Re: Time to
Shop
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 09-13-03 13:57
Bronwyn and I left Briar's Bakery and started walking down the street towards Scrivenshaft's.
"I hope you really aren't going to look for orange," I said.
"I was just picking colors off the top of my head. Besides, what's wrong with orange?" Bronwyn asked.
"It's...just a nasty color. Purple is ok, but orange is just nasty. I mean, both red and purple look good, and see, they are both in my hair," I said as I lightly tugged on a couple of colored strands of my hair.
"Who could miss the color in your hair?" Bronwyn sarcastically asked.
"A blind person, but they have a reason so they are easily forgiven." Bronwyn made a snorting noise as we entered Scrivenshaft's. Once inside we split up and started looking. While Bronwyn made a B line for the ink, I started looking at quills. After the quills I started looking at other things until I had gone around the shop slowly...twice.
Stopping next to Bronwyn, who was still looking at the bottles of ink, I said, "Does it really take you this long to figure out what colors you want? If they didn't make it so you had to use certain colors you would be stuck trying to figure it out."
"Well, it's hard, there are so many choices. I mean, look!" Bronwyn said.
"Well, let's make this simple, orange is bad. So is blue, black, and green. Pink is bad when it's a bright color, so that takes those out. Brown is just weird so we wonÕt even go there, and yellow is just too bright."
"Ok...I think."
"So, instead of orange, you should go with red. It's a much better color. Besides, I haven't met a person who doesn't like red. Then purple is good, so stick with that. Then I don't like bight pinks, but...fuchsia is good. How does that sound?"
"Ok, that sounds fine, I guess," Bronwyn said, and then started picking up the bottles.
"Oh, hey, could you get two so I can have one of each too?" I asked. Bronwyn just laughed at me but got two of each anyways. I offered to buy her a new quill if she wouldn't take an hour to decide. She didn't take an hour so we got new quills too.
We debated getting colored parchment, but decided against it. As funny as it would have been to see Snape's face when he found an assignment written on purple parchment written in red ink, it just wasn't worth the detention.
"Ok, where do we go for lunch?" I asked as we left the shop with our bags.
In the Quiet
Author: Isolde
Date: 09-13-03 14:52
Isolde kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs beneath her body. She was leaning against Pyrrhus, reading a book entitled Boils and Blisters: Fun and Disgusting Hexes. They were in the secret room at Twice Told Tales, and it was eerily quiet. It was as if the great absences of Chyler and Lysander Stratford were far more prominent today than they had been in weeks past. Poor Isolde's heart nearly broke in two when she and Pyrrhus entered the bookshop earlier in the day and saw only Julian running the store. How lonely he must feel.
Sighing quietly, Isolde's mind shifted gears to another loss in her life. She missed her cousin, Azaelia, dearly. Only just yesterday did she receive a letter from Azaelia, detailing life in Chile and at La Escuela de Hechicería en Santiago. Although Azaelia hadn't known any Spanish when she started at her new school, she had learned quite a bit since then and could say simply things like, "Where is the bathroom?" and "How much does this cost?" The school there had a small group of English-speaking students, who were tutored separately from their Spanish-speaking classmates.
Isolde's thoughts progressed to the upcoming summer holidays. She didn't have any plans yet, but she knew that one item on her to-do list would be to see Azaelia, even if she had to go all the way to Chile to do it. Other activities for the summer entered her mind, such as attending a Quidditch camp or helping out Mr. Valentine at Twice Told Tales. And of course, spending as much time as possible with Pyrrhus sounded absolutely wonderful.
Suddenly cheered, Isolde smiled and buried her nose in her book.
A Secret
Revealed
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 09-13-03 18:29
Bill found it very difficult to express his thoughts to Harry, knowing that what he had to say could very well change life as the young Gryffindor knew it forever. Harry wasn't a stranger to astonishing revelations, but that didn't mean that he could fare any better than someone who had never received a shock before in his or her life. And the truth was, Bill had no idea how Harry would react to the news.
Adjusting the weight of the box in his hand, Bill cast a glance at Harry. The young Gryffindor's brows were drawn together pensively. He focused green eyes on Bill expectantly.
"Erm, Harry," Bill started slowly, "I don't know how to say this other than to just say it. I've kept a secret for a very long time and while I never intended on breaking the promise I made when I learned of it, I realize that there is a time when a secret no longer needs to be kept."
