Last Day
Author: Mary
Date: 10-15-03 15:23
Mary sat with Crispin Cooke and Mortimer Rollo in a compartment to themselves, naturally, since it seemed very unlikely that anyone would ever want to get anywhere close to those three if they could avoid it. Mary and Crispin sat a bit apart from Mortimer, still reeling from the fact that he seemed to be some hidden genius, scoring higher than Crispin in every single one of his final exams, except transfiguration.
They both scored higher than Mary, which was no surprise. The only surprise related to Mary's exams was that she managed to finish them at all.
She twirled her wand deftly between the fingers of her right hand, picking up speed as it whirled in circles around her spindly pale digits. Mortimer watched, transfixed, but Crispin was looking into Mary's eyes, and she was looking back. They'd already agreed to see each other this coming summer, and to leave Mr. Rollo out.
Right now they were working on becoming telepathic with one another, sure that with practice, diligence and patience the skill would come to them. Mortimer at least, wasn't bored.
He was watching Mary's wand go around and around and around.
The Long
Journey Home
Author: Brady
Date: 10-15-03 16:00
Two Slytherins, formerly fourth years and soon to be fifth years, were sitting in one of the last compartments on the train. They were bored. Stiff. And the journey to London had only just begun. Both boys occupied one seat in the compartment, and they were lying on their backs staring up at the ceiling.
"I'm so bloody bored. Are we there yet?" Phillip Wilder moaned.
"No," Brady replied monotonously, "we're not even close to our destination yet, my friend."
"Bloody hell."
Suddenly, the door to the compartment slid open and Declan Collins and Sergio Lyon poked their heads inside. "Macnair, Wilder, there's room for the two of us. Everything else is full. We've walked the whole train," Sergio said. He moved inside and gestured for Brady to sit up and make some room for him.
Brady looked dubious. "And give up my bed?" But Sergio was an eighteen year old and Brady wasn't about to argue any further. He got up and slid over to the window, and Phillip did the same across the way to make room for Declan.
"So, how does it feel to be a Hogwarts graduate, Sergio?" Phillip asked.
Sergio shrugged. "Don't feel any different yet."
"Will you be working this summer?" Brady asked.
"With any luck." Sergio didn't elaborate any further, and no one seemed interested in carrying on the conversation. After a brief lull, Sergio asked, "So which one of you is going to tryout for the free Quidditch spot next season?"
Brady shrugged nonchalantly. "I thought I might give it a go."
"He's a maniac fan," Phillip said. "I'd be shocked if he doesn't tryout."
"Well, you best spend your summer practicing, then," Sergio said, turning to Brady. "Slytherin already looks strong. It's the only team that won't have to completely rebuild. If you're as fanatical as Wilder suggests, maybe you're just what the team needs to complete the roster."
"As long as Slytherin takes the Cup next year, I don't care who is on the team," Brady said. It was the truth, but Brady might just make an effort to earn a spot on the Slytherin team.
Recognition
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 10-15-03 17:04
Briar had instantly recognized Lucius Malfoy when he walked in but she thinks she managed not to give away that she knows him. Slightly older looking but all in all Malfoy looks the same as Briar remembers him from some of the gatherings her parents attended. Both social events and Death Eater related meetings. As far Briar is concerned, it helps knowing that Malfoy has no idea who she really is. Despite this, Briar can't help but feel relieved when Malfoy leaves a short time later, praising the scones and buying a pumpkin spice cake to take home.
Home, Indeed
Author: Devin Alexander
Date: 10-15-03 18:16
Devin sighed as he sat on the train alone. The Slytherin students didn't sit with him because he was poor and not very impressive or arrogant. The other house kids didn't like Slytherin students, so they didn't sit with him either. He was all alone and lonely.
He stared out of the window with a mixture of boredom and loneliness.
He'd given Draco a gift that he had saved up hard for, and the remembering of it brought a little peace to him. He knew that Draco was powerful and wealthy, and he wanted to look like he was able to present him with something worthy of him. Something affordable to Devin would be trash to Draco, so Devin saved hard for the cloak for his "friend".
