40
Draco strolled into Hogsmeade, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. The signature smirk lingered on his lips, and cold, gray eyes surveyed everything and everyone to cross his path. A slight blue tinge was visible across his jaw from the injury he had received at the Quidditch match three weeks ago. Madam Pomfrey had done wonders to ease the pain, to grow back the teeth he had lost and to heal the cracks and fissures in his jaw, but it had been a long and arduous process.
The boys slipped into the Three Broomsticks, securing a table at the back of the tavern. Draco ordered three butterbeers, sat back in his chair and looked around the darkened room. No one of any interest was there; only a few Hogsmeade residents lingered about and several random third and fourth year Hogwarts students were giggling in some of the booths next to the window.
Draco was still awfully bitter about Slytherin's big loss at the Quidditch match. He'd been furious for days afterwards, smashing things and threatening to pummel anyone who dared comment about Slytherin's bad luck. It had been bad enough that he had shared a few days time in the hospital wing with the Ravenclaw seeker, Cho Chang.
He hadn't even needed to use his special medallion to know what she had been thinking. Scowling at the thought, Draco emptied the contents of his just-arrived pint of butterbeer and slammed the empty glass on the surface of the table. Crabbe and Goyle were too much into their usual moronic states to notice anything other than their own butterbeers.
Draco rolled his eyes skyward and rose from his seat, crossing the room to order another drink. As he leaned up against the bar, he felt something hard crash against the wall of the counter. None around him seemed to hear it, as they were all conversing loudly with one another.
The medallion felt very heavy in Draco's robe pocket, and he became very conscious of it. He slid his hand into his pocket and clasped the circular disk, running his fingers across the smooth edge. After Madam Rosmerta refilled his glass of butterbeer, Draco returned to Crabbe and Goyle, one hand still wrapped around the magic medallion. He seated himself and thought about some of the things he had overheard while wearing it, and suddenly he felt the great urge to put it around his neck. He desired to listen to the thoughts of everyone in the tavern, despire how mundane they'd likely be considering who the current patrons were, but he knew it would do nothing but cause him an enormous headache. Besides, the fragments he'd likely hear would probably come from Crabbe and Goyle and contain the words "food" and "yum".
Draco knocked back the contents of his second drink and tried to get his thoughts off of the medallion, Crabbe and Goyle and Quidditch.
Breakfast
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 09-10-03 20:03
Bronwyn and I left Hogwarts in the morning and we went to Hogsmeade. We went to Briar's Bakery and after if some decision-making about what to eat we founded table near the front of the shop. I was taking a bite out of something that was long and narrow when my roommate decided to ask, "So, where do you want to go after this?"
"Well, I don't know," I began, with the pastry punctuating every syllable with a bobble, I took a bite out of it and continued, "I want to see if I can find a normal mirror and find a way to listen to muggle music over here, you know, like some kind of charm that plays it or something. I'm not the only one who wanted to come down here, where do you want to go?"
I waited for her answer and shoved what looked like a cinnamon roll into my mouth.
Some Butterbeer
Author: Clara Devaki
Date: 09-10-03 21:58
Clara wandered into The Three Broomsticks ahead of Tempest. Surveying the room, she decided it was too busy.
"Hey Clara? How 'bout we just grab some butterbeer and go walk or something?"
Clara nodded, her best friend obviously being on the same wavelength. Sighing, she leaned on the bar as Tempest sat down in one of the stools. It'd been three weeks since the match, but both were still rather unhappy about it. Course they always figured there was next year...
After getting their order, and one last survey around the room, Clara's eyes lingering on a couple people for a moment, she and Tempest went back out the door.
Up Early...For
Once
Author: Sykra Sawyer
Date: 09-10-03 22:25
To everyone who knew Sykra, the fact that she was up way before pretty much everyone in the Ravenclaw house, left them rather shocked. For usually she had to be dragged out of bed.
After freshening up, getting dressed, and making sure her Ravenclaw blue highlights were showing as brightly as ever (after three weeks, she was still celebrating), She went back to the dormitory and tossed a pillow at sleeping Cho's head.
Cho woke up, then sat up glaring to see who'd thrown it. Then about fell out of bed seeing Sykra all up and dressed and wide awake.
"What the...?"
Sykra grinned. "Hey! Orlando today! He sent me an owl saying he had today off...so I getta spend the whole time at Hogsmeade with him!!" Sykra was talking kind of fast. " I mean...I'll still hang with ya'all some but yea yay! Usually on Hogsmeade weekends he's gotta work part of the time so yea..."
"Whoa slow down Sykra." Cho shook her head. "You talking too fast for me."
The girl just grinned. "Anyway...I'm gonna head there now...Orlando and I will meet up with you and Aradia and people later, k? K! Cya!"
Sykra left the room, leaving Cho kind of speechless. Reaching the common room, she almost ran into Aradia. "Hey! I'm heading to Hogsmeade now to meet Orlando, I'll see you later on!"
Sykra left, leaving her other friend rather speechless as well.
Arriving at Hogsmeade, Sykra found Orlando there waiting for her. Grinning, she took his hand and started talking telling him all about the past few weeks as they headed for a bite to eat and something to drink.