Bill sighed, knowing Harry probably wanted him to get to the point. He was simply too polite to say anything.
"It's about Adriana Fairchild," Bill went on, shifting his gaze from Harry's face to some place straight ahead. "She told me some things after we got together, and one of these things," Bill returned his gaze to Harry, "concerns you."
"Me?" Harry asked, speaking for the first time since Bill started talking. "What do I have to do with Adriana?"
"Harry," Bill said, stopping. He looked away, then back at Harry, who merely stared at him expectantly. "Adriana Fairchild is your cousin."
Abrupt Stop
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 09-13-03 21:36
"Devo!" Alexis yelled, trying not to laugh. It had all happened so quickly and her fall had been so comical...
Devo would never live down the expression on her face. Alexis peered over the edge as Devo feel in a haphazard heap in front of The Three Broomsticks, and suddenly it wasn't funny anymore. Devo wasn't moving.
"Devo?" Alexis called hesitantly as the owner came up beside her, looking angry.
"Run up to Madame Pomfrey at the school, quickly!" Alexis did as she was told, turning with care and climbing down the irregular brick wall the way they had come while the owner went down his trapdoor to tend to the unconscious Devo.
By the time Alexis and Madame Pomfrey had started the return journey fifteen minutes later, they met the owner halfway up the walk to Hogwarts, bearing Devo on a stretcher. She was awake but her eyes seemed glazed and she was muttering incomprehensible words under her breath.
"Oh thank goodness." Madame Pomfrey panted, "She should be fine once we get her to the hospital wing. Thank you, sir," she said to the owner, who grumbled and walked away. Pomfrey glanced at Alexis and shook her head, "I don't even want to know how this came about," and marched Devo off to the castle. Alexis followed a little bit slower, trying to catch her breath and her mind all at once.
She grinned. Well, at least today was interesting!
Mind Reader
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 09-14-03 13:24
"Isolde?" Pyrrhus asks just after bestowing a light kiss to the back of one of Isolde's hands.
Tracing a finger from that hand across Py's lips, Isolde doesn't look up from her book as she replies in a dreamy sort of voice, "Yes, dear?"
"Before we go back up to the school today, let's ask Mr. Valentine to give us summer jobs, just part-time ones of course so that we have time for other things as well. We could Floo in."
"The very same thought has just crossed my minds."
"The Muggles say great minds think alike and you, darling Isolde, have a positively superb mind."
Isolde shifts positions so she can her grinning face toward Py's. "Just think of it. We would have regular access to this marvelous collection of dark arts books rather than just a measly few times over the course of the entire school year. Why older students aren't allowed to come to town more frequently is beyond me."
"I agree. On both counts. Another advantage is that working here would also allow us to use this room to do more with the voodoo doll. There's a certain Ravenclaw keeper who is a prime candidate for some bodily harm by way of the doll."
Isolde flashes that wicked grin Py loves so much. "Let's go ask for those jobs right this second."
Py's grin echoes the lovely Isolde's. They carefully go through the steps emerging unseen from the secret room. Steps Julian Valentine had shown now that Chyler Stratford was no longer around to usher students in and out of the room. Hand in hand, the pair fairly skip to the front counter where Julian is checking out several customers.
Remainder
of the Day
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 09-14-03 14:25
A bag of colored inks in her hand, Bronwyn led Desi to the Spinning Horn for lunch. They made the exchange of ink bottles and quills at their table, and then they dined on some Muggle cuisine the restaurant was famous for. After lunch, the gals went to Dervish and Banges, where Desi tried to find a "normal" mirror. She found some that make her look elongated and others that made her look short and squat. There were others that did equally silly things, but she finally did find one that at least seemed "normal".
Bronwyn and Desi went to the small music section in the store and perused the collection of SonoCubes available. While there weren't any of Muggle artists like Desi wanted, there were a few good ones from the Weird Sisters and Captain Electron. In the end, however, they left the store with only the mirror as a new purchase.
The last hours of the day were dwindling and soon it would be time to return to the castle. With a quick glance at her watch, Bronwyn suggested The Three Broomsticks as their last stop of the day. Once inside the pub, they ordered two butterbeers and settled into a booth next to the window.