Draco wasn't really his friend, but he wanted him to be so. No one was his friend, really. Just like in the train, the same abandonment happened to him at school. He'd wondered why he was placed in Slytherin too. Others had mentioned that he didn't belong there because he was a coward and weak. He was not a coward, but he would be the first to admit that he did not know much about being a wizard, even after so many classes. Sure, he was able to do the spells, ride the brooms with ease, but he was not particularly powerful or impressive.
Draco reminded him of what he wanted to be, strong, self-sure, and commanding.
He sat back and waited for the train to arrive at home. He would more than likely remain in his room during the entire break, but he liked his room. At least there he could be himself and not be afraid of what others thought about him.
12 Grimauld
Place: Auror on Vacation = Oxymoron?
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 10-15-03 19:26
"As of now I am officially on vacation." I announce to Moody, Tonks and Molly Weasley in the sitting room of Grimauld Place.
"Scum don't take holidays - they try to kill you wheter you're on duty or not." Moody replies with his usually gruffness.
"Isn't he a ray of sunshine?" Tonks replies, doing a good imitation hornpipe step, to not trip on some carpet that folded over.
I shake my head and laugh. "I know that, Alastor. I figured that out shortly after I first started working."
"Good. Don't want to lose you to the scum lassie. Constant vigilance!"
"No way. Being killed would make the Formorii much too happy. No, I'll live forever just to annoy them!"
"So what are you planning to do for your holidays, Dierna, Dear?" asks Molly.
"Do some work for the Order, of course. If the Ministry Formorii can take vacations to work for Voldemort then I can do the same to work for the Order. I'm also going to spend time in Ireland. It's been much too long since I've been to Dunsidhe."
Somewhere
Out There
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 10-15-03 22:20
No pale moonlight, yet still, there is a wind here, an ill wind reeking of mist and dampness....and one I've felt before.
Half-formed images flashed in Lupin's mind as he traced the Auror's fading footsteps through a labyrinth of corridors, first of stone and then of earth. A quick glance at the map confirmed that he was no longer in MOM, but somewhere beneath the earth, winding nearer the surface.
So intent was he on his surroundings that he almost tripped over a large log and pulled himself short just in time. The log itself spanned a narrow chasm, and from inside the chasm glowed a bright orange light tipped with a vile purplish glow. Some type of magefire stoked below, fulsome and dark in nature.
Carefully, he crossed the log sideways, foot over foot. It was not a long go, and he heard the footsteps stop not too far ahead of him. He inched forward to where the passage opened and he could see into a cavern that was somehow familiar. Had he been here before?
Hiding behind an outcropping, he cast a small spell to amplify the murmurings, and was promptly assailed by the sound of whimpering, along with two voices, and an ominous snarling.
.....Must turn it soon; the other is restless, and the Master....
....is not here, and I say the potion is not strong enough!... This last was the voice of the Auror Remus had followed. The first was much lighter, almost squiblike?
Lupin leaned closer, and saw two figures examining the contents of a fuming crucible. Nearly was the source of the whimpering, a puppy trapped in a cage, and guarding the cage....
A chill shot down Remus' spine. A Direbeast! They were creating Direbeasts! How? hadn't that formula been lost centuries before. Yet, to the one they called "Master," it was simply another link in a growing chain of creatures to serve him, if he even knew about this. Perhaps this experiment was a way to curry favor.
They were too intent on their work to sense a human presence, and the direbeast they had fashioned was a lesser prototype, without the keen senses normal to their kind. Only one presence in the cavern knew that Lupin hid a few yards away, and that presence whimpered a fearful cry for help, for salvation, for deliverance.
Remus would be a fool to try anything. His only prudent course of action was to retreat and report what he'd seen to the Order. But when, especially when someone vulnerable was threatened, had he ever been prudent?
Some Fatherly
Advice
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 10-15-03 20:29
The meeting with Severus goes rather well, I think. I like his plan and think it is workable. However there is a bit of a sticking point which I feel must be covered. He gives me the perfect opportunity when he asks, "Anything else you wanted to discuss, Headmaster?"
"Indeed, there is!" I say, fixing him with a gaze over the top of my spectacles. "Approximately how old are you, Severus?"
He eyes me curiously before replying, "Mid-thirties! Why do you ask?"
"And you consider yourself fully mature at this age?" I continue.
"I do!" is his somewhat curt response.