Eavesdropping
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 09-10-03 22:46
Lucius nods in greeting to various people as he makes his way to the elevator. On the short ride to the desired floor, Lucius begins to grow impatient as the elevator stops at every single floor so that those always annoying, flying memos can whoosh on and off. Just when Lucius is to the point he's drumming his fingers on his walking stick and he's thinking the stairs would have been so much faster, the elevator reaches Lucius's floor.
With an irritated swish of his impeccable, black and silver silk cape, Lucius exits the elevator and strides down the hallway towards the office where Fudge asked Lucius to meet him. He comes to an abrupt halt several offices down from his goal. The door to another office stands slightly ajar and the high pitched, abrasive whine emanating from within sounds very familiar.
"You said you'd make would have round the clock protection. You can't change your mind now."
A calmer, soothing voice replies, "Myrtle, as I've told you several times already, there is nothing to indicate you are not safe. The Ministry concluded that Harpsichord's death was exactly as the Muggles thought. A massive coronary combined with a stroke while jogging."
"But Karkaroff..."
"But Karkaroff had many enemies and even if his current situation was caused by followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named that was weeks ago. Plus, the man was missing for a long time before he turned up at St. Mungo's. There has been no indication, at any time, that you are a target for anyone seeking retribution. This office cannot continue to dedicate staff to twenty-four hour protection when there is nothing to justify it."
"In other words you lied."
The man's voice now has a tinge of impatience. "This is getting tiresome. We have discussed this for three hours now. Myrtle, you went into hiding all those years ago on your own volition. You turned down all offers of help from the Ministry and over the years, in the limited contact you've had with us, you continued to rebuff offers. Did we turn our backs on you as you did us? No. When you contacted this office several months ago, we, or should I say I, did everything possible to ensure your safety. I gave you security guards. I had staff spending hour after hour checking for any signs that you were in danger. I found you a new place to live, a new name and even a job."
The man pauses and Lucius hears paper being shuffled. He doesn't have to wait long though for the conversation to continue. The man sounds almost weary when he speaks again.
"You gave the guards such constant grief of every sort that two of them transferred out of my department just so they wouldn't have to work with you any longer. You were most uncooperative with all members of this office, to the point that one would think we were out to harm you instead of help. Help at your behest no less. The house I found for you is too small. After years of living under a pseudonym you suddenly decided you wanted to be known by your real name so rejected every suggestion of a new one we gave you. And, lastly, Myrtle, you decided that the excellent job we found for you was too far beneath you to even consider taking it."
"Not very helpful of you to just sit here and gripe for three hours now is it. I've a mind to talk to Fudge personally about your attitude."
"Go right ahead. And while you are at it, be sure to point out to him that this office repeatedly reminded you that since you are so sure you are a target, that you were to communicate with us in coded messages sent by owl to an intermediate. But...," the man sighs heavily, "but despite your claims that you are being stalked and hunted to the point that you need full time security and assistance, that this is your third visit to the Ministry this week alone."
Sounds of people coming his direction spurs Lucius to move on. He definitely does not to give even the slightest hint to anyone that he might have been eavesdropping. Reaching the office where he's to meet Fudge, Lucius uses his walking stick to rap on the door. As he waits for a response from within, Lucius can't help but grin at what he overheard. Myrtle Marbleline is worried, and rightly so. This time they've put into waiting to make her their guest seems so much more worthwhile knowing that Marblehead has been torturing herself with worry. What fun it will be the day they can put her worries to an end.
Bella's Saturday
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 09-10-03 23:07
"Get rid of them now. I mean now. There is no way you're making my hay fever kick in. Must we have fresh flowers in every room?"
"Nonsense. I think they brighten up the place. Sunflowers and white roses in a blue vase seem to complement each other so well. It's like violets and yellow roses: unexpected but full of color. Obviously, you've never had Lady Stella's lecture on flowers, how to arrange them, and how they brighten up every room."
"It's lovely. Now can you send it elsewhere? To someone? Anyone? Please?"
"Fine. They go to Bill Weasley. I'm sure his house could use some brightening up and he won't complain about hay fever that he doesn't have. Twinkle, take this to Bill Weasley at his home and there's no answer. None. There, that make you happy, Liam?"
"Fine. Suits me fine. Don't you have a tutoring session today? Hmmm, teaching in your slip? Might be rather interesting. I know a few people who wouldn't mind signing up. I'm so keeping my mouth shut."
"Shit! That's today? Yikes! Cookie, I need sandwiches, crisps, brownies, and really cold butterbeer when my student arrives. Liam, could you close the partions in my study? Cookie, serve the food in there, but not until about thirty minutes after...um..um...um....Lawerence arrives."
"Fine, I'll close off the partitions while you get dressed. Quit flinging books all over the place. You might hurt yourself or get into a state. Calm down. Down, girl. Oh, and proper wizarding wear at least knee length."
Bella ran to her room while Liam shook his head. She was so funny when completely frantic. At least she got things done, although in a way that caused amusement to others.