Scottish
Highlands: Nowhere to Run
Author: Darksong Shadowhart
Date: 09-14-03 17:11
Darksong's heart pounded wildly as she considered her options. she knew she was trapped, and so running was not among them. Ethan was still watching her, now idly twirling his wand between his fingers. She knew she had no time, and that he could kill he outright and not feel a twinge of remorse. There was the option of agreeing, serving Lord Voldemort faithfully, and if there was victory, living, or at least prolonging her life if defeat should occur. Darksong was still staring at the card, listening to Ethan's last words chasing themselves around in her mind- death or victory. She knew that going with him was the coward's way out, but a small part of her mind wondered if that wasn't honorable. She glanced up through her eyelashes. He was watching her expectantly, so she voiced her only coherent thought.
"Why did you choose me?"
He smiled coldly, mysteriously. "Why should I give you the satisfaction of knowing the Dark Lord's motives? Now come, you are at your crossroads. Choose!"
Thus deflected, Darksong winced inwardly, then stiffened her resolve, and voiced her assent softly. "I will join you." A pang shot through her heart, as she thought of the people she could have just condemned to death, some at her own hands even. She looked up at Ethan's triumphant smile and she pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on one more important. Her long-term survival.
You're Hired
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 09-14-03 17:13
Julian's eyebrows raise slightly when Isolde and Pyrrhus come to stand hand-in-hand in front of the counter, expectant, eager looks on their faces. "Yes, what can I do for you two?"
Isolde looks at Py who nods at his girlfriend then Isolde states, "You probably don't get as much time off from the shop as you'd like, Mr. Valentine."
"Julian."
"Julian, all right," Isolde's smile lights up the room, "You probably don't get as much time as you'd like away from here. Now that Mr. Stratford has left and Mrs. Stratford has..."
Isolde's voice trails away and Pyrrhus picks up her train of thought. "Now that you are running the store on your own, we thought you might have need of some help. We are available for part-time work this summer. We could use the Floo Network to get here. You know us, Julian, at least a little and I think we've proven you can trust us."
"True, true." Julian can't help but grin, his gaze shifting towards the office where Helena's been sitting the last half hour, looking carefully over a list of books in a soon to be held estate sale of a recently deceased wizard. The particular list Helena is perusing it not one most people who will be attending the sale have privy too. The sale will be held shortly after the school term ends and on a day that is usually very busy in the shop. The plan has been that Helena would run the shop so that Julian could attend the sale.
If Julian hired the two teens, Py and Isolde could work that day. Helena and Julian could leave Hogsmeade at closing the day before and not return until time to open the day after. Or even sometime that next afternoon. The sale is to be held on a romantic Greek isle.
"Well," Julian thinks. "This is a no brainer. I need help, even if it is part-time, and a chance to be away with Helena for a stress free mini vacation."
Julian reaches out and shakes first Py's hand then Isolde's. "Consider yourselves hired. You can start right now if you like. Just get more familiar with how the place is organized but only if you want. I know today is one of your rare days off from school. I will definitely need you to work..."
The rest of the trio's conversation centers around initial work dates, wages, and best of all, employee perks.
Just Follow
the Trail
Author: Voleta Barret
Date: 09-14-03 20:07
Voleta sat on an overstuffed sofa in the living room of her parents' home reading a muggle newspaper in front of the fireplace. Her parents were out for the moment, so she had the house to herself.
Still remembering her assignment from Dierna, Voleta was looking out for suspicious articles, but nothing of interest had shown up for weeks, not even in the tabloids. Voleta had put down the last newspaper of the pile, when a slam of a car door announced her parents return.
"Voleta, honey, we're home!" cried her mother. Voleta's mother was a muggle, but it really did not bother Voleta. Since marrying Voleta's wizard father, her mother had gotten used to the magical world around her. Even though it seemed like magic ruled the family, she never let her forget her muggle roots. These teachings of muggle culture were what influenced Voleta to go into Muggle Relations at the Ministry.
Voleta got up from the sofa and cleared away the papers with a flick of her wand. As soon as they had been cleared, her mother came into the room, her arms outstretched expecting a hug, which Voleta gave.
"Hello, Voleta, I brought you another paper." Her father then came into the room, smiling. Looking at him you would not know that he was a wizard. He looked one hundred percent muggle, except for the wand poking out of his pocket. Voleta's mother had made sure that he looked like a muggle. She still hadn't told her parents that he was magically inclined.