"Then why is it that you continue to act like an adolescent in one certain area?" He starts to respond, but I cut him off short. "You have nursed this particular grudge against the Potters and their companions, well beyond its natural life. It's time to let it go, Severus! It is eating you like acid, from the inside out. Let it go before there is nothing left. I need your strengths and abilities for myself... for Hogwarts... for The Order. Just as you need us, to keep you from Voldemort's clutches. We all need each other. Trust... Friendship... That's what it is all about!"
He makes as if to speak, but I continue. "The problem was not so one-sided as you seem to think. There were wrongs done on both sides. I know! I was there. I ask you to go back and review your memories, and be VERY objective about it. See if I am not correct. The Potters are long gone. They can do you neither harm nor good. The others, their friends, are still with us. They can do you much good, if you will only let them. See if you cannot find it in your heart to accept Dierna n’ C’aran as a co-worker... as an ally... as a friend."
I lean back in my chair and study the bottom of my teacup. At this point, I do not know whether I will get acquiescence ot an explosion. Either is possible.
Leaving
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 10-16-03 01:02
Sorcha waited for the students to leave the school before proceeding with her own departure plans. She had packed light for her trip to St. Mungo's. She took some books, her lesson plans for next year, paper, and something to write with. She wasn't sure what the hospital staff would think of Ailsa, who wouldn't leave Sorcha's side. If they wouldn't let her stay, the Sorcha would have to find someone to look after Ailsa.
Sorcha left a note to Dumbledore telling him that she was leaving for St. Mungo's, and she hoped to be back before the beginning of the school year. She would have given it to him, but he was busy, so she just left it where he could find it. Sorcha then left Hogwarts, and when she was able to, she apparated to St. Mungo's.
MOM - Cafeteria
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 10-16-03 08:01
I watched Dolores Umbridge as she nibbled on a sandwich. Our lunch had been postponed for a day, but that was just as well. Quite a few people were away on vacation, including Dierna, which meant less ears would hear our conversation. And as it was, I was getting quite the earful from Dolores.
"She... she hired a werewolf of all things! Can you imagine! That Lupin fellow. It's an outrage!"
I tried not to look disgusted as she sputtered bits of sandwich on my robes. Nodding sympathetically, I listened closely, carefully memorizing everything she told me.
"And she's always whispering with that Barret woman. Probably coming up with ways to make my job more difficult no doubt. You had better watch out too. She seems chummy with Arthur as well. I'll have to put a stop to all this gossip. This is the Ministry after all! Must keep things in order. Which reminds me, I have a few new report forms to show Cornelius. There are not enough reports coming from our departments. We must stay on top of everything, right?"
I nodded in agreement, but started to churn the information in my head as Umbridge went into a rant about forms and rules. The number "12" had been floating in my head ever since finding the scribbled note in Arthur's desk. Maybe the number represented the number of people in a group? 12 members? Mentally, I started to add up the names in my head. Arthur, Barret, Dierna, Lupin, Dumbledore, Molly... that gave me six. Was I on the right track? Thoughtfully chewing my own sandwich, I smiled at Umbridge. This woman was proving more useful than I could ever have imagined.
In the Dark
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-16-03 09:06
Darkness enveloped Bill's office. The vertical blinds over his shoulder were drawn tightly shut, forbidding any sliver a light from penetrating the room through the window. Bill sat motionless in his chair with elbows propped on the armrests and fingers tented together. His eyes were shut, and he appeared to be sleeping. But he wasn't.
Bill was deep in thought. His mind was on Adriana's effacement from this earth, though he knew she still existed in some shape or form. He also knew that Helena knew much more than she led on, and this troubled Bill immensely. Was it just coincidence that Helena had discovered the truth about Adriana, and was there more to Helena than anyone had ever imagined?
Disruption came in the form of a knock at the door. "Bill?" the voice of Ron called out. "Are you in there?"
Bill opened his eyes and felt blindly for his wand. "Yes, I'm here," he shouted in reply. "One moment, please!" After his fingers enclosed on the narrow piece of wood, he raised his hand over his head and muttered a spell, which caused the blinds to spring open and light to spill into the room.
He rose from his seat, pocketed his wand and walked to the door. Upon opening it, he saw the smiling faces of his brother Ron, his sister Ginny and their friends Harry and Hermione.