He gave Voleta a kiss on the cheek as he handed her the paper. "Voleta, why is it that you have been so interested in the muggle news lately?" His faced looked a bit concerned, and Voleta had to agree that reading fifteen papers a day was not normal.
She gave a laugh, "It's for work, Dad. I'm in Muggle Relations, remember?" He nodded in agreement, but still looked a bit concerned.
"Oh, leave her alone, Henry. She is an adult." Her mother gave her one of those smiles that she made when she was up to something. "Speaking of being an adult, Voleta... why do you spend so much time here?"
Voleta gave a groan, "Because there is nothing at my place that I can't do here. I rather spend time with my family than spending it alone."
"So why don't you get yourself some friends, particularly a male friend..." she waggled her eyebrows, making Voleta and her father have to suppress laughs.
"Mother... I have friends."
"But they all work for the Ministry and are always busy!"
Voleta's father interjected, "Anna, Voleta does not need you bugging her to get friends. If she is happy at home, then she is happy, and that is what really matters." Voleta's mother nodded, she knew she was beat, but that did not stop her.
"But, Voleta... don't you want family of your own?" Groans escaped Anna's husband and daughter.
"Honey, let's go eat. I'll whip something up." Henry steered his wife to the kitchen by the elbows to keep her from interrogating Voleta any longer.
Finally Voleta got a moment to look at the headlines of the newspaper her father had given her. It was a small town newspaper, only cost 10 pence.
Man Missing From Home
Quickly Voleta skimmed the article. The man had mysteriously disappeared from his home. There was no trace of a break-in. In fact, all the doors and windows were locked from the inside. The only sign that anyone had been there were warm coals in the hearth when the police arrived.
This sounded greatly suspicious to Voleta. "Mum, Dad, I'm going to go out for a bit!" Then with a crack she Disapparated to her own flat. She grabbed her badge and cloak from off her desk When the cloak was securely around her neck, Voleta checked the address on the article and Disapparated for a second time.
"Hopefully the Police have left." she thought.
She found herself in the muggle man's house. First she looked at the fireplace, and just as she had suspected, glittery Floo-powder was sprinkled in front of it. The coals had gone cold now. Wait- no wizard or witch would have to use wood to make a fire. That also was suspicious. Perhaps the muggle already had a fire going.
She stepped into the cold fireplace, hoping to find something that the kidnapper had accidentally left behind. Kicking around in the coals found nothing, so Voleta tried a couple spells on the back wall of the hearth. Nothing appeared. She was just about to step back out when she spotted something. Settled within the soot on a ledge above her head was a small card. A calling card. It seemed to be blank, but then when Voleta touched it with her wand tip, lines started to scrawl across it. They formed a skull and a snake. The sign of the Death Eaters. One of them was here. But why? What would they want with this muggle?
Voleta explored the rest of the house, but did not find anything of real interest. So she Disapparated home to have dinner with her family. Dierna was busy tonight so she would have to wait to tell her about the findings in the morning.
"Viktor"
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-14-03 23:14
The workshop winds to an end, the students all with sad, hang dog expressions at having to wait until the next school year for another flying and Quidditch session with the boys from Bulgaria. Viktor feigns smile after smile and endures endless hugs and handshakes from the little vermin. It was bad enough having to come here today and pretend to enjoy giving instruction to these snots and it was hard enough to get by without knowing any names other than the three Bulgarian's and those of the Beck ratlings (until he'd hear someone else use another person's name that is) but now to go through the motions of acting like he cares for the buggers and will miss them? Too much!
Glad this test of patience has come to an end, Viktor makes sure he has a few names memorized to pass along. Some of these miniature Slytherins have a great deal of potential and will be worth watching. Viktor walks with the other three men to just outside the school gates. He turns down the invitation to eat at The Spinning Horn and with a nod, Viktor disapparates, eager to get home and back to his own familiar, and much preferred, self.
Lights
Author: Devo
Date: 09-14-03 06:50
The next day Devo could barely sit up in her bed at the Hospital wing. "Devo," whispered Alexis into her ear. Devo just sat there looking up at the ceiling.
After a few minutes finally Devo spoke in a type of whiny voice, "Am I going to get kicked out?"
"I don't know" Alexis replied staring at the portrait on the wall. "I really don't know."