"Are you busy, Bill?" Ginny asked, peering into the office to get a better look. Bill stepped out of the doorway and invited them inside. "Not at all. I just got some paperwork finished." Indeed, a stack of completed important-looking documents were situated on the edge of Bill's desk, all of them stamped with the bank's official seal.
"Do you have any internships available for students?" Hermione asked, approaching a bookshelf to peruse some of the titles there. "Or is it possible, perhaps, to get a little bit of information on the various occupations Gringotts offers?"
"I will try to provide you with some information, Hermione. Are you perhaps thinking about working at Gringotts after Hogwarts?" Bill asked.
"Perhaps. I would like to explore my options," Hermione answered.
She selected a book from the shelf as Ron expressed, "I'm hungry. Can we go to the Spinning Horn for lunch now?"
Bill chuckled and nodded, "Yes, let's go. I'll treat you to sweets from Briar's for dessert!"
Celebrating
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 10-16-03 11:13
Brett sits across from Orieliah and his sister, the better to be able to converse with them on the ride. The trio are in a very celebratory mood. Not only is summer vacation set to start but all did extremely well on exams plus Aussie got an owl this morning affirming she's got a job starting in August. With what money they have from their parents and their grandmother, Aussie plans to find a place for Brett and she to live and since she doesn't start work for a couple of months, they'll both be able to have some real vacation time. And some of the vacation time will be spent with Orie!
Number 12:
Proposition
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 10-16-03 14:22
Snape had been forced to remain silent during Dumbledore's sagely advice to "bury the hatchet", and when the Headmaster finally ceased speaking, the Slytherin Head of House was granted the opportunity to respond. "I suppose I can be civil, Albus," Snape said reluctantly. He was a stubborn man and would probably never consider Dierna more than a colleague.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled knowingly and he said, "It's a start." He rose from behind his desk and Snape stood up as well. "Tell me how your meeting with Dierna goes," Dumbledore said, escorting Snape to the door. "And remember, put your grudges behind you. There are more important things in life."
Snape acknowledged these parting words with a nod of his head and then swept out of Dumbledore's office. Twenty minutes later, he stood outside the battered, black-painted door of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. He let himself inside quietly, as to not disturb the painting of Mrs. Black hanging overhead, and wandered into the sitting room where he found Alastor Moody, the spritely Tonks, Molly Weasley...and Dierna n’ C’aran.
"Do you bring news, Severus?" a suddenly alarmed Molly asked, after noting the look of consternation on Snape's face.
"No," Snape said, and he expelled an impatient sigh, "I have a proposition for n’ C’aran, and for anyone else who may hold an interest as well. However, I think this may require your specialty," Snape went on, directing this last statement at Dierna.
12 Grimmauld
Place: Severus' Suggestion
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 10-16-03 20:26
Intrigued by the thought of Snape needing my "expertise" at something, and not about to let Snape's sudden change in attitude go by, I ask, "What is your idea, Severus?"
"The Dark Lord isn't happy with me. It's only a matter of time before he tries to kill me. I need to get back into his favor."
"Cinnte. We both know that. How does this involve me?"
"I am going to bring The Dark Lord something he can't refuse. Or, rather, an altered copy of the original - the Fenririan Manuscript."
I almost fall off the chair.
"That manuscript has been missing for centuries!"
"That's why I... I need your help. You have the knowledge, experience and resources necessary."
I can tell how much personal-will it takes for Severus. I take a breath. "Severus, do you have any idea how long it can take to find such a manuscript? I've spent over five years looking for Irish ones that aren't nearly as rare as the Fenririan Manuscript."
"We don't have five years!"
"Tiggim! I know that. Plus, what happens if it's destroyed or so badly damaged as to be unreadable?"
"Do you have a better idea?" he snaps.
"No." I sigh again. "I don't. And yes, I'll do what I can to find this manuscript. First, I need to know everything about it." I pause. "We will also have to be careful. We can't cause suspicion by poking around looking for ancient dark arts manuscripts."
-----
Cinnte = certainly
Tiggim = I know
Making Plans
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 10-17-03 07:14
Lawrence and Vera chatted for a while longer before they settled into a quite comfortable silence. Vera was looking over some stuff while Lawrence was playing a bit of wizards chess, working on strategy. Occasionally he would glance over at her, and just watch her for a little bit. He knew that Aunt Maribel would love Vera. He also knew that David would love Vera as well.
Finally as the trolley came by Lawrence slipped from his chess game not disturbing Vera. He got a bit of everything and handed over the required eleven sickles and seven knuts. He slipped back next to Vera and showed her what he got. They took a break and talked over their 'snack' and exchanged Wizard Trading Cards from in the chocolate frogs.
"So what do you think about maybe going to the Opera House in Sydney while we are there? Hmm?" He tossed a bright green Berty Botts' Every Flavor Bean at her and laughed when she caught it and made a face. Turns out it was a 'grass' flavored bean.
She threw another one at him, but he ducked and it just missed him. "That was nasty Lawrence!!" she stuck her tongue out at him and took a sip of her pumpkin juice. Then her eyes lit up as he brought up Australia again. "I'd love it!!!" She laughed and started in on a pumpkin pastie.
"Aright then, I'll have David get us two tickets to whatever is playing that week we are there." He made a note to owl David as soon as he got home. "Aunt Maribel wants to met you, so maybe before we leave to fly into Sydney, you could spend a day or two with me in London?"
He smiled and leaned back in is seat, yawning slightly before he put his Wizards' Chess set away and thought about the events that the summer would hold.
Natural Flow
of Things
Author: Orieliah McCoi
Date: 10-17-03 07:23
Orei sat in the car with Brett and Aussie, the three talking and laughing as the train moved along toward the station in London. She was happy that Aussie had gotten a job that would start near the end of the summer. She was also looking forward to spending time with Brett this summer. It was definite that the first now to be second year student had feelings for the handsome soon to be sixth year student.
"If you guys want, my mom is really big into the real estate type thing and I'm sure that she can help the two of you find a place." And she hoped it was someplace close to where she was, which would make the summer a lot easier.
When the trolley came around they each ordered a few sweets as well as some pumpkin juice. "So what are we going to do this summer?" Orei asked after swallowing a bite of a pumpkin pastie.
The trio talked in energetic voices as they discussed possible plans for the summer, some of which included helping Orei practice with her Quidditch skills. "Brett, while you were studying for your O.W.Ls I got a little help from Ron, Harry and Ginny to help me learn a bit more of quidditch. Since I know your O.W.Ls were important and didn't want to keep you from studying to get good marks on them."
"Who's broom did you use?" Came the question, since both he and Aussie knew that first years couldn't have brooms yet. "I used Aussie's. Figured she wouldn't mind. I meant to say something afterwards. I was really careful honest!" She bit her lip, wondering if Aussie would be mad.
"That's ok. At least you got a chance to learn a bit, we can always do a little bit more this summer." The trio continued to talk, and allowed things to flow naturally like it seemed to always did between the trio.
On the Train
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 10-17-03 09:26
Bronwyn excused herself from the compartment just as the trolley cart lady rolled by. "Anything off the trolley, dears?" she asked sweetly, poking her head into the doorway where Bronwyn stood with a small bag slung over her shoulder.
The blonde Hufflepuff slipped her hand into her robe pocket and pulled out a small handful of coins as she rattled off the list of sweets she wanted. "Four cauldron cakes, four boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, four chocolate frogs, four pumpkin pasties, four licorice wands and four ice cold glasses of pumpkin juice, please."
She handed the coins to the trolley lady and looked over her shoulder at Desi, Toby and Hunter. "What do you guys want?"
Desi and Hunter exchanged blank looks and Toby started to laugh. Bronwyn kept a straight face until she was forced to hand over her loot to the others in the compartment. She laughed, too, and held up her hand when Toby, Hunter and Desi tried to give her some coins. "No, no, it's on me. I'm feeling generous!"
The trolley lady wheeled away as Brownyn settled her stash of sweets onto the empty seat next to Toby, then she excused herself for a second time to go change out of her Hogwarts robes. When she returned a few minutes later she wore a lilac, sleeve-less dress which went just above her knee and a silver band adorned her golden hair. She stowed her bag underneath her seat and parked herself next to Toby, who wore a sour expression on his face.
"Sour lemon?" Bronwyn asked, her eyes falling upon the open box of beans in Toby's lap.
"Sour apple?" Hunter asked, when Toby shook his head.
"Vomit?" Desi asked. "Bogey? Ear wax?"
With great effort, Toby swallowed and exclaimed, "Toe jam."
